Page 10 - RVM-HB-KTHFB
P. 10
Keep The Home Fires Burning
After the declaration of war there had been panic buying across the county. Walter Morris
manger of the local COOP Association, warned hoarders they were being selfish. He wrote
‘that there is no justification for the extraordinary demand for food stuffs which has been
experienced”. He pointed out that the German ports were closed and ‘our fleet is in
command of the seas. Of course we know with hindsight the U-boat threat to shipping and
supplies in 1917.
In august 1914 the Defence of the Realm Act was introduced, at first just two paragraphs
addressing military questions. Soon DORA was pages long and over the next five years
amended six times, the act needed a manual that was to be published every quarter to
included changes and new additions. Some of the regulations were aimed at areas where
there was war production like Redditch, May 1915 British summer time clocks were put
forward an hour, lighter nights for factories and agriculture, Licensing laws included Liquor
control of area throughout the British isles in the Midland Schedule Redditch was include,
club and pub opening hours were reduced; weekday opening was 11.30 AM to 2, 00 PM,
and 6 Am to 8pm, Sunday 6pm to 8pm. Lighting order, March 1916, public and private
night time blackout, to ensure no lights showed.
Page: 10 Source: Sue Tatlow
After the declaration of war there had been panic buying across the county. Walter Morris
manger of the local COOP Association, warned hoarders they were being selfish. He wrote
‘that there is no justification for the extraordinary demand for food stuffs which has been
experienced”. He pointed out that the German ports were closed and ‘our fleet is in
command of the seas. Of course we know with hindsight the U-boat threat to shipping and
supplies in 1917.
In august 1914 the Defence of the Realm Act was introduced, at first just two paragraphs
addressing military questions. Soon DORA was pages long and over the next five years
amended six times, the act needed a manual that was to be published every quarter to
included changes and new additions. Some of the regulations were aimed at areas where
there was war production like Redditch, May 1915 British summer time clocks were put
forward an hour, lighter nights for factories and agriculture, Licensing laws included Liquor
control of area throughout the British isles in the Midland Schedule Redditch was include,
club and pub opening hours were reduced; weekday opening was 11.30 AM to 2, 00 PM,
and 6 Am to 8pm, Sunday 6pm to 8pm. Lighting order, March 1916, public and private
night time blackout, to ensure no lights showed.
Page: 10 Source: Sue Tatlow
