One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

Categories: History | One Day |

The phrase "Keep calm and carry on", which has become a symbol of Britain, translates as "Keep calm and continue in the same spirit." At the beginning of the Second World War, it was planned to put up posters with this slogan throughout the country in case of an acute crisis in order to raise the morale of the British, inspire them with fearlessness and optimism. But the posters were not needed: the British continued to remain calm with dignity and live their normal lives despite the hardships of the war.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

Imagine: 1941, the Second World War is in full swing. Somewhere, while still far away, military operations are underway, and women and children are waiting at home, whom the war has affected no less. Modern photo archives are packed to the brim with old photographs that take us back to the non-peaceful years. It turns out that during the war, the Ministry of the Photographic Department of Information was instructed to create non-stop propaganda photographs reflecting the harsh reality of that time.

And one of these photo shoots took place in England in Mrs. Olive's apartment during one typical day. At first glance, her day looks like an ordinary one, but if you look closer, you will notice gas masks, traces of bombing, a spare bed in the basement…

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

1. Mrs. Olive gets up at 7 a.m. On her bedside table there is a gas mask and a flashlight in case of a night bombing.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

2. She pulls back the curtains and opens the window. There is no glass — it is knocked out by the blast wave.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

3. Instead of glass — a piece of linen cloth.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

4. Takes milk and morning newspapers. There are buckets of sand nearby in case of fire.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

5. Breakfast in the living room. There are no two glasses. The rest are covered with paper criss-cross, so as not to get hurt by shrapnel during the bombing.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

6. Cleaning on the stairs. Mrs. Olive puts an asbestos mat — it reduces the likelihood of a fire.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

7. And these are the traces of the bombing with incendiary bombs on the ceiling…

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

8....and on the floor.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

9. Mrs. Olive cleans the fireplace, setting aside large coals for reuse.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

10. Prepares a bed in the basement in case of an air raid.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

11. Sorts the garbage.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

12. Morning trip to the store.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

13. The grocer makes notes in her grocery card — tea, sugar, margarine, fat and bacon.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

14. Bus ride to work. In the background there are traces of the bombing.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

15. Mrs. Olive works as a secretary in an organization "related to the war." On weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00, on Saturday until 14:00.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

16. Mrs. Olive is cooking dinner — today her husband has a short vacation.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

17. Serves a table for two in the living room, almost like in peacetime.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

18. And having set the table, knits warm clothes.

One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941
One day in the life of an Englishwoman in 1941

19. Meets her husband.

     

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