2 vests
2 pairs of underpants
2 shirts
2 nightshirts or pajamas
2 pairs of socks
2 pairs of boots or shoes
1 pair wellies (where possible)
1 warm coat or mackintosh
1 pair of trousers
1 pullover
6 handkerchiefs
1 toothbrush
1 face flannel
1 comb
2 towels
FACTSHEETS
THE EVACUATION
The order to “evacuate forthwith” was issued at 11.07am on Thursday 31st August 1939. It led to the biggest and most concentrated mass movement of people in Britain’s history: nearly 3,000,000 children were transported from towns and cities, in a plan called Operation Pied Piper, to get away from enemy bombers.
The government thought that there was going to be as many as 4,000,000 people hurt in London and so they erected barrage balloons that floated overhead to make it difficult for enemy bombers to find their targets. They also built up a huge store of coffins.
Children were labelled with the name of their education authority, their surname and then their forename, and taken to their school where they were given into the care of their teachers to be taken to the countryside. Most children did not know where they were going, what they would be doing and when they were coming back. Many thought that they were going on a great adventure.
On arrival in the countryside, it was discovered that hundreds of children had arrived at the wrong destination with too few rations and nowhere to stay – there were not enough places in local people’s homes. Instead, children were lined up in village halls while the adults who lived in the village took their pick, usually with the words, “I’ll take that one!”
Children had mixed experiences during the evacuation. Many discovered the countryside and learned new skills. However, some suffered from abuse and cruelty. John Abbott, an evacuee from Bristol, had his rations stolen by his host family and had to live off mashed potato.
The difference between inner-city and country life must have been a shock to many of the children and one of the most noticeable things at the time was that city children were a lot smaller and thinner than children from the countryside. These were signs of lack of nutrition and poor housing. The pressure that arose from people noticing these differences forced the government into action after the war, when a huge effort was made to improve inner city conditions.
The government provided a list of things that evacuees should take with them:
BOTH Gas mask • Identity card • Ration book • Clothing coupons • Food for one day |
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BOYS |
GIRLS |
2 vests 2 liberty bodices (if needed) 2 pairs of knickers 2 nighdresses 2 pairs of socks or stockings 1 pair of wellies (if possible) 1 warm coat or macintosh 1 warm dress tunic or jersey 1 cardigan 2 cotton dresses 6 handkerchiefs 1 toothbrush 1 face flannel 1 comb 2 towels |
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