Object number
M.69.133
Title
Pith Helmet of C F Walters
Date
1933
Creator
Production reason
Khaki coloured, lightweight with wide brim designed for shading the face from sunlight
Material
Size
diameter: 20.5 cm
Description
Cloth-covered helmet made of pith, wide brim with red silk lining.
Display caption
Shola Pith Helmet Worn by C.F. Walters on MCC 1st tour to India, c. 1933 Donated by C.F Walters
Douglas Jardine skippered the English team to Australia in 1932/33 in what is widely known as the `Bodyline’ tour. In order to counteract the run-getting ability of Donald Bradman, Harold Larwood was used by Jardine to bowl unerringly fast and short with a packed leg-side field. Helmets, chest pads and arm guards were not used at the time and several injuries ensued.
Ironically these pith helmets - worn to protect the wearer from the sunshine - were the only sort of helmets Jardine’s side wore. They are not pictured wearing them in Australia but only in the tropics during the 1933/34 tour to Ceylon and India.
M.69.133
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