Memorial Plaque

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

23234

Title

Memorial Plaque for Sergeant John Walker

Description

Large bronze circular medallion commemorating the death of Sgt. John Walker. Central image of Britannia holding a laurel wreath (for Victory) and trident (for Britain's sea power). She stands with a lion at her feet. Two dolphins swim around her reinforcing the symbolism of British sea power. Underneath the lion, is a smaller depiction of a lion (Britain) tearing apart the German eagle. The legend around the plaque reads 'He Died For Freedom And Honour', and there is a space for the medallion owner's name.

Date

1925

Type

Bronze

Location

Museum of Edinburgh

Accession number

HH3697/3/72

The memorial plaque shown here was issued to the Next of Kin of those who died during World War One. The plaque was designed by competition winner Mr. E. Carter Preston of Liverpool England. The competition was launched in 1917 to find the best design and over eight hundred people submitted a design. The winner won a prize of

This plaque is part of a collection of items relating to an Edinburgh-based man, Sergeant John Walker. In civilian life, Walker was originally from Haddington, but lived in Leith, and worked as a butcher. He and three brothers joined the army. Walker eventually joined the Seaforth Highlanders, where he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was killed by a shell in the area around Vimy and Thelus on 15th April 1917. The collection includes several photographs with holes made by the shrapnel which killed him. A set of photograph postcards of Walker's grave and other memorials, some of which include a man in military uniform, may have been taken by Walker's brothers touring the area immediately after the Armistice.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Events > Wars > Civil Defenses

Events > Wars > Defense industries

Events > Wars > Wars

Events > Wars > World wars