大象传媒

NOVEMBER 1945

THURSDAY 1
Betty called in morning. Bryan on half term holiday. Voted at Marian Vian School for municipal elections. Labour man out in our ward.

FRIDAY 2
Bryan鈥檚 and my shoes repaired. 10/- Ian started half term holiday. Evening in Mrs Hendricks.

SATURDAY 3
George and I went to library after dinner. G. visited Ruby and stayed the evening there. Bought black enamel kettle.

SUNDAY 4
Quiet Sunday spent much as usual.

MONDAY 5
Boys very thrilled about their bonfire. No fireworks to be had though. Listened in to command performance after tea.

TUESDAY 6
Did my washing. Up to my eyes with knitting and pulling out and mending. Seems as if I'll never get it all done.

WEDNESDAY 7
Nurse from Bromley came to see me today. Made appointment for next Wednesday.

THURSDAY 8
Round to guild after dinner. Played whist. Walked to the labour committee rooms after tea. Tried to help.

FRIDAY 9
Shopping in morning. Went to Beckenham after dinner, bought material for dressing gown. Saw Mr Churchill, touring Beckenham and Bromley.

SATURDAY 10
Bryan in bed with another bout of Bronchitis.

MEMO
Mrs Hannam, Shirley and Chris came to tea on Monday. Letter from Miss Knapp too.

SUNDAY 11
Had been asked out to Mums for tea, but as Bryan was ill, only George and Ian went.

MONDAY 12
Washing day. Mrs Hendrick came with me to cinema. Saw "Johnny Frenchman". Good.

TUESDAY 13

WEDNESDAY 14

Spent whole morning waiting in T.B. clinic. I am discharged now as fit in that respect. Met George at school to put our vote in for By election.

THURSDAY 15
???? ????? turned up at guild. Our man has lost the vote. Better luck next time. Spent evening sowing new dressing gown.

FRIDAY 16
Bryan's shoes mended. 4/6

SATURDAY 17
Usual Saturday. Visit to library taking Bryan with us. Ian had Ken Crowe to play with him. Ruby and George came to supper.[Ken Crowe lived across the road from us his Father and Uncle ran the local fish and chip shop. (Ian)]

SUNDAY 18
Quiet Sunday. George spent whole day on plot. Did little more sewing to dressing gown.

MONDAY 19

TUESDAY 20
Had Ken Crowe into tea. Finished my housecoat except for inside seams. Am very pleased with result.

WEDNESDAY 21

THURSDAY 22
Guild after dinner. Ian out to tea with Ken Crowe.

FRIDAY 23
Sent off letter and clock to Miss Knapp. Letter from Edith.{Could this have been a clock made by dad? He did make a few, one of which is still working down in Worthing at Mum鈥檚. (Step Mum) Step Mum died in 2002}

SATURDAY 24
Hurried over dinner and George, boys and self went to Croydon to do some Xmas shopping. Returned empty handed.

SUNDAY 25
George at plot. Spent a lazy afternoon and evening reading.

MONDAY 26
Usual wash day. Cleaned out the oven. Went to see Ian taking his scout oath with Mrs Crowe and Page. Boys had haircut.[The Pages lived next door to the Crowes (see entry for Nov 17th) Barry Page another friend of mine (Ian). We all joined the Scouts together. Barry鈥檚 Father was a policeman. (Ian)]

TUESDAY 27
Letter from Miss Knapp thanking us for clock. Went to cinema on my own. Saw 鈥淪eventh Veil鈥�

WEDNESDAY 28
Letter and papers from solicitor. Final settlement sale of house at Queensway. Notice to go into hospital. Bought electric saucepan.

THURSDAY 29
Up early and managed to get all jobs done before going into hospital. Mrs H. giving eye to boys.

FRIDAY 30
In hospital for night. Arrived home just before 6 o鈥檆lock.

DECEMBER 1945

SATURDAY 1
George and self go to library after dinner. Left boys at home making paper chains. Window cleaner came.

