John Conder

A Child Evacuee's Story: Memories of World War II John Conder

During World War II in England, the evacuation of children - called 'Operation Pied Piper' - took place three times to relocate children to places that were considered safer than those near big cities.




The first of these evacuations began on 1 September 1939. By January 1940, almost 60 percent had returned to their homes.




The second occurred in June 1940, after the Germans had taken over most of France. By the end of 1941, cities - especially London - became safer and children once again returned home.




But in June 1944, Germans attacked again, and over one million women, children, elderly and disabled were evacuated from London, and most were unable to return until the war ended in May 1945.




This is one child's story.