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 preparing for war. On 3 June, the Military Training Act became law, requiring men aged 20–21 to serve in the military for four years. As the situation in Europe grew worse, Parliament passed the Emergency Powers Act on 24 August, giving the government special powers.

When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September, Britain began evacuating children and mothers from cities like London to safer places. The "Blackout" started, and the British Army was mobilized. On 3 September, Britain declared war on Germany after an ultimatum to Hitler expired.

Petrol rationing began in September, and the first war tax was announced in late September. Schools in London reopened in November as some children returned from evacuation.

1940

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

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

Bombings began in July with the Battle of Britain. Many cities including London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Coventry, Sheffield, Bristol, and Manchester faced heavy bombing. Despite the dangers, people showed great courage and resourcefulness.

1941

In 1941, important events took place on the home front in the United Kingdom. On 21 January, the newspaper Daily Worker was banned because it had gone against rules about supporting the war. The ban was lifted later when the Communists began supporting the war after Germany invaded Russia.

Major air raids damaged many buildings in Clydebank on 13 and 14 March. On 10 May, London faced its last big attack during the Blitz. Civilian clothing became rationed for the first time on 1 June, meaning people could only buy a certain amount of clothing.

On 18 December, a new law was passed requiring many men and some women to join national service, including the military. This meant that 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, landing in Belfast to help protect Northern Ireland and allow British soldiers to fight elsewhere.

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 delay creating a Social Security Ministry until after the war, even though they agreed with the plan in principle.

Later that month, the Labour Party refused to allow the Communist Party to join, saying their ideas did not match the Labour Party's goals.

In April, a plan by John Maynard Keynes was released to help stabilize money after the war. That same month, the government presented a budget of £5.8 billion, with most of it coming from taxes.

In July, Ernest Bevin announced that women aged 19 to 50 would be needed to work in factories, and men could choose to work in coal mines instead of joining the military.

In September, the Ministry of Health reported that more babies were born in 1942 than in 1941, and fewer people died. Infant deaths were at the lowest rate ever recorded in Britain.

In December, the first group of men were chosen to work in coal mines instead of joining the army. These workers became known as "Bevin Boys". Also, some villages in Devon, Wiltshire, and Dorset were evacuated to make space for training for the D-Day landings. The people of two villages, Imber and Tyneham, were never allowed to return home.

1944

In January 1944, German planes began night bombings called the "Baby Blitz" on southern England, lasting until May. On March 10, a new law changed how schools in Britain worked.

In June, a new type of weapon attacked London for the first time. Later in the 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 known as 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 using flying bombs and rockets 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.