World War Two affected the lives of people on the Home Front, as well as those away fighting. British cities were the target of enemy bombing and in the early stages of the war, the threat of invasion was very real. Many children were evacuated to safer areas, usually miles away from their parents. For those who remained in their family home, the daily routines of school and home were not untouched either. This topic contains archive materials that highlight the experiences of children living in the East Midlands during World War Two. (Click 'Links to Archive' to view them all).

Evacuating city children to safer areas was a major logistical exercise, as shown by the photograph, Evacuees congregating in Nottingham. Local government officals were charged with drawing up detailed evacuation plans and overseeing the process. Rehearsal for reception of evacuees details a training exercise planned by the billeting officer in Wigston, Leicestershire, whilst Nottingham evacuation leaflet is an example of a publication produced to inform local residents of evacuation arrangements. Implementation of evacuation in Rutland records arrangements for the absorption of evacuees into local schools.

Evacuees were received throughout the East Midlands. Thurgarton CofE School log book for example records the arrival of evacuees from Southend in June 1940, whilst Northampton Mercury & Herald, 7th August 1942 reports the arrival of coloured children from London. Loughborough received evacuees from Birmingham - see Entertainment organised by evacuees.

The Interview with Bob Hammond who was evacuated to Nottinghamshire highlights that evacuation could be both exciting and frightening. There was no universal experience. For some children, being evacuated provided an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy country life as shown by
Letter written by Northamptonshire evacuee and Thankyou letter written by evacuee's mother. However, for others it meant new rules and restrictions - see Letter concerning welfare of Belper boys. Sometimes there was a complete breakdown in relations between hosts and evacuees, as detailed in Complaint letter about evacuees.

All children had to know how to respond to an air raid and school air raid practice is recalled in the Interview with Madeline Scott. In some instances, children were involved in building their school shelter, as Schoolboys building air raid shelter shows. Air raid precautions for schools provides an example of the measures in place in Northamptonshire.

Children were expected to contribute to the war effort. The photograph, Gotham schoolboys, shows boys knitting clothing items to send out to the troops. (This was important, as rationing extended to clothing - see Rationing of clothing leaflet.) Children were also encouraged to participate in locally organised events such as Northampton Salvage Week which aimed to ensure that limited resources were recycled and used efficiently.

Sadly, some children lost their lives as a result of the war. The Civilian war death form records the death of a twelve year old boy in the Leicester Blitz.