大象传媒

JANUARY 1944
1 SAT After a normal day rummaging, left work for home via Raynes Park, as my first concession on receiving my month鈥檚 money (today, is to visit Brown 鈥� house agent and pay month鈥檚 rent = 拢7-1-0d. Other immediate debts paid were season ticket (Morden 鈥� Moorgate) = 拢1-5-6d, and electricity bill for quarter = 拢3-3-0d. Then on to Mum鈥檚, to thank all for their monitory help with Peter鈥檚 memorial rose tree, which has amounted to 32s/6d. Stayed tea and received phone call from Kay, saying news of our loss had reached Aurea and that she was on her way. She arrived 10.30.
2 SUN Aurea soon gave practical demonstration of her sympathy by giving Kay all aid possible. Kay was too busy, and so intent with Aurea鈥檚 company that she had no time to grieve much over Peter, except one occasion when she was resting in evening.
3 MON First Monday in year:- the PO鈥檚 changed stations. No new faces at the "Harpy". The PO in charge of the Mobile crew, brought along his new Ford car so there was very little difference in travelling, to last year.
4 TUE My bedmate of the last 2 nights rebelled, Betty saying she would rather sleep on mattress on floor in large bedroom with others, than be cramped with me in single bed. A beautiful day of wintry sunshine: did many jobs for self on the "Harpy". Found Beryl and John down from sick-bed, which gave me happiness to see them bright and sparkling after recent troubles.
5 WED A full day with some success. At home, found Aurea busy covering Pouffe with discarded knitted (by Mum) dressing gown: looks well, but fear stitching will run.
6 THU During the kiddies illness, I have risen a little earlier, and left a good fire burning in the dining room. This has given Kay and Aurea a start off in the morning. Doctor came, all progressing well, Pauline teething, I think. Beryl and John are definitely 鈥榰p鈥�. Removing gear from "Harpy" locker to home, for transfer to Surrey on Tuesday. The girls went for moonlight walk.
7 FRI Aurea was up 5.30 making a bottle for Pauline. She also gets up in night for fire, which they still continue to have in bedroom overnight. Again, left them a brightly burning fire to start off day with. At work, much packing and clearing of lockers, prep for removing. Half my effects are at home (6/1). Aurea鈥檚 last evening with us.
8 SAT Final clearance of all effects on the "Harpy": cleared up my mobile clerical accounts and handed all over in perfect order. On fire watching duties in evening, but found time to fly home to Kay and the children who are now quite well. Had a cheery fire watchers supper under our splendid leader, Mr Strong, feeling rather regretful that it will be my last for at least a year, should the war last that long. Aurea returned home to Crew.
9 SUN Was up once in the night, and a 6 am rising for fire watchers breakfast. Shook hands in parting with leader and principal members of the fire watch team, and was home by 9 am. Talked over inscription plate for Peter鈥檚 rose tree.
10 MON A day鈥檚 leave for the especial purpose of Roy and I attending Streatham Park cemetery (2.15) for the scattering of Peter鈥檚 Ashes. The crematorium chaplain said a few prayers, and Peter鈥檚 Ashes were poured around foot of a pink rose tree selected. Kay was affected 鈥� a sad moment.
11 TUE Joined Surrey Docks Water-guard station as a boarding officer, my PO to be Mr Jack Matthews, with whom, I think I shall co-operate well. For the first day, at least, all went splendidly. Fares 1/5d, travel time 2陆 hours 鈥� not so good.
12 WED Took balance of my 鈥榞ear鈥� to Surrey and am now 鈥榮ettled in鈥�. The day鈥檚 work came more easily, although whilst I remain an APO I fear it will never be exactly pleasant. Had a sorrowful period when 鈥淢ighty like a rose鈥� was played on radio 鈥� Peter鈥檚 remembrance song.
