Army 'dog tag' or what?

[maddymoss]

I’ve been given what looks like two military ‘dog tags’ which were in my late father’s effects. Both appear quite old and seem to be made of very stiff leather. They are attached to an equally old string ‘necklace’ and are stamped J McEwan 04 RC 2828171.

My father’s brother, John McEwan, was killed during WW2 but his number was 2823481. This number has been verified.

A trawl through the internet doesn’t throw any light on number 2828171.

Is it a 'dog tag' and where to go next.

[Tracey]

Your John is on the Commonwealth War Graves site 28283481 and was a Private in the Seaforth Highlanders. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery. His approximate death date is there also but i cant get back into the site. Dont know what the 04 RC means but someone will.

[paddyscar]

Hi Maddymoss:

My father was in the Home Guard in Glasgow in World War II. He had a 'dog tag' that looked like stiff leather, but in fact it was asbestos. RC indicated that he was Roman Catholic.

http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.go ... rld_War_II may be of some help.

Frances

[maddymoss]

Thanks for your quick responses.

Tracey,
I have most of John's untimely death and burial details. He was in the British Expeditionary Force and was killed in action in 1940.

Paddyscar,
You may have something when you mention Air Raid Wardens. John's father, also called John, was a Catholic. I'll investigate the Air Raid Warden angle a little further.

Thanks again.

[Roxy]

Are you sure that the number on the dog tag is correct? Just looking at the 2 numbers; if the numbers are stamped and a bit worn...

Roxy

[maddymoss]

Members of my family are in agreement (for once). The numbers stamped on the 'dog tags' are quite clearly 2828171. One is circular, the other octagonal.

[Roxy]

Maddy, in that case, perhaps CWGC have got the number wrong.

Roxy

[Currie]

The Great War Forum may be worth a try. Here’s an old but interesting thread where they’re delving into the matter of WW2 ‘Dog Tags’ http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forum ... topic=4212

Here’s some belonging to Vera Brittain, VAD Nurse, WW1 http://digitalcollections.mcmaster.ca/f ... 001528.jpg

Alan

[paddyscar]

http://digitalcollections.mcmaster.ca/f ... 001528.jpg

The one on the right is exactly what my father's looked like. The R. C. was where C. E. appears, so that would likely be Church of England.

Frances

[maddymoss]

The ‘dog tags,’ with the string ‘necklace’ shown in the linked picture are the same as mine.
I would like for the numbers on the ‘dog tags’ and on John McEwan’s grave to be the same. This would settle the matter for me but, his death cert. obtained from GRO also gives the same army number as the CWGC.

Is it a mistake or did it belong to another family member. John's father was also called John and a brother called James.

I think I’ll have to do a wee bit more digging.