WILTSHIRE REGIMENT HOME SERVICE HELMET
Colonial-era British Army Home Service helmet, constructed from pressed cork covered with dark blue cloth, with a short-pointed front visor, and a long-sloped rear. The crown is capped with a brass plate in the shape of an equal-armed cross, decorated with a German pickelhaube-style spike at center, and with brass rosettes at each arm. The plate is secured within by four square brass nuts. The front of the helmet bear a large brass badge in the form of a sunburst surmounted by a crown. At center, a laurel wreath surrounds a garter belt bearing the motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter: "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" ("Shame on he who thinks ill of it"). Atop the laurel wreath is a white metal banner bearing the legend "The Wiltshire Regiment" and at the center of the garter is the badge of the regiment on black velvet. The helmet is fitted with a velvet-lined leather chin strap, covered with linked brass rings and secured by brass rosettes ate each side of the helmet. The chin strap is attached to an open hook and one end allowing the fit to be adjusted. The interior of the visors is covered with treated green leather, while the interior of the dome is covered with white canvas, with a white leather sweat band. A circular red leather label identifies the maker as Guthrie &Valentine of 12 Cork St., London. The helmet is housed in a tin case with a domed lid, painted black with a faint red mottled design, and is fitted with a carrying handle and a brass shield, again bearing the name and address of the maker, Guthrie & Valentine. The lid also bears the name "M.H. Beattie" in white paint. Beattie was a 2nd Lieutenant in the territorial battalion of the regiment, mustering in in August of 1906. The helmet shows slight moth nips to the exterior covering in two places along the right-hand side, with some slight fraying to the silk ribbon fitted to the sweat band, and minor soiling to the inner canvas liner, else very good to fine. The lid of the case is dented, and the case overall bears scratches and oxidation, but the ownership inscription remains intact and legible. Also present within the case is a two-piece 20" x 18" half-black, half white flag, of unknown age and purpose. The Wiltshire Regiment, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh's, was amalgamated from existing units in 1881, and saw service in the Second Boer War and both World Wars.