WWII Local Hospital Chaplain and Police Civil Defense Helmets

[36thIDAlex]

Hello all,

 

I have always had a slight interest in the civilian services during the war (CAP/CD) and recently got these two local helmets from a dealer friend. They're not in perfect shape but they're still good and I'm a sucker for local stuff. One is your standard Civil Defense Auxiliary Police with the name "Sikking" written in it. The other is more interesting. It's hand painted from a Louisville, Kentucky Hospital known as St. Anthony's. I'm still looking into their involvement in the war but I presume this belonged to one of the hospital's chaplain as it has the elongated cross of a Civil Defense Chaplain. I am not super well versed in Civil Defense yet so anything else you can tell me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks and enjoy

 

 

 

[36thIDAlex]

Here is the hand painted hospital helmet

 

 

 

[Bob Hudson]

I think that helmet was marked for a medical care provider: the hospital name and red cross would clearly ID them as medics/MD's in a crisis situation.

[36thIDAlex]

I think that helmet was marked for a medical care provider: the hospital name and red cross would clearly ID them as medics/MD's in a crisis situation.

 

That's what I believe for the most part as well, I just was never sure as it has the elongated cross compared to the standard shortened red cross for medical personnel that other CD helmets use. I know there were some chaplains assigned to the hospital so I wasn't sure if the cross being stretched rather than equal on all sides would point to more of a hospital chaplain than actual medical personnel or if I was just overthinking it (which is likely). Thanks for the input!