13 THU Falling into habit of catching on certain train in morning, which proves I shall be able to travel workman鈥檚 when present season is out. Spent part of lunch time calling on bulk of Surrey Docks news-paper shops to get a 鈥淒aily Mirror鈥�, Kay鈥檚 favourite paper 鈥� but of no avail 鈥� must be reserved. 14 FRI A beautiful mild sunshine nearly all day. The doctor came and 鈥渃leared鈥� us; i.e., said all were fit again. His bill is 拢2-6-0d.
15 SAT Very cold and foggy. Buses, Grand Drive end running reasonably: but at London Bridge, not so good 鈥� made for tram and waited about 15 minutes before boarding one. Quick run round station in order to leave for 陆 day. First to canteen in dock and home 2.50! Beryl to her first party, quite enjoyed it, and behaved well. So foggy, I had to fetch her.
17 MON Not on till 4 pm and then on till 8 am Tuesday continuously. Helped Kay with housework and children: left home at 2.40 pm. Quite an occupied evening patrolling and doing clerical. Almost enjoyable.
18 TUE First combined 4/11 and 11/8 watch passed satisfactorily. If all night watches are as first, shall be quite happy. Home 9.15.
19 WED Since Peter鈥檚 death, Kay has insisted in sleeping in big front bedroom with all her children around her. Betty and Beryl in bed with her; John in cot by side, Pauline in wicker cot at foot. I was on at 4/11, and had a quiet evening.
20 THU Prompt relief from night-watch, and home to Kay and children by 9.15. Made fire and took up tea and bottles, and then went to bed till dinner time. Kay went shopping in afternoon, and cashed her own and Betty鈥檚 war savings certificates in order to pay undertakers bill (拢8-10s gross) tomorrow. Kay and Betty went to cinema.
21 FRI Kay and I slept in my single bed as Pauline deprives Kay of sleep. Rather a tight fit, but both had reasonable sleep. Kay took Beryl and John out shopping with her in morning. Withdrew Peter鈥檚, Kay鈥檚, Betty鈥檚 and Beryl鈥檚 war savings certificates to pay undertakers bill = 拢8, Doctor = 拢3.
22 SAT 4 pm yesterday 鈥� 8 am this morning鈥檚 watch passed normally except for an hour鈥檚 air raid, with (almost) incessant gun and rocket fire, and a second raid am, both heavier than usual.
24 MON A night with a PO of note from a north convoy port: he had many interesting stories to tell. Prompt relief, and home by 9.30: Did not go to bed till after dinner and slept soundly for 3 hours, which put me right for the evening.
25 TUE Only pleasure of the morning rush round to get me off to work on time was a short relaxation period after breakfast when I nursed Pauline and had Beryl and John at my knee: the greatest happiness of these days. 鈥淒on鈥檛 go to work, Daddy鈥� they say. At work: the busiest we have been so far.
26 WED Away promptly after the night watch. Met Betty with 3 little friends, bound for school. 鈥淗ere鈥檚 my Daddy鈥� Betty said, and I felt quite proud of her. She and Kay went to Raynes Park cinema in evening.
27 THU . Kay bustled to get me off to 4 pm duty. Listened to Tommy Handley whilst there.
28 FRI Left for home 8 am. Have now a settled return on the night watch, after much trial and error. Talked over February budget 鈥� things look grim, Kay inclined to worry
29 SAT Good night鈥檚 rest, but Kay had another bad night. I blamed her for not turning in with me after giving Pauline her night bottle. Received steel loft ladder from Bentalls, 7/6d, useful but extremely dangerous finger trap. Examined loft and cleaned up a little. Much excitement on evening watch, another escape from death, and a night of activity as a result of bombing.
30 SUN The hectic night watch was over at 8, but owing to late relief and bad transport, I did not get home until nearly 10 am. Kay left the house with Betty, Beryl and John, for a visit to Streatham cemetery 鈥� 3 pm. It was the children鈥檚 first visit; Beryl was greatly impressed and wanted to be left in the garden 鈥渨ith God鈥�
31 MON Back to the 8/4 again: by far the best of all watches, although no overtime earned. The short 8 hour watch soon passed and I was off to Raynes Park on various business. Learned from agent as I paid rent, our land lady desirous of selling our house 鈥� to us if possible.
