| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL32909 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Aluminium |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | 1914 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Identity Disc : Private R A Overy, 13 Battalion, AIF
Description
Aluminium identity disc, with a small suspension loop at the top. The disc is stamped with the words: 'R.A.OVERY T PT 205 13. AI C.E'.
History / Summary
Richard Alfred Overy was a plumber from Haberfield, New South Wales when he enlisted on 7 September 1914, as a driver in 13 Infantry Battalion. With the regimental number 205, he sailed as an original member of the Battalion in December 1914. He was a non-commissioned officer and machine-gunner at Gallipoli and in France. Overy was transferred from 13 Infantry Battalion on March 1916 to 4 Machine Gun Company (MGC). During his time in France, rugby league was a favoured recreational activity, and a group of soldiers from 4 MGC formed a team, the 'Mudlarks', with a black and white bird silhouette upon the chest of their jerseys, representing the Australian mudlark. Overy was seriously wounded in 1917 and returned to Australia on 10 January 1918. This disc was worn by him until the end of 1915. After this soldiers were issued with a pair of identity discs made of composite fibre.