大象传媒

SEPTEMBER 1944

1 FRI
Betty鈥檚 behaviour here invites censure, and Kay, Mum and Vera sees that she gets it! I feel quite sorry for her sometimes, she can鈥檛 do anything right. She is becoming nervous and is not mixing well at school with her class-mates. Afternoon was fine and I kept my promise to the kiddies and took them in rowing boat in Stanley Park. I benefited from the exercise, and at bedtime, dropped straight off. Pictures in evening.

2 SAT
Our time of getting up is dictated by John and/or Pauline, who, round about 8 are screeching in the top bedroom and disturbing occupants of the bedroom (Mum, Dad and Vera). Their rising time is about 10 due to the fact that it is sometimes 1am before they decide go to bed, and it is not before this time that I can set about making up my own cushions-bed on the living room floor. Pouring with rain all day: we did not go out. I went in search of bread owing to a shortage in the house, but further expeditions abroad were not mooted, for I knew I could not have my wife鈥檚 company alone. Ours is a literal case of the old song 鈥溾�︹��..and her mother came too鈥�

3 SUN
A suggestion that Kay should have her operation in Blackpool, Myrtle having one child; Auria and Leo having offered to take 2: and I had hoped Mum would look after remaining 1 child, was nearly the case of a family feud because the last requirement. Kay accused me of wishing to rid myself of the trouble of the operation. Fondly by afternoon, when we went to Myrtles in pouring rain. Met all family and Joseph. Mice around my 鈥渂edroom鈥�.

4 MON
Today鈥檚 bit of disharmony in the house concerned the equal issue of stores Kay and Mum are supposed to issue for household use alternately. The arrangement works most one sidedly. Heard from Liverpool, a PO there will put me up the night before the exam. Rain held off for a while, so Betty, John and I went down to North station to enquire re trains, and we took Pauline in her 鈥榬ickshaw鈥�. Kay and I fell out, so Betty and I went for a walk and got caught in rain.

5 TUE
The pouring rain continued. Went out in morning and had a haircut, principally to get out of the way, for requirement for one鈥檚 absence is made apparent. Kay went out in afternoon and Dad and I looked after kids. Kay鈥檚 Mum disappeared for whole afternoon and evening and caused Dad grave alarm. He found her at Myrtle鈥檚. Resisted an effort to dope me with saccharin.

6 WED
Kay reverting to that type of malevolence inherited from the maternal side, which since we have been married together has steadily decreased. Everything said about anyone is subjectively taken: i.e. 鈥渉ow it affects me鈥�. The worst aspect is taken of any statement made 鈥� just looking for trouble. I shall be glad to get her away home again.

7 THU
Used to my 8 cushioned bed now, and since the novelty to Kay of my sleeping with her has worn off, I sleep in solitary comfort. A budget today elicited dwindling finances, so have cut out report of last Thursday鈥檚 鈥榩ub crawl鈥� . Took kiddies out in morning: Betty and I went to library in evening. Read about lifting of blackouts shortly.

8 FRI
Another terrible day of rain and cold. Tried to get out with children but had to return home, had to keep them out of the way of Vera doing her 鈥渄ainty鈥� cleaning. In evening, braved the elements and went with Kay and Mum to the 鈥業mperial鈥�, Dickson Road. Saw a good film: 鈥楧ear Octopus鈥�, but much cut about. Walked all way home, no buses.

9 SAT
Today, officially the last day of my annual leave, was the best day of the whole period, it being beautifully sunny, without variation. I got out with John and Pauline (Pauline in the rickshaw Leo made up when holidaying here) both morning and afternoon, but Kay was so busy that she didn鈥檛 get out all day. The children are her principle tie, but her mother will, on no account, take charge of them to allow Kay a relief: they may be left, in evening, in Betty鈥檚 charge whilst she accompanies anyone who wishes to go out, and shows her displeasure if no-one stirs. Lack of finances has led me to stay at home one or two nights, and mum has appeared vexed. Called at Myrtles to see Beryl but she was out.

10 SUN
Another beautiful sunny day. Up 7.45, as Pauline was making a noise upstairs 鈥� allowed Betty to sleep in a little as she has been at school and up early all week. John out with Vera to have their photo鈥檚 taken: Betty and I for a walk to her (Claremont) school and to North shore front. Glad to give her an outing as she is the usual target for sport from Mum, Vera and Kay. Looked after kids pm: Kay and I visited Beryl at Myrtle鈥檚.

