Dissertation

YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY
The economic effects of the Second World War
in York
A special study in part-fulfilment of the
requirements for B.A. (Hons) History
Liam Davis, 130010179

Contents
Introductory remarks
An overview of Britain’s wartime economy in relation to
York
Case Study 1: Rowntree
Case Study 2: Small Businesses and wartime
Case Study 3: The Railway
Summarisation

The economic effects of the Second World War in York
During the Second World War York’s economy had changed to
accommodate the demand for wartime production within Britain. The Second
World War meant York had to adapt to the needs of war and by doing this it
meant its economy would change with it. During the Second World War the
railway already a vital part of York’s infrastructure and economy, had adapted
to transport goods and troops across the country. York is half way between
London and Edinburgh and so saw many trains carrying troops and war related
freight either stop or pass through it. Further to this, York’s manufacturing and
industries changed. Rowntree started producing less confectionary and turned
more to the production of wartime arms such as fuses and munitions. Although
the wartime economy may have appeared to help York on the surface it had
caused a complete shift in employment. Many industries before the Second
World War and during it had begun to become obsolete like Domestic Service
and it even hit the larger industries such as confectionary because of rationing.
The smaller industries and businesses within York also had to either adapt or
change. An example of this would be Betty’s tearooms, which was going to be
acquisitioned by the Royal Air Force but instead adapted to serve them.
Therefore, it would be wise to explore the ever-changing infrastructure and
economy within York because of the effects it had.
In over the last 100 years York has seen an economic advancement in
technology and its manufacturing industry. It would be wise to suggest that
York’s economy and industries changed significantly over a short period. This
is clear through the change in the number of people employed in specific
industries. According to Feinstein the confectionary and railway industry in

York were the most major sources of employment.1 This is further supported by
the census of population, which shows that by 1951 the transport and
communications industry had a total of 15% of York’s working population
employed in it. While manufacturing was even higher at 35% of the working
population in York. Although it must be dully noted that manufacturing can be
broken down further into other categories and confectionary took up 52% of
that industry.2 Therefore just by exploring these figures it becomes clear that
during World War two there was a complete change since the 1911 census.
The manufacturing industry in 1911 had only made up 27.8% of the working
population while transport and communication made up 12.9%.3 Therefore it
must be noted that there was roughly a two to three percent increase in those
employed in that industry which was a significant increase. However, this
shows that York’s economy in this period had grown and the demand for
production widened and so these industries need to be explored in greater
depth to understand a wider context of the economic effect World War two had
on York.
The confectionary industry within York had fluctuated during World War
two after a significant boom in the 1930s. According to Feinstein the ‘output
from the York factory doubled between 1934 and 1937, and shot further ahead
1 C.H.Feinstein, York 1831-1981: 150 years of scientific endeavor and social
change. York, Ebor P. in association with the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, 1981.
2 Census of population: 1951 and 1971 Employment in York cited in
C.H.Feinstein, York 1831-1981:150 years of scientific Endeavour and Social
change. York, Ebor Press, 1981, p.137
3 Census of population cited in C.H.Feinstein, York 1831-1981:150 years of
scientific Endeavour and Social change. York, Ebor Press, 1981.

until 1939’.4 It would appear that a new line of product had helped Rowntree to
advance during that period but during the Second World War production
decreased due to rationing and the turning of confectionary production to
munitions. This can be in part seen in the factories levels of employment.
Therefore, Rowntree can be seen to play a significant role in the production of
wartime manufacturing despite its down turn in confectionary production output
which appeared to make a significant advancement after the war back to the
pre war period.
Although Rowntree was a major part of York’s industrial economy the
railway certainly played an even larger part. During the Second World War the
railway carriage works and railway line played a major part in producing
equipment during the war as well as transporting troops and freight. According
to Feinstein in both world wars the carriage and wagon works produced ‘…not
only tank carrying wagons and ambulance trains, but also stretchers, gliders,
bailey bridges, and many other items.’5 So already in addition to the number of
people employed on York’s railway infrastructure it shows the vital role that the
railway had in York’s wartime economy between 1939 and 1945.
Although York had Rowntree and the railway as a large part of its
economic infrastructure the rest of York businesses large and small also
played a vital role in York’s wartime economy. In the early 20th Century a
number of York firms were bought out by Vickers a major company well known
within the war and one such firm was Cooke, Troughton and Simms. Before
Advancement of Science, 1981. P.142
5 Ibid. p.144

war broke out they employed 400 to 500 workers.6 During the war they
encountered huge demand for the production of instruments such as
telescopes and periscopes. They were fundamentally known for also producing
optical equipment for the army, which helped the company to suddenly expand
its workforce to around 3000 employees.7 Therefore it would be wise to
suggest that although it appears many large companies reduced their
workforce others had expanded theirs.
The wartime economy in York during the Second World War was one of
great change. It saw advancement and in some cases an expansion of its
manufacturing and business. Many companies had to adapt to produce goods
for the war effort while others had to reduce their main line of production and
reduce its workforce because of the war and the restrictions it had placed.
Therefore, it would be wise to explore the economic infrastructure within York
and the companies that certainly had an ultimate impact and effect on York.
7 Ibid

