WW2 Escape Lines Memorial Society

Registered Charity No: 1148116

The WW2 Escape Lines Memorial Society is dedicated to the ‘helpers’, escapers and evaders who either organised or used the escape lines of mainland Europe during WW2. Our membership is made up of former WW2 ‘helpers’, escapers and evaders, their families and friends, historians, researchers, and others who are interested in our aims.

Our aim is to preserve and commemorate the memory of the ‘helpers’ of the escape lines and of the ‘helpers’ who worked alone, in order to teach successive generations about their vital role in WW2. Without those brave people, many Allied soldiers and airmen, who found themselves stranded behind enemy lines, would not have been able to return to the UK to continue the common fight for freedom; they would have been captured, or dead. They have never forgotten the people who helped them.

Memorial Plaque

The ‘‘helpers’’ of the escape lines aided Allies of many nationalities by sheltering, feeding, nursing, and guiding them – they did this at great cost to themselves and their families – many paid with their lives for their selfless acts of humanity and courage towards total strangers.

ELMS is a non-sectarian, non-political and non-nationalistic Society. We are a UK based organisation and have many friends, members and representatives around the world.

E.L.M.S. actively seeks contact  with former ‘helpers’, escapers, evaders, their families and descendants.

Please support us in our aim to keep the memory of the WW2 escape lines alive.

Objectives

  • ‘Helpers’ – We aim to maintain contact with former ‘helpers’ and to assist and support, where possible, those who risked their lives in order to give aid to allied service personnel in the common cause of freedom.
  • Historical Archive & Research – We carry out research to try to build up an historic information archive on all Escape Lines. ELMS. has developed amongst its members a collective and accurate archive of escape line history, which it continues to update in order to provide an authentic historical and educational resource.
  • Education – We work to educate and inspire future generations throughout Europe on the role of Escape Lines in WW2. Through contact with schools, the military and other organisations, we aim to inform and educate younger generations of the important role played by the ‘helpers’ and the escape lines
  • Trails – Our walking trails are ‘Commemorative Walking Memorials’ following researched former escape line routes, taking in specific points of historical interest, and meeting and sharing history with veteran ‘helpers’, escapers, evaders and their families. The Society will support historically accurate Freedom Trail routes, assist in the way-marking of routes, support memorials and small voluntary Escape Lines museums in former safe-house villages and mountain areas.