The Their Past Your Future programme (TPYF) at the Imperial War Museum
(2004-2010) has now closed. This website is an archive of the project’s
website serving as a record of activities throughout its lifetime, and
will not be updated beyond January 2010. If you have any questions
regarding the TPYF programme please contact the Imperial War Museum
through info@iwm.org.uk quoting
"Their Past You Future" in the subject heading.
To access the new TPYF/IWM website for teachers, featuring a range of
exciting teaching ideas, resources and source material to explore the
impact of conflict from the First World War to today, please go to
www.theirpast-yourfuture.org.uk.
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Click on the images to enlarge.
Beryl was nine years old when she died. When the war began people were afraid that Germany would soon attack the UK. Beryl’s parents decided to send her to Canada where she would be safer. She set sail on the City of Benares with 89 other children. On 17 September 1940 the ship was torpedoed and sank in just half an hour. Only 13 children survived.
Beryl’s parents asked if a wreath could be dropped in the Atlantic near the place that Benares had sunk. The request was refused. Beryl’s photograph, with her dog Chummy, stayed on the family mantelpiece for many years.
Beryl’s parents had a son after she had died. He only knew Beryl from her photograph on the mantelpiece. |
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Beryl’s mother wrote this letter hoping it would be waiting for Beryl when she arrived in Canada to live with her aunt |
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Beryl’s death was reported in the local paper |
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Beryl’s mother had written to her relatives in Canada to ask them to look after her little girl. The reply came quickly;
‘You ask if we will have Beryl. Of course we will and only too glad to have her for as long as you say and we will do all we can for her. You can put your mind at rest about her for you can send her to us knowing that she will be cared for and that she will be among relations. Now all I can say is get her here without delay.’
Neighbours gave this card to Beryl for her ninth and last birthday on 26 May 1940. |
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All 12 lifeboats were launched from the Benares. After a whole night and day in the water, survivors from 11 lifeboats were rescued by the crew of HMS Hurricane. They were deeply affected by the rescue. Only 115 people, including 7 children, had survived. The captain vowed to take revenge on German U-boats, and later sank three U-boats in the space of thirty six hours. This photograph shows the rescue of the last lifeboat by HMS Anthony, a week after Benares had sunk. 46 people, including 6 evacuee boys, were on this lifeboat. |
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Beryl’s parents chose to commemorate her death by giving money to this children’s charity. |
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Download the Personal Story in full as a PDF document
