On 2 May 1940, some 1,200 local school children and 77 teachers had a 10-hour train journey with the promise of safety.
Harwich Museum launched an appeal in December asking for anyone with memories or artefacts from being an evacuee to come forward.
The museum created a new exhibition for the anniversary, and staged a commemoration which was held on Monday the 2nd of June at Harwich Town Station.
Former child evacuees who are now in their 90s attended the 85th anniversary event to mark the day they hopped on a train from east to west England during World War II.
Speaking about the evacuation, event organiser Arlene Ellis said: “It was the hottest day of the year and they had to wear as many clothes as they could, as they could only take what they could carry.
“They really had no understanding, and some children thought they were going on a day trip.”
some children were on trains for about 10 hours before being taken by buses and coaches on to various parishes, school halls and village halls.
Arlene said: “I am so proud of Harwich and of the volunteers at Harwich museum – it was a community event and we made the community proud.
“I knew how important it was to the tell the story.
“It is a heart-breaking story that has to be told.”
Boarding train to West country
