This is a Death Penny (or Death Plaque) presented to the family of John Mead (pictured right, standing) following his death in action sometime after Christmas 1917. His remains have never been recovered and the whereabouts of his grave is unknown. His name does not appear on any of the known commemorative war memorials, either in this country or abroad, so like so many of the young soldiers who perished in the First World War, his fate remains a mystery.

The young soldier sitting next to John Mead is Walter Cox, his cousin, who thankfully survived the war.

Walter Cox was the uncle of Mrs Beryl Parker who kindly supplied the above information.

With the penny is a note ( below right ) which has the Buckingham Palace seal at the top.
The contents of the note is as follows:

I join with my grateful people
in sending you this memorial
of a brave life given for others
in the Great War.

George R J