Improvised identity disc and charm : Private J N O'Brien, 46 Battalion AIF

Improvised identity disc made from a souvenired silver decanter label. The label design is of a heart over a shield. Crudely scratched into the face of the label are the words: 'J.N. O'BRIEN 1898 46 BATT A.I.F. RC'. The label is supplied with two holes for a suspension chain, made from metal, to which has also been attached a 1909 British penny. The obverse face of the penny has been continually rubbed, almost effacing the design, while the reverse design is still quite crisp.

Improvised identity disc fashioned from a silver decanter label, accompanied by a well-rubbed 1909 lucky penny, carried by Joseph Nathaniel O'Brien, a blacksmith born at Wangaratta, Victoria, during his First World War service.

O'Brien enlisted on 22 August 1914. Under service number 376, he was assigned to 7 Battalion and sailed with the first convoy for training in Egypt. He landed with his battalion at Gallipoli on the morning of 25 April 1915 and before the end of the day had sustained a bullet wound to his right thigh and possibly a second to his right shoulder. He was evacuated to the British Hospital Ship HMHS Gascon that evening and transferred to 1 Australian General Hospital, Cairo four days later. By 9 June, he had been transferred to the Australian & New Zealand Convalescent Hospital, Cairo. Within two weeks it was decided his wound was too severe and he was repatriated to Australia for discharge, sailing on 17 June aboard SS Hororata. It was here that a second wound was noted.

Private O'Brien re-enlisted for service at Broadmeadows Camp on 1 November 1915, undertaking light duties until he was taken on strength of 46 Battalion and assigned a new service number (1898). Embarking from Australia on the SS Demosthenes on 2 February 1916, and arriving Cairo on 14 March, he joined 46 Battalion at Tel-el-Kabir, training with them until the AIF was embarked for France in early June. He served in the field, fighting at Pozieres, until his old wounds started restricting his movement - he was admitted to hospital in August 1916 and appears not to have seen action again.

In September 1916, he was transferred to the Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples on 'details'; was employed at the Sergeant's Mess from 27 December, and was finally attached to the 4th Division Permanent Base in March 1917. A note on his file dating from 9 March 1917 states 'complains he cannot carry heavy equipment'. He saw service with the Australian Employment Corps at Le Harve from 11 November 1917; was transferred to the 4 Division Reinforcements Wing in February 1918 and was finally transferred back to England on 15 April 1919. O'Brien he returned to Australia aboard the transport Beltana on 2 June, disembarking at Melbourne on 19 July.