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edstorey
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    Unit abbreviation on ID discs?

    Infanteer
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    Unit abbreviation on ID discs? Empty Unit abbreviation on ID discs?

    Post by Infanteer Fri Mar 21, 2014 5:51 pm

    Can anyone comment on the practice of stamping the soldier's unit on his ID discs during the SWW? I am not familiar with this practice as none of the discs I've seen have been marked with a unit. Any insight appreciated.
    edstorey
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    Unit abbreviation on ID discs? Empty ID Disks

    Post by edstorey Fri Mar 21, 2014 6:54 pm

    Check this,

    ED

    http://servicepub.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/identity-discs-in-the-canadian-army/
    Infanteer
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    Post by Infanteer Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:33 pm

    Thanks Ed, I have seen the article and also have Clive's book of Regimental Numbers. There is no mention in the article or book about unit markings on ID tags in the SWW. What I would like to determine is if the practice of adding the unit to the tags happened during the war, either officially or unofficially.
    Bill
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    Post by Bill Sat Mar 22, 2014 6:11 am

    Hi Steve, It is my understanding that the unit was not to be added. The primary reason was security. If the soldier became a PoW, the id discs would give away too much. Unofficially, it would not be a wise practice for the reason above. And, an individual could find himself transferred between units.
    pylon1357
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    Post by pylon1357 Sat Mar 22, 2014 6:44 am

    I don't have many Identity Discs in my collection, maybe 4 or 5, however, none of them have the Regiment or unit listed.


    _________________
    Cliff

    http://www.irishregimentofcanada.ca
    Infanteer
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    Post by Infanteer Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:50 am

    Exactly..... Thanks guys. I wanted to confirm that what I told a friend was correct. However, in the interest of being thorough, has anyone seen a set if ID tags that belonged to a member of 1 Can Para or FSSF? I can't see why their tags would be any different but I don't want to jump to conclusions.
    Brent W
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    Unit abbreviation on ID discs? Empty ID Tags

    Post by Brent W Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:49 pm

    I have a couple of sets of 1st Can Para tags and there is no unit stamping on either, Can't say I've ever seen any ID tags that are unit marked.
    Infanteer
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    Post by Infanteer Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:38 pm

    Thanks.... that's what I figured. I'm not sure what this means about my buddy's tags but they definitely are not standard. They came from a well known "expert" and apparently have solid provenance so who knows why the unit was added....
    Tankermike
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    Unit abbreviation on ID discs? Empty Tags

    Post by Tankermike Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:33 am

    I hae a set of tags that belonged to a 1CANPARA trooper but only marked as such..

    F37022
    PTE U.H
    EATON
    U/C CDN

    no regt markings
    Infanteer
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    Post by Infanteer Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:39 am

    Thanks Mike. There is definitely something unusual about my friend's tags.
    Tankermike
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    Unit abbreviation on ID discs? Empty Tags

    Post by Tankermike Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:52 am

    I have seen reproductions out of England that can be oredered blank , blank tags can be made up with a simple letter and number punch set avaliable from Cdn Tire.
    edstorey
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    Post by edstorey Mon Mar 24, 2014 2:58 pm

    And anything overtly marked to 1 Can Para always sells for a premium.
    Infanteer
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    Post by Infanteer Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:26 pm

    Of course Ed, that goes without saying. My friend has a copy of the soldier's service records and he definitely was in 1 Canadian Parachute Bn. I was initially avoiding mentioning what unit it was as I suspected it would cause some people to immediately dismiss the tags as fake.

    One possible theory is that the tag may have been unit marked when the soldier was in Fort Benning doing his jump course. Underneath the unit marking is the number "291". I'm wondering if this may have been a student/nominal role number. I haven't mentioned yet but the unit marking and number have all been X'd out. I'll see if I can get permission to share the photos.
    edstorey
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    Unit abbreviation on ID discs? Empty Parachute Training

    Post by edstorey Mon Mar 24, 2014 5:00 pm

    Steve, were Canadians still training in Benning after the Battalion was formed?
    Infanteer
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    Post by Infanteer Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:11 pm

    Yes, The Battalion was formed on 1 July 1942 and they trained at Ft. Benning until Camp Shilo was opened on 15 April 1943. The owner of the tag in question completed his jump training in Benning on 8 March 1943.

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