Sandy Alexander (B 1938-47) remembers wearing this evacuation label when he joined ‘Operation Pied Piper’, the government’s emergency scheme to evacuate children out of cities and into – what was thought to be – safe reception areas. The label was inside a bag given to each boy which contained food – including a bar of Cadbury’s chocolate – to sustain the boys on their journey.
On 2 September 1939, the boys of Alleyn’s School ‘walked in orderly groups, labelled H29, through Dulwich Village, down Gallery Road to West Dulwich Station to entrain for an unknown destination’ (Robert Young, Before I Forget). The unknown destination was Kent: boys and teachers were scattered in digs across the villages of Detling, Boxley, Sandling, Weavering. They remained there until the Battle of Britain forced the School to find an alternative safe place. On 6 January 1941, Alleyn’s swapped ‘the land of hops and custard powder’ for ‘the land of tripe and Gracie Field’ (Edward Alleyn Magazine, March 1941) and settled in Rossall School in Fleetwood, Lancashire. The boys and their teachers remained there until March 1945.
Junior School Open Day
The next Alleyn's Junior School Open Event is from 1.30pm to 3pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024. There will be a Head's Talk at 1.40pm after which you will be offered a tour of the school with a pupil. There is no need to book a place at this Open Event - everyone is welcome.
Last updated on 20 05 24 at 09:12
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