EVACUEE ARCHIVE

D EVAC

c.1939-c.1945; c.1990s-c.2010

The collection contains memoirs, interviews and material relating to former evacuees and war-children gathered by the Research Centre for Evacuee and War Child Studies at the University of Reading. The collection mainly relates to evacuation schemes within Britain and the British children who were sent overseas to Canada, the USA, South Africa, and Australasia during the Second World War. The British Government scheme to evacuate children from cities started in September 1939. Children, usually without their parents, were sent to areas of Britain that were considered safer from bombing and the effects of war, these were often rural areas. Smaller numbers of children were sent abroad. They were housed with strangers, some of whom were reluctant to take them. Some children did go in private arrangements to friends and relatives, and some went with a parent. Children received varying levels of treatment from these 'foster parents' and some children were kept in groups in hostel-like conditions. The length of stays varied from weeks to years, and often evacuees had to move billets. Please note that some of this collection is closed until 2045, this is stated on the record where it is applicable. Closures are due to Data Protection legislation.

c. 25 boxes

archief

University of Reading, ResCEW University of Reading

World War, 1939-1945 - Evacuation of civilians, World War, 1939-1945- Great Britain, World War, 1939-1945 - Children

Please note that some of this collection is closed until 2045, this is stated on the record where it is applicable.