After #Wimbledon& #39;s announcement that the 134th Championships will be cancelled this year, we take a look back in history to the last time this decision was made, over 70 years agohttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">1/9

The Championships was suspended during the Second World War, from 1940-1946. Despite the absence of many staff members, the Club just about managed to stay open and was led by Acting Secretary, Nora Cleatherhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙋‍♀️" title="Happy woman raising one hand" aria-label="Emoji: Happy woman raising one hand">2/9

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However, during this time the Club served a very different purpose. In 1939, the Red Cross and St John Ambulance Brigade amongst others, moved in so that the Grounds could be used for a variety of civil defence and military functionshttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👨‍🚒" title="Man firefighter" aria-label="Emoji: Man firefighter">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚒" title="Fire engine" aria-label="Emoji: Fire engine">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👩‍⚕️" title="Woman health worker" aria-label="Emoji: Woman health worker">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚑" title="Ambulance" aria-label="Emoji: Ambulance"> 3/9

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There was even a small farm onsite where land was ploughed to grow crops. The first animals were two pigs, affectionately named Jenny and Joey! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🐷" title="Pig face" aria-label="Emoji: Pig face">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🐷" title="Pig face" aria-label="Emoji: Pig face"> Afterwards, they were joined by hens, ducks, geese, rabbits and a donkey. 4/9

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Over 1000 bombs fell on the Wimbledon area during the war, destroying over 14,000 homes. The Grounds were hit 16 times, with a bomb striking the Centre Court roof. Despite this, by summer 1945 tennis had recommenced & tournaments involving servicemen took place. 5/9

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In 1946, The Championships returned with players from 23 nations competing.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🌍" title="Earth globe europe-africa" aria-label="Emoji: Earth globe europe-africa"> For the first time, service personnel were used as Stewards which is a tradition that still remains today https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙌" title="Raising hands" aria-label="Emoji: Raising hands"> 6/9

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Reflections https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💭" title="Thought balloon" aria-label="Emoji: Thought balloon">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💭" title="Thought balloon" aria-label="Emoji: Thought balloon">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💭" title="Thought balloon" aria-label="Emoji: Thought balloon">
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The seven-year break did not affect the popularity of the event, with London Transport announcing a marked increase in passengers travelling by public transport in 1947. A blissful fortnight of weather was enjoyed on the tournament’s return…https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☀️" title="Sun with rays" aria-label="Emoji: Sun with rays">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🍓" title="Strawberry" aria-label="Emoji: Strawberry">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🕶️" title="Dark sunglasses" aria-label="Emoji: Dark sunglasses"> 8/9

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There will be brighter days https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💚" title="Green heart" aria-label="Emoji: Green heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💜" title="Purple heart" aria-label="Emoji: Purple heart">
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