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The Railway Poster in Britain

War time posters

The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 saw the hoardings cleared of most advertising material relating to leisure travel. The holiday resorts on the southern coast were effectively closed because of the threat of invasion, and the railway industry took on its essential role as part of the war machine moving men and material. Station names were painted out to confuse the enemy in the event of invasion and there was a universal black out removing all lighting which might attract bombers on night air raids.

Food, shells and fuel must come first poster

British Railways
Food, shells and fuel must come first ca.1942
© National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Library

On the railway poster hoardings, space was created for notices issued by the newly-formed Railway Executive Committee. They took responsibility for running the network and giving information on urgent matters, including emergency timetables, air-raid warnings and reduced services. The four companies were united for operation under the title 'British Railways'.

By November 1939, the British railway network was seriously preparing for war. It was moving extra food supplies, equipment and troops essential for the logistics of conflict.

Although many railwaymen were excluded from military service because railway work was a 'reserved occupation', essential to the war effort, many joined the armed forces and their jobs were filled by women recruits. Most of the poster campaigns now instructed the public to recognise the importance of the railways to the war effort; it was 'Another Mechanised Army' as depicted in one 1940  poster. People were also asked to consider what was really important with questions like 'Is your journey really necessary?' and 'Food, Shells and Fuel must come first. Do you mind?'

Another Mechanised Army poster

British Railways
Another Mechanised Army Attributed to Reginald Mayes, 1940
© National Railway Museum / Science& Society Picture Library

Heavy Parcels Cause Delay poster

British Railways
Heavy Parcels Cause Delay by Bert Thomas, c1942
© National Railway Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

As the threat of invasion was removed and an end to the war was in sight, the war posters began to come down and hoardings reverted to advertising the services of the 'Big Four' companies. Station name signs were also restored.

In May 1945 a joint poster was designed by Reginald Mayes to mark Victory in Europe (VE) day with the caption 'In War and Peace We Serve'. Other post-war posters reflected on the railway's wartime contribution like Helen McKie's 1947 Waterloo poster for the Southern Railway.

In War and Peace We Serve poster

British Railways
In War and Peace by Reginald Mayes, 1945
© National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Library

Waterloo Station War poster

Waterloo Station Peace poster

Southern Railway
Waterloo Station War/Peace by Helen McKie, 1948
© National Railway Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

In the post-war period the railways began to return to normal. Poster advertising again promoted the delights of holidays at home with an emphasis on a return to pre-war standards. Posters published by the GWR during this period included views of London and Plymouth which showed the two cities in their pre-war state.

London Pride poster

Great Western Railway
London Pride by Frank Mason, 1946
© National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Library