An overview of Britain’s wartime economy in relation to York
The Second World War had changed Britain’s economy from a free-
market one to a centrally managed economy. This was because it saw a move
from peacetime to wartime mobilization. Therefore, York’s economy had to adapt
and change to prepare for war alongside the rest of Britain. According to the
committee on non-food consumption the amount spent on war-related activates
increased as would be expected from 7% of national expenditure in 1938, in
1941 it reached 53% and then increased to a great peak of 55% in 1943. 8 This
huge increase immediately shows how much Britain had adapted to prepare for
war and the effects war had on the economy allowing Britain to prosper
economically in wartime.
The Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP), which is a measure of
economic output adjusted for price changes, reached its highest peak in 1943
during World War Two. The RGDP reached 27% higher than before the war.9
This is a large increase showing a prosperous wartime Britain and up until this
period there is a growth in the economy. However, it appears to dip after 1943
because of D-day and supplies being shipped from America more so than before
meaning demand was less. This is shown clearly in war cabinet papers when
the war cabinet discussed the 1943 production program stating that there needs
to be ‘an attempt to secure agreement with the United States on a combined
production program and on the long-range assignment of finished munitions’. 10
However it does show a growth in British production and according to Howlett
8P.Howlett, The wartime economy 1939-1945 cited in P. Johnson, The Cambridge
economic history of modern Britain volume 3: structural change and growth,
1939-2000. Cambrdge University Press, 2004.
9 Ibid. p.5
10 O.lyttelton, The 1943 Production programme, London, 1942.p.2

Britain’s economy grew with an annual growth rate of 4.9%, a large increase
from before the 1930s economic downturn.11 This in part was because there was
little expenditure on imported goods from the United States due to the lend-lease
agreement between Churchill and Roosevelt. This agreement was so that the
United States would lend supplies to the British while deferring the payment for
these goods.12 This allowed companies within Britain like Rowntree’s, Vickers
and Bettys to prosper. Therefore, would it be wise to suggest that despite what
appears to be an improvement in the economy it was assisted by the Lend lease
agreement.
During the Second World War the reason that Britain’s economy had
changed from a free market to a centrally managed one is because of a control
on the demand and supply of products. The demand of goods was controlled
through rationing and other means while the supply was controlled through
import restrictions and a limitation supply order. A limitation supply order forced
manufacturers that produced non-essential goods such as chocolate to reduce
their production by approximately two thirds of the previous years output.13 In
some cases it caused unemployment but at some companies like Rowntrees the
staff were kept in employment by producing war-related goods. In the cabinet
paper dated October 28th 1939 when they state the minister for food states that
‘In his opinion the home front would be strengthened by the institution of rationing
11 Ibid. p.5
12 Office of the historian, Milestones 2937-1945 [online] Available from:
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/lend-lease [Accessed: 20th march
2016]
13 The Spectator, Limitations of supply order, 1940. 2013. [online] Available
from: http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/20th-september-1940/12/limitation-
of-supplies-order-1940 [Accessed: 20th march 2016]

forthwith’.14 Therefore it would be wise to explore many major British companies
such as Rowntree’s in York in order to understand the significance of this which
is what I intend to do within this monograph.
It appears that also during wartime Britain many firms had amalgamated
into a larger one from what is called a ‘nucleus firm’ and one example of these
in World War Two is Vickers which produced many wartime products during the
war, also prominent within York.
Furthermore, there was a reduction in industries but this was matched by
the expansion in war industry production. This is rather impressive considering
the issues many industries and businesses faced during the war in comparison
to peacetime such as air raids and the relocation of industry to hide certain
production of goods. Although Howlett does suggest that it had prevented
industry from increasing any higher.15
During the Second World War there was a reduction in food imports that
accounted for 70% of food requirements before the war.16 There was also an
increase in arable farming and a decrease in livestock farming which is shown
by an 81% increase in wheat production while meat production fell by more than
a third.17 The reasoning behind this impact is shown in the October 1939 Cabinet
paper, which states that
14 Conclusions of a meeting of the war cabinet held at 10 downing street, on
Saturday, October 28 1939 at 11.30am. p.532
15 P.Howlett, The wartime economy 1939-1945 cited in P. Johnson, The Cambridge
1939-2000. Cambrdge University Press, 2004.p.7
16 Ibid. p.8

…the ration books should be issued forthwith, that we should ration at
once those commodities (bacon and butter) in regard to which there was
a shortage at the present time, but it would be questionable to ration meat
and sugar at present.18
So despite much debate everything mentioned was rationed. This shows how
the economy had become more dependent on home goods rather than imported
products meaning a change in its economy during wartime. This in part can be
seen by the well known ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign which was often supported by
large companies.19
Britain’s labour force grew faster than the population since the crash in
the 1930s according to Howlett. By 1941 95% of men of working age were
mobilized into the forces and so the demand for women to work increased
meaning there was an increase in the labour force20. Further to this the average
working week increased to cope with the demand of wartime production and
Britain’s supposed growing economy. The average working week for a male
manual worker increased from 47.7 to 52.9 hours while women manual workers
average week increased from 43.5 to 45.9 hours.21 However it must be stated
that this was believed to be an underestimate because the government’s advice
was that no man should work more than 60 hours and women more than 55
Saturday, October 28 1939 at 11.30am. p.532
19 A.Hutchinson, The cocoa works, York: a history of Rowntrees and nestle in
chocolate city, York, Nestle UK ltd, 2013. P.90

hours. This shows how much production was needed because of this increase
in the average working week.
During the Second World War the railway played a significant part in
assisting Britain’s wartime economy. The railway not only transported goods and
troops but also in the railway marshalling yards around the country many wartime
goods were produced contributing to the wartime economy through its mass
skilled employment and the production of wartime products as is seen in York’s
carriage works located behind the main station in York. It was the aim of
government to ensure
that the minister of War transport had all the powers required to ensure
that the railways were operated in the interests of the state, and to secure
the maximum war effort during the control period.22
Therefore, making the railway of huge significance to Britain and the war effort
during the war. In order to understand this significance further it would be wise
to explore a major area that played a significant role in wartime and clearly this
would be York. York was a major centre in the railway industry with it having
links to the major wartime industrial cities of the North of England such as Leeds
and Hull. The city also had troops and war related freight constantly passing
through the city and in the marshalling yards according to Anderson, who worked
in these yards; many wartime products were made such as gliders and gun
emplacements.23 However it would appear that the details and records of these
works are kept secret still and so relying on testimonies in order to establish any
Tuesday, July 15, 1941 at 6pm. P.144
23 C.Myler. The life and times of York Carriage works,1884-1995. ABB Rail
vehicles, 1995. P.94

