1940: Dad’s Army
The Home Guard was formed in 1940 when the threat of imminent invasion was very real. By 1942 it was no longer likely but this movement satisfied a need to be relevant to the war effort. This cartoon no doubt exaggerates but it too reflects the desire to be topical.
1940: Buying from Uncle Sam
This is a dream transaction. The United States still stuck to transparent neutrality – until Pearl Harbour in December 1941. Buying from Canada was different – even when the Canadians had purchased said items from the United States…
1940: Keep eating the potatoes
There is nothing fictitious in this scene. Rationing became severe and we were all told to fill up on potatoes.
Funny, that’s what my slimming club keep telling me. 
1940: My dog ate my coupons
Schoolchildren have been known to blame their dog for the non-appearance of their homework. This customer is trying the same excuse for the non-existence of the coupons needed for the purchase of food.
1940: The conduct of the war
Father’s look of pessimism would have been entirely justified in 1940. The war was really not going well. Newspaper columnists were free to recommend alternative strategies designed to win the war speedily.
1940: Battle of Britain
The fighter pilot is modestly making light of his victory in the air. The RAF certainly was outnumbered but managed to defeat the much larger Luftwaffe. This favourable outcome could not have been predicted while the battle was in full swing. This cartoon should be seen as a morale boosting little joke.
1940: The Secret Service in action?
The general public had no idea what the Secret Service was doing in 1940. This sort of charade fortunately did not reflect what they were really doing.
1940: He charges people to look at his bomb crater
Enemy bombers dropped their remaining bombs when returning after raiding a specific target. They did this to lighten the load and to avoid explosions in the event of a crash landing. In rural areas the resulting crater might well have attracted sight seekers. The canny farmer wished to cash in on this interest. Even so, a filled in crater is not likely to attract any customers.
1940: Every Night Something Awful
Importance was attached to providing entertainment for the troops. Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) was an organisation set up for this purpose. The supply did not always match the demand as this cartoon illustrates. The soldiers found their own explanation of the acronym ENSA. It was ‘Every night …’ as in the title of this posting.
1940: Shortage of metal
Top priority was attached to replacing Spitfires that had been shot down. We were all encouraged to hand in metal domestic items so that they could be melted down to make up this shortfall. Much later I learned that this was just a ruse to enable people to feel that that they had contributed to the war effort and that our utensils were quite unsuitable.
I didn’t know that MrMagoo I’m not sure why but it brought a lump to my throat I expect people needed to feel they could help in some way.
I’m sure that some items, iron railings for example, could have been of advantage, though. Not for aircraft, of course, but for other items such as tanks, bayonets and bullets.
We’re just a frying pan short on this one 
Brilliant cartoon
1940: Ignoring the danger
This type of cartoon appears quite often. It belongs to the category of ‘we’re not afraid.’ This view was not always justified.
1940: Invasion expected
After the fall of France it was expected that the Germans would be invading Britain. They certainly had detailed plans for how to do it. Anticipating airborne invasion was not unreasonable even if it went to extreme lengths. Brown’s employer does not have a lawn nearly big enough for an enemy aircraft to land. This cartoon shows a deliberate policy of finding humour in spite of the dire possibility of an actual invasion.
1940: There are limits
The boss hasn’t understood the purpose of camouflage, which is to prevent objects from standing out. A factory chimney is not going to become invisible just because Mr Billinghurst has painted it.
1942: Role reversal
A woman executive! How topsy-turvy. By rights (in 1942) she ought to be taking dictation not giving it. That certainly was the received wisdom at that time. If there really was a female executive she was expected to be middle aged with an appearance to match.
1941: Deference due to age
The man on the left sees a man considerably older than himself. The recipient of this respect sees an officer considerably senior to himself. Yet he feels able to scold the other man. Looking carefully at the older man’s uniform we can see why he can do so. We can see two rows of medal ribbons on his chest. No doubt during World War One he was a very senior officer well above the level of the man on the left.
I see the use of the word ‘sir’ as having two applications.
It can be used, or rather must be used, when addressing an officer.
On the other hand it can be used by anyone, of anyone, simply to show respect.
In my experience, it can occasionally be used for both purposes simultaneously!
