~ WW1 Framed Next of Kin Memorial Plaque - Pte. Victor Lord Ramsay - RASC ~
A First World War Next of Kin Memorial Plaque for a Private Victor Lord Ramsay in an original and rather rare frame.
It was in October 1916 that the British Government setup a committee for the idea of a commemorative plaque that could be given to the next of kin for those men and women whose deaths were due to the First World War of 1914-18.
The plaque known variously as a Death Plaque, Death Penny, Dead Mans Penny or Widows Penny is a 12 cm disk cast in bronze gunmetal. It shows an image of Britannia and a lion, two dolphins that represented Great Britain's sea power and the emblem of Imperial Germany's eagle being torn to pieces by another lion. Britannia is holding an oak spray with leaves and acorns.
On the outer edge of the disk it bears the inscription, 'He Died For Freedom And Honour'.
On the plaque is a rectangular tablet where the deceased name was cast into the plaque. No rank was given as it was intended to show equality in their sacrifice.
In this case the plaque bears the name of Victor Lord Ramsay, a Private in The Royal Army Service Corps, the unit responsible for keeping the British Army supplied with provisions.
What makes this item extra special is that the plaque comes in an original frame. These frames are rather rare. They were not issued with the plaques but could be bought separately as a really nice way to display the plaques and to honour the fallen.
The frame is in the form of the Maltese cross, in copper with a silvered circular wreath bearing the dates of the First World War.
The frame has its original stand (so often lost) and bears a makers stamp to the reverse reading ‘Wright & Son, Edgeware, Middlesex England’. It also bears the Registry Design number of ‘680783’ which dates the plaque to 1921.
Included with the item is a piece of paper with typed information on Victor Ramsay.
That information is as follows:
Victor Lord Ramsay
Pte M2/192182
57th Division/M.T. Company - Royal Army Service Corps
Country of service: UK
Died 9th February 1919 (aged 22) of pneumonia
Burried at Thorncliffe Cemetery & Crematorium Barrow-In-Furness, Lancashire UK
Cemetary/Memorial Ref No. 1.724A
Father:
William Ramsay
Yewbarrow House
Grange-Over-Sands
Barrow-In-Furness
UK
~ Dimensions ~
The plaque is of the standard size.
The frame measures 20.5cm x 20.5cm (8 x 8 inches).
The framed plaque weighs 500g.
~ Condition ~
Both the plaque and frame are in really fantastic condition with no damages and very little sign of wear.
#7876
