Railway Posters Mark Etheridge, 4 November 2013 Railway posters displayed at Machynlleth Station, circa. 1930s Railway Posters displayed at Machynlleth Station, circa. 1930s Railway posters are colourful works of art that epitomise the era in which they were produced. Amgueddfa Cymru’s collection comprises about 60 examples, and these provide a good representation of the types of posters produced and displayed all over Wales. Railway posters were a familiar feature when travelling on the railway, being displayed in stations, ticket offices and on platforms hoardings. They were used to entice the public to board the railway and escape from their daily routine. Generally they presented idealised images of popular holiday resorts, such as Tenby and Aberystwyth; historic towns, such as Caernarfon; and the countryside and coastline of north Wales, Pembrokeshire and Gower. These had all been made accessible by the lines on which the railway companies operated. It is often claimed that the railway invented the ‘package holiday’. During the early years of the railways most advertising was in the form of simple printed leaflets and handbills. However these gradually became more elaborate, and with improvements in colour lithography in the later part of the 19th century there was a revolution in poster printing, as the colour poster became cheaper to produce. Although railway posters have been in popular use since the late nineteenth century, it is generally regarded that their heyday was between 1923 (when four large companies, the Great Western Railway, Southern Railway, London, Midland & Scottish, and London & North Eastern Railway were formed) and 1947, when the railways were nationalised. However, Amgueddfa Cymru has many examples of British Railway posters produced in the 1950s and 60s which are equally eye catching and interesting, and often much more bright and cheerful. The jolly fisherman Some posters combined both images and slogans. One of the most famous is John Hassall’s image of a ‘jolly fisherman’ skipping along the beach, and the slogan “Skegness is SO Bracing”. The ‘jolly fisherman’ became the mascot of Skegness and is believed to have contributed to the success of this resort as a holiday destination. A G.W.R. poster by John Hassall in our collection, dating from c.1925, advertises Milford Haven, and depicts a fisherman and a boy holding fish with the slogan “Milford Haven – where fish comes from.” The Museums collection comprises about 60 examples, and these provide a good representation of the types of posters produced and displayed all over Wales. Examples range in date from about 1914 into the 1960s, with the 1950s and 60s very well represented. Each railway company developed their own distinct style, and they all used some of the finest poster artists of the day. Our collection includes excellent examples by Norman Wilkinson, Charles Pears & John Hassall. Museum collections A selection of these posters can now be viewed on our Images of Industry collections database. Further Reading Happy as a Sand-Boy Early Railway Posters by Beverly Cole & Richard Durack (1990) Railway Posters 1923-1947 by Beverly Cole & Richard Durack (1992).
Wales – a modern maritime nation? David Jenkins, 26 September 2013 A Welsh tramp steamer loading Welsh coal at a Welsh port - The Cardiff-owned Radnor at Barry Docks in 1925
A portrait of Teddy Evans of the Antarctic, Evans of the Broke (1880-1957) 14 June 2013 Petty Officers William Lashly (left) and Tom Crean on board the Terra Nova on her return to Cardiff, 14 June 1913 Evans of the Broke (1880-1957) Teddy Evans was second-in-command of Captain Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition from 1910 to 1913 and, following Scott's demise, in command of the Terra Nova's journey back into the Roath Dock in Cardiff on 14 June 1913. In 1937, when this picture was painted, Admiral Sir Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans (Teddy Evans) was 57 years old and Commander-in-Chief of The Nore, an operational command position of the Royal Navy based at Chatham in Kent. He had had a distinguished naval career, most notably during the First World War when, in command of HMS Broke, he famously rammed a German destroyer in a battle off Dover in 1917. But he was also well-known to the public as second-in-command of Captain Scott's last Antarctic expedition from 1910 to 1913. This painting is one of a series of twenty portraits of eminent Welsh men and women commissioned by Sir Leonard Twiston Davies in 1937 for the National Museum from the artist Sydney Morse-Brown (1903-2001), Principal of Carmarthen School of Art and Inspector of Art in Schools in Wales. The other sitters were selected from a diverse range of fields; they included the playwright and actor Emlyn Williams (1905-1987), former Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Thomas Jones (1870-1955), David Davies, 1st Lord Davies of Llandinam (1880-1944), architect Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978), novelists Richard Hughes (1900-1976), Charles Morgan (1894-1958) and Hilda Vaughan (1892-1985) and the World Flyweight Boxing Champion Jimmy Wilde (1892-1969). Although claiming a Welsh ancestry, Evans' Welsh roots are obscure; he was born on 28 October 1880 in Marylebone in London; his father, Frank, was born in Oldham in Lancashire where his father, Henry Edwin Evans, was a provision merchant. After an unruly childhood, Evans joined the Royal Navy in 1896. In 1902, as a Lieutenant, Evans served as second officer on the Morning, one of two ships sent by the Royal Geographical Society to help free Scott's first expedition ship, Discovery, from the ice of McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. In 1909, Evans played on his tenuous Welsh links to seek support in Cardiff for a Welsh National Antarctic Expedition. But within a few months of floating his idea, he was told about Captain Scott's plans to return to Antarctica and was invited to join Scott as second in command. With him, he brought so much Cardiff and Welsh sponsorship that Scott named Cardiff the home port of the expedition ship, the Terra Nova. On Scott's second (and last) expedition, with William Lashly and Tom Crean, Evans was in a supporting sledging party which accompanied Scott to within 150 miles of the South Pole before turning back on 4 January 1912, leaving Scott, Lawrence Oates, Edward Wilson, Henry Bowers and Edgar Evans to continue on to the Pole. Teddy Evans, Lashly and Crean were the last to see Scott's Polar Party alive. Evans himself came close to death on his return journey to the expedition base hut. Suffering from scurvy, Evans had to be dragged on the sledge by Lashly and Crean. On 18 February 1912, leaving Lashly with the severely ill Evans, Crean pushed on, alone, for the final 35 miles to get help. Crean and Lashly were later awarded the Albert Medal for saving Evans. After a period of recovery in England, Evans returned to Antarctica in charge of the Terra Nova to collect the expedition members and the Polar Party. On arriving at the base hut, with the ship decorated for celebration of a successful attempt on the Pole, he received the news that Scott and his companions had perished on their return journey. Now in command of the expedition, Evans brought the Terra Nova back into the Roath Dock in Cardiff on 14 June 1913. Evans' career culminated in a peerage in 1945, as first Baron Mountevans. He died in Norway on 20 August 1957.