FEBRUARY 1944
1 TUE Experimenting with new proposed route to work from South Merton Station as fares via Morden and London Bridge work out 1s/4d daily 鈥� too dear. A (seemingly) short 8/4, and home via Raynes Park again, this time, there after enamel pans 鈥� no good however.
2 WED Made the experiment today. A success outward but a failure homeward bound. Did not get home till 5.30 pm.
3 THU Pauline has caught John鈥檚 cold and Kay had disturbed night. We called Doctor immediately, not wanting a repetition of Peter鈥檚 case. Kay not entirely satisfied with Doctor Powell-Evans and desired a change, so had a doctor Kramer, who pleased her. Pauline is in no danger. Better travelling homeward bound by South Merton 鈥� South Bermondsey route today. Air raid in evening but soon over.
4 FRI A very busy day with much walking about the bleak open spaces of Surrey Docks in the intensely cold wind: snow expected any time. At home, found John better, Pauline improved, but Beryl with a shocking cold. Kay worried and not too good herself. Bright spot: received 拢12 seizure money.
5 SAT Still a very cold wind, but only 陆 day鈥檚 work at Surrey Dock. Lunch in the dock canteen where we get the best meal ever, for 11d, sweet 3d. Estimate the value of the dinner at, say, 鈥淎lf鈥檚鈥�, the caf茅 at which we ate last year, as with 1s-6d. Home to Kay and children, Beryl very poorly, but improving. Missed our chance of orange allowance (1lb per head) at Co-op, but may obtain it elsewhere. Mum lent us 1 lb and John and Beryl danced for joy when they saw them. How we wish the war was ended!
6 SUN Health news today (and how we watch the children鈥檚 health since we lost little Pete!). Kay a little improved, Beryl still bad, others OK An 8/4 Sunday, busy and in pleasant company. Home 5.30.
7 MON Kay very bad in night, came in to me for consolation at about 5 am. Rather crushed in a single bed but we did manage to get a little more sleep before getting up. On at 4 pm: assisted with the kiddies and Kay went shopping am and was better for the outing. Co-op had 2nd orange allocation and Kay secured 6 lb after waiting 2 陆 hours (children in pram).
8 TUE First night watch of the fortnight passed with no air raid 鈥� a circumstance whilst at Surrey Dock of which to be grateful.
9 WED There was a great deal of hurry owing to Kay having to get to clinic for food, and then do shopping. She took Beryl and John who enjoyed it. I left usual time; and had an evening fully occupied on shipping.
10 THU 鈥淔ully occupied鈥� (9/2) were the words to describe the early morning鈥檚 activities, too, and I reached home very tired. After dinner, assisted Kay generally as she wished to go to cinema with Betty. They enjoyed the show.
11 FRI Kay for dental treatment 10 am. Up before Betty left for school and had Kay off punctually for appointment. She took advantage of being out early and had a 鈥榟air-do鈥�. I was at work on time. Short 鈥榓lert鈥� in evening. Kiddies all well now.
12 SAT Away from Surrey at 8 and home before those at home were stirring, Betty not having to wake others up by getting up for school. Betty went to cinema with her friends after dinner. She took Beryl with her, who had much to tell us about the film on her return 鈥� in her childish, innocent manner. The children could not obtain 1s seats in Wimbledon, and finally went to Raynes Park 鈥淩ialto鈥�, where Betty saw the film again! They got home in darkness.
13 SUN After good night鈥檚 sleep in my own bed, at the proper time for sleeping 鈥� night-time, I felt quite well. At work, we commenced a busy night right away.
14 MON After another very busy night, arrived home only fit for bed. But Beryl, John and Pauline made so much noise in the living room below, and our next door neighbour have their radio on so loud that I was unable to get more than a couple of hours.
