The Lost and Reunited Dog Tag

Fiona David, started metal detecting a few years ago, and is a member of the Wiltshire Detectors Club (WISE). She was on aclub dig abouttwo yearsago outsideavery smallhamlet in Wiltshire when she located Thomas Flynn’s dog tag (Figure 1)

Ironically, this is the area that Fiona David (Figure 2), some 76 years later, found Thomas Flynn’s military dog tag.

Patriot Connections Dog Tag Project in the USA was contacted by Chess Fearnley, who explained to them that her mother, Fiona David, had found a dog tag while medal detecting in England, and that they were looking for some help in locating/reuniting the veteran/family with this military dog tag.

After researching this hero, it was found that while Thomas Flynn has died, his son and grandson are living less than 10 miles away! Certainly, it is a small world! Chess and Fiona sent the dog tag to Sue Quinn-Morris, which was received on November 22nd, 2022.

This WWII hero, served with the 376th Infantry, 94th Division and served from March 23, 1942 until Christmas Day December 25, 1945.

His unit left NYC for overseas in 1944 – first landing in England before proceeding to France. It was the 11th August 1944 when he and his comrades arrived in Hullavington England. The troops were met by members of the advance party whohad been preparing thecamp sitefor overamonth. The Regiment was located near a small hamlet in Wiltshire, England.

Once settled in England the Regiment immediately began training, consisting mainly ofhedgerow tactics, conditioning marches and range firing New vehicles and crew-served weapons were issued, as was ammunition and all other equipment needed to fill combat loads (Figure 3)

It was on the 6th September 1944 that they left Wiltshire bound for the docks in Southampton England. That evening, under cover of darkness, the 376th left the blacked-out coast of England – the destination they were told was simply “somewhere in France”

In the coming battles, Thomas Flynn (Figure 4) was injured numerous times, including once in December of 1944 in France and also in February of 1945 in Germany, suffering a bullet wound in the thigh. He received a battlefield commission to 2nd Lt in February 1945 by command of Lt General Patton

Figure 5 is from the presentation of the dog tag to the son of Thomas Flynn. Figure 6 is Thomas Flynn’s son who cried at the surprise presentation, and behind his son, his grandson Figure 7 three generations of the Flynn’s.

Sue Quinn-Morris thanked Fiona and Chess for caring and understanding the importance of this treasure and beginning the journey. She also thanks Jeff Flynn for theconversations, information, stories and photos of his grandfather.

The last leg of the journey home of 2nd Lt Thomas Flynn’s military dog tag came full circle with the help of our friends of the Cherry Hill PBA and Lt Col Al Bancroft.

On November 26, 2022, at the Cherry Hill PBA Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner Vietnam Veteran, Thomas Flynn, was presented with his father’s Dog Tag with his family by his side, and surrounded by fellow comrades.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSKj_pMlOX0

During theVeteransdinner, theirbeloved LtAlBancroftwas also honoured for his 30+ years in the USMC and over 20 yearswith theCamden County VeteransAffairsOffice, from which he recently retired. From attending hundreds of Welcome Homes, presenting Camden County Service medals to our local veterans, helping veterans with their benefits and much more, he has given selflessly to all our local veterans for over 30 years. HOORAH!