大象传媒

MARCH 1942

1 SUN The day was somewhat milder but cold quite appreciable as we patrolled the river, on which we did an average business. Found all out when I reached home; saw to my own dinner, but Mum, Dad and Roy returned before I had finished. Mum and Roy had been to Evensong at which Roy had sung (creditably) a solo in 鈥淪tory of the Cross鈥�. Dad to whist drive. I wrote Kay and read.

2 MON Really much milder, and as I was not in the river launch, the weather hardly affected me. There was some business to do on our station which kept us reasonably occupied, and allowed me to do a bit of real rummaging. Whilst ashore from "Harpy", doing business at Adelaide House, bought Kay鈥檚 present to me 鈥� Chamber鈥檚 Etymology Dictionary, for "Harpy" crossword and other use.

3 TUE Fog was thick on the river this morning, but the launchmen ventured as far as the opposite side of the river, which suited we 鈥淲harves鈥� officers. Later it cleared and became beautifully sunny. Roy recovered from his sore throat and playing with 鈥淭rix鈥� in front room with his school friend. Not dark till after 7, so Dad able to do an hour鈥檚 digging in garden. Reading.

4 WED We are no longer able to grumble about the cold, but we grumble about the wet instead! The rain came down steadily all morning, making journey to and from our shipping (South side) unpleasant. Very busy, unable to get in for lunch. Took nearly 拢13 duty on small ship and paid in Adelaide House. Roy worse again (cough). Wrote Kay.

5 THU Back to the old weather 鈥� very cold, and by afternoon, snowing. Little fall only. Across to our ship where again, there was business, which delayed my leaving office for half day until 1 pm. That was soon enough as I was at the 2 pm of B Jonson鈥檚 鈥淰olpone鈥� in good time (St Jame鈥檚 Theatre). Good performance of Volpone by D. Woolfit.

6 FRI At 6 am, when others got up, it was my 鈥減rivilege鈥� (I would rather have been with them anyway) to lay abed. I was 10/6 upper coast. It was a change, but very cold traversing the streets up-river. Knowing there was stuffed chicken for lunch (鈥淏obtail鈥� was yesterday killed by a cat, but not tampered with), I broke away from duties at Wandsworth and came home.

7 SAT Back to proper time of getting-up: to waiting at the chilly bus-stop for the 127 or 152 to South Wimbledon, etc. Excursions across and down river very cold affairs, wharves were fringed with ice spikes. Dad hard at work digging garden when I got home: had finished nearly whole area at back of house, and sprinkled with lime. He rewarded himself by going out to a whist drive. Jack, after much hesitancy, (because he disliked going by himself), went to see 鈥淪ergeant York鈥� (see 19/2), leaving Mum, Roy and I on our own. Mum entertained Roy (between his coughs) with cards etc. I wrote part letter to Kay, and later, brought in portable gramophone and played records. Mum again, slept in armchair (3rd night), alongside Roy. (5/3).

8 SUN Off duty. We were visited for the first time in 13 years, by Dad鈥檚 nephew, Jim (his deceased sister Jessie鈥檚 son) and his wife, Maud and their boy, Peter. Jim is corporal in Pioneer Corps, home on leave. Maud is a dark homely woman of about 40; Peter is fair, about 11. Had high tea: cinema (4 reels): Good old chat (to me) about obscure relations. Roy and Peter had fine game with Trix. Roy almost recovered.

9 MON Right upon our visitors of yesterday, came George, Elsie and children for day; George home on 7 day鈥檚 leave. Had very little time talk to George, as I was due away at 2.30 for 4 pm 鈥� 8 am room 11 duties. He was well and appeared on good terms with Elsie. (ref 11/1). Room 11 work was disagreeable to me: I am a proper outdoor man now. Much telephoning and typing, but latter done by my PO Mr Powell: great help.

10 TUE Room 11 work finished at 8 am. Have quite decided that office work, particularly at night, has lost it鈥檚 savour. I was possessed by an irritated feeling all the time (? Age 35 tomorrow?). At home, slept till dinner time, and straight out to Wimbledon 鈥淥deon鈥� after. Saw Bette Davis and Herbert Marshall in 鈥淟ittle Foxes鈥�. Good programme. Returned to the place later, had left my change behind.

