Brit Mediterranean Camo with a Canadian TWIST

[Mark K]

 I came upon this little grouping late last year and I thought I had better act on it before it vanished in to someone else's collection. 
The Battle Dress Blouse and helmet are attributed to a Canadian Army vet and have passed through a couple of different collections before being welcomed in to mine.
The BD is attributed to the Royal Canadian Artillery 5th Light Anti Aircraft and is dated to 1943 it is sporting cloth divy's for Italy and canvas unit and Canada flashes.
The camo painted Mk II is rather an interesting helmet there is a lot going on with it the shell is British manufactured but would appear to have a smooth finish so IMO not a standard army issued Mk II and was very likely issued to one of the other services as I do believe at this point in the war they should be sporting a textured finish.
This Mk II was produced by (EC&CO Ltd) E Carmeliant & Co Ltd Birmingham and is 1940 dated now here is were things get rather interesting it is sporting a 1942 dated VMC liner and a Canadian war time period chinstrap The helmets crucifix pad has been lost to the ages and would appear to have been gone for many years and liner and chinstrap look to have been in this helmet for eons and the liner retention nut and bolt are quite seized .
There is good period evidence in the form of images to support this type of camo pattern was worn in the theater of operations in Italy and or South western Europe.
and IMO the camo looks good and shows some nice aging and patina and shows definite signs of field use just how I like them used and not abused. If the original occupant was with 1st Canadian Division he would very likely have received a British made helmet, as they went overseas before Canadian production began. 
I am positive this helmet has a story to tell and would love to know how and were this helmet came to be in this configuration was it traded ,lost in a crap-game,gifted from soldier to soldier ,field pickup who can say all speculation of course but an interesting exercise for the mind. 

Regards Mark

[Guest Fred Karno's Army]

A bar in Naples had one of these hanging from the ceiling the owner said his father obtained it from some soldiers during the war,no doubt after too much vino lol,and then brought some pictures out of himself wearing it as a child in the 1950s .

Really nice piece,especially with the BD too .

[Mark K]

Thanx Ham & Jam I was lucky to acquire this grouping and it was one of the helmets on my cup of Christ /Holy Grail list...

Regards Mark

[Manu Della Valle]

ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING!
To think that my late uncle returned home with his COMPLETE Royal Canadian Dragoon uniform.....God only knows what's happened to it!

[Mark K]

I dont see to many of these Mediterranean swirl camo helms out there in collections Manny I wish this one could talk or at least whisper IMO this old sodier has seen some hard service...A bloody shame about your great uncles uniform my dads oldest brother served with the Winnipeg Rifles and took part in the D-Day invasion and sadly none of his personal kit remains with the family...

Regards Mark