Medals and memorial plaques
‘He died for freedom and honour’
Wording on the official memorial plaque, 1918
Even before the war was over, the British government had decided to commemorate the war dead with a memorial plaque. This would go to the family of the dead, as thanks and commemoration for the loss of life.
The design was by competition. The winning design by Edward Carter Preston showed Britannia and the British lion with dolphins to represent British sea power. Production began in December 1918. The next-of-kin were sent a form, which had to be counter-signed by a vicar or magistrate, to prove they were the rightful recipients of the plaque.
Men and women who were killed in battle, or died of illness or wounds received during their military service, were commemorated by a plaque, individually named. The families of men shot after Courts Martial did not receive a plaque.
The British government produced and distributed over one million memorial plaques.