大象传媒

MAY 1943

1 SAT
Knowing Kay鈥檚 difficulties in getting in week-end shopping, and of the special shopping needed on account of tomorrows christening, I phoned to tell her I could look after children pm only, to find the house in the charge of Betty, her reward to be a visit to Raynes Park cinema later today. I called in at Raynes Park to pay monthly rent (拢7-0-10d) and there, by coincidence, met Kay etc. returning home from Wimbledon.. Kay said some comforting words, 鈥淲henever I see you, I feel my troubles are at an end鈥�. Their purchases included frock for Kay = 25/-, 2 little coats for twins = 4/11d each (pre-war, say half that price), and Mum, new coat =拢3-8-6d. When they were out again later.

2 SUN
Our infants were christened today at St Saviours Church, near Mum鈥檚. 10 children in all were baptised: our 2 Mothers held a child apiece at the service. Kay was churched and looked quite chic in a new frock and saucy hat. The new pram was in use to and from Mum鈥檚 鈥� very easy wheeling. The three of us had excellent tea at Mum鈥檚. Betty saw to Beryl and John at home.

3 MON
Chose to forget my spectacles the very day they were most needed, i.e., for the compilation of the week-end and month-end returns. The work was modified to ease eye strain. I was thus able to do reasonably well. Fire watch commenced 陆 hour before black-out = 9.40 pm so was able to spend evening at home. Fire watch uneventful.

4 TUE
With shorter fire watch hours = less subsistence = 3/0 v 4/6. compensatingly less meals, of course, and morning breakfast was had as usual = 1/6d. My 鈥淲aterman鈥� fountain pen which I have since 1925, cannot be relied upon. Negotiating repair of another pen through Dad. Account of clerical work (3/5d) 鈥渓iquidated鈥� (a popular word just now): Back to normal rummage routine.

6 THU
Acquired information by studying Office Circular on wartime procedure with baggage examining, and considered I had made a definite step forward. Greatest regret Mobile duties (including clerical) and hours do not allow for more time for study: there are so many extra jobs

7 FRI
Further study of Office circular today. Sudden rush journey in afternoon in which we had some success, but alas, not me personally. Not home till late, in fact, by time I had had supper, and the twins seen to and black-out done, it was bed-time. However, in Mobile, one cannot have overtime and free time.

9 SUN
Terrible weather, wind and rain. Took cover in shop doorway waiting for early bus. Went long journey for rummage with no results. Our Ford car, bounced in the sudden gusts of wind, but made good headway.. Home to a quiet evening 鈥� or as quiet as a full house can be!

13 THU
Collected repaired fountain pen (see 4/5) at cost 4/6d. Received calling up papers for Home Guard.

14 FRI
Saw the chief A.R.O., Custom House re Home Guard papers (13/5) who wishes to retain me in Custom House A.R.P. owing to First Aid knowledge and is to use his endeavours in consequence

15 SAT
The day preceding our Off Sunday is sometimes slack, but today was quite the contrary. Made an early attendance, necessitating getting up at 6 am, and had but a couple of hours to self in evening. Received yet a few more baby garments from another colleague with a promise of some more.

17 MON
Having passed my direction to enrol in the Home Guard to Customs House A.R.P. Officer, earned the great anger of the W.S. for ignoring his authority as my employer and controller of all my hours. He reviled me mightily, but told me of his efforts to secure the withdrawal of the direction.

18 TUE
A car trip in a different location today making a change to the usual much-travelled route. Arrived home later, of course, and after tea (or early supper?) Kay and I abandoned ourselves to an evening at our books.

21 FRI
Withdrawal of the direction referred to in 17/5 came today and this I passed to H.Q. office for W.S鈥檚. information. Determined to make myself a competent 1st Aid man by constant revision, now I have been spared the dictatorial and grind of Home Guard. Long day in Crown鈥檚 service and reached home for supper and bed.

22 SAT
No record has been made of the nightly, and sometimes twice nightly, air raid. During the moonlight nights we are sure to get them. The AA barrage put up against the few raiders that get through, is so continuous as to seem like peals of sustained thunder. We do not get up, as to rush the children through the chilly air to the shelter might easily lead to their deaths through cold. Another long day on official business: I am becoming quite reconciled to almost no home life now. There was time for a short read homeward bound in train, and at supper, and thereafter, black-out had to be done; preceding bed. Kay worn out again (21/5).

