WW1 Death Plaque – Harry Gregory

Condition fair - dirty back.

Died 1st day of 3rd Battle of Ypres

Regiment: East Lancashire regiment

Unit: 2nd Battalion

Rank: Private Service No: 28766

Died: 31st July 1917 Aged 21

Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave / Memorial reference Panel 34

Memorial YPRES ( MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Born: Brierfield Lancs

Enlisted: Bacup Lancs

Additional Information: son of John & Mary Gregory of 16 Hope Street, Bacup

The Bronze Memorial Plaque was issued to the next of kin of servicemen/women who had fallen in the Great War.

Measures 121mm (4.76”) diameter, weighing approx 333 grams, cast in bronze incorporating the following:

Brittania holding a Laurel Wreath in her left hand and a Trident in her right hand.

An imperial lion.

2 dolphins representing Britain's sea power.

The emblem of Imperial Germany's eagle being torn to pieces by another lion.

A rectangle containing the serviceman/womans name.

No rank was given as it was intended to show equality in their sacrifice.

Around the edge of the plaque inscribed " He/She Died For Freedom And Honour"

These plaques are sometimes referred to as –

DEAD MANS PENNY, MEMORIAL PLAQUE , WIDOWS PENNY ,

DEATH PENNY , DEATH PLAQUE  .