大象传媒

MARCH 1944
1 WED Wednesday is getting Kay鈥檚 day for visiting clinic in Grand Drive for National dried food (for Pauline) and for orange juice (all children). She returned home heavily laden with shopping also and had to make a return journey. Dinner was in good time, however, and I left for work at 2.30. Very much occupied thereat, barely time for meals, with a short sharp air raid at 2.40 am.
2 THU Air raid recorded 1/3 should of course be recorded here. In spite of pressure of business, away promptly at 8, home by 9.15. Immediately turned in. Colds (29/2) all bad, but progressing normally.
3 FRI Undisturbed night鈥檚 rest. Up with Betty at 8 to see her off to school: Yesterday, she was late and required a letter of explanation for her teacher. Sunny but cold wind. 4pm - midnight duty: everything normal.
4 SAT Out and about as soon as it was light today, start of business (i.e. tide) necessitated journey to furthermost point under our control, early. Very cold. Hastened home (9.15) to light fire for them. Small fires possible only because of coal shortage. Back-up with electric fire. Kay and the 2 B鈥檚 went to Raynes Park cinema late afternoon. At supper, Kay, Betty and I listened to 鈥淪aturday evening play鈥�, and enjoyed it.
5 SUN Not having to get up to arouse Betty for school, we all 鈥渓aid in鈥�, which, of course, put everything behindhand. But Kay gave me meals on time and I left for work and arrived there on time. The evening watch as usual.
6 MON For the first time since new shifts, did not go to bed at all after night watch. Felt a little heady and irritable in consequence and was not over-kind to Beryl and John, who were left in my charge whilst Kay got her Co-op 鈥楧ivi鈥�, and did some shopping in Wimbledon. Kay gave me 拢3 to pay for 陆 yearly telephone bill, from 鈥楧ivi鈥�. Betty to guides, and all listened in.
8 WED Joined queue for freshly baked cakes for Beryl鈥檚 birthday on way home from work. She had an exciting day: many cards, 6 small dolls and presents from Kay and I, a ring from Vera, money from 3 other sources. Un-iced birthday cake with 5 candles. Altogether, a happy time for her.
9 THU Kay went shopping as usual. I left at 4 pm. Moonlight was beautiful except for the fear of air raids, which, however, did not take place.
10 FRI Out and about very early to the remote part of our station. Did not go to bed at all to counter fatigue of night watch, save for lie-down on settee after dinner.
11 SAT 37 today. 3 cards on the mat. Kiddies sang me 鈥淗appy Birthday to You鈥� in falsetto only John would sing 鈥淗appy Birthday to Me鈥�! On duty 4 pm.
12 SUN Activity in the small hours made necessity for rest during day, which I hoped to avoid as we had been invited to Mum鈥檚 at 4.45(!) Had pleasant tea and evening until 8.30. Kiddies were quite well behaved. Sid and Doll were there. Shirt for present.
13 MON There was the necessity to be up at 6 to be on duty by 8 am. So that I was very tired by the end of the day.
14 TUE My Parker pen (so far) is not up to the standard of my old Waterman. The 8/4 came easier today, and I was pleased at the camaraderie shown to me. All nicely together around the fire in evening.
15 WED Another quite pleasant 8/4. Weather mild and work not too pressing. Beryl, now she is 5, she is entitled to meat and to tea.. Went to food office, but was unable to complete the business. Bought Beryl and John, nursery rhyme books to their great delight. Almost out of coal now.
16 THU A highlight in the office today was when one man said to another 鈥渢hrow that case off the table鈥� and he did, and the case contained eggs! Was attached to a PO other than my usual, with whom he had exchanged duties.
17 FRI Attached to APO acting today, - a success in the PO鈥檚 exam in which I was a failure. These people are gradually being promoted now. Found Customs procedures much more interesting than I did: Think I stand a better chance in next exam. The day鈥檚 work with APO above took on a new aspect. Out of coal at home. Looked out 鈥渧alor鈥� stove from garage.
18 SAT Re final line of yesterday鈥檚 entry: coal came today, all that was owing also, we are now well provided for a while. Kay completed my work of last evening painting the 鈥淰alor鈥�, but now we shan鈥檛 want it: it will be useful for the shelter if necessary anyway. !/2 day with same APO acting as yesterday: got on very well with him. In afternoon, at home, put more earth on shelter, ashes previously put on, blew off onto clothes drying on clothes line. Evening, packed up papers for salvage. Betty and Beryl went to local warden鈥檚 tea party from 3 鈥� 7: came home after good time with a present and money.
19 SUN A very pleasant day off duty. To make the place a little ship shape, I mowed front lawn (first time this year) and cleared front garden of dead wood 鈥� a laborious job.
20 MON Continued Saturdays work of covering air raid shelter with earth, now 2/3rds covered. Kay plans to put marrow seeds in the earth. She went to Morden for new shoes and to change Beryl鈥檚 ration book from green to blue, which gave her more meat and tea instead of orange juice. Kiddies dug with their seaside spades, with me in the garden.
