The helmet is attributed to Major James Skitt Matthews, born in 1878 in Wales, and died in 1970 at the age of 92 in Vancouver. James Skitt Matthews was a well known figure around the Vancouver area, and was appointed Vancouver’s first archivist in 1933. He was also a much respected historian of the city and amassed a huge collection of photos relating to Vancouver. In his early life he joined a local militia unit in 1903 and at the outbreak of war in 1914 was transferred to the Regular Army and fought with The Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles throughout 1916 to 1918 during World War One. His tough no nonsense style made him something of a hero to his men in the trenches.

Major J. S. Matthews in the 1920s and again standing in his officers uniform in 1909 as a Lieutenant .

The 6th Regiment Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles (D.C.O.R.) traces its history from the organization of the B.C. Provisional Regiment of Garrison Artillery in 1883; however the Vancouver Battery of the B.C. Brigade of Garrison Artillery, which eventually became the D.C.O.R., was not organized until 1893. The Vancouver Battery became the 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment Canadian Artillery (also called the 5th B.C. Regiment of Garrison Artillery) in 1896. In 1899 it was converted into the 6th Battalion Rifles, which received the name 6th Regiment D.C.O.R. on 1 May 1900.

( Source: The British Columbia Archival Information Network )

The Badge of the 6th Duke of Connaughts Rifles. Now the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaughts Own)

The Helmet itself is of the Colonial Pattern and dates to the early part of the 20^th Century. Constructed of a cork body covered in White Doeskin, edged in white leather with an 8 fold white pugaree topped by two further pugaree folds in the same green material, and finished with a spike and chin chain and to the front, a badge of the regiment, all are in a bronze finish. Unusually for a helmet of this quality there is no high hook to attach the chin chain onto when not in use, so I have used an elastic band to hold the chin chain in place for the photographs. The interior again is of superior quality with a green felt covered under body, a very soft kid leather like liner, finished with a band of red silk and draw cord. Again unusually for such a quality made helmet, there is no makers name or clue to the manufacturer.

This helmet, which I purchased in 2012 off eBay, arrived in a most unsatisfactory state. It was very dirty when I received it and covered in an almost brownish layer of dirt and grime picked up over many years. Over several weeks I managed to return the helmet to something of its former glory with the use of some cotton buds, Johnsons baby liquid soap, some lukewarm water, kitchen towels a lot of patience and some very sympathetic cleaning. A word of warning, before attempting to clean any helmet you own with these or any other materials, do a small test patch on the surface to check the result, try preferably behind the badge or somewhere unobtrusive, because once you start cleaning you are committed to finish. The results however can be quite satisfying.

Before Cleaning

After Cleaning

Benny Bough