knowledge of these products is difficult but these testimonies show the
significance that York and many marshalling yards around the country played in
the wartime economy.
Overall it would appear that there has been much debate over whether
Britain prospered during the war. There is arguable an exaggeration of Britain’s
wartime economic achievements because we fail to consider the assistance of
America and other labourers such as volunteers and Prisoners of War.
Furthermore, it has been stated that we also fail to see how the lend lease
agreement had an impact upon the economy within Britain. However the RDGP
shows how despite these discrepancies Britain prospered between 1939 and
1943 as well as having a faster growing labour work force and an annual growth
rate of 4.9%24. Therefore, exploring a city like York which had a reasonably sized
manufacturing workforce base would be of great importance in showing this.

Case Study 1: Rowntree
During the Second World War York’s economy had adapted to meet the
needs of wartime production much like the rest of Britain. The economic effects
on industry at the outset of war was limited due to the absence of major
confrontation with the axis powers apart from at sea. However, as the war
progressed Britain moved to a completely total war economy and many firms
were given government contracts.25 A great example of this is none other than
Rowntree’s in York who adapted for wartime production. Many firms just like
Rowntree were asked to divert some of their production capacity to armaments
and prepare for war. Therefore, it would be wise to consider and look at
Rowntree as a firm during the 1939 to 1945 war and explore the changes in
production and life at Rowntree’s which impacted the company in York.
The Second World War saw significant changes being made at
Rowntree’s in York from the changes and limitations on the production of
chocolate and the many parts of the factory converted for wartime use. During
the first few months of the war there was little impact upon life at Rowntree’s
and around Britain. However, after the resignation of Neville Chamberlain and
the German occupation of France there was industrial and military mobilization
in preparation for war. This was certainly the case at the Rowntree’s factory.
According to Hutchinson and Maxton the York factory had certainly seen
changes over the period with new companies taking over different sections of
the factory to produce wartime goods. An area of the Gum factory was altered
to create a fuse filling factory called ‘County industries limited’ which also used

an area adjacent to the Haxby road sports ground that was used to store
explosives. Mr Horsley in a recording recalls working in the fuse filling
department where his job was to:
open the big boxes with lots of small aluminum canisters so that they
could go into the yellow powder room- that was the thing- and be filled.
Now one job I had was opening these big boxes, maybe 300, 400
aluminium canisters in it, then I worked with a chap called Mr Turpin and
he was dipping the striker pins for the fuses and for the landmines in this
anticorrosive liquid. And you could only work in there for half-an-hour
and he used to pass these out to me, I used to shake them, and put
them on a piece of sacking to drain off. Then I had to transfer these to
the Girls on the production line what stamped them and assembled
them ready to go into the powder room.26
This shows how many fuses they were making and the intense labour that was
involved in creating these wartime products and the contribution this made to
the war effort.
The rest of the Gum factory at the request of the ministry of Food was to
manufacture jams and marmalade for a company called ‘Frank Cooper Ltd. Of
Oxford’. Further to this the Almond block was used by Cooke, Troughton and
Simms for the manufacturing of optical instruments which was a part of the
famous wartime firm, Vickers. The cream department created National Milk
Cocoa, Ryvita, household milk, dried eggs and also munitions for the war and
26J.Horsley, The Cocoa Works during World War Two transcript. [Online]
Available from: http://york-
remembers.rowntreesociety.org.uk/documents/John_Horsley_talking_about_hi
s_role_at_Rowntrees_factory_in_WWII.pdf [Accessed: 17th March 2016]

many other parts of the factory were used for other wartime purposes as well
as the continuation of manufacturing a limited supply of chocolate products.27
Therefore the Rowntree’s factory on Haxby road in York had become a multi-
purpose factory to meet the significant demands of wartime which was often
the case for large factories around Britain. Also Rowntree’s owned a large
amount of the land around the factory which during wartime was used by the
estate department to grow crops and produce food for the factory workers to
enjoy in the canteen. The estate department had produced ‘8 tons of tomatoes,
8 tons of cabbages, 3 tons of leeks, 8 tons of onions, 2 tons of Brussel sprouts
and 13,000 heads of lettuce together with their garden produce’.28 This would
certainly have helped reduce costs within the factory and impacted the
factories profit. The many changes made show the significance that war has
upon a small localised economy and just one factory. It must be stated though
with having all of these firms on one site it makes it a risk if it was ever heavily
bombed. Although, this was not the case it made York vulnerable and the
question lies as to why the Nazis didn’t see the need to bomb York more so
because it was certainly a strategic centre of wartime production creating the
many products needed for fighting and surviving the fight against the axis.
After June 1940 Rowntree’s offered its site and services to the Minister
of supply as it believed it could provide a very effective unit for manufacturing
munitions as well as Cocoa. It would be wise to suggest that although the site
at Haxby road was not massive it certainly leant itself to being a great site for
28 ibid. p.91

