War On The Home Front

It must not be supposed, however, that all was grimness and deprivation. People still went out for meals, visited one another, got small rations of sweets, and had weddings. By pooling rations and saving the small quantities of necessary ingredients it was even possible to produce a wedding cake. Frostings and elaborate decorations were not available, but one could purchase cardboard mockups which presented a very creditable appearance. The cardboard decorations were removed when the bride wished to cut the cake. Wedding gowns, such as are worn today, were not a feature of wartime weddings. If you were lucky (and had generous friends and family) you could acquire enough clothing coupons to buy a smart suit, if you were really lucky, you could acquire a parachute from which to make a dress. It is hard to remember, but nylon was not introduced until the end of the war and parachutes were, at that time, made of real silk. It was not available on the open market, as all silk was used in the war effort. The silk from parachutes was not on the point system and was highly sought after to make underwear.

Anyone who watches old war movies is familiar with the shortage of silk stockings, if you were lucky enough to have a pair, and unlucky enough to get a run, you darned or crocheted the hole closed. Most girls made do with leg dye concocted of cold tea, or ersatz coffee (comprised largely of ground chicory or roasted dandelion roots) or leg makeup purchased at a pharmacy and painted on seams with eyebrow pencil. This made splashes of rain water a dreaded thing, as it would cause the illusion to melt away with embarrassing speed.

All textiles were in short supply, men's trousers were cut with no cuffs or pockets and women's skirts were very narrow. Oiled wool, however, was not rationed, school girls used it to knit waterproof hats, gloves and socks for men serving at sea. Fabric for home furnishings, curtains, towels, blankets and the like, including furniture, were on special coupons and stamped with a utility symbol. Flannelette, for baby clothes, was diverted to hospital use. Cellulose fibers, such as those used in bandages today, were not introduced until the end of the war and hospital dressings were not disposable.

Gasoline and rubber for

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