Voices from Civil Defence Region 9: Midlands (Birmingham HQ)

Peter Ciuffetti

24 May 2022

13 items

Evacuation: The large numbers of verminous and dirty headed children caused a shock to the country folk who naturally thought that the better water supplies and bathroom facilities of town dwellers would have induced a higher standard of personal hygiene. Report by His Majesty's Inspectors of Schools and Ministry of Health Inspectors, Midland Region, 1939 [...] Aftermath of Bombing: There appears to be a very definite increase in the drinking habits of the under 18’s due to lack of milk, soft drinks, to more money in their weekly wage packets. Mrs Truscott, Ministry of Home Security interview, Birmingham, 1942 [...] Home Guard: However, pick shafts were soon forthcoming for the practice of Arms Drill, and to augment these, someone persuaded the Art Gallery Authorities to lend their museum specimens of flintlocks, etc., which, although dating back to the “Dark Ages” were nevertheless very acceptable. Record of the Birmingham City Transport Home Guard, 1945 [...] Rationing: It was originally contemplated by the Ministry that Vegetarians would be allowed extra supplies of butter for the surrender of the Meat and Bacon and Ham coupons and that an allowance would be made to those who could not make use of the bacon and ham coupons on religious grounds. Sutton Coldfield Food Control Committee meeting minutes, 1940 [...] Shelter Life: The centre of the city is a depressing place, it was the only important shopping centre in Coventry, and it now presents a spectacle of gloom, which must have a bad psychological effect on the inhabitants. Ministry of Food Observer in Coventry, 1941 [...] Women's Land Army: It was felt that volunteers were beginning to feel anxious as to their future and that some official statement would help. Warwickshire Women's Land Army County Committee meeting minutes, 1944