Why were Gibraltar's civilians evacuated during the Second World War, and where did they go?

Question

Accepted Answer

In 1940 the British Government evacuated most of Gibraltar's civilian population so the Rock could be reinforced as a military fortress. Evacuees went first to French Morocco and then to London, Madeira, Jamaica and Northern Ireland; most returned from 1943 onwards, but some were away for up to a decade.
As the Second World War escalated, the British Government decided to evacuate Gibraltar's women, children, elderly and infirm so the territory could be held as a fortress with more military personnel. Civilians with essential jobs were allowed to stay.
The evacuation in stages:
Between Wednesday 22 May and Monday 24 June 1940, 13,495 evacuees were shipped to French Morocco.
After France capitulated in June 1940, they were sent back to Gibraltar and then moved on. A convoy sailed for Britain on Sunday 21 July 1940.
Evacuees were sent to London, Madeira, Jamaica and later Northern Ireland. Of around 16,000 evacuees in total, some 2,000 went to Madeira.
In London many were housed in hotels around South Kensington and Fulham and lived through the Blitz. Others were placed in purpose-built camps in Jamaica and Northern Ireland.
Return home:
Most evacuees returned from 1943 onwards. The first repatriation party left Madeira on Sunday 28 May 1944, but some families did not return until the early 1950s.
Why it matters:
The Government of Gibraltar describes the evacuation as a watershed in Gibraltar's political development and in its evolution as a people. It is widely seen as having strengthened Gibraltarian identity and the drive for self-government after the war.
Where to learn more:
The Evacuation Monument stands at Waterport Terraces.
Gibraltar's National Archives holds evacuation records and has published books on the subject.
In 2008 Gibraltar gave Madeira a monument in thanks for the island's hospitality.

Why were Gibraltar's civilians evacuated during the Second World War, and where did they go?

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The evacuation in stages

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