Cuckfield and the Evacuees: Children in the Village During the Second World War

The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 caused sudden and lasting change to the village of Cuckfield. Like many rural communities across Sussex, it became a place of refuge for evacuees from London, most of them children sent away from areas considered vulnerable to air attack. Their arrival altered daily life in the village and left memories that have endured for decades.

Arrival in September 1939

The first evacuees arrived by train carrying small suitcases, gas masks, and identity labels pinned to their coats. Many were from inner London districts and had never travelled beyond the city. Later recollections describe the shock of arrival: the quiet lanes, open fields, and absence of traffic felt strange and unsettling to children accustomed to crowded streets and constant noise. One evacuee later remarked that Cuckfield seemed “too peaceful to be real”.

For some children, the countryside itself was a revelation. Former evacuees recalled seeing green fields, farm animals, and fruit trees for the first time. Blackberries growing wild along hedgerows were remembered with particular excitement, as such things were rare or unknown in the city.

Billeting and Home Life

After arrival, children were taken to the village hall and billeted with local families. These arrangements were often made quickly and could involve siblings being separated. Experiences varied widely. Some households welcomed evacuees warmly and treated them as part of the family, while others struggled with the sudden responsibility.

Joyce Ruff, evacuated to Cuckfield as a child, later recalled being moved between several billets before settling into a long-term home where she remained for the rest of the war. In one earlier placement she remembered feeling deeply lonely, noting that her only regular companion was a pet tortoise. Her later billet, by contrast, provided stability and affection, illustrating the mixed nature of evacuee experiences.

Homesickness was common, particularly at night. Letters home were treasured, and visits from parents—though infrequent—were remembered vividly. Joyce recalled waiting at the garden gate for her mother’s arrival, counting the days between visits.

Adjusting to Village Life

Rural routines were unfamiliar to many evacuees. Some had never encountered farm animals before and needed instruction in basic country tasks. One child remembered being confused when sent to collect milk, having believed it only came in bottles.

Despite wartime rationing, the village organised practical support. A canteen was established in Queen’s Hall to provide meals for evacuee children, with local residents contributing vegetables and other produce. This communal effort helped ease the strain on both host families and the newcomers.

School and Community Integration

As the war progressed, evacuees became increasingly integrated into village life. They attended local schools, played with village children, and took part in organised activities. Initial tensions sometimes arose between local and evacuee children, but these generally faded as friendships formed.

In September 1941, evacuees from Heckford Street School gave a public performance of singing and country dancing in Queen’s Hall to raise funds for the Warren Heart Hospital for Children, which had itself been evacuated to the area. Events such as these allowed evacuee children to feel they were contributing to the community rather than merely relying upon it.

Long-Term Effects

Many evacuees spent several formative years in Cuckfield, in some cases longer than they had lived in their London homes before the war. When the conflict ended and children were told they would return to the city, reactions were mixed. While some were eager to be reunited with family, others felt a deep sense of loss at leaving the village.

One former evacuee later reflected that Cuckfield was “the place where I really grew up”. Such sentiments are common in post-war recollections and underline the lasting significance of the village’s role during the war years.

Conclusion

The story of evacuees in Cuckfield is one of adjustment, resilience, and community response. While individual experiences differed, the collective effort of villagers to house, feed, and care for displaced children left a profound impression on those who lived through it. Today, these memories form an important part of Cuckfield’s wartime history and its quiet contribution to the national war effort