大象传媒

JANUARY 1942

1 THU Mum, Dad and Roy saw new year in at Lou and Albert Johnson鈥檚, whence I had left at 11pm, catching last bus as no sleeping accommodation available. Jack with pal at Wimbledon Town Hall New Year dance and brought him home to sleep: saw them off to work in morning. Engaged on Sunday duty list 1942, all day at "Harpy". Evening letter writing, transferring notes from 1941 diary to this one. Made myself a calendar.

2 FRI Engaged at the "Harpy" as yesterday. Called at the library homeward bound for a reserved book, a sequel to 鈥淢agnolia Street鈥�, by Louis Golding read last year 鈥� 鈥淢r Emmanuel鈥�. Also called station re my suitcase en route from Blackpool 鈥� no news. Spent evening writing description of Lou鈥檚 New Year鈥檚 party to Kay. Roy had new signal for 鈥淭rix鈥�

3 SAT The equal allocation of 1942 Sunday duties is an involved job, and the completed list for POs and APOs with extra copies takes over a week. Another day was spent on this important work, although most fellows were off for the half day in afternoon, mine being taken Tuesday. Dad had paid for Mum and Roy to see the 鈥淧uss in Boots鈥� pantomime at Wimbledon, where they were joined by Lou and children, and had a good time. I arrived home before them, with suitcase collected from Raynes Park station.

6 TUE Progressing well with my job (see 3/1), and a copy has already gone out to a local station, in ample time for notifying next Sunday鈥檚 duties. Asked to volunteer for fire watching at the main Custom House throughout my minute at the "Harpy" 1942. Acquiesced. Part letter to Kay.

7 WED The last few days have been quite cold, particularly early mornings when bright moonlight has been an aid in the blackout, but the cause of thick frost. Great satisfaction in progress in clerical work at the "Harpy" (3/1). Finished letter to Kay. Dad modelling 鈥渃ar of the future鈥� from Roy鈥檚 book.

8 THU Very cold night, in which Roy, getting between new sheets, was 鈥渃hilled to the marrow鈥�. And stayed awake for hours. Two journeys out from the "Harpy": one to the 鈥淟ong Room, now situated Adelaide House, one to pay office, situated in City Gate House, Moorgate. Roy and friend, with a 鈥渃ombined ownership鈥� 鈥淭rix鈥� layout in front room, now on his last three days of Christmas holidays.

9 FRI Making my scheming job last to end of minute, which is tomorrow, Monday, my boarding duties commence. Half day. Went Wimbledon 鈥淓lite鈥�: George Formby and Enid Stamp Taylor in 鈥淪outh American George鈥� 鈥� an average film, Yank supporting picture 鈥淪hot in Dark鈥�, better sound, filming and direction, but monstrously involved murder mystery. Forwarded a letter from Kay to Elsie.

10 SAT Wind was added to the cold this morning (7/1), but fortunately, did not have to wait about for a bus. Parted from one or two of the years colleagues, who, from Monday, go to other stations, including the young ex 鈥� RAF man. Afternoon, looking after office in office PO鈥檚 absence. Mum and Roy out together at Bentall鈥檚 sale, Kingston, Dad out at his usual whist drive, Putney, and Jack also out for the evening: so Mum, Roy and I had it quiet for reading etc.

11 SUN Conditions the same as last Sunday and the quietness spent in writing to Kay, as George, Elsie and children were to come. George looked smart in Air Force blue, and also very fit in spite of camp living conditions at Cambridge 鈥� disgusting. He and Elsie at variance over the children more than once. 48 hours leave, but no comradeship and love.

12 MON Commencement of minute. As yesterday, severely cold, and frost and fog everywhere. Water trap below bath room hand bowl, frozen and pipe punctured. Outside river launch cabin checking station was chilled about face and ears. Further complications: slippery up ladder to sticky sugar ship, spoiling trousers and overcoat. Spent nearly an hour cleaning trousers at home.

13 TUE Thaw this morning, not so cold, but bad enough. 2 station minutes: spitting with rain and tossed about somewhat 鈥� but exhilarating. Time to read portion of psychological book. Packed up for post, 4 nightgowns, bought by Mum at sales, for Betty and Beryl, very cheaply. Also included box sweets. Imagine parcel will be a pleasant surprise.

14 WED Snow about 3鈥� thick at Raynes Park, but negligible in city: not so cold. In the river launch, going against the wind was chilly, but not so with the wind. Surrendered first of 2 instalments of 6 clothing coupons for uniform. First aid exam, but did not compete. Letter from Kay with bad news of illness children.

15 THU Before going afloat in the launch, wrote a commiserating letter to Kay over her troubles, but when I reached home, a post card awaited, apologising for dejected tone of letter, and saying that Beryl, of the 3 children, was much better: a great relief. Cold day, but no more snow. Quiet evening, all reading except Dad who was modelling.

16 FRI The present reserve officers being unsuitable, I was co-opted for the "Harpy" rummage today. There was clerical work consequent on the crew鈥檚 previous seizures, which was a lengthy job, but little else. Went to Wimbledon 鈥淥deon鈥� evening, saw Dianne Durbin and Charles Laughton in 鈥淚t Started With Eve鈥� 鈥� a cheerful picture with musical features.

