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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Derbyshire => Topic started by: tornado on Sunday 01 February 26 16:30 GMT (UK)
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Some time ago I discovered that my Mum had been evacuated to a place called Alfreton in Derby in 1939 (WW2) aged 5 . I have since lost the info on this . So I was wondering if anyone knows anything about this place and it's role in the evacuation process for children . Mum lived in Liverpool before 1939 . Thank you .
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Children were evacuated to many places. Have you looked for her on the 1939 register?
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This article gives some idea of how reception was organised at Alfreton, although it isn't about Liverpool evacuees.
8 September 1939: Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press
ALFRETON GETS NO EVACUEES.
Billeting officers were at their posts at Alfreton at 10 o'clock on Tuesday in readiness to receive Nottingham evacuees, but they did not arrive.
Alderman H. R. Cleaver, acting clerk to Alfreton Urban Council, had been at work with a voluntary staff for some days making arrangements for a large number of Nottingham parents and children, and he had finally arranged to receive them on Tuesday morning.
Early in the morning Alderman Cleaver telephoned the Nottingham authorities to inquire about the ration baskets which had not arrived, and in a second 'phone call at 10.15 he was informed that the Nottingham children would not be evacuated to Alfreton.
He was told that the evacuation arrangements were still in order up to 2 a.m., but they had to be changed. No reason was given for the non-arrival of the women and children.
Teachers, billeting officers, and women workers, who had gathered at Alfreton Senior School to arrange for the children's new homes, were told of the change in arrangements by Alderman Cleaver.
He also visited all the other reception posts in the urban area and informed the voluntary workers.
At Ironville the voluntary workers had cups and saucers ready to give the children light refreshment.
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This article shows a different view of Alfreton in WW2.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/51/a4079351.shtml
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Thank you both for the support and info here about Alfreton in WW2 . A good insight into life during the war .
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Hi,
Just a thought if your Mum was 5 she would have attended school.
Derbyshire Record office have many registers, if you cannot find her online.
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thanks for the latest message . Yes! Mum would have been in a school in Alfreton , but the cost of looking on the record office would be too much ..
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If your mum has died - the 1939 entry may now be open which will give her whereabouts. My brother died in Dec 2020 & his entry was opened only a few months later & I found him in Wirral
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thanks Carole . Unfortunately I am not subscribed to any of the ancestry sites and cannot access the 1939 records . Best wishes . Wendy
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Most local libraries have free access to Ancestry so may be worthwhile checking with your nearest one to see what's available
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Great ! thanks Carole for the advice . Kind regards .