Place | Europe: France, Nord Pas de Calais, Nord, Lille, Fromelles |
---|---|
Accession Number | RELAWM17189 |
Collection type | Heraldry |
Object type | Heraldry |
Physical description | Bronze |
Date made | c 1922 |
Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Next of kin plaque: Private Lionel Harold Levy, 53rd 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 'LIONEL HAROLD LEVY'.
Born in Sydney, Lionel Harold Levy was employed as a cab driver, and had previously been a clerk, when he enlisted in the AIF on 30 September 1915. He had also acted as the honorary secretary of the Hebrew Relief Society. After initial training Levy was appointed a private, service number 2870, in the 9th reinforcements for the 1st Battalion. He sailed for overseas service aboard HMAT A8 Argyllshire at the end of September and was taken on strength of 1st Battalion in Egypt at the beginning of 1916.
The following month Levy transferred to A Company of the newly raised 53rd Battalion. The battalion arrived in France on
28 June and took part in its first major battle less than a month later, at Fromelles on 19 July. Part of the initial assault, the battalion suffered 625 casualties, more that three quarters of its attacking strength. Levy was one of those killed. He is buried at VC Corner Australian Cemetery.
This commemorative plaque was sent in September 1922 to his wife, Helen, whom he had married in 1914.