FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 226, 12 June 1918, Page 6

FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR

THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE FOR THE FALLEN. The British Committee appointed to consider the form or' memorial vo be given to the next-of-kiu of those who nave fallen in the war has now completed its task. It has been decided! that tho memorial is to consist of a, bronze plaque, one copy of which will be forwarded to the nuxt-of-kin of every member of liis Majesty's Forces who has fallen in the war, accompanied bj a. scroll with a suilabalo inscription.

The plaque or ruedai is of circular form, sin. in diumcicr, and bears au, emblematic desiun, with the inscription, "He diod for Freedom aud Honour"; it; will be cast in gmunetal, and each copywill have inserted in the field (by au ingenious method of casting) n raised tablet enclosing the name of the person commemorated. Tho desinn was put out to open competition, and more than 800 models we're submitted. Contributions were received from Australia, New Zealand, ami. Canada, from Palestine, and other uarts of the front, though in several cases men on active service appeared to have, had cither short notice, of the competition or insufficient leisure for the completion of their designs. These cases were eivon special consideration by die committee. The successful competititor. to whom a prize of JCi'ill is awarded is Jlr. K. Carter Preston, oi Liveraool.

In considering the scroll, the committeo had in view the composition of ;i short sentence or two which should 'express in suitable wordinj and dignified, Enulish something of the nation's gratifor her heroes who haVe fallen. With this object some of the first, literary authorities were consulted. The final phrasing is mcinly the work of Dr. Montague. Jnmcs, Provost of Kind's College, Cambridge, and a sentence by the In(o Mr. Charles Keary, Hie historian ami novelist, has been added. The inscription is surmounted by a spccinl device, including the fioyal Arms in colour, with. Iho initials of Ilis Majesty the Kinjr. Tho actual writing aud designing, and the cutting of the wood block from which tho scroll will be printed, have been entrusted to a group of artists attached to the London County Council Central School of Arts and Crafts, under tho supervision of the principal (Mr. P. V. Burridgo). The committee have had the ndvico throughout of a spccinl committee, consisting of the Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Director of the National Gallery, and- the Keeper of the Department of Coins aud Medals, British Museum. It is hoped 'to proceed at once wi(U the execution of tho memorials. Iα view, however, of the large number which will havo to be supplied, and of the; probable scarcity both of paper and metal, it is at present uncertain when I hey will bo availabale for distribution. The preparation nnd forwarding, however, will be pushed on ns rapidly as possible. An announcement will lw made in due course which will give full information a , ? to the method of distribution.