Identity discs : Flying Officer P C Firkins, 460 Squadron, RAAF

Pair of aluminium identity discs impressed with the details of their wearer. The discs are of different shapes, one circular, the other octagonal, both stamped: 'FIRKINS P C 441386 RAAF C E'. On the reverse of both is stamped '04'. The circular tag has a single suspension hole, while the octagonal one has two holes. The two discs are attached to a leather cord that has been knotted.

Worn by Flying Officer Peter Charles Firkins during his service with 460 Squadron, RAAF. Born in 1925, Firkins was educated at Guildford Grammar School, Western Australia. In 1943, at the age of seventeen, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and served as an NCO rear gunner with 460 Squadron, RAAF. He had completed his tour of twenty-nine operations and received his commission before he turned nineteen. He became the historian of 460 Squadron and wrote the squadron's history, 'Strike and Return' as well as several other widely read military history books, including 'The Australians in Nine Wars'. An active and prominent member of the Perth business community, Peter Firkins died at his home in Perth in late 2002.