Summary

Alternative Name(s): Death Plaque, The King's Penny, Dead Man's Penny

Next of Kin Memorial Plaque - World War I, In memory of George Regelsen.

Corporal Regelsen, service number 916, 29th Battalion was born in Benalla, Victoria. He was a blacksmith and farrier when he joined in Williamstown, Victoria on 13 July 1915, aged 25 years and 2 months. His next of kin was his mother Mary Regelsen, who lived in Newport then Yarraville, Victoria. Promoted to Corporal in France in August 1916, Regelsen was wounded in action on 26 November 1916. He died from his wounds the next day on 27 November 1916 and was buried at Quarry Cemetery, near Montauban in France. Corporal Regelesen willed half his property to his mother, and half to Miss A. Bremner of 46 Wilkins St, Newport, [note form letters re Memorial Plaques and presentation ceremony in this file],

Another record shows Corporal George Regelsen was the son of Charles Henry and Mary Ann Regelsen of 27 Tongue Street, Seddon, Victoria.

Physical Description

A circular bronze plaque with cardboard container that the plaques were mailed in. 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, GEORGE REGELSEN. 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 oak leaves 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. The artist, E. Carter Preston's initials, ECRP, were embossed above the lion's right forepaw.

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, GEORGE REGELSEN. To the right of Britannia's head and by the side of her right arm are small dolphins, a reference to British sea-power. At the lower right edge is a branch of oak leaves 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. The number 17 is impressed by the animal's right rear paw (a manufacturer's number).

Reverse Description

Plain

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Memorial plaques of this sort were devised by the British government during World War I to commemorate the fallen and boost lagging morale. In 1916 a committee was established by Secretary of State for War, David Lloyd George, to consider what form the memorial should take for those who died 'on active service'. The Committee included two peers, six Members of Parliament, and representatives for the Dominions, the India Office, the Colonial Office and the Admiralty. A specialist sub-committee assisted with artistic and technical detail, and included the directors of the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Keeper of the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum.

In August 1917 a public design competition was advertised, with a £500 prize pool. Entrants were advised that 'The design should comprehend a subject and a brief inscription. It is suggested that some symbolical figure subject should be chosen but the following inscription has been decided upon: 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' and this must form part of the design.' A space for the deceased's name was to be included. It was later decided that a scroll would also be presented. Over 800 entries were received from Britain and beyond. The first prize, of £250, for two model designs, was awarded on 24 January 1918 to Edward Carter Preston, Sandon Studios Society, Liverpool. The lion in his depiction was originally 'striding forward in a menacing attitude' but was later given a more benign posture.

Production of the plaques began in December 1918, but had a troubled history. The plaques were first made in London's 'Memorial Plaque Factory' managed by American engineer and entrepreneur Manning Pike, then his monopoly was terminated and the plaques began to be made Woolwich Arsenal and other former munitions factories. Production was finally was placed back in the hands of Pike, by which time standards had declined. It is estimated that about 1,150,000 specimens were made.

The plaques commemorated those men and women who died between 4 August 1914 and 10 January 1920, for Home Establishments, Western Europe and the Dominions. Deaths in other theatres of war (including Russia) or for those who died subsequently was 30 April 1920.

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