light operations rather than engineering.29 Already this change that Rowntree’s
had agreed upon meant a significant alteration to York’s wartime
manufacturing and economy because of a move from peacetime to wartime
manufacturing. Immediately after the agreement that the Ministry of supply was
to take control, the Smarties block was converted to produce fuses. This shows
how significant the war was on the economy by seeing such changes being
made so quickly in order to supply the fighting in Europe. The staff at
Rowntree’s had to learn to adapt to this new way of life rather quickly because
of this change and having to go from manufacturing Smarties to filling fuses
which was ultimately very dangerous if they had no experience so new skills
had to be gained. In the Cocoa Works Magazines from 1938 to 1940 they
mention very little about the manufacturing changes which shows how this was
to be kept secret. However, there is a small hint that there may be changes
looming at Rowntree’s in the Easter 1939 edition where Mr K. Farrar Vickers
stated that everyone must contribute to wartime rearmament and that everyone
needs to participate no matter who you are in ‘A programme of industrial
mobilisation for the moral rearmament of the nation’30. This meant that people
had to prepare for and adapt a new skill set in the workplace. Therefore,
Rowntree’s was prepared to change even at the outset of war and so is a great
29A.Hutchinson, The cocoa works, York: a history of Rowntrees and nestle in
chocolate city, York, Nestle UK ltd, 2013.p.86
Note: hard to find any accounts or significant primary material due to nestle not
allowing public to access the full extent of their archive and having no one respond to
my contact with the company.
30 Easter 1939, Cocoa Works Magazine. P.11 cited in Rowntree, Cocoa Works
Magazine 1938-1940, Sheffield, Rowntree and Co. Ltd., 1938-1940.

example of the changes in production that were expected at the outset and the
duration of the war between 1939 and 1945.
At the outset of the war the production of chocolate at Rowntree’s was
not dramatically impacted despite the factory adjusting for the wartime
production of military and civilian resources. This can be seen through the
statistics given on the Bengtsson index Graph where it compares its market
share and value of product type with other manufacturers. At the outset of war
Rowntree’s was prospering in the Chocolate trade with a market share on its
everyday assortments of 20.7% in September 1939 and increasing to a high of
32.9% in October 1939.31 This small snippet of York’s wartime economy shows
how at the outset of the Second World War Rowntree’s prospered contributing
to York’s wartime economy by having a high market share against its rivals of
Terry and Cadbury to name a few. However, the index graph does break the
statistics even further comparing income and a percentage which does not
state what it is, therefore making it difficult to analyse. In comparison to the
major market competitor, Cadbury, Rowntree’s prosper and is clear through the
Bengtsson index where it states that in the main assortments market in
September 1939 Rowntree’s made 4,430 pounds in comparison to Cadbury
who made 3,224 pounds. This is even better in October 1939 where
Rowntree’s made 3,931 pounds and Cadbury 2,742 pounds.32 This means that
at the start of war Rowntree’s successfully had a grasp of the main chocolate
market. On the other hand it appears that suddenly in November Rowntree’s
lost a grasp of the market only making 3,980 pounds compared to Cadbury
31 Rowntree, Bengtsson index graph. Handwritten by Rowntree, 1939-1941.
32 Ibid.

who made a massive 11,668 pounds.33 The circumstances surrounding this
drop is not clear because this was not a time when the function of the
Rowntree’s factory in York changed and so there sales must have dipped
dramatically. It must be duly noted that there is a limitation to this graph
because it does not go beyond the end of 1939 and so is hard to compare
against the rest of the war but ultimately the snippet that we get from the graph
shows that Rowntree’s wartime economy did prosper until a dip in November
where it lost to its major competitor Cadburys but was nonetheless still
contributing to Britain’s overall economy and war effort no matter how small.
Further to this the war had a major impact upon the staffing levels at
Rowntree’s and the skill set and pay that staff achieved. By 1940 the total
number of staff employed at Rowntrees was at its all time high of 12,200.34 In
the magazine produced for the staff of Rowntree’s by the company, it
frequently mentions the increasing number of staff enrolled into the armed
forces and those killed in action as well as those on active service. The Cocoa
Works magazine says that in march 1941 the number of men and women on
active national service were 1,897 and by Easter 1945 this had greatly
increased to 4269.35 So ultimately whatever there role was it would have
impacted the life at Rowntree’s and therefore would have to have increased the
number of staff on payroll in order to ensure enough worked to keep the factory
33 Rowntree, Bengtsson index graph. Handwritten by Rowntree, 1939-1941.
34 York Museums Trust, The expanding city. [online] Available from:
http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/the-expanding-city [Accessed: 20th
October 2016]
35 Rowntree, Cocoa Works Magazine 1944-1946, Sheffield, Rowntree and Co.
Ltd., 1944-1946.

producing wartime demands.36 In the Christmas addition of the Cocoa works
magazine the demand for manpower for the war effort appears to increase
impacting the factory further. This is made clear in a section written by the
company chairman who states that ‘space and shipping is required to finish the
war in the shortest time possible’ and
these demands express themselves in this industry by the cut that has
recently taken place in the ration, and by the closing of a number of
factories honourably famous in the history of the industry, whose
production will be undertaken by a fortunate few on grounds of
geographical situation alone.37
This ultimately shows that by the end of 1942 many companies within the
production of food were being impacted due to the demand of manpower and
not only this but the rationing as well. Therefore, often workers would have to
undertake several different jobs at a time due to often a shortage of staff. Mr
Horsley recalls this when he states in response to a question about him doing
many different jobs, ‘Well you did because labour was very, very short. Nobody
knows how short it was’.38 However, it would appear Rowntree’s survived and
carried on in the war perhaps due to its geographical location and it could have
drafted in volunteers to help in its production of war-related goods and civilian
products.
36 Note: Unfortunately, the payroll and staffing levels are not available for public or
academic use.
Ltd., 1941-1943.
38 J.Horsley, The Cocoa Works during World War Two transcript. [Online]
Available from: http://york-
remembers.rowntreesociety.org.uk/documents/John_Horsley_talking_about_hi
s_role_at_Rowntrees_factory_in_WWII.pdf [Accessed: 17th March 2016]

