Blitz children to get their own £1million memorial at St Paul’s

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A memorial to the millions of children evacuated during the Second World War is to be erected outside St Paul's Cathedral.

The £1 million bronze depicts 10 children holding hands as they leave home to escape the bombing of London and other cities for the safety of the countryside.

The 6ft memorial was commissioned by the Evacuees Reunion Association, who hope money can be raised to install it in time for the 2012 Olympics.

"About three million people, mostly children, were evacuated in the war," said association chief executive James Roffey.

"Families who billeted evacuees got a certificate from the King and Queen after the war, thanking them, but the evacuees got nothing."

The bronze, designed by Dutch sculptor and concentration camp survivor Maurice Blik, is entitled Every Which Way and all the children in it are facing in different directions.

"This is to portray the feeling of confusion on evacuation day," said Camberwell-born Mr Roffey.

Mr Roffey was evacuated at the age of eight to a Sussex village at the start of the Blitz.

He said: "When I came home in 1944 I was a stranger to my family. As soon as I left school I went back to live in the evacuation village."

A memorial service will be held at St Paul's on 1 September to mark the 70th anniversary of Operation Pied Piper. About 2,000 evacuees from across the world are invited.