Description
Object description
Evacuees depart from London train stations headed for the West Country as part of the Government Evacuation Scheme. The record includes evacuees arriving at stations in the West Country, such as Bideford, assisted by civilian volunteers and local authorities.
Content description
(13 June 1940) Evacuees wait to disembark from Wimbledon Station platform. Aged approximately 5-10 years old, they all wear name tags and carry gas mask boxes. Parents of the evacuees, and/or civilian volunteers (Civilian Evacuation Officers?), help to organise them on board the carriages. Some of the evacuees' wave from the carriage windows as the train leaves the platform. CH43
Content description
(14 June 1940) Evacuees wait to disembark from Richmond Station platform. Once again, aged approximately 5-10 years old, they wear name tags and carry gas mask boxes. Shot from the opposite platform, a number of the civilian volunteers wearing brassards (Civilian Evacuation Officers?) help to organise the evacuees. An advertisement for "ARANDORA STAR CRUISES" is displayed on the station wall behind. Nurses and a lady from the Woman's Voluntary Services (WVS) are also on hand to help. The evacuees are then ushered towards the London underground, most calmly carry bags of luggage and gaze at the camera as they pass. (2 min 07 sec) CH44
Content description
(16 June 1940) Evacuees already aboard Southern Railway train carriages, at Salisbury Station, awaiting departure. Civilian volunteers (Civilian Evacuation Officers?) wearing brassards distribute cups of tea through the carriage windows, assisted by a Boy Scout. The evacuees' wave from the carriage windows as the train departs from the platform. The scene then cuts to the outside of another train station (Barnstaple?), where several civilian motor vehicles are parked. The evacuees are ushered out of the station by civilian volunteers (Civilian Evacuation Officers?) wearing brassards. The evacuees, all wearing name tags and carrying gas mask boxes, are then divided into the waiting motor vehicles and driven out of the station. (4 min 01 sec) CH45
Content description
(16 June 1940) Evacuees, aged approximately 7-10 years, are led out of Bideford Station carrying bags of luggage and gas mask boxes. Assisted by railway staff, coach drivers and civilian volunteers (Civilian Evacuation Officers?) wearing brassards, they are ushered onto coaches and a double deck bus outside. Some of the evacuees appear to be older than the typical demographic and wear uniforms, presumably from a specific girl's school. The "PRIVATE" coaches then ferry the evacuees away from the station. (6 min 10 sec)
Content description
A shot of a sign for "BIDEFORD" on a lamppost by the station platform. The camera pans round to a train pulling into the station. The Southern 'U1' class 2-6-0 (No. 1831) locomotive comes to a halt and the scene cuts to some evacuees already disembarked onto the platform. The evacuees, carrying luggage, gas mask boxes and wearing name tags, file out of the station. Some of the evacuees are in good spirits as they are greeted by civilian volunteers (Civilian Evacuation Officers?). (7 min 17 sec) CH46
Content description
(17 June 1940) An elevated shot over looking Crediton Station, Mid Devon, as a locomotive comes into the platform. Coaches ready to transport the evacuees queue up on the road outside. Hauling the train is a Southern 2-6-0 'U1' locomotive (No. 1840). The passengers, evacuees, quickly disembark onto the platform with their luggage. The scene then cuts to a sign for "CREDITON" on a lamppost in front of an "EVACUATION SPECIAL" coach. Close-ups of the evacuees, all with name tags and gas mask boxes, peering at the camera. The scene then cuts to the evacuees loading into "DEVON GENERAL" coaches, assisted by the coach drivers and Civilian Evacuation Officers from London Country Council, wearing "LCC EVAC" brassards. (8 min 18 sec) CH47
Content description
(17 June 1940) An "EXETER CENTRAL" sign on a lamppost by the station platform. A Southern (No. 747) locomotive then comes into platform and the evacuees aboard wave to the camera. A civilian volunteer (Civilian Evacuation Officer?) on the platform, wearing an "EEC" brassard, gives instructions through a loudhailer. The evacuees, all with name tags and gas mask boxes, are aged approximately 7-10 years old. They are led by the civilian volunteers (Civilian Evacuation Officers?) out of the station and into the streets outside, carrying bags of luggage the evacuees appear to be in high spirits. (10 min 24 sec) CH48
Physical description
35mm
