History Cool Kids

During WWII, British soldiers often organized theatrical performances to entertain troops and boost morale.

At Shornemead Fort near Gravesend, Kent, members of the Royal Artillery were rehearsing a Christmas charity show in 1940 when a coastal alert interrupted them.

With no time to change, the men rushed to their gun positions in dresses, stockings, and military helmets. Photographer John Topham captured the unusual scene.

Britain's Ministry of Information initially censored the photographs, fearing German propagandists would use them to ridicule British troops and undermine morale. However, some images appeared in The War Illustrated in February 1941.

Although the soldiers manned their coastal weapons, there's no confirmed evidence that they actually fired them during the alert.

📸: John Topham