Next of kin plaque: Corporal Richard Whittaker Bell, 8th Company, Army Service Corps, 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 of the dead soldier 'RICHARD WHITTAKER BELL'.

Born in Sydney, NSW, in 1894, Richard Whittaker Bell was employed as a motor driver when he enlisted in the AIF on 17 September 1914. After initial training he was assigned the service number 1387 and posted as a driver to 301st (Mechanical Transport), 8th Company Army Service Corps. Bell sailed from Melbourne for overseas service aboard HMAT A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914 and in Egypt was taken on strength of 1st Australian Divisional Ammunition Park. In 1916 Bell moved to France for service on the Western Front. Promoted to lance corporal in January 1917, he was taken on strength of "K" (1 Anzac) Sub-Park the following month. Bell was promoted to corporal in October. In March 1918 he transferred to the 1st Motor Transport Company.

As a 1914 enlistment, Bell was selected for early return to Australia and on 2 November 1918 left his unit to travel to England for repatriation. He was diagnosed with influenza at Harfleur, on his way to Le Havre catch a cross channel transport. Admitted to the 40th (British) Stationary Hospital at Harfleur, he died there of bronco-pneumonia on 20 November. He is buried in the Sainte Marie Cemetery at Le Havre.

This commemorative plaque was sent to Bell's father, Robert, in 1923.