Unit abbreviation on ID discs?

Can anyone comment on the practice of stamping the soldier's unit on his ID discs during the SWW? I am not familiar with this practice as none of the discs I've seen have been marked with a unit. Any insight appreciated.

Check this,

ED

http://servicepub.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/identity-discs-in-the-canadian-army/

Thanks Ed, I have seen the article and also have Clive's book of Regimental Numbers. There is no mention in the article or book about unit markings on ID tags in the SWW. What I would like to determine is if the practice of adding the unit to the tags happened during the war, either officially or unofficially.

Hi Steve, It is my understanding that the unit was not to be added. The primary reason was security. If the soldier became a PoW, the id discs would give away too much. Unofficially, it would not be a wise practice for the reason above. And, an individual could find himself transferred between units.

I don't have many Identity Discs in my collection, maybe 4 or 5, however, none of them have the Regiment or unit listed.

Exactly..... Thanks guys. I wanted to confirm that what I told a friend was correct. However, in the interest of being thorough, has anyone seen a set if ID tags that belonged to a member of 1 Can Para or FSSF? I can't see why their tags would be any different but I don't want to jump to conclusions.

I have a couple of sets of 1st Can Para tags and there is no unit stamping on either, Can't say I've ever seen any ID tags that are unit marked.

Thanks.... that's what I figured. I'm not sure what this means about my buddy's tags but they definitely are not standard. They came from a well known "expert" and apparently have solid provenance so who knows why the unit was added....

I hae a set of tags that belonged to a 1CANPARA trooper but only marked as such..

F37022
PTE U.H
EATON
U/C CDN

no regt markings

Thanks Mike. There is definitely something unusual about my friend's tags.

I have seen reproductions out of England that can be oredered blank , blank tags can be made up with a simple letter and number punch set avaliable from Cdn Tire.

And anything overtly marked to 1 Can Para always sells for a premium.

Of course Ed, that goes without saying. My friend has a copy of the soldier's service records and he definitely was in 1 Canadian Parachute Bn. I was initially avoiding mentioning what unit it was as I suspected it would cause some people to immediately dismiss the tags as fake.

One possible theory is that the tag may have been unit marked when the soldier was in Fort Benning doing his jump course. Underneath the unit marking is the number "291". I'm wondering if this may have been a student/nominal role number. I haven't mentioned yet but the unit marking and number have all been X'd out. I'll see if I can get permission to share the photos.

Steve, were Canadians still training in Benning after the Battalion was formed?

Yes, The Battalion was formed on 1 July 1942 and they trained at Ft. Benning until Camp Shilo was opened on 15 April 1943. The owner of the tag in question completed his jump training in Benning on 8 March 1943.