Britain's wartime rations

Category

Library Item

Item no

32767

Title

A cornucopia as compared with Germany: Our liberal rations

Description

From the Illustrated London News published 1918 June 29th, page 753. Drawing by W.B. Robinson. Additional title: War and plenty: A diagram showing the ample weekly rations for various classes of the population.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1918

Size

39.6 x 26.7cm

Type

Press cutting; Reproduction

Location

Reference Library

Food shortage is an inevitability of war; as men leave farm work for fighting, the food supply suffers. However, in contrast to Germany and Austria, France and Britain's food supply remained mostly unregulated during the first several years of war. While mandatory rationing had long been in effect in enemy nations, in Britain voluntary rationing was proposed in early 1917, while mandatory rationing was not implemented until 1918.

Foods in shortest supply, and the first to be rationed, were bread, meat and sugar. Unobtainable foods for Germans and Austrians, like coffee, tea, and cocoa were not rationed in Britain, and the rationed portions of bread and meat for British civilians exceeded the allowances given by the enemy to its citizens.

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Events > Wars > Rationing

Events > Wars > War shortages

Events > Wars > Wars

Events > Wars > World wars

Sport and leisure > Activities > Eating and drinking