Further more it appears that national wages were impacted further too
during the war because the income tax had increased. This would have had
impact upon the working population of York and the rest of the country.
According to the 1941 Summer Cocoa works magazine the rate of tax had
increased with the reduction of allowances. The limit of those exempt from
taxation had decreased from 120 to 110 pounds.39 This was to allow the war
effort to progress further and to help fund the war further with the promise that
a portion will be credited to the tax payer and they will be repaid after the war.
So ultimately Britain’s wartime economy was changing and York definitely
shows the effects that war had upon the economy.
The wartime economy certainly impacted Britain after the war had
ended and one example of this is the new market of chocolate Rowntree’s tried
to create once sugar rationing was reduced. The campaign was called the Aero
Girls campaign. In 1950 Rowntree’s decided to re launch its Aero Bar. The
advertising of this new bar was a massive marketing campaign driven perhaps
by the contribution that many women made during the war. According to Doble
the depiction of women in these adverts was very different from the pre-war
campaigns and perhaps had an effect upon the chocolate market even though
that is unclear.40 The war certainly did impact marketing and a new way of
advertisement which ultimately helps in driving the economy to persuade
consumers to buy goods. So ultimately this impact that the war had upon
Ltd., 1941-1943.
40 York University, The Aero girls- after ww2 [online] Available from:
http://digital.york.ac.uk/showcase/agHistory_1.jsp [Accessed: 12th December
2016]

marketing and advertising strategy certainly helped in changing the economic
situation even though the economy was changing post-1945.
Rowntree’s certainly shows how York’s economy had adapted to meet
the needs of Britain’s wartime economy. It did this by adapting the production
of its chocolate, altering the purpose and use of the factory and had to adapt
with ever changing staffing levels. Its campaigns in post war Britain were also
revolutionary, changing consumer habits and addressing the depiction of how
war had changed not only Britain’s economic situation but also lifestyle.

Case Study 2: York’s small businesses and wartime
The Second World war impacted all aspects of York’s economy and
businesses. It did not just impact the larger manufacturers like Rowntree’s and
the carriage works it also had an effect on its smaller businesses like Bettys, a
Yorkshire tearoom and bakery company. Although it must be duly stated that
the impact upon Rowntree’s was even greater than previously discussed. The
companies that were using the Rowntree’s factory also had a major impact
upon York’s economy even though they were only temporary.
The economic activity in York between World War One and the 1950s
had significantly changed within a short period with the impact of the railway
and Rowntree’s. However domestic service had significantly dropped by 9%
over a forty year period but despite this the Food and drink industry had
increased.41 Therefore it would be wise to look at a prominent local company
within York, Bettys. Bettys is a Yorkshire tearoom chain which was popular with
the likes of everyone offering fine dining, a shop and even a bar. York’s
tearoom was mainly based upon the Queen Mary Ocean liner and was
designed and crafted by the same craftsmen and designers who created the
Ships state rooms.42 During the Second World a letter was sent to Bettys York
by the Royal Air Force asking them if they could requisition Bettys for its use.
However, Bettys wrote back and stated that they didn’t wish this to happen and
instead would much rather serve their forces in their Bar in the basement now
known as the Oak Room. Therefore, with this it shows how the military
42 Bettys and Taylors, Bettys York. [Online] Available from:
https://www.bettys.co.uk/tea-rooms/locations/york [Accessed: 26th February]

impacted small businesses within Britain and ultimately sometimes could have
an effect on employment figures. However, thanks to the refusal of Bettys the
company prospered and made money from the Royal Air Force officers who
bought food and drink in their bar and tearoom. This could certainly be
significant with many pubs and other food and drink outlets within York and the
rest of Britain, contributing to a small part of the economy despite rationing. It
therefore shows the significance that small businesses had and how often they
were effected in many other ways not just rationing.
Rationing however did play an important part in Britain’s wartime
economy enabling the government to have a control on the economy. In1940
food rationing was introduced and as time went on the rations became more
strictly controlled. This certainly had an impact upon York as well as the rest of
Britain. This not only impacted the day to day life of York’s people but also
businesses as they had to control stocks more carefully to supply customers as
people had to register at a shop. This appears to be very much the case
because according to a Mrs Wells ‘You had to register at the shop where you
went to get your food…my mum used to go to Liptons, which was on Coney
street…either me or my sister always used to go with her when she went to get
rations, to carry them.’43 This shows that this strict control had an impact on
day to day life even in a city surrounded by countryside and how much this had
an impact upon local business. Further to this the Black market which was an
unofficial and illegal source which many people turned to for additional rationed
43 York Oral History Project, Through the Storm: York memories of the second
world war 1939-45, York, York oral History Project, 1990.p.25

items. It is apparent when a Mrs Faulkner secretively got some eggs from a
farm and she describes the time she nearly got in trouble for stealing them:
…there was a policeman walking alone. He says “afternoon” and I say
“good afternoon” and we was talking, and he says “what have you got in
the bag then?” I was dreading him asking that. So I says “what would
you think if it was full of eggs?” He said “I bet you wish it was!”.44
The Black market arguably could have had an impact upon Business within
York and Britain as a whole with the disruption and stealing of rations creating
even further shortages and an occasional loss of money to those who supplied
or sold the goods.
The Rowntree’s factory on Haxby road played a largely significant role in
the war effort. Many of its departments were altered to meet the demands of
wartime production as well as adapted to create wartime products. Some of the
departments at Rowntree’s were taken over by other companies so that there
was a maximum effort in wartime production.45 There were over 4 million anti-
tank mine fuses and 7 and a half million tins of milk produced at the factory
under the old name ‘Cream department’ which was a part of the smaller
company ‘county industries limited’.46 These smaller businesses within
Rowntree’s would have contributed significantly to both the British and local
economy significantly while creating wartime products essential for the war
effort as has been previously mentioned in this monograph. Therefore, we see
44 York Oral History Project, Through the Storm: York memories of the second
world war 1939-45, York, York oral History Project, 1990.p.29
45A.Hutchinson, The cocoa works, York: a history of Rowntrees and nestle in
chocolate city, York, Nestle UK ltd, 2013.pp.82-83
46 Ibid. p.89

