´óÏó´«Ã½

MARCH 1945

THURSDAY 1
Rained early morning. Turned sunny but chilly, cold wind. No letters. Usual housework. Met Bryan. Baked cake after tea. Evening as usual.
FRIDAY 2
Very cold, bright sunny. Letter George. Mrs M didn't come. Did step etc myself. Bryan had half holiday. Took him to Cirencester buy trousers, 8s/1d. Bought hob oil etc 12s/10d. Splitting head. Grease splashes causing trouble.[I suspect that the grease splashes were upsetting Miss Knapp. (Bryan)]SATURDAY 3
Very keen frost. Outside tap frozen. Sunny all day but very cold wind. Cooked joint. "Journal" cheque book, gas receipt by post. Out for walk with boys after dinner, round Stephens fields. After tea, baths and writing.
MEMO
We appear to be moving faster in the west. Russia quiet at the moment. Preparing for final attack on Berlin probably. Rockets still coming over.
SUNDAY 4
Dull cold day. Rained evening. Boys at S.Sch. Out for walk after dinner Hatherop, back Grandage. Raids by piloted planes start again. More F.B's [Grandage is a large field running alongside the river Coln between the Hatherop/Coln road and Quenington, the third village in the group. F.B's = flying bombs]
MONDAY 5
Cold cloudy, sunny periods. Letter from G. Still more rockets - Orpington etc. First morning dressed without light. Washing, fairly good drying. Sent off R's comics. 2/- P.O. and card to Shirley Hannam. Met Bryan.[Rockets = German V2 weapon. I’m not sure that the word is comics. (Bryan)]
TUESDAY 6
Cold cloudy, very little sun morning. No post. Ironed. Wrote to George and Fan. Met Bryan. Evening knitting. Feel worried about things at home. This awful war.
WEDNESDAY 7
Cold cloudy. Letter from George and Benny's Dad. Benny died Feb 17th. Feel very sad. We take Cologne. Shopping. Met Bryan. Picked violets. Wrote G. and Mr Bennet.[Mr Bennett presumably Benny's father. I don't know who they were.]
THURSDAY 8
Cold and cloudy all day. No letters. Usual housework. Met Bryan in afternoon. Called in shop paid coal bill. Oranges and grapefruit. Evening knitting. Made lemon cheese.
FRIDAY 9
Cold but good deal of sun all day. Letter from George. More rockets. (See entry for 13 and 14th March) Baking in morning. Shop for cake. Met Bryan. War going well for us. We cross Rhine. Feel more optimistic.
SATURDAY 10
Sunny day but chilly. Mrs M. came. Cooked joint. Letters from Fan. pass book. Out for walk after dinner. Round Dean farm. Enjoyed it immensely, picked violets. Bathed after tea.[I don't remember Dean Farm.]
MEMO
The war seems to be moving towards its close. Thank goodness. Sooner the better.
SUNDAY 11
Cloudy morning, sunny and lovely afternoon. Out for walk with boys, Hooks airfield. Home very tired. Enjoyed tea. Evening in Miss K's room knitting.[It was into this airfield that the doomed Spitfire crashed on landing. See entry for 1st April.]MONDAY 12
Weather as yesterday. Washing. Best drying day yet. Letter from G. Rockets still falling. Met Bryan. 2cwt coal. Evening knitting Ian's pullover.
TUESDAY 13
Cold frosty morning, turning to beautiful afternoon. No letters. Ironed morning. Met Bryan. Evening, finished Ian's pullover. Friday 9th, rocket school.[See tomorrow’s entry re rocket.]
WEDNESDAY 14
Cold, frosty but turned sunny and warm. Letter from G. Rocket Marian Vian. More ceiling down. Prepare for sweep. Came 6pm.[Marian Vian - local school at Elmers End, Beckenham to which Bryan and Ian went. Also Pamela, later to be Ian’s wife.]
THURSDAY 15
Another lovely day after cold morning. No letters. Spring cleaned living room. Met Bryan. Collected billeting cash after tea. Mended in evening.
FRIDAY 16
Rained in night. Fine day. Letter from G. Mrs M spring cleaned Miss K's room. I did kitchen. Baked pastry etc. Ian went to Fairford re bike. Can't make up mind. Bathed boys and self.[I do not recall this incident. I did not have a bike so presumably made up my mind.]
