Silver identity tag made from a Manx pendant by a soldier
Date made: early 20th century
Maker: Kaye, William James
Description: Many soldiers in the First World War carried personalised identity tags, in addition to those which were officially issued. It seems that they were concerned that if they were killed, their body would not be identified. This three legs pendant has been crudely stamped with the details of a Douglas soldier, William Kaye. He was killed in battle in 1914, and the tag was found some years later in a French bric a brac shop in the vicinity. Did Kaye give it away to a civilian before he died, or was it found on the battlefield? We may never know, but it clearly demonstrates this soldier's sense of Manx identity.
Materials: silver
Object name: pendant
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2011-0090