During the years of 1940 and 1941 the wail of the air raid siren would indicate the incoming German Bombers would begin dropping their bombs in a matter of minutes. All those who could do so made their way to the nearest air raid shelter, and in London, this was often an underground station.

The YMCA often set up tea stations to give cups of tea to the people who were forced to leave their houses or offices because of the air raid.

In the days of September 1940 most Londoners slept underground bringing bunks, book, canteens and other facilities to make the best of conditions.

An Air Raid Alert informing Londoners of the disruption to underground services. 

Through the early weeks of the Blitz, an average of 200 Luftwaffe aircraft bombed London each night. Most families made their homes in the underground and so much was the spirit of the families that they transported books and set up a library to keep themselves amused.