HomeWorkshop of the War Made in Birmingham Great Inventions for Everyday Life Fascinating Objects
Our Collection
Teachers
Contact Us
 Lucky Dip
 
BACK		 
The impact of the war
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 8
show info
Gas Mask for a baby

Gas Mask for a baby | © Thinktank Trust | Come and see it in the City Stories gallery at Thinktank

The government had prepared for the war. Air-raid shelters were built and extra fire fighters were employed. Plans were made to evacuate city children to the safer countryside. Everybody was given gas masks in case poison gas bombs were used.
For a baby you needed a gas mask like this. Your baby would be encased completely. You supplied the air for your child to breathe using a separate hand pump. Birmingham was the second most bombed city in Britain after London. 2,241 people were killed in air raids and 12,000 homes were damaged.



Were gas masks needed during World War Two?		A family wearing their gas masks, Birmingham, c.1940
Many of the 1960s buildings have been demolished to build the new Bullring. The famous Rotunda remains.


How was Birmingham changed by the war?

Bert Sheldon, who went to Acocks Green Junior School, recalls the death of his best friend in an air raid.
Listen to Bert Sheldon recalling the death of his best friend in an air raid.

Listen to Doris Baker remember collecting gas masks.
Listen to Doris Baker remember collecting gas masks.
©Thinktank Trust 2006 | Contact Us | Copyright & Disclaimer | Links