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

German Army Lederschutzmaske (Leather protection mask) respirator. The mask is made from a single piece of chrome-tanned sheepskin dipped in an oil sealant solution, the black tanned surface towards the wearer's face, and the single seam running under the chin. This seam, and the folded edge of the mask, are coated with a black sealant lacquer. The eyepieces are made of two layers of clear celluloid set in painted circular steel frames with leather gaskets where they are let into the mask. Internally, the eyepieces have removable metal 'wheels' enabling the inner layer (which is coated with gelatine to absorb moisture) to be replaced. Grey cotton headstraps (one above and below the ear on each side, and one above each eye) are held tightly upon the face by coiled springs inside cotton sleeves. A long grey cotton webbing strap attached near the chin enables the mask to be suspended around the neck. There are a number of illegible stamped markings on the headstraps and inside the mask. A green painted circular steel plate with a threaded socket and the raised marking 'A2' is let into the mask opposite the wearer's nose and mouth. The number '141' is also stamped in red on this plate. A twisted paper cord passes through a loop on the front of the plate, extends up between the eyepieces, and attaches to a metal button on the headstraps. The respirator canister is missing.

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

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