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The first British children evacuees arrive in Australia
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The first British children evacuees arrive in Australia
The first British children evacuees arrive in Australia.
Pictures here at a zoo in Melbourne.
The Childrens Overseas Reception Board (CORB) was a British government sponsored organisation. The CORB evacuated 2, 664 British children from England, so that they would escape the imminent threat of German invasion and the risk of enemy bombing in World War II. This was during a critical period in British history, between July and September 1940, when the Battle of Britain was raging, and German invasion forces were being amassed across the English Channel.
The children were sent mainly to the four Dominion countries, Canada 1, 532 (in nine parties), Australia 577 (three parties), New Zealand 202 (two parties), and South Africa 353 (two parties), but also some to the USA. In the first few months over 211, 000 children were registered with the scheme. A further 24, 000 children had been approved for sailing in that time and over 1, 000 volunteer escorts, including doctors and nurses, enrolled. It was planned as a temporary exile for the children, to return home to their families when conditions permitted.
Picture taken circa 16th December 1940
Official
Daily Mirror
Mirrorpix
Melbourne
Australia
Media ID 21886462
© Mirrorpix
1940 Evacuation Evacuees Safe Safety
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in history - the arrival of the first British children evacuees in Australia during World War II. Taken circa 16th December 1940, this image showcases a group of young children at a zoo in Melbourne, their faces reflecting both uncertainty and hope. At that time, Britain was under the imminent threat of German invasion and enemy bombing. To protect these innocent lives from harm's way, the Childrens Overseas Reception Board (CORB), a government-sponsored organization, evacuated 2,664 British children to various countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and even some to the USA. Between July and September 1940 alone - when the Battle of Britain raged on and German forces amassed across the English Channel - over 211,000 children were registered with CORB. The scheme aimed to provide temporary exile for these youngsters until conditions permitted their safe return home to their families. In this particular photograph taken by an official photographer from Memory Lane Prints (not associated with any commercial use), we witness one chapter of this remarkable story unfold. These brave children embarked on an uncertain journey towards safety thousands of miles away from everything they knew. Their resilience serves as a testament to humanity's ability to endure amidst adversity. As we reflect upon this poignant image today, it reminds us not only of the sacrifices made during wartime but also emphasizes our duty to protect and nurture future generations no matter where they come from or what challenges they face.
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