In June 1940, 17,000 people fled Guernsey to England, including 5000
school children with their teachers and 500 mothers as 'helpers'. The
Channel Islands were the only part of British territory that was
occupied by Nazi forces during the Second World War. Most evacuees were
transported to towns in Northern England and for five years they made
new lives for themselves. From May 1945, the evacuees began to return
home, although many decided to remain in England and wartime bonds were
forged between Guernsey and Northern England that were so strong, they
still exist today.