C011195 ROYAL MONTREAL REGIMENT, 14TH OVERSEAS INFANTRY BATTALTION GROUPING “Private Percy St. Clair Hirtle” GROUPING.

A large grouping belonging to Private Percy St. Clair Hirlte that includes:

1. A 2nd pattern (with a magnetic steel rim instead of a raw edge) Mark l non magnetic hardened manganese steel helmet. Nice complete liner and chinstrap system. To the underside of the rear brim of the helmet body is stamped "HS313" being the steel supplier’s initial ("Hadfields Ltd. (Sheffield) and the code numbers for the batch of steel the helmet was made from. Handwritten to the inside is “C. Hirtle”. Faintly painted to the front of the helmet, is the formation badge for the 14th Battalion. 

2. A khaki wool, five brass button tunic with “R.M.R. Canada”, 2.5 buttons to the front that lead to a fold over collar with a pair of hooks and eyelets to the neck opening, with an additional hook and eyelet further along the collar as to ensure a flat fit. A pair of bras “C/14" collar dogs attached via lugs and cotter pin. A pair of integral, button shoulder straps are to each side of the neck, along with a brass "RMR Canada" tile attached via lugs and cotter pin.Formation badges for the 14th Battalion are to each sleeve, below the shoulder seam. Other insignia includes Musician Trade badges to each arm, four blue overseas service chevrons to right sleeve indicating between four years overseas service, a Good Conduct Chevron above the right cuff and a pair of ribbons bars above the left breast pocket that represent the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal 1914. The interior is only partially lined with a War Department and broad arrow stamp along with a partial label that shows “Height 5'3", Breast 36"-38", and Waist 31". The wound dressing pocket is in place. The handwritten name “C. Hirtle Band” is also present. The chest measures approximately 38". The wool shows typical wear.

3. Wool undershirt and pants. The undershirt has a chest of 36" and is approximately 33.5" long. The cuffs to the sleeves and waist retain most, if not all of their elasticity. There is staining to the wool and light surface wear, but no holes. The pants are marked “3 N/S Fraser Frasers & Co.” 1918. They are in pristine condition and do not appear to have been worn. The waist measures approximately 32" with a 26" breech. Pristine!!

4. Mess kit with cover. The cover is “C” broad arrow marked, as well as being marker marked and dated fro 1915. The handwritten name “Pt. St. C. Hirtle 106 Bt. Band No. 715315" is to the bottom. The two piece, kidney or “D” shaped mess kit is maker marked “A. Simpson & Son. Ltd. 1916". The lid does come off, but with some effort.

5. Clarinet with extra pieces, leather pouch with clarinet music. A badge on the front flap is for the “Royal Montreal Regiment Canada”, and extra wooden reeds in small cardboard carton.

6. Also included is a “named” house wife kit with contents, Canadian Pay Book (Band 14th Bn/106th Bn), New Testament, Prayer Book, P08 pattern web belt, leather belt, wool puttees, leather belt, mirror “Little Pearls” Havana cigar box with Canada tax label. Other personal items include 75 Regiment Collar dogs, Royal Montreal Regiment cap badge, C/14 collar dog, Dog Tags for “715135 C. Hirtle, 14th Canadian Bn.”, ticket for “RMS Carmania”, Berth 67i, Sleeping Quarter 

Lastly, is a black binder with photocopied information on the owners military career. A wonderful personal grouping.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $4,000.00

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