The evacuation process began in earnest in September 1939, shortly after war was declared. At first, only children under the age of five were evacuated, but in June 1940, the government ordered the evacuation of all children under the age of sixteen. In total, over 8,000 children were evacuated from Bristol during the war.
The evacuees were often sent to live with陌生families, who were paid a small weekly stipend by the government. In some cases, children were also evacuated to schools or hostels.
Life in wartime was difficult for everyone, but it was especially tough for the evacuees. They were often separated from their families and friends, and they had to adjust to new living arrangements and routines. They also had to contend with the constant threat of bombings and air raids.
Despite the challenges, many of the evacuees enjoyed their time away from home. They made new friends, and they had the opportunity to experience life in different parts of the country. Some evacuees even decided to stay in their new home permanently after the war.
The evacuation of Bristol's children was a major undertaking, but it was essential to their safety. Thanks to the evacuation, thousands of children were spared the horrors of war.