Name/TitleLeaflet

About this objectThis leaflet was issued as part of the 'Dig for Victory' campaign in the second world war, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. This is Dig for Victory leaflet No. 19 (new series). Inside are 10 more pictures of a gardener going through the different stages of growing seeds. On the back are details of another leaflet in the series. The pictures are sepia colour in this leaflet.

Stewart Murphy, Research volunteer:
These leaflets are from the Dig for Victory campaign, a propaganda campaign which was designed to increase the availability of food while also keeping civilian morale high. They contain instructions and advice to help members of the public adopt animal husbandry and farming, to supplement rationed foodstuffs.

This collection of leaflets was discovered in a tin in the donor’s father's shed, but probably belonged to the donor’s grandfather. The owner of the leaflets grew vegetables during the war and probably also had an allotment. The general wear and tear on these leaflets indicates that they were handled with some frequency. Marks have been made in pencil along the side of an allotment plan, perhaps indicating which vegetables he had decided to grow that year.

Large amounts of land were turned over to cultivation, but growing vegetables at home could be difficult. Mistakes could lead to crop failure, as could inclement weather. He, like many others, may have used these leaflets as reference material throughout the war and in later life. These particular leaflets were used in Ipswich, but the campaign had both a national and a global reach. It is likely there were also sentimental reasons to keep them, as mementos of the war.

MakerThe Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Maker RoleIssued by

PeriodSecond World War

Medium and MaterialsPaper and ink

Inscription and MarksTitle: HOW
TO
GROW
SEEDS
At bottom of leaflet DIG FOR VICTORY LEAFLET NUMBER 19 NEW SERIES

MeasurementsLength: 114 mm
Breadth: 70 mm

Object Typeleaflet

Object numberSTMEA:1991-21.8

Copyright LicenceAttribution - Non-commercial (cc)