No Time to Wave Goodbye - Softcover

Wicks, Ben

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1408800934 ISBN 13: 9781408800935

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2009

Synopsis

With an introduction by Michael Caine In September 1939 millions listened anxiously as the Prime Minister declared that Britain was at war with Germany. When the children of Britain heard the news, most of them were in new homes, far away from their loving parents. The stories of these children - forever known as 'the evacuees' - are gathered here in their own words, as they recount the confusion, excitement and heartache of one of the defining moments of British history.

About this title

From School Library Journal

YA-- As early as 1924, a government committee decided that if England were ever at war again, the children would be evacuated from London to small villages in the countryside. This is the story of those evacuated children, often told in their words. In one four-day period alone, over 16,000 children were removed from London; ultimately a quarter of London's population was removed. There are repeated reminiscences of heartbroken parents seeing their children off on trains and having no idea of their destinations. In many instances the children arrived in villages unprepared for lodging them. Many times they endured humiliation and cruelty--sometimes even sexual abuse. But for many others it was an opportunity to escape London's poverty and experience indoor plumbing, use knives and forks, ride in a car or train, and see animals. Actor Michael Caine shares his own experiences as an evacuee in the foreword. Wicks provides his own special insight since he, too, was one of these children. He makes it clear that evacuated children are still trying to cope with the impact of this episode on their lives. --Barbara Weathers, Duchesne Academy, Houston
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In September 1939, many urban British citizens--ultimately 3.5 million of them, mostly children--began an exodus to the countryside. Afraid of what heavy aerial bombing might do to cities, officials had begun in 1924 to decide how to evacuate children and mothers from urban areas, especially London. Wicks's fascinating and moving book combines memoir, traditional history, and oral history, based on contacts with 8000 evacuees. Memories from various evacuees are interwoven to depict the process of moving and getting settled, the experiences in foster homes, and the aftermath. The evacuees generally agree on two things: the experience profoundly reshaped their lives, for better and for worse, and they'd never do it to their own children. Highly recommended for most libraries.
- Pat Ensor, Indiana State Univ. Lib., Terre Haute
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1408800934
• ISBN 13: 9781408800935
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288