WWI Identity disc - John McLeod Reid

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1914

Overview

Circular red compressed fibre or composite identity disc issued to John McLeod Reid.It is impressed with his surname and initials (Reid, J.M.), service number (2137), the number '6' (his Battalion) and the letter 'P' (his religion - Presbyterian).
It has a small hole at the top where the cord or string would have been threaded to suspend the tag. The reverse is plain and unmarked.

Historical information

John McLeod Reid was a farmhand aged 27 when he enlisted in the 1st Reinforcement of the 6th Battalion on 21 September 1914. His original service number was 2137 as shown on the disc, but this was later changed to 1179.
He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 22 December 1914. He served in Gallipoli but was hospitalised with dysentery. He spent much of his first year in hospital and when released was given light duties, being transferred to the Australian Army Postal Office Corps. While serving in this capacity, he was arrested and court martialed in January 1917 for stealing money from inside postal packets.He was sentenced to 140 days imprisonment with hard labour. After release, he was transferred to the 66th Battalion, attended a Musketry Course and was then posted to the 1st Australian Division Base Depot in France. He was promoted twice to Corporal before being returned to Australia in April 1918 aboard the HMAT A74 Marathon for staff duty.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00074

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Personal Effects

Themes

War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Composite Material

Fibre