WWI identify disc

Over the years I have had a wonderful collaboration with Philippe Clerbout from France. The original connection was through our recently deceased friend Sandra. The most notable work Philippe and I completed was to return a WWI identity disk found on the Western Front. This story is somewhat similar.

Today Philippe sent me a picture of the identify disc worn by LTCOL William Llewellyn Arrell DSO which had been found at the Fruges region, Pas de Calais.

Before WWI, William was a teacher and served in the cadet system. He was commissioned into the 9th Battalion, AIF in March 1915. He wasn't at the Gallipoli landings on 25 Apr 15 but arrived shortly after. A letter he sent from Gallipoli was published in the news paper and I've added it below. 

William, was promoted on several occasions and spent a long period with 49th Battalion before taking command of the 14th Battalion. For his service, William was made a member of the Distinguished Service Order and mentioned in dispatches twice. 

Following the war, William returned to the Queensland Education Department on the examination board. He appeared in the news paper again when his brother in law drowned in the surf. This story is also included below.

William, never married and died in 1944.

William was one of 13 children and it is through his brother, John's family line, I've contacted William's great nephew. The identity disc will be returned to the Arrell family in the near future.

The returned medal tally is now 3940.

Letter from the front:

Story of drowning: