Evacuation in Britain during World War II was focused predominantly on moving children away from the risk of aerial bombing on urban areas to safer locations in the countryside. Beginning on 1 September 1939, Operation Pied Piper relocated approximately 3.5 million people. Additional waves of evacuation were organised in June 1940 from the South and East coasts when a seaborne invasion was anticipated, and after the Blitz began in September 1940.
This collection contains several letters relating to the evacuated children, teachers and helpers from Northumberland Avenue School, Hull, to Oxford Street School, Bridlington. Includes the original letters and photocopies of some of the letters.
Access will be granted to any accredited reader
Donated by Miss Collingwood, Lincoln, 11 May 1984
Children's Recollections of the Blitz [L DEX/24]
Headteachers Reports and Notes 1941-1945 [C DEHG/2/1/1]
Evacuation notes [C TLW/W/1/8]
Evacuation Records, Education Department [C TED/1/1/6]
Handwritten letters (34) addressed to Miss Collingwood, headmistress, relating to children in her charge evacuated from Northumberland Avenue School, Hull, to Oxford Street School, Bridlington. The letters include ones from teachers, helpers, children and parents in Hull. One letter is from Miss Collingwood thanking a woman for her help in the evacuation and another is asking whether any children would benefit from a knitted jersey or vest, with a list of children's names on the back. There are also three typed circulars from the Hull Education Committee; one asks parents not to bring their children back to Hull for Christmas, another relates to the recall of teachers for aiding in the evacuation of children (25 Aug 1939) and the third conveys a message of thanks and encouragement to all Civil Defence Services from King George VI. Several letters relate to parents' concerns about the health of their children and the care they are receiving. There are also several letters asking whether children can be allowed home for a few days or brought home completely. There are two small black and white photographs of a group of children and of a caretaker.
Access will be granted to any accredited reader