Make Do and Mend Trivia Quiz

Answer: Keep Calm and Carry On

The poster is bright red with white lettering and a white crown. Though few of these were distributed compared to the other two, in 2000, one was found in a second-hand bookstore in Alnwick, Northumberland. It became very popular and, because the copyright had expired, many copies were reprinted.

Answer: Careless Talk Costs Lives

Many of these were created by Kenneth Bird, under the nom de plume Fougasse. Many of the posters show two regular folk chatting and a caption reading something like "Of course, don't tell", and one or more strangers listening in. Others made for this campaign included "Zipp it", "Seductive Siren", and Pop-Eye cartoons.

Answer: Mothers, Send Them out of London

In the end, many children were moved out of the cities and into safer country areas, though it was made plain that this was strictly voluntary. The evacuations were done several times. Most of the first evacuees from 1939 returned in 1940 because Britain had not (yet) been bombed.

However, during the summer and autumn of 1940 many of Britain's major cities were bombed. Some of the other posters had a picture dream of Hitler whispering "DON'T do it, Mother -- Leave the Children Where They Are".

There were several posters with a boy child and a soldier in front of destruction with the caption "Leave this to us Sonny - YOU ought to be out of London".

Answer: If You Waste Food, We're Screwed

There were slogans to conserve fuel such as "Is Your Journey Really Necessary?", "Walk Short Distances", or "Save Fuel for Battle". There were also slogans to remind people to salvage not only food, but clothing, paper, and metals.

Answer: Look out in the Blackout

Road accidents increased dramatically, and several messages were used to try to get folk to be more careful during blackout hours. Eventually low powered torches were allowed (if batteries could be found). The blackout was officially over for London with the illumination of Big Ben on April 30, 1945, after five years and one-hundred-twenty-three days.

Answer: Let 'em All Come

The Home Guard defended factories, ammunitions, waterways, air fields, etc. Many of these men were either too young or too old for the armed forces, but many held jobs considered vital to the country such as farm workers, teachers, railway workers. When they were disbanded in 1944 King George VI stated "History will say that your share in the greatest of all our struggles for freedom was a vitally important one."

Answer: Lend a Hand on the Land

Women were expected to adjust quickly to the environment and hard manual labor required. For these women who had been barmaids, waitresses, students, etc., a uniform was provided. They were not disbanded until 1950 and the Queen addressed them with "I have always admired their courage in responding so readily to a call which they knew must bring them ... hardship and sometimes loneliness. Now the time has come to say goodbye, because the job has been done, but the sadness which many feel should be outweighed by pride in the achievement."

Answer: Hitler Will Send No Warning

At first, these were carried everywhere by many, but as the fear of gas attack subsided many left them at home. There were Mickey Mouse masks for children. For the dog of the family there was not only a mask, but a gas-proof kennel. An Air-Raid Precautions (ARP) broadcast provided this advice for the cats "Don't worry about your cats. They can look after themselves. Your cat will probably meet you when you get into the shelter!"

Answer: Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases

The rest of the slogan urges folk to "trap the germs in your handkerchief - Help to Keep the Nation Fighting Fit". Part of the propaganda was to insist that not using a handkerchief was a "rude and disgusting habit". Celebrities and film stars were also used to make the point including a film documentary named "The Nose Has It!"

Answer: Dig for Victory

Formal gardens, parks, and lawns were dug to plant vegetables such as potatoes, cabbages, carrots and beans. Estimates say that allotments grew from 815,000 in 1939 to 1,400,000 by 1943.