The Dacorum Heritage Trust
 The history of Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley & Tring

Rationing

To ensure that everyone had an equal supply of basic essentials, a system of rationing was introduced. Ration books were distributed, which contained coupons to be exchanged for foodstuffs. The amount of each rationed food was expressed by weight; for example 4oz of butter.

Only meat was expressed in terms of money, which allowed a certain degree of flexibility, as a larger amount of a cheaper cut, or a smaller amount of a more expensive cut could be exchanged for a coupon. Government campaigns such as 'Dig for Victory' were introduced to ensure a supply of vegetables, which people could grow in their own gardens.

Food rationing continued long after the war, as the rationing book from 1953-1954 displays. Meat was the last product to be rationed and rationing finally ended in 1954.

DACHT : One of the last Ration Books to be issued, 1953 - 1954.

DACHT: 62.12.14. One of John Dickinson's fleet of lorries at Apsley Station shown with gas trailer to replace the normal petrol supply.

DACHT: 62.18a.1. The Government established British Restaurants, which provided a meal without the need to use ration coupons. This is the British Restaurant at the Village Hall, Rucklers Lane, Kings Langley.