Helmet Mod. 1915, Called “adrian” With Commemorative Plaque Of The Victory Parade, C. 1919.

Model 1915 helmet, known as "Adrian", with insignia and commemorative plaque of the victory parade, circa 1919, In August 1914, the French infantryman had no head protection, but simply a very visible red kepi. Faced with the scale of losses due to head injuries, 80% of which were fatal, the months following the entry into war gave rise to tests to improve equipment. On April 15, 1915, Second Lieutenant Louis Adrian (1859-1933) presented a model of metal helmet to the general headquarters. It was quickly adopted, took the name of its inventor and became a symbol of the poilus. On November 13, 1918, Joseph Denais, deputy of the Seine, proposed a law to allow each man to keep his combat helmet. On December 18, it was finally decreed that each officer or soldier belonging or having belonged to an army formation would receive a helmet with the following inscriptions: Name and rank, SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR, 1914-1918. It was not until April 16, 1919 that a more detailed text on the implementation of this measure was published, specifying for example that the planned inscriptions should be engraved on a repoussé brass plaque, to be fixed to the helmet visor. The plaque included an oval cartouche intended to hold the text, framed by two laurel branches. Demobilized soldiers thus left with their helmet and had to leave their contact details at the depot which was responsible for sending them the commemorative plaque. Those demobilized or discharged before December 20 had to request it from the regiment or service in which they served. The families of killed soldiers had to request it via the mayor from the general directorate of pensions. The plaques are not engraved, unless otherwise requested, in order to allow everyone to decorate the plaque to their taste. This late implementation leaves doubt as to whether the plaques adorned the helmets at the time of the Victory parade. On May 16, 1920, the measure was extended to sailors who had taken part in the fighting alongside the army formations from 1914 to 1918.