the significance that smaller businesses working alongside a larger company
had upon the economy.
York’s economy not only relied on small Businesses and some of the
larger companies but also on transportation which was often used to transport
goods and people. In May 1933 am air Circus made a visit to York and used
what was called Rawcliffe meadow just north of York. This circus had given the
idea that this location would be ideal for an airfield so in 1934 the York
corporation bought the land and parts of Clifton and by 1936 York aerodrome
was introduced.47 This aerodrome was used as a flying club as well as an air
taxi service for the public and was run by a company called Yorkshire air
service and country club limited. Therefore, creating York’s first and last airport.
48This was of great value to the economy as many used it to travel around the
UK but 2 days before the second world war broke out it was requisitioned by
the RAF and so its contribution to the economy became minimal but it certainly
had an impact upon wartime York. Many reconnaissance aircraft flew from this
now requisitioned aerodrome but then a part of the airfield certainly became a
part of York’s wartime economy when the company Handley Page used a part
of it to repair Halifax bombers.49 Therefore having a small contribution to York’s
wartime economy and a small but significant contribution to Britain’s wartime
manufacturing.
47 N.Spence, Clifton Airfield. 2014 [ Online] Available from:
http://www.cliftonwithout-pc.org.uk/CliftonWithout/history-14894.aspx
[Accessed: 21st February 2016]
48 ibid
49 Ibid.
Note: there is very little evidence on the aerodrome and it is often forgotten about.

York’s wartime economy can be argued to have been unique in some
ways because it had the contribution from prisoners of war who worked in and
around York. Although their significance within York’s wartime economy may
not have been great they certainly helped play a part. There were two
prisoners of war camps within the area of York, one called Eden Camp on the
outskirts of the city and another within the city itself on the Race course which
was an internment camp. The internment camp on York racecourse was home
to those people who lived in Britain that were believed to be enemies of the
state. According to Emanuelli ‘The main grandstand and administration building
had been converted into a detention camp surrounded by barbered wire and
patrolled by military guards’50 Although it was believed that those at the
internment camp were not allowed to leave for work but those Prisoners of war
based at Eden Camp were and they would work on farms in the local area and
so contributing towards the agricultural economy which very much surrounded
the city of York. The camp was home to 250 Italian prisoners until 1943 and
eventually polish and German prisoners were kept there.51 The contribution of
these prisoners may have only been small to the local economy but
nonetheless their contribution is of value to providing food for York and
contributing to the agricultural economy.
A small firm called Cooke, Troughton and Simms known for making
optical instruments was a subsidiary company of the famous wartime firm,
50 E.Emanuelli, My Years in Internment Camps: At York and on the Isle of Man,
2004. [Online] Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/99/a2473599.shtml
[Accessed: 14th March 2016]
51 Eden Camp, The history of Eden Camp. 2016. [online] Available from:
http://www.edencamp.co.uk/about/history/ [Accessed: February 2016]
Note: Also visited the site at Eden Camp

Vickers Ltd. Vickers was an engineering company that was famous for building
aircraft and ships. In 1939 a factory was built for the company on Haxby road
on the Rowntree’s site in what was the Almond block. According to the
University of York it employed 3,300 people.52 The number of people employed
at the factory on Haxby road shows how large this company actually was and
therefore played a large role in York’s wartime economy. It is around a quarter
of the number of staff employed at Rowntree’s during the war almost making it
the second or third largest manufacturing company in York behind Rowntree
and possibly the Railway. According to Munroe the development of
microscopic instruments at the firm were interrupted by the outbreak of war
where the company contributed to the war effort. It produced biological
microscopes and precision measuring instruments to help the war effort.53
Therefore showing the significance that this reasonably small company played
within the war effort by creating optical instruments that were often used on the
front.
The impact that the second world war had upon York’s smaller
businesses and their impact that they had upon the economy in York was
significant. Vickers contributed significantly to the economy through its large
employment of staff and its production of wartime instruments alongside
Rowntrees and the smaller companies based there. Further to tis despite the
decline in domestic service the food and drink industry was impacted by
52 York University, Administrative history. [online] Available from:
https://www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/holdings/what-we-hold/businesses/vickers-
instruments/ [Accessed: 16th January 2016]
53 A.J.Munro, A History of Vickers Instruments’ Microscopes. pp81-101 [Online]
Available from: http://www.quekett.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Munro-
History-Vickers-Instruments-Part-1.pdf [Accessed: 20th January 2016] p.90

military involvement along with the Clifton aerodrome as well. The prisoners of
war helped in contributing to the output and work on the agricultural economy
which surrounded York. Therefore, the economic effects of World War Two that
took place in York was of great significance to business and small companies.

