Men who were too old to go to war were required to turn out and do fire duty or do black out patrol. As soon as the war had been declared the siren sounded and silver barrage balloons hovered over the sky. Children were sent out to the country but as there were no bombs going off there parents call them back to live in the towns. As the war began to go on then parents would send there children back into the country. Pets were boarded out in the country as well for 15 shilling a week. But if you could not pay they were then put out onto the street. Or they were put in a heap outside the Vets.

When the blackout came people had accidents like walking off the pavements knocking into lampposts urn just stepping into the road. Into the path of a car. Buses had to have there headlights blotted out.  So pedestrians were advised to wear a white carnation or leave there blouse ends out. The men had to leave there shirt tails hanging out. You also had to have your gas masks every where you went.

In 1938 38 million gas masks had been distributed. But by spring of 1940 no one bothered anymore. As the dangers of this war were to come in different guises. From the days when blackout came in white stripes were painted down the centre of the roads .on the kerbs steps. And lamp posts. Torches were only allowed if they were pointed at the ground and covered with two layers of tissue paper.

At the start of the war motorists were allowed the basic petrol ration. Which was enough for about 120 miles a month? This was withdrawn altogether in 1942. As then the petrol coupons were essential travel. There was a brisk trade in the black market for petrol coupons.