Timeline of the United Kingdom home front during World War II

This is a timeline of what life was like in the United Kingdom during World War II from 1939 to 1945. It shows how people lived, worked, and helped the war effort at home.

For a full story of what happened, see British home front during World War II, as well as history of Scotland § Second World War 1939–45 and history of Northern Ireland § Second World War. To learn about the fighting and leaders, see military history of the United Kingdom during World War II, diplomatic history of World War II, and Timeline of Winston Churchill's first premiership.

1939

In 1939, the United Kingdom started getting ready for war. On 3 June, a law was passed making men aged 20–21 join the military for four years. As things got worse in Europe, the government got special powers on 24 August.

When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September, Britain started moving children and mothers from cities like London to safer places. The "Blackout" began, and the British Army got ready for war. On 3 September, Britain declared war on Germany.

Petrol could only be used with special permits, and taxes went up in September. Schools in London opened again in November as some children came back from safer places.

1940

In January 1940, about one-third of school children in London came back from places they had gone to stay safe during the war. On January 8, the government started limiting how much food people could buy.

From May to June 1940, more children were moved away from London and other areas near the coast. Winston Churchill gave important speeches to help people feel hopeful. On May 10, Germany invaded France, and Churchill became the new Prime Minister. New rules were made to help control things during the war. Italy declared war on Britain in June, and many Italian men were arrested. Sadly, some people hurt Italian businesses and families. Thousands of people from the Channel Islands came to England to stay safe.

Bombings began in July with the Battle of Britain. Many cities including London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Coventry, Sheffield, Bristol, and Manchester were bombed heavily. Even with dangers, people stayed strong and found ways to help each other.

1941

In 1941, many important things happened at home in the United Kingdom. On 21 January, the newspaper Daily Worker was stopped because it did not follow the rules about the war. The ban was lifted later when the Communists started supporting the war after Germany invaded Russia.

Big air raids hurt many buildings in Clydebank on 13 and 14 March. On 10 May, London had its last large attack during the Blitz. On 1 June, civilian clothing was rationed for the first time. This meant people could only buy a certain amount of clothing.

On 18 December, a new law was made. It said many men and some women had to join national service, including the military. This meant people of certain ages had to help with the war effort in different ways.

1942

On 23 January 1942, the first US Army troops arrived in the UK to help protect Northern Ireland.

On 15 November 1942, church bells rang across the United Kingdom for the first time since May 1940 to celebrate a big win in the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Later that year, on 1 December 1942, an important report by Sir William Beveridge about improving social services was published.

1943

In February 1943, the government decided to wait until after the war to create a Social Security Ministry, even though they liked the idea.

Later that month, the Labour Party said no to the Communist Party joining, because their ideas were different.

In April, a plan by John Maynard Keynes was shared to help with money after the war. That same month, the government showed a budget of £5.8 billion, mostly from taxes.

In July, Ernest Bevin said women aged 19 to 50 would need to work in factories, and men could pick to work in coal mines instead of joining the military.

In September, the Ministry of Health said more babies were born in 1942 than in 1941, and fewer people died. Fewer baby deaths happened than ever before in Britain.

In December, the first group of men were picked to work in coal mines instead of joining the army. These workers were called "Bevin Boys". Also, some villages in Devon, Wiltshire, and Dorset had to move to make room for training for the D-Day landings. The people of two villages, Imber and Tyneham, could never go home again.

1944

In January 1944, German planes bombed southern England at night in attacks called the "Baby Blitz". These attacks lasted until May. On March 10, a new law changed how schools in Britain worked.

In June, a new weapon attacked London for the first time. Later that year, more children were moved from London to safer places. In September, London faced another new weapon, and lights were turned back on after being very dim. By December, a volunteer defense group called the Home Guard finished its service.

1945

In early 1945, part-time members of the National Fire Service were no longer needed. The last attacks on London happened in March. By May, the Civil Defence Service was also stood down. On May 8, VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe, and soon after, the Liberation of the German-occupied Channel Islands occurred. In June, a new law allowed mothers to receive money for each child they cared for. Voting for the general election happened in July, and the results showed a big win for the Labour Party. Clement Attlee became the new Prime Minister. Finally, on August 15, VJ Day celebrated the end of the war in the Pacific.