SUNDAY 2
Mum and Betty turned up for tea. [Mum uses the term 鈥榯urned up鈥� quite often. Written as if they were un-invited and mum was a bit miffed! Remember, food was difficult to get, and the essentials were on ration. (Bryan)]

MONDAY 3
Did my washing and got it all dried. Mrs Hendrick spent afternoon with me. Bryan going in there for tea. Letter from Jack to Bryan.[Could be from uncle Jack, Betty鈥檚 husband. Was he still in the army? Don鈥檛 see why he should have written to me otherwise. Could be Uncle Jack, mum鈥檚 brother. I don鈥檛 recall. (Bryan)]

TUESDAY 4
Up early to get to hospital by 9.15. Saw house doctor who made appointment for me to see surgeon.

WEDNESDAY 5
Letter from Mrs Wade. Cleaned all windows inside, and did the house through thoroughly.

THURSDAY 6
Went to Beckenham in morning. Paid rates and called at food office for Ian's extra clothing coupons. Round to guild in afternoon.[I do not know why I had extra clothing coupons. (Ian)]

FRIDAY 7
Did my week end shopping in morning. Left home 12 o'clock to go to hospital. Must go in for operation after Xmas. Home by tea time. Very cold.

SATURDAY 8
Still very cold. Afternoon at Christmas bazaar at church. Bought few books. Expected friends of G's for supper but didn't come. G. and R. turned up for supper again.

SUNDAY 9
Quiet Sunday as usual.

MONDAY 10
Wrote to Edith.

TUESDAY 11
Received notice to go to hospital and have operation. Very upset. Called on doctor who advised me to put off going till after Xmas. Walked to Burgess's to see mum. Mrs H afternoon.[The Reverend Burgess was an old friend of Dad's Mother who married our parents shortly after he had retired. Grandma had a flat in his house at one time. (Ian). See Dec. 29th entry.]

WEDNESDAY 12
Jumble sale at St James's church. Bought some more books and bath salts.[Re Ian鈥檚 entry above, I had the job during winter of 1949-1950, of filling buckets with coal from the cellar, and carting them up to the second floor where grandma鈥檚 flat was situated.]

THURSDAY 13
Went to guild after dinner. Finished gloves for Shirley and started Sylvia's.[Sylvia - our Cousin. Daughter of one of Mum's Brothers, I am not sure which one. (Ian)]

FRIDAY 14
Weekly shopping in morning. Went to Croydon after dinner. Bought few small gifts. Also got Bryan typewriter from local shop. Bought G's. present.[It was on this typewriter that I wrote to mum while she was in hospital after Christmas. The letter still exists and is in Mum鈥檚 hand-bag, which we kept as a keep-sake.]

SATURDAY 15
Restaurant for dinner, then on to library. Met mum and Bet and called in flat. Bought a couple of new books for Ian's present.

SUNDAY 16
Allowed boys to stay at home today. Restful afternoon. We put up holly in sitting room and a little in dining room. Made gift for Ruby. Phoned Doreen.

MONDAY 17
Bryan is in bed with another cold. Let him up after dinner. No temperature, think it's a false alarm.

TUESDAY 18
Let Bryan go to school. He was very keen to go to the school party. Bought him some cakes, drinks etc.

WEDNESDAY 19
Going at it "Hell for Leather" to get Christmas presents finished. Ian making me bracelets from wire. Mrs Wade brought gifts.[We made bracelets from plastic insulated electrical wire. They were simple to make and in the absence of almost everything else, the wire could be bought easily.]

THURSDAY 20
Packed and posted several parcels, also sent off Xmas cards. Got in two weeks rations. Drew for bird at butcher's but no luck. Extra meat rations welcome.

FRIDAY 21
Queued almost whole of day meat, cakes, etc. Stood 11/2 hours for oranges but didn't get any. Came home chilled through and miserable. Rabbit promised but let down.[Perhaps one can see from this entry how trying it was for mum, when after all the aggravation of shopping, Ruby and George 鈥榯urned up鈥� for supper.]

SATURDAY 22
To butchers again to get something for this weekend. Spent next week's ration. Off to Penge where, after queuing, got 1lb apples and some pastry to make pies for Sunday and Monday. George bought me lovely big bag for my Xmas box. He went on to his mum's to help her. I came back home to try and get some work done.

