大象传媒

DECEMBER 1941

1 MON A dark foggy day, especially at the riverside. Electric lights on the "Harpy" were on all day. Went across the City to A.and CG (City Great Hospital, Moorgate): bus diverted through Cheapside, a sorry sight with it鈥檚 wrecked buildings. On firewatch 2 鈥� 4, bed at 4 am only.

2 TUE Weather conditions as yesterday, miserable. Not a lot doing on "Harpy". Couldn鈥檛 get Jack up, he and Mum went shopping at Kingston and Jack came home resplendent in a new overcoat. My lady hairdresser (11/11) improving her technique: an ex-stewardess, ship-wrecked and brought to England. A letter from Kay unhappy, kiddies and self with cold.

4 THU Across the City to Pay Office in City Gate House to draw the launchman鈥檚 pay, calling in at Winegarten鈥檚 en-route, as I required a wrist watch. No catalogues owing to paper shortage, but was given privilege ticket (20% discount). Quiet evening,

5 FRI In morning, rummaging locally, and in afternoon, attending at Surrey for arrivals which did not show up. Not so much fog about. Splendid camaraderie amongst "Harpy" staff these days, mostly due to 鈥渂ridge鈥�. Quiet in evening. Enjoying 鈥淢agnolia Street鈥�.

6 SAT Half day only, but spent in hard rummaging of a ship at a riverside wharf. We went our divers ways in afternoon: Dad was already out at whist drive; Mum and Jack went shopping to Tooting (Jack, however, could not make his mind up about a present for Grace); and Roy and I, with his friend Derrick to Shannon Corner 鈥淥deon鈥� to see 鈥�49th Parallel鈥� (Eric Portman, Laurence Olivier, Leslie Howard), a thrilling film about Nazi mentality and cruelty. The boys loved it but they had to pay 1s10d each though! (being over 12 years of age). Jack off work again today: missed his bus this morning: soon get discharged, I think.

8 MON The grave international news was all the talk today, almost all the world is now at war. Went to Surrey Docks for rummage. Very cold during morning, thick frost and ground frozen. Out of my hunting ground (Engine room) into cold air, dangerous to health. Packed up Christmas cum birthday parcel for George, containing knife, books, sweets, cakes, hair oil etc.

9 TUE Bus sailed right past bus-stop this morning and caused a rush for another which did stop: the unfortunates finding themselves stranded and late for work, or else missed 鈥渨orkman鈥檚鈥�. Rummaging at Surrey Dock again: some success, but not myself personally. Dad presented me with an excellent pair of suede gloves as Christmas gift.

10 WED Part rummage crew to London Dock, part doing clerical, consequent upon yesterday鈥檚 seizures. Was informed my leave from 24th 鈥� 29th granted, so wrote Kay the good news. Number of gifts to be transported so great that I shall have to send some on in advance. Included a letter for Betty (see 3/12). Attended First Aid course.

11 THU Jack was on firewatch at 4 am, but cheated as he crept back to bed at 4.15. Of course, there was no 鈥渁lert鈥� on. By bus to Surrey Dock for rummage again. Managed to get myself very greasy and spent best part of afternoon cleaning up. Dad busy rectifying platform height of Mum鈥檚 gift to Roy 鈥� Station (railway) made by Mr Thursoy.

12 FRI Our weekly half-day. Mother went to Kingston shopping, and after a short rest, I spent until her return parcelling up my many presents in coloured cr锚pe and decorative paper. She returned with a 鈥渃rane truck鈥� (Trix) unit, Roy鈥檚 first fruit of his 鈥淭rix鈥� club (see 28/11). Dad started on the serving hatch, and by bedtime, had hole punched out.

