Q My husband and I lived in England for several years in the 1970s. We enjoyed browsing through antique shops and eventually amassed a collection of 40 or so of these War Memorial plaques. A few are framed, and one or two of them are accompanied by a document from King George V, which closes with his salutation: "I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War." We are downsizing and would like to donate or give away these items. How much are they worth?

Michaan&#8217;s Auctions photo.The Dead Man&#8217;s Penny, a plaque commemorating the death of a Briton in World War I, depicts the Britannia and lion
Michaan's Auctions photo. The Dead Man's Penny, a plaque commemorating the death of a Briton in World War I, depicts the Britannia and lion symbols, as well as the deceased soldier's name and year of death. ( Michaan's Auctions )

A As "Downton Abbey" fans know, World War I brought significant social and economic changes to the British people throughout the Commonwealth. A total of 8.7 million Britons served in the war -- including troops from Ireland, Canada, Australia, Ghana and Zambia. England's own casualties totaled more than 950,000, while 1,115,597 wartime casualties from all the dominion countries were tallied. The enormous death toll was not anticipated by the British government. Families of those killed in action clamored for some sort of recognition of their loved ones' sacrifices.




The design centered on a figure of a lion backed by a figure of Britannia holding a trident and an oak leaf wreath. Two dolphins in the background represented Britain's sea supremacy, while at the bottom of the plaque a German eagle is shown being devoured by a British lion.

A rectangular space to the right of Britannia was reserved for the soldier's name and date of death. All war casualties, whether officers or enlisted men, received the same plaque so no rank was indicated.

The personalized plaques were sent to each soldier's family, together with a declaration from King George V. It read: "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger and finally passed out of sight of men. ... Let those who come after see to it that his name not be forgotten."


While most families appreciated the gesture, some -- particularly those from Australia and New Zealand -- felt the medallions trivialized their loved one's loss of life. In protest, they returned the plaques to the British government.



Still, these items are a tangible reminder of the sacrifices of British soldiers who died in "the War to End All Wars."
