The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
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 'HAROLD CARL POWELL'. The plaque is in its original carboard case, and also includes mailing envelope and generic note of sympathy from King George V.
Born in Brunswick in Melbourne, Harold Carl Powell was employed as an electroplater when he enlisted in the AIF, in January 1916, aged eighteen. His mother, Catherine Powell, provided her consent for his underage enlistment and stated that her son's father was deceased, which was untrue.
After training at Broadmeadows Camp Powell was posted as a private, service number 4777 to the 12th Reinforcements for the 22nd Battalion. He sailed from Melbourne in April, aboard HMAT A14 Euripides. After training in England Powell arrived in France in September and joined his battalion the following month.
Powell was severely wounded in the abdomen on 3 May 1917 during the second battle of Bullecourt, a battle in which half his battalion became casualties. He was evacuated to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station but died there following day. He is buried in the Grevillers British Cemetery.
This commemorative plaque was sent to Powell's father, Thomas, in September 1922. His mother, his nominated next of kin, had died in 1920.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.