Some of the photos on this page were taken at Cusworth Hall in Doncaster. They give an illustration of the conditions of life in Britain and South Yorkshire during the Second World War.

with Churchill today

THAN HUMBLE PIE

under Hitler tomorrow

DON'T WASTE FOOD

It can be seen that this utility wardrobe has no ornamentation, no frills and is really quite small.

During the Second World War, rationing was introduced. Everyone had a ration book and you would need tokens to buy things like food and clothes. Rationing carried on after the war because lots of things were in short supply. People had to carry an identity card to say who they were.

Here are some memories of rationing in and after World War 2 (WW2 or WWII):

"In 1952 meat rationing was still on. Some people had to change their eating habits because of rationing.  Most people had dried eggs and only occasionally were there fresh eggs. Hens had to be registered before you could buy corn for them. There were no bananas or citrus fruit until 1945. Not everything was rationed, just the essentials like meat, milk, eggs, bread, clothes. Everything was in short supply. People queued for lots of things, and anything that was not rationed, you queued for. They queued for horse flesh for their dogs. Petrol was rationed. Clothing coupons were issued. Blankets and furniture was a utility brand, which meant it was all plain and simple and standard measurements.   Everyone had ration books. Shops had to get permits to get supplies.  The Women's' Institute (WI)  had a food preservation scheme using jars and cans."

What was food like before the war?

"Pre-war food was stodgy."

It is said by many that people had a healthier diet than they do in 2004. What do you think? Why would this be so?

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge them. click on the thumbnails for large pictures of ww2 rationing books and identity card.