World War II and silversmithing in the UK

[Essexboy Fisher]

Hello. I just found in an auction mixed lot, what appeared to be a boxed set of 6 silver coffee spoons. That was until I had a careful look at the hallmarks. The spoons were made by “Atkin Brothers” of Sheffield but there are different date letters. Hopefully the photos are below.



Why are there 3 different date letters on spoons from the box? Did the family that owned my spoons have 3 different date lettered sets of spoons and I have just got a mixture in my box? Was there something special about manufacturing in Sheffield during the time span of my date letters? There is a “w” for 1939, a “y” for 1941 and four “z’s” for 1942 (I am sure the letters are lower case and the years are correct as I have previously been helped by this forum over confusion with the “case” of some Sheffield date letters.).
Yes there was a war going on so how did the World War II affect silversmithing in the UK? Has anyone on the forum got any answers about the War and maybe about my set of spoons?
Yours
Fishless.