NextBack“Each person was allowed 2 ounces (about 60g) butter at I/2d (about 6p) per lb, 4 oz (about 120g) margarine at 8d (about 3p) per Ib, half a pound of sugar (about 240g) at 4d (about 1.5p) per lb and 2 ounces of tea. We kept various brands of tea so there was a choice. The cheese ration varied from a quarter of a pound (about 120g) to 6 ounces (about 180g) It was usually about 10d (about 4p) per lb. Then you were allowed 2 eggs a week and that was all, nothing else.”
One lady had fifteen children and she didn't have an awful lot of money. When she was in bed with her latest baby she sent an order by one of her little girls. The Manager asked if somebody could deliver it and he said that if he paid my bus fare, could I take the groceries? I knocked on the door but there was no reply. The doorway open, then I heard her calling me to go upstairs. took the groceries up and there she was, sitting up in bed, doing her washing in a bucket at the side of the bed. She asked me if I could wring the washing out and hang it up. Those were the kinds of things you had to do in those days. When this lady came in with 17 books it was a mammoth task sorting out her groceries. Two of us would be serving customers and the other Sales Girl used to say to me, "If you see to her I'll do all the other orders”.
