1939-1945

THE STORY OF WAR SERVICE

The object of this book is to show by means of pictures how, during the war, the House of State Express served the Fighting Forces of the United Nations all over the world, and the much-bombed civilian population of Great Britain, with “the best cigarettes in the world” ; how despite heavy damage by bombing and war-time difficulties and restrictions, full supplies were sustained and the world-famous quality of State Express cigarettes was always maintained.

    Briefly, it is the story of a British House in London which carried on with determined resolution, often under severe bombard-ment from the air, and even succeeded in producing a largely increased output of cigarettes of the very finest quality.

    This achievement, of which the Company is justly proud, would not have been possible without the loyal co-operation of all their employees who worked long hours and endured enemy bombing attacks day and night at home and at work.

   When the enemy decided upon “Total War” by indiscriminate bombing of civilians he hoped to break the spirit of the workpeople and destroy the “Home front.” As often before, he entirely misjudged the ordinary folk of these Islands, who, whilst slow to hate, have a dogged determination to fight back which makes them unbeatable. Like other ordinary people, the employees of State Express were no exception. The Factories were damaged by enemy bombs on 5 occasions. Fine blocks of buildings were completely destroyed and in one of the incidents a fire of such magnitude was caused by an “oil bomb” that the fire brigades were still operating on the smouldering debris three weeks after the night of the raid. The Factory basements were flooded and electric power and lighting were cut off.

    The management had been far-sighted enough to make plans to meet cases of emergency that might follow damage of this nature.