Early C type helmet

I have owned for a number of years a very early c type helmet. It only two press studs for attachemnet of the first E masks and four gogle retaining straps in the "up and down" configuration.

It is named inside, when I got it I tried to research it but drew a blank. Today whilst idling on the net I thought I would give it another go. It would appear to have belonged to a pilot lost on over Stutgard in 1944. This has me puzzled as if this is his helmet should he not have been wearing it at the time?

As it is too good a condition to have been replaced due to wear and tear, I am wondering on other possibilities, were aircrew issued more than one helmet at a time? Or is it possible that as it is such an early C type configured only for the E mask, would he have been issued another helmet when those masks were withdrawn from service?

Any thoughts? Cheers Jb