Next of kin plaque: Private Eric Green, 19th Battalion, AIF

Place Europe: France, Nord Pas de Calais, Nord, Lille, Bois-Grenier, Brewery Orchard Cemetery
Accession Number REL50412
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Bronze
Maker Unknown
Place made United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London
Date made c 1922
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

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 'ERIC GREEN'. A checker's mark, '14', is impressed between the lion's rear left paw and tail. The plaque is enclosed in its original cardboard envelope.

History / Summary

Born in Cargo, near Orange, New South Wales, 19 year old Eric Green was employed as a labourer when he travelled to Sydney to enlist in the AIF, with permission from his father, on 20 June 1915. After initial training he was posted a private, service number 1934, to the 3rd Reinforcements for 19th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service from Sydney on 9 August, aboard HMAT A54 Runic.

Green left Egypt for Gallipoli on 28 September but developed mumps en route and was disembarked at Mudros for treatment. He eventually arrived at Gallipoli on 12 October. After service there and further training in Egypt Green arrived with his battalion in France at the end of March 1916. He died of wounds received at La Rolanderie, near Armentieres, on 29 May, one of four men from the battalion to die that day. Green is buried in the Brewery Road Cemetery at Bois Grenier.

This commemorative plaque was sent to his father, George Green, in June 1922.