World War II Identification Bracelet

Please note -TARIFFS PAID! US buyers need not worry about any additional charges! Order with confidence, knowing you won't be surprised with any additional fees.

We at C&K have always had a great respect for the soldiers that fought and died for the rights we take for granted today. Selflessly, these young men volunteered their lives and their futures to stand for freedom and justice. Our families honour the sacrifices these brave young men made and remember their selflessness in the world's time of need.

The militaria that surround the Second World War has always held a certain fascination with me. Whether it be the common regalia they wore into battle, the essential kit with which they were saddled or the less common items that reflected their everyday lives - these pieces are an indispensable part of the tale of these soldiers' histories. There are some artifacts, however, that truly bring to light the personal loves and lives these soldiers left behind. We are thrilled to be able to present one of those very items, here.

One of the most necessary pieces of a soldier's equipment was their dog tags. These were single-issued and relayed essential information about the serviceman's person. The tags contained their full names, department identification numbers, their blood type and frequently, their religious preference. They were relied upon to identify a fallen soldier, whether they be injured or had lost their lives in the course of a given conflict. It wasn't uncommon for these tags to go missing, however, resulting in unidentified soldiers and the grief that would follow the insufficient memorial of their passing. When it came to their families back home, it was a crucial element to their uniform, allowing for identification and the informing of those loved ones, waiting with baited breath for their family's return. However, it wasn't the only item that was used to identify these fearless souls...
It was common practice for family or loved ones to gift a soldier with a keepsake, upon their deployment. It was frequently a small item - something to remind them of the love they left behind and served as motivation to come back to them. Sometimes, it was a snuff box for tobacco, other times perhaps a flask. In most cases, these treasured pieces were engraved with a short message or a name, evoking memories of warmth and light in an often dark and frightening time. One of those pieces was an identification bracelet. These were more often than not flat pieces of metal, usually bent for comfort on the wearers wrist, and made of almost any metal, from brass and steel to silver and gold. These held a double purpose - one was the identification of the soldier. On the front, it contained the name of the serviceman and their ID number. In some cases, it went further, containing all the information one might find on a dog tag. These bracelets were made with a sturdier chain - of a more substantial material - so as to ensure that even if the tags were lost, the bracelet could serve as a further means of identification. On the reverse, a loved one was free to engrave a short message or name, again, reminding their heroic men of the love to which they could look forward to returning. These pieces were worn with pride and purpose - soldiers frequently recall playing with these small tokens while stranded in a ditch or foxhole, recalling with fondness the person who had gifted it to them, injecting a strength that would so frequently lapse in the cold light of battle. Upon the soldier's return, these bracelets would continue to be worn by them - a reminder of their sacrifice and a source of pride of accomplishment, having trudged through hell to return to the lives they once thought lost to them. In fact, they became a sort of badge of honour, identifying these brave individuals to those back home (see the inserted photograph of Al Pacino wearing his during the filming of The Godfather - he was a GI before he became a made man). In other, more unfortunate cases, these bracelets were sent back to family who were privileged to wear these items in memoriam to their lost loves. Before long, as so many pieces of jewelry do, they became a source of style. They were manufactured blank and worn, in the 70s, as a fashion accessory, along with those that were still being worn to commemorate the lost souls of conflict. So simple and attractive is the design that they continued to gain popularity through the 80s, 90s and nought-ies, being portrayed in fashion magazines the world over. Although slightly diluted by the fashion element, these bracelets hold an important place in the heart of those who still remember the valorous souls for whom we owe so much.

Our bracelet is quite beautiful. These pieces could be purchased at higher-end retailers for a fairly reasonable sum - only $1, in some cases. In Canada, Birks and Eaton's were very popular destinations for those looking to send their beau/brother/father off to war with a piece of their heart. Our bracelet holds the following engraving:
H.P. Macdonald
T.Eaton's Co.
Mar 15th/44
G.5700
I have done exhaustive research to try and find this young man, but I've been unable to identify exactly who he was. Having spent nearly 2 days dissecting Canadian Navy records, I can safely say that it is unlikely that he was a Navy man - he was most-likely Canadian infantry. The date would be the date of his official summons or deployment, near the start of massive North American involvement in the war. Given that the fateful 'D-Day' was only 3 months away, and typical basic training was 12-13 weeks, it wouldn't be a reach to assume he took part in the Juno Beach landings. I can only imagine the immense fear and trepidation he and his brothers-in-arms felt on that momentous day...
On the reverse, the name "Bella" is engraved in handsome cursive writing, above the stamp "Sterling ECCO." Bella, we can only assume, was his beloved... perhaps a girlfriend or recently-wed bride (soldiers often married prior to their deployment - rushing to symbolize the adoration they had for their loves). "Sterling" is self-explanatory, but "ECCO" stood for Electric Chain Company of Canada (or Electric Chain Company Ltd.). They produced high-quality jewelry from 1916 to 1950, specializing in Sterling Silver and Gold-filled pieces - they remain highly collectible - and were relied upon for these particularly special items. The clasp, as well, is stamped "STERLING," ensuring this was known to be a exceptional production. It is a beautiful example of an infinitely important and often-overlooked piece of WW2 history.

You'll notice the greying and patina on the piece - I have left it there on purpose. The marks and blemishes you see have been earned, each scratch and each darkened section a testament to the age and wear of this bracelet, an essential record of its storied past. I intend to leave it on the piece, but am happy to send you the materials to shine it up to your liking.
Physically, it is in remarkable condition. The clasp and chain are nearly perfect, and the plate contains no bends or dents of note.
Our pieces measures a full length of 22cm, with the plate accounting for 5cm of the total and being 2.3cm wide. It weighs 19.3g.

As always, should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to respond to queries almost immediately.

Thank you for visiting C&K!