1940s
Nostalgia

Life and Culture in the 1940s

Step back in time and swing into the evocative world of the 1940s!

Dive into the era of big band music and bold fashion choices. Explore the triumphs and struggles of World War II and discover the cultural shifts that shaped a generation.

Whether you’re a lifelong enthusiast or simply curious about this fascinating period, we have something for you. Peruse our collection of articles, delve into captivating stories and rediscover the spirit of the 1940s!

Latest Articles

A Matter of Life and Death Film

1940s Film Review – A Matter of Life & Death

A British fantasy film set during World War Two, A Matter of Life and Death begins like many other war films of ...
Grave of William Martin People

The man who never was – Operation Mincemeat

On a warm spring morning in April 1943, a sardine fisherman spotted the corpse of a British soldier floating in the sea ...
Anenurin Bevan at NHS hospital in 1948 1940s LIfe

The Birth of the NHS (1948)

The NHS: A Look Back at Britain’s Historic Healthcare System (1948-Present) On July 5th, 1948, the National Health Service (NHS) opened its ...
1940s LIfe

Toys of the 1940s

In the late 1930s, the shadow of war loomed large, and this shift was reflected in 1940s toys. Military themes dominated boys’ ...
Laci Fay - The Vintage Girl Next Door Fashion

1940s Makeup – Beetroot Juice for Blusher!

In the 1930’s and 40’s makeup goes from being seen as tawdry, perhaps something only worn by women of ‘dubious’ nature, to ...
Aircraft

Early WW2 Light Fighter – Bomber – The Bristol Blenheim

The Bristol Blenheim was originally intended as a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company which was ...
Lancaster Bomber Aircraft

Avro Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster was a British Second World War heavy bomber, designed and manufactured by the Avro aviation company, as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax. Both bombers were ...
Louis Reard with Bikini Models 1940s LIfe

The 1940s: A Decade of Groundbreaking Inventions

10 Key Inventions of the 1940s The 1940s were a decade defined not just by the immense challenges of World War II, ...
Wing Commander Arthur Gill People

Wing Commander Arthur Gill – British Dive Bomber Ace

From Instructor to Bomber Ace: The Rise of Arthur Gill, RAF Dive Bomber Pilot While British RAF personnel are more renowned for ...
Dunkirk 26-29 May 1940 WWII

The Dunkirk Evacuation – Devine Deliverance?

Operation Dynamo was the code name given to the evacuation from Dunkirk, which involved the rescue of more than 338,000 British and ...
Wallaston's Mum's Army WWII

The Unsung Heroines of WWII: The Women’s Home Guard

Britain’s Unsung Heroes: The Women of the Home Guard The Second World War saw a surge of patriotism in Britain, with citizens ...
Heinkel HE III Aircraft

Heinkel HE III – Germany’s stalwart medium bomber

After its defeat in World War I, Germany was banned from operating an air force by the Treaty of Versailles. Following Hitler’s ...
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