11 MON
Enjoyed comforting presence of my 8 cushioned floor bed for the last time at Blackpool. Up when Betty left for school, and met her with Pauline in rickshaw on her way home, after going with Kay into town for shopping. Kay pressed trousers etc, smartening me up for Liverpool visit. Fond adueus at 4.20: Liverpool at 6.06pm and to Mr Jones鈥� house. Met his family 鈥� every kindness.

12 TUE
Good night鈥檚 rest in bed, first for 3 months almost. Good breakfast and send off from Mr and Mrs Jones. With other candidates to university, and sat exam 10am 鈥� 1pm. Did not do well. Caught 2 pm train, Liverpool to London, crowded, reached Euston at 7 pm: home 8.30. All safe as left. Risked sleeping downstairs, although no flying bombs now.

13 WED
Enjoyed a night in my own bed, but now, Mum told me, there is risk of rocket explosion! Many enquiries as to my exam experiences; My tutor took possession of my exam paper. Returned to rummaging, rewarded with success: a good evening鈥檚 work. Letter to Mr Jones: mowed lawn, tied tomatoes, picked 1lb: aired bedding.

14 THU
The boys reported 2 rocket explosions early morning, although I heard nothing. A day at rummaging and finally cleared up all outstanding business, including a letter to Kay, putting me back into my pre-holiday position 鈥� at work, anyway. On fire watching duties from 5 pm onwards. Our regular leader away on holiday. Supper ably served by deputy fire leader. Slept solitarily in F.A.P.

15 FRI
Being alone in F.A.P. was able to rise at 6 instead of later and complete my toilet by breakfast time. To Surrey Dock: excellent morning, studied Passenger. Baggage 鈥� and found it interesting! Interesting rummage in afternoon, so a satisfactory day. At home, did my shopping. Jack came down for the meat. Mrs Smith home next door: chatted. Did front lawn, tied tomatoes: fixed shelter door.

16 SAT
A terrific explosion in distance at 8.30: one of a number said to have been heard. There are rumours of the locality in which it has occurred, but nothing definite. A short morning: able to do more study toward the 鈥榦ral鈥� Friday. Busy afternoon and evening. Shopping at Morden and Grand Drive: hedge clipping: tied up tomatoes 鈥� all bushy through lack of attention over holidays. (and, I regret, before that). The mosquitoes were so offensive, however, I was forced to give up. Amused myself remainder of evening reading back 鈥楧aily Mirrors鈥� saved for me whilst away. Repaired and set mousetrap in garage.

17 SUN
Extra hour in bed today, the clocks were put back to single summer time. Spent all morning mowing and trimming the edges of the back lawn. Down to Mum鈥檚, great welcome, and gave her Blackpool news. Took down some garden produce. Had some good meals and a bath there. Repaired and polished Jack鈥檚 suitcase. Saw Dad. 鈥楤lack-outs鈥� now 鈥榙im-outs鈥�

18 MON
Work of the day principally post meridian, and had a job to get PO in to get away at 4 pm. Had to pack up the many articles Kay had asked me to send, collecting them together from bedrooms before 7.30 pm, now 鈥榖lack-out鈥� time. Found moth ruined blanket in airing cupboard. Packed up goods in 2 registered parcels ready for posting tomorrow.

19 TUE
Hard day at work and a rush on the way home. First to Lower Morden post office with 2 parcels, and then to Co-op for resumption of Tuesday shopping procedure 鈥� my usual shopping day. It rained during the day; so did some weeding in the garden. Stowed away some of Kay鈥檚 etc clothing, brought back from Blackpool, and enjoyed reading one of Roy鈥檚 railway magazines: borrowed.

20 WED
Thought it best to get up at 2 am when we had an 鈥榓lert鈥�, and 鈥榖uzz-bombs鈥� could be heard about somewhere. To bed again at 2.30. Able to do some study towards my interview on Friday. To Mum鈥檚 to dinner, and to collect parcel from Kay containing clothes left behind (dirty) at Blackpool. Went with Mum to Roy鈥檚 school, but left her there.

21 THU
Got up again in the night for 陆 hour, when we had an 鈥榓lert鈥�: breaks up one鈥檚 rest. After rummaging and doing up seizures pm, to "Harpy" in PO鈥檚 car to study class, but did not stay. Visited hairdresser on way home, and had good grooming to look my best at my interview tomorrow. Spent whole evening at little radio, finally tracing and repairing loudspeaker defect.

