Evacuation to devon
Children and mothers of newborn babies were evacuated from big cities such as London, Bristol and Plymouth to the country to escape the risk of being bombed by the Germans.
They went to live with other families in Devon and some stayed there for as long as 6 years! others only for a few weeks. This is because the parents of some wanted their children back.
Although living in the countryside sounds lovely, some people got matched with horrible families and suffered whilst they were there. One young Girl said "I loved my family they were so kind and loving" another said " my family was horrible! they treated me like dirt, the other girls there would play tricks on me and get me into big trouble"
Most Children were sent with their school or local church groups, they would usually travel by train or bus. Once they arrived they would be selected by the families then go and live with them. The children would have to do chores everyday such as; washing dishes, laundry and dusting. If they were lucky none! They would go to the local school and church along with all the other evacuees and local children.
When they went home most evacuees kept in touch with their country families. writing to them regularly and sometimes going back to visit. Alot of the younger children knew them as their only family, they were taken away from there real parents at such a young age they couldn't remember them.
My Great Grandma and Grandad lived in Newbury, Berkshire. During the second World War they took in an evacuee from London. She was called Angela and she was eight years old when she arrived on the train from London. She stayed with them for over 2 years and became a part of the family. After the war she returned to her own family back in London but continued to write to them. They received a letter from the Queen after the war, thanking them for looking after an evacuee.
My Great Grandad stayed in this country during the war, serving in the St John's Ambulance service, helping and rescuing the injured from the damaged buildings after the many bombing raids.
They went to live with other families in Devon and some stayed there for as long as 6 years! others only for a few weeks. This is because the parents of some wanted their children back.
Although living in the countryside sounds lovely, some people got matched with horrible families and suffered whilst they were there. One young Girl said "I loved my family they were so kind and loving" another said " my family was horrible! they treated me like dirt, the other girls there would play tricks on me and get me into big trouble"
Most Children were sent with their school or local church groups, they would usually travel by train or bus. Once they arrived they would be selected by the families then go and live with them. The children would have to do chores everyday such as; washing dishes, laundry and dusting. If they were lucky none! They would go to the local school and church along with all the other evacuees and local children.
When they went home most evacuees kept in touch with their country families. writing to them regularly and sometimes going back to visit. Alot of the younger children knew them as their only family, they were taken away from there real parents at such a young age they couldn't remember them.
My Great Grandma and Grandad lived in Newbury, Berkshire. During the second World War they took in an evacuee from London. She was called Angela and she was eight years old when she arrived on the train from London. She stayed with them for over 2 years and became a part of the family. After the war she returned to her own family back in London but continued to write to them. They received a letter from the Queen after the war, thanking them for looking after an evacuee.
My Great Grandad stayed in this country during the war, serving in the St John's Ambulance service, helping and rescuing the injured from the damaged buildings after the many bombing raids.