Gas was 1d in a slot machine which was collected every three months and you also got a rebate back.
In 1939 Europe was about to go to war. Germany was armed to the teeth, France was about to capitulate but prices were LOW (so were wages).
1939 marked the beginning of a process which transformed this country. In 1945 we ended the war victorious but impoverished – never to return to the condition of former glory.
- Tea was 9d per quarter lb.
- Bacon was one shilling per lb.
- Corned beef was 2½ d per quarter lb.
- Small tin of tomatoes 2½ d per tin
- Tin of salmon 1 shilling and eleven pence per large tin
- Eggs – one shilling per dozen = 12 eggs
- Loaf of bread – 4½ d per loaf
- Tea cakes, 1d each
- Biscuits ½ lb of mixed biscuits for 9d
- Potatoes – 1 shilling and 4d per stone (14 lbs)
- Turnips were 1d or 2d each, according to size
- Sandwich cakes, 9d each
- Sugar 4½ d per pound
- Margarine 4½ d per pound
- 1 lb of stewing steak six pence
- You could get a joint of meat, 2 shillings
- 1 ton of best coal £1 and five shillings – 25/-d
- Gas was 1d in slot machine which was collected every three months and you also got a rebate back
- Also shoes you could get a pair for three shillings and sixpence.