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Children of World War II

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Learning: Secondary

04/09/2012

BBC Two - Children of World War II

Youngsters interview elderly people who were children during World War II.

Three people who were children during World War II explain their experiences to a young friend or relative. They describe their everyday life, their fears and excitement.

This compilation of three short films tells the story of the personal experience of three people who were children in World War II. Taking their young friend or relative, who is the same age as they were in the war, back to places that evoke memories of the 1940s, they describe their everyday life, the fears and excitement, and the experiences they faced. The young people have the opportunity to ask questions and compare their lives to those of children in the war. Using archive footage and stills merged with scenes today, the films are a powerful insight into the reality of children's lives in the war. 

We meet Alan and his granddaughter Isabel. Alan lived in north London during the war and was in his home when the neighbour's house suffered a direct hit. Alan lost his mother in the bombing. Alan revisits his home and school - where Isabel gets a feel for what it was like to have lessons disrupted by visits to the air raid shelter. 

Betty lived in Cardiff during the war and was evacuated to Aberdare. With her family friend Aneesha, she retraces the journey and describes what it was like to leave home and live with a different family and attend a different school. 

Sarah was a child in Bolton during the war. With family friend Tyler, she remembers the outbreak of the war and the effect that rationing had on family meals.

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