Rationing Gallery

Observed of all observers by Alfred Leete

The Chauffeur of a coal-gas-driven car (to a gathering crowd): Wot are you 'anging' around 'cre for? The Crowd: Please, Mister, we'se waiting for the balloon to go up. A humorous comment on the use of coal gas powered vehicles during the First World War, introduced as petrol became increasingly scarce. The 'gas bag' cars carried their fuel in an enormous rubber bag on the roof and were the subject of many jokes and cartoons such as this one by Alfred Leete, an artist best known for his famous Kitchener 'Your King and Country Needs You' cover for London Opinion magazine. Date: 1917

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Mural decorations in the Stockwell British Restaurant during the Second World War

Mural decorations in the Stockwell British Restaurant during the Second World War, on the theme of scenes in Stockwell and carried out by Derek Crowe. Picture on the right shows a detail of the mural while the left photograph shows the interior of the restaurant and the pictures in situ on the wall. British Restaurants were communal restaurants during the Second World War providing a cooked meal, with dessert and a cup of tea or coffee, for around the cost of 1s.2d. While operated on a canteen basis, meals were eaten at a table and allowed people, including war workers and those who had bombed out of their homes or might have difficulty cooking or making a packed lunch at home, a nutritious and affordable meal, which could be eaten in addition to wartime rations. Many restaurants were decorated inside with murals as a way to make the surroundings pleasant. This mural is particularly magnificent. Date: 1946

© Mary Evans Picture Library

A (Y)appy Idea! by William Heath Robinson, WWI rationing

The Ventrimetric System: 'Rational' weights and measures for use in hotels, restaurants, and clubs for the limitation of appetites. One contraption restricts the diner by measuring his expanding waistline, while another, rather embarrassing solution, is to parp a warning once a diner exceeds a certain weight. A humorous comment on the introduction of rationing in Britain during the First World War. The title of the cartoon is a kit on the name of Arthur Yapp. Sir Arthur Yapp (1869-1936) was Deputy President of the YMCA and Director of Food Economy during the First World War. Date: 1917

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans