During World War II around three and a half million British people, mainly children were evacuated from our major cities. Fleeing from the threat of air-raids they were transported by train, bus and even boat, the tiring journeys sometimes lasting days. They would be dropped off at their unknown destination and taken to a village hall or other suitable building, where local inhabitants had gathered to select them for fostering. How long it would be, if ever, before they would be allowed to return home, no one knew. Many children were settled with kind and sympathetic families but for many others that was not the case. It has to be remembered that many of the children, particularly from the larger cities, had not even seen the countryside let alone found themselves living there. Not only did they have to cope with an alien way of life, but they were also expected to cope with the trauma of being taken from their parents, living amongst strangers and being placed in unfamiliar schools. On the one hand, the fact that many of the children came from city slums meant they were often dirty, verminous and lacking in social skills, leading to strained relations between them and the foster family. Whilst often children from respectable families were expected to cope with primitive conditions that existed in the rural areas where they found themselves.
The whole operation, code-named Pied Piper was a logistical nightmare, with all the children being evacuated in the first four days of September 1939. They were each labelled like pieces of luggage and accompanied by an army of guardians - 100,000 teachers.
The 'Evacuate forthwith' order was issued at 11.07 am on Thursday, 31 August 1939. Revelations recalled by evacuees tell the story of painful memories that have been deeply hidden for more than 60 years. The images generally were of busy train stations, shouting officials and sobbing mothers, of parents giving instructions like 'Don't complain.' 'Grin and bear it.' 'Write home as soon as you can.' 'Look after your sister.'
Whilst the exodus went surprisingly well, the real problems came in the reception areas. The government had left the arrangements for the children's arrival and care to local authorities, with little more than an injunction to 'do their best.' Hundreds of children arrived in the wrong area with insufficient rations. And, more worryingly, there were not enough homes in which to put them.
A second wave of evacuation was announced, this was to include young children accompanied by their mothers, expectant mothers, blind, and any cripples who had received instructions they were to be moved.
As the evacuation continued those in receipt of state pensions and allowances were told to take their pension and allowance books to their new address and collect their monies from the local Post Office. By January 1940 almost 60% had returned to their homes.
Two further evacuations took place. By June 1940 the Germans had taken over most of France and around 100,000 children were evacuated (in many cases re-evacuated).
In June 1944 a third evacuation was carried out, when the Germans attacked again by firing VI rockets on Britain, followed later by V2 rockets. 1,000 women, children elderly and disabled people were evacuated from London.
This new way of attacking Britain carried on until the end of the war in Europe in May 1945.
The whole operation, code-named Pied Piper was a logistical nightmare, with all the children being evacuated in the first four days of September 1939. They were each labelled like pieces of luggage and accompanied by an army of guardians - 100,000 teachers.
The 'Evacuate forthwith' order was issued at 11.07 am on Thursday, 31 August 1939. Revelations recalled by evacuees tell the story of painful memories that have been deeply hidden for more than 60 years. The images generally were of busy train stations, shouting officials and sobbing mothers, of parents giving instructions like 'Don't complain.' 'Grin and bear it.' 'Write home as soon as you can.' 'Look after your sister.'
Whilst the exodus went surprisingly well, the real problems came in the reception areas. The government had left the arrangements for the children's arrival and care to local authorities, with little more than an injunction to 'do their best.' Hundreds of children arrived in the wrong area with insufficient rations. And, more worryingly, there were not enough homes in which to put them.
A second wave of evacuation was announced, this was to include young children accompanied by their mothers, expectant mothers, blind, and any cripples who had received instructions they were to be moved.
As the evacuation continued those in receipt of state pensions and allowances were told to take their pension and allowance books to their new address and collect their monies from the local Post Office. By January 1940 almost 60% had returned to their homes.
Two further evacuations took place. By June 1940 the Germans had taken over most of France and around 100,000 children were evacuated (in many cases re-evacuated).
In June 1944 a third evacuation was carried out, when the Germans attacked again by firing VI rockets on Britain, followed later by V2 rockets. 1,000 women, children elderly and disabled people were evacuated from London.
This new way of attacking Britain carried on until the end of the war in Europe in May 1945.
