Mobile laundry service in East Surrey Grove.

Mobile laundry service in East Surrey Grove. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: H3228

Description: Facilities such as this mobile laundry service van were organised by the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS) for Air Raid Precautions. They also organised rest centres to which the homeless were directed immediately after a raid. Countless thousands of meals were served and clothing issued. When war was declared on 3 September 1939 the WVS had a membership of 165,000 drawn from groups who could not join the forces or do essential war work. These were the elderly, the young, or those women with children.

Creator: Unknown

Date: 1943-05-17