[Coal is in short supply], cartoon by Leslie Gilbert Illingworth, 1941. Source: Cartoon Collection, Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru/National Library of Wales.

A soldier sleeps and a woman is frying sausages over a candle. There are coal coupons in an unlit fireplace.

‘Whisky’ the cat, pet and mascot of HMS Duke of York (ca. 1940s). Source: National Maritime Museum on Flickr.

This photograph is featured in Arctic Convoys, a new photographic exhibition looking at the experiences of those who served on the Arctic Convoys. It’s on at the National Maritime Museum until March 2012, www.nmm.ac.uk/convoys/

John Phillips, A cat in a carrier during an air raid, 1941. Source: LIFE Photo Archive, hosted by Google.

A woman demonstrating the proper way to safely pick up an excited cat in the event of first aid being required due to an air raid. John Phillips, 1941. Source: LIFE Photo Archive, hosted by Google.

“After the smoke of battle had cleared on Betio Island, Tarawa, this tiny kitten crept out from beneath a wrecked Japanese tank, to receive a drink from a U.S. Marine,” 1943. Source: U.S. Naval Institute.

“Waiting instructions in the briefing room, pilots on a US Navy aircraft carrier relax by playing with the ship’s mascot. / Probably the USS Ranger, July 1944.” Source: U.S. Naval Institute.