Human Interest

'In her book, Living on the Home Front, Megan Westley reveals how those at home had to Keep Calm and Carry On – rationing their food and clothing, measuring out their bath water, and rethinking their leisure time. Here, writing for History Extra, Megan shares 10 tips for surviving on the home front ...'

'For some of us it was just a great adventure - something we had to do because all the grownups said we had to do it. We weren't all frightened or fearful -- in fact for many of us it was a bit of a holiday. But for some it was a traumatic and horrible experience, especially when being lined up in a strange school hall and 'chosen' like you were a piece of second-hand baggage.'

'The sacrifice of soldiers killed during World Wars One and Two is well-documented. But the efforts of munitions workers stained yellow by toxic chemicals is a story much less told. A campaign now hopes to honour the so-called Canary Girls, who risked life and limb to supply ammunition to the frontline.'