大象传媒

JULY 1943

2 FRI
One of our occasional trips to the east coast. Although we hear lots of raids on East Anglian towns, there were no 鈥渁lerts鈥� while we were there. Straight on duty for fire watching when we returned "Harpy". 鈥淥ur leader鈥� set me a good example of unselfishness when he rushed around and got me a supper ready after all had finished.

3 SAT
Lots of month-end clerical: lunch at 鈥淎lf鈥檚鈥� 鈥� our workers caf茅; and home in time to allow Kay and Betty away to the pictures. En route home, I sent a birthday card to Kay, who is 35 on Sunday. Kay and Betty saw a good show at Wimbledon 鈥淥deon鈥�, but being a Saturday, they had to pay 1/9d each for a seat. I pay for these entertainments, but did not mind the expense so long as they enjoy themselves.

4 SUN
Kay鈥檚 birthday. Strained arm quite painful: probably due to pulling out cabin drawers whilst rummaging. Had episcope evening.

5 MON
Produced another piece of evidence of 鈥渄oing my bit鈥� today: I value seizures principally for this reason.

6 TUE
Intended to go far afield today, but developments in morning session of work precluded it. Rarely leave a ship these days without feeling we have made ourselves felt. Offender of yesterday, has lodged protest re fine levied: made usual written report: matter in W.S. hands, expect criticism, but am not conscious of failing in my duty. Dead tired as I am often after rummaging.

7 WED
One item of rummage was the examination of the ship鈥檚 dirty linen, real hard work, but from a seizure point of view, worthwhile. A much needed shower of rain fell in evening. Kay and I mooned over our twins, who, god be praised, are fit and really beautiful.

8 THU
Satisfactory conclusion to yesterday鈥檚 events. Downpour of rain again and parched up lawns looking greener.

9 FRI
Today, walked twins in pram, to Morden and back. Outward bound, had a drizzling rain all the way (and whilst shopping). Homeward bound had air raid, with a little gun-fire and shrapnel falling. Took cover twice: Kay and Beryl, who reached home independently, were given shelter in a neighbours place. At Morden, bought shoes for Kay, 19s, Betty 16/10d, John 5/9d. Betty takes women鈥檚 size now.

11 SUN
Dad to fire watch. Mum told us of Jack鈥檚 narrow escape from bombing.

12 MON
Back to work with a different colleague to usual, owing to one taking leave, a re-arrangement of seating necessary, as the new man has long legs. From 5 pm onwards, fire guarding. Spent about 2陆 hours of the evening learning my way about the house, situation of hydrants, etc. Had a read and did some writing on the "Harpy" before turning in at 11 pm. Not asleep at midnight.

13 TUE
The reduced period of rest I always suffer on fire watch, was further cut up by a short 鈥渁lert鈥� about 3 am, when it was necessary to dress, and open up and prepare the First aid post. Also early rising as the rule owing to 6.45 breakfast

14 WED
Rummaged the life boats of an American ship yesterday and heard today a complaint had been made, but fortunately, our PO was able to counter it. The 鈥淕od Almighty鈥� spirit of the Americans is certainly no illusion. They resent and obstruct our duties whenever we meet them and talk of 鈥渇unding us (lease-lend) and fighting for us鈥� Authorities say 鈥淣o trouble鈥�.

15 THU
We had a worrying night over John, who coughed for long periods, and then rattled his cot in an effort to get himself to sleep. We fear whooping cough which is in the neighbourhood. This was discussed with many headshakes at the 鈥淲aterguard table鈥� in 鈥淎lf鈥檚 caf茅鈥�. One CPO present had lost a son with this complaint years ago.

16 FRI
Almost worked myself to a stand still, reaching home late, and being all ready for bed as soon as I had had my supper. Kay and the children had had a good day, however. The day being exceptionally fine they went on a picnic on Cannon Hill.

