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#1
28-07-19, 05:26 PM
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Authenticate Royal Marine Helmet
In 1984 at the Great Western Gun Show in Pomona California, I acquired a complete Royal Marine full dress white service helmet. What made it somewhat unique was the name and unit written inside as follows: MITCHELL, D.C. PO35182P N.P. 8901, then the labeling; HOBSON & SONS (LONDON) LTD, 8415-99-132-3812, 78789, SIZE 7 1/8. My understanding, PO standing for Portsmouth Group and P for private. My question, is this a correct nomenclature for a Royal Marine service number in the 1980’s, and where might I initiate a search for the Roster of N.P. 8901 as of April 1982, in order to authenticate the name as being present? Compounding the quest as you know, is the fact that the detachment was undergoing a rotation of duty at the time (double the personnel). What my fear is that even back then individual entrepreneurs might have concocted labels.
ArnhemJim Arizona Territory 
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#2
28-07-19, 05:48 PM
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Wasn't NP 8901 resident in the Falkland Islands in 1982?
regards
__________________
Simon Butterworth Manchester Regiment Collector Rank, Prize & Trade Badges British & Commonwealth Artillery Badges
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#3
28-07-19, 06:30 PM
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Hello Simon,
Sincere thanks for the prompt reply. Apparently concocted name. Sorry to hear, but certainly would rather know. Wonder who's it actually was, probably will never know. Best regards, Arnhemjim Arizona Territory
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#4
28-07-19, 09:43 PM
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There are some NP 8901 group photos here with names but no Mitchell
https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forc...ndswar8901.htm Tim
__________________
"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest."
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#5
28-07-19, 11:55 PM
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Hello Tim,
Many thanks for your reply. The helmet itself is totally righteous, and was certainly the right price at the time. Just sorry about the bogus naming. Warmest regards, Arnhemjim Arizona Territory
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#7
29-07-19, 12:52 AM
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Hello Irv,
Many thanks for your input. Given your service number, and the service number in the helmet, it still may be authentic, just a lot older, with NP8901 originating in 1966. It just that the helmet seems to be in extremely fine condition to be a lot older. Best regards, Arnhemjim Arizona Territory
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#8
29-07-19, 06:51 AM
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The P0 numbers came in about 1972 following the introduction of computerised records. I've had a quick look at a book by Ricky D. Phillips 'The First Casualty' which deals with the Argentine invasion of 1982 ,,, there's no mention of the man above but he probably served there prior to that invasion.
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#9
29-07-19, 07:23 AM
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I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the name inside the helmet. If the service number PO36297 was issued in 1977 and Royal Marines were recruiting at the rate of 400 men per year, PO35182 would have been issued in approximately 1974. (I obviously do not know the recruiting rate for Royal Marines at this time so the figure is adjustable). Assuming that the average age of joining the Royal Marines is approximately 18-20, we would need to find a D.C. Mitchell born between 1954 & 1956.
Luckily, there are quite a few to choose from. (I have removed their Mother's maiden names and other details). Births Mar 1954 Mitchell David C W.Ham Mitchell David C Bradford Mitchell Derek C Penzance Births Jun 1954 Mitchell Denis C Fakenham Births Sep 1954 Mitchell David C Gloucester C. Births Mar 1955 MITCHELL David C Claro MITCHELL David C Dover Births Jun 1955 MITCHELL Derek C Dartford Births Sep 1955 MITCHELL David C Hammersmith Births Dec 1955 MITCHELL David C Alton Births Mar 1956 Mitchell David C Kensington Births Dec 1956 MITCHELL David C Paddington MITCHELL David C Kettering How you work out which, if any, were Royal Marines, I will leave up to you. Last edited by High Wood; 29-07-19 at 07:31 AM.
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#10
29-07-19, 07:11 PM
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Hello High Wood,
Shades of Sherlock Holmes! As a retired naval intelligence officer, with tours with Naval Investigative Service, am d--ned well impressed, and suspect someone's background in the law enforcement (detective) profession. I know, "Elementary my dear Watson". Most sincere thanks. Most sincerely appreciate the superlative effort. Have a long term friend, ex-'Royal' and author, name of Roy Turner, who with another late friend Maj Robert J. "Bob" Bragg, published a couple of books on world parachute wings, you might have heard of. I have already been in touch with him. With the methodology and resultant quality leads you have provided, I'm becoming more and more enthused about the hunt. It will be intriguing if honest bona fides materialize. Thanks once again and Slàinte Mhòr! Arnhemjim Arizona Territory Last edited by Arnhem Jim; 29-07-19 at 09:55 PM.
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#11
30-07-19, 02:44 PM
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You are welcome. I imagine that an information request to the Royal Marines Old Comrades Association, if that is its correct title, would pay dividends. Someone is bound to have known him.
The list of names covers only those D.C. Mitchells whose births were registered in England and Wales. There may have been others born in Scotland and Northern Ireland who might be candidates. If you want to expand the date range of the list of names you could use this free website. https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl Good luck with your search. Simon.
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