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Dig for Victory
Keeping the nation fed and healthy was the greatest priority of the Home Front. Women replaced absent farm workers, while ordinary Britons were exhorted to 'grow their own'.
'Dig for Victory' was perhaps most successful official campaign of the Home Front, with Britons in their millions picking up their trowels and learning the art of the compost heap. Acre after acre of parkland, waste ground - even back gardens - became makeshift vegetable plots. Just as the factories were constantly increasing their productivity, great efforts were made to increase agricultural yields, while the 'land girls' of the Women's Land Army enthusiastically took the place of farmworkers fighting overseas.
Start a Land Club Start a Land Club
Government sponsored film 1942 8 mins
The wartime potato shortage is addressed in this marvellous film from 1942 - exhorting workers and school children to lend a hand on local farms by joining Land Clubs.
Wartime harvesting Wartime harvesting
Amateur film 1944 5 mins Silent Location: Otford
World War II's Food Front is seen here in the fields of Kent as farmers labour to get the harvest in on time. By way of entertainment, a barrage balloon sinks majestically to earth.
Heronsdale Manor Harvest Heronsdale Manor Harvest
Amateur film 1942 3 mins Silent Location: Waldron
The war seems far away in this pastoral film but suddenly there's a reminder when a flight of Hurricanes pass overhead. Then it's back to the work of feeding the nation.
Oliver's Orchard Farm Oliver's Orchard Farm
Amateur film 1944 2 mins Silent Location: Colchester
Women workers were in the majority at Oliver's Orchard during the war but a couple of young men here were some unexpected guests as two German prisoners-of-war joined the force.
Devonian Farm Life in Wartime Heanton Devonian Farm Life in Wartime Heanton
Amateur film 1940 12 mins Silent Location: Heanton Punchardon
Wartime Farmers aim for self-sufficiency in North Devon's Heanton
Cotswold Club Cotswold Club
Documentary 1944 11 mins Location: Somerton
How Somerton, Oxfordshire benefits from membership of the Village Produce Association during WWII.
Salute to Farmers Salute to Farmers
Documentary 1941 14 mins
With feeding the nation a wartime priority, agricultural workers are heralded as soldiers of the plough.
Beck Collection 2 Beck Collection 2
Home movie 1942 2 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Even at the height of the Second World War, children – not evacuated from bomb hit Sheffield – still enjoy a ride on a carousel and lend a helping hand on the wartime allotment.
A Year on a Mechanised Farm in Norfolk A Year on a Mechanised Farm in Norfolk
Amateur film 1940 43 mins Silent Location: Sedgeford
Ploughing and sowing, baling and hoeing. Norfolk farmers produce food for a nation at war, aided by the latest farm machinery, but not altogether replacing the horse or labourer.
Civilian Front Civilian Front
War 1940 10 mins
It's all action on the home front with civilians on high alert to support the war effort.
Brighton's Warship Week and Tank Week Brighton's Warship Week and Tank Week
Amateur film 1941 16 mins Silent Location: Brighton
A fascinating compendium of films from wartime Brighton featuring parades, fire engines, tanks, trolleybuses, Land Girls, pigs and visiting Cabinet Ministers.
Greenford and Northolt Dig for Victory Campaign Greenford and Northolt Dig for Victory Campaign
1942 4 mins
An Ealing councillor fervently implores local cinemagoers to Dig for Victory!
Bampton Shows the Way Bampton Shows the Way
Government sponsored film 1941 18 mins Location: Bampton
Patriotic tale of a Devon village winning the war with carrot Christmas cake and granny's favourite recipe.
The New Crop The New Crop
Documentary 1944 19 mins
Wartime woodland management: we can do it! Women add their labour to the work of axe and saw.
Compost Heap Compost Heap
Government sponsored film 1942 2 mins
A talking cabbage plant will win you over in this Second World War cartoon trailer, which has a surprising charm.
Storing Vegetables Outdoors Storing Vegetables Outdoors
Government sponsored film 1941 9 mins
Building a larder using soil and straw: this age-old method was a boon to home-front gardeners
VE/VJ Don't Waste Bread VE/VJ Don't Waste Bread
Government sponsored film 1945 0 mins
Crumbs! Victory celebrations give way to postwar austerity as shortages leave countries short of dough in more ways than one
Wartime Food Boredom Wartime Food Boredom
Public Information Filler 1946 0 mins
The Ministry of Information plays the guilt card to keep the home front from grumbling at mealtimes
The Backyard Front The Backyard Front
Public Information Filler 1940 16 mins
Ever wondered how to make a compost heap? If so, you'd do well to ignore the advice of this comedy duo