14 DAY TRIAL // Second World War veteran George Johnston has fought as part of the North Shore Regiment’s B Company from 1940 to 1946 and he was one of the Canadian soldiers who participated in D-Day, the day when the Western Allies initiated the effort to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation.
After nearly 70 years, the war veteran recovered the long-lost helmet that saved his life during battles in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. He wore the helmet for the last time on the outskirts of Berlin in 1945, when the war was over.
History fan Jordan Chaisson bought the military helmet from an army surplus store in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada last August and noticed a soldier's name and Army ID number scratched inside. He paid only $30 (€21.8) for the historical object.
The 21-year-old collector decided to track down the owner of the helmet, so he contacted Royal Canadian Legion Command in Saint John and the Canadian War Museum.
“At the beginning, I just wanted to see who it belonged to. But as soon as I found out he was alive, this got more personal,” said Chiasson in an interview with CTV News.
“I was like, ‘I’m going to have to give this to him. It’s not mine to keep,’” he added.
After a three-day investigation, Chaisson located war veteran George Johnston and made arrangements to take the helmet to his home in New Brunswick. The soldier, who is now 93-year-old, and his helmet were reunited after almost 70 years.
“I can’t explain what it feels like to have the hat back,” Johnston said. “I never dreamt that I’d ever see it.”
“He’s quite pleased to have it. He just kept looking at it. I don't think he could hardly believe that he did have it until Jordan showed him the name. But he told Jordan his rank number right off. He always remembered that,” added his wife Annie.