SUNDAY 23
Boys went to S.S. to toy service. Took what they could to help. I met them and went on to Grandma's to tea. Left Christmas cake in oven. George hurried back but cake very burnt.

MONDAY 24
Trek to butchers for pork and sausage meat for Xmas dinner. Made cake and mince pies. Put almond icing and white, on cake. G and Ruby called in in evening brought gifts. Cold in head.

TUESDAY 25
Up early and lit fire. Boys very excited with their gifts-stockings. Ian had all books, but quite happy. Our friends have all been very generous. We had a nice quiet day.

WEDNESDAY 26
Mum and Betty came in for tea.

THURSDAY 27
Tidied up house. Took boys to see "Wizard of Oz" Letters from Edith and Alf. Edith sending me 5/- for my birthday. Tried to get boys to write their 鈥榯hank you鈥� letters.

FRIDAY 28
Rained hard all day so didn't go out. Rotten cold in head and chest.

SATURDAY 29
Got in my week's shopping. George went G to help his mother moving or preparing. Ian at his S.S. party. Bryan and I went to Penge. Bought G, 2 new shirts. Then on to Mum's new flat. Home for tea.[This 鈥榥ew flat鈥� is the one in Rev Burgess's house (Ian)

SUNDAY 30
Today is my birthday. George gave me a housekeeping purse with which I was very pleased. Ian gave me notepaper etc and Bryan, knitting needles. Bless them. R. and G. tea and supper.

MONDAY 31
It has been a most beastly day, fog and frost without a break. Did washing but didn't hang out. Letters from Fan and Doreen. Ladder brought by Les Hawkes from Mum's.[Les Hawkes - George's (Ruby's husband) Brother. He was a local greengrocer and coal merchant. (odd combination) (Ian)]

JANUARY 1946

TUESDAY 1
The coldest day we've had this year. Bightingly cold.[Perhaps this was mum's sense of humour!]

WEDNESDAY 2
Letter from hospital to enter Saturday. Shirley came to ask us for tea.

THURSDAY 3
Not quite so cold. Went into Croydon with Bryan to do shopping. Bought him pair of shoes. Vain attempt to get things for self.

FRIDAY 4
Took Ian with me shopping. Get him used to it. Bryan out at Mrs Hendrick鈥檚 for tea then a party at Mrs Stephen's. Ian and I went to tea with Mrs Hannam. Called at Fan's and Mrs Sharp.[Mrs Sharp was to become Mrs Boniface, our step mother before the year was out. She lived next door to us at Queensway, Coney Hall.Bryan was looked after by Mrs Hendrick while mum was in hospital.]

SATURDAY 5
I am now settled in bed after a more than hectic rush to get here. Am to have the operation on Monday. Troublesome cough.

MEMO
Hawkes charged 拢3 to move Mum's furniture. Rather taken aback. Paid him on spot on Mon 31st Dec.[Les Hawkes.(Ian)]

SUNDAY 6
Operation postponed because of cough. Was X-rayed.

MONDAY 7
Treatment being given for cough. Gave out early morning tea. Wrote some letters and knitted. Tired of bed already. Boys will be going to school today. Wonder how they are all getting along.

TUESDAY 8

WEDNESDAY 9

THURSDAY 10

FRIDAY 11

Mum had the operation on 11th January 1946 for Cholicystitis and died without leaving hospital on 15th January with Peritonitis. (Ian)

SATURDAY 12

SUNDAY 13

Monday 14

TUESDAY 15
Mum died today.I (Bryan) had been blissfully ignorant of how ill mum was. On this morning I had been talking to Mrs Hendrick about 鈥榳hen mum comes home鈥� I remember Mrs H. being very guarded and suggesting to me that mum was still very ill.After school, I went to my home to be greeted by a very subdued dad. My first question was 鈥楬ow is mum?鈥橠ad said he would tell me after tea, but I wouldn鈥檛 wait, so he told me mum had gone to heaven.The front room was lit only by the fire. My grandma and auntie Betty were sitting, one each side of the fire place, both very sad. I remember that much clearly. Thereafter, I remember nothing of that evening.

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