11 WED 35 to-day 鈥� just half the 鈥�3 score years and 10鈥�. Perfectly physically fit, but suffer most unrest owing to war conditions and family separation. The dullest and most humid day of the year, perhaps, so far. Light hours of peasoup mist and rainfall. 7 birthday cards. (Beauty from Kay) a parcel, 10/- Mum, Dad and Jack, braces Roy, tie M.

12 THU Rather cold and rainy, but not enough to make river work miserable. Throughout the day and all the evening, I had time to read Arnold Bennett鈥檚 鈥淥ld wives tale鈥�, which I had partly read earlier and returned to library for exchange (see 10/2) . A fascinating novel. Also wrote to Kay and her Mother, thanking for tin coffee and a serviette (the parcel of 11/3). This I did during fire watching period which commenced at 4 pm. 10.30 pm to beds and blankets in Custom House.

13 FRI Slept reasonably well in the firewatchers quarters and returned to "Harpy" for toilet and breakfast. My 8/4 watch commenced, but being slack, I was compensated for the volume of watch by being allowed home in time for lunch. Beautiful sunny (though pale) afternoon. Rested after lunch, and following tea, went for a long stroll and bus ride, getting home late. Roy, still queer, bathing in front of fire.

14 SAT Half day today. Usual run down river in morning: not very busy. Beautiful sunny day, launch trip a pleasure. Did not relish the hour鈥檚 wait in gallery queue at Strand Theatre, so came away, after seeing the crowd. Mother out, but saw to own meal then watched convalescent Roy playing 鈥淭rix鈥� in an elaborate lay-out, with David Willoughby. Later, went on same bus and long walk as yesterday, but was caught in downpour of rain at Ewell. Outcome of these 2 journeys was much heartburn but a little more wisdom. Not home till 9.40. Sandwich cutting and bed.

16 MON Garden looks nice, freshly dug and covered with lime 鈥� Dad鈥檚 efforts of 7/3 and yesterday. At "Harpy", engaged on clerical work all morning (week-end returns); and afternoon on special commission to West India Dock office of room 11, travelling by bus from Monument. Jack explained, missed last bus, Tooting Broadway after week-end with friend: hence, 2 am bed this morning. Wrote letter Ministry of Pensions: Dad busy repairing small armchair.

17 TUE Under recent legislation, I became eligible for full benefits National Health Insurance, including Doctor and sickness benefits. A card to be stamped with 11d stamps was received only yesterday, and today it was necessary to buy 10 x 11d National Health stamps 鈥� nearly 10/-! Very slack on river, which duty I did as colleagues had been firewatching all night and was allowed home. Roy now fully recovered: very noisy playing cards with Jack and Mum.

18 WED Half day only. Went to see Bernard Shaw鈥檚 play 鈥淭he Doctor鈥檚 Dilemma鈥� at the Haymarket. Terrible seat in the 鈥済ods鈥�, with standing audience behind: 1/6d: only seats available. Vivien Leigh, and whole show - fair. Dad queer with severe cold, probably caught off Roy 鈥� well now: Kay鈥檚 letter says all queer.

19 THU On arrival at "Harpy" heard I was to report Room 11 relieving men in succession during next 10 days, and was to commence my learning period at once. This involved mostly telephone answering, leave arrangements and listing of shipping for information of Naval Control Service, whose HQ I visited. Sid came home on 7 days leave: Doris allowed similar period off work. Played clockwork gram and cards etc.

20 FRI Went straight into work in room 11 and spent one of my busiest days in the job 鈥� but liked it. I fancy I accomplished all I was asked to do fairly well. There was satisfaction in discovering how to do things. Did not leave till late and was late home, oversleeping in train and going on till Morden! Letter from Kay saying how annoying her Mum and Dad can be: stating willingness to come home.

21 SAT Room 11, as busy as yesterday with some clerical work, and journey to Naval Control Service as mentioned 19/3. Afternoon, to Wimbledon 鈥淓lite鈥� to see Greta Garbo in 鈥淭wo Faced Woman鈥�, a light comedy with a gangster picture, made quite a good programme. Today is the opening day of Warship week Morden and Merton, and Mum journeyed to Morden and saw a procession, including 3 bands, with Lou Johnson. Dad was away, lopping trees in St John鈥檚 Wood at the home of one of the BTH bosses, and not home till 8. He found it a bit beyond his strength. Jack鈥檚 artificer friend (late factory pal) called and took him out for evening. Mum, Roy and David Willoughby played cards, whilst I wrote part letter to Kay.

