During World War 2 around three-and-a-half million British people, mainly children, were evacuated en masse, by train, bus and even boat, away from possible air-raids in the big cities. It was one of the biggest social upheavals the country has ever seen. Few evacuees knew where they would end up after a long and tiring journey which sometimes lasted for days. Often they would be dropped off in small groups at stations and halts all the way along a branch railway line. Then they would be marched straight from the station to the local village hall where the inhabitants had gathered to meet them. There the evacuees stood around, like cattle at an auction, waiting to be chosen by their prospective foster-parents. And that was just the start.
Relations between evacuees and their foster-parents were often strained. Many who took the evacuees into their homes were kind and sympathetic - many were not. A large number of evacuees from slum areas were dirty, verminous and unused to a normal civilised home life; others from the "respectable" classes were appalled by the primitive conditions in the rural and mining areas to which they were sent.
Evacuation ended officially in March 1946 but many children were not returned home immediately.
Relations between evacuees and their foster-parents were often strained. Many who took the evacuees into their homes were kind and sympathetic - many were not. A large number of evacuees from slum areas were dirty, verminous and unused to a normal civilised home life; others from the "respectable" classes were appalled by the primitive conditions in the rural and mining areas to which they were sent.
Evacuation ended officially in March 1946 but many children were not returned home immediately.