Dear Lord, please bless these children who have been brought to us in the countryside for their safety. Be with their parents who remain in our towns and cities, who face unknown danger from the enemy. Be particularly with their fathers who, as we speak, may be sailing to France in the Expeditionary Force to defeat the Nazis.

My name is Miss Moffat. You don’t speak unless you are spoken to. When you are going to answer, you stand up and you end the answer with Miss, or Miss Moffat. If discipline in my class becomes intolerable, I will have no hesitation in using my tawse. This is only a last resort.

Miss Moffat shows the class a gas mask

So take it (gas mask) out now and hold it in your left hand, like this. Good. Pull it down here with your right, stick your chin in and pull it over your head. Fold your arms. As I speak, I can see that they’re starting to steam up, so here’s a hint for you. Tonight, when you get home, rub some Vaseline on the inside of the plastic. That will help it stop steaming up and will also make it smell much pleasanter, when you’ve got it on.

These rattles are part of the equipment given to ARP Wardens. Air Raid Precaution Wardens are expected to be those who will warn the public of gas attacks.

That’s obviously our school bell and that’s what we’ll use today. ARP wardens who are on patrol have whistles and if the gas attack is over, then we’ll get three blasts on the whistle, followed by a pause, another three, a pause and so on.

Do you think you’d be able to get your possessions into a suitcase of this size? Do you think you’d have a bit of trouble? I think you might well, but they had to keep their possessions small. Now, it’s not actually packed as an evacuee’s suitcase, but I have something in here that I’d like a volunteer to try on.

Right, pull it down at the front – put your chin in first.