Named Helmet research?
 

I recently added this helmet to my collection and inside the liner was a name. I have many helmets with names in them and was always curious if the names could be researched? My only research tool I know is Google search but that has never given me results. Does anybody know of a way to research a name in a helmet? Or any other piece of named equipment for that matter!
Thanks for any assistance in help identifying this helmet.
Regards,Derk

Hi Mark

Just names is difficult, in many cases, to research for Military service but if you had a Military/Regimental Number, there is potential.

In my experience, Canadian named pieces of equipment often had their number also. Does your helmet have a soldier's number?

With a Canadian WW2 soldier's number, I can tell you to what unit they enlisted, at the least.

The name "Klepper" does not have many hits in my Canadian sources but there was a British borne (Lancashire) fellow (Julius) in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. If it is British, I cannot help you but it would still be researchable.

regards
Darrell

The surname Klepper was first found in Holland in 1275 and is spread across many other European countries: https://www.houseofnames.com/klepper-family-crest

Hi Hanno

Thanks for that. I was wondering if perhaps it was Dutch Military Police or not. is Militair Politie a proper Dutch phrase? Marechaussee from Gooble. :confused

Perhaps I assumed too much from Derk's (NOT Mark! :o) post. On a generally Cdn Forum and a British made helmet... I gave what I had. :)

regards
Darrell

Hi all,

Indeed MP also stands for “Militaire Politie” (military police) in Dutch, a.k.a. Marechaussee.

I have read something about these somewhere, will see if I can dig it up. Have seen a steel version as well.

Here’s a thread with some more info: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/helme...police-403506/

Pretty sure that helmet came from my (and Derk's) favorite scrapyard. It would have come out of Cdn service, either in the late 50s or 60s.

Sorry, was next door eating a free supper!
It was in fact out of our favourite scrapyard and most likely been in Canadian service but possibly was first issued in Europe during the war and found its way back to Canada and used in service here until disposed of?
No rank or service number, just a name.
Is there a way of researching a name if there is a rank, serial number or sometimes a unit marked on equipment?
Thanks, Derk

Here’s another example, a modified dispatch rider helmet converted to an airborne helmet postwar.
There are a couple of names in it. Looks like Cpl Belliveau JA which Belliveau has been crossed off and another name added; Cleroux. No service number but a rank. Now it could be the name written in when it was used as a dispatch rider helmet and not necessarily when it was used as an airborne helmet. Having the ability to research a name to find out what unit he was with may tell some of the story of the helmet.

I found a wartime photo online of the same style of helmet being used by a RCCS dispatch rider. I see he is also wearing the signals White over Blue armband. Another one of my purchases this year that’s sitting in my collection.

I can see this is leading to the jacket and then the motorcycle... :thup:

Here’s an item that I have yet to identify but it has name, rank and service number on the item. How would I research this person?
I would also like to know what this item is. I emailed the Canadian Airborne museum with photo’s to see if they have any information on it but nobody’s there during COVID.
Thanks,Derk

Wayne,
I had the jacket (and complete uniform & kit) but could never find a wartime bike to buy! I have since given up on ever owning a motorcycle but still have my collection of motorcyclist helmets. I’m getting too old to ride motorcycles anymore!
Derk

How to Research Information on Canadian Participation in WW2
 

Maybe this is of help?

http://www.mapleleafup.net/locator/research.html

Hi Derk

Using Clive Law's excellent "Regimental Numbers" book reference SH4765 Spr Drebnicki, it would appear that he was a post-1950 enlistment.

H4765 is "Un-allotted" for WW2. Likely 1950-1958 enlistment somewhere in the Prairies. The "H" part of "SH" is Prairie Command and by 1958 the Regular Army was using 803000-849999 block.

RE that piece of equipment: I was a jumper 1987-1991 and I do not recognize it. Definitely before my time but it does have to look of a personal equipment lowering bag.

Sorry I could not be more help.

regards
Darrell

Thank you Hanno and Darrell. Lots of useful information for me to use. I have a way of researching now with the locator website to go to.
The drop bag box label has a packing date of 59 but underneath that label was the first label printed in red and I believe it said 53? So most definitely post war. Just wish I could find a reference on what it was used for!
Hopefully it’s listed in a training Pam somewhere with a photo of it in use.
Regards,Derk

I tried the Bren, the Enfield, and the FNs in those valise, and none of them was a particularly good fit. There were certainly a lot of them that came out of rivers....they had to be for something common.

Just took apart a WWII American M1 helmet and liner to clean up and found some interesting markings. Guaranteed the liner is not original to the helmet but inside the liner is a service number SH 4978. The outside has Corporal stripes and on the top some kind of formation sign. Anybody recognize the symbol of a Diamond shape black and red. Note the corporal stripes are American and not Canadian but the inside service number I believe is Canadian being a SH number like the drop bag has on it.
In the helmet is marked 042 and the last name LAKE. On the front inside of the rim is marked another name MACISAAC.
Sure would be a lot easier to research with rank and serial number as well.
With the SH 4978 number I can practice my researching skills now!
Derk

Here is a steel helmet, painted white with letters “M.P.” in black added.

This helmet is owned by a collector in The Netherlands.

Attachment 125931