Second world war evacuation.

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Ashley M. Dickson, Yr.10 History.

  1. Study sources B & C. Which source is more useful as evidence about the start of the children’s evacuation journey? 

        Source B is a photograph taken in 1939 at the time of the first round of evacuation in London. It is therefore a primary source. It shows children seemingly from an inner-city part of London on their initial journey to the train station. From here they would be transported to their pre-determined designations.

        The source portrays an atmospheric positivity amongst the children, mainly those at the front of the line who are waving and smiling. They are all walking in unison down a path in an orderly fashion, accompanied by a group of teachers. There is a definite significant level of organisation within the group, indicated by the tidy line in which they walk. This organisation was possible as they had practised this walk to the train station in the summer term of 1939. You can see that the teachers in the photograph have somewhat varied emotions. This mixture of emotion could perhaps be because they are aware that some of these evacuees will never again see their parents, as are the children, and it is the sensitive women who try to lift the mood by acting significantly happier than the male teachers. In contrast to the jolly children at the front, the evacuees travelling at the rear seem somewhat less excited and calm. Generally, throughout history, the more confident children take their place at the front of a queue or line, while the quieter worriers remain at the back. This shows the confident children could be masking their fear and worries while the quieter members of the group allow their ‘true colours’ to shine through. Despite this, some of the seemingly happy children could genuinely be just that. Some of the children saw this as an adventure, a heroic voyage, an exploration of the world. The speed at which the people in the picture walk (indicated by their stride size) also gives a very good illustration as to the mood and atmosphere of their walk to the train station.

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        The man in the bottom – right of the picture is separated, physically and emotionally, from the corresponding group of people – thus suggesting that he could be a billeting officer. This is also indicated by his formal clothing and carriage of a pipe or pen. As for the children’s carriage, there is substantial evidence that suggests they are going away for a long time. They’re all carrying big bags, rather than the usual ruck-sack-type school bag. However, because of the sheer scale of the evacuation operation, luggage was indeed limited. Obviously they couldn’t take anything other than the essentials ...

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