The Experience of Evacuation in World War II
What was it like to be evacuated? We use original materials from the Corporate Archives collections to give an insight into the experience
Before the outbreak of war, the Government had decided that children, expectant mothers, mothers with children under 5 years old, blind persons, and the aged should be evacuated from London to the countryside.
Message to Staff from Frank Pick, Vice Chairman titled "War as an Educator" (1939-11-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Frank Pick, Vice-Chairman of the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB), was appointed Evacuation Officer for the purpose of devising the scheme of transport required. On Pick's retirement in May 1940, he was succeeded as Evacuation Officer by another LPTB figure, T E Thomas
In the first 4 days of September 1939, the scheme of evacuation was put into effect. 640 special underground tubes, 4,985 buses, 533 trams, and 377 trolleybuses were used to carry over 550,000 people either to main railway stations or direct to the countryside.
By Hans WildLIFE Photo Collection
Les Gaskin, child evacuee
For some the experience was exciting, for some frightening, for others it was simply underwhelming!
Thanks and Feedback on the Evacuation of 600,000 people from London to the Countryside (1939-09-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Official reports, perhaps unsurprisingly, claimed the evacuation a major success that had gone very smoothly and efficiently
LPTB staff painted a slightly more chaotic picture!
"It was bedlam", was the summary of one trolleybus conductor, mirroring his colleague's tales of excited children, inappropriate use of train alarms, obstacle races over seats, and repeated requests to drive in the driver's cabin!
No early attack occurred and by mid-January 1940 it was estimated that 34% of the people evacuated had returned to London and the return was continuing due to a perceived lack of threat or because they were unhappy away from their families and their homes.
Small Evacuee (1939-09-01) by Central PressGetty Images
Theresa Griffin, child evacuee
"My brother managed to get home before me because he was that much older, and I followed because...I was unhappy."
By Hans WildLIFE Photo Collection
After the invasion of Holland and Belgium, in May 1940, a further evacuation took place: 102,806 children and 9,100 adults were taken from London to the countryside in 6 days from 13 June 1940
Les Gaskin, child evacuee
"When that Dunkirk occurred, there was another evacuation and I was evacuated on my own this time...the woman there she didn't sort of look after you very much...when my mother and father came to see me I was in a hell of a state..."
Around 1.5 million people were carried by the LPTB under the various evacuation schemes. The successful fulfilment depended on the close co-operation between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of War Transport, local authorities, Metropolitan Police, and railways.
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
This story has been enhanced using some material from LIFE Photo Collection and Getty Images. All enquiries regarding this material should be made directly to those institutions.
