大象传媒

AUGUST 1941

2 SAT The Upper Coast APO did not return as anticipated. (He was to be on duty tomorrow), so I took his job today and am to have it tomorrow too (= extra overtime). Varied shipping at many wharves and saw much of interest in my travels by road. In the evening, I gave Jack a piano lesson: 鈥淭he use of the three Primary Triads鈥�. Guess he will have forgotten it by tomorrow. Dad busy on a black-out blind for outside of kitchenette door. Quite effective.

3 SUN Everybody had the holiday spirit, and this was seen particularly up river - bathing, fishing, boating, towing path strolling. We had a splendid journey to Kingston, full of interest. George here but cycled to see Fred. Jack out with Reg (next door) fishing; Roy and David to Wimbledon.

4 MON Roy decided on an early dinner and a boat out on the river. Dinner was over and all cleared away by 1 pm, but Jack, as usual kept all waiting till 2 pm.

7 THU To Shadwell, vice London Dock. APO on holiday. Found it advantageous to keep wardrobe at "Harpy", i.e., checking into uniform and walking to and from Shadwell Pier Head. The district traversed is a much bombed one and presents some deplorable sights.

8 FRI It rained all day, almost without a stop, discharge of ships, clearance of building debris 鈥� all outdoor jobs at a stop. The whole week has been raining, and Jack, whose birthday it was despondent, tomorrow finishes his weeks holiday. Self = half day, unwell (cold), to cinema, Wimbledon. Jack had many cards but few gifts.

9 SAT At first, day went tranquilly. Walked down to Shadwell Pier Head (see 7/8), travelled to Custom House again with list of shipping (week-day job), purchasing haversack for carrying steel helmet and gas mask comb., en-route, but shortly after lunch, informed of Mr Bookie鈥檚 accident; he had fallen from Carron Wharf quayside into foreshore mud, between quay and ship. First to scene of accident to collect muddy clothing, taking parties etc. thence with own PO (Mr Almond) to St. George-in-?鈥檚 Hospital. Mr B. suffering shock and injured back. Then to his wife at Morden to take to hospital, but she received prior information and was gone. Sid and Doll called in, left dog and went to cinema: Sid has 48 hours leave.

10 SUN End of double summer time, clocks now only one hour ahead of GMT. Up 5 am for 8/4 rummage at West India. Had to call in at "Harpy" for uniform etc, making me very late at West India. Walked to East India Dock and saw some of the bomb damage, and in office, saw old friends. Wrote lengthy letter to Kay in evening.

11 MON CPO investigating circumstances of Mr B鈥檚 accident (see 9/8)., Received letter from Kay, asking for 拢4 for new winter coat! Replied, agreeing, by return.

12 TUE Brighter, and travel to and from Shadwell office correspondingly better. As it was, wrote again to Assistance Board on subject of 拢15 settled claim bomb damage. An unknown, un-uniformed man admonished Dad on light showing through hall doorway from kitchenette. Took name and address.

14 THU Principal event of today, after an ordinary half-day at Shadwell, was my visit to see Fred in West Middlesex hospital, Isleworth. Went with Mabel鈥檚 Mother from Mabel鈥檚 house, where kiddies were well (Pam just getting over mumps). Fred seems normal: his lung patch is drained daily, but has hot flushes at night and a 鈥渞ashy鈥� skin. Diagnosed as T.B. on outer lung wall.

15 FRI Dull, grey, mist and fine rain: all returning from leave speak of poor weather. It seemed appropriate to be issued with my July, 1940 mackintosh today! Back on general duties, "Harpy" 鈥� therefore not overworked! To Shannon Corner 鈥淥deon鈥� to see G.B.S鈥檚. 鈥淢ajor Barbara鈥� 鈥� Wendy Hillier 鈥� very good. Out just at blackout.

16 SAT During my general duties on the 鈥淗arpy鈥�, I went by way of the Bank to City Gate House, Morgate, where the pay office is now located (since the evacuation of the Customs House staff). A very creditable reconstruction has been made to the subway and road junction there, which had been previously smashed up by a bomb (with many deaths to subway shelterers). A 鈥渞ound-about鈥� for traffic has been made, reducing time lost at this important point. A fine day, but afternoon had to be spent in "Harpy" office in case of telephone calls. In the evening, Mum and Jack paid an evening visit to Fred in hospital:

19 TUE At 9.30 am, Mum phoned me up at the "Harpy" from our neighbour鈥檚 opposite, to say telegram had come from Vera at Blackpool, notifying birth of our son, 8 lbs., both Kay and baby doing fine. Made arrangements for immediate leave, 3 days only being granted. Received family鈥檚 congratulations at night and packed up ready.

