The Children's Front (The Impact of the Second World War on British Children)

Those who were children during World War II spent their formative years amidst an extraordinary succession of events that left vivid impressions. This insightful study combines the memories of those children with historical research to examine the major factors influencing wartime childhood and development. At a time when children were in mortal danger because of daily attacks on British soil, measures taken to protect them included gasmasks, air-raid shelters, and the blackouts. Schooling was interrupted and the land became an island fortress as military equipment and installations appeared everywhere, both in cities and in small villages. Fathers and other family members were often away from home, serving in the armed forces, but children too could “do their bit” for the war effort. Some interviewees recall the experiences of evacuation and their feelings at the time, which extended from a sense of security to fear of abuse. The war-time toys and games, the clubs that could be joined, and the entertainment and information that was on offer are all examined as well.