When World War II broke out many children were evacuated, or sent away, from Birmingham so that they would be safe if the City was bombed. Each child was allowed to take one small suitcase with its belongings.Eileen Piercy used this suitcase when she was evacuated to Cheltenham in 1939. Her father engraved her initials on the case and wrote her identity number on the inside. She carried her new school uniform in her case but does not remember taking any personal items as sentimental belongings were discouraged. Eileen returned to Birmingham in July 1940 and was therefore in the City during the worst of the bombing.