Steel helmet, France, 1914-1918
The symbol on the helmet is a red cross in a circle, suggesting it may have been worn by a member of the French Red Cross, who would have given first aid to soldiers in the trenches during the First World War. Trench warfare was a new way of fighting that brought fresh dangers – flying shrapnel, heavy shelling and snipers. Steel helmets were introduced into the French Army in the early months of the First World War to reduce the number of head injuries. They replaced blue serge caps, which provided little protection.
Object number:
A652154
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: first aid
Treatment that is rendered initially for the care of an emergent condition. It is usually performed by a lay person to a sick or injured patient until definitive medical treatment can be accessed
Glossary: helmet
Any of various forms of protective coverings for the head, usually made of a hard material.
Glossary: shrapnel
Fragments of shells, bombs or bullets.