大象传媒

AUGUST 1944

1 TUE
The 鈥榓lert鈥� was on from mid-night till 6 am and I only heard 2 buzz bombs going over: this made it a reasonable night鈥檚 sleep. Saw, heard and felt the effect of a buzz-bomb landing in Garth Road area when at bus stop at 7.15 am. Windows broke and doors forced open behind me. After work, Dad came up and we took down front room light fitting.

2 WED
A bad night again, not many buzz-bombs though. At work, received some encouraging words from my Tutor, who said I was going to pass for PO. Spent about 1 hour in shelters around the dock. Did part of my weekly study papers. Visited Mum, had a good meal and read the local papers.

3 THU
From midnight to mid-day and later we suffered one of the worst fly bombing attacks ever. Low cloud hampered defenders, and 6 or 7 bombs could be heard to fall consecutively. Afternoon however, was fine and the attack died away. This meant our 5 to 7 pm class at the "Harpy" was not interrupted, and our minds were wholly at ease. At home, covered furniture over.

4 FRI
A good night, and a free morning, so I was able to study and to write part of the set paper. I mistakenly asked my PO for guidance and explained my backwardness by home difficulties: I received, in return disparagement and personal criticism, so the affair was quite a lesson to me. Had a 鈥榳ashing鈥� day and wrote part of a good letter to Kay.

5 SAT
As yesterday, freedom. Wrote various letters, including rest of Kay鈥檚. Her letter to me, received yesterday, was most loving: she wants to come home at the first opportunity. A very prompt half day. Cooked some bacon mid-day, and spent the afternoon doing jobs about the house and garden 鈥� mowing back lawn in particular. Didn鈥檛 report for fire watching until 7 pm = supper time. Had a good meal, and afterwards, prepared First Aid Post for it鈥檚 complement of sleeping guests: There were 6 of us in all. Very damp down there, but had electric fire, and 3 fans going, and also aired the bedding before retiring.

6 SUN
Inevitably, six of us in one room (see 5/8) led to broken sleep, especially as the phone rang in the early morning. Luckily, my spell of dock duty was not rummaging, but a 鈥淐reek鈥� officer, and not a lot of exertion was required of me. In evening, went down to see Dad, now on his own. Had a bath and changed.

7 MON
Since age 21 when I joined Waterguard, holidays have ceased to exist. Was working yesterday and again, today. The day was fine for those able to spend day out, but we had one or two 鈥榓lerts鈥�, and had to take cover. Felt very 鈥榙own鈥� in the evening. Re-read Kay鈥檚 letter and collected the things she wanted me to send and made a good postal parcel.

8 TUE
Hazy weather, heralding fine day from mid-day onwards. Jerry took advantage with a few flying bombs. 8/4 duty, was able to study on the job 鈥� as I contend, it always should be. Usual weekly shopping on way home, including my meat ration, which I took to Dad鈥檚 and cooked there, and we both enjoyed it. Mum arrived Heanor safely.

9 WED
A quiet night, except for the interruption cause by the 鈥榓lert鈥�, and a plane or two about. Everybody was much more sociable at the office in consequence. Splendid day for study and continued it into the evening. Varied it with other jobs and wished every evening was free.

10 THU
Much to occupy us, and there was some return for our efforts. We got back to office late, but my tutor gave me a lift in his car to Custom House. At the class on the "Harpy" , we discussed shipment of bonded stores, sampling etc. Home by 8 pm, 2 letters on mat, a pleasing one from Kay and one from Mum at Heanor. Spent remainder of evening replying to Kay.

11 FRI
After an active morning on duty, in for a prompt 陆 day. Did not have meal as usual in a dockside canteen, but cooked myself bacon, egg with egg powder 鈥� no real ones obtainable at Co-op this week. Had a sleep in the shelter in the afternoon. Clipped front lawn in the evening. Witnessed accident when a girl tripped over on the footpath. Neighbour gave First Aid.

