A First War Mark II Royal Canadian Regiment Helmet

A First War Mark II Royal Canadian Regiment Helmet - British-made, steel, non-magnetic, painted in mid-tone gray, the Royal Canadian Regiment's insignia painted in green on the front via the use of a stencil. 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 "139" ("FS" indicating the manufacturer, T.Firth & Sons Limited of Sheffield (1916-1918); and "139" the steel batch number) on the underside of the helmet at the front, with pressed fabric in the dome. The leather chin strap remains relatively supple and is intact, with its original hardware. Helmet measures 295 mm x 308 mm x 120 mm, exhibiting moderate bubbling and contact marks on the exterior, the insignia unaffected, scattered rust spots on the interior skirt, very light wear evident on the liner, as worn. Footnote: The Royal Canadian Regiment was deployed to Bermuda in 1914, for garrison duties from September 1914 to August 1915. When it returned to Halifax, Nova Scotia, it re-attested for overseas service. The Battalion sailed August 28, 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A.E. Carpenter with a strength of 34 officers and 1,052 other ranks. The RCR arrived in France in October 1915, joining the new 3rd Canadian Division. The regiment combined with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and the 42nd and 49th Canadian Infantry Battalions to form the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Battle honours awarded to The Royal Canadian Regiment for its actions in the First World War included: Mount Sorrel, Somme, 1916, Flers-Courcelette, Ancre Heights, Arras, 1917, 18, Vimy, 1917, Hill 70, Ypres, 1917, Passchendaele, Amiens, Scarpe, 1918, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders, 1914–18". (C:4)