Lowestoft World War Two evacuees to meet at station reunion

Hosted by the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and the Lowestoft Central Project, the reunion event at Lowestoft railway station runs from 12pm to 3pm and will include a complimentary afternoon tea.

All former Lowestoft wartime evacuees are invited and are welcome to bring a friend or family member with them.

The event will be an opportunity to reminisce and share stories and meet up with old friends.

Also present will be Chris Brooks, former chair of the Lowestoft Evacuees Association, whose efforts to celebrate the links made with host communities and preserve memories from the evacuation were recognised in 2022 with a Freedom of the Town award from Lowestoft Town Council.

Some of the child evacuees Picture: Clive Capps (Image: Clive Capps)

In June 1940, more than 3,000 Lowestoft schoolchildren left Lowestoft railway station to get away from the threat of bombing and invasion.

The majority found refuge in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire for the duration of the war and many of the friendships established and bonds made with their host communities during such difficult times are both celebrated and cherished over 80 years on.

Community Rail Development Officer Martin Halliday said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Lowestoft evacuees summer reunion again this year, it is wonderful to see friends reunited and hear some of the fascinating stories from their time away.”

The evacuation saw more than 3,000 schoolchildren leave Lowestoft on five trains.

In 2021 two large panels depicting the events of that emotional evacuation day were installed at Lowestoft station with information panels also displayed at Glossop railway station as both towns sought to celebrate and preserve the unique links made between the evacuees and their host communities over 80 years ago.