A First War Mark II 7th Infantry Battalion 1st Canadian Division Helmet

A First War Mark II 7th Infantry Battalion 1st Canadian Division Helmet - British-made, steel, non-magnetic, in brownish-green, red semi-circle above a red rectangle painted on the front, the semi-circle representative of the 7th Infantry Battalion, the rectangle representative of the 1st Canadian Division, with a metal "7" affixed to the insignia via dual prongs. The protective edge of the helmet in a magnetic steel. Inside, steel-framed cradle supporting a blackened canvas liner with underlying burlap support and leather backer, mesh support with drawstring, stamped "FS" and "150" ("FS" indicating the manufacturer, T.Firth & Sons Limited of Sheffield (1916-1918); and "150" the steel batch number) on the underside of the helmet at the back, with pressed fabric in the dome. The leather chin strap remains relatively supple and is intact, with its original hardware and stamped "7". Inscribed in ink on the chin strap is the surname "DANCE" with a mark in front and what appears to be a "J" after, with two sets of numbers to the right, one over top of the other, neither of which corresponds to his service number, or any other Dance who enlisted with the CEF. Helmet measures 295 mm x 308 mm x 120 mm, exhibiting moderate bubbling and contact marks on the exterior, the insignia intact, surface rust on the metal protective edge and around the "7" on the insignia, wear evident on the liner, as worn. (C:4) Footnote: William Dance was born on August 19, 1888 in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England. He was a resident of British Columbia when he signed his Attestation Paper (16992) with the 7th Infantry Battalion on September 18, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, at the age of 26, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, F.H. Dance of Revelstoke, stating that he had twelve years' previous service with the Army Ordnance Corps and the Gloucestershire Yeomanry, that he was Married and that his trade was that of Wheeler. The Battalion was raised in British Columbia and mobilized at Camp Valcartier, Quebec under the authority of P.C.O. 2067, August 6, 1914, sailing on October 3, 1914 with a strength of 47 officers and 1,176 other ranks, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. Hart-McHarg. The Battalion served in France and Belgium with the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. Dance survived the war.