[Wardown Museum: C/5/4/85]

Even before the 1917 German U-boat campaign threatened Britain's food supplies with the sinking of up to 400 merchant ships a month and subsequent rationing in 1918 that led to posters like the one above, feeding the family was becoming increasingly expensive and problematic.

Initial effects were felt in 1916 through the sheer number of men being called up for military service. That prompted the Luton Reporter [April 10th, 1916] to publish a recipe for home-made bread.

Owing to the shortage of labour, said the Reporter, bakers are finding considerable difficulty in supplying bread to their customers. It is therefore recommended that housewives do their own baking as in the good old days of practical economy. The following recipe will give the most satisfactory results:

TO MAKE BREAD: To every pound of flour add two teaspoonsful of Borwick's Baking Powder with a little salt. Thoroughly mix while in a dry state, then pour on gradually about half a pint of cold water, or milk and water, mixing quickly but thoroughly until a dough of the usual consistence, taking care not to knead it more than is necessary to mix it perfectly. Make it into small loaves which must be immediately put into a quick oven.