12 SAT
Rummaging had a rather staggering result today, but it is not expected much will come of it. Took consolation in the fact that we had done our duty, and made ourselves felt. Dad is still on his own, and finds his greatest difficulty is getting his food. I therefore devised a fish tea 鈥� filleted haddock at 1/10d a lb, and shared it with him. I think he was glad to rid himself of the bother of preparing food. I had a bath and changed what clothes I had (Mum not being home to do the usual washing) and felt much better for it. Still very depressed in evenings.

13 SUN
A night with continually broken sleep, but not many 鈥榝lying bombs鈥�. But an alert took place on my way to work and I passed the scene of bomb damage 鈥� a hospital 鈥� slightly after the event, devastating. Fine weather: home to meal after duty and went to Streatham to see Peter鈥檚 rose tree. Then wrote letter to Kay all about it.

14 MON
The brilliant weather continued, but there are occasional alerts. One early morning just as I was about to leave for work. The motor stopped overhead, but the bomb continued to glide and came down near Kingston Road, Raynes Park with a heavy report. Some work to do and a busy evening: hairdresser, part shopping, (as I鈥檓 fire watching tomorrow, my usual day). Budget and went down to welcome Mum home. Very sunny and bright.

15 TUE
Another fright in the night when a flying bomb cut out it鈥檚 motor somewhere near, and glided away into silence: otherwise only an occasional 鈥榓lert鈥�. Morning鈥檚 rummage and afternoon amending. Went to city for fire watching: bought John a post card with pussies on, and sent it off prematurely. His 3rd birthday is on the 18th. Reported for fire watch at 5 pm: had good supper at 7. Met Mr Sherlock = demobbed. Aired bedding.

16 WED
A raid free night : sleeping with the 4 other occupants of the F.A.P. wasn鈥檛 too bad. Inevitably, we have one snorer, but he didn鈥檛 affect me. Jerry made up for it during day, although it was mostly (sky) clear. The women in dock canteens etc carry on as usual, just look worried and shrug their shoulders.

17 THU
A 2nd raid free night, but an alert just as I was about to step out of shelter, (where I spend every night now). Also there were intermittent alerts all day, with one bomb falling about a mile away. To the last study class: next week will be an oral test: from thence until exam I am on holiday. Home by 8: meal till 9, some writing, made up bunk.

18 FRI
We were denied a 3rd raid free night, although we were fortunate in not hearing or feeling the effect of the bombs. 8/4 in which I did a lot of study (O. Circs). Balance of weekly shopping done on the way home: well looked after by Co-op manager, etc. Letter from Kay with Photomatum of Beryl looking stupid, but lifelike. Took me whole of evening to write a reply. Dark by 10 pm now.

19 SAT
During the night a flying bomb (by it鈥檚 noise) passed immediately over the shelter in which I was sleeping. All at 1 Fairway heard it too. It was an anxious moment, but it passed over and dropped miles away. There was not a lot doing in the morning, and we left promptly for our 陆 day. I went straight to Mums for dinner, sharing my rations with the family today, and arranging to have a share of theirs tomorrow. Had a bath and returned home to Glenthorpe, just before a downpour of rain (in reality, long overdue). Doll came in the evening and brought fittings for the garage door. Dad kindly came down and fixed it. Doll now sounds easier in her mind.

20 SUN
A most miserable day for an 鈥榦ff鈥� Sunday. It poured with rain all morning, and we had incessant 鈥渁lerts鈥�. During an interval, I improved shelter door to keep rain out. To Mum鈥檚 for dinner and a lazy afternoon. Read magazine in her shelter. Mum presented me with new shirt. Stayed till Dad came home. (Jack out, Roy away). Weeded.

21 MON
Yesterdays weather continued, and occasional alerts. PO allowed me to work at the week鈥檚 study paper. The evening was very similar, and alerts continuously, and I had to arrange my evening according to circumstances. A strong wind blew up and forced me to put on mac and tie up tomatoes. Also finished off weeding of yesterday.

