大象传媒

JANUARY 1945

1 MON
Quarantine at Princes Pier. The fervour with which Scotsmen celebrate Hogmanay caused me anxiety re morning transportation. Arrived on time, however, and spent a normal day afloat. Having more confidence on this work: this is my 2nd day on this job. Met a new PO, therefore I am no longer junior. In Miss Watt鈥檚 house, we had jolly visitors.

2 TUE
Helped for a morning on my accumulated clerical work, but being spotted as being 鈥渋n鈥�, the CPO sent me out on a job 鈥� Gourock Pier patrol. A gale set in and actively patrolling the pier became impossible. In the darkness of the evening, my APO nearly ricked his ankle, and he limped home with me (living nearby) at 7. Did some writing in evening.

3 WED
Another day on Gourock Pier, only relieved by trip out into the Firth, to a vessel and back. During patrol duties, it blew hard and hail fell, but by 7 pm, we were through. At the digs, all fancied an early night abed, giving me a good opportunity to amend office circulars. I find I need to have a working knowledge of these.

4 THU
Very cold day, but was reasonably warm in the box on Gourock Pier. Had one important job to do which kept me on duty to the usual time of 7pm; otherwise, I should have finished early. A parcel from Mum with Christmas gift of beautiful white silk shirt and 2 pairs of sox, and a letter from Kay saying John and Pauline poorly. I pray God they may soon get well again.

5 FRI
An ideal day: able to get abreast of clerical work in the office, and then in the evening, to write comfort and warmth (not in the best of lighting conditions though, because of gas lighting) in Miss Watt鈥檚 sitting room. Our noisy guests were out: 2 fresh arrivals, but they were quiet in their quarters. Praise be!

6 SAT
鈥淎 day to the Crown鈥� as I used to write in mobile days. From the time of getting up at 6 am, until 10.30 at night, my whole labours were given to the Crown, even at home in the digs. And by no means can it be said I have caught up on clerical work, for having been made to 鈥渂oard鈥� the vessel we were engaged on I had all the boarding duties plus passenger and crews duty to take and accrued a lot of additional clerical work.. A parcel of washed clothing came from Kay and a letter for money. This led me to devote time to my first Subsistence Claim. The Crown owe me 拢10 on it. Kay says kids are getting better now. Thank Heavens!

7 SUN
Realised the dangerous nature of the river boarding work today, when I had a launch on the Utility station. It had been snowing, and the sides of the ships and launch were slippery. On shore, kiddies had out sledges and were coasting down slopes. At Miss Watt鈥檚 house there was a cheery party (including Miss Watt鈥檚 niece) round the fire aide.

8 MON
Today鈥檚 great event was an order to 鈥渉old myself in readiness to return to London鈥�! Watch House estimates are my return in a fortnight or sooner. 3 other Londoners have been warned, but 2 are not keen. Wrote to Kay and told her. First day of my not-to-be 6 weekly period on 鈥淗oly Loch鈥� Station. Very cold and a choppy sea, but enjoyed it. Spent evening writing.

9 TUE
Another day to the Crown. My working hours were 9 am to 9.30 pm, although not wishing to be thought an 鈥渙vertime grabber鈥� I signed off at 8 pm. The extra work was unexpected and only found during morning patrol of the Holy Loch Station. Had first experience of launching in Firth by night 鈥� rather frightening! Home to meal and bed.

10 WED
Set off promptly to tackle the work left over from last night. But today, afloat I had really helpful APO: in fact, I split forces with him and toured the station whilst he did some business aboard a ship. So we left station only 陆 hour late, and I had an evening of writing to Mum etc.

11 THU
A very busy day: but at it鈥檚 conclusion, I felt it was a job well done. The 4th day on the Holy Loch Station, I have now been conversant with the routine. In the evening, I re-wrote my initial subsistence claim. Called at glaziers for my pass茅-partout photo of Kay, her Christmas gift to me.

12 FRI
Another busy day. I should be fit for my appointment in London when I return: Gourock experience is valuable. In the evening I had a solitary tea, Miss Watt being out, and not coming in till later. Wrote part of a letter to Kay who wants to return to London with me.

13 SAT
A busy and long day; and what was most disappointing was, the 2 hours extra put in were unnecessary: under war regulations, the work I had done could have been mostly avoided, and also, a little bad feeling with the launch crew was created, nevertheless, learned more of value to me for my return to London. In the evening, at Miss Watt鈥檚, I rewrote, for the 4th time, my account of travel and subsistence, and hope now it鈥檚 right. Also wrote up my pocket journal

14 SUN
Today completes a week at the Holy Loch Station, and I found myself capable of doing about 2/3 of the work in the 8 hours allotted me. I scheme to save time to do all the jobs and will devote my abilities this week to this purpose. Finished at 5 pm today, and spent a pleasant quiet evening. Wrote to Kay, and at long last, to George!

15 MON
Great improvement today with the Holy Loch patrol work. Out as soon as launch (鈥淎rrow鈥� 鈥� the least favoured of the Customs launches) arrived, and kept on my roads religiously. My worry at day鈥檚 end was only accumulation of clerical work. Shall probably ask for a day in to clear up. Away at 5 pm, did sewing in evening. Letters from Mum and Dad, and Kay.

16 TUE
9am 鈥� 7 Holy Loch as usual, and finished up by voluntarily assisting hard pressed colleagues duty taking. Firth was choppy, and later in evening a gale sprang up and the road light signals were exhibited at the Beacon. Had worked hard and was tired, and when Miss W (who has been unwell lately) suggested early bed, I went likewise.

