Government evacuation schemes and their effect on school children in Sheffield during the Second World War
In the period between the First and Second World Wars evacuation came to be seen as a military necessity in the event of future hostilities. In anticipation of immediate and devastating bombardment of London and other British centres of economic and strategic importance, the organised removal of 'non-essential' groups of civilians from vulnerable areas was regarded as vital in order to save lives, preserve public morale and prevent universal panic. This thesis studies the effects of official evacuation schemes which were operated during the Second World War. Firstly, the background to planning is outlined, with particular attention to organisation for evacuation from Sheffield. Secondly, preparations for departure, the operation of the 'Pied Piper' programme, and resistance to evacuation, particularly with regard to Sheffield, are covered, together with reactions in reception areas and methods employed in the selection of billets. Thirdly, difficulties encountered in the reception areas, complaints about evacuees, the premature drift homeward of evacuees and problems of education, both nationally and locally, are discussed. Later evacuation plans, leading to the 'Trickle' scheme and its accompanying problems,
Elcock, Audrey Anne
History
Government evacuation schemes and their effect on school children in Sheffield during the Second World War. In the period between the First and Second World Wars evacuation came to be seen as a military necessity in the event of future hostilities. In anticipation of immediate and devastating bombardment of London and other British centres of economic and strategic importance, the organised removal of 'non-essential' groups of civilians from vulnerable areas was regarded as vital in order to save lives, preserve public morale and prevent universal panic. This thesis studies the effects of official evacuation schemes which were operated during the Second World War. Firstly, the background to planning is outlined, with particular attention to organisation for evacuation from Sheffield. Secondly, preparations for departure, the operation of the 'Pied Piper' programme, and resistance to evacuation, particularly with regard to Sheffield, are covered, together with reactions in reception areas and methods employed in the selection of billets. Thirdly, difficulties encountered in the reception areas, complaints about evacuees, the premature drift homeward of evacuees and problems of education, both nationally and locally, are discussed. Later evacuation plans, leading to the 'Trickle' scheme and its accompanying problems,
government scheme effect school_child sheffield second_world_war period first second world_wars come_see military necessity event future hostility anticipation immediate devastate london british centre economic strategic_importance organise removal non essential group civilian vulnerable area regard vital order save life preserve public morale prevent universal panic study effect official scheme operate second_world_war firstly background planning outline particular_attention organisation sheffield secondly preparation departure operation programme resistance particularly_regard sheffield cover together reaction reception area method_employ selection thirdly difficulty_encounter reception area complaint premature drift problem education nationally locally discuss later plan lead scheme accompany problem