A Rare Framed Vintage World War II poster for the Cambridge 'Evacuated Mother's Club'

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Origin: English
Period: Second World War
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1940
Height: 23 inches
Width: 18 inches

A rare, and rather poignant piece of wartime ephemera is this original vintage poster, the full text of which reads 'Evacuated Mothers' Club For All, Do Come, A Happy Welcome, At Victoria Road Congregational Church Hall, Every Day from 2.30-5pm, except Sat-Sun'.

The poster is printed in green on white paper, with some light overall age toning, and presented in a period solid maple frame.

The wartime evacuation was the largest and most concentrated mass movement of people Britain had ever seen. In just four days at the beginning of September 1939, almost three million people were moved from towns and cities in danger from enemy bombers to safety in the countryside. While for many children the relocation was a joyous adventure, with many finding fun and new friendships, other children were cruelly treated and unhappy. The children were essentially told that they were going on a holiday, and on the day of departure the railway stations were packed, the children numbered, the suitcases loaded, and the mothers sobbed – some were never to see their children again. With their children absent, the mothers founded support groups, and met regularly to share stories, wartime information and advice. This poster advertises a meeting for one of those very groups.

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