22 FRI
Up for interview. Up at 8, not having to go to office. To City Gate House for interview before board of 3. Made to feel at ease and had no waiting period before going in 鈥� an advantage. Think I did reasonably well. Mid-day meal at Fishmongers Hall, London Bridge.. Thence to Raynes Park cinema: saw excellent film: 鈥淧ygmalion鈥� (George Bernhard Shaw) which I enjoyed immensely.

23 SAT
Many enquiries as to how I fared at the oral exam for promotion to PO. Had to explain in detail 2 or 3 times, once over the phone to the CPO! All seemed to think I had done fairly well. I now really have hopes of passing for PO. Result possibly end of next month. Normal day鈥檚 work producing evidence that I had been working! Homeward bound, called at 2 shops. Found letter from Kay, (1st since I left her) enclosing post card photo鈥檚 of Vera and John, very good indeed. In evening, had to wash handkerchiefs the 鈥楻inso鈥� way = boiling only, not rubbing on board as usual. Result was quite good.

24 SUN
Very gusty, cold and wet. My raincoat hardly afforded sufficient warmth. Rain fell until 12.30 pm. Working 8/4. Able to file up some correspondence: got away a letter to Roy. Lunch at L.C.C. canteen, Odessa Street flats. Excellent meal for 1/1d. Reported at Custom House at 1 pm for fire watch. Aired bedding for sleeping in F.A.P. Late supper, 10 pm alert.

25 MON
Awake many times during the night, especially between 5 and 6, as we had been warned not to be late for breakfast. Left fire watch 7.30 for work attendance at 8. Not having to fill in gaps on duty with study, found myself with time on my hands, with (inevitably) nothing to read. In evening, shopping, meal, coal heaving, (surplus coal left outside bunker), correspondence.

26 TUE
Towards the billeting costs (= 14/-) Kay鈥檚 Mum receives from government, I have to pay 3/6d, or a 录, per week. And today I sent 38/6d arrears. I expect an additional assessment in respect of 11/- received by Myrtle for Beryl (all-in board). Shopping homeward bound, and thereafter, for dinner to Mum鈥檚, taking hearty cabbages and beans. There, had a bath, a chat with Jack and Dad.

27 WED
Very cold. Fear for tomatoes of which I had a few lbs on bushes (did not prune them properly). Up in early morning because of 鈥榓lert鈥�, but 陆 hour duration only. Reading A.G. Thompson鈥檚 鈥淪crap Book of London River鈥�. Full of topical interest. Later in evening, re-commenced C. Bront毛鈥檚 鈥淪hirley鈥� (abandoned because of studies), and listened to part of 鈥淭ales of Hoffman鈥�.

28 THU
Tonight, a clear night with no 鈥榓lerts鈥�. Plenty of work to do, but somehow, I was not overtired at the end of the day. Home promptly; made short work of my meal and went into garden and picked 2 or 3lb of green tomatoes: later, mowed front lawn. Had to repair electric fire again. Listened to Tommy Handley (fair) and read another chapter of my book.

29 FRI
Cold early morning: looking forward to recovering: blue serge suit from cleaners: it is warmer than light suit. Claim for department to pay 陆 cost London to Blackpool 鈥� Liverpool fares refused by W.S. !/2 day. To Raynes Park to pay rent: saw Sid and Doll approaching Mum鈥檚 from bus top. Called at Fairway and met them. Sid home for 14 days: fit. Sent premium but will be short mid-month. 2 evening alerts spoilt leisure.

30 SAT
Up at 4.30! 鈥� for an 鈥榓lert鈥� and returned to bed afterwards for a final 陆 hour鈥檚 sleep. Rather spoilt my rest though, and there was work to do at the office requiring best efforts, At the finish of the morning, went to the local L.C.C. canteen for mid-day meal: not crowded on Saturdays, meal thereby, more enjoyable. In afternoon, found time to write my letter to Kay, for posting Monday morning with her money. Late home, saw to my evening meal (bacon and powdered egg), and spent remainder of daylight (dark at 7.15 now), mowing back lawn. Took things easily thereafter. Read part 1 鈥樷�橰ailway magazine鈥� on loan from Roy (Roy is still evacuated at Heanor) and listened to radio. Finally, read chapter of 鈥淪hirley鈥� (becoming interesting), supper, bed.

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