Case Study 3: The Railway
World War Two meant that York and the rest of Britain had to adapt to
the needs of wartime production. In order to achieve an effective wartime
economy Britain had to meet demands for production and this would not be
achieved without a strong economic infrastructure to transport goods. So the
railways became of great importance in the Second World War. Therefore, with
York being half way between London and Edinburgh with connections all over
the industrialised North it is a great example of the railways impact upon the
localised economy in York.
York’s railway has grown since the first line from York was built by
George Stephenson in 1839. It had revolutionised the transportation system
between the North and South of Britain with the building of the East Coast
mainline. It brought heavy industry to this ancient city for the first time.
According to Hoole there was a terminus away from the main railway station at
what is now Foss Islands and Layerthorpe as well as the Railway Works
behind the main station within York54. Therefore, showing the significance that
the Railway played in York’s transportation network for both the public and
freight. York’s railway network would have invaluably contributed to its war
economy through the transportation links within York as well as the Railway
works.
The Railway works behind the main station in York were known as the
Carriage works. The carriage works according to Appleby ‘during both world
wars…played an important part in carrying out Government contracts and
54 K. Hoole, The Railways of York. Clapham:Dalesman, 1976.p.63

manufactured a wide variety of items not always connected to the railway’55
The significance of York’s contribution at the Carriage works is very hard to
understand due to the lack of primary material available on the matter but it
must be duly noted that much evidence from workers suggests it certainly
played a significant role as Appleby does suggest. Anderson certainly supports
this idea because he does discuss the idea that there is very little evidence of
activities on the railway in York during world war two but he does list the items
produced in the carriage works which were gliders, gun emplacements, high
speed launches, bailey bridges and army tank parts.56 This shows how much
the carriage works in York contributed to the war effort and therefore impacting
York’s contribution to a wider war economy as well as locally.
Further to this the Station in York played a small role in York’s wartime
economy. However, it did contribute to the wider economy in northern Britain
due to the train movements passing and stopping in York. According to Betty
Margaret Chalmers who worked on the railway switchboard, her role she would
often deal with district intelligence and pass it on to others working on the
railway. She also recalls that there was often ammunition trains passing
through and troop trains at night which were meant to be kept secret.57 The
reasoning for these constant troop movements was because the station was on
the North-South line and so served the military camps at Catterick and
Richmond and not only this but the station according to Nuttgens played a vital
role for demobilisation in the North because of its centrality and links to London
55 K.Appleby, York. Shepperton, Ian Allan, 1993.p57
57 B.Chalmers, Recording of her discussing her life working on the railway.
2000

and the entire northern network.58 Therefore making York a great hub for
wartime movements perhaps meaning a large number of people were
employed upon the railway within York in the war years.59 So despite this the
Station had certainly played an impact upon York’s economy through its
employment of staff but had a much more significant impact upon the wider
war economy.
The Carriage works and station in York were certainly significant in
helping contribute to the wartime economy in York but the railway lines within
York were not just confined to the area around the station but also on Foss
Islands. This area housed the line and sidings on what is a part of the Derwent
valley Railway line. According to Appleby the line was not heavily in use before
the outbreak of war but once war broke out it was used frequently until the end
of war. The line was heavily used by Freight traffic but this did not only involve
Government traffic but also agricultural because of the wartime restriction on
road transportation as of fuel rationing.60 Therefore showing the railways
significance in this wartime economy for the use to help feed the country and
York itself. While Hoole states that this line often convoyed large quantities of
petrol, poison gas, explosives and timber with connections to the Royal Air
force airfields around York. Further to this he also discusses how the railway
line helped flourish businesses and how shares were introduced where the
North eastern Railway network bought 10% of what were called ordinary
shares which enabled businesses to do well.61 Therefore showing how the
58 P.Nuttgens, The history of York, Yorkshire: From earliest of times to the year
2000.Pickering, Blackthorn Press, 2001.p.324
59 Note: There is no evidence found on employment figures on the railway in York.
60 K.Appleby, York. Shepperton, Ian Allan, 1993.p.131
61 K. Hoole, The Railways of York. Clapham:Dalesman, 1976.p.38

railways significance in not only transporting goods but also contributing to the
wartime economy through shares..
The railways contribution to the war effort played a significant role
alongside Rowntree’s. There was a small one platform station outside the
Rowntree factory on Haxby road that transported workers to the factory.
However, in wartime it is believed to have also served the purpose of
transporting products produced at the factory in a time of fuel shortages
because it connected to the Foss Islands railway line which connected to
Doncaster and onto the mainline. This stop was known as Rowntree Halt
station and often had an unchartered passenger service for transporting its
workers.62 Therefore contributing in a rather significant way to the smooth
running of the factory allowing them to contribute to York’s wartime economy
by employing staff within the locality. This was obviously carried out by having
an effective way for workers to get to work on time along with a way of meeting
wartime demand by transporting things by rail which may have been
significantly quicker than by road due to heavy restrictions on fuel and the use
of vehicles.
The railway played a significant role in the local economy which made it
an obvious target for the German Luftwaffe to bomb. Although York never saw
heavy bombing it certainly did impact the railway but with little significance.
Many a time during small raids during the war the carriage works were often
hit. This is shown through the way Betty Margaret Chalmers talks of her
62 Rowntree Society, Rowntrees Private railway, 2014. [online] Available from:
http://www.rowntreesociety.org.uk/rowntrees-private-railway/ [Accessed: 20th
February 2016]

experiences working on the railway. She states that there was a major raid on
the engine sheds and watersheds which destroyed some trains.63 Therefore
perhaps having a small impact upon the transportation of freight with the
destruction of engines but nonetheless not a massive impact. However on the
Baedeker raid of 1942 she states that there was significant damage to the main
station and the telegraph office where she worked as she was unable to work
for two days until the station was repaired and they were moved to the old
original station under the bar walls.64 Therefore despite the Luftwaffe’s
attempts to damage York’s wartime economy and movements it had no major
impact upon it even in the largest raid ever upon York.
York’s railway network was certainly significant in the North of England
with it being a central hub in the north but despite its vital importance it was
never badly damaged compared to other railway networks in northern Britain.
Hull was certainly one city that was often damaged by the Luftwaffe including
its railway. According to Hoole between 1939 and 1945 many of Hulls railway
installations and inhabitants were badly hit by over 100 air raids compared with
less than half of that in York.65 Therefore it does question the significance of
York’s railway in being effected by the Second World War and the economic
impact that was made. On the other hand though Hull was a major city with a
harbour that had significant wartime movements being undertaken and it also
must be noted that the station in Hull was never actually hit unlike that in York
but the rest of the city of Hull was.66 So although York’s significance as a
63 B. Chalmers, recording of her discussing her life working on the railway.
2000
64 ibid.
65 K. Hoole, The Railways of York. Clapham: Dalesman, 1976.p.42
66 ibid.p51

