Discs, Identification (ID) – First World War

Identification

The Canadian soldier had a variety of official methods of Identification; these were necessary for security reasons in addition to identification.

Discs, Identification (ID) - First World War - image1ID Discs, sometimes called “dog tags” though this seems to be more of an American term, were the primary means of identifying soldiers who had become casualties.

Identification discs were introduced into the British Army in approximately 1907. It consisted of a single aluminium disc, with a 42-inch cord. On the disc was stamped the Regimental Number, Name, Rank, Regiment and Religion.

Until early 1914 the standard identification disc in British and Canadian service was made of aluminum. A red fibre disc replaced the aluminum one by Aug 1914. Aluminium discs were quite common, especially in Commonwealth forces, until after 1915.

The fibre discs were marked identically to British discs, with the addition of CANADIAN or the abbreviation CDN. Some discs were stamped with half the information on one side, half on the reverse.

In April 1916, Army Order 3827 specified each officer and soldier was to be issued two identity discs.

• Disc, Identity, No. 1, Green

• Disc, Identity, No. 2, Red

Identification discs and their usage remained unchanged from 1916 until the Second World War. Military Districts were advised they were responsible for issuing the discs and all troops were to have them before deployment overseas.

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