Senghenydd Disaster: Mine inspector's notebook 17 May 2013 A young mother and baby wait for news The final death toll from the Senghenydd mine disaster on 14 October 1913 was 439 men. Some of the bodies were never recovered. It was the worst mining disaster in the history of the British coalfields. Below you can view pages from the notebooks made by the Inspector of Mines immediately following the explosion as he walked around the devistated workings. Senghenydd Mine Disaster: Inspector of Mines notebooks Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 3/4] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2] Notes made by the Inspector of Mines as he travelled around the devastated underground workings following the Senghenydd mine explosion on 14th October 1913 that killed 439 men. Courtesy of the National Coal Mining Museum for England [Notebook 1/2]
The ration years of the Second World War 30 July 2012 Dig for Victory, by Mary Tunbridge. Marguerite Patten Marguerite Patten OBE has been teaching Britain how to cook since the 1930s. During the Second World War, as a leading Home Economist for the Ministry of Food’s Food Advice Division, Marguerite and her colleagues worked tirelessly to make people aware of the importance of keeping their families well fed on the rations available. The diet, imposed by necessity, was low in fats and sugars and high in fibre and vegetables with Potato Pete and Lord Carrot leading the way in this surprisingly healthy new lifestyle. The Food Advice Division travelled all over Britain and set up demonstrations in markets, shops, factories, canteens and welfare clinics to buoy the nation into getting through the war on the Home Front with the same spirit as the Forces in action. A contributor to the Kitchen Front, broadcast daily by the BBC, Marguerite was able to pass on her favourite recipes to the nation, and these recipes more often or not contained potatoes. When war broke out in 1939, farmers were told to increase potato production by ploughing up grasslands and the quantity of potatoes produced increased significantly as the war continued. As a result of this careful planning and planting, rationing potatoes was not necessary during the war. Potato Pete Potato Pete and friends. Marguerite and her colleagues at the Ministry of Food Advice Bureau urged the nation to eat potatoes twice a day. Not only are the humble spuds a fantastic source of energy in the form of carbohydrate, but they are also rich in Vitamin C. To encourage consumption, a cartoon character called Potato Pete was invented with his very own song, cookbook and leaflets. Cake and pastry mixes could be bulked out with potatoes to save fat. Marguerite recalls ‘Home-grown vegetables were a very important part of our diet. We were encouraged to eat plenty of potatoes in place of bread, which used imported wheat, and for the valuable vitamins they contain. Carrots, parsnips and swedes were also used in a variety of recipes and green vegetables were very important and great emphasis was placed on cooking them correctly’. Cooks were advised to always scrub potatoes, not peel them, as up to a quarter of the potato and essential vitamins could be lost in this way. Scalloped potatoes, champ, potato fingers and potato Jane were all popular war time recipes, promoted widely by the Ministry of Food’s Advice Bureau. Although the food was monotonous with meagre rations of meat, eggs and butter (and the total absence of many foods that we know take for granted), the health of the nation was surprisingly good despite the physical and emotional stresses that so many endured. Infant mortality declined and the average age of death by natural causes increased. For many poorer members of the community, this enforced rationing introduced more protein and vitamins to their daily diet, whilst for others a significant reduction in the consumption of meat, fats and sugar was a major benefit to their health. Dig for Victory Home gardeners added to potato production in a response to the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign. However, the Ministry of Agriculture urged home growers not to grow too many potatoes at the expense of other vegetables, and to stick to the official cropping plan. Varieties such as Arran Pilot, Duke of York and King Edward were recommended and are still as popular today. Austerity gardening, as it became known, is demonstrated to perfection at St Fagans National Museum of History’s B2 prefab garden with vegetables, fruits and herbs all grown using the techniques and cropping plans recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture during the 1940s.