SATURDAY 17
Cold and dull most of day. To Cheltenham with boys, also Mrs Foster and Clive. Bought Ian sports jacket and was measured myself for suit at 50/- Tailor. Buses very full. waited hour. Races at Chel'm at 4.15. Home by 8.15. Letter Doreen getting married (Fan).[Mrs Foster and Clive - another evacuee family staying in Coln. Clive and I both went to Cirencester Grammar school but did not get on with one another. (Ian). Doreen - Fan's (Mrs Wade) daughter.
SUNDAY 18
Cold but sunny. Cooked joint. Boys at Sunday school. Went for walk after dinner along Fairford road. Picked violets. New bulb in light.
MONDAY 19
Wet and windy all day. Letter from George. Did washing. Too wet to meet Bryan. Wrote letters Fan, Doreen, Mrs Hendrik and George.
TUESDAY 20
Sunny but cold. Letter from Edith, went to confirmation service taken by Bishop of Gloucester. Met Bryan. After tea, violet picking up Aldsworth Road.
WEDNESDAY 21
Lovely day. Letter George, Mrs Hannam. 2cwt coal. Shopping after dinner. Met Bryan. Sent violets to Mrs B.[I don't know who Mrs B was.]
THURSDAY 22
Gorgeous day. No letters. Usual morning work. Met Bryan. Called in shop, oranges, lemons. After tea went violet picking again. Sent violets to Fan.
FRIDAY 23
Another marvellous day. No pastry making. Letter George. Went to Cirencester after dinner. Bought pullover for Ian, undies-set (green) for self. Bathed boys after tea, also self. Haircut.
SATURDAY 24
Fine and sunny, but windy. Journal and fire ins. By post. Cooked joint. Howard came after dinner to go with Ian to the woods. Bryan and I went for a walk. Tea on our own. Wrote George after tea.[Howard Parsons another evacuee staying with his mother in a hamlet near Lechlade. Ian's friend - in same class at school. Their home was East Ham, father a police sergeant. I kept in touch after the war until national service then lost touch. (Ian)]
SUNDAY 25
Nice sunny day, went for a walk after dinner. Church after tea with boys. Listened to Albert Sandler.[Albert Sandler was a popular radio band at the time.]MONDAY 26
Sunny day but cold wind. Letter from George and card from Mrs B. Did washing, good drying day. Met Bryan from school. Evening wrote to George and darned stockings. My shoes from repairers 5s/9d.
TUESDAY 27
Cold and frosty, sunny. Clouds gathered, evening. Letter from Fan. Doreen's wedding June 23rd. Did ironing. Shop after dinner, pair of stockings Bryan. Met Bryan. Report 4th in class, good.
WEDNESDAY 28
Rained most of day. Letter from George, more rockets. Turned out sitting room and bedrooms. Made cake. Did shopping. No time to meet Bryan. Kids start holidays. Ian's report good. 6th in class.
THURSDAY 29
Cloudy and chilly. Fine rain afternoon and evening heavy. Miss K away for Easter hols. Cake making. Miss Moaby came. Boys played in rectory garden with Robin and P.W. Collected billeting cash. Called in shop for hot x buns. Bathed boys.
GOOD FRIDAY 30
Cold blustery, sunny periods. George arrived early hours of morning. Children went to church 10am. then out to fly planes with their dad. We all walked around Dean Farm and back Hatherop way. News splendid.[Planes were made for us by Bill Mordon a colleague of Dad's. He was an artist (responsible for some well known advertisement at the time eg the famous Cherry Blossom shoe polish) He was 'directed', among others, to work at Muirheads on war work.]
EASTER SATURDAY 31
Cold blustery again. Wedding invite from Doreen. George took boys and Robin to fly planes. Too tired to go out for walk after. Rained after .tea so couldn't go out at all. Played cards.

APRIL 1945

EASTER SUNDAY 1
Damp and dismal. After dinner, the four of us walked to Eastleach. Spitfire crashed. Aunt very frail, looked ill. Edith Shirley walked a little way back with us. Rained.[Spitfire flew low over Aunt's cottage obviously in trouble trying to make Hooks landing strip but crashed short of the runway. (Ian). I was out in the stable-yard when the Spitfire passed low, the pilot dipped his wing and waved to me, so I didn’t get the impression he was in trouble — but then I was only 8 years old. (Bryan). Shirley - Edith's daughter, a little older than me (Ian)
EASTER MONDAY 2
Quite nice day today, sunny but cool. George went back. Hope it will be our turn soon. Felt down rest of day. Boys and self walked through Grandage after tea with planes.
