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Colin Hall
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Walter is alive an well!

I’ve just read in the Daily Mail online of a former Royal Marine who claims to have been shot in Vietnam and was awarded a [secret] Distinguished Service Medal[DSM]

To support his story he displays a photo of his dog tags, which are metal and carry the inscription "Royal Navy Commando 1967-19--".

In the added comments to the story there one or two from people who are clearly both ex-service and ex-RN, and they are skeptical.

So am I! I have never, not ever, heard of British Dog Tags having that sort of information on them.

First, my dog tags of that era were not metal, and didn’t name my unit and for sure I’ve never heard of any that did! Also, there are no "secret" awards of the DSM. This guy also claimed to have served on "New Zealand gunboats" which is absolute nonsense. The RNZN had Frigates in the Far East operating with the RN, certainly no gunboats, whatever that means!

Walter is alive and well!

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13/04/2012 23:19:57

Arthur(Roly) Rowsell
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When I joined up we were given a couple of fibre discs with our name on the disc and our official No.
1 was used on the gasmask and the other worn around the neck
Around 1960 we changed from a green paybook to a plastic identity card and from that time on we could dispose of the neck dog tag. But had to have the one on the gas mask until these were withdrawn.
No unit or service was on the fibre tag, not was a rank or rate given. Just name and official No.
Some where amongst my pile of memories, my fibre disc still exists.

Consult the veteran, not the incompetent Politicians.

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14/04/2012 00:27:32

Colin Hall
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I still have mine! Round, fibre, Service Number, name and blood group.

I think our friend Walter made his own!

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14/04/2012 00:38:32

Colin Davies
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As far as I remember my dog tags were Colin stated, only not round but oblong with corners cut off, number, name & blood group.

Why on earth would the date of enlistment be on them, never seen dog tags with unit/regt on them as by the Geneva only name rank and number is required, and dog tags do not carry rank as you would have to change them, on promotion.

You can however buy dog tags on e-bay to your own pattern.

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14/04/2012 07:34:13

Edward George Penny
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Walts

Yes How many times have I come across the infamous Walts.

I even met one that told everyone he had won two DCM’s in Korea there was only one small problem he would have been 12 at the time, and the only ones who did get two in Korea were a Canadian and a Australian.

Well its Armed Forces Day soon and Walt Spotting will be at full flow

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14/04/2012 09:35:47

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