Posted 8 years ago
BlackWatch
(65 items)
*EDIT* 8/9/2017 - I no longer own this helmet, the post remains here merely to archive it as when I posted this helmet, it was a valued piece in my collection. It is a great helmet and I am sure the new owner of the helmet will be happy with it.
A rough condition WWI Canadian 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) "Black Watch" helmet. The chinstrap is absent however it's original liner is still present. The helmet is named to "Jones G" however I have not done any research on him as of yet. The original painted div markings (blue circle of red rectangle) identifying it to the 13th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. I personally like the rough look of the helmet. Below is a little history of the 13th Battalion from Wikipedia...
The battalion was formed from volunteers from the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada (The Black Watch), a militia regiment based in Montreal, as well as men from other militia regiments. Sent to England as part of the First Contingent in September, 1914, the 13th Battalion became part of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division. The 3rd Brigade had the distinction of containing the 13th Battalion (the Royal Highlanders of Canada), the 14th Battalion (the Royal Montreal Regiment), the 15th Battalion (the 48th Highlanders of Canada) and the 16th Battalion (the Canadian Scottish).
The 1st Canadian Division served on the Western Front from April, 1915 until the armistice in November, 1918. Its baptism of fire occurred at the Second Battle of Ypres in April, 1915, when the German Army used chlorine gas for the first time in war. Neighbouring French divisions fled in terror from the new weapon, but the Canadians held the line at tremendous cost.
The 1st Canadian Division fought in every major engagement involving the Canadian Corps, including the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, the Somme in 1916, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele in 1917, and the Pursuit to Mons in 1918.
Three members of the 13th Battalion won the Victoria Cross. The first, Frederick Fisher, won his on 23 April 1915 at St. Julien during the Second Battle of Ypres. Two other members, Herman James Good and John Bernard Croak, won their crosses on 8 August 1918 at Hangard Wood, near Amiens in France. Croak's award was posthumous.
After the armistice, the 13th Battalion returned to Canada and was disbanded in April, 1919. On December 1, 1920, the 13th Battalion was perpetuated by the 1st Battalion of the newly reorganized The Royal Highlanders of Canada.
Overall rough but nice looking WWI helmet, thank you for reading this post.
Enjoyed the write-up. The Brits seemed to have a habit of sending the "Colonials" to the hottest spots. By the way, the French were the 1st to use gas warfare in the trenches .
blunderbuss2,
Thank you for your comment. Yes, the Commonwealth forces took quite a beating, and took massive casualties. I was not aware the French were the first to use gas warfare, always thought it was the Germans. Although wikipedia is not the best source, I just thought I'd use it for a small history on the 13th Battalion.
The way the Germans came up with their signature design is interesting. They made all sorts of helmet designs that they placed in the open and fired shrapnel down on them & chose the most effective design. Then there is the Tommies with their tin plates that probably date back to Cromwell. LOL !