Guernsey Evacuees

In June 1940, 17,000 people fled Guernsey to England, including 5000 school children with their teachers and 500 mothers as 'helpers'. The Channel Islands were the only part of British territory that was occupied by Nazi forces during the Second World War. Most evacuees were transported to towns in Northern England and for five years they made new lives for themselves. From May 1945, the evacuees began to return home, although many decided to remain in England and wartime bonds were forged between Guernsey and Northern England that were so strong, they still exist today.