Figure 1.--This looks like an orphanage in the late 1920s, after World War I. We are not sure if it is Belgian or French. Note the boy at left wearing a smock. All of the children have little purses. The toys suggest it may have been just after Christmas.

The situation in Belgium and France is best known because their situation was widely reported in the press. It was also highlighted by Allied war propoganda. Large numbers of orphanages were established to care for the war orphans in both Belgium and France. Many were small local orphanges cared for by a small group of nuns. Some Belgian children were apparently brought to Britain. Most of the assistance went to orphanages in Belgium and France. These orphanages in both Belgium and France weere quite similar. Many were sponsored by religious orders. A British nurse, for example, describes one of these small orphanages in Belgium, "There was a certain bazaar at Dunkerque, a big departmental-store of cheap goods, which was a perfect fairyland of toys and Christmas presents. Now, my friend and I were deeply interested in a little orphanage near us at Furnes, where twenty war-orphans, boys from three to fifteen years old, were cared for by nuns. So we went to the bazaar and bought things that boys like, also presents for our friends. Then the doctor who drove us in, took us to a hotel dinner. All these seem ordinary events, but to us they were delightful excitements after having lived in a kitchen and eaten bully beef for months. We were like girls from boarding-school let out for a holiday!" [Anonamous] Some of these orphanages were coeducational, perhaps an effort to keep brothers and sisters together. Clothing varied considerably from orphange to orphanage. Some children wore smocks, someimes as a kind of uniform. At others the clothing varied from child to child. We suspect that here the funding was a major factor.

Publicity

The situation in Belgium and France is best known because their situation was widely reported in the press. It was also highlighted by Allied war propoganda.

Countries

Large numbers of orphanages were established to care for the war orphans in both Belgium and France. Many were small local orphanges cared for by a small group of nuns. Some Belgian children were apparently brought to Britain. Most of the assistance went to orphanages in Belgium and France. These orphanages in both Belgium and France weere quite similar. There was one major difference in that most of Belgium was occupied by the Germans. At this time, we do not know how conditions varied in the occupied and non-occupied areas. We have soe information on France, but verynlittle on Belgium.

Religious Orders

Many were sponsored by religious orders. Often this mean a small group of nuns. A British nurse, for example, describes one of these small orphanages in Belgium, "There was a certain bazaar at Dunkerque, a big departmental-store of cheap goods, which was a perfect fairyland of toys and Christmas presents. Now, my friend and I were deeply interested in a little orphanage near us at Furnes, where twenty war-orphans, boys from three to fifteen years old, were cared for by nuns. So we went to the bazaar and bought things that boys like, also presents for our friends. Then the doctor who drove us in, took us to a hotel dinner. All these seem ordinary events, but to us they were delightful excitements after having lived in a kitchen and eaten bully beef for months. We were like girls from boarding-school let out for a holiday!" [Anonamous]

Figure 2.--Rgis is a continuation of figure 1 above. This orpahabge had both boys and girls, although it is a bit difficult to tell who is who. All of the children wear long stockings to keep them warm.

Gender

Many of the orphanages appear to be single gender facilities. Some of these orphanages were coeducational, perhaps an effort to keep brothers and sisters together.

Conditions

We have little information about conditions in these orphanages. While certainly not luxurious, we note that the children in the available image do look reasonably healthy and adequately fed.

Clothing

Clothing varied considerably from orphange to orphanage. Some children wore smocks, someimes as a kind of uniform. At others the vlothing varied from child to child. We suspect that here the funding was a major factor. As many of the orphanages were small run by small groups of nuns, the decission on how to dress the children were made separately by each orphanage, thus explaining the many different appraoches. Also the chronology was a factor. Early in the War, many of the orphanages were founded and few had the luxury of outfitting the children in any kind of uniform. Thee children might arrive with just the clothing they were wearing. The nuns did their best to seek donations from the local people. As the War webt on and especially after the War, the prphanages became more established and were able to arrange for financial support. We believe at this time that some af\dopted uniforms or some effort to regularize dress.

Sources

Anonamous, A War Nurse's Diary: Sketches from a Belgian Field Hospital (MacMillian: New York, 1918).

Created: February 15, 2003
Last updated: February 15, 2003