10 Questions
Who were evacuated during the 'First Wave' of evacuations?
School aged children
What happened during the 'phoney war'?
No bombing occurred
How were the evacuations organized?
Teachers, volunteers, and education authorities usually organized the evacuation
What was the role of the Women’s Voluntary Service during evacuations?
They looked after children at railway stations and during their journey
How were billeting officers involved in the evacuation process?
They made sure all evacuees found a temporary home when they arrived
What did families in the countryside with a spare room have to do during the evacuation?
Take in at least one evacuee
What was a challenge for many host families when looking after evacuated children?
Children arriving with skin disease and lice
What did older girls and boys offer as an advantage for host families?
Help with chores and work on farms
Why were siblings often split up when being chosen by host families?
To distribute the workload among different families
What was the purpose of sending a postcard home with their billet address on for evacuated children?
To inform parents of their whereabouts
Study Notes
The 'First Wave' of Evacuations
- Urban children, mothers with infants, and the infirm were evacuated during the 'First Wave' of evacuations.
The 'Phoney War'
- The 'phoney war' referred to the period between September 1939 and May 1940 when there was little military action.
Organization of Evacuations
- Evacuations were organized by the government, with assistance from local authorities and voluntary organizations.
- Evacuees were labeled and grouped according to their destination.
Role of the Women's Voluntary Service
- The Women's Voluntary Service played a crucial role in evacuations, helping to settle evacuees in their new homes.
Billeting Officers
- Billeting officers were responsible for finding and allocating homes for evacuees.
- They worked closely with local authorities to identify suitable accommodations.
Family Involvement
- Families in the countryside with a spare room were required to take in evacuees.
- They were expected to provide food, shelter, and care for the evacuees.
Challenges for Host Families
- A challenge for many host families was adjusting to the presence of evacuees with different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Older girls and boys offered an advantage for host families as they could assist with household chores.
Sibling Separation
- Siblings were often split up when being chosen by host families due to the limited availability of accommodations.
Postcards Home
- Evacuated children were sent to send a postcard home with their billet address on to inform their families of their new location.
Test your knowledge about the evacuation of children from British cities at the start of World War II. Learn about the government's plans and the experiences of families during this challenging time.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