17 WED
Last Sunday鈥檚 estimate of being able to do 2/3 of the total amount of work expected of me, today seemed about 陆 of what was expected done. At 5 pm, I felt most dispirited, particularly as at that time, the CPO put outside work onto me as the other river PO鈥檚 were busy! A quiet evening in digs put me right however.

18 THU
Arose to find about 6鈥� of snow. This made boarding ships most dangerous: my APO had one slip, but not fatal, however. It was most cold and very unpleasant in the spray made by the launch. This day I saw very clearly the necessity of running the river as I wanted it. I am losing my present man on Sunday: thereafter, I hope to make an improvement.

19 FRI
The snow froze tonight in a violent gale which blew a door open and shook the windows of the house. Roads were rutty and walking on side-walk, difficult. The day鈥檚 work went well. Before it commenced, a photo of the entire Greenock staff was posed for and taken, occasion being the departure of the prominent CPO. A quiet evening in the digs. Wrote to Mum.

20 SAT
No abatement in severe weather conditions. Snow is iron hard, and I saw men clearing away by breaking it with pick-axe, and then shovelling. A gale made it impossible for us to get alongside ships gangways without risking life and limb, or smashing the launch, so the M.I.C. and I agreed to turn round and re-birth. This gave me the day for clerical 鈥� I could do with a whole week for the purpose. The CPO told me my relief is due in exactly a week鈥檚 time, so this position on my next diary page should be my last of Greenock entries. Used evening well 鈥� wrote to Mum, and asked Dad to begin to see to things for me.

21 SUN
Roads and pathways still rutty with frozen snow 鈥� most people walking in the road where traffic has worn a clear path. Nevertheless, a beautiful sunny afternoon, if cold. Launch work was quite pleasant, and the work not too pressing. At the lodgings, I spent a very happy evening writing, bathing and reading 鈥渃hildren鈥檚 encyclopaedia鈥�.

22 MON
Snow still laying and launch work a cold business. After a busy day in our own boat, did 2陆 hours overtime in a hired boat, provided by a firm who wanted small stores shipped in a hurry. Letter from Kay awaited me. She has to have her teeth out and dentures 鈥� cost 拢10. Says she has pyorrhoea, which worries me. Hope to see her on way to London.

23 TUE
Principle event was the definite notification that Saturday would be the allotted travel day for myself and other London colleague. I plan to travel Friday, however, travel night, and spend Saturday and Sunday with Kay. Snowfall nearly all day. In evening, partly packed, and wrote letters announcing return.

24 WED
Snow was fully a foot deep down Miss W鈥檚 front path this morning, and my rubber boots were packed away. The proofs of the photo (19/1) were disappointing and I cancelled my order 鈥� of unwarranted cost. Outward bound baggage work: a very chill affair. Cleared snow to get to coal house. Spent evening manipulating effects into suit-case: Miss W. helping to shut!

25 THU
Staggered with the heavy leather case to the bus stop, and duly sent it on it鈥檚 way to Raynes Park. Snow all around, but none fell in the night. Allowed a day in the office: squared up 陆 my clerical. As yesterday, did a bit of snow clearing before tea, and in evening, packed blue case ready for tomorrow evening. Purchased oven ware for Miss W.

26 FRI
Yesterday I cleared up all shipping bills. 3 new PO鈥檚 out of 4 have arrived and that releases Bailey and I return to London tonight. Bought Miss W small bottle of scent as she has oven ware. Said good-bye and thanks, caught 8.5 train Gourock, and waited nearly 2 hours in queue and cold for Preston train.

27 SAT
Quite a good journey to Preston, started 陆 hour late and arrived in Preston 陆 hour late (6.30 am). Then a really aggravating wait whilst feeling cold (severe frost here), tired and hungry, for 1陆 hours before train for Blackpool left Preston. Thereafter, plain sailing, and arrived at Drummand Avenue 9.15 am. Kay did not look too bad, having no teeth. She had had the whole lot removed because of pyorrhoea, and has 2 months to wait for her first dentures. She and Betty soon made me welcome, and later, Pauline and John had remembered me. We went to Myrtle鈥檚 and saw Beryl, and found all well and happy. Kay鈥檚 Mum is visiting Aurea, Kay she and I and her Dad had an uncluttered evening on our return.

28 SUN
My first lie-in (I think) since my very early off duty Sunday when I first went to Gourock (end of November). Not up till 10 am, and spent the day helping Kay with the children. Had ample opportunity to observe them and they play together nicely (with squabbles of course). Discussed future with Kay: she wants to return as soon as possible. Left at 9: caught 10 pm London train.

29 MON
Worst rail journey in my life! After leaving Crewe, corridors were crowded, and men (mostly forces) clung to the luggage racks for 5 hours, between those seated. Sleep hardly possible, and felt the effect all day. Euston arrive 7 am (2 hours late): to "Harpy": re-union, toilet etc. To Mum鈥檚, after food office. Mum with sciatica. Visited home and found 2 water pipes burst.

30 TUE
2 climatic changes: 1) a 4鈥� snow fall over night and 2) a great thaw in the afternoon. Roads became so slushy, that my feet were soon soaked through. Away from office at 1.30 (Shadwell) and an afternoon in the home 鈥榦pening up鈥�. Stocked up with provisions, aired beds etc. In evening to Mum鈥檚, wrote to Kay and Miss Watt re save arrival.

31 WED
Hard to believe that we had had snow for the passed 12 days when I went out this morning: almost completely gone, but mud and dampness everywhere. Penetrated shoes, but not to the extent of yesterdays slush. A third day, and still no electricity. Accepted Mum鈥檚 hospitality for the 3rd night. Ordered coal yesterday.

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