Ration Books
From Object Wiki
| Ration Books | |
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| Production years | (unknown) |
| Production location | (unknown) |
Throughout the war British housewives had struggled to feed their families on limited food supplies. But after the war the amount of produce available to buy actually fell. Bread was rationed in 1946 and potatoes in 1947, though neither had been restricted during the war itself.
Sweet rationing ended in February 1953, and sugar rationing ended in September of that year. The final end of all rationing did not come until 1954 with bananas.
[edit] How it worked
Food items were marked in a little book which people had to take to the shops with them. When they had bought as much as they were allowed for that week the shop keeper crossed it out in the book. Rationing went on until 1954, long after the war had finished.
[edit] Memories
I only had 66 coupons a year for clothes
— Anon
Rations for sugar and sweets I was born just as rations were fading out but it was still there. My mother struggled with putting meals together.
— Anon
I remember a big fuss about bananas as the new super fruit - I was four and have loved bananas since.
— Anon
Rationing was very strict and I found it fair and unfair at the same time!
— Anon
As a child in Scotland, I remember my Mother saving her ration coupons and buying a large bag of sweets to be shared with the children in the hospital where I was confined.
— Scotiarose
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Do you remember rationing? Add your memories. |
[edit] In the Science Museum
The Museum acquired this object in 2000 from Mr W S Garroway.
Inv. No: No: 2000-208; Inv No 2000-203; Inv: No: 2000-204
This object is currently on display in the Dan Dare & the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain exhibition at the Science Museum, London.