TUESDAY 3
April showers. Got washing dry. Sent off Georges shaving tackle. Miss K came back. The war continues to go well for us. Will soon be going home.
WEDNESDAY 4
Bright but coldish, showers. Usual work and did ironing. Ian and I met Bryan.
THURSDAY 5
Fine and sunny. Letter from George and Norah. Norah having children home. Took parcel to post office to send home, but too heavy. Waiting patiently for end of war.[Norah's children - Richard, Robert and Christopher. Richard is two days older than me (Ian). We still keep in touch albeit by exchanging Christmas cards. The last time we met was at Norah's funeral. (Ian)]
FRIDAY 6
Dull with sunny periods. Baked cakes etc in morning. Went to Cirencester after dinner with Ian. Met Mrs Page. Prepared 3 parcels to send home big ones. Posted letter to Fan.
SATURDAY 7
Sunny morning but rest of day cold and dull. Letter from George. Mrs M came. Cooked joint. Bathed boys after dinner. After tea walked over Grandage. Wrote to George.
SUNDAY 8
Very cold morning, sun appeared after dinner. Beautiful evening. Ian went to evening service. Bryan and I went for walk to Bibury. Enjoyed it immensely. Lovely walk. Wrote George.
MONDAY 9
Again very cold but sun came out late afternoon. Did washing. Good drying. Met Bryan. Ian went cycling with Robin. Bryan and I went for walk Grandage after tea.[I must have borrowed a bike from the vicarage. We sometimes took the Vicar's homing pigeons out to release them some distance away. Not far away I am sure. (Ian)]
TUESDAY 10
Cold again but lovely afternoon and evening. Ian at rectory most of day. Prepared another parcel to send home. After tea, boys and I went over fields. WEDNESDAY 11
Warm and showery. Shop in morning. Ian at rectory. K annoyed. Met Bryan. Feel too sore to go for walk. Mending. War hanging on.[Miss Knapp did not like me to play with Robin too often and then not without her permission. (After all everything else was on ration!) (Ian).]
THURSDAY 12
Warm and sunny. No fire. Letter from George. Usual housework. Ian at rectory. Wrote George then met Bryan. Collected billeting money. After tea enjoyable ramble Fir copse.[Fir copse was on the road to Quenington. (Ian)]
FRIDAY 13
Radio announcement death of D.R.Roosevelt. Wonder how that will effect the outcome of war. Lovely sunny day. Ian at V in morning. Asked after tea but K refused. Had tea in garden. No fire.[V = Vicarage (some times refered to as the Rectory) (Ian)]
SATURDAY 14
Very dull all day with rain in morning shower. Felt fed up and depressed all day. Wish we were at home. Scrappy letter from George. Bathed boys in afternoon. Too lazy to go for walk. Wrote George.
MEMO
No flying bombs or rockets since before Easter. Wish we could go home. Not sure what will happen next.
SUNDAY 15
Lovely day. Children went to S.S. Read papers after dinner. Had tea in garden. Church in evening then out for a walk with boys. Chat to Mrs Scotter. Listened Alb. Sandler.[Don't remember Mrs Scotter. (Ian)]MONDAY 16
Another warm sunny day. Lovely weather. No letters. Did washing. Howard turned up. Four of us had picnic. Played hide and seek. Enjoyed ourselves, picked cowslips. Heard first cuckoo.[Howard Parsons (Ian)]TUESDAY 17
Weather perfect. Letter G. and Fan. Decided to go home. G. suggests fortnights time but can't wait. Ian out with Robin in afternoon. Ordered Kiddle. Did a little turning out ready for packing in evening.
WEDNESDAY 18
Another perfect day's weather. All day packing ready to go home. Mrs Moaby bought coal. 12/6. To bed at 11.30 very tired and wondering if I'm doing right.
THURSDAY 19
Weather continues perfect. Came home today. Too full for words. Up at 6o'clock. Kiddle called with car 9 o'clock. Slight pang at leaving the lovely countryside. G. met us at Oxford. Lost bedding.
FRIDAY 20
Spent all day trying to tidy house.
SATURDAY 21
As before. Parcels arrived.
MEMO
Monday. Ian's and my own shoes sent to be heeled. Russian offensive against Berlin starts so papers say.
