1939
3 June 1939
- The Military Training Act, Britain's first peacetime draft, comes into force. All men aged 20-21 are now liable to call-up for four years military service as 'Militiamen'.
24 August 1939
- Given the worsening situation in Europe, Parliament is recalled and immediately enacts the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939, granting the government special legislative powers for the duration of the crisis.
- Army reservists are called up.
- Civil Defence workers are put on alert.
30 August 1939
- The Fleet proceeds to its war stations.
1 September 1939
- In response to the German invasion of Poland and the prospect of war with Germany, plans for the evacuation of children and nursing and expectant mothers from London and other areas deemed vulnerable to German air attack are put into action.
- The Blackout begins.
- The British Army is officially mobilized.
2 September 1939
- Under intense criticism from the House, Neville Chamberlain abandons an offer to negotiate peace terms between Germany and Poland and agrees to present an ultimatum to Hitler.
3 September 1939
- Shortly after 11:00 Chamberlain announces to the nation that his ultimatum has expired and that Britain is at war with Germany.
- Twenty minutes later the first air raid sirens are sounded in London. They are a false alarm.
- Chamberlain reforms his Government, creating a small War Cabinet which includes Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty.
- The National Service (Armed Forces) Act is passed. All men aged 18-41 are now potentially liable for conscription.
7 September 1939
- The National Registration Act is passed, introducing identity cards.
27 September 1939
- The first war tax is revealed by the Cabinet, including a significant hike in income taxes.
1 October 1939
- Call-Up Proclamation: all men aged 20-21 who have not already done so must apply for registration with the military authorities.
6 October 1939
- With the end of formal Polish resistance the Phony War begins.
Read more about this topic: Timeline Of The United Kingdom Home Front During World War II