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Gas mask

Gas mask

Gas mask

A Second World War gas mask may seem firmly from the past, but we have all got used to wearing protective masks recently. Luckily the masks we have are very different from the heavy, awkward ones designed to protect British people from German wartime gas attacks They had to be carried at all times, but luckily the gas attacks never came so masks weren’t needed.

The mask was originally used in the Brook Hospital on Shooter’s Hill, built for patients with infectious disease like typhoid, scarlet fever and diphtheria. In the last year, hospitals have been specially built for those suffering from a new infectious disease – COVID-19. Do you have a COVID-19 story to tell us?

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Period
Second World War
Place
Shooter's Hill
Theme
Health

Resources

How did we live in Greenwich in the Second World War?

During the war, many children had to be evacuated out of London to stay safe. Find out more with this activity:

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Living during the Second World War – Gas Masks

We have a gas mask in our collection of objects. Why did adults and children wear masks during the war? Why do we wear masks today?

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