WW2 - Home front - British housewives queue to buy eggs
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WW2 - Home front - British housewives queue to buy eggs
October, 1940 - British housewives queue to buy eggs, both domestically sourced and supplied from the Dominions - in this case, Canada. Date: 1940
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 11589741
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Boxes Buying Crate Crates Dominion Eggs Housewife Lack Patience Patriotism Propaganda Purchase Queue Queueing Rationing Shopping Shortage Shortages Tray Trays
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the spirit of resilience and determination among British housewives during World War II as they queue patiently to purchase precious eggs in October 1940. The shortage of food supplies, particularly eggs, was a common issue during the war due to disrupted agricultural production and the diversion of resources to the military effort. To alleviate the crisis, the British government turned to its Empire, including Canada, to help meet the demand. In this scene, crates and boxes filled with eggs, both domestically sourced and supplied from the Dominions, are carefully loaded onto wooden trays for distribution. The women, dressed in their best coats and hats, wait their turn with stoic patience, their shopping bags at the ready. The atmosphere is one of shared hardship and solidarity, as each woman knows that the eggs she purchases will help feed her family that week. The image is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by ordinary people during wartime, and the importance of community and cooperation in times of crisis. It also highlights the role of the British Empire, and Canada in particular, in supporting the home front during World War II. The scene is a powerful example of the propaganda messages of the time, encouraging patriotism and emphasizing the importance of rationing and making do with what was available.
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