World War One trench art

Philip Walter Groves, a South Australian from Henley Beach, was a 22 year old piano tuner when he enlisted in 10th Battalion of the AIF on 29 August 1916. He served in the war from 7 September 1916, embarking on The Afric from Adelaide 7 November 1916 to England. Groves was wounded in action in Boulogne, France, on 6 May 1917 and died 18 May 1917 from wounds to the back and thigh. He was buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

The piece of 'trench art' was made to commemorate Groves by his comrades. 'In loving memory of Pte P. W. Groves. 10th Batn, A.I.F. Died of Wounds 18.5.17' is etched on rolled out brass shell casing. Uniform insignia most likely belonging to Groves, including an Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge, Australia badge and two olive branch lapel pins, are attached.

In 1920 it was announced that the next of kin of all Australian servicemen and women whose deaths were attributable to the First World War would receive a memorial plaque and scroll as a solace for bereavement and as a memento. The plaques were manufactured in London by Royal Arsenal Woolwich, with each individually embossed with the name of the fallen. The first plaques were distributed in 1922, and approximately 60,000 were issued in Australia. It was commonly known as the 'Dead Man's Penny'. The bronze 1914 - 1918 memorial plaque features a Commonwealth design with Britannia, a laurel wreath and lion, and was embossed with the name of the fallen, and the words 'He died for freedom and honour'.

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