The Stationery Office Collection

The Renown, the Ark Royal, and the Sheffield, c1939-1941, (1942). Creator: Unknown
The Renown, the Ark Royal, and the Sheffield, c1939-1941, (1942). " Out To Sea and Into The Sky". The three famous partners of Force H - the battle-cruiser Renown, the Ark Royal

Those who went to shelters began a new kind of night-life, 11th November, 1940, 1942. London residents taking shelter in Elephant and Castle tube station during the World War II

It Was Her Business To Get There, c1941 (1942). A girl Ambulance Driver sets out through the blitz. From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

Thousands Were Suddenly Made Homeless, c1940 (1942). Families made homeless by the blitz of World War II. From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

Map showing the movements of HMS Ark Royal, 1939-1941, (1942). Creator: Unknown
Map showing the movements of HMS Ark Royal, 1939-1941, (1942). Map of the Atlantic Ocean, western Europe and Africa, indicating journeys

The Ark is Launched on Merseyside, 13th April, 1937, (1942). Creator: Unknown
The Ark is Launched on Merseyside, 13th April, 1937, (1942). Her huge bows tower to her iron flight deck 800 feet long and 94 across

Desert Squadron - planes of the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War, c1943. The aircraft are Martlets...operating in the Western Desert with the Royal Air Force

Fleet Air Arm pilots, 1943. Creator: Unknown
Fleet Air Arm pilots, 1943. British pilots on board an aircraft carrier during the Second World War. The Fa is the section of the Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft

The Spirit of the Ark, - sailors of the Royal Navy, c1942. Creator: Unknown
The Spirit of the Ark, - sailors of the Royal Navy, c1942. A British aircraft carrier of the Second World War, HMS Ark Royal was designed to carry a large number of aircraft

The Ark Is Hit At Last, 1941, (1942). Creator: Unknown
The Ark Is Hit At Last, 1941, (1942). Within sight of Gibraltar, to which she was returning, a torpedo from a German submarine struck the Ark. Within 3 minutes she was listing 12 degrees

On Board The Ark - on watch... c1940, (1942). Creator: Unknown
On Board The Ark - on watch in one of the Arks anti-aircraft direction and range-finders, c1940, (1942). A British Royal Navy aircraft carrier of the Second World War

British sailors on the deck of an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. Creator: Unknown
British sailors on the deck of an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. The white ensign, which comprises a red St Georges Cross on a white field with the Union Flag at top left

Cover of pamphlet about HMS Ark Royal, 1942. Creator: Unknown
Cover of pamphlet about HMS Ark Royal, 1942. The Ark Royal was a British Royal Navy aircraft carrier of the Second World War. From " Ark Royal"

Fighter planes on board an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Fighter planes on board an aircraft carrier, Second World War, c1943. A Martlet [Grumman F4F Wildcat] of the Fleet Air Arm, bearing American markings

Old Hands Now - pilots of the Fleet Air Arm, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Old Hands Now - pilots of the Fleet Air Arm, c1943. British pilots wearing Mae West life jackets during the Second World War

Machine-gun instruction, Fleet Air Arm, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Machine gun instruction, Fleet Air Arm, c1943. British sailors learning how to use a machine gun during the Second World War

Men of the Royal Navy, c1943. Creator: Unknown
Men of the Royal Navy, c1943. Pipe-smoking British sailors during the Second World War. From " Fleet Air Arm". [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1943]

The Commandos Were There, 1940-1942, (1943). The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

The Family Must Eat, c1940 (1942). An East End family cook a meal for the family from the ruined house across the street (visible through the window)

The Americans Lend a Hand, 1940-1942, (1943). Strategic bombing during World War II. A bombing attack by US Flying Fortresses knocks out a key airfield at Abbeville

Zero Feet, Near Zero Hour, 1940-1942, (1943). Low-flying aircraft took this reconnaissance photograph of Dieppe, 36 hours before the operation began. A German sentry is at the bridgehead

The Spirit of St. Nazaire, 1940-1942, (1943). As part of Operation Ariel, Saint-Nazaire like Dunkirk became an evacuation point for the British back to England. From Combined Operations, 1940-1942

Assault Course, 1940-1942, (1943)
Assault Course, 1943. Training was provided for commandos, brigade groups in the assault role, formations in follow up and the RAF

Sea-borne Assault: Troops Move In To Madagascar, 1940-1942, (1943). The Battle of Madagascar was a British campaign to capture Vichy French-controlled Madagascar during World War II

To Sit There And Carry On as though nothing was happening outside was not easy, 1941 (1942). G.P.O and Control Centre telephonists were called upon to do their ordinary jobs coolly

There Was Noting He Did Not Do, from moving people out of threatened shelters to mounting guard over unexploded bombs, 1941 (1942)