20 WED By being allowed to leave early I was able to catch the 12.05 mid-day train from Euston to Blackpool, changing Preston, arrived in 6 pm. To Mum鈥檚 first, then, after refreshment, straight to nursing home in time for the 7 鈥� 8.30 session. Kay looking quite well: baby, a funny little fellow with his father鈥檚 nose and mouth. Had a good yarn together.

21 THU Was astir before the rest of the house but Mum appeared nicely in time for my breakfast. Kay had requested some flowers for the decoration of her room in the nursing home so went 鈥渄own town鈥� and purchased 2 nice bunches. Betty and I to Myrtles where Beryl is staying. Found her perfectly happy, and spent pleasant afternoon with nieces. Visited Kay in
evening, stopping till black-out.

22 FRI Had first real chat with Vera. She is appearing on South Pier in 鈥淛ack Taylor Presents鈥� She was 29 beginning this month. Couldn鈥檛 keep away from Beryl, so found myself at Myrtle鈥檚 again, this time taking kiddies to Stanley Park, with boating trips. Tea at Myrtles, and then visit to Kay, till dusk, taking periodicals etc. Doing fine.

23 SAT Betty and I up early, saw to own breakfasts and away again to Myrtle鈥檚. Took Betty and Beryl, Margaret and Freda to beach where they spent a pleasant time, the weather being perfect. Saw Kay both sessions today, the 3 鈥� 4 with Betty (who thinks the baby lovely) and from 7 鈥� 9 (officially 7 鈥� 8.30). Kay depressed with the thought of my departure for London tomorrow. She is inclined to fret and last night had to be given a sleeping tablet. The kiddies are having a good time for a few days. Today they had spades for beach digging, sweets, and ice, a donkey ride, bus ride, saw Punch and Judy and a ventriloquist entertainment. Saw Ken and Tommy, but not girls.

24 SUN Repeating yesterday鈥檚 procedure, up at 7.30 am. Betty cooked my breakfast and 鈥渕othered鈥� me in Kay鈥檚 absence and arrived Myrtles about 9.30. Took kiddies to Stanley Park again, on motor launch etc. Final visits to Kay, 3 and 7 where she bid 鈥渇ond farewell鈥� till Christmas holidays. I鈥檓 afraid there were tears on both sides.

25 MON The 10 pm from Central, made a whirlwind journey arriving Euston 4.15 am. I waited with a huge crowd for the first underground, 5.30 am! I thus had time for toilet and breakfast. A busy morning rummaging (Surrey); Afternoon, commenced 鈥渟afe arrival鈥� letter to Kay, finished evening.

27 WED This is Kay鈥檚 day (10th)for getting up: Thought of her as I left her in the nursing home, Sunday. Wrote her a nice letter in the evening: also to police about queuing at South Wimbledon Station. Had day rummaging at Surrey, with no results, but received a lemon 鈥� a great rarity 鈥� on the ship, which will go to Fred. Roy back.

29 FRI Consequence of letter the Police (see 27/8) re scramble for tickets at South Wimbledon Station in morning (with queue stretching into road) was provision of a Police officer, a sergeant and an LTPB inspector: all went smoothly. Also, a policeman called at house, but I was at work. To Surrey for Rummage. A quiet evening. All, (including boys), reading or else writing.

30 SAT The weather was unreliable, but Mum, Roy and Freddie Gingell risked the calamity of 5/8 and went off to Chessington Zoo. It was Dad鈥檚 last day of his second week of holiday and yesterday, he finished putting a ventilation hole into the air raid shelter, a really neat job. Jack and I went to Wimbledon 鈥淥deon鈥� to see 鈥淭he Devil and Miss Jones鈥� and 鈥淭arget for Tonight鈥�. The former was by far the more interesting picture in both our opinions. Mum and Boys had good time at Zoo.

31 SUN Was first awakened at 4 am when the clock alarm went for Jack鈥檚 turn of fire watching, then again at 6 at its conclusion, when I decided to get up. Was given a lift to R.C. Dock from The "Harpy" by launch and again 鈥渃ollected鈥� after finishing my duty there. I visited Fred 鈥� mmuch better. George came. Dad鈥檚 night of Home Guard.

SEPTEMBER 1941

2 TUE Another day 鈥渟tanding-by鈥�, being the only reserve staff member, but put in good work with my reading almost completing vol II of 鈥淕eorge Elliot鈥檚 Life鈥�. I collect the 3rd volume tomorrow. Dad鈥檚 birthday: he had many cards, and slippers, socks and cigarettes by way of gifts. He is 65 and has his book of 10 shilling pension orders, to commence forthwith. Fred better.

3 WED Attached to "Harpy" Rummage. This crew will be fire watching on the roof of the main Custom House on Sunday night and I accompany them on their inspection of their territory. The roof is probably the buildings worst feature, and does not command a great view. Cheery letter from Kay. All well, John Christened and Kay churched, but letter implies shortage of cash. Arranged to send some.

