W I LT S H I R E H I S T O RY QUEST

Britain since 1930

Evacuees page 1

Take a look at...

...evacuees at Trowbridge Museum

...a Ration book

...an Identity card

W I LT S H I R E H I S T O RY QUEST

Britain since 1930

Evacuees page 2

Government Evacuation Scheme

T H I S I S I M P O R TA N T ! R E A D I T C A R E F U L LY !
When will Evacuation take place? Evacuation will not be ordered until air raids have taken place or it is clear that they are going to begin. The announcement will be made by wireless. Where will the children go? To places in Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight. How will they go? To the station in buses from the Schools. The children will be accompanied by teachers in school parties. What must the Parent do in preparation for Evacuation? (1) Make sure the child is CLEAN and ready to go at any time. (2) Pack up clothes, food, gas mask, ration book and Identity Card when evacuation of Portsmouth is ordered by the Government. Cleanliness You will wish to be sure that your child goes away with clean clothes, clean hair and clean body. Children from the cleanest homes sometimes have the misfortune to get lice in the hair which they pick up from other children and if you are at all doubtful about your childs head, it would be a wise precaution to comb it thoroughly with a small tooth comb. Every mother will wish her child to arrive at his new home in a state in which he will be gladly welcomed. Clothes and Equipment When evacuation is ordered your child should bring with him the following articles: Gas Mask Spare stockings or socks Identity Card House shoes or plimsolls Ration Book Handkerchiefs Food for the day Toothbrush Comb Change of underclothing Night Clothes Towel Warm coat or mackintosh

He should wear his warmest and thickest boots or shoes. The childs clothes should, if possible, be packed in a rucksack or haversack which he can carry on his back so as to leave his hands free, rather than in a suitcase. The luggage must not be more than the child can carry. The other clothes that he will need can be sent later on. Ration Books Be sure that your child has his ration book with him. Both the ration book and identity card should be securely packed in the childs luggage and not given to him to hold.

W I LT S H I R E H I S T O RY QUEST

Britain since 1930

Evacuees page 3

Identity card What to do

1. Cut out both side 3. Glue them together 4. Fold down the dotted line

W I LT S H I R E H I S T O RY QUEST

Britain since 1930

Evacuees page 4
Ration book What to do
1. Cut out the front and back cover of the ration book 2. Cut out the inside pages 3. Glue them together 4. Fold down the middle

Back

Front

W I LT S H I R E H I S T O RY QUEST

Britain since 1930

Evacuees page 5
RATION BOOK What to do
1. Cut out the inside pages 2. Cut out the front and back cover of the ration book 3. Glue them together 4. Fold down the middle

Inside

W I LT S H I R E H I S T O RY QUEST

Britain since 1930

Evacuees page 6
Notes for the Teacher
Learning objectives 1. Using historical sources 2. Range and depth of historical knowledge and understanding

Using the downloadables

These can support a re-enactment of the experience of evacuation. Print out the pamphlet, Government Evacuation Scheme and send it home with children. Add a note explaining the activity and asking parents and carers to help with with costumes. Look at the photograph showing evacuees arriving at Trowbridge Station. Talk about their clothes, their luggage and what they might be feeling. Use the downloadable copies of the ration book and identity card to make documents for each child. The evacuees who came to Trowbridge were taken from the railway station to a local school. There they were given refreshments (sandwiches and tea ) before being taken, in groups to be billeted with local families.

Try these role plays

A welcome by the head teacher Instructions on where to go in an air raid An inspection to check they had clean hands and hair Checking ID cards and ration books Refreshments Arrival of the billeting officer Organisation into groups for billeting