Evacuation of children during WW2
5 janvier 2013 18:46 Archives 3e
How do you think the children are feeling in the photo above?
What do you think they have packed in their bags?
What is evacuation?
Evacuation means leaving a place. During the Second World War, many children living in big cities and towns were moved temporarily from their homes to places considered safer, usually out in the countryside.
The British evacuation began on Friday 1 September 1939. It was called ‘Operation Pied Piper’.
World War Two ended in September 1945, however evacuation did not officially end until March 1946 when it was felt that Britain was no longer under threat from invasion. Surprisingly, even 6 months after the war had ended, there were still 5,200 evacuees living in rural areas with their host families.
Many evacuees’ had returned home long before March 1946.
In April 1945, the Government began to make travel arrangements to return the evacuees to their homes when the war was over.
By 12th July 1945, more than 100 trains had brought 54,317 evacuees home to London.
Examples of Letters and stories from real Evacuees’
The children who were evacuated to the country were evacuees. Their letters tell us a lot about what life was like for them.
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Dear Mummy Iv got to milk the cows on the farm.How are you?Do you like it at the factory?Mr and Mrs sharp are very kind. Im glad Auant Bertha is ok.I hope Daddy sends a field card soon.It was so sad to go.I was squashed on the train.I had to wake up early so I fell asleep on the train.I hope no one was hurt in last weeks Air Aid .I colected the eggs yest erday. love from Doreen |
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Dear Mother I had a very adventerous jorney.I did enjoy the train ride.My school teacher is fantastic.What kind of clothes are you making?I hope you are safe from the raids.You told me that fires started last night. I would absolutely love to see the barrage balloons. Where I am is wonderful. My new school is very fine. My new teacher Caroline is superb. I hope the war will end soon. Love from Margeret. |
from : http://www.chiddingstone.kent.sch.uk/homework/war/evacuation1.html#letter
