The Brodie-style helmet, often nicknamed the “Tommy helmet” and reputedly referred to by German soldiers as the “Salatschüssel” (salad bowl), was used throughout the Second World War by soldiers, the Home Guard, police, fire brigades, and Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens.

The basic design was initially developed for the British Army during the First World War, but was later refined, and the British Mk II helmet became one of the most recognisable helmets in the Second World War.

It was relatively cheap and easy to produce, and its shallow steel bowl and broad brim provided good protection from falling debris and shrapnel, particularly from explosions above. However, it was less effective against direct bullet fire and left the sides of the head exposed.

This example was recovered during our archaeological investigations at Goose Hill, Sizewell C, where the wider landscape was used by the Home Guard and for military training in advance of D-Day.