When servicemen and women died in action in the Great War, next of kin were given a commemorative medal. Made from brass measuring about four and a half inches in diameter, it became known as the ‘Dead Man’s Penny’. The Bell Family received two, one for their son George Arthur and one for William Henry.
My aunt Renee told me that the Bell family lost three sons in that war of wars – how would she know. Well the Bell family were next door neighbours to the Firth family on Green Lane and Grandad Thackray moved into the Firth household on marriage to my Grandmother Eliza Firth. Although aunt Renee was born two years after cessation of hostilities the information would have been handed down the family. Further enquiries to be made.