A once in a life time opportunity to buy an eye wateringly rare helmet to a Somme casualty. Firstly this is a private purchase British Adrian type helmet that a soldier or family member could go into a gentlemans outfitters and purchase off the shelf. These helmets were available to purchase in and around 1915 before helmets were issued to everybody on the front line. Typically the only people who were able to afford such an item as this in 1915 were the 'well to do' and so even during WW1 these helmets were few and far between.
The helmet itself is in lovely front line used condition. The outer shell has most of its original pain with some scratches around the whole helmet which is typical and expected. Furthermore the chinstrap is in amazing condition and is not dry or flaking like many similar leatherwork of that period. Inside the helmet the liner again is in amazing condition with signs of use.
What is the best aspect of the helmet is the small inscription on the rear brim. It says 'Second Lieutenant M L Price 7th Battalion Middlesex'. With some deep diving into my books I have discovered that the helmet belonged to 2nd Lt. Montagu Leonard Price, 1/7th Middlesex Regt., died on Monday, 26th June 1916, aged 22. He is buried in Hebuterne Military Cemetery, grave II.M.7.
Further research brought up even more information on his activities on that tragic day. 1/7th Middlesex had been charged with the smoke demonstration at 10.15 a.m. and, in response, the Germans put down a barrage on the front-line trench that blew in most of the parapet and killed 10 men and wounded 28. In addition, the battalion lost two officers: Capt. Moody and 2nd Lt. Sherlock wounded. It was not just the smoke that had attracted German interest. Just prior to the smoke demonstration 169th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, which had brought up ammunition and prepared a location for their Stokes mortars the night before, fired off a rapid salvo under the direction of Lt.
Nathan. As they fired, the range and direction were checked by the Battery C.O., Capt. Coote. They had just finished and were taking their dismantled guns back down Yellow Street when the German retaliation shrieked overhead. Coote and his men sensibly sought refuge in a dug out in the communication trench. When the strafe seemed over they continued back into the village and headed for their billets. Their relief at escaping unscathed was short-lived, however, as a short time later, four 15cm shells ploughed into the yard behind the officers’ mess. 2nd Lt. M L Price attached to the trench mortar battery from the 1/7th Middlesex, was killed along with six other men of the 169th Battery. Another ten men from the 167th Trench Mortar Battery were wounded and Lt.
Nathan was sent to hospital suffering from shell shock. It was the last time the trench mortar battery would fire in the bombardment. They attracted too much retaliation to make their efforts worthwhile.
Overall this is an eye wateringly rare helmet that belonged to a casualty involved in arguably one of the most famous battles in history. As I have previously mentioned, the condition of the helmet is impeccable for its age and was almost certainly worn by the young officer when he was tragically killed and sent back to his family.
Due to its rarity, if you would like to purchase this item I would prefer you to receive it at the next militaria fair which will be Stoneleigh however I will post if necessary
