Bearskin headdress: Lieutenant Frederick Wilberforce Alexander Steele, Royal Fusiliers, British Army

Royal Fusiliers officer's short bearskin with a large gilded brass flaming grenade badge attached to the centre front. The ball of the grenade bears a Tudor rose within a voided garter bearing the motto 'HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE' on a blue ground. The garter is surmounted by a kings crown and bears the a small image of a galloping horse beneath it. The bearskin is mounted on a wickerwork frame covered with stiffened felt. A black leather helmet liner with eight tongues can be adjusted for fit by means of a red cotton lace that is threaded through brass rivets at the end of each tongue. The back of the liner is stamped in gold with the manufacturer's details, 'W. CATER & Vo. 56. PALL MALL LONDON. Established, 1776.' The bearskin has a brass link chinstrap mounted on black leather. Each end of the strap is attached to a short brown leather strap that is secured to a brass hook sewn into each side of the felt lining. There is a black painted hook attached to the proper right side of the bear skin, possibly for fixing plume.

The bearskin headdress was worn by Lieutenant (later Captain) Frederick Wilberforce Alexander Steele, an Australian who served with the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, British Army. It was worn with the traditional scarlet full dress uniform during ceremonial and state occasions. It was sent home to his mother with his effects after his death.

Born in 1885, Steele was the eldest of four boys born to Philip and Johanna Steele. Raised in Melbourne and educated at Melbourne Grammar School, Steele was 20 years old when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Australian Field Artillery in 1905. Two years later, eager for active service abroad, Steele transferred to the British Army's 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. In April 1914, after ten months stationed in Jubbulpore, India with the 2nd Battalion, Steele transferred to the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

The Royal Fusiliers, as part of the British 3rd Division, had mobilised quickly and embarked for Le Havre, France within days of the British declaration of war on 4 August 1914. Steele and his battalion travelled by train across France to Landrecies where they disembarked and marched toward the Belgian town of Mons to meet the advancing German Army.

The defence of the Nimy Railway Bridge, across the Condé–Mons–Charleroi Canal (just to the north of Mons) began on 23 August 1914 and was part of the first major engagements between the British and German armies. A single company from the 4th Battalion and two machine gun crews opposed the German advance across the bridge. It is often remembered for the gallant British stand and subsequent fighting withdrawal. Here, Lieutenant Steele witnessed many acts of bravery and was himself mentioned in despatches; two left such an indelible impression that he recommended the men involved, Lieutenant Maurice Dease and Private Sidney Godley, for bravery awards. Steele is among the first officers to make recommendations for the Victoria Cross in the First World War. A total of five Victoria Crosses were awarded that day, two recommended by Steele.

Steele was promoted to captain and given command of a company. Writing home after the retreat from Mons, he remained positive about his experience of war and his future, 'I am very fit and happy and enjoying myself. I fancy I must have been lucky. I just managed my exchange in time for this. I have looked forward to active service for so long. At present I am in command of a company and two machine guns that have done well. I was personally complimented by Sir John French'. Soon after writing this, Steele was killed in action at some time between 25 and 27 October 1914 at Neuve Chapelle.

Occurring a little over a month after the battle of Nimy Bridge, Neuve Chapelle was part of a larger German offensive attempting to break through to the French sea ports of Boulogne and Calais, and started locally along the La Basse canal on 20 October. On 25 October they concentrated their attack on Neuve Chapelle which was regarded as a vital allied position. On 26 October the German 14th Infantry Division attacked and seized the village but were driven out in a strong counter attack from British forces aided by Indian and French chasseurs. Amongst the attackers were the Royal Fusiliers, who fought until the majority of them were killed or wounded – the battalion was reduced to 8 officers and 350 other ranks. Steele was amongst those killed – his body was never found. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial and was twice mentioned in despatches.

Frederick Steele's three younger brothers all enlisted in the AIF. Lieutenant Philip John Rupert Steele of 11th Battery, 4th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery, died of wounds in France on 8 January 1917 aged 27. He was serving with his brigade at Flers, France, when he received wounds to his forehead, his right arm and right leg on 15 November 1916. On 1 January 1917 his leg was amputated; he died a week later.

Second Lieutenant Norman Leslie Steele of 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps died of wounds in Palestine after being shot down by anti-aircraft over Hareira while returning from a bombing raid against Tel-el-Sheria on 20 April 1917, aged 21. The brother's mother, Johanna, was reported to be "suffering from insomnia which is on the verge of turning her brain" at the loss of her sons. The sole surviving son, Corporal Henry Cyril Augustus Steele, aged 26, was also serving in the 4th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery when he was sent back to Australia on compassionate grounds.