30/05/2026
This frame is a powerful, dignified tribute that brings together every element of a First World War story, service, identity, sacrifice, and remembrance.
At the centre is a portrait of the soldier 83586 Dvr. R.A. Tom
Divisional Ammunition Column Royal Artillery.
His uniform, posture, and expression set the emotional tone. A young man in service, captured in the era’s characteristic photographic style.
This immediately situates him within the structure of the British Army, identifying not only who he was, but how he served as a Driver in the Royal Artillery’s ammunition supply chain, one of the most dangerous and essential roles on the Western Front.
On the left of the frame, the trio of medals forms a visual timeline of his military journey, the ribbons are the origional never been upgraded.
1914–15 Star marking early service in the war
British War Medal, awarded to all who served overseas
Victory Medal symbolising the collective Allied triumph
Together, these medals are often called “Pip, Squeak and Wilfred,” a familiar grouping to collectors and historians. Their inclusion confirms active overseas service and places the soldier firmly within the narrative of the Great War.
The Memorial Plaque, the ultimate symbol of loss. On the right sits the large bronze memorial plaque, also known as the “Dead Man’s Penny.” Its inscription, “He died for freedom and honour,” and the presence of the lion and Britannia, carry immense symbolic weight. The plaque was issued only to the families of those who died as a result of the war, making it one of the most solemn artefacts of the period. The fact that the plaque bears the same name as the medals and photograph ties the entire frame together into a single story of service and sacrifice.
"Never forget the past and what it means to you"