17 SAT
One of the most beautiful days of the year. I asked Kay if we should repeat the successful picnic of yesterday, but conditions at home were difficult and, with Betty absent at Surbiton swimming pool, and Kay herself feeling tired, we preferred to remain indoors and relax.. Been having some worry about feeding twins: the tins of 鈥淣ational Dried Milk鈥� received from clinic have been at times 2/3rds full, and this means buying another feed and a change of diet for the infants which they dislike 鈥� Peter in particular. Kay is very indignant and means to inspect new tins to be received Monday.

18 SUN
During course of days business, discussed alternative route for travelling to and from work with a colleague, and with him, called at South Merton for enquiries. South Merton is 20 minutes from home, and Morden South station is 25s/0d against 25s/6d. Might give it a trial though: tube is so stuffy in summer.

19 MON
Poor Kay could equal my 鈥渄ay to the Crown鈥� today by saying 鈥渄ay to the house鈥�! She rose at 6.45 am with me, and was kept busy by the kiddies and with household duties until 10.30 at night. To keep going at such a pressure is lowering and reflects the lack of appreciation an ungrateful country has to mothers of it鈥檚 children.

20 TUE
Mum鈥檚 55th birthday today.

22 THU
On fire watching duties at 9 pm, and additionally, a lecture, but, nevertheless, got home in evening to have 3陆 hours with Kay and the children, leaving home at 8 pm. Lecture interesting: new fire pump.

23 FRI
No 鈥渁lert鈥� during the night: Only woke up 3 times to look at watch, as it is necessary to get up at 6 am for fire watchers breakfast at 6.45 am and late attendance is frowned on. Received notification of intended boarding of one of H.M.S.鈥檚 tomorrow, so Kay and I went to Raynes Park and borrowed white shirt from Jack.

24 SAT
Up 5 am to be at London Bridge station at 7 am. Thence to Chatham where I had my first experience of 鈥渞elations with the Navy鈥�. Enjoyed the day, but precaution not to record anything which might be of value to our enemy, should I lose this diary, forbids me to write of my impressions of the dockyard. We were all in best uniforms, with white shirts and collars and black ties: the PO looked very smart and received a few salutes as a sub lieutenant of the Navy, to which he was not entitled and did not ask for. Bought new Parker fountain pen to replace Waterman.

25 SUN
Kay and Betty went to Surbiton Lagoon ( where they met Fred, Mabel and children!) and I looked after rest..

26 MON
Yesterday and today weather became in fact, a bit too hot. A long day鈥檚 work did not improve feeling of lassitude and soon ready for bed once reaching home. I filled my new Parker and found it satisfactory. Waterman bought in 1925, now almost finished.

27 TUE
Weather conditions as yesterday with a slightly less busy day. Betty with other cycling friends at Wimbledon Common yesterday, and to Surbiton swimming lagoon today: Kay with nice clean house in spite of going to Raynes Park for some shopping. A good wife!

28 WED
Our longest journey yet on the Mobile. Up at 5 am for it, and back at 11.10 pm precisely. To Harwich, where we went by launch, a mile out in the purest water I have ever seen in my water guard travels. Did our job and returned through country roads in the glorious evening sunshine.

29 THU
Warm weather continues. Hot engine rooms on ships still have to be rummaged, of course, and added to the sun鈥檚 heat, the temperature down below was tropical. We get an occasional 鈥渁lert鈥�, so that our rest is often cut up. All well though: twins 3陆 months.

30 FRI
It seemed hotter than ever! There was some reluctance on the part of the rummaging crew to 鈥渢urn to鈥�. However, heat or no heat, habit soon asserted itself, and a good day鈥檚 work was done. Called at Raynes Park on the way home: was lucky in getting 2 things, now rarely obtainable: 鈥淏rylcreme鈥� and saccharines.

31 SAT
It had to happen! It became so hot today that we had a storm at 8pm which reduced the heat a bit. As I worked out the months budget (just about balanced with an effort) in the great heat, literally hundreds of flies buzzed around the kitchenette and dining room, worrying me even as I write.

