Flying Helmet with Gosport tubes : Flight Lieutenant P D Tully, RAAF

Civilian style leather flying helmet fitted with chin strap with buckle, a pair of adjustable goggle straps at rear and adjustable forehead strap at front. The leather earpieces employ three snap fastenings which secure the flexible metal Gosport tubes. The chamois lining of the helmet is marked in black ink 'P. TULLY 404998'.

Worn by 404998 Flight Lieutenant Paul Dominic Tully while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. Born at Terachy Station in the Quilpie district of Queensland on 14 June 1917, Tully enlisted on 5 January 1941 and served with 452 (Spitfire) Squadron, then based in south east England as part of Fighter Command. He returned with the squadron when it was recalled to Darwin in mid 1942 and participated in the defence of Darwin. Tully was discharged on 19 September 1945, having also seen service on Tarakan. Tully's older brother John (service number 404189) enlisted about the same time as Paul, served in the RAF on attachment with 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit and was lost over the North Sea on 30 July 1942. This style of helmet is not known to have been used operationally within Australia, and it is likely to be a civilian pattern that was worn during Tully's flying training in 1941.