Children Who Went for a Walk Wearing Gas Masks

1940

At the height of the Blitz, toddlers at Broomgrove Children’s Home in Wavertree, Liverpool, learned to toddle around in their gas respirators as a matter of course. Here, a line of 18‑month‑olds, swaddled in hand‑knit jumpers and gripping each other’s hands, bravely face the threat of chemical warfare—even playtime came with an air‑raid alert.

Why It Matters
Civilian Resilience: Even Britain’s littlest citizens adapted to wartime precautions, illustrating the collective “keep calm and carry on” spirit.

Home Front Realities: Gas mask drills were common in schools and nurseries, reflecting the very real fear of poison gas attacks.

Liverpool’s War Effort: As a major port city, Liverpool endured heavy bombing—yet communities continued daily life under extraordinary circumstances.

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Contributed by OldPik on January 6, 2025

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Children Who Went for a Walk Wearing Gas Masks
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