Supreme sacrifice paid in pennies

Over coming issues, members of the Warkworth branch of NZ Society of Genealogists will share some family histories that have been retrieved from research, conversations and handed down from generation to generation. We begin this series with Bryan Jackson’s account of the ‘death penny’.

Little did my grandmother Mabel realise that when her husband, William Francis Jackson, embarked with the 3rd Brigade NZ Field Artillery 11th Battery for Europe on 16 February 1917 that the only things that she would receive as a result were heartache and a ‘death penny’ (pictured).

In 1916, the British Government decided that an official token of gratitude should be given to the next-of-kin of fallen servicemen and women. The following year, the Government announced a competition to design a suitable plaque.
There were more than 800 entries from throughout the Empire with the winner being Edward Carter Preston, of Liverpool, who received the handsome sum of £250 in prizemoney. Each penny cost 13 shillings and sixpence to produce.

The design was a 12cm disk weighing 350gms and cast in bronze gunmetal, which incorporated an image of Britannia holding an oakspray and leaves, two dolphins representing Britain’s seapower and Germany’s eagle being torn apart by a lion. A rectangular tablet included the deceased’s name but not rank. On the outer edge are inscribed the words ‘He/she died for freedom and honour’.

The plaque and accompanying scroll were issued to 1,355,00 next-of-kin of men and 6000 next-of-kin of women. Production and distribution began in 1919, but in many instances the plaque was not well received and returned. The production and distribution of the plaques was not a complete success and the scheme ended before many next of kin received their official recognition.

William Jackson died of wounds received on the battlefield in northern France on 18 September 1918 and was buried at Grevillers British Cemetery near Bapaume. The plaque and scroll were sent to his widow, Mabel, in January 1922.
Warkworth Branch of NZ Society of Genealogists contacts: Cheryl Clague 425 9945 or Lesley Cornwall 425 8970.

Image: The troops referred to the ‘death penny’ as The Dead Man’s Penny. Many relatives returned the penny and the scheme was terminated before all servicemen were recognised.