22 SUN Both Dad and I were up soon after 6: I was for Shadwell building duty, and Dad for tree lopping, continued. We travelled together to South Wimbledon, and there, parted. Collected uniform at "Harpy" and got a lift by launch to Shadwell and back: business worse there than own station! Lou and children home to see new films: Lou looking very prosperous. Dad returned 7 pm, tired and cold. Mum sent parcel to George.

23 MON In Room 11, third day, and feeling confident about the work now. 2 outings: one to City Gate House, Finsbury Square for the whole London waterguard鈥檚 money, over 拢600: the other to NCS (see 19/3). Saw nothing of London鈥檚 great Warship Week mile-long procession, but heard the supporting flights of airplanes 鈥� flying very low. Home early, Mum at pictures, but Roy home from 1st day at school.

25 WED Had wash and shave etc. before leaving room 11. Home by 9. Awaited Lou (her day) for bed changing and went to bed till 2 pm. Went with George (on 48 hours leave) to see Sid, (due back from 7 days leave today) at Wimbledon. Elsie and kids here till 9 pm: saw cinema show . Viewed number 1 Glenthorpe Road for tenancy. Decided to accept.

26 THU To house agents to clinch house at 10 am: even so, someone had been there before me. It was fortunate I had notified Mr Flower of my acceptance late last night. Toured offices of local removers and arranged for removal 2 pm tomorrow. Wrote to Kay, giving news, and enclosing money to come home. Viewed house to ensure safety of shelter bunks. Visited fuel overseer and secured permit for 1 cwt(!) of coal. Room 11, 4 pm: office work, NCS visit as usual.

27 FRI Away prompt at 8 to one of the busiest day鈥檚 of my life. Morning, preparing household articles for removal, phoning gas and electric people re supplies. Removal effected by Sharp鈥檚 Wimbledon at cheap rate: Dad (who got time off to help) and myself giving hand. Thereafter, Dad and I, Mum who came up, worked hard to restore order: Finished at blackout. Thence to Fairway for fish supper, and 鈥渉ome鈥� (!) to sleep in own bed.

28 SAT Sleeping in a cold room (moonlit nights just now), and in a strange bed, sleep would have been difficult at any time: but additionally, had reached the crisis of a cold. Appeared for duty at Room 11, pale and ill. Got through the work however; writing to RACS urging supply of coal 鈥� I have not received the cwt promised me against permit (see 26/3) yet. Whilst on "Harpy", (changing) witnessed rescue by Naval launch of elderly man from river, (how he fell in or from where, I do not know, possibly from London Bridge). Went to Mum鈥檚 for dinner and cut sandwiches. Mum has re-organised her top floor very effectively. Jack returned to Glenthorpe with me and helped me until night.

29 SUN A Sunday duty at the "Harpy", not listed to me, but with removal expenses etc, the overtime earned will be useful. Quite a busy watch, on the go almost the whole time. To Mum鈥檚 as usual, for dinner, sandwich cutting etc., and then up to house, where principal job was putting up front room curtains 鈥� success, accomplished. Heard yesterday, Kay pleased with description of house. Working to please her.

30 MON 9/5, Room 11, but able to be at electricity offices before closing time to sign contract = 15/- standing charges plus 0.875d per unit: current to be turned on Wednesday. Also signed up for gas (slot metre, 1/6d week cooker). Quarterly account involves buying cooker, or renting black one at 4/6. Racket!! To Mum for food and then to home and curtained one more window. Put in good evening鈥檚 work.

31 TUE Continued in Room 11: busy, covering departure of colleague, who was away early after firewatching, but managed OK. Visited Morden Gas Showrooms again for further particulars (see 30/3):- A/C: New World cooker, 拢21 (cash 拢18), on H.P. 15s per month. Gas 1s a therm. Slot metre: 鈥渕ain鈥� cooker hire, 3d a week, gas 1s/3d a therm. To Mum鈥檚 as usual, for food, then home, but did not do very much. Very tired.

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