The Belgians during the First World War represented the largest refugee movement in British history. Despite the size of this influx - at its peak some 250,000 were present in Britain-there has been an almost total absence of reference to them. This article suggests that this neglect is unfortunate both with regard to our understanding of the First World War and the history of refugees during the twentieth century. In particular, this article stresses the importance of local responses and reactions to the refugees and the significance of place in the process of rebuilding lives and identities in Britain.

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United Kingdom refugee historical perspective twentieth century war