4 THU Again to our pay office, removed across the city to Moorgate. A chance to look around me. In afternoon, a volunteer with the "Harpy" Rummage. A hard afternoon鈥檚 work resulted in some success, but no鈥攐ne admitting ownership of find rather spoilt things.

6 SAT The extra hour鈥檚 work we voluntarily put in Thursday, we hoped to get back with interest, today, but 鈥渆xigencies of the service鈥� did not permit. A launch load of us cruised about down river for a time and then my own crew returned without contacting 鈥渢he enemy鈥�. Dad was off to Home Guard at 8 pm. Jack out ice skating at Richmond with Grace, so Mum, Roy and I had a quiet evening. I read a great deal from vol III of 鈥淕eorge Elliot鈥檚 Life鈥� and heard a few records on the radio-gram. I left Mum with her book at my usual time - 10 pm, awaiting Jack鈥檚 return home. He was fire watching mid-night 鈥� 2 am.

11 THU New book (see yesterday) = 鈥淕reat Short Stories of the World鈥� contrasting last choice. Large parcel in post by 8 am (to Kay). Received orders (yesterday), to relieve officers at Ipswich for month, but job undertaken by a fellow officer. At home, George was expected to visit with Elsie and Alan, home from Woolacombe, North Devon, for a few days, but did not arrive.

12 FRI An extraordinary 11/7 turn for special purpose of rummaging a ship outward bound. Called local labour exchange re registration for fire watching in case unable to do so Sunday (i.e. duty), but was not registered. Hectic time on the job, covered in oil and coal dust on first ship, and delays and checks on 2nd. Left office nearly 8, home in darkness (9), only time for supper and bed.

13 SAT Received back hour overtime yesterday and reached home early, preparing to leave immediately after dinner for Wimbledon 鈥淓lite鈥�. As usual, a good American film 鈥� Joan Crawford in 鈥淎 Woman鈥檚 Face鈥�, good piece of acting, with a slapstick British film 鈥� 鈥淢y Wife鈥檚 Family鈥�. Also, the seized German propaganda film, a dreadful record of death and destruction made to impress neutral countries, but only increases our 鈥渨ill to win鈥�.

14 SUN A pleasant 8/4 at the "Harpy", a good companion and not overworked. Managed to get a letter to Kay written too. At home, George had joined Elsie and Alan (he had been fire watching overnight) and all were at tea when I got in. Mum and Elsie going to evening church, with Roy. I registered for fire watching at South Wimbledon.

15 MON Had previously bid Elsie and Alan goodbye as it may be long ere they visit us again. Rummaging at Surrey, with a lot of extra work (and torn trousers), investigating pilfered cigars in holds. Hilda Faulkener (nee Clark), girl friend of previous years, came over, and I speak to her for the first time since I broke with her 12 years ago. An emotional moment.

18 THU Rummaging at Surrey (Albion) and PO secured a 鈥渏ob鈥� under the saloon table! Lunched with our Surrey Dock friends and later returned to ships. At home, found Roy queer in bed with sore throat and cough, having been brought home by a prefect. Dad was on Home Guard, but was able to return home at 3 am (19/9), but found door locked and I had to go down.

20 SAT Our ship rummaged today, produced a seizure of 500 cigarettes ex bunker (self). I am ashamed, however, of the condition of my linen and footwear as we travel to and from the ships, in cases such as these, I spend an hour each time, part at office, part home, cleaning myself. Compensating satisfaction is, of course, job well done. Intending to visit cinema, but cheapest seat priced 1/10d, so spent evening at home: we heard the air raid sirens for a short period, first time for months. Roy now a little better.

23 TUE Returned to same ship as yesterday and spent the whole day there, so much so that we did 陆 hours overtime. However, it鈥檚 all 鈥渙wing to us鈥� as the boss says. Usual letter from Kay: wants definite promise of returning home in spring 鈥�42, not getting sufficient sleep with Beryl and John in her own bed. Hardly know what to reply.

25 THU Rummage at Riverhead Wharf, with result 100 cigarettes, cellophane covered with blood! Found in galley having previously been concealed in cooler room amongst meat. C.D. received some information re land and sea convoys, but 鈥渒eep silent鈥�..鈥� Spent whole evening writing to Kay and packing a parcel of baby clothes, given to me for children by Mr Blake, postal order and some goodies.

28 SUN The unadvertised withdrawal of 2 early morning buses caused chaos at the Raynes Park terminus, although travellers at 7.30 were few. I travelled via Morden, instead of South Wimbledon. Boarding duties uneventful. Mum, Jack and Roy to Sidney鈥檚 鈥渁t home鈥�, returned in black-out in pouring rain, Roy biking! Dad, queer, remained at home. I spent evening writing to Kay.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.