Silver dog tag, F A Bristow, Durham Light Infantry, British (1916)

Title	Silver dog tag, F A Bristow, Durham Light Infantry
Nationality	British
Period	1916

Sold

MAGNIFY

The use of a hallmarked silver dog tag was typical of officer practice, worn either round the neck or possibly attached to the wrist watch, as identification. The normal dog tags were cheap and nasty pressed card with a glazed surface hung round the neck on a string, one red, one green.

The piece is hallmarked for Birmingham 1916, which nicely confirms his commissioning dates: 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 2nd Lt., 22.9.14 and attached to the 2nd Battalion DLI as a temporary Lt., 2.2.18. This is all I have been able to glean from my Army Lists of the period. For further research, you would need a good DLI regimental history and/or his service papers. His lack of promotion might point to him being wounded or even taken prisoner. You would normally expect a Lieutenant of 1916 to be a Captain by the end of the war.

The 3-anna piece (Indian coin) was probably attached as some sort of lucky charm, but may also indicate service in India at some point.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Militaria : Miscellaneous : British : 20th Century]

online museum

account

testimonials