~ WW2 The South Wales Borderers 1st Battalion Brodie Helmet ~
The 1st Battalion, as part of the 10th Indian Infantry Division, was sent to Iraq to quell a German-inspired uprising in Iraq in November 1941. The battalion saw subsequent service in Iran. The battalion sustained enormous casualties in Libya near Tobruk when they lost around 500 officers and men captured or killed during a general retreat. The battalion found itself cut off when the German forces outflanked them, the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. F.R.G. Matthews, decided to attempt to escape around the enemy and break through to British lines. It turned into a disaster with only four officers and around one hundred men reaching Sollum. To the surprise of the survivors the battalion was ordered to disband in Cyprus and the remnants of the battalion were transferred, with the exception of a small cadre that returned to the United Kingdom, to the 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster). A few months later the battalion was re-formed from the cadre and the 4th Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment.
This is a nice, rare piece that has been fighting the German armed forces during the dessert campaign.
The brodie bears the desert type camouflage with a red parch on the left side designating an infantry brigade.
The South Wales Borderers cap badge is also present at the front.
The lining is all original, as are the black leather chinstraps.
~ Dimensions ~
The brodie has a diameter of 12 inches (30 cm) and it weighs 935 grams.
~ Condition ~
The piece is in good condition for its age.
The camo has the expected wear but it’s overall condition is good, without major tears.
The leather chinstraps are quite hard and cracked.
The lining aged but it remains complete.
#7433
