Australian clothing ration card issued to W.E. Bray
Date1943
Object number00036496
NameRation card
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 83 x 145 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionAn Australian clothing ration card issued to W.E. Bray, 1938-1945.
The cream coourd card has red printed text and black ink handwriting. The card number is "B 293186" an was issued by the Deputy Director of Rationing, 1943.HistoryRationing of clothing by coupons was introduced on 15th June, 1942, and extended to wearing apparel, headwear, footwear, handknitting wool and piece goods.
After the war began, conditions involving the importing and manufacturing of fabric and clothes changed as demand from the Armed Forces increased and a skilled labour shortage hit home.
To determine clothing rations, an assement was based on an average 'replacement rate' at pre war levels for men, women and children. These levels were then amended to accommmodate the restrictions the industry faced during war time. Allowances were then estimated as 'men could afford to suffer a reduction on pre-war rate of consumption of slightly less than half, women one-third and children one-fifth'. (www.abs.gov.au/ausstats)
Other countries were also used as models, patricularly the United Kingdom and different coupon values had to be applied for different requirements, such as clothing worn for performing heavy industry.
SignificanceBoth World War I and II saw civilians existing on ration coupons ranging from food to petrol and clothes. Rationing became a way of life and was seen as both a necessity and another way to support our forces fighting overseas. 
22 October 1941
c 1940
