大象传媒

NOVEMBER 1939

2 THU Another day 鈥渙n reserve鈥�. Got rather bored and was glad when 4 o/c came. One of the regimental broadcasts irritated me so much that I left home for the cinema, only to see the same thing there!

7 TUE Very dull and miserable. I had a job standing by the radio room of the 鈥淟ech鈥�, a vessel at the pier opposite the 鈥淗arpy鈥�, still flying Poland鈥檚 flag in spite of Poland鈥檚 鈥渃onquest鈥�. Put in a good evening鈥檚 work again at studying. Now doing 鈥淔irearms鈥�.

8 WED Appointed to assist in the office and did fairly well. Recurrence of depression fit, leaving was an anathema to me, walked streets for an hour. Returned home, then went to cinema, which saved me. (Bette Davis in 鈥淒K Victory鈥�)

9 THU 8/4. Undertook duties of 鈥渟econd hand鈥� i.e. hailing passing vessels as to their destinations. This ensured my retention in the office and I was able to amend my Green Books. In the evening I wrote a couple of letters; long one to Kay.

10 FRI 8/4. Tragedy in the job today. One of our boys, Bill Pedder, fell down a ships hold and received multiple injuries and was taken to Guy鈥檚. He was to be married soon, too. Everyone gloomy and upset. Dad鈥檚 radio programme coinciding with my studying. I had to give up.

11 SAT Obtained permission to leave the 鈥淗arpy鈥� at 11.30 am and was thus just able to secure a gallery seat (9d only) for 鈥淐armen鈥� at Saddlers Wells Theatre, Islington, matinee performance. I was in top row, so did not hear perfectly at it鈥檚 best. However, it was my first experience of opera and I was mediumly impressed. Dad had fitted a proper blind to my room (at last!) so now I have a room of my own to retire to. Radio still a worry though.

18 SAT Asked permission to leave office for my half day at 11.30 as I wanted to be sure of a gallery seat for 鈥淚l Trovatore鈥� at Saddlers Wells. Fortunately secured a pit seat and enjoyed the show much better than last week in gallery. Called in on Dad at Crown House on my way home. Had a little time before I was due out again, being on duty night watch at 鈥淗arpy鈥�

19 SUN It almost blew a gale in the night and I was thankful 鈥渂lackout鈥� dangers minimised our patrolling the river. Spray shot completely over the boat as we went along. A good sleep, 10 鈥� 3 and an easy evening. Poor Dad at work 9 鈥� 8pm.

21 TUE My big girls birthday. Kay has promised her a tea party, I wish I were there to see her enjoyment. Mum and I sent cards and I a Bourneville chocolate playbox. Mum鈥檚 present, an aluminium tea set will be taken back by Kay.

22 WED No message arrived from Kay as to what time she would be at Euston, but Mum phoned from Dad鈥檚 workplace after she had met Roy at Waterloo, now back from evacuation. Just met Kay in time at 6.50, train on time. Betty fine.

23 THU Had quite a good night with Beryl, save that she fell off the ottoman on her head! Thereafter she slept with us! As well as ever afterwards. Kay and I made a first visit to the splendid new Odeon at Shannon Corner. Saw Wuthering Heights鈥� Very Good.

27 MON Last evening with Kay. Mum kindly looked after Beryl whilst Kay and I went to Shannon Corner 鈥淥deon鈥� again as on Thursday. Not so good a film, however, but enjoyed each others company. Looking forward to when we鈥檙e together again, which may be about Easter.

28 TUE Took leave from work to meet Kay at Waterloo, Mum having seen her into train at Raynes Park. Travelled across London by bus and once again saw Kay and my baby slide from my sight as 1 pm train left Euston. Fred came on a visit in evening. Did some general clearing up.

DECEMBER 1939

1 FRI 8/4. Office John C. took half day, so I was left in sole charge. Managed OK. Spent evening trying to stretch my 拢17 salary to cover a budget of about 拢20. Kay not coming home during December so I save 拢2/2s/6d fares and 10/- keep.

2 SAT Bolted away from the office at 11.30 am to assure myself of a good place in the pit queue at Saddlers Wells Theatre for the performance of 鈥淐avelleria Rusticana鈥� and 鈥淧aglicaci鈥�. Need not have rushed, however for there was a pit stool available. I filled in the time at the 鈥淎ngel鈥� Lyons. Found a wallet containing 拢3/3s/0d near theatre and gave to policeman, signing his notebook.

3 SUN 8/4 Second hand 鈥淗arpy鈥�. This meant I did all the week-end returns, as well as hailed all ships to and from above London Bridge. Far from being a slack day, worked harder than a week-day! A quiet evening (thank heaven) and to bed early.

8 FRI Pouring with rain today- and one of my jobs was to walk from the 鈥淗arpy鈥�, over Tower Bridge, and visit three vessels on the south side, to deliver documents to the PO. He was on the last one, of course. Spent evening compiling an address list for Kay (Christmas Cards) and writing a letter.