central economic railway hub is certainly justified by the fact that it appears to
have been more of a target for the German Luftwaffe than Hulls Paragon
station.
The railway was one of the most important sources of employment
within York. According to Feinstein the railway and confectionary industry
accounted for a third of all jobs in York. This was perhaps helped by how York
was a long established railway centre and the fact it encouraged tourism to the
city as Feinstein states ‘from their earliest days the railways encouraged
visitors to come see the magnificent townscape which the city had miraculously
preserved from its past glory’ despite the war.67 It must be stated that
according to Hoole the busiest period was the trains to Scarborough in the
summer of 1939. However, excursions to Scarborough did stop during the war
as the line was vital for movements of troops and freight.68 Therefore showing
the significance that the railway had upon the city of York’s employment.
The Railway in Britain was certainly of vital importance to Britain during
the war and was often discussed in the houses of Parliament. In a cabinet
paper dated July 1941 there was a discussion on the railways and its future as
well as the controlling of them. Although no city is mentioned the discussion
can certainly be applied to York and according to the papers the railway in
Britain was controlled by government and they were responsible for the day to
day operation of the railway in the war. It also raises questions about what
ways are the most effective in order to ensure the operation of the railway is of
67 C.H. Feinstein, York 1831-1981: 150 years of scientific endeavor and social
68 K. Hoole, The Railways of York. Clapham:Dalesman, 1976.pp.63-83

maximum value to the war effort.69 Therefore showing the significance that the
railway had upon Britain’s war effort including its economy through its operation
and with York being a railway centre it was certainly of most importance in
Britain’s wartime economy.
York’s railway contributed significantly to the local and wider war
economy. It did this because it was a major railway hub for troop and war
production. The railway along with the confectionary industry had created a
large proportion of York’s jobs as well as contributing to the transportation of
staff and products for Rowntree’s along the Foss Islands railway. Furthermore,
despite its significance it was never heavily bombed or destroyed but ultimately
was a target for the Luftwaffe. Therefore, York’s railway was of significance
because it helped every aspect of York’s economy moving.
69 J. Anderson, The Future of the Railways, London, 1941. PP.1-4

The Second World War had certainly changed Britain’s economy to a
controlled one because of a move from peacetime to wartime and so had to
adapt to prepare for war. This meant that the ancient city of York had to adapt
alongside the rest of Britain to prepare for wartime production and wartime life
almost as it had done before in World War one. It successfully did adapt
through great changes of industry, business, life and transportation as is
explored in this monograph.
Rowntrees had started producing less confectionary and worked
alongside other companies and the ministry of supply to meet the demands on
wartime production. This was undertaken by parts of its factory being
converted for wartime use. It had produced many products such as munitions
and fuses as well as a reduced line of products.70 They had also managed to
maintain a large workforce despite the impact of rationing and many serving
away in the forces as well as for the war effort. Rowntree had also
successfully never been the target of the German Luftwaffe making its
production levels consistent throughout the war despite the factory being of
significance to the axis air force.
Further to this many companies in York like Vickers helped to contribute
to wartime production. They created specialist equipment to be used by many
on the frontline as well as increasing its workforce at the looming of war. Bettys
had adapted to serve armed forces and its refusal to be requisitioned allowed
the company to prosper from the war and maintain its staff in employment.

The aerodrome which was built on Rawcliffe meadow and Clifton which
was later requisitioned by the Royal Air force had enabled York to contribute to
the repair of aircraft and involvement in fighting the war. This would have
meant many people were in employment and enabled a contribution to the war
effort. Also Prisoners of war were involved in the war effort through manual
labour on farms where they assisted in contributing to the agricultural
economy.
York’s railway was a vital part of York’s economic infrastructure
alongside Rowntrees and all the other businesses during the war. This is in
part due to its location of being half way between London and Edinburgh as
well as having a large network of track that connected to all the major northern
cities. This made it easier for troop and freight movements. It employed a large
number of people in both the station and carriage works. The carriage works
contributed significantly to the wartime economy in York through its building of
war products such as bailey bridges.71 It was also vital in transporting products
from the production lines at Rowntrees on Haxby road. So its wartime
contribution was of great significance to the wartime economy in York.
Overall, York’s economy in the Second World War changed and
adapted with an advancement and in some cases an expansion of business.
This was of course the case around Britain during world war two with an
increase in war-related activities as would have been greatly expected.72 Many
impacts upon the economy and business certainly affected York and Britain as

a whole such as rationing and lend-lease. Although York is smaller than many
other cities its contribution and impact economically was greater than many
people would think.
Total Word count: 9020

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my special study supervisor Dr Chris Price for his
professional guidance and his useful and constructive recommendations on
this piece.
Further to this I would like to thank my family for supporting me through this
study and taking me to places to help me with my research.
Finally, I would also like to thank the staff at the University of York’s Borthwick
institute, the National Railway Museum and York Explore Library Archives for
their guidance in using the archive material.

Dissertation

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (14)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (9)

Similar to Dissertation

Similar to Dissertation (20)

Dissertation