World War Two: the Home Front
History · Key Stage 2 · The School
Sending children away
In September 1939, hundreds of thousands of children were EVACUATED from cities. They were sent to the countryside, away from expected bombing. Each child carried a gas mask. Each child also carried a label with their name, in case they got lost among strangers. Many found it frightening at first. Some stayed with kind families. Some did not.
Bombing, and life underground
German bombing hit British cities hard. This was especially true through 1940 and 1941. This period is called THE BLITZ. Families sheltered in small metal Anderson shelters in their gardens. Some crowded onto underground train platforms at night instead. Strict BLACKOUT rules meant no lights could show after dark. This made cities harder to find from the air. Many families stayed calm despite the danger.
Sharing out what little there was
RATIONING began in January 1940. Everyone was issued a ration book. It limited how much meat, sugar, butter and clothing each person could buy. This was not about scarcity alone. It made sure food was shared out fairly. It stopped scarce goods simply going to whoever could pay the most. Growing your own vegetables also became common.
Take the Women's Land Army as one case. Before the war, Britain had imported much of its food. So more food had to be grown at home. Many male farm workers joined the armed forces. Women were needed to work on the farms instead. The Land Army was set up again in June 1939. By autumn 1941, more than 20,000 women had volunteered. From December 1941, women could also be conscripted, or made to join. By 1944, there were more than 80,000 women in the Land Army, often called land girls. Round these to 20,000 and 80,000. Then 80,000 is 4 times as many as 20,000. But the first count is of volunteers, and the second is of members. So 4 is only a rough guide. Even so, it was a big rise. The Imperial War Museum says the Land Army made a significant contribution to boosting Britain's food production.