大象传媒

APRIL

1 EASTER SUN
After 2 days at the "Harpy" doing congenial work, find travelling and working at Croydon not so good. Going home, a colleague gave me a lift in his car part of the way, and I was home by 6.30. A short evening as clocks had to be put forward, and we bedded early to counter it.

2 EASTER MON
My worst journey yet to Croydon. Set out at 6.50 am, and arrived at the airport 8.40! This was due to (lack of) bank holiday transport, of course. Away from Croydon to time anyway, but, alas, taking the safe key with me, which had to be taken to Mr Blann鈥檚 house, Worcester Park in evening. Kay had been to see Mrs Hersey in the afternoon..

3 TUE
Back to the old "Harpy" on reserve:- an easy journey, low cost (4d + 8d workman鈥檚) and normal 8 hours only. Did some office circular amending, and in afternoon, went with "Harpy" tea club manager to collect supplies. Homeward bound, called at Raynes Park, paid rent and shopped. We got children off early to bed and had a quiet evening.

4 WED
My effort at code amending failed completely today. Everybody wanted to jaw my head off. Welcomed opportunity to leave "Harpy" early when receiving orders to take over Surrey offices tomorrow. Kay to Mrs Hersey鈥檚 and collected a chicken, took it to Dad to pluck and went to see Dr Kramer.

5 THU
8/4 Surrey Dock office, and was quite content with the job. When I got home, Mrs Hersey was there with her 3 girls (10, 3 and 6 months). Betty鈥檚 boy friend Dennis phoned up to make an evening date with Betty: this amused Mrs Hersey very much. Sang and read nursery rhymes to John and Beryl before they went to bed. Had a read myself too.

6 FRI
Betty is now 13陆, and can be trusted to look after children in evening if Kay and I go out, particularly if she may have her friend in the house with her. Accomplished a good day in the Surrey office, and in evening, Kay suggested a visit to Mum鈥檚 for items left behind Saturday last. Made very welcome, and walked back in rain together.

7 SAT
Inaugurated a scheme for paying in duty money by 鈥渇ree鈥� (of poundage) money order today, and it worked very well, but curtailed my 陆 day with the extra work entailed. Furthermore, I felt very tired when I got home, but occasionally Kay 鈥榬ises to the occasion鈥�, and did well, giving me good food and allowing me rest. The outset was, I made a suggestion we should go to the cinema in Wimbledon, which was soon agreed to. I liked Kay鈥檚 company very well, but high price (2/9d) of bad seats (too far from screen: dialogue indistinct) and smoky atmosphere, late night spoilt it.

8 SUN
Doing the office man鈥檚 Sunday boarding duties: and hard work it was too. Surrey Dock boarding duties are divided into 4 stations and I had 2 to do myself, in addition to office clerical work. Kay attended to my wants when I arrived tired, and gave me a good meal. Children had had day on Cannon Hill Common. Kay and I walked around Morden Park.

9 MON
Although I started with an overwhelming amount of work in Surrey Dock office, I concluded at 4 pm with a feeling of satisfaction in what I had been able to accomplish. This liking of my work is the greatest blessing gratefully received, and I do thank God. In evening, wrote to Myrtle, had a bath and listened to a radio play.

10 TUE
Paulines birthday (2). I took in a toy stuffed cat as a present, and there were 4 cards on the mantle shelf, including mine of yesterday. We put aside, 2 silk frocks for her at 鈥淗elen鈥檚鈥�, and there was some fun and dancing (Kay included), after dinner. John was bemused in the night, and had us out of bed to tend him. Mended wooden horse.

11 WED
A good day at the Surrey dock offices, but only keeping up with the work with an effort. I was so late going to my lunch that I nearly did not get any! In evening, Kay and Betty went to the cinema, and at home I overhauled the radiogram, which has a defect somewhere. Put safety straps on Paulines highchair, and other jobs.

12 THU
The great job today was to make up the overtime forms for the lads鈥�. In Surrey dock office, no job is continuous: it is broken up by telephone calls, requests for stationery or stores, attending to post, etc. Finally managed it, however. Beautiful summer鈥檚 day. Kay and I went down to visit Mum: left 7/6d in coins for Roy鈥檚 birthday Sunday.

13 FRI
Kay is apt to taunt me that I spend my day sitting down, while she labours with the house and the children. Today, I was hardly in my chair at all through a series of misfortunes and interruptions. I arrived home 陆 hour late and very tired, but Kay was more tired and nagged me so much that I was glad to get into the garden for some digging. A reflection on treatment she received in Blackpool.

14 SAT
Beautiful sunny weather continues. Active morning in Surrey Dock office, and then home for 陆 day 鈥� a proper one this time. Kay was still cross (as yesterday), but a visit to the hairdressers can, and did, work wonders. I was quite proud to take her down to Mum鈥檚 in the evening, whilst Betty looked after the children. I accomplished some garden work in my afternoon off. Front and back lawns were mowed, and put the tent up for the kiddies. They enjoyed it so much, I was prevailed upon to leave it up overnight.

