Is there a list of evacuees?

The mass evacuation of children and other vulnerable people took place in early September 1939, before National Registration on 29 September that year. As a result, many evacuees appear in the register. There are no lists or registers of evacuees available online.

What happened to many children in London during WWII?

The Second World War was a time of major upheaval for children in Britain. Over a million were evacuated from towns and cities and had to adjust to separation from family and friends. Many of those who stayed, endured bombing raids and were injured or made homeless.

Did all evacuees return home?

This meant uneventful months passed, giving a false sense of safety, so many children began to come back. Despite warnings by the Minister of Health, nearly half of all evacuees had returned to their homes by Christmas. But, when France fell in June 1940, Britain became the next target and the Blitzkrieg began.

Did they evacuate children from London in ww2?

From June 13 to June 18, 1940, around 100,000 children were evacuated (in many cases re-evacuated). When the Blitz began on 7 September 1940, children who had returned home or had not been evacuated were evacuated. By the end of 1941, city centres, especially London, became safer.

How many evacuees were there in ww2?

How many people were evacuated during the war? By the end of the Second World War around 3.5 million people, mainly children had experienced evacuation. No one was forced to go but parents were encouraged by posters and told that their children would be safer from German bombs if they moved to the country.

How long were the evacuees away from home in ww2?

Evacuation took place in several waves. The first came on 1 September 1939 – the day Germany invaded Poland and two days before the British declaration of war. Over the course of three days 1.5 million evacuees were sent to rural locations considered to be safe.

What evacuees took with them?

Parents were issued with a list detailing what their children should take with them when evacuated. These items included a gas mask in case, a change of underclothes, night clothes, plimsolls (or slippers), spare stockings or socks, toothbrush, comb, towel, soap, face cloth, handkerchiefs and a warm coat.

Did evacuees go to school?

Schools in rural areas remained open but they often had to share their facilities with the evacuees. This involved local children using the classrooms in the morning while the evacuees would attend school in the afternoon.

What were evacuees allowed to take with them from home?

What did evacuees have to pack?

What did evacuees have on their labels?

The labels include details of each child such as date of birth, name and school. They also have the destination information, showing your class that children were sent somewhere else.

Why did evacuees wear name tags?

Children who were being evacuated were taken to the railway station by their parents or guardians, and sent off with a label attached to their clothing. This made sure that when they got off the train at the other end, people there would know who they were and where they had come from.

What happened to children in London during WW2?

Prior to the bombing, hundreds of thousands of children in London were evacuated to the countryside to avoid the bombing. Civilians took shelter from the air raids in underground stations. The heaviest bombing took place between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941.

Where can I find records of children evacuated during World War II?

This short guide will help you to research records of children evacuated during the Second World War. Most of the records at The National Archives that relate to evacuation are central government policy files. What do I need to know before I start?

What happened to the evacuees after WW2?

Some evacuees came from the continent, (roughly 30,000 people), and from the Channel Islands, which were occupied by the Nazis from June 1940 to May 1945. Once the war had finished, any evacuees who were still living in their temporary rural homes were returned home to their families.

How do I find out who was evacuated in 1939?

Search the 1939 Register for England and Wales at Findmypast.co.uk ( charges apply) for evacuees and their helpers – search for ‘evacuee’ in the Occupation field. The mass evacuation of children and other vulnerable people took place in early September 1939, before National Registration on 29 September that year.