Early Gas Mask | The Second Battle of Ypres | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars

After being caught unaware by the German gas attack at Ypres, the Allies worked rapidly to develop protective headwear for their soldiers. This is one of the first attempts to create a mask that protected the men from gas but that did not obscure their vision. Private Thomas Philips is wearing a PH Helmet (anti-gas hood), circa 1915.

A black and white image of a soldier in military uniform wearing a primitive gas mask. The mask resembles a sack with two glass circles over top of his eyes. — (Canadian War Museum, No. 19810347-036.)

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