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THE WWI BRITISH TANK CORPS SPLATTER MASK OF SGT. W.H. STICKLER, TANK CORPS (D.C.M. WINNER)

** NEW ** The WWI Tank Corps crew anti-splinter splatter mask of Walter Henry Stickler, with hard leather-covered face covering and slatted eye pieces and chain mail extending from the bottom to cover the mouth. Accompanied by digital confirmation of the vendor with the same surname confirming family and Aberaman census material from 1911 to the present day.
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NOW£1,695.00
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Description

D.C.M. Gazetted 28 Mar 1918 to 40376 Cpl. W.H. Stickler, Tank Corps (Aberaman):

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the tank coming under heavy fire from a field battery at a range of 100 yards he continued to fire his gun, despite the fact that the tank was in flames. He himself silenced one enemy gun with a direct hit, and throughout the whole of the operations he set a splendid example to the crew."

These masks were used in British WWI tanks to protect against what was referred to as 'splash' - flying metal splinters when the outer steel of the tank was hit. According to a Tank Corps officer: "in action if the tank was hit slivers of hot steel began to fly - bullets hitting the armoured plates caused melting and the splash, as in steel factories, was dangerous to the eyes. For protection we used to wear a small face mask."