Content of WW2 Loan Box 1

WWII BABIES GAS CHAMBER, SOMETIMES CALLED A GAS HOOD

Families with babies and young toddlers were supplied with this type of mask to protect them during gas attacks. Gas was used during the First World War and many soldiers had died or been injured in gas attacks so, at the start of the Second World War, the government took precautions and issued millions of gas masks to the population. They were never used.

"A" "1"

WWII 'MICKEY MOUSE' CHILD'S GAS MASK

This type of mask was issued to small children during the Second World War, it was designed by an American to resemble a cartoon character. When they were at school children had to take regular gas drills.

"E" "5"

WWII ADULTS GAS MASK

By September 1939, 38 million gas masks had been issued to every household in the country, they were never needed.
The adult gas masks were issued in cardboard boxes, a string was attached to the box to enable it to be worn across the shoulder. The owner would usually write their name and address inside the box, and to make them more recognizable people would make a different type of cover, this one is made of canvas.

"C" "3"

WWII MICKEY MOUSE GAS MASK ON TODDLERS HEAD

This is how the mask would look on a toddlers head

"B" "2"

WWII MICKEY MOUSE GAS MASK ON TODDLER

This looks really uncomfortable, thank goodness gas masks never needed to be worn by children or adults

"D" "4"