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College boys returning to Eton with gas masks, Sept 1939
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College boys returning to Eton with gas masks, Sept 1939
Boys returning to Eton to resume their education after the Summer holidays, shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War earlier that month. Each boy carries a gas mask and wears a top hat.
1939
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Media ID 23269024
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
College Eton Jul19 Mask Phoney Phony Raid Raids
EDITORS COMMENTS
September 1939: Boys of Eton College Returning Amidst the Uncertainties of War Amidst the ominous backdrop of the approaching Second World War, boys of Eton College, one of England's most prestigious public schools, returned to their academic pursuits after the summer holidays. The image captures the boys, each carrying a gas mask and donning their traditional top hats, as they make their way through the college gates. The gas masks, a stark reminder of the impending air raids, were a new addition to their school supplies. The phoney war, a term used to describe the initial period of the Second World War, had begun in late August 1939, with both the Allied and Axis powers adhering to a mutual agreement not to attack each other's territories. However, the uneasy calm was shattered on September 1st when Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of the war. Despite the looming threat of air raids, the boys of Eton College resumed their education, determined not to let the war disrupt their academic journey. The image encapsulates the spirit of resilience and determination that defined the British people during this period. The gas masks, a symbol of preparedness, and the top hats, a symbol of tradition, serve as a poignant reminder of the unique blend of apprehension and normalcy that characterized life during the early days of the Second World War.
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