大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War website by Danny a pupil from Teversham Primary School on behalf of Terry Osborne and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Osborne fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

About 60-65 evacuees from London and one or two from other towns were sent to Toft. Clifford Perry and Ron Burridge were the first two evacuee鈥檚 names in the Toft school register September 1939.
The last name was Anthony Lucas in June 1944.

They came from all over London, which is a bit strange, as usually they would come from the same school.
About 90% returned to London after a few months. This period of time was called the phoney war and the bombing had not started on the towns. Homesickness and mothers wanting their children with them took them back to London. This was not unusual, it happened all over the country.

A very good book on evacuees, The Children鈥檚 War by Juliet Gardener gives an insight in what happened with the evacuees all over the country. Some had a good time, others not so good. It must have seemed very strange coming from big towns and cities to small country settlements.

There were tales of some children having only the clothes they stood up in and being dirty as well as having nits! Not forgetting they were hungry. I am sure the ones sent to Toft were well looked after to the best of Toft peoples ability. We must remember that village folk were not the richest people in the land. So it must have been quite a strain on their budget.

In 1944, the dreaded VI rocket made its appearance over London. Children were once again evacuated.

About 5 or 6 came back to Toft at this time, but they were all gone in 1945 according to the Toft school Register that is held by the Toft Historical Society.

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