Initially British paras used a leather helmet, similar to the RAF flying helmets but without reciever cups. As this didn't provide sufficient protection against blows to the head a prototype was developed made from yellow sorbo rubber with a piece of string to tie it under the wearer's chin.
Further development lead to a khaki linen protective helmet with a thick layer of sorbo rubber that went around the head but not on the top of the head. A neck flap covered the ears and its extensions operated as a chin strap and a draw string was fitted on the inside for size adjustments.

Wartime manufacturers: Dunlop Rubber Co Ltd, SL&M Feathers Ltd..
Wartime variations: Either 0, 1, 2 or 4 grommets are found on the neck flap near the wearer's ears.
Postwar modifications: Unknown. Note for the collector: examples made by ABF Co Ltd are replicas.