Help with WW1 british brodie helmet flash identification

[jdproject]

I'm trying to identify the helmet flashes on  this early war british brodie helmet. Probably an officers helmet since the flashes are in both sides. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks gents.

[FROGSMILE]

It’s reminiscent of the ribbon colour (often used as the basis for neckties and helmet flashes) of Princess Alexandra of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment (nickname Green Howard’s).  See: http://www.frontiernet.net/~ericbush/MiSh/Regt.html

 

Edited 20 November , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[scottmarchand]

The location of formation/battle patches on helmets has nothing to do with rank. It’s the ID scheme adopted by the battalion for coordination in the line. I have a number of references of formation badges but many are undocumented. However, for a period of time a number of units (not all)   officers afixed their cap badges to helmets as a distinction from the ranks, but it was a practice ordered stopped as it weakened the helmet shell, but it never fully ceased. I’ll try to have a look tomorrow. What does the underside look like?

[jdproject]

11 hours ago, scottmarchand said:

The location of formation/battle patches on helmets has nothing to do with rank. It’s the ID scheme adopted by the battalion for coordination in the line. I have a number of references of formation badges but many are undocumented. However, for a period of time a number of units (not all)   officers afixed their cap badges to helmets as a distinction from the ranks, but it was a practice ordered stopped as it weakened the helmet shell, but it never fully ceased. I’ll try to have a look tomorrow. What does the underside look like?

Thanks Scott, great information.  The helmet in question is an early war F/S 31 mfr. rimless, with narrow bales and a 6 finger liner with one rivet securing it to the crown.  I also have the buckle style chinstrap which has become detached from the ends.  Cheers

[scottmarchand]

Nothing jumping out from the immediate references I have - bear in mind there are no known comprehensive works that covers every possibility but it is close to the unit patch for the 490th Field Company RE which was 2 blue stripes on a red field - so perhaps a RE Field Company? and the 2/2 Field Ambulance was 2 yellow bars on a dark field. I'll look some ore later but it may not be possible to nail down the unit on an otherwise fabulous lid!

[FROGSMILE]

What are the colours on the helmet?  I’m not aware if that’s been made clear and yet there have been some contradictory suggestions.

[jdproject]

5 hours ago, FROGSMILE said:

What are the colours on the helmet?  I’m not aware if that’s been made clear and yet there have been some contradictory suggestions.

I would describe the colour as apple green for the most part.  The lighting on my photos is not great but the green is quite evident.  thank you for your response. cheers

[jdproject]

11 hours ago, scottmarchand said:

Nothing jumping out from the immediate references I have - bear in mind there are no known comprehensive works that covers every possibility but it is close to the unit patch for the 490th Field Company RE which was 2 blue stripes on a red field - so perhaps a RE Field Company? and the 2/2 Field Ambulance was 2 yellow bars on a dark field. I'll look some ore later but it may not be possible to nail down the unit on an otherwise fabulous lid!

Thanks Scott, you may be onto something with the Field Ambulance reference. The maroon colour is generally associated with the medical corp.

[FROGSMILE]

5 hours ago, jdproject said:

I would describe the colour as apple green for the most part.  The lighting on my photos is not great but the green is quite evident.  thank you for your response. cheers

When I asked about “colours” (plural) “on the helmet” I was of course referring to the emblem on each side that would determine the unit, given that that is the purpose of your inquiry. I see from your most recent post that you say the base colour (of the emblem) is maroon, which is why I pointed out the similarity with the ribbon colour favoured by the APOWO Yorkshire Regiment.  The Royal Engineers are more commonly associated with combinations of red and blue, with the former dominant.  Cherry which has a brighter hue than maroon, is the colour associated with the RAMC.

Edited 25 November , 2021 by FROGSMILE