Finding sufficient quantities of material, to manufacture uniforms, for the many thousands of young men and women who found themselves mobilized for Military service, was a major problem to the authorities at the beginning of the Second World War, and one that was to involve much competition between the rival branches of the Armed Forces.
One story, in the winter of 1940, involves the Womens Royal Naval Service (WRNS) which was at that time, buying up all the quantities of Serge that could be located in order to make Trousers.
An anonymous Commander-in Chief is reported to have despatched the following Signal:
'WRENS CLOTHING IS TO BE HELD UP UNTIL THE NEEDS OF SEAGOING PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN SATISFIED.'
