Industrial areas had been flattened and factories obliterated. Productivity was devastated. The national income was severely damaged. Overseas investments were as good as liquidated. The USA had to provide a huge loan. The country faced a time of tightened belts and massive problems. Rationing not only continued but got worse. The allowances for butter, fat and margarines were cut. Bread was rationed for the first time ever. The government even distributed the recipe for squirrel pie. Squirrels were not pleased. Life revolved around utility furniture, booklets of coupons and ‘points’. Football teams depended on donations of coupons for their football kits. Their footballers played on half empty stomachs on some days or depended on the generosity of the local butcher or grocer for extras. Many were obliged to work in the mines.

     Christmas in 1946 was a lean time but as a mere toddler what did I know of this? Cheese, meat, potatoes were all rationed. People hunted for the scrawniest bird. The butcher became the most popular man in Britain. Bob Lord had chosen his career well. It was just as hard getting pork or a rabbit. Thefts from poultry farms were common. There was a riot at Dartmoor prison when inmates grabbed the food trolleys and started fighting. The black market thrived. Christmas puddings were made with dried eggs and carrots and served with synthetic rum essence. Christmas trees; what were they - were small and expensive. Food parcels were gratefully received from abroad. Of course there were folks with good connections and in the right places, people who ate well. For the select few, life presented no hardships. 

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