Awarded to Private William James Thompson (Army number 46631) who was Killed in Action by an exploded shell, 3rd October 1917.

The memorial plaque was issued after the First World War to next-of-kin of all British & Empire Service personnel who were killed as a result of the war.

The plaques were made of bronze and hence popularly known as "Dead Man's Penny" because of the similarity in appearance to somewhat smaller penny coin. 1,355,000 plaques were issued and continued to be so into the 1930's to commemorate people who died as a consequence of war.