The W. V. S. Did Many Jobs. Here is a W. V. S. woman managing a field kitchen, c1941 (1942)
The W.V.S. Did Many Jobs. Here is a W.V.S. woman managing a field kitchen, c1941 (1942). From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

Belfast: Childrens Ward. The enemys attack was directed against the whole life of the people, their homes, hospitals, churches, their food, their daily work, 1941 (1942)

The Good Neighbour, c1941 (1942). A female Air Raid Warden comforts a victim of the blitz. Air Raid Precautions (ARP) was an organisation in the United Kingdom set up as an aid in the prelude to

The People Rally To The Peoples Need: Clydeside Feeds Its Homeless, 1941 (1942). As a result of the raids on the nights of 13th and 14th March 1941

South Wales had its turn early in the New Year. A stretcher party carries a casualty to safety, 1941 (1942). The toll on the night of 2 January 1941 saw 165 people killed and 427 more injured

And the heat of Battle. 1941 (1942). Merchants Road, Clifton. On 3rd & 4th January 1941 Bristol had its longest raid lasting 12 hours; during the raid the Luftwaffe dropped their biggest bomb

Nine Hours of Bombing. When Sheffields turn came it was mid-winter. 1940 (1942). A department store on Sheffield High Street, 12th December, 1940

In the Cold of Winter Arctic weather added new trials to the task of civil defence, 1941 (1942). On 3rd & 4th January 1941 Bristol had its longest raid lasting 12 hours; during the raid the Luftwaffe

Dawn Breaks to find the city transfigured after a night of hell, 1941 (1942). For three nights in February 1941, thousands of bombs rained down on Swansea

A scene during the London blitz, c1940 (1942). From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

In the morning, work as usual. After a big raid, the way to the office is knee-deep in rubble. Londoners unemotionally pick their way through it, c1940 (1942). From Frontline 1940-1941

One by one the trapped are released, 1940 (1942). A young girl is recued from the ruins during the blitz of World War II. From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

The search goes on, 1941 (1942). Throughout the night and all next day wardens, rescue men and ambulance men burowed into the wreckage of this house, looking for its occupant an old lady

Through the long night the rescue men at work, searching, helping to safety, 1941 (1942). The night of 11th January 1941. From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

Out in the Blitz, silhouetted aganinst the light of fires, rescue men climb into a building in St. Leonard Street, Shoreditch to reach people trapped in the upper floors, 1941 (1942)

Fifty Thousand Incidents were reported to London Control Centres during the Blitz, 1941 (1942). From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

Behind The Lines Were Many Workers. With the blitz still at its height, casualties are attended to in Westminster Hospital, 1941 (1942). The patient in the foreground is a female driver

The Firemen Were At The Forefront Of Danger, 1941 (1942). Firemen fighting a blaze in the East India Docks during the Blitz of World War II. From Frontline 1940-1941

Civil Defence volunteers, 1942. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

Total Attack. As the attempt to hit special objectives failed and died away, the enemy turned to mass bombardment, 1941 (1942)

Frontline 1940-1941 : front page, 1942. From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

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"The Stationery Office: Chronicles of Courage and Resilience Amidst the Chaos" Amidst the tumultuous years of 1939-1941, three mighty vessels, The Renown, the Ark Royal, and the Sheffield, stood as beacons of hope in a world engulfed by war. Captured through lens unknown, their majestic presence immortalized in photographs that tell tales untold. In those dark nights when fear gripped hearts tight, shelter became not just a refuge but an arena for a new kind of night-life. On that fateful 11th November 1940, lives intertwined under flickering candlelight as camaraderie blossomed amidst uncertainty. A snapshot frozen in time - a testament to human resilience. Yet thousands were suddenly made homeless as bombs rained down upon cities like relentless storms. Lives upturned and shattered; homes reduced to rubble. But from these ruins emerged stories of strength and determination etched into history's pages forevermore. A map traced the movements of HMS Ark Royal - its path marked with courage and unwavering resolve. From distant shores to treacherous seas it sailed with purpose - an emblematic symbol of Britain's indomitable spirit. On Merseyside's shores on that auspicious day - April 13th, 1937 - The Ark was launched into her destined destiny. Unknown hands captured this momentous occasion where dreams took flight upon waves crashing against her hull. The Desert Squadron soared high above battlefields during World War II; planes cutting through azure skies with precision and valor unmatched. Their wings carried hopes aloft amidst chaos below – guardians from above protecting freedom’s sacred ground. Fleet Air Arm pilots donned bravery like armor; their faces masked behind determination etched deep within their souls. In every cockpit they sat resolute – warriors defending skies against tyranny’s grip.