Over 2019, I found some rather decent finds, but just as 2019 came to an end I found something really cool and unusual, which I thought I would share with you all.
I went over to a nearby common, and the finds there didn’t disappoint!! The common was the site of a very large storage depot for the US Navy, built in the winter of 1943/44 in preparation for D-Day. It housed just about everything ship/naval related, from spare engine parts to lifebelts for the men landing on the beaches. The depot was very important indeed, as just about everything the US Navy needed funnelled through here and then distributed to the relevant ports along the south coast for the flotilla on the 6th June 1944.
I had a look around and there was only a ruddy helmet!!!
This isn’t just any helmet, this is a US Navy MkII ‘Talker’ helmet, which was used by deck commanders and Anti-Aircraft gunner commanders. The Talker helmet entered into service in 1942 and was extra large than a standard issue M1 helmet, to accommodate headphones worn underneath and still give adequate protection. These helmets were only made by one factory, the McCords Radiator Co., Detroit, Michigan. Talker helmets are really quite uncommon, and I have never known one to be found archaeologically in the UK, so I might have the only one found.
I really would go so far to say that this is my most historic thing I’ve found. As it is highly likely that this very helmet was worn on-board ship going across the channel, on the morning of the 6th June 1944, and indeed in the days/weeks/months afterwards setting up and protecting the supply lines through Normandy.
It’s a little bit squished and ‘holey’, but not too bad considering the nasty acidic nature of the soil on the site. Most thin metal objects that I find on that common literally just turn to dust when touched, but this is still relatively solid and still has some original blue paint! The last two pics are of the Talker helmet being worn in combat.
Other than a super awesome helmet, I also found half a huge 2 1/2 inch bore gate valve, made by CRANE in Stamford, Connecticut, a really big brass ‘grub screw’, and two more brass inflation valves from a M1926 inflatable lifebelt.
What a find to end the decade!!
Here's to 2020, chaps!
Best regards,
Simon
.Yea i've heard similar stories from local villagers around normandy.cd 
