City of Armadale - History House > Records

SERIES A MOTOR SPIRIT RATION TICKETS 1 GALLON - DENZIL ROY FLETCHER

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1940 - 1950

Overview

Two Motor Spirit Ration Tickets. Salmon coloured paper with black printing on the front of the tickets.

Printed on front of each ticket is a stylised swan on a shield with [WESTERN / AUSTRALIA] printed to the right of the swan. Below this is the ticket details, with [MOTOR SPIRIT RATION / TICKET / SERIES A / VALID IN ALL STATES]. Below this is printed a large number 1 with [ONE / GALLON] printed on either side of the number.

At the bottom of the ticket is printed [NOT TRANSFERABLE / THIS TICKET MUST BE ENDORSED IN INK / BY CONSUMER WITH NAME, LICENCE NUMBER / AND VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER].

In compliance with the instructions at the bottom of the ticket, Mr Fletcher has written the following in blue pen ink on the reverse of each ticket:

[DR Fletcher / AK55 / 164270]

Historical information

During World War II Denzel Roy Fletcher was the resident police officer at the Armadale Station from 1938-1948. Denzel was possibly issued these petrol ration tickets for his police car as he was tasked with policing from Kelmscott to Byford and up into the hills past Bedfordale. In 1948 Denzel retired from the police force to take up a position managing the electrical plant on Garden Island.

Rationing was introduced during World War II due to shortages caused by supplying the war effort and sending supplies to Europe. Though some items were restricted it was not until 1942, after Japan entered the war that the Federal Government introduced a national rationing system. Following the end of the war rationing was slowly reduced with tea being the last item removed from the rationing list in July 1950.

Date gazetted Date abolished Quantity per adult

Clothing 12 June 1942 24 June 1948 112 coupons per year

Tea 3 July 1942 July 1950 1/2 lb per 5 weeks

Sugar 29 August 1942 3 July 1947 2 lb per fortnight

Butter 7 June 1943 June 1950 1 lb per fortnight

Meat 14 January 1944 24 June 1948 2 1/4 lbs per week

Petrol June 1940 February 1950 1 gallon per ticket

The Australian Federal Government introduced petrol rationing in June 1940 with the aim to reduce petrol consumption by half. By October rationing was increased to a third of consumption. Drivers applied for a petrol license from which they were allocated ration tickets based upon their need. In 1942 as the war continued, petrol rationing became more strictly enforced. Rationing was discontinued in February 1950 thanks to a campaign lead by the motor industry.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-AK1995.33

Item type

Documents

Material

Paper

Width

59 mm

Height or length

83 mm

Year