Poppy
In Memory Of

88896 Private Oswald Thomas
13th Bn., Royal Welsh Fusiliers
1899 - 16th November 1918

Died of wounds received in action.

He shall not be forgotten...

Poppy


Next-of-kin Scroll and Plaque - WW1

The next-of-kin of all those who died in the service of the British people in the Great War were given a bronze plaque and a scroll to commemorate their sacrifice. This is my small contribution to introduce these - and commemorate the lives of all those brave young men who fell for their country.
Be Not Forgotten
The idea for a memorial momento was first raised in 1916, and in 1917 the government announced a competition to design the plaque, which had to be in bronze. The first prize was to be 250 pounds.

The closing date was 1 November 1917, although this was extended to 31 December 1917 due to the tremendous interest from overseas.

Over 800 entries were received from all over the Empire and the Western Front. The prize was won by Mr. E Carter Preston from Liverpool, and his design was used.

The design was of Britannia facing to the right. On either side of her shoulders is a dolphin to represent Britain's sea power, and before her stands a lion facing to the right in profile, which is described as 'striding forth in a menacing attitude'. In the exergue a lion (facing left) slays an eagle, representing the destruction of the Central Powers.

Production of the plaques began in December 1918, and of the scrolls in January 1919. A factory in Acton produced the first plaques and later they were produced at Woolwich Arsenal and other centres no longer engaged on munition production.

For Freedom and Honour

Some 1,150,000 plaques and scrolls were issued from 1919 onwards. They commemorated those who fell between 4th August 1914 and 10th January 1920 for home establishments, Western Europe and the Dominions, whilst the final date for other theatres of the war, or for those who died subsequently of attributable causes, was 30th April 1920.

Be Not Forgotten
The scrolls were despatched in cardboard rolls 7 1/4 inches long with a printed cover letter bearing a facsimile of the King's signature.

The plaques were sent out under seperate cover in cardboard containers enclosed in white envelopes bearing the Royal Crest.

Mr Carter Preston later designed a number of well known medals and medallions.


Some Interesting Related Great War Links

Ypres Museum, Belgium
Some background to the poppies...


Go Back to Thomas Children
Go Back To The Thomas Family Tree...
Go Back To Michael and Gina's Homepage...