Content of WW2 Loan Box 2

WWII EMERGENCY PACK

In this tin are very basic items, tea, sugar, biscuits, which would have been used in an emergency.

"U" "21"

WWII RATION PACK

Every member of the British Army was issued with a Ration Pack, it would contain very basic items like sweets and tinned meat.

"V" "22"

WWII ARP BOOKLET

"The Protection of Your Home Against Air Raids" this is one of the many leaflets which were issued to homes during the Second World War.

WWII WVS BADGE

The Womens Voluntary Service is one of the best examples of the successful mobilisation of women during the war.
On the 16th May 1938 the Womens Voluntary Service for Air Raid Precautions (ARP) was founded.

"W" "23"

WWII FIELD DRESSING

All army personal would be issued with a field dressing, there are two bandages inside a hard wearing cover, this one is original.

"Q" "17"

WWII TYPE BRITISH BATTLE DRESS BLOUSE

This is called a 1940 pattern battle dress, it is made of Khaki Wool Serge, this one is original and has a few moth holes. We have treated the garment so there are no more moths or eggs only holes. Almost identical to the type worn during WW2.

WWII TYPE BATTLE DRESS TROUSERS

Again these are made of Khaki Wool Serge, they were very uncomfortable to wear.
1949 Pattern, but almost identical to the type worn by soldiers during WW2.

The large underpants that were issued to the men might have helped keep their legs from rubbing against the rough material of the trousers.

You may find some holes in the trousers but again they have been treated.

WWII BRITISH ARMY ISSUE WARM UNDERPANTS

These underpants have never been worn, so many millions of items were made for the armed forces during WWII that not all of them were used, some can still can be found at army surplus stores, but these places are becoming very rare.

The British Army was kitted out from top to bottom even with warm pants like these.

These look very uncomfortable, but would keep the men warm.

"T" "20"

WWII BRITISH WATER BOTTLE

This is an enamelled water bottle with a cork stopper and covered with felt, they were issued to all army personal. It would hang from their webbing set, along with lots of other equipment, all together the soldier's pack would weigh approx. 60lbs.

"J" "10"

WWII BRITISH BRODIE HELMET

Issued to army personal, they came in all different sizes, this one is cap size 58. Although it's very heavy, it could save a man's life from falling shrapnel or bullets.

"K" "11"

'IN FLANDERS FIELD'

This poem was written by John Mc Crae, it refers to the First World War but is used to remember all wars. On Remembrance Sunday the poem spoken at the Cenotaph is as follows:

"They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them"

We wear poppies to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women.

"L" "12"

WWII LEAFLETS

A selection of leaflets from the Second World War
In this collection you will find a selection of replica ephemera that would have been used during WWII by civilians and the ARP Wardens

"M" "11"

WWII CIVIL DEFENCE ARM BAND

This was worn by all Civil Defence Personal or "Dads Army" after the War a certificate was awarded to everyone who had helped.
The country had always been both proud and grateful for its 'Dad's Army'. King George VI expressed the nations thoughts when he said

"You have earned in full measure your country's gratitude".

"F" "6"

WWII ARP CLOTH BADGE

ARP stands for Air Raid Precautions, the cloth badge would have been worn on the shoulder of the jacket.

"G" "7"

PACKET OF DRIED EGG

Eggs became rationed during WWII so dried eggs became very popular, this is a reproduction packet of dried egg which was equal to 12 eggs.
One level tablespoon of powder, mixed with two tablespoons of water would equal one egg.
The dried eggs were imported from Canada, a list of recipes was included with every packet, and people soon got used to using dried eggs instead of fresh eggs.

"H" "8"

'MAKE DO AND MEND' BOOK

This is a copy of a book that was available during WWII, it was first printed in 1943 for the Ministry of Information.
The book is full of excellent tips on how to "Make Do And Mend"

"I" "9"

WWII ARP WHISTLE

These whistles were issued to every warden during the 2nd World War, after the Home Office had pestered the Treasury to provide one per warden for reasons of hygiene. It was finally agreed, allowing the warden to carry one at all times.

The warning could be reinforced by sharp blasts on the whistle, these would not be continued after the public appeared to have heard the warning, or they may have caused undue alarm.

The whistle was later used by Fire Guards with a series of sharp blasts, to signal the fall of incendiary bombs.

"O" "15"

WWII EPHEMERA FOLDER ONE

1. GAS ATTACK - LEAFLET
2. HITLER WILL SEND NO WARNING - LEAFLET
3. WAR EMERGENCY. INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS - LEAFLET
4. FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN WAR TIME - LEAFLET
5. COOKING AFTER A BLITZ - LEAFLET
6. FIRST AID IN BRIEF - LEAFLET
7. THE WOMENS VOLUNTARY SERVICE - LEAFLET
8. THE HOME GUARD - CERTIFECATE

WWII SWEETS AND CHOCOLATES

During WWII many things were rationed, including sweets and chocolates, shown here are a few examples, notice that the packets are very basic.

"N" "14"