A History of Enfield Volume 4 1939-1969 - A Time of Change.

Description

Author Monica Smith. Hardback with dustcover, 216pp, illustrated. Possibly the time of greatest social change since the Industrial Revolution, World War II brought the war to the Home Front with the destruction of homes and industry and loss of life. Edmonton was the worst affected part of our area. Citizens were united by a determination to win the war and put up with many changes to their lives such as food rationing, the evacuation of children and overcrowded housing. Conscription of both men and women, too, proved to be a social leveller. The unemployment and poverty of the 1930s was replaced by increased demand for workers, especially in the arms factories of the Lea Valley where women took over many jobs and continued to work after the war.

Victory in 1945 was celebrated but the following few years were tough with continuing housing, food and fuel shortages. However, the coming of the Welfare State brought benefits to many and the establishment of the National Health Service offered free medical care to all. Secondary education was extended to all children, as was the opportunity to study at university.

Major changes were the reorganisation of local government with the amalgamation of the boroughs of Edmonton, Enfield and Southgate into the London Borough of Enfield in 1965 and the coming of comprehensive education. By 1969 most people had a standard of living far higher than that of the 1930s. Houses were modernised and equipped with domestic appliances, medical care and education were free to all and wages sufficient to allow spending on holidays, leisure, good food and clothing. However, local industry was already beginning to suffer from competition from Asia and the outlook for the coming decade was not so rosy.