In September nearly 80 years ago the storm clouds were gathering over Europe as England and France declared fight against Germany after it invaded Poland.
For generations of kids autumn 1939 was the starting of decades which would change their lives forever.
This September Year 6 pupils at Upton Junior School in Broadstairs think about an outing here we are at days gone by as part of their World War Two topic and now have begun investigating just what it felt are happy to be a wartime child in great britan.
The contrast between their lives today and the within their counterparts may be sharply put into focus by retired primary school teacher Peter O’Sullivan who guides them through the hands-on knowledge of his role for an ‘ARP (Air Raid Patrol) warden’ in full civil defence uniform including tin safety helmet, whistle and Emergency first aid kit.
He greeted them when they arrived at Upton inside their period costumes, ready for evacuation carrying their precious cuddly toys, suitcases, with a name tag around their necks.
A classroom dolled up in patriotic flags and data posters became a banking center of artefacts and memorabilia, collected by Peter, which vividly illustrates life for a kid in wartime Britain.
Pupils created gasmasks and created ration cards before exploring a variety of activities.
The tried cracking encrypted messages while using the Caesar code wheels and brass rubbings, while other communication devices included Bakelite candlestick phones, box cameras and field glasses.
They investigated tins and packets of foodstuffs at a bygone era before weighing out meagre rations in a very makeshift kitchen on scales.
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Discovering simple yet ingenious wooden toys, old comics and books were popular with pupils more utilized to computer games and smartphone’s.
Mr O’Sullivan, who’s captivated by 20th Century history, explained: “Times were desperate, personal belongings were few and food was scarce, but community spirit was strong and supporting one another was vital.
“It is essential which our children today experience a taste of the family life was during World war ii along with their quantity of our wartime classroom really causes them to be think.”
Upton Head of college Darci Arthur said: “World War 2 is a vital part of your background this topic gives our Year 6 children the opportunity dig deeply into every aspect of the time scale.
“Mr O’Sullivan’s workshops are fascinating and galvanizing, and are generally a fundamental portion of topic work this term.”
Report Peter Barnett
