Extract from a Colonial Office pamphlet (1943) called ‘Colonies and the War: Sixty Million of Us’ which shows a diagram illustrating the vast supply of raw materials from the colonies provided as part of the war effort. However, the diagram does not include statistics for the huge contribution also made by these countries in terms in the armed services as part of the war effort. Catalogue ref: CO 875/15/12/f46
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Important Raw Materials from the Colonial Empire
Rubber from CEYLON used to make tyres for cars, shock absorbers in helmets, etc.
Petroleum from TRINIDAD used to make fuel for aircraft, tanks, armoured cars, ships, etc.
Bauxite from BRITISH GUIANA used to make aluminium for aircraft
Pyrethrum from KENYA used to make insecticide
Manganese from GOLD COAST used to harden steel
Groundnuts from GAMBIA used to make margarine and soap
Cotton (Sea Island) from WEST INDIES (Leeward and Windward Is.) used to make barrage balloons
Cotton from UGANDA used to make tropical uniforms
Iron Ore from SIERRA LEONE used to make steel for ships, tanks, guns, etc.
Gold from BECHUANALAND used to make hair-springs for chronometers
Sisal from TANGANYIKA used to make binder twine for reaping machines
Mahogany from BRITISH HONDURAS used to make airscrews (for training aircraft)
Tin from NIGERIA used to make engine bearings, cans (tinplate), solder
Copper from N. RHODESIA used to make driving bands for shells; and for cartridge-cases
Wool from BASUTOLAND used to make uniforms, blankets and greatcoats
Asbestos from SWAZILAND used to make fireproof suits