The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Aluminium Finger ring with a small square insert in the front of the ring. The insert is divided diagonally into two halves: the top half is black and the bottom half yellow.
Patriotic ring, possibly handcrafted from aluminium. The colours, black over yellow were the colours of the Austrian flag (1867 - 1918). A cottage industry developed in the trenches during the war, making souvenir aluminium rings. Aluminium rings were made by allied soldiers from melted down fuses from shells, or from melted down aluminium mess kits and canteens. It is likely German and Austrian troops also made similar rings. Collecting the fuses from unexploded ‘duds’ could often be dangerous and many men were wounded attempting to salvage this material. The aluminium would be melted, then roughly cast and filed down, and either be engraved, or have an item, such as the front of a button, attached to the face. This ring belonged to an Austrian family who emigrated to Australia after the First World War.
Steel ring band. The ring is engraved 'Gold gab Ich fur Eisen 1914 0.S.K.'. In the early 19th century items of jewellery, similar to this ring, were given in return for donating gold jewellery to th
Man's silver signet ring bearing on the front face an oval within which is a crown with the dates '1914' and '1915' on either side.Beneath is a wreath containing eight lightning bolts. On either side
Aluminium ring with a copper insert in the shape of a downward pointing arrow This ring is thought to have been made by 107 Driver William Francis Teague, born in Sydney on 30 June 1889, a married p
Aluminium ring with a diamond shape recessed into the front, which once held three diagonal strips. Only the middle, yellow, strip remains. The ring band is engraved with a leaf design along each side
Aluminium signet ring with a small brass German army button attached to the front. The button bears the Prussian crown. This ring is thought to have been made by 107 Driver William Francis Teague, b
Aluminium signet ring with a rectangular face. The face has been engraved diagonally across the front but the word is no longer legible. This ring is thought to have been made by 107 Driver William
Aluminium ring with copper diagonal strip across the face. The word 'YPRES' is engraved into the copper. There is a 'V' shaped design on each side of the ring and an engraved design in the aluminium f
Steel ring band. The ring is engraved 'Gold gab Ich fur Eisen 1914 0.S.K.'. In the early 19th century items of jewellery, similar to this ring, were given in return for donating gold jewellery to th
