Pilots leather flying helmet : Lieutenant J H Butler, 1 Squadron AFC

Brown leather flying helmet with a small soft peak. The helmet is fitted with large leather ear flaps, each with a 25mm internal reinforced hole corresponding to the wearer's ear which is designed to accommodate the earphone intercom cord when fitted. There is a leather tab over each ear flap with three metal press studs for fastening at the side to hold the goggles in position. Both goggle tabs have a square pattern of nine small holes punched into it and covers the reinforced hole. The helmet is lined with chamois and there are traces of original fur lining on the inside of the peak. There is a leather chinstrap with a brass buckle that extends from the ear flaps and fastens under the chin.

This flying helmet was worn by Lieutenant (Pilot) John Herbert Butler, 1 Squadron AFC. A warm leather helmet was an essential item of clothing for a pilot flying at high altitudes and especially during winter months. Often a pilot’s uniform was guided by personal preference. As officially issued flying clothing was not available at the start of the war, most items, like this helmet, were privately purchased.

Butler enlisted as a trooper in 2 Light Horse Regiment, AIF, on 19 August 1914, and served at Gallipoli before transferring to the AFC in January 1917. Butler was graded as a pilot on 4 June and posted to the Australian No. 67 Squadron RFC (titled No.1 Squadron AFC from 19 January 1918). He was formally taken on strength on 8 June with the rank of second lieutenant. Butler was admitted to 14th Australian General Hospital on 16 August suffering Dyspepsia and was transferred to No. 10 Red Cross Convalescence Hospital, Alexandria on 3 September. He returned to his squadron and was promoted to lieutenant soon after. On 5 April 1918 Butler was readmitted to 14th Australian General Hospital suffering debility. He was discharged from hospital for return to Australia on 28 April and embarked for Melbourne aboard the 'Tofua' at Suez the next day. Butler arrived in Melbourne on 14 June and his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 12 December 1918. He died in 1924 and was given a military funeral. His flying helmet and goggles were placed on the gun carriage during the funeral, as a public sign of his wartime service.