Carrier for German 'Lederschulzmaske' gas mask : Captain D V Mulholland, 1 Machine Gun Battalion, AIF

Carrier for German 'Lederschulzmaske' gas mask. Sometimes referred to as a model 1917 after the year of its introduction. Canister has surface rust with remnants of khaki paint. The interior has a black lacquered finish. The case has a hinged cap secured by a simple wire over-centre clasp. Two flat metal loops are attached to the exterior for the cotton webbing suspension strap. Inside the cap is a small circular lidded compartment with a spring clip to retain spare eyepieces. The names of two German soldiers are scratched into the carrier: 'Olffe Wiegand II MG K (2 Machine Gun Company)' on the lid, and 'Juslmeier' on the base.

Collected by Captain Duncan Victor Mulholland. Mulholland enlisted on 13 February 1915. He was a Corporal, service number 655, when he embarked with 12 Light Horse Regiment (LHR) on board HMAT Suevic on 13 June 1915. He landed at Gallipoli in late August and on 29 August was transferred to 1 LHR. He briefly joined the anti aircraft section for a week in November, before returning the 1 LHR. Mullholland was commissioned a second lieutenant and was transferred to 3 Battalion on 25 November 1915.

In Egypt, after the evacuation of Gallipoli, he contracted influenza and was in hospital for three weeks in February/March. On 15 March he transferred to 1 Machine Gun Company (MGC) and a week later embarked for France. During the journey he was promoted to lieutenant. Mulholland served in France, Belgium and England, including periods with 3 MGC and at the Machine Gun Training Depot in England. On 26 December 1916 he was promoted to captain. He was back serving with 1 MGC near Strazeele on 31 May 1918 when he received multiple shell wounds, and died while being transported by 3 Australian Field Ambulance to the British 15th Casualty Clearing Station. He is buried at Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, France.

This gas respirator carrier was not listed amongst Mulholland's effects after he died, so he had probably sent it home as a souvenir before his death.