Identity Disk belonging to Able Seaman Mostyn Moss Berryman RANR

Date1942-1946

Object number00056572

NameDog Tag

MediumVulcanised asbestos fibre, leather

DimensionsOverall: 420 x 45 x 10 mm, 6 g

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Rosemary Hayward

Terms

DescriptionCircular British Commonwealth military identity disk (or ‘dog tag’) issued to Able Seaman Mostyn ‘Moss’ Berryman during his service in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve during the Second World War. It is of great national significance to Australia due to its association with AB Berryman and Operation Jaywick, a joint Special Operations Executive/Royal Australian Navy mission that has unique status among covert wartime operations in Australia as the only wholly successful mission of its type to be carried out during the Second World War.SignificanceThe identity disk is of great national significance to Australia due to its association with AB Moss Berryman and Operation Jaywick. A joint Special Operations Executive/Royal Australian Navy mission, Operation Jaywick has unique status among covert wartime operations in Australia as the only wholly successful mission of its type to be carried out during the Second World War. Although not a member of the folboat team that entered Singapore Harbour and damaged or destroyed Japanese shipping moored there, Berryman was present aboard the mission’s ‘mother ship’ MV Krait and responsible for looking after the vessel, as well as safely delivering and extracting the six covert operatives, ensuring the mission’s success. While Jaywick operatives are known to have been issued identity tags, no other examples are known to have survived the war, nor are any currently curated in Australian or overseas collecting institutions. This, in conjunction with its excellent overall condition, makes Berryman’s dog tags exceptionally rare, historically valuable, and significant.