Recently, I shared a poll asking how often you think officially issued identity discs are recovered with the remains of WW1 soldiers recovered during archaeological works. Here are the results. 65% selected the correct category: 0-20%. Let’s explore this further (THREAD) 1/

In 1907, aluminum discs were introduced for British soldiers. From mid-late 1914, the discs (single and double) were produced from compressed fibre. In 1920, Fabian Ware (founder of the CWGC) reported that ‘identity discs have not proved satisfactory’ 2/

The identity discs rapidly decomposed, turning to ‘pulp’. Ware described that ‘the chief reason of there being such a large number of unidentified is owing to the unsatisfactory material out of which the discs were made’. The 2nd disc added in 1916 had not prevented this. 3/

In fact, in 1920, identity discs were only used to identify 20% of recoveries, confirming a further 25% of recoveries. This means identity discs were used to identity only 45% of all soldiers recovered. What does this mean when soldiers are recovered 100 years later? 4/

The remains of soldiers who died during the FWW are occasionally encountered during agricultural or archaeological works. During the last twenty years, official British identity discs have rarely been recovered, though they can survive in extreme environments. Pic: @DigHill80 5/

It appears that privately purchased identity bracelets and identity discs are more regularly recovered. Here are some examples produced from durable metals. Soldiers could buy these from jewellers at home, from merchants whilst deployed, and they could make their own. 6/

Now that you know more about British discs, please could you answer: When British soldiers from WW1 are recovered today, statistically, how often do you think official identity discs are recovered with the body today?

Pls RT – all answers welcome but no spoilers please! 7/

I ask this so as not to influence the answers of others. Please give your honest answer, whether that is based on experience or just what you think seems to be the most likely answer in your opinion. Results to be shared in due course 8/8