SUNDAY 22
Still trying to get the house shipshape. Went to mums. Wrote to K. and G. Schl.[G Schl = Grammar School. I imagine a letter to arrange for me to return to my original school. (Ian)]
MONDAY 23
TUESDAY 24
WEDNESDAY 25
THURSDAY 26
FRIDAY 27
SATURDAY 28
MEMO
Much to busy to bother to enter anything this week. Rumours of end of war rife.
SUNDAY 29
MONDAY 30
Very cold and woke to snow. Prepared boys room for workmen. End of war expected any time now.[Workmen to repair bomb damage. (Ian)]

MAY 1945
TUESDAY 1
Still very cold, frosty. No further news re end of war. George and I take down Morrison shelter. Letter from Miss K.[Morrison shelter was an indoor construction in the form of a table. You sheltered (and slept) under it. It was supposed to protect even against the house being destroyed by withstanding the falling masonary, I imagine that the dust would kill you. (Ian)]WEDNESDAY 2
Cold and bright. Hitler reported dead. Doenetz says war goes on. Radio announces no more sirens. Evacuees to return. German army in Italy surrenders. We prepare our bedroom, workmen.
THURSDAY 3
Cold and wet. Berlin falls to Russians. Electrician calls to repair cooker. Back bedroom ceiling almost completed. Tank and water supply on order.
FRIDAY 4
Sunny all day but cold wind. Germans still giving up. Very few holding out now. Helped clear small room ready for workmen. House in disgusting mess.
SATURDAY 5
Rained all day. Doenetz orders surrender to West powers. Fight on with Russians. We wait patiently for victory day. Ceilings finished except for plasterers. Try to get rid of plaster.
MEMO
Fan came Wednesday.
SUNDAY 6
Milder but very windy. Workmen came all day. Mum, Bet came for tea. G and I put our bedroom straight. Bed 12.30. News couldn’t be better. End any time now.
MONDAY 7
Radio announcement V.E. Day tomorrow.
TUESDAY 8
This is Victory Day in Europe. Spent day trying to get house straight. Bonfire in evening. Bed one o’clock
WEDNESDAY 9
V.E Day 2nd. Too busy to go out till tea time when we went to Ruby’s. House beginning to look shipshape.
THURSDAY 10
Very warm today. Workmen finished for time being, thank goodness. Did my washing. Busy up till 12 o’clock. Can’t realise war is over yet.
FRIDAY 11
SATURDAY 12
Exceptionally hot. Children’s Victory Party held in street. All including adults had very good time. Ruby and G. came for supper.[We have a photograph of this event. (Ian)]MEMO
V.E. Day Ruby and George came for supper victory day. Went to pub and had couple of cocktails.
SUNDAY 13
MONDAY 14
Very windy. Nice washing day. Busy all day. Mrs H. came in twice.[Mrs H. = Mrs Hendrick (Ian)]
TUESDAY 15
Sunny breezy day. Letter from Miss Knapp. Went to Beckenham and Penge. 2 shirts and vests (G) Shoeman called.
WEDNESDAY 16
THURSDAY 17
FRIDAY 18
SATURDAY 19
SUNDAY 20
MONDAY 21
Showery. Went to Bromley boating pool with boys. Rained hard on way home.
TUESDAY 22
Boys and I went to Norbury to see Mrs Hamilton.[Mrs Hamilton was the lady to whom Mum was 'Lady's Companion' (I think a euphemism for general dogsbody) before she was married to Dad. (Ian)]
WEDNESDAY 23
Electrician called again to repair cooker. Hot plate switch. Mrs Hendrick called.
THURSDAY 24
Very cold all day. Boys buy fireworks. Went to mum's after tea. Ruby called there.
FRIDAY 25
SATURDAY 26
We all had dinner at British Restaurant then went on to Croydon. Bought George a saw for his birthday present. Rained.[British restaurants were set up by the government to help feed the populace during the days of severe food rationing after the war. A good wholesome meal was served at a very reasonable cost.]
SUNDAY 27
Usual Sunday. In all day.
MONDAY 28
Did washing, all dried. Over to Coney Hall after dinner. Rained hard on way back. Ironed after tea.
TUESDAY 29
Fine today but cloudy. Letter from Edith. Wilkinson's in for cup of tea. Waiting for their furniture to come. Collected new ration books.[Wilkinsons - next door neighbours. (Ian). They had been away for the duration of the war, and were moving back in, hence awaiting for their furniture. (Bryan)
WEDNESDAY 30
Went to pictures with Mrs Hendrick to see Blithe Spirit.
THURSDAY 31

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