Leather flying helmet : Lieutenant W C B Stavely, 59 Battalion, AIF

Brown leather flying helmet with a small soft peak. The helmet is fitted with leather flaps over each ear, each with a 25 mm reinforced hole corresponding to the wearer's ear which is designed to accommodate the earphone intercom cord when fitted. There is a leather loop over each ear flap with two metal press studs for fastening, which hold the goggles in position. Each loop has a circular pattern of four small holes punched into it and covers the reinforced hole in the ear flap. The helmet is lined with wool and there are traces of the original fur lining. There is a chinstrap with a brass buckle that extends from the ear flaps and fastens under the chin.

Associated with the service of Lieutenant William Charles Beresford Stavely who served in 59 Battalion, AIF during the First World War. Stavely was born in Victoria in 1894 and worked for the local council at Avoca until his enlistment, on 11 February 1916. Allocated the service number 2253, he completed initial training at Broadmeadows and later on the Salisbury Plains in England, before his battalion moved to France. After service there Stavely he was sent to Balliol College, Oxford where he underwent officer training. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant on 17 May 1918 and returned to his battalion in France. He took part in the Battle of Hamel, taking over command of a company when Lieutenant Facey was killed. Stavely was gassed later in 1918 and saw no further active service. He returned to Australia on 5 February, 1919 and was discharged 15 March 1919.