“Across Britain, brave young evacuees embark on their journey to safety! From bustling city streets to the tranquil countryside, thousands of children are moved to protect them in anticipation of German aggression. With smiling faces and spirit undaunted, they’re ready to do their bit for King and Country.”
It’s September 1939, and things are about to change for George and his friends. Operation Pied Piper has begun, and millions of children are being sent away from the cities to escape potential dangers from the war.
George’s family decides he must go to Aunt Audrey’s house in Oxfordshire, while his friends Peter and Robbie are off to different places in the UK.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt Paddington Station, the Blitz Kids are saying goodbye to their parents, and even though George is with his friends, he’s nervous about what’s ahead. Peter is heading to Wales and Robbie to Hampshire, but the train journey isn’t as simple as they hoped… Robbie at the wrong station and needs to dash across to Waterloo!
Embed from Getty ImagesOnce in Wales, Peter writes to George and tells him that life in the countryside is very different. On the farm he’s staying at, he’s stuck mucking out pigs and getting cold at night.
Meanwhile, George’s time at his aunt’s house isn’t much better. He has to adjust to a small school and meeting new kids, like Dieter and Gertrude who escaped from Germany.
And on Cousin Betty’s farm, they’ve got some new arrivals to help on the farm – some Land Girls!
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter just three weeks, George gets a call from his mum. It seems things are quiet enough in London, and she says he can come home. George is surprised, but relishes getting back to London, reunited with his typewriter and the wireless (radio!).
Peter also soon makes it back. He didn’t like being away from the action… although finds that there’s not much happening!
Betty though… the girls sent to her farm are absolute rotters and have already broken her favourite doll.
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorge writes in his journal…
“We might have had our funny stories from our travels but evacuation caused masses of disruption for millions of children and their families. Operation Pied Piper moved 3½ million children in three days from major cities across the UK to safer places in the countryside. Did you know it was the largest movement of people ever seen in Britain. Many children came back within a few weeks, like me and Peter thinking it was just a storm in a teacup – but we didn’t know things would get worse. MUCH worse!“
Next time… there’s an air raid and the Blitz Kids are taking shelter at home, church and in the local Underground station!
Do this…
Imagine you’re being evacuated and you’re only allowed to bring one small bag. What would you pack? Don’t forget to create an evacuation name tag and write a postcard. Get started here.
Can you spot this?
An image of a sign to a shelter in Longmoore Street, Victoria.