The Tin Hat On The Somme

Note the prisoner escorts wearing the familiar tin hat of the Great War. Circa 1916.

I Heard the Clang of a Bullet

Some months prior to the attack on Regina Trench, 8 October 1916, Canadian troops were first issued with the steel helmet in the spring of 1916. Patented in London in 1915 by John Leopold Brodie of Buffalo, New York, the helmet came into general use when large quantities became available for distribution. The first style helmet was rimless but a second model featured a reinforced rim and alterations to the liner. The helmet, commonly in use by soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, was officially called “Helmet, Steel Mk. I” and was first worn in action by Canadian troops around St. Eloi. Despite its weight, compared to the soft caps and other fabric head gear worn by troops previously, the helmet helped to prevent head wounds, though direct hits from speeding bullets, fragments, splinters and shrapnel balls still incurred their wrath upon soldiers.

A soldier of the 16th Battalion  C.E.F. (Canadian Scottish) wearing the tin hat. (Painting by Augustus John.)

An officer of the Canadian Scottish, Acting Captain David Hunter Bell M.C., was killed at Regina Trench, 8 October 1916, and the regimental history records the following, We had reached the enemy’s wire and were crouched down waiting for the barrage to lift. Captain Bell, resting on one knee, was looking at his wristwatch and remarked to me [Bell’s batman*], ‘it will lift soon.’ I was about to answer him when I heard the clang of a bullet striking his steel helmet. He fell over instantly and I knew he was dead. I have lost a friend and the 16th a brave, and well-loved officer. (Urquhart, History of the 16th Battalion C.E.F., page 186).

*Batman – A personal servant assigned to an officer.