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This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Bernie Hawkins and has been added to the website on behalf of Vera Scott-Jackson with her permission and she fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

These are the instructions we were given when being evacuated to Hampshire from our school in Balham in 1939.

London County Council
Children鈥檚 Care (School) Committee

Spring 1939

HEARNVILLE SCHOOL
SUGGESTED PREPARATION FOR EVACUATION PARTY

1 All children to wear a Hearnville badge on hat except Secondary and Central School pupils who must wear their own.

2 All children to wear strong pair outdoor shoes.

3 All children to wear either overcoat or Mackintosh.

4 Girls to wear their school tunics and blouses.

5 Every child must take:- One complete change of underclothes, two nightdresses or pyjamas, a second pair of shoes, handkerchiefs, face-cloth, soap, towel, comb, toothbrush.

6 As the warm days are coming, each girl should if possible include in her luggage an extra blouse and a blazer for outdoor wear, and if she possesses one, a blue summer school frock.

7 Boys should include an extra pair of knickers.

8 Our instructions are that blankets should not be taken, but luggage must be carried on shoulders in knapsack or haversack.

9 Gas mask (ink name on webbing) in correct container, must be carried either in knapsack or attached to it, or on shoulder cord.

10 A packet of food. This must be easily accessible either in top of rucksack or in separate satchel or shoulder bag. Suggested contents:
Packet of milk biscuits or similar
Several small cheeses
Packet of sweet biscuits
Two bananas, packet plain chocolate
Small unbreakable mug
Please avoid greasy or sticky food, apples, oranges, and liquids.

11 All clothes to be marked with name.

12 One luggage label (supplied by school) to be worn on cord round neck. One to be attached to knapsack or haversack.

13 Eldest child in each family should take stamped addresses envelope and paper. They will write when settled. If too young letter will be written by one of staff.

14 If parents wish, a little pocket-money may be carried in a safe place.

If notice of evacuation be given by wireless, children should arrive at school one hour before time given for evacuation. Children will assemble in their appointed classrooms and parents are asked not to enter the classrooms.

Vera Scott-Jackson's account of a wartime wedding in London can be read at A7540409, and her cousin Lenny's story of a "tail-end Charlie" in the RAF at A7542380.

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