The Dacorum Heritage Trust
 The history of Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley & Tring

Evacuation

Evacuation during the Second World War.

Before the outbreak of war, the Government had made plans to evacuate children and mothers with babies from large cities to the countryside. Crowded cities would be the target of air attacks from German bombers, especially factories, power stations and military stations. The Government decided to remove children from these areas of danger and move them to safer areas, known as reception areas. Dacorum was designated as a suitable reception area.

Even some of the London statues were thought to be safer in Berkhamsted. A number of figures, including George III and Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, were removed from their usual homes of St James's Square and Horse Guards Parade and taken to the safety of Berkhamsted Castle.

DACHT : 939.01. Nurse Blatchford who worked at The Hoo Maternity Home in Great Gaddesden. Expectant mothers were evacuated from London to maternity homes which had been established at The Hoo as well as Home Farm in Ting and Grimsdyke in Berkhamsted. A total of 1,270 babies were born at The Hoo.

DACHT : 62.12.25. Evacuees at Shendish. In 1941, John Dickinson's accommodated the children of their employees from their Tottenham branch at Shendish House.

DACHT : 2313. The Hoo, Great Gaddesden, in 1944, when it was being used as a maternity home.

DACHT : 1220.10. Father Christmas distributing presents to evacuees in Albert Street, Tring, in 1939. Many entertainments were provided for the children at Christmas, throughout the area. School holidays were staggered to enable teachers to supervise evacuated children continuously.