German Model 1916 steel helmet : Sergeant A G Foster MM, 5th Field Ambulance, AIF

Grey green German Army Model 1916 steel helmet with a bullet entry hole in the top left quarter and corresponding exit hole in the right rear quarter. On the right side of the front visor there is a 5mm wide by 15mm long jagged tear caused by shrapnel. The helmet is complete with its brown leather liner and brown shoelace tie. There are fabric covered pads tied with cotton ribbon and possibly containing horsehair inside the liner sections. Engraved with 'B.E. 62' inside proper left forward of chin strap. 'R 70' stamped inside of helmet near small entry hole.

Helmet collected at Ville-sur-Ancre, France by Sergeant A G Foster, 5th Field Ambulance, AIF. Alfred Graham Foster was born at Carrieton, South Australia in June 1887 and was working as a photographer and electrician when he enlisted in the AIF on 26 September 1914. 1128 Private A G Foster embarked aboard HMAT Kyarra (A55) at Adelaide on 5 December 1914 with the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, AAMC.

Private Foster served on Gallipoli, was promoted to corporal and Mentioned in Despatches (MID) in December 1915. With the evacuation of the pennisula, Foster served with the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital at Ismailia, Egypt. In October 1916 the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital was redesignated the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital (3AAH) and transferred to Darford, Kent; occupying the former Orchard Hospital Military Convalescent Hospital.

Promoted to Sergeant in January 1917, Foster was transferred to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance in France in October of that year. Foster was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for his bravery at Bellewaarde Ridge near Yrpes on the night of 8 November 1917 when he organised the removal of wounded under heavy shell fire. He was attached to the 7th Field Ambulance at the time. Sergeant A G Foster MM returned to Australia in December 1919.