I have often wondered about Beccles and its role during World War Two. My grandmother used to tell me stories about hearing the sounds of heavy bombing carried on the winds, across from the North Sea to the East Anglian coastline, but I don't actually recall her talking about some of the vital war work which civilian Beccles took part in. My personal interest lies in the Evacuation Schemes from London and all of those children who came to Beccles during the Phoney War period and beyond.
David Lindley, a Beccles historian, has extensively researched and transcribed the local newspapers for Beccles and they paint an intriguing picture of the role that people of Beccles played during those early pre-war years of 1939. In particular, the evacuation of children.
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Evacuees from London
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/castlekay |
In January 1939, plans were already underway for the EVACUATION of CHILDREN in the event of war: "In
connection with the Government’s scheme for the evacuation of children from the
big cities in the event of national emergency, local authorities in reception
areas up and down the country have been asked to find out what housing
accommodation will be available. Between now and 28 February these
surveys have to be completed and the details analysed. The Borough Accountant
has been given general direction of this in Beccles. So far between 40 and 50
public-spirited citizens have offered their services as visitors, and during the
next few days they will be making their calls from house to house. The borough
has been divided into 16 districts of about 100 houses each."
Six weeks later the newspaper reports: "EVACUATION RETURNS: From the
survey carried out in Beccles no fewer than 3,708 people from crowded cities and
towns can be accommodated in Beccles in the event of war."
In April 1939, the local council sat to discuss EVACUATION &
BILLETING. "The Chair was taken by the Deputy Mayor, Dr Wood-Hill (as the Mayor, Mr Allden Owles, was on holiday abroad at the time). The Accountant, Mr WS Clark, reported on
a recent conference at Ipswich. Beccles was one of the nine detraining stations
in the county, and would receive 2,000 persons on the fourth day of the
evacuation. The number of billets available in the district served from the
Beccles rail-head was 7,300. The approximate proportion of the 2,000 who would
remain in Beccles would be 800. The remaining 1,200 would be distributed to
Lothingland rural district and Bungay urban district by means of buses. Offers
of accommodation in Beccles itself totalled 3,000. “In the event of an
emergency, I think the matter will be dealt with ably,” he added."
April 1939. WOMEN’S VOLUNTARY SERVICE: "Public Meeting for women to advise them about civil defence work. The services
with which it deals particularly are air-raid precautions, nursing and
first-aid, and evacuation. The organisation is likely to play an important part
with the evacuation scheme by assisting with billeting, communal feeding and the
care of children, as well as catering for their reception, transport, etc. Mrs
ME St J Barne, of Sotterley Hall is to be district organiser."
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Evacuees from London leave for the countryside
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle |
2 September 1939. EVACUEES:
"Since last Thursday, the Town Council offices in Blyburgate have been a centre
of intense activity, final arrangements being made for the reception of
evacuees. Between 200 and 300 reception officers, billeting officers, billeting
assistants, guides, canteen workers and welfare workers have since been
enrolled and allotted their particular jobs at the distribution centres in the
event of war.
Allowances
to be made to householders in respect of evacuees are: 10s 6d per week for one
child, or 8s 6d for each child where more than one is taken. These payments
will be payable each week at the Post Office on production of a certificate
issued by the chief billeting officer.
It should
be clearly understood that the billeting of evacuees is no longer optional on
the part of householders, but has been made compulsory by the Emergency Powers
Regulations."
By the end of September the Beccles & Bungay newspaper made this report. DIFFICULTIES OF
EVACUATION in north-east Suffolk: "Plans were carefully laid, but at the last
moment considerable numbers arrived by boat at Lowestoft and Felixstowe. There
was no transport available to move them into the country and no free space to
accommodate them. At Lowestoft evacuees had to be accommodated under all sorts
of conditions - in schools, cinemas, hotels and public rooms for from two to
four nights. As regards trains, for the first day & a half, they contained
school parties only, but then to the dismay of the receiving officers, a train
of women and children arrived instead of school children, with the result that
billets were occupied by the mothers instead of school children. A large number
of expectant mothers also
arrived by train, not only alone, but in many cases with three, four or even
five children under five years of age. However all these difficulties were
eventually overcome thanks to the hard work of the officials."
The following week, the newspaper of 7 October 1939 ran this piece:
EVACUEES’ LETTERS: “I
appreciate the people of Beccles for the way they welcomed us into their homes,
and the way they are kindly treating us while we are away from home.” These
young evacuees are fortunate in being able to attend such a fine up-to-date
school as that at Castle Hill.
On 2 December 1939 the Beccles & Bungay newspaper reported: "80 EVACUATED CHILDREN at St
Benet’s School given canteen meal at lunchtime every week day. The Mayor & Mr
Loftus, MP visited them, & Mr Loftus, who was very glad to see the children so happy and cheerful, told them:
“You have come to Suffolk and
Suffolk is quite the nicest county in all England, so you are very lucky. You
have come to the ancient town of Beccles and Beccles is one of the nicest towns
in the nicest County in all England."
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| Evacuation Poster |
