Collecting aluminium pots and pans to make aeroplanes

A photograph of men working on a huge mound of aluminium pots, pans and other domestic items, given by the public in response to an appeal by the Ministry for Aircraft Production in July 1940.

A photograph of three men collecting aluminium pots and pans, taken in 1940 by Harold Tomlin for the Daily Herald.

The men are working on a pile of aluminium pots, pans and other domestic items, given by the public in response to an appeal by the Ministry for Aircraft Production in July 1940. The aluminium was initially required to build fighter planes, though little was actually used for this purpose, the appeal did however act as a morale booster as the public felt they were 'doing their bit' for the war effort.