Souvenir ring : Gunner E J Finlay, 2/3 Anti Tank Regiment

Silver plated signet ring with 'colour patch' made from melted toothbrush handles set into a central black disc. The patch is red and yellow and has a silver border. The genuine colour patch for 2/3 Anti Tank regiment was red and blue, rather than red and yellow. It is presumed that the maker of the ring did not have access to a blue toothbrush handle.

Ring associated with the service of NX53186 Gunner Edward James Finlay, born at Connabarabran, NSW, on 20 June 1907. He enlisted on 24 Jun 1940 and served with 2/3 Anti Tank regiment in the Middle East and South West Pacific Area. Finlay was discharged on 6 January 1945. This ring is an example of wartime craftwork known as 'Tek art' which involved the use of coloured plastic toothbrush handles. The name is derived from the Tek brand toothbrushes which were issued to Australian service personnel from late 1941. They were the first to have coloured plastic, rather than wooden, handles.