Object Name: British Helmet | ![]() |
Accession Number: #977.1.5, The Rooms Provincial Museum
Description:
At the beginning of the First World War, a soldier had little more than a cloth hat to protect his head. Steel helmets began to be used in 1915, but they were still kept mainly at the front line. It was not until 1916 that helmets became standard issue in the British Army. Even then, they were intended to protect against shrapnel, not bullets.
This British helmet was worn by Lieutenant H.G.R. Mews of the (Royal) Newfoundland Regiment in France from 1917-18.The helmet has an outer steel skin with wool batting insulation and an adjustable draw string head band made of coated linen. There is a leather chin strap with a buckle for adjustment.
11.0cm x 30.6 cm x 29.4 cm