Next of kin plaque : Private Harry Douglas Bennett McPaul, 17th 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 'HARRY DOUGLAS BENNETT MCPAUL'.

Born in Wolumla, New South Wales, in 1885, Harry Douglas Bennett McPaul was employed as a schoolteacher at Eureka, near Lismore when he enlisted in the AIF on 30 April 1915. He was posted a private, service number 383, to A Company of the newly raised 17th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service from Sydney on 12 May aboard HMAT A32 Themistocles.

The battalion arrived in Egypt in mid-June and trained there for next two months, McPaul undertaking specialist training as a signaller. On 20 August the battalion landed at Gallipoli in time to take part in the attack on Hill 60. McPaul was evacuated sick on 5 October and was taken first to Gibraltar and then on to England. After a series of further illnesses he arrived in France in October 1916, when he joined 53rd Battalion.

In March 1917 McPaul rejoined 17th Battalion. He survived the battles of Bullecourt, Menin Road and Poelcappelle in 1917, and the German Spring Offensive in 1918, before being killed near Harbonnieres on 11 August 1918, during the battle of Amiens. He is buried in the Heath Cemetery in France.

This commemorative plaque was sent to his father, Thomas henry McPaul, in May 1923.