Some of the exhibits within Harwich Museum
The Day the children left
On a hot Sunday morning in June 1940, 1,200 children and 77 teachers from Harwich, Essex, were evacuated by train to safer areas in the West Country, marked by a 2025 commemoration at Harwich Museum. This was part of the massive British evacuation to protect children from Luftwaffe bombing, which saw over 1.5 million people relocated within three days at the start of the war.
The evacuations, including those from Harwich, involved emotional, long-term separation from parents and, for many, life-changing experiences with foster families.
Harwich Museum commemorated the 85th anniversary of the evacuation of more 1,000 school children from the borough during the Second World War at a special event, and staged a commemoration which was held on Monday June 2nd at Harwich Town Station.
Hi-de-Hi Memorabilia
The 1980s TV show was filmed at a holiday camp near Harwich, The Hi-de-Hi! display is part of an exhibition showcasing the history of the Warner’s holiday camp at Dovercourt that hosted thousands of Kindertransport.