AUGUST 1943

1 SUN
Further storm in the night, whilst the day conditions were cloud and wind, but with a welcome lowering of the temperature. End of month clerical. Rushed home after work as I had to return to the Custom house for fire watching at 10pm. Was able to help Kay , but had very little leisure. In bed by 11 pm at fire watch, but companion disturbed me.

2 BANK HOL MON
Early dispersal of firewatchers and only 2 remaining for duty, for whom I cooked the breakfast. On duty again today, so it is little I have of the August holiday. Kay and Betty were at Wimbledon 鈥淥deon鈥�. Admission is now dear, but they paid a shilling each only.

3 TUE
Kay and I differed on matter of letting next door neighbour have our ration books to get chicken 鈥� meal in return for an egg concession. Do not wish to be dependent.

4 WED
鈥淎 day to the Crown鈥� Up 6.45, worked all day, home 9.45, supper and bed. Some results to cheer us, but otherwise, it seemed a day for which no leisure was derived at all.

5 THU
Very rainy morning and afternoon. The car in which we travel has had a leaky roof for months, and let quite a stream of water in. Again, looking after twins and John, as Kay, Betty and Beryl went to see a 鈥淭arzan鈥� picture, it being adjudged especially entertaining to children.

7 SAT
A rushed morning but I got to work at the appointed time. Late duties, a little of the evening left afterwards.

8 SUN
A delightful day with Kay and the children: only 2 Sundays off duty a month makes one appreciate ones home and family. Kay sat at her machine making a toy duck for John鈥檚 birthday.

9 MON
An average day, and fortunately, home in time to relieve Kay of the twins and John and Beryl, whilst she took Betty and her friend, Bernard, whose birthday it was, and with whom Betty had been to tea 鈥� to the cinema.

10 TUE
Owing to the annual conference of the P.S.A., coinciding with the Home Guard annual camp, there is a serious shortage of staff in London for the 10 鈥� 12 /8 and our mobile rummage crew has been temporarily disbanded for the period. Today, after clerical at the "Harpy", I served at Surrey, and incidentally, did some good.

11 WED
6 am rising necessary for 8/4 Surrey. First to "Harpy", my ordinary base, for uniform and rummaging gear, and thence by bus. Back to "Harpy" again at 4 pm and away home to part evening with wife and children, twins being especially beautiful just now. Back to Custom House for fire watch 9 pm.

12 THU
Fire watch was uneventful, but as usual, I slept but fitfully on the straw (type) mattress the Crown supply: perhaps it is the springs I miss! Office morning at the "Harpy": This type of work a pleasant change from rummaging. 8/4 only. Kay and Betty went to cinema.

13 FRI
Mobile rummage re instituted; a normal day. Betty ran in 2 races in the heats for the (posts) KRNS. (Civil Defence) Fete, tomorrow and won in the skipping race, entitling her to run in the final. Kay went down re rations:

14 SAT
Had to worry Kay for an early dinner, as duties were pm. Had a rushed morning, in which I gave a hand until I got in the way (as a male, helping, will do) and then went upstairs out of it. Betty went to fete (13/8) but was too interested in a display of dancing by a troupe of girls from a local 鈥淎cademy鈥� to run in her skipping race.

15 SUN
A day to the Crown!: at Sunday rates too, for which (by arrangement) we are paid 8 hours only! Our journey to the east coast took us the whole day, as I left home at 8 and reached it again at 11 pm. Apart from pecuniary loss (time to be made up to us), weather was fine: camaraderie good; rummaging successful.

16 MON
Up again by 6.45 am, and a normal day. Had an opportunity to do some shopping at Morden, and soon ran through 拢1.Druggist wares = 7/6d (including 1 lb lint for cutting up into napkins) Engine for John鈥檚 birthday (or for Christmas) 7/6d, and other sundries. Children鈥檚 toys very dear: my engine a bargain at the price.

