Khaki fur felt slouch hat : Private G R Kenihan, 5 Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF

Australian Army khaki felt slouch hat with 4 brown painted metal eyelets, fawn cotton puggaree, brim clip & oxidised brass general service badge on left side of brim. The brim is edged with grosgrain ribbon. The brown leather headband is stamped 'G ANDERSON & CO LTD 6 3/4 1918'. Small silk bow at join of headband. Headband was coming apart but was re-attached by conservators. No chin strap.

This standard issue slouch hat was worn by 16968 Private George Roe Kenihan, who was born at Baroota, South Australia and enlisted in the AIF in Adelaide, on 6 July 1916. He was assigned to the Army Medical Corps and was sent to Seymour in Victoria to undertake specialist medical training. On completion of the course he was assigned to the reinforcements for the Camel Corps Field Ambulance in Palestine. Kenihan left Melbourne for Egypt aboard HMAT A42 Boorara on 10 May 1917.

On arrival in Egypt he was transferred to 4 Light Horse Regiment Field Ambulance. He helped to treat the wounded after the Australian charge at Beersheba on 31 October 1917. In September 1918 Kenihan was transferred to 5 Light Horse Field Ambulance, and it was while he was serving with this unit that he took part in the formal Australian entry into Damascus on 2 October 1918. He returned to Australia on 14 July 1919.