A true pair of MkII Home Front

[Piero]

These two helmets have nothing apparently special, other than the beautiful maintenance conditions. They have "combat" characteristics but probably only had a use in the homeland, for Home Front uses, not better specified.
The most interesting reason why I present them is for the fact that they belonged to a married couple, wife and husband, who left their trace written in beautiful calligraphy on the two heirlooms.
Perhaps some of the many British users who frequent this forum will be able to say something more about their story.

[BlackCat1982]

Charming pair of helmets, their home still stands today in St. Leonard's on Sea.

[Willmore]

Hi there.

Really interesting helmets, thank you for sharing them with us. I wonder how they ended up in Italy.

Below is some information.

Walter James Carter (12th of April 1904 - 25th of April 1970 in St Leonards on Sea).

Beatrice Helen Carter (29th of September 1901 - 26th of July 1990 in St Leonards on Sea).


Walter James Carter in the East Sussex, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1936.

Name: Walter James Carter
Marital Status: Bachelor (Single)
Marriage Age: 25
Birth Date: abt 1904
Marriage Date: 28 Sep 1929
Marriage Place: St Leonards Christ Church, Sussex, England
Parish as it Appears: Christ Church, St Leonards-on-Sea
Father: Walter John Carter
Spouse: Beatrice Helen Bell

Beatrice Helen Bell in the East Sussex, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1936.

Name: Beatrice Helen Bell
Marital Status: Spinster (Single)
Marriage Age: 27
Birth Date: abt 1902
Marriage Date: 28 September 1929
Marriage Place: St Leonards Christ Church, Sussex, England
Parish as it Appears: Christ Church, St Leonards-on-Sea
Father: Charles Henry Bell
Spouse: Walter James Carter




They are now laid to rest together and below is some information.

Name: Walter James Carter
Birth Date: 12 April 1904
Birth Place: Hastings, Hastings Borough, East Sussex, England
Death Date: 1970
Death Place: Hastings, Hastings Borough, East Sussex, England
Cemetery: Hastings Cemetery and Crematorium
Burial or Cremation Place: Hastings, Hastings Borough, East Sussex, England



Walter James Carter (1904-1970) - Find a Grave Memorial

Kind regards,

Will.

[Piero]

Thank you so much Will! I had not been able to find any news, until today. Do you happen to know what task Mr. and Mrs. Carter had during the war?
Ah, how come they ended up in Italy. Simple, looking here and there on the WEB I found an ad from a British antique dealer, and I was curious, precisely because the helmets had belonged to a married couple. They were more expensive than two normal MkIIs. In addition there was transport and customs which became very expensive, but it seemed to me that the historical value was worth the game. I'm happy to have bought them, now even more so given the news you gave me, which confirms the authenticity of everything.

[AndyM35]

Two very nice helmets and some great research Will!

Andy

[Willmore]

My pleasure Piero and thank you for sharing them with us here.

I couldn't find any information about their experiences during the war, but I would guess that they were fire watchers or something along those lines.

Some imformation about St Leonards on Sea during WW2.

Carisbrooke Road, St Leonards - WW2 Roll Of Honour

https://www.foncc.org.uk/burials/res...-bomb-1944.pdf

WW2 Bomb Sites in Hastings and St Leonards - WW2 Roll Of Honour

Just a moment...

Kind regards,

Will.