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Plaque - Next of Kin Memorial Plaque, World War I, 1919 Numismatics Reg. No: NU 44701

Summary:
Alternative Name(s): Death Plaque; The King's Penny

Next of Kin Memorial Plaque, World War I, in timber display frame, featuring the figure of Britannia with a laural wreath, and a male lion. Presented in memory of Albert Edward Kemp.

Albert Edward Kemp was a 32-year-old butcher living in Caulfield and married to Annie Josephine, when he enlisted. He and Annie had a daughter, Ethel Mavis, and a baby son, George Percival. Albert enlisted at Royal Park on 4 October 1916, and was assigned to the 22nd Reinforcements, 6th Battalion - regimental number 6800. His battalion left Melbourne 25 October 1916 - just 21 days after he enlisted. He was shipped to France on 27 March, and probably went into action in the trenches. On 21 September 1917, Albert died in the trenches in Glencorse Wood, Belgium. He is buried at 29 The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Description:
A circular bronze plaque (120 mm diameter) in timber display frame, painted gold. It features Britannia, classically robed and helmeted, standing facing right, holding a modest laurel wreath crown in her extended left hand and supporting a trident by her right side with her right arm and hand. In the foreground a male lion stands facing right; the animal was originally described as 'striding forward in a menacing attitude' which may explain its unusually low profile. Above the lion's head is a rectangular panel containing the name of the deceased, ALBERT EDWARD KEMP . To the right of Britannia's head and by the side of her right arm is a small dolphin, a reference to British sea-power. At the lower right edge is a branch of oakleaves and acorns. Around the edge, HE + DIED + FOR + FREEDOM + + AND + HONOUR. In exergue, in symbolic confrontation, a lion pounces on an eagle: a reference to the desired destruction of the Central Powers. E Carter Preston's initials, ECRP, were embossed above the lion's right forepaw and the number "20" (possibly a Ministry of Munitions factory number) is impressed by the animal's right rear paw.
(Based on The Imperial War Museum description - http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.992/viewPage/4, accessed 25/3/2009).
Discipline: Numismatics
Dimensions: 3.3 cm (Height), 17.4 cm (Diameter)

More information

Tagged with: death mourning, wars conflicts, world war i 1914-1918
Themes this item is part of: Albert Edward Kemp, Soldier (1884-1917), Public Life & Institutions Collection
On Display at: Melbourne Museum
Primary Classification: MEDALS
Secondary Classification: Commemorative
Tertiary Classification: military history
DateEra: 1919 AD
Obverse Description: Britannia, classically robed and helmeted, standing facing right, holding a modest laurel wreath crown in her extended left hand and supporting a trident by her right side with her right arm and hand. In the foreground a male lion stands facing right; the animal was originally described as 'striding forward in a menacing attitude' which may explain its unusually low profile. Above the lion's head is a rectangular panel containing the name of the deceased, ALBERT EDWARD / KEMP To the right of Britannia's head and by the side of her right arm is a small dolphin, a reference to British sea-power. At the lower right edge is a branch of oakleaves and acorns. Around the edge, HE+DIED+FOR+FREEDOM+ +AND+HONOUR. In exergue, in symbolic confrontation, a lion pounces on an eagle: a reference to the desired destruction of the Central Powers. E Carter Preston's initials were embossed above the lion's right forepaw and the number "16" (possibly a Ministry of Munitions factory number) is impressed by the animal's right rear paw.
(Based on The Imperial War Museum description - http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.992/viewPage/1)
Reverse Description: Plain
Edge Description: Plain
Inscriptions: ALBERT EDWARD / KEMP
HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR
Material: Bronze
In Memory Of: Private Albert Kemp - 6th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF), Malvern, Victoria, Australia, 1919

Locality represents place used. Today, the address used is in Caulfield, but it was described as Malvern in some official documentation at the time.
Artist: E Preston, Great Britain
References: 'The Next of Kin Memorial Plaque', Imperial War Museum. http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.992/viewPage/1 - accessed December 2006 and March 2009

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