21 TUE Found the resumption of the night watch came very hard; so much so that I hope for a rummage vacancy ere long. Had to have a sleep before dinner, but afterwards went out into the garden and continued adding earth to shelter, John and Beryl helping. Now light till 8 pm.
22 WED I went into garden, continued to earth up the shelter, and had John and Beryl with me, while Kay took Pauline in the pram to clinic. Orange juice not so plentiful since Beryl has turned 5, we get tea ration instead. Had to leave them at 2.30 for work.
23 THU Developed a cold and felt very dispirited. Kay got some fried fish (a wartime delicacy) and bought me a gallon of paraffin for my 鈥榲alor鈥� which we had on to dry clothes in kitchenette.
24 FRI The morning was beautifully sunny: all children were out with me in the garden. Earthing the shelter did not progress much, as I had to dance attendance on them the whole morning. Poor Kay had a disturbed night again, there was a raid and the younger ones were troublesome.
25 SAT We were disturbed again with an air raid very early when I got home from night watch, Kay greeted me with news that something was heard to fall near the house (i.e. in the locality). Could see no damage on my way home, or hear of any subsequently. Probably a nose cap of an AA shell. Kay and Betty went to 鈥淩ialto鈥� Cinema whilst the kiddies and I worked (?) in garden. They were home just at dusk, to avoid being caught in a raid. Thereafter, they listened to 鈥楽aturday Night Theatre鈥� 鈥� 鈥楾he Green Goddess鈥�. Own cold passed to coughing stage. Beryl and John pretty bad also.
26 SUN At work, news of many APO鈥檚 being appointed to PO鈥檚hip. Very busy on evening watch.
27 MON Now have a regular newspaper, the 鈥楧aily Mirror鈥�, which I collect from the local newsagent in mornings. This is the most difficult paper to get during the war. I have waited nearly 3 months for a registration. John and Beryl in garden, where I put earth in front of shelter this time. All have colds again!
28 TUE On duty 4pm. All quiet: no air raid.
29 WED This is Kay鈥檚 day to go to Grand Drive clinic for orange juice and baby food, so I knew there would be no sleep before dinner. Neither was there much afterwards, for I was frequently disturbed by callers. Kay, Beryl and John went to Wimbledon to see 鈥淪now White鈥�, but did not think much of it.
30 THU Neighbour, having reported grass in my garden, as affecting his garden adjoining, commenced to adjust the levels where I have removed earth for the shelter and remedy his complaint in the course of it. Did well, although it is hard work. To work at 2.30.
31 FRI Following our removal from the warm office to a cold shelter when the siren sounded, my PO suffered with sick headache and caused me some alarm. Got him home to Trinity Road Station with only one mishap, and phoned in evening to hear of slight improvement. Am detached from him and go to rummage Monday onwards. I colour washed interior of shelter and made respectable.
APRIL 1944
1 SAT Dad called to help me with making a door for the shelter. He took measurements and a piece of timber to work on, and promised to be back tomorrow morning. Beryl now quite well, but John and Pauline鈥檚 colds are bad. Had to leave them all at 2.40 pm for duty. Our 4/midnight term was uneventful.
2 SUN Home from the docks late, and Dad caught me at breakfast. But soon on the job of making shelter door for which Dad provided the wood, did most of the work, and took very little credit. He left before dinner and I spent day perfecting job. Until late at night, I was adding more earth to shelter.
3 MON Up at 6 am instead of usual 8. Became a regular member of Surrey dock rummage crew and spent a very active day. Kay phoned at work to say Pauline with suspected whooping cough. Dr Kramer, did not confirm it.
4 TUE The early rising and hectic rush of workman鈥檚 train came easier to me today. Also, our rummaging activities were not so exacting. Kiddies all much better. Kay and Betty went to cinema 鈥� Shannon Corner 鈥淥deon鈥� for a change. I made small adjustment to the shelter door, which now only needs a coat of paint.
6 MAUNDYTHU Had the method of testing symptom鈥檚 demonstrated to me this afternoon: believe I have many well wishers for my securing PO鈥檚hip. Wrote to Custom House re fire watching there again, and enlisted (by phone) ARP Officer鈥檚 support In evening, spent a short period at my cloggy soil again.
7 GOODFRI Designated a 鈥渨orking day鈥� by the government, but majority of people seemed to have a holiday. Shops were mostly closed and means of transport, half empty. Those of us working felt cheated. In evening, we perused some American magazines I have been given; they are better productions than ours. Spent an hour or so digging etc. Kiddies are well now.
8 EASTERSAT Kay went on her own to Wimbledon 鈥淩egal鈥� to see a film of Arthur Askey. I commenced work in earnest after dinner, painted shelter door etc.
9 EASTERSUN My Easter was an ordinary day鈥檚 rummage (successful too), with gardening in the evening. There were chips for supper!
