Film productions usually seem to show service ‘dog tags’ as shiny metal. However, I’ve just been handling my father’s RAFVR ones from 1939 and 1944 – but what are they made from? Not metallic. Not brittle shiny hard like Bakerlite, not flaky like asbestos – certainly hard, but not brittle, and presumably fire resistant so unlikely compressed card. Round ones coloured an orangish brown with one hole, an octangular(ish) one in dark dull green with two holes.
How where they worn? Presumably around the neck, but what sort of cord would have been used? Was wearing them compulsory? Indeed did they have to be worn 24 hours, not removed at night? All ranks, all trades, or just flying crew?
Just interested.
By: jonny - 3rd November 2017 at 10:43
I was issued mine at RAFC Cranwell in 1988 and kept them throughout my time in the service.
Jonny
By: NEEMA - 3rd November 2017 at 08:31
Had mine throughout, commencing 1968 (indeed I think I still have them) . The story at the time ,courtesy of the SNCO Rocks, was that one was fireproof, the other acid/waterproof.
But that could well be just heresay, like the old chestnut that flying suits were treated with fireproofing (they weren’t!)
By: wl745 - 3rd November 2017 at 06:51
Only had mine when I was sent to Malaya in 1964,think I handed them in on return.I know I never kept them!
By: Bob - 2nd November 2017 at 22:54
Compressed fibre ID tags were chosen over metal as they were more comfortable when worn in hot climates.
By: Ossington - 2nd November 2017 at 16:39
I remember seeing mine, kept in a small envelope alongside my ‘cardex’ details whilst at Newton. I thought they were only to be issued ‘when the balloon went up’ so as to get them while in NI would indicate serious Active Service. Anyone else get then given?
By: John Aeroclub - 2nd November 2017 at 12:49
I’ve just dug out mine. One round Red and One octagonal Green. RAF and religion on one side and surname and number on the other. No rank as they stayed with you throughout your service. One fireproof and one water proof.
John
By: AndyY - 2nd November 2017 at 10:53
Yes, that looks like Red Fibre to me.
Andy
By: viscount - 2nd November 2017 at 09:44
Yes, these are very similar to my father’s 1944 issued ‘tags’ in shape, colour and hole arrangement, although much neater in the application of letters and numbers. His 1939 issued ‘tag’ as a LAC is simply name and number, no religion or RAFVR; on commission in 1944 the information provided is the same as on the examples above.
Many thanks for the replies, but what is the material that 70 years on is still so fresh and strong? It doesn’t have a rubbery feel to it and the letter stamps are sharp and fresh.
By: gedburke3 - 2nd November 2017 at 09:33
Hi all,
I have attached a photo of Alan Gears identity tags as something to compare with your fathers.
He wore these throughout WW2.
My understanding is that one is waterproof and the other is fire proof.
Gerry
[ATTACH=CONFIG]256714[/ATTACH]
By: AndyY - 2nd November 2017 at 08:38
When I’ve seen pictures of such things, I’ve always thought they are made of ‘Red Fibre’, the vulcanised fabric material commonly used for sealing washers and in places like motor commutators. It’s a tough non-brittle material.
Andy
By: Lynx815 - 2nd November 2017 at 07:19
I joined the Royal Navy in 1979 and was issued with the brick red and green tags. All new joiners were issued them irrespective of rank or trade specialisation.
By: TonyT - 2nd November 2017 at 02:04
I still have mine, they were issued to me in 76 prior to going to Ireland on Helicopters, most of the aircrew wore theirs on the D ring on their flying suits / jackets or the zip, there wasn’t anything issued to hang them on, I had mine on a chain around my neck and some used para cord, the green one with the two holes in went around the neck etc, the other was then attached by a separate loop to the second hole in the first one, the idea was if you were killed they could cut the red one off and take it with them to show you were brown bread while the other would stay attached around your neck so the body could be identified later, though most just had them together. I don’t think the rest of the RAF were issued with them as people used to ask why I had them, I didn’t wear them all the time. I think one was fire proof and the other rot proof, but don’t quote me on that. I seem the remember one aircrew had his on his boot as he thought a foot always seemed to survive.
They had name, serial number, religion and blood group on them, possibly RAF too, though i don’t think my rank. they were the same for the pongos etc..
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November 1, 2017 at 11:50 pm