17 TUE
What seemed a ridiculous project was our setting of in afternoon on one of our longest return journeys, with black-out now at 8.45 (clocks back Sunday). But we had moonlight to help us and returned to Customs House by mid-night, after a successful day, but one very literally 鈥済iven to the Crown鈥�. Had to stop in the large fire watchers dormitory, and suffered disturbance and a bit of record snoring!

18 WED
Left the dormitory at 6.20 am, and put in a good day鈥檚 work, which, on top of last night鈥檚 curtailed and disturbed rest, It was little John鈥檚 2nd birthday

19 THU
A good normal working day and some leisure time at home - the way I prefer mobile work. The glorious mild sunny weather has continued, and the evenings end for the noisy street children at 8.45 pm, as since Sunday (15/8) the clocks are only 1 hour ahead of G.M.T. Kay had had a hard day, and as soon as the 鈥渂rute was fed鈥�, was able to leave me and go to Raynes Park cinema.

20 FRI
Phoned Dad up re Mum鈥檚 forthcoming homecoming, and providing her with some of our rations.

21 SAT
After one or two days of continuous rummaging, the balance to be put in today, Saturday, was fewer than usual, and I was home earlier. Had to return to the Custom House for fire watching duties 陆 hour before black out = roughly 8 pm. Had an excellent supper, cod (I think), and chips, in good company. It doesn鈥檛 always follow, but I find the society of the higher guards much more satisfying.

22 SUN
The old fire watch trouble 鈥� dormitory companions which come to bed late, snore disgustingly all night and want calling at 5.45.

23 MON
Back to work after the 鈥渙ff鈥� Sunday 鈥� I can quite understand the reluctance felt by workers who regularly have the week end off. I wanted to creep away somewhere and rummage quietly on my own. Came home to find my little family ranged round four sides of the table, feeding and was proud of the scene they made. 鈥楾winnies鈥� were well, and smiled from their cots.

24 TUE
Another day wholly dedicated to the Crown鈥檚 business, leaving home soon after 9 and returning at 10.45 pm. Our 鈥済ive and take鈥� principal makes this the best way of working the mobile, but causes me heartburn when I am deprived of the company of my family. Being heaps better off than those fighting in the forces, I must not grumble.

25 WED
A letter caused us much pleasure 鈥� from niece Lily, saying her husband Charlie was alive and a P.O.W. in Malay. She was overjoyed and could hardly write. Had phone call from one of Betty鈥檚 boy friends!

27 FRI
Homeward bound, called at cleaners and dyers for coat dyed for Kay, blue serge suit of self cleaned and repaired. Clothing restrictions have made services of cleaners most profitable of war. I paid 15/6d for coat; 31/6d for suit!

28 SAT
To indicate the amount of work Kay has to get through, today was given wholly to the Crown鈥檚 service, and I reached home at 9.30 pm 鈥� to find Kay busy washing! The babies are beautiful, but we are both worried about their vaccination. I wrote expediting this matter on 26/8. Radiogram for repair: out of commission since 3/42: Have cut my 鈥淰alet鈥� razor strop in 2, neither part of any use, so must renew: pre-war 2/6d, strops are now 4/-.

29 SUN
I was glad the day鈥檚 work did not extend above the 8 hours only for which we are paid. Vera is at Hackney and was able to visit us for the day.

30 MON
Had to be up unusually early for a trip to a semi-seasoned resort, where also some of our business is done. We were away the whole day, Heard from radioman radio part of gram now fixed.

31 TUE
Another long journey to the east coast: under way early and arrived safely in splendid time for business. Was attended with results which necessitated us staying overnight. Mr B. and I had supper in cinema restaurant, and parted. I then went into cinema itself and saw an excellent programme. To our old lodgings at 鈥淒uke of Kent鈥� afterwards.

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