IT WAS a time when rural life was dictated by the turning of the seasons - when family, friend and neighbour stood side-by-side at harvest time.

These photographs capture the days when wheat was still gathered by hand as early harvesting machines snaked their way through the fields in and around Romsey almost 70 years ago.

Not only the farmers would worry about their crops - the general public would also have serious concerns as to whether a it had been a bumper harvest or not.

There was very little grain imported in those days, so the crops were crucial to the wellbeing of the entire nation.

Although it was peacetime in the United Kingdom, bread rationing began on July 21, 1946, remaining on the list of scarce foods for two years

Under the rules of the bread and flour rationing scheme the population was divided into seven different categories, each given coupons covering bread, flour, cakes, buns and scones.

Male manual workers were given 15oz, expectant mothers and female manual workers 11oz, children aged 11 to 18 12oz, children aged five to 11 8oz, children from one to five 4oz, and babies under 12 months were entitled to 2oz.

Most adults were strictly limited to just 9oz of bread a day.

However, during the war – even when enemy submarine attacks were at their worst – the Government, concerned about the morale-sapping effect rationing had on the public, made sure loaves could be bought over the counter.

During the late 1940s and early 1950s, when the hardship of rationing was still fresh in people’s memories, the Daily Echo carried out annual reports regarding the harvest.

These would also include photographs of groups of people working in the fields as they brought in the crop - as can be seen on these pages.

At one time during the war it became illegal to feed bread to wild birds, or sell cakes with icing.

But after the end of the conflict, even in the USA – then seen as the land of plenty – there were shortages.

The United States was also short of bread, for similar reasons.

President Harry Truman said at the time that if it was hard for American households to buy a loaf they ought to be pleased, as “the loaf of bread and the bag of flour they do not buy means that much more for hungry children abroad”.

During the Second World War each person was issued with a ration book containing coupons, which were exchanged for the family’s weekly shopping.

Children under six were given half the adult amounts, while youngsters aged between six and 16 had no tea allowance.

Ministry of Food offices across the country distributed the ration books, licensed food dealers and enforced regulations.

Retailers registered with specific wholesalers, while families chose a designated shop for every basic commodity, except tea, clothes and soap, which could be purchased, when available, from any local store.