Pack of cellulose film to protect windows: Adams family, Mascot NSW

Pack containing approximately 15 sq feet of folded cellulose film in paper wrapper. Wrapper has instructions for use printed in red, entitled "Protect your glass windows against shattering in raids", which instruct the user to cut the film to fit each window pane and glue to the glass "and if several thicknesses of Cellulose Film are used so much the better." The manufacturers are careful to note that while the film "will not prevent glass from being broken, it will greatly reduce the risk of pieces being projected into the building."

Related to the wartime home front experience of the Adams family of Gardeners Road, Mascot. Family consisted of Maria Charlotte Adams (mother, born 1883; married Frederick Robert Adams London 31 March 1907. The couple emigrated to Australia in 1914 aboard "Themostheos"). Father Frederick served in the 19th Battalion in France and Belgium during the First World War, returned to Australia and left the family in the 1930's to look for work and never returned. All the couple's living children (Frederick Jnr, b 1907; Louise, Lily, b 1910 and Alfred, b 1912) were born in England, while Douglas was born in Sydney in 1920. During the Second World War, family members living at Gardeners Road were mother Maria, Frederick Jnr, Lily, Alfred and Douglas. At this time, because of frail health, Fred worked as a cleaner/caretaker at Century Storage Battery Company in Mascot; Lily worked for a number of essential service industries (including Major Paints); Alfred enlisted on 1 October 1941 and served with 2 Salvage Corps; and Douglas as a fitter for Stromberg-Carlson. Although Douglas enlisted in 1941 and spent 6 months training at Greta Camp, Sydney, he was recalled to Stromberg-Carlson where he remained for the duration of the war. The Adams family took Air Raid Precautions seriously and purchased an Anderson Air Raid shelter which they installed in the back yard of the house. Cellulose film was used to strengthen the windows and this unused example was left over from this exercise.