It can be hard to imagine what life would have been like in the decades gone by.

But this series of advertisements from our 1940s archives can provide glimpses into the past.

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They can show us more about peoples' family dynamics, how they prepared their food and what they missed most in times of hardship such as Second World War rationing.

Take a moment now to step back in time by browsing the gallery below.

Dereham Times: Colman's - a local treasureColman's - a local treasure (Image: Colman's/Archant Library)

Dereham Times: OXO was branded here as 'first aid for the larder'OXO was branded here as 'first aid for the larder' (Image: OXO/Archant Library)

Dereham Times: An ode to Nestle's milk...An ode to Nestle's milk... (Image: Nestle/Archant Library)

Dereham Times: 'Available only within a limited area until removal of restrictions''Available only within a limited area until removal of restrictions' (Image: Jacob's/Archant Library)

Dereham Times: Still a dinnertime stapleStill a dinnertime staple (Image: Sarson's/Archant Library)

Dereham Times: 'Whenever the present control of distribution is withdrawn''Whenever the present control of distribution is withdrawn' (Image: Macfarlane Lang & Co/Archant Library)

Dereham Times: 'Always budget points for Quaker Puffed Wheat''Always budget points for Quaker Puffed Wheat' (Image: Quaker Oats/Archant Library)

Dereham Times: 'Potatoes keep you fighting fit!''Potatoes keep you fighting fit!' (Image: Archant Library)

Dereham Times: This ad, from the second week of the ration period, explains how to cook fishThis ad, from the second week of the ration period, explains how to cook fish (Image: Archant Library)

Dereham Times: Lucozade - 'the tonic you can trust'. Available in chemists.Lucozade - 'the tonic you can trust'. Available in chemists. (Image: Lucozade/Archant Library)

Which one is your favourite?