Steel helmet, France, 1914-1918

Helmet, steel, leather straps, probably used by member of French Red Cross, 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.