22 TUE
Still very bad weather. Carried on my study paper, and finished off one particularly lengthy question on Stirling notes. Did my week鈥檚 shopping on way home. Mum paid me a visit, helped me sort over the goods in my store cupboard, and did many jobs for me. I had another attempt to rasp down shelter door: finally went to bed at 10.30.

23 WED
We had a night 鈥榓lert鈥�, and one 鈥榝lying bomb鈥� seemed to pass immediately overhead. There was work to do, and when felt already to fly for home after a tiring day, I was obliged to attend Custom House for a mock 鈥榦ral鈥� exam, at which, of course, I did not do well. Not home until 8 pm.

24 THU
Spent the morning and part afternoon at a test paper set to practice calculation, and know that if only the exam were all such calculations, I should pass alright. It is the 鈥榦ral鈥� that will fail me. Spent a most miserable evening in the shelter, whilst flying bombs came over intermittently. Poured with rain all the time.

25 FRI
Good bit of study done in the morning, due to goodness of PO who, I must say, gives me every encouragement. 陆 day: Mowed back lawn, no time for other work as had to be back for fire watch. At Morden, outward bound:- suit to cleaners, emergency slips for returning at food office; booked rail ticket at Co-op; bought a new Trilby hat. Fire watch supper as usual.

26 SAT
A fair night, no alert at all but could not sleep on my stretcher and trestles. Squared up F.A.P. and left 8 am. Good morning鈥檚 work at my final test paper, and posted it off to Mr Cozens, my tutor. After 8/4, called in at home for 2 eiderdowns, Mum so kindly washing for me whilst I am away, and went to see them before leaving. Had a bath, a good meal and 拢5 to cover me until salary day. Returned to home and completed packing before it became dark, and also put lawn mower over front lawn, to prevent it appearing to passers by as neglected. (Indicating house was empty). Bed in shelter.

27 SUN
Shelter mattress was bolster only! (eiderdown to Mum鈥檚 26/8). Locked up house, and left with very heavy suitcase at 7 am 鈥� in an air raid. Waited 40 mins for bus 鈥� service dislocated by absence of conductress. Deposited suitcase at London Bridge. 8/4 duties, but kindly let away early. Had a comfortable journey to Blackpool, but arriving late. Walked in rain to Layton.

28 MON
Slept on a improvised bed of 8 cushions and didn鈥檛 do very well. I had arrived soaked through and had to change right away. Saw my children after 3 months absence 鈥� all looking very well. I was John鈥檚 鈥淒addy on the train鈥�. Pauline soon took to me. Went to Palace Pictures with Kay and Mum. Saw Noel Coward鈥檚 鈥淭his Happy Breed鈥� 鈥� a good picture.

29 TUE
Kay slept with me on my 8 cushions, and we both slept very well; I was more used to my bed on the floor. Although it rained during the morning, the afternoon was beautiful, and Kay and I took the children to Carlton to buy home grown tomatoes from a private house. Late in evening, Mum being out, Kay and I spent an evening together at the Winter Garden pictures.

30 WED
Have now fallen into a routine in the mornings, having found out the usual sequence of events: was able to be helpful, and even give Kay a cup of tea in bed. Did some correspondence in morning, and later, took John shopping locally. After dinner, Kay, Betty and I took Pauline and we visited Charlie and Myrtle. Beryl was taller, face wider: rather shy at first but very loving afterwards. Home by last bus = 9.15!

31 THU
鈥淣ever promise children a treat because they will worry you until they get it: preferably, give them one spontaneously鈥� Having suffered from Betty and Freda in respect of a promised boating trip on Stanley Park lake which did not materialise at the moment, I reached this observation. Beryl was the sweetest member of the party, but rain spoiled it. With Mum and Kay to 鈥淣o 4鈥� public house, Layton.

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