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| Poster courtesy of The Imperial War Museum. |
By
Royal Proclamation men aged twenty to twenty seven years were required to
register for military service, those of 26 years registering on April 27th. This
rapid expansion of the Armed Forces demanded even more output of munitions and
equipment from the factories. To meet the ever increasing production
requirement local engineering companies had to expand. Advertisements were
placed in the local papers over a wide area for workers in non-essential jobs
to go into the factories with the offer of training and good rates of pay. Many
of those working in shops and offices were attracted by the prospect of higher
earnings. To replace the lost staff, shop keepers and other service industry
employers also advertised in the Windsor Express and Slough Observer for school
leavers and for women who were willing to work part-time.
Monday January 8th.
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| Ration Book courtesy of the Imperial War Museum. |
The early introduction of food rationing to avoid the
chaotic food distribution that occurred in the 1914 -18 war allowed a ration of
4oz of bacon or ham, 4oz of butter and 12oz of sugar for each person per week. Ration
books, which had been distributed in November of 1939, were brought into use with
maximum food prices being set by the Ministry of Food. Grocers were required to
furnish weekly returns of sales and stock of rationed foods. The system ensured
a regular supply of rationed goods. Other supplies to the grocer also depended
upon his number of registered customers to ensure a fair distribution. Some
commodities came pre-packed in set amounts, such as sugar distributed in 1 and
2 lb. bags. Mr Chantler recalled the need to open a pre-packed bag for a single
12ozs ration was inconvenient and was not readily acceptable by some customers
whom often tried to purchase the 2lb bag. At first coupons were cut out from
the ration book but later the appropriate sections were just marked off on the
book with indelible pencil or similar.
From September 1939 to the end of January 1940 there were
accidents and casualties due to the blackout. To improve road safety during the
hours of darkness the speed limit for all motor vehicles was reduced to twenty
miles per hour.
Cyclist also had problems, whereas no rear lights had
been necessary on bicycles before the war, it now became law to show a rear
light. Batteries were soon in short supply and the supply of Lucas and Miller
cycle dynamos became non-existent as the producing factories turned over to war
production. Factories engaged on important war work were permitted to issue
dockets monthly to those employees who required cycle lamp batteries. This
system gave priority to those essential war workers to purchase batteries from
those selected shops receiving supplies. Cyclists also turned to oil and gas (calcium
With the introduction of cloth rationing and the
difficulty of obtaining haberdashery supplies, the village shop
"U-Need-Us", owned by Margery Morris and Mabel Woodhouse, decided to
close. The vacant premises were then taken by a Jewish family named Gurdock
from London. It is believed that Mr Gurnock was a tailor. Evidently he was a
man who liked his food and found the meat ration very meagre. Because of this
he developed a liking for river fish. His enquiry to the local lads of “You
bring me fish, I give you shilling", had the lads hooked. With the
river fish there for the taking they thought they were onto easy money, but
there is some local doubt as to whether they always got their shilling.
The first War Budget introduced by Sir John Simon,
Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th September 1939 had raised Income Tax from 5/6d to 7/6d(37p) in the £1, Excise duty was increased by 1d a pint on Beer, Spirits from
11/6d to between 12/6d and 13/9d a bottle, 1d. on twenty cigarettes and 1d. per
pound on sugar. Of the four Eton Wick pubs only Mrs Amy Gladys Buck, landlord
of the Three Horse Shoes, held a spirit licence. The Greyhound in The Walk,
landlord William Newall; The Shepherds Hut, (W. Colburn); The Grapes, (W. Whittington);
were licensed retailers only of beer and cider.
Government allowed expenditure for the local war
services was controlled by the Eton U.D.C. with a nominal budgeted figure of
£100 per week for the Fire Brigade, Auxiliary Fire Service, Rescue and Demolition,
First Aid, Evacuation, Fuel and Food Control.
Wartime conditions made true expenditure difficult as the government
paid 65% of the Fire Brigade expense and all expenditure for the Auxiliary Fire
Service. Rescue and Demolition service expenses were paid by the County Council
and the remaining services financed by the government. Although designated as
being a fairly safe area it was still necessary to expand and equip the Eton
Fire Service to deal with possible air raids.
The New Year (1940) opened with the Church Sunday
school party, arranged by the Reverend Wingate. Ninety excited children were
entertained in the village hall and with help from parents and friends, the
children enjoyed a special tea. Various party games, followed by a fancy dress
competition, made the party a great success. On leaving to go home each child
received an orange, sweets and a bun. By the mid-summer of 1940 oranges would
be a memory until the end of the war.
This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham.
An article on History Today regarding rationing.
January 12th 1940 - Eton Wick Sunday School Annual Treat
Further information:
Arrangements were made by the Church Social Committee who were:
Mrs Borrit secretary
Mr & Mrs Prior
Mr & Mrs Hamerley
Mr & Mrs Mead
Mesdames Webber, Harman and Hutton
Tea was first served with crackers etc.
After tea the room was cleared for a fancy dress parade, the winners were:
1st. Soldier Charlie Tibbles
2nd. House to let Margaret Miles
3rd Policemen Harry & David Prior
4th. Cowboy Joseph Matthews
5th. Dutch Girls Pamela Maisie & Eileen Edmead
6th. Hungarian Girls Joan Tibble & Doris Wright
7th. Victorian Girl • Gillian Ackers
A dancing display was given by Pamela Maisie and Phillis Mathews The prizes were presented by the Reverend David Wingate The children left for home with oranges, sweets and buns.
Eton Urban Council Meeting - 4th Jan 1940
Presiding W H Rutter
Present.
Mr E F Mills, R. Wetherall, A.B. Chew, P. Asley, H. Bunce, A. Tarrant, R.M. Williams.
Clerk J.D. Gall. Surveyor E.F. Pressy.
Mr E.W. Hammerton absent as he was advised to stay indoors
Under discussion was the supply of electricity to Eton Wick. The council had agreed wayleave with electricity company but agreement with Eton College was still under negotiation. Mr Wethall pointed out that another two months had gone by with movement. Someone remarked that "It is Hitler and the Russians again." It was agreed more letters be sent to the appropriate authorities to hurry things up especially the Provost and Fellows of Eton College.
South View Drainage.
The surveyor said the new sewer at South View had been completed and the houses could be connected. He suggested that the work be done by their own men as soon as possible to give the tenants the benefit of the service.
This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham.
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