A particularly interesting Second World War British Mk II No.2C Home Front steel helmet, identified in two separate places to A. L. Bloom, Lenwade, L.N.E.R.

The three holes positioned beside the chinstrap lugs identify the shell as No.2C grade. These shells were manufactured to a lower ballistic specification than combat-grade Mk II helmets and were not intended for frontline combat use, instead being utilised for Home Front duties.

The helmet is particularly interesting for its unusual ochre/yellow painted finish and its strong named connection to the London & North Eastern Railway.

Shell

The steel shell remains in excellent solid condition, with a very good overall appearance. There are normal age and service marks, including scratches and small chips, together with only occasional small specks of surface oxidation.

The characteristic three-hole markings are clearly visible beside the chinstrap fittings.

Painted Finish

The helmet is finished in an unusual ochre/yellow colour to both the exterior and interior. Careful examination of worn and chipped areas has revealed no obvious evidence of another colour beneath the present finish.

The significance and date of this colour are uncertain. Given the helmet’s clear L.N.E.R. attribution, it is possible that the finish relates to its railway or Home Front use; however, we have found no documentary evidence establishing an L.N.E.R. colour code for this shade, and the possibility of the helmet having been repainted at a later or post-war date cannot be excluded.

The finish is therefore left for the collector to assess from the photographs.

Liner

The helmet is fitted with a black leather liner manufactured by BMB (Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd), dated 1940 and size 7.

The liner remains in very good overall condition for its age, showing genuine service wear while remaining substantially complete. The cross-shaped leather crown section remains present around the central securing point.

Chinstrap

The elasticated webbing chinstrap remains fitted and shows age and service wear consistent with the helmet.

LNER Identification

The outstanding feature of this helmet is the presence of two separate period cloth identification labels sewn into the helmet.

The labels identify the wearer as:

BLOOM A. L.
LENWADE
L.N.E.R.

One label is sewn into the liner area, while the second is associated with the chinstrap.

L.N.E.R. denotes the London & North Eastern Railway, with Lenwade being in Norfolk.

The duplicated identification provides a particularly strong named association between this helmet and A. L. Bloom of the L.N.E.R. at Lenwade.

Research has not established Bloom’s precise railway occupation or wartime duties, and no claim is therefore made regarding his specific role.

Overall

An excellent and highly individual WWII British Mk II No.2C Home Front helmet, fitted with its BMB 1940 size 7 liner and elasticated chinstrap.

The unusual ochre/yellow finish, combined with the two surviving sewn identification labels for A. L. Bloom, Lenwade, L.N.E.R., makes this a particularly interesting named example with a clear wartime railway connection.

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