WW2 Petrol rationing.

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Peter Clare, Sep 8, 2009.

  1. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    World War 2: Petrol ration

    Petrol ration books are available to-day on application at post offices or local taxation offices, but they cannot be used before Sept. 16 when the rationing system comes into force.



    By Our Motoring Correspondent
    Published: 9:50AM BST 08 Sep 2009

    [​IMG] World War 2: A motorist in Tudor Street, London, painting his bumpers white in accordance with blackout regulations. Photo: Penhaul/Fox Photos/Getty Images


    Article first published in the Daily Telegraph, Sept 8, 1939.

    After that date no petrol for any purpose will be obtainable except against ration coupons.

    Applicants who must produce the car registration book, will receive from the issuing clerk, two ration books one marked “first month” and one marked “second month” containing coupons for the quantity allowed them according to the rating of the car as shown in the registration book.
    Each coupon represents one unit, which for the present represents one gallon, but the unit may be changed later.
    Car owners should not that ration books are only valid during the period for which they are issued – the first between Sept. 16 and Oct. 15 and the second between Oct. 16 and Nov. 15. In other words, you cannot hoard your coupons.

    Extra rations
    Persons requiring more than the minimum ration represented by the books should apply to the Divisional Petroleum Officer for the area which the petrol is required. The names and addresses of these will be issued in a day or two.
    A form of application for those who want motor spirit for stationary engines and purposes other than for use in road or agricultural vehicles is also to be had at post offices.
    Commercial vehicle operators will also be unable to obtain motor spirit after Sept. 16 except on rations. They will get supplies through their group organisers.
     
  2. phylo_roadking

    phylo_roadking Very Senior Member

    There was a HUGE amount of pilfering :mad: I recently came across a stack of late 1940's motoring mags belonging to my dad - and even then they advice and helpful hints pages were still FULL of ideas and patent devices to prevent syphoning!!!
     
  3. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    Our mams fella saved me a Daily Mirror pull-out from a newspaper recently, dated Sep 4th, 1939. Apart from the funny adverts for Corned beef, floor/furniture wax and Germoline, was an article about petrol rationing:

    PETROL IS
    RATIONED

    PETROL rationing will be introduced as from September 16.
    This was announced last night by the Secretary for Mines.
    Information as to how the public can secure their ration books
    will be announced to-day.
    There will be substantial stocks of petrol in the country,
    but in the national interests the best use must be made of
    these supplies.
    Petrol distributors have arranged to pool all their resources and,
    after the individual brands still in stock at garages and service
    stations have been sold by them at prices now ruling, one grade
    only of motor spirit will be supplied to the public.

    This spirit will be called "Pool" motor spirit, and will be
    on sale, ex-pump, in England and Wales at 1s. 6d. a gallon.

    Appeal to Owners

    No change will be made in the price for the next fourteen days at least.
    From to-day no further supplies of individual brands will be made at
    garages and service stations.

    For at least the same period of fourteen days there will be no change in yesterdays bulk prices to those commercial concerns
    who receive their supplies direct.

    Owners and drivers of commercial vehicles are particularly are asked to
    note that it will no longer be possible to allow commercial vehicles to
    the call at petrol companies' depots for supplies.
    The Government appeal to all owners of motor vehicles to use them
    only for essential purposes".


    A different time indeed!!!
     

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