Gloucestershire Regiment – Helmet F&L 1940

Original WWII British ‘Gloucestershire Regiment’ MkII helmet. The helmet shell is maker-marked F&L and dated 1940. The liner is by J.C.S. & W. Ltd, size 7, dated 1939. An original Gloucestershire Regiment decal remains to the side, still in good condition. The helmet shows honest service wear , a nice “been there” example.

In 1944, the 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment joined the 56th Independent Infantry Brigade and landed at Gold Beach on 6 June during the Normandy invasion. It saw action at Tilly-sur-Seulles, Saint-Germain d’Ectot, and Thury-Harcourt, later serving under several divisions before joining the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. The battalion advanced through France, capturing Épaignes and Le Havre, then moved into Belgium and the Netherlands, including actions at the Turnhout-Antwerp Canal, Stampersgat, and Nijmegen. Its final major operation was crossing the River Ijssel at Arnhem in April 1945. After the German surrender, the battalion entered Germany, assisted at the Nuremberg trials, and was later stationed in Berlin. Between D-Day and VE Day, it suffered 718 casualties.