A Calgary-based Goodwill thrift store recently discovered a rare World War I memorial plaque, known as a "Death Penny," among donated goods. The artifact, which commemorates sailor William Edward Why, has been gifted to the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre for public display.
The copper-bronze disc found at Calgary Goodwill
The artifact discovered by staff at Goodwill Industries of Alberta is a copper-bronze memorial disc, larger than a standard coin, featuring imagery of Britannia, a lion, and dolphins. According to the report, the plaque was identified by volunteer Simone Pohl, who recognized that the object was not a mere collectible but a piece of national remembrance. The disc specifically commemorates William Edward Why, a sailor who went missing during the First World War.
These plaques were issued by the British government to the families of service members who died between 1914 and 1920. As reported in the source, the Ministry of Defence intentionally omitted rank or unit from these discs to ensure that every sacrifice was viewed as equal, regardless of the soldier's status in the military hierarchy .
The torpedoing of the SS Strongbow and the fate of William Edward Why
The historical significance of the plaque is tied to the tragic end of First Class Stoker William Edward Why . Kent Griffiths, a retired major and curator of the Calgary Highlanders Regimental Museum and Archives, explained that Why served aboard the SS Strongbow, a merchant cargo ship. The vessel was torpedoed and sank in the North Sea, resulting in the loss of all hands on board.
Because the SS Strongbow sank in open water, there was no possibility of a traditional military burial for William Edward Why. The "Death Penny" served as the primary physical memento for the grieving parents, acting as a surrogate headstone for a soldier whose remains were lost to the sea. The disc's design, which includes a lion tearing at a German eagle, symbolizes the resistance of the era.
Goodwill Alberta's history of returning war medals and uniforms
The decision to donate the plaque to the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre is part of a larger pattern of corporate responsibility at Goodwill Industries of Alberta. The organization has a track record of identifying war medals, uniforms, and other military memorabilia in donation bins and transferring them to appropriate custodians rather than selling them for profit.
This practice reflects a growing awareness among charitable organizations regarding the cultural value of military artifacts. local historian James McLean noted that the presence of the plaque at the resource centre provides a tangible connection to global conflict , offering educational value to students and citizens in Calgary. Barbara Pohl, the executive director of the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre, confirmed the item will be displayed in her soouthwest facility to allow veterans and families to pay their respects.
The mystery of how William Why's plaque entered a donation bin
Despite the successful recovery of the artifact, several details regarding its journey from the Why family to the thrift store remain unknown.. The report mentions that a "younger family member" donated the items as part of a community up-cycle program, but the identity of this donor and the family's current relationship to the legacy of William Edward Why are not disclosed.
It remains unclear how many generations the plaque passed through before it was deemed an item for donation. while the source highlights the vigilance of the Goodwill staff, it leaves open the question of how many similar military relics are currently sitting in warehouses or landfills because their historical value was not recognized by the donors.
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