Homefront Collection (#6)

WWI: YWCA POSTER, 1917. Remember the girl behind the man behind the gun - Y. W
WWI: YWCA POSTER, 1917. Remember the girl behind the man behind the gun - Y.W.C.A. War Work Council. Lithograph, 1917

WWI: POSTER, 1917. Sugar means ships - The consumption of sugar sweetened drinks must be reduced - For your beverages 400 million lbs. of sugar were imported in ships last year

Tank On Show
November 1917: A Mark IV tank, part of the parade at the Lord Mayors Show in London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Signing On
29th August 1914: Recruits swearing in to join the Royal Fusiliers at the Tower of London, at the start of WW1. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

London Loan Rally
15th February 1917: A Victory War Loan rally in Trafalgar Square. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

ARP ( Air Raid Precautions ) wardens in Crayford, Kent, looking at maps of the area. 1939

Casualties are being loaded into the back of a lorry during an air raid drill in Sidcup, Kent. 1939

The ARP ( Air Raid Precautions ) headquarters in Dartford, Kent. Captain Spencer Tucker organising the troops. 1939

Sidcups General Post Office protected with sandbags and telephone directories in preparation for the war. 1939

Women doing their voluntary service by knitting in Dartford, Kent. Here they are winding up the wool. 1939

ARP ( Air Raid Precautions ) wardens examines the casualties during a drill in Sidcup, Kent. 1939

Scouts helping out with the ARP ( Air Raid Precautions ) in Crayford, Kent. 1939

Land girls working on a farm. 1939

Sidcups General Post Office is being fortified with sandbags and telephone directories in preparation for the war. 1939

Land girl working on a farm, using a pitchfork to carry hay. 1939

Land girls working on a farm. Here they are using a horse drawn cart to carry things through a snow covered field. 1939

A press photographer in a ARP ( Air Raid Precautions ) gas suit, taking pictures at the demonstration in Sidcup, Kent. 1939

A farmer ploughing a field with a tractor. Alongside are old cars which have been parked in order to cause obstruction to enemy gliders carrying invasion troops which may want to land on the field

Come into the garden Dad! Make this summers garden provide next winters vegetables
WWI: FARMING, c1915. Come into the garden Dad! Make this summers garden provide next winters vegetables. Lithograph by Joseph Ernest Sampson for the Canada Food Board, c1915

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"Homefront: Unseen Heroes and Resilient Spirits" Amidst the chaos of war, the homefront became a battleground of courage and compassion. In 1916, Christmas parcels filled with hope were sent to the trenches, reminding soldiers that they were not forgotten. The devastating bomb damage inflicted upon St Paul's Cathedral in London served as a haunting reminder of the enemy's relentless attacks. In this tumultuous era, women emerged as unsung heroes on the homefront. With determination and skill, they sewed uniforms for their loved ones serving at war. Breaking barriers further, women took up roles as electricians during World War I, proving their invaluable contribution to society. Artistic endeavors also played a role in boosting morale amidst adversity. Norman Keene meticulously replicated William Heath Robinson's original drawings on boarded-up shop fronts in London. These whimsical illustrations showcased the merchandise inside these shops - a glimpse into normalcy during uncertain times. The Auxiliary Territorial Service employed searchlights at night in 1943 to spot incoming aircrafts - an act of bravery that safeguarded countless lives from bombings overhead. Similarly, famous statues were moved to safety in 1941 to preserve history while protecting them from destruction caused by relentless air raids. Mrs Robert Hudson exemplified selflessness through her work with Women's Voluntary Service in East End London. Distributing clothing and comforts to those who had lost everything due to bombings brought solace amidst despair. During King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's visit to East End London – an area ravaged by fierce bombing – they walked over debris, examined craters firsthand, shook hands with survivors and demolition workers alike; their presence symbolizing solidarity and resilience. Londoners found refuge underground during the Blitz when sleeping quarters turned into makeshift shelters against constant bombardment - united by fear but unwavering resolve. The Local Defence Volunteer Force formed in 1940 demonstrated ordinary citizens stepping forward bravely to protect their homeland.