Improvised identity disc : Sergeant L A Harris, 27 Battalion, AIF

An Australian First World War improvised identity disc made from an indeterminate French copper coin. A small hole has been drilled through the top of the coin for it to be worn as an identity disc around the neck of the wearer. The obverse has a distorted profile image of a human head with 'REPUBIQUE FRANCAIS' stamped along the edges. The reverse of the disk has been ground down and is stamped '323 L.A. HARRIS. B.COMPANY. AUS.IMP.FORCE 27.BN'.

Lawrie (also spelt Laurie) Arthur Harris enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 18 February 1915 and served with 27 Battalion AIF. After serving at Gallipoli for a few months he was evacuated in December 1915. In March 1916 he embarked for Europe. In October 1916 he was sent to Sandhurst Military College in the United Kingdom for Officer training. This particular object links with Laurie Arthur Harris' service with the 27 Battalion. Upon graduation he was promoted to second lieutenant and posted to 28 Battalion AIF where he saw action on the Western Front. On 3 May 1917 he was wounded at the Hindenburg Line, east of Bullecourt, but remained on duty. Although he was wounded early, he led two bombing parties and he later carried on his back a badly wounded officer when they were leaving the line. He was awarded the Military Cross in July 1917 for his actions at the Hindenburg Line. He was wounded again in October 1917 with a gunshot wound to his left leg and was admitted to hospital. He returned to Australia on 9 January 1919.