The Rich History of Dog Tags.

Today,  dog tags are a significant part of the jewellery industry. They contain information about the people using them, including their basic medical data. Plenty of people use a dog tag to identify casualties. What people don’t know is that this piece of jewellery has an incredibly rich history.

In this article, we have outlined some of the most crucial events in the past that made a dog tag what it is today. Read on to relive history

How Did Dog Tag Get Its Name?

The identification of dead soldiers was daunting during the American Civil War (1861-1865). This was due to the huge number of casualties during the many battles. The situation worsened when the record of personnel assigned to militaries was inadequate.

They called the first attempt to provide identification tags as “name discs.” The soldier pins came with various designs. Yet, there was no specific uniformity of the information provided. This resulted in a great deal of unaccounted and unknown dead people. Then, the nation debated how to address the issue.

By the end of 1906, the government decided to use a circular aluminium disc as an identification tag. By 1913, all military service members needed to use the identification discs. The tags imprinted their name, rank, company, regiment or corps.

At the beginning of World War I in 1917, the U.S. government sped up the production and issuance of the identification tags. This is to ensure proper identification of all service members on the field of battle. During the war, military service members began to wear two identification tags. They attached the first one to the body of the deceased, and they used the second one to mark the coffin or the grave site where they fought and died.

From the outset of World War II, the government issued rectangular-shaped identification tags to military service members. The tags came with a notch on their bottom edge. It was years after Thomas Jefferson wrote the first dog license law in the state of Virginia when they adopted the nickname “dog tags."

Currently, the issuance of dog tags remains an essential part of military culture. Despite the technological advances, they still stamp important information in military dog tags Australia. The data includes name, serial/social security number, blood type, and religious preference. They also include some important medical or dental records and DNA sampling. This makes identification of military service member quick and easy. One thing that changed is the materials used to create the identification tags. Before, there were brass and corrosion-resistant alloy of nickel and copper. Today, stainless steel dog tags Australia are the most popular. The materials and processes used have advanced. This is to ensure the identification of military service members and proper send-off.

How Are Dog Tags Relevant in Australia?

The term "dog tag" was first used in America. It was never used by Australian soldiers until the beginning of the Vietnam War.

During the Boer War in 1899, British soldiers, including Australians, used a regulation method of personal identification. It consisted of a strip of tape designed to be carried in the pocket of their tunic. The identification tags were intended to help identify the seriously wounded or dead soldiers. But the soldiers did not always carry the identification tags in the correct pocket. It made it hard for experts to conduct detailed searches and identify a casualty.

In 1906, the issuance of tin discs took place. The people of power gave Australian soldiers orders to wear the new identification tags around the neck. The discs imprinted the name, service or regimental number, religion, and unit of a certain soldier.

At the start of the First World War, the identification tags increased to two fibreboard discs (one round and one octagonal). They used the octagonal disc (usually green) to put in the body of the soldier and assist in identification in case the body needed exhumation. They used the circular disc (usually red) to recognise the belongings of the soldier. The discs came in different colours, depending on their respective shapes. Folklore has it that the makers of dog tags put colours to aid soldiers in remembering which tag went where. The red tag meant blood and was to get rid of while the green tag meant grass and was to stay with the body.

During the Second World War, metal discs came to replace the fibreboard ones. This was to ensure they do not rot in wet conditions. Australian Soldiers secured these tags around their necks by cotton tapes (which did rot in the jungle), leather thongs, or metal chains. But soldiers had to provide their metal chains.

Where Can You Buy Dog Tags in Australia?

If you are looking to buy a customised dog tag in Australia, you need not look any further. Aussie Chains Direct is your trusted supplier of military-style dog tags online. We emboss with your choice of message or information using a genuine, state-of-the-art embossing machine. You can design your tag set, type your personalised text, and choose from a range of colours that we offer.

At Aussie Chains Direct, we offer genuine and personalised dog tags at competitive prices. You can visit our website at your convenience to have a closer look at our quality jewellery products.

Wrapping Up

While the purpose of dog tags has changed over time, no one can deny its rich history. Dog tags are a reminder of what military personnel can lose in the call of duty. They are a staple of bravery, dedication, and fortitude of military heroes.

A great way to commemorate the service of the Australian soldiers to the country is to customise a dog tag. You can have an identical set representative of the era of their military service. You can also have a decorative set to display their pride in service, faith, family, and the country. Whatever your needs are, Aussie Chains Direct has got you well-covered.

Get in touch with us to discuss your specialised requirements. Learn more about our products and services on our website  aussiechainsdirect.com.au.

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