We recently received a mysterious parcel, which turned out to contain a 'Death Penny' for Frederick George Rowe, one of the 36 men commemorated at the Shrine.
Private Rowe served with the Hampshire Regiment, and was killed in action in the Balkans on 2 September 1918, aged 31. He was born and brought up at Bassett Green, the son of Emmanuel and Eliza Rowe. Frederick left a widow. A Death Penny (or Widows' Penny) was given to the next of kin of every serviceman killed in the Great War. We have so far been unable to trace any relatives of Frederick Rowe. The penny is the kind gift of Alan Rentell.