A straw Wolseley dated 1915 and made by E. Day of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The straw weave is clearly visible beneath the cotton drill covering. This example is to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (Author’s collection)
As with the Colonial pattern of Foreign Service Helmet which preceded the Wolseley cork was the original material used, but because of wartime shortages of cork and the increased demand alternative materials were sought.