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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Squeaky020

Squeaky020 Report 24 Jun 2012 21:47

Hello all,

I found a couple of round discs that were my grandfathers. They are engraved with his service number - 1899491, his name - C.W. Johnson and also the letters/word -METH.

I know he was with the royal engineers but I cannot seem to find out what METH means.

Any help would be appreciated.

lancashireAnn

lancashireAnn Report 24 Jun 2012 22:00

are you sure it say METH rather than MECH

Researching:
Liverpool (Cartwright, Chambers, Miller), Todmorden (Sutcliffe, Mallison), Abergavenny (Watkins, Prosser)

brummiejan

brummiejan Report 24 Jun 2012 22:01

In case nobody replies, you might try sending an inquiry to the royal engineers museum:

http://www.re-museum.co.uk/

Jan

Researching:
Myatt, Hanks, Eccleston, Powell, Clungunford, Birmingham

Squeaky020

Squeaky020 Report 24 Jun 2012 22:03

Lancashire Ann - Yes on both the discs it says in capitals METH.

I'm puzzled!

Jan - Many thanks for that link!

Hopefully someone will know.

JannieAnnie

JannieAnnie Report 24 Jun 2012 22:21


Not sure but could be an indicator of his religion - METH possibly Methodist?

Squeaky020

Squeaky020 Report 24 Jun 2012 22:27

Yeah maybe, I didnt know he followed a religion .


The discs are like dog tags - circular in shape with a hole at the top, like they hung or was attached to something.

Hmmmmmm....

JannieAnnie

JannieAnnie Report 24 Jun 2012 22:33


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_tag

There is a picture on this site - looks like a reddish coloured disc - has WESL - so possibly Wesleyan, I'd be inclined to go with Methodist on the one you have.

He may not have followed a religion but if his parent(s) were Methodists then he would probably have said he was the same.

JerryH

JerryH Report 25 Jun 2012 00:10

I am sure that is right.

Just checked those of my Father...... Both showed as C E
ie Chruch of England.

Jeremy

Researching:
Photo is of my Great Grandfather Abraham

Squeaky020

Squeaky020 Report 25 Jun 2012 13:32

Thank you for your replies.

It looks like Methodist is the answer then !

Thank you for your help.

Squeaky020

Squeaky020 Report 25 Jun 2012 13:32

Thank you for your replies.

It looks like Methodist is the answer then !

Thank you for your help.

Porkie_Pie

Porkie_Pie Report 26 Jun 2012 17:19

During world war one and two service personnel were issued pressed fibre Identity disks, one green octagonal shaped disc, and a red round disc ( some army units issued a second red round disk to be attached to the service respirator. ) The Identity disks were hand stamped with the Surname, initials, Service number and Religion. The disks were worn around the neck on a 38" length of cotton cord, this was often replaced by the wearer with a leather bootlace. One tag was suspended below the main tag

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_tag

Roy

Squeaky020

Squeaky020 Report 26 Jun 2012 21:02

That's it Roy!

That's exactly the colours and the styles.

I appreciate you finding this info for me.

Donna

Denis

Denis Report 27 Jun 2012 08:03

British Army use of two discs rather than one did not start until 1916. Prior to that a metal disc was in use.

Denis