15 SUN
The difficult journey to Croydon arose today for Sunday duty. The kiddies had played in tent which I still left up as brilliant weather continued. Dad came to re-suspend 3 tier electric light fitting in front room, but spent most of the time adjusting rickety swing

16 MON
Our 14th wedding anniversary and the first time I did not arrive home with some roses, for I was short of money, tomorrow being day for receipt of overtime. The day was hot but cool in office, and I employed myself very well. Dad came again in the evening with a top cross bar for the swing. This was erected by dusk, and electric light fitting put up.

17 TUE
The fine weather continued: hazy in the morning and hot the whole day through, so that it seemed it might turn to a thunderstorm. My job in the office was perhaps the most enviable, for the other men returned hot and dusty. Successfully issued the overtime money to staff, and incidentally relieved myself of a money worry. I was broke! Dug in garden this evening.

18 WED
A fine day in Surrey Dock office 鈥� all but caught up with my work and now consider that I have mastered the office job. In the evening, in spite of my feeling that I ought to be digging, I sat in wicker chair and wrote an airmail letter to George. Kay and Betty went to Wimbledon cinema, returning at 10.30.

19 THU
So fine that I went into garden and played with the children (principally Pauline) after tea showing them how to skip, giving Pauline a swing and going into tent with her. Kay had been most busy, her timely action just saved bedroom carpet from moth. She continued this activity into the evening 鈥� I thought at my expense, and we fell out, agreed later!

20 FRI
Worked in Surrey Dock office until noon 鈥� my 陆 day and just before I left, I received a disappointment 鈥� I am to be relieved of my office job I love so well and am to proceed to Croydon Monday onwards. In afternoon, therefore, I went to Mum鈥檚. Met Beryl from School: she was with me.

21 SAT
鈥淧ut my house in order鈥� in preparation for handing over the office position. Balanced 鈥渁ssociation subs鈥� and 鈥渢ea club鈥� accounts and passed over money and keys, and thus relinquished a job I had hoped to hold for a considerable period. The encomiums of my colleagues on the way I had conducted the office and the improvements I had made were of much satisfaction to me. I visited the "Harpy" and removed all my gear there from, as it appears I am at Croydon for good. In the evening: Kay, having had her hair 鈥榙one鈥�, we had to go out. We went to Mum鈥檚: there, we saw Sid, home on a 48. Dad busy with back gate. Mum鈥檚 sciatica better now.

22 SUN
Rather cold today, although the sun still shone, and no major calamity in the form of a downpour of rain has taken place yet. 鈥淕oing the roads鈥� in the Shadwell Station (which I dislike so much in bad weather) was not such a trial in this. Had the whole evening free, with the possibility of going to bed late as I am on late tomorrow.

23 MON
Back to Croydon Airport today, now most probably to the end of the year. Present times of attendance are:- 7 鈥� 3, 10 鈥� 6, 1.30 鈥� 9.30; in that sequence. Today, I was on latter turn. Left home at noon

24 TUE
Epidemic of colds owing to the change in weather. John and Kay went to Morden shopping before I left, I looking after Pauline. Betty and Beryl are away to school before I am downstairs. Betty went to clinic re varicose veins. Away from Croydon reasonably early for once.

25 WED
Had terrible 鈥渄o鈥� with Kay early morning when she was overcome with faintness and sickness. She laid in for a little while whilst I saw to John and Pauline. She brightened at noon and came with me to 鈥淏everley鈥� bus stop. She also came to Croydon to meet me, but I did not leave till 9.30, and we weren鈥檛 home till 11.30.

26 THU
I had to leave at noon precisely, but what there was of the morning to have, Kay and I took advantage. We dressed and fed John and Pauline, although they were in a bad way with colds, they danced to the radio. At the airport, work compelled me to stop to 10 pm, and then, a difficult journey home, partly in rain, and a long walk to Morden.

27 FRI
John caused us much worry early this morning with (what appeared to be) a recurrence of whooping cough. This set off Beryl, and we are wondering if the change in the weather is going to cause us much anxiety, as we all have colds 鈥� even myself. Attended to Betty鈥檚 bicycle in morning. April showers in earnest!

28 SAT
As yesterday, had my mid-day meal at home; it being too much of a rush to be away from the house at noon, in order to have lunch in the Croydon Airport Hotel (officers mess). I was thus able to be of service to Kay by looking after the children whilst she and Betty went to Raynes Park for shopping. Also they bought a bookcase 12/6d (!) to take all my books which have been lying on my writing desk since I returned from Scotland. Kay and Betty were listening to the Saturday evening play when I got home, Betty covering her school books 鈥� for this she gets a 鈥榗redit mark鈥�.

29 SUN
Made most of last chance of 鈥榣ying in鈥�, but was up at 9 am and lit fire in preparation for the children to come downstairs. Altogether, there was very little I could do before departure time = noon. Had lunch at Croydon: duty, 1.30 鈥� 9.30 pm: good journey home and bed right away for early rising in morning. Betty typing to her 鈥減en-pal鈥� in South Africa.

30 MON
5.30am: it was when I reluctantly left my bed. Caught 6.30 bus at Cannon Hill Lane for Wallington, thence, trolley. Snowing, very cold in outward baggage hall. The watch soon passed, and I returned home same route, but went on to Raynes Park, doing shopping, paying rent. Called on Mum who is almost recovered from sciatica. Took a mac for Kay's inspection and returned it in the evening.

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