9 SAT Morning soon passed, I left 鈥淗arpy鈥� at 11.30 am as last week. To Islington to see 鈥淟a Boheme鈥� at Saddlers Wells. Rather disappointed by comparison with last week鈥檚 performance and returned home hardly more elevated. Mum, Dad and Roy Christmas shopping at Kingston. 鈥淏lack-out鈥� spoiled usual Christmas jollity. Roy spent his few shillings on presents for us and was so excited as almost to give the game away.

11 MON Replacing a colleague on the north side between bridges, not very active, but had a look round a fresh Dutch vessel, which arrived with eggs, bacon and butter. Instruction amending getting behind-hand, against a background of noise, and interruptions (Roy with his homework etc) did a little.

13 WED Received letter from Kay, asking from where she is to get gas 鈥攑rotective helmet for baby. Wrote to her this evening telling her to get one at Blackpool, and made sundry other arrangements re Christmas. Wants to avoid continually parting between us, and thinks it best to return home. Have suggested after my examinations in March, but would like her home much sooner really.

14 THU Acquired fine leather gas mask case which Mum bought Jack, but with which he was not satisfied. Cow hide, with zip fastener. Wrote Kay, asking if she would buy it for me for Christmas. Also enclosed a surprise 拢 note, saying it is lent. Hope not to have to ask for it back.

15 FRI Only a small Dutchman at Brewers Quay on the north side, between bridges. But boarded a fresh vessel, and visited another on south side when the officers that side took a half-day. Received a small package in Christmas wrappings from Kay, 鈥渘ot to be opened till Christmas鈥�.

16 SAT A very cold day, and when we took over the river station and went full speed against the wind, our faces were frozen. There was a 鈥済eneral alarm鈥� (practice) which we took to be a genuine one. George came in evening and brought me 2 presents for Blackpool parcel.

17 SUN On duty 8/4 in river. Weather very cold, whipped like a knife as launch forged against it. Found Dad had spent his day putting up the Christmas decorations. Very good. Are to have a 5/- Christmas tree, bought between us, this year.

20 WED Great dearth of ships in the pool. About 5 in all. Consequently, work conditions easy. Helped Mum pack up Fred and Mabel鈥檚 parcel. She also decorated the tree with gifts. Pretty sight.

21 THU The great event of the day was my visit to Westminster Theatre, a cosy place near Buckingham Palace, where I saw G.B. Shaw鈥檚 鈥淢ajor Barbara鈥�, and enjoyed it immensely. Strolled across Green Park to Piccadilly and back. Christmas cards from all over, I had one from Betty.

22 FRI A 4/11 turn today. Mum left early to see Lou, and Lou came here! Missed each other by 10 minutes when Lou went. Mrs Close also came over for a chat (!). 4/11. In view of rush hour walked to Shadwell from 鈥淗arpy鈥�, (!) and in black-out walked back. 鈥� A night-mare!

25 MON Joyful present exchange at bed-side as usual, but only one stocking being un-packed. Present 鈥� Mum, Dad, Arthur, Jack and Roy. Sid and Doll visited, Sid only to dinner. Albert and Lou and children as usual, and Mrs Salter鈥檚 2 children. Walk over Wimbledon Common; sing-song.

26 TUE My one day of the holiday on duty 鈥� 8/4 鈥淗arpy鈥�. A miserable foggy day, and plenty to do both indoors and out. Felt very tired, having had disturbed night in a strange bed. Another evening of romping, noise and games with Fred and Pam, George, Elsie and children as well as those above. Bed 1am.

27 WED With one of 鈥淗arpy鈥� rummage crews for 6 days. Did a fairly good day鈥檚 work on 2 of many vessels which have arrived on station. Spent an excellent evening making references to dictionaries, writing Kay etc.

28 THU Dark fog turned to mushy snow in London, whilst in Raynes Park, the snow was quite thick and remained crisp. Had a fairly good rummage round again on duty, found the stoke-hold and engine rooms the best places! Mum and Roy, Lou and children to panto in Kingston.

29 FRI My zeal for rummaging has proved my un-doing. From walking to a ship in bridge coat and uniform clothing, I went to walking about snowy decks in overalls. Result, illness. Spent a fearful night, unable to breath.

30 SAT Forced myself to my usual routine, although I should have reported 鈥渟ick鈥�, but under our ridiculous regulations, absence on Saturday debars one from working Sunday, and I am on Sunday overtime tomorrow, which would mean the loss of income on which I rely. Felt better for being about and active, indeed, put on a good rummage on an Italian at Butler鈥檚. Nice quiet afternoon in warm, Mum and Lou, Dad, out, children good. Enjoyed Jack鈥檚 鈥渞hythm鈥� records.

31 SUN Foggy dark and cold. Hoped to clear up outstanding jobs to start new year afresh, but spoilt it by lying abed till 10 am (!) and after giving a hand re the taking down of beds etc, which had been put up for Christmas visitors, had about 戮 hour left to myself. This briefly is the whole position with regard to my spare time, by the time I had cut my next day鈥檚 sandwiches, given a hand somewhere with a household job, out of a sense of duty, I am left with no time to myself, or no energy left to enjoy it. Left the family with Lou, Albert and children, to enjoy New Year鈥檚 Eve, whilst I went, unwillingly, to work 4/11.

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