17 SAT Cold and misty, ground treacherous in outskirts, but snow had disappeared in City itself. Back on boarding duties in the river launch: wind chilling to face. Half day off: we were all home for the midday meal. Dad had not had to go into work at all. Had a fight with my conscience about going to see 鈥淲hen Ladies Meet鈥� (Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Greer Garson and Herbert Marshall) at the Wimbledon 鈥淓lite鈥�, so soon after yesterday鈥檚 outing (remembering that Kay has hardly any opportunities of going out at Blackpool at all), but gave in to myself and saw a wonderful film; Greer Garson was superb. Mum, Roy and I, evening on own. Jack dancing, Richmond, Dad whist drive.

18 SUN I was the only one to get up at 6 am this morning, and cold it was, particularly waiting for the first 152 bus from South Wimbledon Station. Work on the river was brisk for once, and the day past swiftly. Evening was spent writing to Kay and reading an interesting psychological book.

19 MON Still cold and grey, and by evening, snow was falling steadily. In the 鈥渂ogie鈥� heated room on the "Harpy", I spent almost all day being on firewatch at the Custom House, pleasantly contrasting with last week鈥檚 鈥淩iver 鈥� work. In 1 of 2 鈥榙ormitories鈥�, I and my 2 "Harpy" colleagues, slept on iron beds with mattress, pillows and 2 blankets, quite comfortably. (i.e., in Custom House)

20 TUE A continuous fall of snow, from last evening until this morning left the ground covered in some 4 鈥� 6鈥�. Transport was somewhat delayed and the City streets were slushy. Roy and pals enjoyed the Raynes Park snow. Allowed home early and slept during day. Wrote letter to Kay in reply to a request for money for shoes for Betty. Dad queer.

22 THU The fallen snow has been packed more tightly as the low temperature has given it no chance to melt. Rummaging at a riverside wharf, but no results, journeying to and fro by bus. All kept round fire in evening. Roy having much trouble with chilblained feet. First real water freeze, but Dad checked it by taking electric fire into loft.

23 FRI The crisp snow in the cold of the morning, became horrid slush in the afternoon, as a big thaw set in. The sewers must have been flooded. Half day: to Westminster Theatre (near Buckingham Palace), to see Barbara Douglas as Jo in 鈥淟ittle Women鈥�. Most elegant theatre, poorly heated and show, thinly attended, but enjoyed it. Total expenses 3s/3d.

24 SAT Everywhere very wet with remnants of snow fringing pavements, and rain spitting down intermittently. Regular downpour after nightfall. Jack had a friend here, and owing to unreliability of clock, I got us all up at 5.40 am! For once, Jack was early for work! Busy on the river, which we took over vice; other boarding crew = 陆 day. In fact, tiring day and I fell asleep after my evening meal. Roy and David Willoughby had good fun with 鈥淭rix鈥� afternoon and evening: Jack was out with same pal as here this morning; and Dad at Putney whist drive.

26 MON An icy cold wind sprung up and made our river patrol a painful affair: face and ears frozen. Hazardous on wheat barges and climbing rope ladders owing to ice. Another visit to library, where the lady has kindly reserved me one or two special books. Studied music 鈥� book and read fiction, Dad being late, Jack out and Roy at his friend鈥檚 for homework.

27 TUE The icy cold wind continued and in the afternoon, turned to snow, by evening, it was sleety rain.. River work was similar to yesterday and the best place whilst on duty was the "Harpy" Common Room round the 鈥楤ogie鈥�. Usual letter from Kay, acknowledged money (20/1) and stating herself and kiddies, all well now. Illness and fuel gas costs have caused cash shortage.

28 WED Bright afternoon. Sunshine made a cold day into a pleasant one, very similar to Sunday鈥檚 conditions. Patrolled river and visiting vessels during day. Also to Adelaide House, where now is situated the 鈥淟ong Room鈥�. Roy and Derrick had fun time with electric railway, and did their homework together as usual. I finished Ann Bridge鈥檚 book 鈥� 鈥淚llyrian Spring鈥�. Dad brought home Cinematograph.

29 THU Weather experienced when launching was cold when going against the wind, but bearable when going with it. A cold rain came down at intervals. One lone vessel was our principal source of work. Library girl (see 21/1) held 鈥淥ld Wives Tale鈥� 鈥� Arnold Bennett for me and I swapped the book finished yesterday, for it. Jack late home: attended production protest meeting.

30 FRI On duty at 4 pm today, did not get up with the others; in fact, considerably after them! Mum went into Morden for shopping and there met Lucy. When she returned, I went to local shops myself. Wrote part of my week-end letter to Kay. Work in room 11, Custom House, was a little strange, but soon mastered thanks to help from Mr Powell, PO. One duty was to call Naval Control Service with secret documents.

31 SAT Work in room 11 finished at 8 am. Before then was able to get washed and shaved over at the "Harpy". Although freshened up, needed a few hours sleep and was up for dinner. Thereafter went to Shannon Corner 鈥淥deon鈥� to see Joan Fontain and Cary Grant in a film 鈥� 鈥淪uspicion鈥� which was much enjoyed, J.F. being superb. Nigel Bruce was a character of especial note. In evening, Dad was out at whist drive, whilst Roy Mum and Jack played, (among other things) a riotous game of 鈥淟udo鈥�. Finished off my letter to Kay and had a pleasant read.

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