Object Details

From:NHerts

Name/TitleDog tag of George Howlett

About this objectDog tag of George Howlett from World War One. This dog tag and dog tag 2019.31.8 were donated to the museum at the same time as a set of seven objects mounted on a display board. These mounted objects include a copy of a photograph of George (.1) Herts Yeomanry Cap Badge (.2) Buffalo Medal (.3) Special Constabulary Long Service Medal (.4) (WW2). Defence Medal (.5) (WW2). Victory Medal (.6) (WW1) and British War Medal (.7). George Howlett was born in Dunstable and joined the Herts Yeomanry at the start of WW1. The objects 2019.31.1-9 tell of his war service during the First and Second World Wars and object 2019.31.3 of his membership of the Buffalos, a fraternal organization similar to the Masons. After joining the Herts Yeomanry George was taken into the Army Cyclist Corps and also later the Dragoons. He later served as a Special Constable in the Second World War.

Army Order 287 of September 1916 required the British Army to provide all soldiers with two official tags, both made of vulcanised asbestos fibre (which were more comfortable to wear in hot climates) carrying identical details, again impressed one character at a time. The first tag, an octagonal green disc (like 2019.31.8), was attached to a long cord around the neck. The second tag, a circular red disc (like this one), was threaded on a 6-inch cord suspended from the first tag. The first tag was intended to remain on the body for future identification, while the second tag could be taken to record the death. This dates this dog tag to post September 1916

Date MadePost September 1916

Period20th Century (1901-2000)

Medium and MaterialsVulcanised Asbestos

Measurements47 x 47 mm

Named CollectionNorth Hertfordshire Museum

Object Typesocial history

Object number2019.31.9

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved