Engraved in Absence: The Memorial Plaque Project

The Death Penny Project preserves the personal stories behind the bronze memorial plaques given to families of fallen First World War service members. Many of these plaques—and the histories they represent—are quietly disappearing from memory.

I have begun photographing these plaques and capturing video interviews with families who still hold them, documenting the legacy of their loved ones. Each story is a powerful reminder of sacrifice, loss, and the way history continues to shape our lives today.

I am raising funds to continue travelling to meet more families, complete this documentary work, and publish a book that weaves together their stories, portraits, and historical context. Your support will also help create a public exhibition to share these voices with a wider audience and ensure that these lives are never forgotten.

By contributing, you are helping preserve a part of our collective history—one family, one story, and one plaque at a time.