15 TUE Kay鈥檚 dental appointment, therefore up with Betty when she got up for school. Work at 2.30.
16 WED Bought a copy of the womenfolk鈥檚 favourite newspaper 鈥� Daily Mirror; not often seen on news stands these days. Early closing, so I could not go to bed till after dinner, as Kay went shopping am. Both she and Betty went to Raynes Park cinema in evening.
17 THU Kay鈥檚 final visit to Grand Drive dentist: cost this time: 10/6d, but I am glad she is persuaded to have them done at last. A delicacy for dinner 鈥� at least, for Kay and the children, fish and chips! Very scarce these days. Turned very cold, flakes of snow falling: not so pleasant walking about docks till nightfall. Anthracite-stoves well attended.
18 FRI The snow continued the flake dry, though it did not settle, fear of water pipes. Kay and Betty to the cinema in evening.
19 SAT Had one of the biggest air raids of recent months at 1.30 am: the AA barrage was terrific. At times, it seemed concentrated overhead, and I feared Jerry might drop his 鈥渆ggs鈥� and beat it. Apart from shrapnel, heard nothing fall. Impossible to tell bomb explosions from gun fire, anyway. Kay very upset all day, mostly on topic of Peter and the responsibility for his death. We all come in for censure, particularly members of my family. Kay a little distraught: I make light of her occasional ravings. A pleasant 4/midnight watch.
20 SUN Very cold still, but the PO and I have mastered the art of stoking the anthracite stoves, and kept the office quite warm. Coldest part of homeward journey = waiting for Raynes Park bus in the forecourt of Morden station. Worst air raid yet at 9.30 pm.
21 MON We were both tired owing to the raid keeping us up late yesterday to a 2nd alert at 4 am, and with Pauline keeping us awake with her strident crying until 8 am. Met Mr Matthews at Trinity Road Station for my overtime. Much evidence of bomb damage.
22 SHROVETUE We had lemons for our pancakes! A supply from conquered Sicily was distributed in London 鈥� 1lb per head. Went down to see Mum for the evening. Talk at Fairway, as everywhere, of renewed bombing of London. Dad on Fire watch.
23 WED A day which simply flew by, with nothing important seeming to be done! Another air raid, with biggest AA fire since start of war (according to radio news), took place in early hours. U.X.B. 200 yards away. Received visit from school official re Beryl at same school as Betty 鈥� No good. Kay and Betty went to Raynes Park cinema. Visit by Station First aid post leader.
24 THU Short 鈥渁lert鈥� as children were going to school. Betty came tearing back home. Air raid in evening.
25 FRI Unrestful night due to worry about necessity of early rising (6 am), and to worry re nearby U.X.B. which as it fell, seemed on our doorstep. Raids once again, a nightly occurrence, but my South Merton to South Bermondsey route to work O.K. Hard day, tired when I walk the 20 minute journey to station. Have concluded this route to work not worth the money saved. Quiet evening: no raid this time.
26 SAT The relief from the sequence of air raids meant I had the best night鈥檚 sleep of the week. Half day, which finished at noon, but had lunch in dock canteen and reached home at 2.15 pm. Betty at cinema with some of her little pals. We had a 鈥渉igh supper鈥� of cold beef (next week鈥檚 joint) and green salad. Kay talked of penetrative power of new incendiaries, arranged for kids removal downstairs.
27 SUN Worked from 8.30 am 鈥� 9.30 pm with only stops for meals. Reason: Re-organising bedrooms (see 6/2). Children now on bed settee, John and Pauline in their cots alongside. Kay with them, or sometimes with me in large bedroom.
28 MON Undisturbed night (Air raids). Usual rush around to get my dinner on time! I left at 2.45 pm. Evening duties were un-hurried and had good read over meals.
29 TUE No worries during night. Prompt relief, and home (hoar frost; very cold waiting in Morden station fore-court) by 9.20. John Paul and Beryl all have colds, and gave Kay a bad night.

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