Description
Physical description
Discs and chain: two tags; one red circular and one grey-green hexagonal attached to a metal chain that has string threaded through the links.
History note
These identity tags formed part of the uniform worn during the Second World War by Major Griffiths Llewellyn Richards who as a Sergeant serving with 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was awarded the Military Medal in North Africa for rescuing wounded comrades whilst under fire (Djebel Ang, 20 and 23 April 1943). Later, commissioned into 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, as a Captain, he was awarded a Military Cross for his part in leading his Company uphill into several enemy-held farm buildings and taking over 20 prisoners on 17 May 1944 in Italy.
During his wartime service Richards was wounded on several occasions, and once, whilst being loaded onto an ambulance by stretcher, a mortar round exploded nearby, shrapnel piercing a pocket in his battledress blouse. The shrapnel passed through his New Testament, several photographs and a metal cigarette case (complete with contents), all of which (including his decorations) are still in the possession of the family*. A newspaper cutting records that Richards joined the Army in 1940 and went to North Africa in 1942, participating in the fighting through Egypt, Libya, Tunis, Sicily and into Italy. It also records that he was aged 24 at the time of the award of his MC and was quoted (from a letter to his parents): "The ribbon bar on my chest is lengthening. I got it for a battle early in the big push against the Gustav Line, so the Richards aren't doing too badly." The cutting also mentions that during this action Major Richards was wounded in the knee by an exploded mortar round.
*The Richards family have agreed to make these items available to the Museum should we wish to use them for future exhibition (see file for images and further notes).
Stamped to both tags in capital letters.
G.L. RICHARDS
NON.
COM.
272505