Next of kin plaque : Corporal John Scott Rowan, 15th Battalion, AIF

Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'JOHN ROWAN'. Plaque complete with original cardboard packaging and letter from the King.

Born at Ballyward near Banbridge, County Down, Ireland, John Scott Rowan emigrated to Australia at the age of 16. He was employed as a labourer at Longreach in Queensland when he travelled to Brisbane, where he enlisted in the AIF on 23 September 1914 as John Rowan, aged 25. After initial training in Brisbane and Melbourne Rowan was posted a private, service number 643, to D Company, 15th Battalion. The unit sailed from Melbourne on 22 December.

Further training took place in Egypt before the battalion embarked for Gallipoli. They landed there on the afternoon of 25 April 1915. At an unknown date Rowan had been promoted lance corporal. He was promoted corporal on 29 May.

On 6 August the 4th Infantry Brigade, of which 15th Battalion was a part, set out to capture the high ground between Hill 971 and Chunuk Bair. The Brigade formed part of the left column of the assaulting force. It advanced during the night of 6 August but progress was slow due to the difficult terrain and dense vegetation and it was well short of its objective by dawn on 7 August. The assault on the summit of Hill 971 the following day, in which Rowan was killed, was a costly failure. His body was not recovered for burial and his name is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli.

This commemorative plaque was sent to Rowan's mother, Matilda, in Ireland.