Living History is an ongoing series showcasing just a small assortment of the more than 350,000 items housed at The Salvation Army Heritage Centre in Toronto. This month, we spotlight two helmets worn by Salvation Army officers. 

Two humble helmets testify to the role of The Salvation Army in the First World War and Second World War.

In both conflicts, Salvation Army canteens were often driven to within a few metres of the front lines, and many of the recreation centres were in danger of shell fire and bombing. As such, there was a need for those serving in these areas to be equipped with helmets. There was danger at the front, but The Salvation Army went where the need was greatest.

In the First World War, members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force were issued with the Brody helmet from British stocks. During the Second World War, a version of this, the Mark II, was also issued to Canadian forces.

Between 1940 and 1943, 11 million of these helmets, such as the one pictured above on the left, were produced by General Steel Wares and Aluminum Goods of Canada in Toronto and the Canadian Lamp Co. in Windsor, Ont.

Salvation Army Brigadier Kenneth Graham, who donated the helmet to the Heritage Centre, was one of the many Salvationists who served with The Salvation Army War Services overseas and in Canada during both world wars.

The post-war helmet pictured above on the right was issued to a Salvation Army officer serving Canadian peacekeeping troops, perhaps in Cyprus, though his identity is not known.

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