10 EASTER MON We did not celebrate Pauline鈥檚 1st birthday today: it brought back too many memories of the absent little chap. Kay was much upset first thing this morning. Many cards came, and Pauline herself was smiling and happy. All the kiddies are lovely just now: (they are always really). Betty went to Hampton Court tour, but had nothing to spend there.
11 TUE Had the feeling I sometimes have these days:- that of being fit and well after a good night鈥檚 rest. Was able to put in a reasonable day鈥檚 work and then to go for a walk with Kay, Pauline and John before the evening meal. Betty and Beryl went to regal cinema to see 鈥淭arzan鈥�. Beryl鈥檚 explanations on her return were comic.
12 WED Another very full day which tired me, so that I only did enough digging to ease my conscience. As yesterday, the day was beautifully sunny, so Betty took all children out for a walk. Later, Kay and Betty went to Raynes Park and visited a friend. At work, I learned I am to be permitted to rejoin my old fire watch team.
13 THU Owing to an 鈥榓lert鈥� late last night, sleep was curtailed, both Kay and myself were dead tired by the evening. Rummaging has that effect on me. I know I could do better at some sedentary work. Digging was not insisted on.
14 FRI Was disturbed by an 鈥榓lert鈥� at 1.30 am. Followed my usual procedures: dressed and laid down under top covers of the bed and awaited developments. Fortunately this time, there were none. Day not so tiring. The dozen roses for Kay on our wedding anniversary (13th, on Sunday) were ready today, so I anticipated the event and took them home today. Kay very pleased. Cost this year was 15/6d a dozen.
15 SAT 陆 day off from work. Kay and I went to Streatham Cemetery , saw for the first time the bronze plaque on Peter鈥檚 memorial rose tree: Baby Peter Howard Pollard, a child of God.鈥� Kay put 4 of her dozen roses in a cut glass vase at the foot of the tree, and being deep red, they looked very beautiful. We both had heart tremors thinking of our little boy: a sadness that will be lifelong.
16 SUN Our 13th Wedding Anniversary. As at Easter, we received a happy surprise from Betty, who left us a greeting card on the mat. As she only gets about 1/6d a week spending money, and a card costs approximately 7d nowadays, it was (one of her) generous gestures
17 MON A good dinner. Jam, marmalade and cheese were on the table for tea, but the national loaf is so unappetising that I eat almost nothing. Milk is my best love. A great day for Beryl: her first at school. She liked it but it wore her out the 4 times, 1mile journey. Kay had to push pram also.
18 TUE Today I was able to meet Beryl out of school, and was glad she said nothing of disliking it. We travelled by bus to the Co-op and met Kay and John. My family looked splendid in the spring sunshine.
19 WED Very tiring day being busy at work, and no return for our labours! Home to find Kay exhausted on the settee after pushing pram to and from Hillcross school 3 times with Beryl tired out and dragging behind her.
20 THU Today was a repeat of yesterday. I had a full day and Kay was very tired after journeying backwards and forwards to Hillcross. As more often happens now, with insufficient give and take between us, continuing poverty and the war worries the two of us. Went for Season ticket, a weekly requirement now, which also coincided with her return to smoking. To warden re gas masks 鈥� no good!
22 SAT A beautiful day: ideal weather for the imminent invasion: we all wait in suspense, wondering what it means for us in air raids. The work to be done was not severe and I had energy enough to spend almost all evening digging in garden, in case. Early morning was pleased to see Kay could lay in bed and not have the drag to Beryl鈥檚 school 4 times.
23 SUN 10/6 rummaging duty, and that gave opportunity for the coveted lie in bed 鈥� until 8 am, which made a break from rising at 6.
24 MON Not a busy day, yet did not feel up to gardening in the evening. All day it had been cloudy and even cold, but the evening was beautiful as the last few days have been.
26 WED There was an interesting rummage to make and fortunately, I had successes. We had a surprise (for these days) alert in the evening, but saw no planes. Received letter from George, from India. Now a pilot officer.
27 THU Up twice to air raid alerts, but need not have stirred for there was no gunfire. Felt the effect of the disturbances, however, and was tired after the mornings rummaging. The 鈥楶O of note鈥�, mentioned 24/1, has returned to Surrey Docks and has been very prosaic. His yarns are incessant, and reading or study of regulations impossible. Returned to Mr Strong鈥檚 fire watch team at 5 pm. Excellent supper.
28 FRI My recommencement of fire watch duties found me back as though I had never been away. Resumed old acquaintances and sleeping in separate room. No 鈥榓lerts鈥� so had a good night until 3, when natures call forced me to get up and dressed and walk the station corridor! Rummaging duties not too exacting. Changed gas mask: bought enamel saucepan (a rarity): put up black-out in small bedroom.
29 SAT Today was only a half day of work. Waited 25 minutes to board a bus home at Morden. I looked after the 3 younger ones whilst Kay and Betty went to Wimbledon, shopping
30 SUN Betty took flowers to garden of remembrance. Kay did some hat trimming.

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