WWII Evacuees in the UK

When did the UK officially enter World War II?

What was the purpose of the evacuation of children from cities in the UK?

How many children were moved out of cities and into the countryside in the four days following the evacuation order?

Who accompanied children during their journey to the countryside?

What mode of transport did evacuees use to travel to the countryside?

What was one of the essential items children were required to take with them during the evacuation?

How did younger children identify their belongings during the evacuation?

What was the experience of evacuation like for many children?

How did evacuees typically communicate with their families after leaving the cities?

What was the arrangement made for evacuees to live in the countryside?

Evacuation of Children during World War II

The UK government started preparing for war in 1938-1939, deciding to move children out of cities and into the countryside to ensure their safety.
On August 3, 1939, the government sent out an evacuation order, resulting in over 3 million British children moving out of cities in just four days.
Children travelled with their teachers, mostly by train, carrying a gas mask, clothes, and food in one bag, with younger children having their name and address labels on their clothes.

Life in the Countryside

The evacuated children stayed with "host families" in the countryside, an experience that was both exciting and terrifying for many.
While some children made friends with their host families, others struggled with homesickness and the difficulty of adapting to a new environment.

Education in the Countryside

Evacuated children attended local schools in the countryside, often in the afternoons, as the local children attended school in the mornings due to the large number of students.

The Blitz

German planes started attacking London in September 1940, dropping 31,000 bombs in nine months, killing over 20,000 people and damaging a million houses.
Most attacks occurred at night, and people sought safety in bomb shelters, gardens, or Underground tube stations, with over 150,000 people sleeping in the Underground some nights.
Other cities, such as Liverpool, Birmingham, and Coventry, also suffered bombing attacks.

Learn about the evacuation of children from cities to the countryside in the UK before the start of World War II. Discover the government's decision to move children out of cities and into the countryside in 1939.