Among the great photos In Focus published of London during WWII is this one: a small boy hugging a giant, kind of awesome stuffed animal. The simple form of the animal reminds me a bit of Renate Mueller, so maybe his house was hit by the lone German airplane to drop toys instead of bombs.
Also interesting: the photo is by Toni Frissell, a fashion and society photographer who also produced some nice, photographic children's books.
WWII: The Battle of Britain [infocus at the atlantic]
previously: Toni Frissell's photographic children's books
Probably used it as a pillow when sleeping in the Underground.
It's an elephant (with missing ears). The trunk is nestled in the crook of his arm. I had one pretty much exactly the same growing up in England 30 years later.