Children’s Voices of the Second World War: Doodlebugs, Gas Masks & Gum

Throughout the six years of conflict which began on 3 September 1939, military manoeuvres, bombs and calls for dedication to the war effort became the normality for children. For them this was a time of great excitement. Imagine the thrill of soldiers and tanks in the streets, Anderson shelters built in back gardens and barbed wire sprouting on beaches, the Battle of Britain and those spectacular dogfights, the Blitz and masses of shrapnel to collect, searchlights lighting up the night sky, the arrival of American servicemen and their inexhaustible supplies of chewing gum!

From Dunkirk to D-Day, through Doodlebugs to Victory, there was hardly a dull moment and remarkably little fear for children as they learned, collected and played under these bizarre circumstances.