Safety helmet : New South Wales Women's Fire Auxiliary

Place Oceania: Australia, New South Wales
Accession Number REL/14051
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Helmet
Physical description Compressed fibre, Cotton, Leatherette, Metal, Resin, Rubber
Maker Duperite Company Ltd
Unknown
Place made Australia
Date made c 1942-1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Brown protective safety helmet made from moulded fabric impregnated with resin. The edge of the brim has been finished and cut with a guillotine after the initial moulding process before metal riveted holes have been added to the crown, both for ventilation and to support the inner liner. The liner consists of four heavy white cotton tapes that are crossed and secured in place by a brown cotton cord. A brown leatherette sweatband is lined with black rubber, and the helmet is held in place by a khaki cotton drill chinstrap with an adjustable metal slide. The tapes, sweatband and chinstrap are secured to the helmet by a khaki cotton lace which passes in and out of the rivets around the crown, and ties in a bow at the back of the outside of helmet. The inside front of the helmet bears a white stencilled number '2652' and the sweatband is marked in white with a broad arrow within a circle. The brim at the front of the helmet measures 37mm. It flares slightly around the sides of the helmet attaining a width of 55mm at the back. The front of the helmet bears white painted letters 'NSW FB'. The helmet was designed to be worn with the overalls at REL/14050.

History / Summary

The Women's Fire Auxiliary (New South Wales) was formed in 1941 as part of the war effort during the Second World War. It was disbanded in late 1945.