13 SAT I was the only one getting up this morning at 6, as Dad has a day off, and Jack had spent the night at Elsie鈥檚 after they had been at Jack鈥檚 firm鈥檚 dance. Not over worked whilst on duty: Leave required for Christmas now a certainty, and learned my Waterguard station for next year will probably be "Harpy". Had chance during day, to read my library book termed 鈥淭he Compleat Lover鈥� (!) but being an interesting psychological book in spite of it鈥檚 title. Wrote part letter to Kay. Found Elsie and Doll at home when I got there, calling on Mum. They went to Raynes Park cinema together and collected their packages of gifts. Doll left 6s for kiddies, Elsie stayed overnight, as her kiddies are away.

14 SUN A day off, spent most profitably. Removed my radiogram up into furniture room and remained there sorting books and packing china and picture frames etc 鈥� 2 jobs which I have had on hand for months. Also, during evening, finished packing Christmas parcels. Elsie stayed all day with us, save for Fred and M in morning. Had plenty of radio (unfortunately) and finished up with cards.

15 MON Still taking myself onto the "Harpy" rummage crew, but our engagements are not numerous. Rummaged a C.W. ship at one of the riverside wharves. my 鈥淐ompleat Lover鈥� has become rather irritating (see 13/12). Booked my ticket, Raynes Park 鈥� Blackpool for 23rd = 48s/2d. Spent a quiet evening writing (various) until 8. Started letter to Kay.

16 TUE Young colleague and I polished up our Latin during the morning, creditably translated three sentences from my 鈥淐ompleat Lover鈥�. After a week of inconvenience, common room Bogie stove working again: Have been all crowded in rummage room. Packed Mum鈥檚 suitcase with gifts and Dad roped it and I took it to Raynes Park Station for advanced dispatch to Blackpool.

17 WED Rummaged coaster opposite "Harpy". Drew out list of goods in yesterday鈥檚 luggage in case of claim. Afternoon, went to 5th lecture on 鈥淔irst Aid鈥�. St John鈥檚 manual presented to me, value 2/-. Roy and friend Derrick鈥檚 half day off school = 鈥淭rix鈥� layout over half dining room. Later out Carol singing, net proceeds: 2/2d!

18 THU C.W. rummaging on St. Kitt鈥檚 Station. Witnessed pulling down by traction engine part of building gutted by incendiary bombs. Whole areas in Great Tower Street and locality being demolished, leaving some big gaps between buildings. Colleague and I studied First Aid, as there is an exam in prospect after next week鈥檚 final lecture, which, unfortunately I shall be unable to attend.

19 FRI Foggy day, expected vessels being held up. Received sudden orders to take half day off at 1 pm in case of better weather conditions tomorrow. and arrival of ships then. Shopped in Wimbledon and Tooting, doing an exchange job (of a hat bought for Dad but suspected too small) for Mum. Jack and I to share cost of gift = 16s/6d.

20 SAT Extraordinary circumstances of a homeward bound ship on the "Harpy" Station and within walking distance too. Rummaged there with some success in the fore-noon, and after awaited on tide arrivals, but none coming owing to fog was allowed away early to compensate for yesterday. Again visited Wimbledon shops and purchased hat. Mum and Elsie were there somewhere, Elsie having called to return case borrowed last Sunday, when she took away her quota of gifts and now shopping with Mum. She and Alan left at 7 pm, as did Albert Johnson, who had been helping Dad with the re-arrangement of furniture for Christmas festivities. Evening spent decorating dining room with garlands.

21 SUN Spent whole morning and afternoon turning out wardrobe and dressing table drawers, looking for moths. Found a patchwork cover infested, but otherwise, OK. Wrote to Kay, telling time of arrival Blackpool. Dad at work all day, save evening: Mum and Roy to church to nativity play in afternoon: Sid home on 10 days leave with Doll. All played cards in evening. Received cup and saucer as Christmas gift Roy.

22 MON Posted last of Christmas cards at Bishopsgate: when I arrived home, those for 1 Fairway were already delivered! Visited many chemists for 鈥減etal dust鈥�, Kay鈥檚 recommendation for moth prevention 鈥� no luck. Got couple ounces of tobacco for Dad though, in case Kay had been unlucky at Blackpool. Evening, packed suitcase for tomorrows journey, not a big job, as majority of luggage sent on..

