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 Stoke-on-Trent British Restaurant during the Second World War

Mural decorations in the Stoke-on-Trent British Restaurant during the Second World War, on the theme of 1851 and All That and carried out by Arthur Berry. 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. Date: 1946

© Mary Evans Picture Library

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - Mary and her Little Lamb

The Caption is Mary and her little lamb'. Even though the war is over rationing would continue. The little dog looking on was unlikely to get any of the meat. One had to come to an arrangement with the local butcher over any left overs'. On the back of the card Mr Churchill says Advance Britannia! Long live the cause of Freedom! God save the King! Cute Kids WW2 Wartime humour Date: 1945

© Holts Battlefield Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library A Holtas Battlefield Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library