Genealogy Chat

Looking through my late father in laws belongings recently we found a large bronze (approx 5inch) circular memorial plaque with the name Arthur Millwood Longstaff on it. It has Brittania holding the trident and a laurel wreath and 2 lions and 2 ?dolphins. There are the letters E C ?D and number 16 in very small writing on it too. Around the edge is written 'He Died for Freedom and Honour.' With it was a letter from Buckingham Palace stamped 'George R J' saying 'I join with my grateful people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War' Can anyone shed a light as to what this is and any information about it would be gratefully appreciated. Di

If you Google for WW1 Memorial Plaques there are several site which provide photos and information Maureen

Casualty Details Name: LONGSTAFF Initials: A M Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Rifleman Regiment/Service: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) Unit Text: 1st/6th Bn. Date of Death: 10/09/1916 Service No: 4307 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. C. 12. Cemetery: QUARRY CEMETERY, MONTAUBAN

for £3.50 you can immediately download details of his medal card from the National Archives site: Medal card of Longstaff, Arthur M Corps Regiment No Rank Liverpool Regiment 4307 Private Catalogue reference WO 372/12 Number of image files: 1 136391 / 51246 PDF Total Price (£) 3.50 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6753611&queryType=1&resultcount=8

1914–1918 Memorial Scroll and Plaque In 1922 a Memorial Scroll was presented to the next of kin of those soldiers, sailors or nurses who died while serving in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) or Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during the First World War. Later they were presented with a Memorial Plaque. The Memorial Scroll bears the Royal Coat of Arms and a message which includes a tribute to the soldiers who gave up their own lives that others might live in freedom. The large, round, bronze Memorial Plaque which was to accompany the Memorial Scroll shows Britannia and a lion on the front, surrounded by the inscription He died for freedom and honour. The full name of the dead soldier is engraved on the right hand side of the plaque. No rank, unit or decorations are shown, symbolising the equality of sacrifice of all casualties. (I got this off an Australian website but I'm sure it applies to all Commonwealth troops) There's a picture of one on: http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/REL30216

There is a website called diggerhistory which shows a copy of the plaque and letter. Name: Arthur Millwood Longstaff Year of Registration: 1897 Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec District: Liverpool (1837-1924) County: Lancashire Volume: 8b Page: 37

Glitter Baby and Paul; Barton; Special Agent. Thank you so much for answering this so quickly. I now have some leads thanks to you both to follow. I may come back to you once I've done this. Di