Chinese tube of toothpaste belonging to Private James Wood, 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, 1951 (c)

During the Korean War (1950-1953) 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, fought at the Battle of Imjin in April 1951. After days of fierce fighting over 500 soldiers were captured by the Chinese Communist forces and held prisoner for two and half years. Private James W. Wood was one of those captured.

During his captivity he was given this toothpaste, still unused and in its original box. It has a Chinese inscription which translates as, 'frienship [sic] toothpaste'. This may also have been used as part of the Chinese propaganda effort.