Identity tag
This identity tag belonged to Duncan Turnbull, who served in the Royal Navy between 1980 and 1989. It is a circular red disc embossed around the edge with Turnbull’s surname, specialism (“WEMO”, meaning Weapons Engineering Mechanic Ordnance) and service number. His religion and blood type are embossed in the centre.
The Museum holds documents and journals relating to Turnball's career (AML/Z/36), as well as his identity tag (ZBB0022) and arm badges (ZBB0023–24).
Duncan Turnbull joined the Royal Navy in 1980 and began his training on HMS ‘Collingwood’ as a Junior Weapons Engineering Mechanic 2nd Class. He joined HMS ‘Glasgow’ in 1981 at Portsmouth and travelled to North America and the Caribbean, where he served at the Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in the Bahamas. From 1981–83, he served as Weapons Engineering Mechanic (Ordnance) in HMS ‘Hermes’, which was the flagship of the Royal Navy during the Falklands War in 1982. In 1983, he joined the HMS ‘Cochrane’ shore establishment to work at the Fleet Maintenance Group. In 1984, he was promoted to Acting Leading Weapons Engineering Mechanic (Ordnance). From 1985–89, he served in HMS ‘Glasgow’, during which time he performed songs and produced the ship’s magazine. In 1987, he was reported for ‘gross indecency’, which he denied. He returned to HMS ‘Cochrane’ in 1989 and was discharged on 16 June of that year. He gave 18 months’ notice and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve from 17 June. Turnbull, as a gay man in the Royal Navy, faced hostile treatment and bullying [homophobia] and was forced to conceal his relationships. He joined ‘Rank Outsiders’, an organisation that supported LGBTQI+ servicemen and women. The ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces was lifted in 2000. Turnbull has now retrained as a counsellor and psychotherapist and works with Veterans Aid.
Typically made from metal or (as in this case) compressed fibre, identity tags, colloquially known as ‘dog tags’, were first introduced into the British armed forces in the early twentieth century. Their purpose is to show the identity of an individual in the event of death or serious injury. Religion was included so that appropriate funerary rites might be performed.
The Museum holds documents and journals relating to Turnball's career (AML/Z/36), as well as his identity tag (ZBB0022) and arm badges (ZBB0023–24).
Duncan Turnbull joined the Royal Navy in 1980 and began his training on HMS ‘Collingwood’ as a Junior Weapons Engineering Mechanic 2nd Class. He joined HMS ‘Glasgow’ in 1981 at Portsmouth and travelled to North America and the Caribbean, where he served at the Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in the Bahamas. From 1981–83, he served as Weapons Engineering Mechanic (Ordnance) in HMS ‘Hermes’, which was the flagship of the Royal Navy during the Falklands War in 1982. In 1983, he joined the HMS ‘Cochrane’ shore establishment to work at the Fleet Maintenance Group. In 1984, he was promoted to Acting Leading Weapons Engineering Mechanic (Ordnance). From 1985–89, he served in HMS ‘Glasgow’, during which time he performed songs and produced the ship’s magazine. In 1987, he was reported for ‘gross indecency’, which he denied. He returned to HMS ‘Cochrane’ in 1989 and was discharged on 16 June of that year. He gave 18 months’ notice and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve from 17 June. Turnbull, as a gay man in the Royal Navy, faced hostile treatment and bullying [homophobia] and was forced to conceal his relationships. He joined ‘Rank Outsiders’, an organisation that supported LGBTQI+ servicemen and women. The ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces was lifted in 2000. Turnbull has now retrained as a counsellor and psychotherapist and works with Veterans Aid.
Typically made from metal or (as in this case) compressed fibre, identity tags, colloquially known as ‘dog tags’, were first introduced into the British armed forces in the early twentieth century. Their purpose is to show the identity of an individual in the event of death or serious injury. Religion was included so that appropriate funerary rites might be performed.
Object details
| ID: | ZBB0022 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Identity tag |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Date made: | 1980s |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |