Rationing

Whilst petrol was rationed almost from the beginning of WW2 on the 22nd of September 1939 with various amounts being allocated according to the size of the car, it was rapidly expanded to include foodstuffs in order to preserve food supply, many items were rationed and every individual had a 'ration' allocated stating what they were allowed to purchase and how much.

Dates items were rationed

29 Sep 1939	National Register was set up and Identity cards issued
8 Jan 1940	Rationing of the following foods began; Bacon, Butter, Ham & Sugar
Mar 1940	Meat was added to the ration list
July 1940	Cheese, cooking fats, margarine and tea were rationed
Mar 1941	Jam, Marmalade, Syrup and Treacle
Jun 1940	The distribution of eggs was controlled
21 Jun 1941	Clothes Rationing commenced
Aug 1941	An extra cheese ration for manual workers
Nov 1941	Milk distribution was controlled
Dec 1941	A points system for food was started and National dried milk introduced
Jan 1942	Dried fruit and rice added to points system
Feb 1942	Canned peas and tomatos
Apr 1942	Breakfast cereals and condensed milk added to points system
Jun 1942	Dried egg powder from America put on sale
Jul 1942	Sweets became rationed
Aug 1942	Biscuits added onto points system
Dec 1942	Oat flakes added to points system
Dec 1944	An extra tea allowance for people older than 70 years old
Jan 1945	Whalemeat and snœk available for sale
Jul 1946	Bread Rationed

Typical Ration in 1942

Bacon & Ham	4 oz
Other meat	value of 1 shilling and 2 pence (equivalent to 2 chops)
Butter	2 oz
Cheese	2 oz
Margarine	4 oz
Cooking fat	4 oz
Milk	3 pints
Sugar	8 oz
Preserves	1 lb every 2 months
Tea	2 oz
Eggs	1 fresh egg (plus allowance of dried egg)
Sweets	12 oz every 4 weeks