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Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War Memorial Plaque for Lance Corporal John (Jack) STAPLETON, 5441

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c. 1918

Overview

First World War bronze memorial plaque for Lance Corporal John (Jack) STAPLETON, 5441. Also known as the ‘Death Plaque or Dead Man’s Penny’.

Historical information

The Memorial Plaque concept originated in 1917, the design of which was the subject of a national competition. The plaque was sent to next of kin to recognise the service of their loved one who died as a result of the First World War.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2005.1.2

Item type

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Width

120 mm

Height or length

120 mm

Depth

2 mm

Weight

302 g

Inscriptions and markings

Embossed on front around edge – “HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR”, and in middle on right side, “JOHN STAPLETON”

Contextual information

The round bronze ‘Memorial Plaque’ depicts Britannia and a lion on the front and bears the inscription, "He Died for Freedom and Honour". The full name of the dead soldier, in this instance John STAPLETON, is engraved on the right side of the plaque. No rank, unit or decorations are shown, befitting the equality of sacrifice made by all those who died as a result of war.

Keywords

First World War

Memorial Plaque

Year

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Object’s condition or completeness

Rare or representative

Well provenanced

Google Maps search term / URL

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8

Geotag

-35.030449, 117.912878
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Links to additional resources

1914-1918 British War Medal and 1914-1918 Victory Medal awarded to L.Cpl J. STA…

Last modified

Thursday, 16 January, 2025

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Other items from Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Dead Man's Penny

Memorial Plaque of L/Cpl J. STAPLETON

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