A Time of War

Photographs taken in London in the days right before and after the declaration of World War Two, late August and early September 1939. 

By William Vandivert for LIFE, although they don't seem to have been published in it. 

William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

Headlines of the days leading up to the war's outbreak. Source

William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

Soldiers filling sand bags for air raid protection. Source

William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

Putting masks on a traffic light (so they can't be seen in a blackout). Source

Life in a London Hospital

A series of photographs capturing the experiences of workers and patients at a busy hospital in London, 1941.

From the Imperial War Museum.  

© IWM (D 2312)

Stretcher bearers carry a casualty into the hospital, while a 'tally man' (usually a student doctor) assigns a number. Source

© IWM (D 2322)

A view of the hospital reception ward, with a doctor in the foreground preparing to take a x-ray with a mobile machine. Source

© IWM (D 2317)

A doctor and nurse tend to a patient, while an almoner takes personal details. Source

After the Air Raid

Yesterday we looked at Londoners taking air raid shelter in the Underground; this is why. Colour photographs of a bombed London in the midst of the Blitz, 1940. 

William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

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Shelter Underground

During the heavy bombing of the London Blitz in 1940-41, air raid shelter was much in demand. One of the options for those without their own shelters were the tunnels of the London Underground; it wasn't ideal, but it was shelter. We've had a look at some of the posters providing details of this shelter; here are some of the photographs. All are from November 1940; most, if not all, by official government photographer Bill Brandt. 

© IWM (D 1570)

Shelterers at Elephant and Castle Station, along with a stationary train. Source

© IWM (D 1573)

People sleeping on either side of the tunnel at Liverpool Street Station. Source

© IWM (D 1577)

A woman watching her children sleep in the tunnel at Liverpool Street Station. Source

© IWM (D 1578)

Children sleeping in the tunnel at Liverpool Street Station. Source

© IWM (D 1678)

Shelterers sleeping in the tunnel from lifts to platform at [probably] Aldwych Station. Source

 © IWM (D 1680)

Shelterers reading the paper and getting comfortable in a tunnel, probably at Aldwych Station. Source

© IWM (D 1575)

Sleeping people in the tunnel at Liverpool Street Station. Source

© IWM (D 1581)

Men playing draughts [checkers] at Liverpool Street Station. Source

© IWM (D 1567)

Shelterers bedding on the stairs at Elephant and Castle Station. Source

© IWM (D 1582)

A family (including doll, centre!) sleeping in the tunnel at Liverpool Street station. Source

© IWM (D 1675)

The platform and tracks at Aldwych station. Source

© IWM (D 1571)

And, sometimes, the trains were running, too. Shelterers and passengers at Elephant and Castle station. Source

Nightlife in the London Blackout

We've seen how the streets of London's West End were abuzz even in a blackout; the bars, theatres, and night-clubs of the West End were no different. The war and threat of bombing hardly stopped people from having a good time, even if an air of poignacy hangs over the whole thing. 

 Photographed by David E. Scherman for LIFE magazine. .Many of these photographs ran in the Februrary 21, 1944 issue of LIFE. 

Jitterbugging at the Paramount Dance Hall on Tottenham Court Road. I've no idea why he's wearing that sign (dance contest?). Source

A bohemian-style 'Poor Man's Club' [ie, working-class club as opposed to the traditional upper-class club]. Source

An orchestra and dancing at the Covent Garden Opera House, converted to a night-club for the war. Source

A girl dancing the jitterbug at Paramount dance hall. Source

Watching burlesque, I think, at the Stoll [theatre? night-club? strip joint? not specified]. Source

Full-out stripping was an option too. Phylis Dixey on stage (if you must know, she goes all the way). Source

The Embassy Club on Bond Street [the posh type, I think; they mostly look like officers]. Source

A girl talking with an American sailor. I find this absolutely adorable. Source

Inga Anderson singing at a restaurant off Berkely Street (if that means anything to you). Source

Drinking in a bar. Source

American soldier dancing with a member of the (British) Woman's Auxiliary Air Force at Paramount Dance Hall. Source

Leaving the West End on the Tube station's escalators. Source

Saying goodbye at the end of the night outside Piccadilly Tube Station. Source

Blackout, London, 1944

This wonderful set of photographs comes from a LIFE photographer in London, 1944. World War Two was still raging and blackouts were commonplace. At the start of the war, and during the worst days of the Battle of Britain, London nightlife came to a standstill. However, despite or perhaps especially because of the war, by 1944 a blackout didn't mean anyone stopped their plans for a night out in the West End! 

Photographed by David E. Scherman for LIFE magazine, most with infrared film. .Many of these photographs ran in the Februrary 21, 1944 issue of LIFE. 

Blacked-out Piccadilly Circus. Source

Two soldiers crossing Piccadilly Circus. Source

Two American MPS examining leave passes. Source

Discussing what shows to see outside the theatre booking office. Source

Soldiers using a flashlight to read a restaurant menu. Source

Couples talking on Shaftesbury Avenue. Source

Girls standing outside a restaurant. Source

Girl waiting outside the Windmill Theatre -- known as the theatre that never closed during the darkest days of the Blitz... and also, more tongue in cheek, as the theatre 'that never clothed'. Source

Girls chatting with men on the street. Source

Poor soldier knocked out on the street after hitting his head on a lamppost in the blackout. Source

Making out in the dark at the stage door of the Prince of Wales theatre. Source