Contents: Gas mask and case Ration book and clothing ration book Ration packaging Splint Bandage Utility pyjamas/hat Knitted tunic Shrapnel ARP helmet Black out lamp
Gas Attack Why did Britain think gas attack might happen? During the First World War gas had been used on the Western Front. Thousands of men who had fought in The Great War were still suffering from the effects of the gas. Gas was a weapon that could kill or maim many people in minutes. The British Government was frightened that if Britain s home front was attacked, it would be with gas. What was done to prevent mass casualties in a gas attack? By September 1939 everyone in Britain had been given with a gas mask to protect themselves from gas bombs, which could be dropped during air raids. At first people were very good at carrying their gas masks with them at all times. During the first few months after war was declared there was little evidence on the home front that Britain was at war - this was known as the phoney war. Adult's Gas Masks Masks were made from thin rubber with an oval window and a three-point head strap. The filter was made from sheet metal. Gas Mask Box Each gas mask was supplied in a cardboard carrying case with a long strap. Instructions on how to pack the respirator and how to put it on and remove it safely were inside the lid of the gas mask box.
Gas Attack The 'Mickey Mouse' Gas Mask Children had a special type of gas mask nicknamed a 'Mickey Mouse mask. It was made of red rubber and had bright eye piece rims to make them seem less frightening. Do you think it looks like Mickey Mouse? Baby's Gas Mask Special gas masks were also made for babies. These were like a cradle with flaps which had to be folded in place and the straps closed up so the baby was totally enclosed. Air was pumped in using a hand-pump. The air was pumped through a filter on the side which ensured the baby inhaled no gas. When should people put on their gas masks? A gas rattle was used to warn people of a gas attack. People then had to put on their gas masks. Schools had regular gas drills so children were prepared for an attack. Gas rattle The rattle was originally used to tell solider in the trenches of the First World War of a gas attack. The rattle changed very little by 1939 - some had twin slats and others had 'sounding boxes' to make them louder. The rattle was an ideal alarm because it had a very distinctive sound which could not be confused with another sound and the piecing noise was not easily drowned out. Also it could be used when wearing a gas mask, unlike a whistle. Hand Bell The hand bell was rung to sound the 'all clear' signal to say it was safe to take off your gas mask.
Gas Attack Demister for eye shields This could be put on the gas mask s eye shields to stop them getting fogged up with mist. Each gas mask came with demister. Glasses for wearing with a gas mask Prescription glasses were available which had been designed for wearing inside a gas mask. The nose-piece was wide so the frame could sit close to your face. The arms were very thin and flat so that the gas mask could still seal around your face. Instructions were glued to the inside of the glasses case. Anti-Gas Ointment This ointment was to be used if skin came in contact with gas. People were advised to buy and carry this ointment but it was available for free from a chemist in an emergency. Anti-Gas Tape Anti-gas tape was used to seal doors, windows, cracks and crevices to stop gas leaking through if a gas attack happened. Was there ever a gas attack? Gas was never used against the British on the home front, so these preparations were never tested.
Rationing During the Second World War (1939-45) there were a lot of shortages of essential food, not just luxuries. Supplies started to become short and some items impossible to buy, especially imported goods such as tea, bananas, oranges, and grapes. It was to be six or seven years before any of those fruits were seen again. Then butter, lard, sweets, cakes, flour and sugar became hard to get too, followed by meat and fish. Ration Books Four months after the war started, on 8 January, 1940 food rationing began. Everyone was given a ration book. Ration books had tokens in them which could be saved up or used to buy food. The shopkeeper would remove the tokens before he issued the goods. There were different kinds of ration books. The most common was buff-coloured - these were given to adults and schoolage children. Green books were given to expectant mothers as they had extra tokens. The tokens had no value in money but they were a way of making sure everybody got a fair share of what was available. The tokens were for food, and later, also for clothing.
Clothing Rationing Rationing of clothing started in June 1941. Make Do and Mend The government made a booklet (price 3d) called Make Do and Mend. This encouraged women to look after and repair clothes. People tried really hard to make their clothes last - patches were sewn on the elbows to make jumpers, cardigans and jackets last longer. These became fashionable. Special clothing, such as a wedding dress and bridesmaids' dresses, were passed around, to be worn again. 'Mrs Sew and Sew' was a character invented to encourage making do. 'Make do and mend' classes were also available. Utility Label The Utility Clothing Scheme was created to help cope with the shortage of material. Utility Clothing was made using as little material and labour as possible. All Utility Clothing had a CC41 utility label. Some clothing was also available on the illegal black market.
Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Wardens What was ARP? ARP stands for Air Raid Precautions ARP was an organisation which helped to protect civilians (ordinary people) from the danger of air-raids. What was the ARP Warden s job? An ARP Warden s job was to: report the extent of bomb damage assess the local need for help from the emergency and rescue services send for fire engines and ambulances check for casualties and unexploded bombs supervise the demolition of unsafe bombed buildings arrange for the sounding of air raid sirens draw up accurate reports of each bombing incident ARP Wardens were stationed at a purpose-built post and were allocated a set area to patrol. On a day-to-day basis the ARP Warden had to check everyone was 'blacking-out' and check everyone was always wearing their gas masks. ARP Wardens also organised and staffed air raid shelters. After a bombing raid ARP Wardens helped to find and reunite family members using their knowledge of their local to help find and reunite family members who had been separated in the rush to find shelter from the bombs. Who were ARP Wardens? All ARP Wardens were volunteers Most were part-time and had full-time day jobs. Women as well as men joined the emergency services as ARP wardens. There were 1.4 million ARP wardens in Britain. ARP Warden's Helmet Helmets were marked with ARP or ' W ' to make the Wardens instantly recognisable. ARP Armband An armband was worn over clothing so that civilians could recognise members of the ARP.
The Blackout Blackout Material Every house had to cover its doors and windows with blackout material so no light would be seen. Often black cotton fabric was used because it was readily available and cheap enough for even the poorest families. However, the bigger your house the more you had to pay for your windows to be covered. Putting up Blackout material took a very long time - you had to be careful that there were no gaps which light could escape through. Often one thickness of fabric was not enough to stop light from escaping - two or three thicknesses were needed before all light was blocked out. Pinning the sheets to window frames could also be a problem if your windows had stone or metal frames. Some people tried covering their windows with black paper and pins. At first this was fine but after taking down and putting back up everyday the people became torn or the people got fed up! Car Headlight Blackout Cover During the blackout, traffic lights and vehicle headlights were covered with slotted covers to shine their beam down to the floor - these were called 'slit masks'. Lots of accidents happened during blackouts so matt-white bands were painted on non-moving things such as lamp-posts and post-boxes. Pedestrians were told to walk facing traffic where you can see and be seen". A.R.P. Lamp No.68 During the blackout pedestrians carried shielded torches. ARP Wardens also had hooded torches. These were bicycle lamps which had been changed to have a belt-clip and a carrying handle for use in the blackout. A black-out hood stopped the light from shining upwards, but the beam was still quite bright and covered a large area. The lamp was turned on and off simply by turning the switch on top.