Mother and Child

1940
Sound
10m

While Jack Crawford is serving at sea his pregnant wife Alice has access to all the care she needs at the local North London welfare centre.

North London, 1940 - enter a world of floral-patterned housecoats, mangles, old GLC gas cookers and no-nonsense midwives. The experience of the expanding Crawford family illustrates the increased importance of family welfare centres during WWII. Look out for the visitor carrying a bag bearing the words 'Tottenham Welfare Centre' - perhaps a clue to the film's location.

Story of the maternity and child welfare services showing their increased
importance in war-time conditions.

Life Under Fire

The horror of Luftwaffe bombs coloured daily life in Britain's cities and beyond, and war brought myriad daily hardships besides. But Britain could take it!

The Blitz receded after May 1941, but even after the Battle of Britain, the nation faced a barrage of incendiary bombs, V-1s and V-2s. While young men fought Axis powers across three continents, their families listened anxiously to the wireless, while many worried too about children far from home. But in the face of the destruction, sirens, blackouts and hours in shelters, the now-legendary 'Blitz spirit' kept despair at bay. Britain held her nerve thanks to mutual support, defiance and wit - plus a good grumble and as many cups of tea as rationing allowed.