Wartime evacuees from Dagenham to share stories 80 years on
Children from Dagenham were among millions sent from towns and cities to more rural locations when war broke out in 1939. Picture: PA Archive - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
Eighty years ago, children across Dagenham were sent to the country when the Second World War broke out.
To mark the anniversary, evacuees will be sharing their stories at a special event that will also see pupils from some of the borough's schools offer their own interpretations of what happened through various art forms.
Children from Dagenham were among millions of British youngsters to be relocated from their urban homes to more rural locations for their own safety during the war.
In September 1939, around 17,000 were moved to the east coast by boarding paddle steamers at the Ford jetty.
With few air raids during the early part of the war, some parents felt it safe to bring their children home - but a new wave of evacuation began in 1944, with youngsters sent to the Midlands or the north of England by train.
You may also want to watch:
The event takes place at Sydney Russell School, Parsloes Avenue, from 4pm on Wednesday, October 16.
Any evacuees who would like to attend or get involved are asked to contact mmo@sydneyrussellschool.com
Most Read
- 1 Man recalled to prison after persistent anti-social behaviour in Dagenham cul de sac
- 2 Dagenham rallies round to make memories for family of 'joyful, little' tot with cancer
- 3 Organisers seek former Mayesbrook teachers to join school reunion
- 4 Second blaze breaks out at White Horse pub in Chadwell Heath
- 5 Free parking for NHS staff and key workers extended
- 6 Sunflower Suite at Queen's Hospital chosen for this year's Christine Willett Trust donation
- 7 Dagenham primary scoops second mental health award
- 8 Dagenham crash to defeat at home to Stockport
- 9 Appeal after shots fired at house in Dagenham
- 10 More than 100 Covid dead at Queen's and King George this week