Memorial Plaque query

[BillyH]

Three basic questions about the above, and is there a definitive answer to any or all of them.

Q1. If a man died in training in 1915 (no overseas service) would his nok have received a Memorial Plaque?     Q2.  What year were Memorial Plaques first issued?   and finally, Q3. in the particular case mentioned, would his widow have had to ask for one or would it have been posted out automatically?

BillyH.

[RussT]

The Great War Medal Collectors Companion has a chapter on them.

As far as I can see they were issued to all who fell and to those whose deaths were attributable to the war - so someone who died in training would qualify in my mind.

They went into production in Dec 1918, so I assume they were issued not long afterwards (1,365,000 were produced).

The were issued to NoK in a strict order of (relative) precedence, with Widow at the top. Details of widow NoK were already held by the MoP otherwise the person entitled was established via AF W5080.

Regards

Russ

 

[kenf48]

2 hours ago, BillyH said:

Q1. If a man died in training in 1915 (no overseas service) would his nok have received a Memorial Plaque?     Q2.  What year were Memorial Plaques first issued?   and finally, Q3. in the particular case mentioned, would his widow have had to ask for one or would it have been posted out automatically?

1. Yes, the immediate next of kin of all who died while serving with the British and Empire forces were eligible to receive the plaque and scroll. Specifically mentioned on the IWM  site

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/first-world-war-next-of-kin-plaque

and links on that page

2. The records for distribution, administered by the Ministry of Pensions no longer survive but due to production difficulties the scroll was not produced until January 1919. As Russ has noted probably distribution began shortly after production but they were still being issued a decade or so later to those service men and women whose death was attributable to war service.

3. The Records Office sent Army Form W.5080 to the next of kin on the soldier's records. The form was pre-printed and had to be signed and certified by a Minister or Magistrate, these are often seen in surviving records.

[BillyH]

Many thanks to Russ + Ken. That answer is as it should be too but I was never sure about the 'death in training' until now.

BillyH.

[thetrenchrat22]

This is the memorial plaque for Alexander Alfred Dodd of the 18th Kings Liverpool Regiment who whilst on leave, took ill at home in Ellesmere Port and died at Chester Infirmary from Ptomaine poisoning on the 2nd June 1915.  
he never served overseas. 

it picked it up, from the Miliatra shop in Chester market many years ago

[303man]

Hope these are clear enough to read Regulations Regarding Issue of the Memorial Plaque.

Edited 8 August , 2023 by 303man

[BillyH]

Thanks once again for the replies.

BillyH.