| Place | Europe: Western Front |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL34689 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Aluminium, Steel |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Identity disc : Lance Corporal L T G Robinson, 3 Australian Light Rail Operating Company
Description
Aluminium identity disc attached to a small (bracelet sized) chain. The disc is oval-shaped and impressed on the obverse with 'LTGROBISON[sic]', 'CE', '2423', '3 ALROC'.
History / Summary
This identity disc was worn by Lancelot Thomas Gladstone Robinson during the First World War. Robinson, a motor driver, was born in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1894. He enlisted in Adelaide, on 25 April 1916. 2423 Private Robinson embarked aboard A53 HMAT Itria in August 1916, arriving at Plymouth, England, two months later. Soon after his arrival in England he sailed to France where he joined the 5th Pioneer Battalion on 6 February 1917.
In March he was transferred to the 1st Anzac Light Railway Operating Company. This company was raised from volunteers from Australian and New Zealand troops in the field, as there was a shortage of railway operating troops at this time. Robinson spent nine months with this company before being promoted to lance corporal on 31 December 1917 while serving with the 17th Australian Light Railway Operating Company.
On 4 February 1918, Robinson returned to the field from two months leave in England and rejoined his unit. The 17th was renamed the 3rd Light Railway (forward) Company on the 19 September 1918. On 5 October Robinson was promoted to temporary 2nd corporal while serving with 3rd Australian Light Railway Forward Company.
He spent the remainder of the war in England and France working with Administration Head Quarters and Australian Motor Transport Company. He returned to Australia aboard MHS Aeneas on the 17 October 1919. Robinson died on the 17 December 1989.