Title
Bamboo toothbrush
Year/Period
Circa 1942–1945
Region
Singapore
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 14.0 x 1.3 x 1.8 cm
Accession No.
2019-00638
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of the family of Forbes Wallace
This bamboo toothbrush belonged to Captain Forbes Wallace, an officer with the Federated Malay States police who also served in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers. After being activated during the Japanese invasion of Malaya, he was captured during the fall of Singapore. The toothbrush is typical of the 'Type B' toothbrush manufactured within Changi camp by the Changi Broom Factory. The handle would be made of bamboo and the bristles would be made of coconut fibre, with bitumen from roadways used to hold the bristles in place.
