Thread: Need Help: UK - vintage ahaving mores and items - 1914-1920

Hi all,

I need help regarding the shaving habits, items and particulars back in 1914 to 1920 in Great Britain, particularly the Northern regions (Blackpool - Accrington - Preston) and London and greater London on the other hand (if geography plays any role there). I'm not very knowledgeable in this regard, so I would value everyone's input. I'll ask my questions with detail, but please answer from whatever angle you have knowledge there:

1. What sort of shaving item would a young man of 16-18 years age have started shaving with (a shopkeeper's assistant, so lower middle-class, if that's important)?
2. Would he have taken these items along as a soldier (other ranks) or would the army have provided him with something standard? I'm aware of the fact that uniform rules still made the mustache obligatory, yet a lot of soldiers went clean-shaven. Does anyone know whether these were all volunteers?
3. What brands and kinds of shaving soap and aftershave were available in the UK in 1914? During the war in the army? In 1918? How did they smell like, how act as substances?
4. How did these items all look like? I'd be overjoyed to be pointed at photos.
5. How expensive were they? Where from would a man buy them in a city or in a rural area?
6. What were the shaving norms in civilian life at the time? By that I wonder whether e.g. a 5-o'clock shadow would have to come off in general before dinner or only for certain occasions. Also how much the loss of the ability to grow a beard or a mustache would be a hardship or mortification for a young man.
7. Who would have taught him to shave? Father? Elder brother? A visit to a barber?

I know, curious questions I really hope for a few answers though. Thank you everyone who tries to wrap their brains around this!

Cheers

B.