Next of Kin plaque
Over 60,000 Australians died during the First World War. Memorial plaques were issued to the closest next of kin of all those who died serving for the British Empire in an effort to provide grief-stricken families with some comfort.
The memorial plaque bears an image of “Britannia” and a lion as well as an inscription: “He died for freedom and honour.” Each plaque also included the individual’s name as part of the design.
How do you think families might have felt about receiving a memorial plaque?
What do you think “Britannia” and the lion symbolise?
Why do you think the memorial plaques didn’t contain any reference to the individual’s rank or their awards?