Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Major Henry Leftwich Haddon Owen was a recipient of the prestigious Military Cross for his service during World War One. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on August, 29th, 1914, was promoted to full Lieutenant on June 1st, 1916. Became a Captain on July 12th, 1917 and finally a Major after the Great War in 1920.

He served with the 4th Dorsetshire Regiment, the 2/4th Dorsets, as an officer of the Machine Gun Corps. In August 1914, on the outbreak of the First World War, the Dorsetshire Regiment had two Regular battalions, one Special Reserve battalion and one battalion of Territorials (part-time volunteers).  During the war they expanded to form nine battalions and a single company, which served within the 2nd Hampshire Regiment in North Russia in 1919.

Six battalions of the Dorset Regiment fought in France and Belgium, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine and North Russia.  They lost more than 2,600 men killed and about three times that number wounded.  Some were Regular soldiers, some Territorials.  Most were volunteers and conscripts.  Many came from Dorset but many did not.  Between them they won fifty-eight new battle honors and 1070 gallantry awards and mentions in Despatches. All wore the Dorset Regiment badge and helped to earn Dorset’s county regiment a magnificent reputation.

Included in this named set is a high quality Sun Pith helmet made by Hawkes & Co. of Saville Row London. The left side of the helmet has a bullion embroidered LIV patch mounted on green wool. The leather sweatband is ink stamped with a Broad Arrow and a 1914 date. The transit tin is beautifully painted with:

H. L. H. OWEN

The DORSETSHIRE REGT.

Overall condition is very good to excellent for both the helmet and the tin. A wonderful piece of Great War History. Included with this set is a small research document on Major Henry Leftwich Haddon Owen.