Not all animals used in British propaganda and public information images were as ferocious as the British Lion.  The Ministry of Food, in particular, was anxious to promote the virtues of foods that could be produced readily in Britain, preferably in the consumer's garden or allotment.  Since children, in particular, were perceived (I have no doubt correctly) as likely to be averse to the lure of "Mr Turnip", images extolling the merits of carrots, turnips, potatoes and beetroot often featured cheerful cartoon characters, human or animal.  This happy, cabbage-eating elephant is an example.  Best regards, JR.

Going Green.

Albert Bedane, French-born, British (Jersey) naturalized, WW1 veteran (Hertfordshire Regt.) masseur/physiotherapist ... and rescuer of fugitives from the German authorities on Jersey, Channel Islands, during the occupation.

Bedane's rescuing activities started with Mrs Mary Richardson, a Netherlands-born Jewish lady, who was due for  to "a very nice special camp" in June, 1943.  Instead, she vanished - into Albert Bedane-s two-room basement, where she was hidden for over two years.  By 1944, the basement was getting a bit crowded, its inhabitants including a Jerseyman who had attempted to escape the island, a French PoW, and a number of Soviet PoW/slave workers on the run from the Todt Organisation.  Postwar interviews with the French PoW testify to Bedane's modesty; he himself said postwar that "if I was going to be killed, I would rather be killed for a shep than a lamb".  He was well aware of the fact that, by sheltering these people, he was placing himself in mortal danger.  Other Jersey people had been killed for less.  Yet he did it not deter him.  His "guests" lived in his concealed basement while German officers received physio treatment in the clinic above them, and Bedane traded professional services for food with his farming neighbours in order to keep the refugees fed.

Albert Bedane has received some recognition for his heroism, most notably in the posthumous award of Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, in honour of his rescue of Mrs Richardson.  The Soviet Government awarded him, along with a number of other Channel Islanders, with a gold watch (!) in recognition of his rescue of Soviet fugitives.  There have also been one or two blue plaques.  As far as I know, neither the Dutch (Mrs Richardson's original nationality) or even British governments have honoured this modest hero for humanity for his courage.  Best regards, JR.

Albert Bedane - a modest hero.

Miss Kathleen Spooner, Fire Watcher, Dorking, Surrey, England, 1940-'41.  Women were severely restricted in their ability to contribute to the war effort on the front line, even on the home front.  However, many, like Ms Spooner, did the most that they could.  Note the bucket and stirrup pump,  These manually operated pumps worked on a similar principle to bicycle pumps, sucking water out of the bucket and spraying it on the fire through the short hose (I believe that US fire watchers used similar pumps).  I can testify, from using such a pump owned by my grandfather, that operating the stirrup pump is bloody hard work.  How effective it would have been against a fire of any significance is, to say the least, doubtful.  Still, the presence of ARP fire watchers cannot have hurt morale - and I suspect that Ms Spooner got a lot of healthy exercise practicing ... Best regards, JR.