A First War Mark II 54th Battalion Helmet; Named to Chaplain & Published
Published in Military Antiques and Collectibles by Victor Taborika on page 207; Noted to be worn by Canadian Chaplain George Alfred McDonald; A First War Mark II 54th Infantry Battalion "Kootenay Battalion", 11th Canadian Brigade, 4th Canadian Division Helmet: Published British-made, steel, non-magnetic, in greenish-black, red circle above a green rectangle painted on the front, the red circle representative of the 54th Infantry Battalion, the green rectangle representative of the 4th CanadianDivision. The protective edge of the helmet in a magnetic steel. It is stamped "BS" (indicating the manufacturer, W. Beardmore & Company Limited of Glasgow (1916-1919)) on the underside at the rear but the accompanying batch number is obscured by speckled rust and paint chipping. In addition, the name "PE J. H. FEE" is hand scratched in capital letters on the underside of the helmet on the left side, the "PE" designating the rank of Private. The inside is hollow, missing its steel-framed cradle, blackened canvas liner, burlap support, leather backer, mesh support with drawstring and chin strap, although the pressed fabric in the dome and a portion of the leather strap in the dome, along with the hardware remain intact. The helmet measures 303 mm x 310 mm x 120 mm, exhibiting contact marks and surface wear on the exterior, fine chipping in the red and green paint on the insignia, bubbling on the brim, scattered wear on the pressed fabric in the dome, the helmet without dents.
Footnote: The Battalion was raised in Southern British Columbia under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The mobilization headquarters was at Nelson, British Columbia. The Battalion sailed November 22, 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.M. Davis with a strength of 36 officers and 1,111 other ranks. The Battalion served with the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. The Battalion was re-designated the 54th "Central Ontario" Battalion in August 1917. (C:4)
Chaplain George Alfred McDonald: "George Alfred Macdonald was born in 1887 at Galt, Onatrio, Macdonald was appointed to the 228th Battalion which left for England in February, 1917. In England the 228th was reorganised and redesignated the 6th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops, heading to France in April, 1917. From January, 1918, Macdonald was attached to HQ of the 11th Infantry Brigade. Two months later, he was posted to 4th Division HQ and attached to the 54th Battalion for duty. By August, Macdonald was promoted to Acting Senior Chaplin, 4th Canadian Division. By the end of the war, there were approximately 17 chaplains in each British division as well as various numbers allocated to Hospitals. In November, 1918, he was attached for duty to the Canadian Report Centre in Paris. In March, 1919, MacDonald was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital for a short tour before returning to Canada. He passed away in 1948."
Source: Military Antiques and Collectibles of the Great War A Canadian Collection, J. Victor Taboika page, 340