WW1 Death Penny

[Doc Vernon]

Posted for Dennis!

Has anyone heard of this one?
One of my pals was showing me his family's 'death penny'.
He had a relative who was killed in WW1, while serving in the Canadian army.
Apparently attached to a British regiment.
The 'penny' was given to the family of the deceased.
Not sure if that is the correct title, as sounds rather morbid.
Have a feeling that it may have been what the general population named it.
Penny doesn't sound like much for a life.
In its own way, quite beautiful.

WW1 Death Penny[2391].jpg

[Doc Vernon]

This will interest you then Den and many more too!
Thanks

Dead Man’s Penny

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memori...28medallion%29

The Next of Kin Memorial Plaque and Scroll

[robpage]

Next of Kin Memorial Plaque, Scroll and King’s Message | Imperial War Museums

I remember those hanging on the walls of a few war widows of WWI ,they were more a darker bronze colour , an aunt of mine whose husband was killed 10/11/1918 had it framed with the Kings Scroll

[j.sabourn]

#1... Dennis via Vernon Ref. The death penny wasn’t referring to the practice of sometimes putting a penny on each eyelld of a corpse. Probably to prevent any observer seeing the vacant staring of the corpse into space, which can be very dis-concerting. Especially to relatives and friends. Rgds JWS

[robpage]

they were called the death penny because they were posthumous, in remembrance of whoever's name was individually cast on it , and although 4" diameter the brittania resembled the tails side of the old penny

[Fouro]

The WW I Memorial Plaque.

Monuments & Memorials

Fouro.

[Peter F Chard]

I have one of these '' Pennies " plus the notification of my maternal grandfather's death in France and a note that said my Grandmother would now be eligible for a pension of 12 shillings and sixpence a week. That pension just paid for the rent on the house the family lived in at Fleetwood, nothing for food. My Gran had to find work and she was eventually reduced to taking in washing in order to supplement her pension. She had four infant children to feed and clothe, how she managed was just amazing. Regards, Peter in NZ.

[Brenda Shackleton]

We had one for my grandfather , NICHOLAS HARTLEY, Bosun 28th June 1918. SS Queen. Made of copper
Regards
Brenda

[Keith at Tregenna]

Spent a lot of time trying to locate a relatives Penny, His wife had passed away prior to his loss at sea WW1, the children were apparently relocated as news came in of the loss at sea and nothing apparently now remains.

Sad.

Keith.

[vic mcclymont]

For once I agree with you Lewis. They way we treat our returning Armed forces in comparison with the Americans is despicable.
Vic