Dead Man’s Penny Returned To Torfaen Family

A commemorative First World War plaque awarded in memory of those killed in action has been reunited with the Torfaen soldier’s family. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In an emotional ceremony at the Civic Centre, Pat Clayton formally received the plaque on behalf of her uncle, Private Dennis Driscoll 14227 of the 4th Bn South Wales Borderers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Private Driscoll died of wounds suffered at Gallipoli on August 7th 1915, aged just 24. His brother Lance Corporal 4/12449 Humphrey Driscoll, South Wales Borderers was also killed at Gallipoli just two days later, aged 27. They were the sons of Mary and Dennis Driscoll of Hilltop, Cwmbran. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The memorial plaque was issued after the First World War to the next of kin of all British and Empire service personnel killed as a result of the war. The plaques were bronze and known popularly as the ‘Dead Man’s Penny’. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The medal was discovered in a collection of memorabilia in Pontypridd by Tony Jones following the death of his step sister. Mr Jones was aware through his step brother, Cwmbran resident, Alan Crowley that both Private Driscoll and his brother had been named in the Torfaen Remembers features in Torfaen Talks and they were able to trace the family locally and formally return to the medal to the family. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​