23 TUE Given every facility for my journey to Blackpool, including half day and permission to catch 10.40 through- train. Splendid journey, no crush and arrived on time (5.5 pm). Fortunately Kay had not set out to meet me. Received great welcome: Chiefly surprised at John鈥檚 progress, fine and bonny at 4 months. Suitcase sent 16/12 not yet arrived: made special journey to North Station, but no results. Later, with Kay, 鈥淲indmill鈥�.

24 WED Kay had to be up at 6.30 am to secure her Christmas pork which was to supplement Mum鈥檚 chicken (gift from Myrtle). We were thus out early, shopping and made purchases in leading 鈥渄own town鈥� shops. Made another enquiry re missing suitcase, and realised kiddies will have to make do on gifts to hand. Packed stockings looked good, however. Myrtle and Charlie came.

25 THU Great stocking opening at 8.30, Betty鈥檚 excitement and Beryl鈥檚 astonishment being amusing. There are gifts for Kay and I too. Another enquiry at North Station for suitcase, unavailing. Very high dinner and tea, chicken deferred till tomorrow. Played with kiddies with their toys. Mum Kay and I to 鈥淲indmill鈥� 9 鈥� 10 pm, 2 local characters, female, causing us much mirth.

26 FRI Steadily getting later with our getting up, which always seems to happen when I鈥檓 at Blackpool. An easy lacks-a-daisical day, all in doors, except for a stroll in fine rain down back entries with Kay, looking for open chip shops 鈥� none. Suitcase came morning, had a second gift distribution to kiddies joy. Opened bottle port in evening.

27 SAT This is one of those days which fly by and seems to be ended before it has started, however, managed to enjoy my kiddies playing while I nursed John in the big chair. Beryl and I went round the Layton shops, but not getting half we wanted. I righted the confusion over the saving stamps books, and finally left Post Office with three certificate books, each containing 2 certificates (war savings) -- no, Betty鈥檚 had 3. Mum and Kay went out at 7 to try to get in cinema, but no good. Went into wine lodge for a time instead. Betty and I had a very happy evening, playing cards, jig-saw puzzles, 鈥淪nakes and Ladders鈥� etc.

28 SUN Event of the day, visit of Kay, self and children to Myrtle and Charlie鈥檚, where we had a good time. We were there by 4 pm and back home again by 10.15. John and both children behaved well. Betty and Margaret playing with Myrtle鈥檚 table tennis, a Christmas gift. Myrtle鈥檚 older children brought round their friends, and there was a pleasant gathering.

29 MON Spent last day of leave in full, although, as usual, we were late getting up. Had a stroll round the Layton shops, and brought in part mid-day meal. After Kay, Beryl and I, with John in pram, shopped in the town, and the evening was spent in preparing suitcases for return journey. Sad farewell, Dad accompanied me to North Station, Kay not liking the parting. Sent one suitcase P.L.A.

30 TUE The 10.05 connected with the London train at Preston, and after a mad scramble, secured a seat and reached London 6.40. No wait for underground trains, and was at the "Harpy" for 8 鈥� noon duty (half day granted), by 7 am. Mum, pleased to see me, was busy washing. Roy keen to show 鈥淭rix鈥� acquisitions. Slept afternoon and wrote Kay safe arrival in evening. Unpacked suitcase etc.

31 WED My satisfactory work on Sunday duty list for 1941 (see 31/1 etc), recommends me again for this not very enviable job. (On ground of an annoying supervisor (28/1 same note). This occupied all my working hours. To Lou and Albert鈥檚, Morden, for their usual New Year鈥檚 Party. Met Hardgreaves, a pleasant A.P.S. man, wife and daughter. Jolly time. Caught last 50 bus (11.02), home alone.

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