Queuing for potatoes

This haunting image from 1917 shows a long queue of men, women, and children waiting patiently for a ration of potatoes in wartime Exeter. The effects of World War I had reached deep into civilian life, bringing widespread shortages of basic foodstuffs.

The line, which snakes around the street and into the distance, is watched over by uniformed personnel, suggesting a rationing system under official control. Women clutch baskets, children look curiously toward the camera, and many wear solemn expressions—capturing the endurance and dignity of a population under strain.

Such scenes were common across Britain during the war years, particularly after the German U-boat blockade cut off many imports. This powerful photograph is a silent witness to how deeply war impacted daily life—even something as simple as putting food on the table.

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