We Remember
WW2 Escape Lines Memorial Society
Find the people, routes and memorial trails that kept Allied evaders moving home. ELMS preserves the history of the helpers, escapers and evaders who formed Europe’s escape lines during the Second World War.
- Registered Charity No. 1148116
- Freedom Trails and commemorative events
- Research, archives and education
Start here
-
History
Understand an escape line
Follow the clandestine routes, guides, safe houses and resistance networks that moved evaders across occupied Europe.
-
People
Find a personal story
Browse accounts of the helpers, escapers and evaders whose courage keeps the history human.
-
Places
Plan a trail visit
Explore commemorative walks, memorial towns and route maps that connect the archive to the landscape.
-
Archive
Use the research hub
Read articles, book reviews and archive material written by ELMS members, historians and descendants.
What ELMS Does
Commemorate
We safeguard the legacy of those who risked everything to support and guide Allied servicemen and others to freedom. Memorials, Freedom Trails and annual gatherings, events, research and publicity ensure that their courage is never forgotten.
Educate
ELMS works with educational establishments, the military and others to share activities, research and information.
Support
Memberships, donations and volunteering enable us to share the history of the veterans and helpers by maintaining and updating our archives, developing our resources and commemorative trails, and engagement with students and families of veterans and escape line helpers.
Featured Section
Freedom Trails
Walk the commemorative routes that honour escape-line helpers and the Allied servicemen they guided through occupied Europe.
Read moreSupport The Work
Membership and donations
Memberships, donations and volunteering help ELMS maintain archives, support commemorations and develop education resources.
Read moreExplore ELMS
-
How ELMS Began
Discover the Society's origins in the Home Run events and reunions which brought helpers and escapers back together.
-
European Award
Celebrate ELMS being honoured with the 2024 European Award for Citizenship, Security and Defence.
-
Memorial to the Helpers
Visit Eden Camp and the National Memorial Arboretum to view our tributes to helpers and evaders.
-
Working with ELMS
Find out how to collaborate on trails, research projects, school visits and commemorative events.
Stay Connected
Follow ELMS on Facebook for event updates, reunion photos and Freedom Trail reports.
Subscribe to our newsletter via the membership page to receive the latest commemorative journal and research highlights.