World War One 'Death Penny'

[GillianF]

I have just seen an old (recorded) 'Who Do You Think You Are' and it featured the World War One 'Death Penny' issued to the next of kin of those who died in World War One.

I understand the 'plaques' were issued 1920-ish but wonder if it was automatically sent to the bereaved family or had to be applied for - which seems unlikely.

Husband and I both lost a great uncle in WWI and have recently visited their graves in Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries and done a short tour in northern France of WWI memorials, cemeteries, trenches and dugouts so my interest is high at the moment.

I am wondering who in our families would have received the 'death penny' and what might have happened to them.

[LizzieL]

My husband had a half great uncle who was killed in WW1. His 'Death Penny' was sent to his father (The soldier was unmarried so father was next of kin). We did have the original package it was in when sent out by the War Office, but it's now on loan to a museum, so I don't know the date it was sent.
I would guess that whoever your relatives named as NOK on their service record would have received them. Then it's anybody's guess who they were passed on to. in OH's case it went to OH's grandfather as only sibling (actually half brother), then OH's father (as only son) then OH as only child. But if you have a larger family, it could be more difficult to trace.

[ggrocott]

We had one for my great uncle, but unfortunately it 'disappeared' when my mother was very elderly and there was a constant procession of people through the house 'helping' her.  :-(  I suspect it has now been melted down.

[AntonyMMM]

You see a lot of them being sold in antique shops and online sadly. You could set up a name search on the main auction sites ( ebay,  saleroom.com etc)  to see if it appears.

There are also quite a few fakes around.

[ALAMO2008]

I think alot of people wrongly assume the Army sent the Death Plaque like the Medals for every Soldier Killed
The Death Plaque Company issued the Plaque and Scroll probably the Postage paid by the War Office on their behalf.
From what I understand the Army issued Application Form W5080 for the Next of Kin to complete as to the Deceased Relatives and the Form countersigned by a Magistrate or Clergyman and returned to the Plaque Company

Not everyone sent the Application Back - so not every Dead Soldier got one sent to his Family

[aghadowey]

I have two that came in a box lot in an auction.
A number of years ago I was involved in researching local soldiers from several areas who died in WWI. Part of the process was tracing relatives to locate information, photographs, etc. In a few cases the living relatives remembered seeing a Dead Man's Penny in their parents' or grandparents' homes but only a few families still retained them.

[Ray T]

My understanding is that they were unpopular and many families simply threw them away.

Unlike WW1 medals, they simply had a name and nothing about the recipient’s rank/service number, so it may be possible to source one with the same name but awarded to somebody else.

[AllanUK]

From the Imperial War Museum web site ...

Who might have received the plaque, scroll and King’s message?
The immediate next of kin of all who died serving with the British and Empire forces in the First World War were eligible to receive the plaque and scroll. With nearly a million dead for the British Army alone, the plaques are today still commonly found; the fragile scrolls survive less often. Some of those recorded by plaques and scrolls were not eligible for service medals, for instance, those who did not serve overseas but who died in service through accident or illness. Deaths in the period 1919–1921 (possibly later) could still lead to the presentation of a plaque, if either still in service (and even from natural causes), or the death was accepted as war-related. It is thought that many British and Empire war dead had no plaques and scrolls issued, due to the inability by 1919–20 to trace addresses for the eligible next of kin – a result of the high incidence of short-term rented addresses, re-marriage, and that, if they died unmarried with parents dead, there might be no dependants claiming a pension.

[ALAMO2008]

Example of the Application Form W5080 for the Plaque