Britain's original 'Austerity' Christmas, 1947

Discussion in 'Postwar' started by dbf, Dec 26, 2010.

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  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    BBC News - Britain's original 'Austerity' Christmas

    Archive footage shows how British people experienced the run up to Christmas in 1947, one of the toughest of the post-War 'Austerity' years.

    Bread became rationed, joining other staple items like meat, butter and potatoes, and queues in shops were common.

    Sterling was also experiencing a currency crisis, resulting from the UK's post-War debt to America.

    It was a difficult year for Clement Attlee's Labour government, and in particular his Chancellor Stafford Cripps.

    Clips courtesy of British Pathe
     
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Funny enough my father was only talking about that the other day. He'd just returned home from India so it was quite a culture shock in every respect!
     
  3. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    It was a very cold winter. A former workmate told me there were no toilet seats left in the barracks - firewood!
     

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