23 SUN
A day鈥檚 Rummaging duties (not too far afield, however) followed at 5 pm, by fire watching. The main body of fire watchers had not to attend until 陆 hour before black-out, whilst we, on early duties, inspected fire apparatus on roof (not very inspiring apparatus). Also gave a hand with spud peeling for the supper which our thoughtful fire leader arranged for we early ones as usual.

24 MON
There were no 鈥渁lerts鈥�, but I slept uneasily (as I always do) in my strange, hard, bed. After a day鈥檚 rummaging, felt the effect of this loss of rest, and for whole of evening, longed for my bed, to which I would have retired very early but for various household duties, and the fact that Kay is equally as tired

27 THU
Had unenviable job of collecting debt from an offender today, which I did, fortunately, without difficulty. Had Kay鈥檚 handle-less meat chopper repaired by a colleague who has made an excellent job of it. Would accept nothing but 10 cigarettes (= 1/2d at present price), to offer to his room-mates. 鈥淲ar Weapons Week鈥� starts on 29/5: Betty went to choir practice (= 1000 children) which is one of the 鈥渟tunts鈥�. Twins beautiful.

29 SAT
Today commences Merton and Morden 鈥淲ar Weapons Week鈥�, and by evening, it had all the signs of success. There are flag bedecked centres for the selling of saving certificates, loud speakers in main road, and a programme of entertainment at most of council鈥檚 open spaces. Heard from Mum (鈥淔airway鈥� savings group Hon Sec) her week鈥檚 target of 拢100 had been exceeded first day! If savings indicate faith of the people in the old country, all is well. At home, 2 misfortunes: again, our am radio gave out: and I snapped bridge of my specs. Restricted income (holidays) next month too!

30 SUN
Spent day home with Kay, trying to assist her coping with the babies, who both need supplementary bottles to their breast feed as well as usual attention, and care of Beryl, pathetically ill with a cold, kept us fully occupied. Betty went by train (all unannounced to Kay and I) to Surbiton Lagoon for swimming, and until late evening, was at local fire station, selling programmes

31 MON
Evidence of savings week success (see 29/5) was definite at Mum鈥檚, where I found her overwhelmed with War Savings Week. I bought Peter and Pauline their first certificates, with silver given them by friends and relatives. Dad to rescue again re radio (29/5): is making enquiries re repair. Betty selling programmes.

JUNE 1943

1 TUE
Getting to bed late Monday evening, owing to visiting, gardening and general domestic jobs, and then a worrying air raid at 2 am, led to us all being very tired this evening.

2 WED
A day of intermittent showers and slanting rain, almost like April. I risked the downpour, having my mac. with me, to go home for a few hours, and then return to Custom House for fire watching duties.

3 THU
My night鈥檚 rest was disturbed by the late returning of my bed-chamber companion, a CPO, and my anxiety about the passage of time to prevent late rising: I looked at my watch 陆 dozen times. There was a variant to the fire watchers breakfast (not an improvement I thought) 鈥� kippers instead of bacon.

5 SAT
Today, being the grand finale of war weapons week, there were various 鈥渄o鈥檚鈥� this evening. Betty was prominent in one at Grand Drive First Aid post as the 鈥渃urtain puller鈥�. It was a good show, but I did not like her home coming at 11 pm!

6 SUN
A day to the Crown! Left home at early morning, and returning to it in time for supper and bed. As on similar days, I feel I did not live on Sunday June 6: it was a day taken out of my life. I was disappointed to find the 鈥済ive and take鈥� principle of mobile work-day attendances applied to the Sabbath, but the crew were in favour, so I could not demur.

7 MON
Mum鈥檚 group collected 拢500 during week: once we doubted collecting 拢100!
10 THU By kindness of Mum, Kay and I were able to have an afternoon out together. We went to Kingston and looked at the shops, not having a lot to spend. Mum looked after the twins, John and Beryl, who, fortunately, were not troublesome. Collected specs from my optician (see 29/5): new bridge cost me 12/6d. Going to keep specs in safer pocket!

16 WED
The 21 piece teaset came by rail today, net price 30shillings, a scandalous price. Kay and Betty to cinema. .

21 MON
First day back at work: attendance required early, which necessitated rising at 5.20 am, against past fortnight鈥檚 average of about 8.30! Kay was kind enough to help me in morning.

22 TUE
Work today was more regular, and came more pleasant, but unfortunately, I had to spend the night in the Custom House, on fire watch. Made brief visit home in interim. At 9.30 pm we had air raid practice with alarm bells, imaginary incendiaries and casualties: quite good practice. Had supper on "Harpy", and at 11 pm or soon after retired to dormitory for bed.

23 WED
Not feted to sleep undisturbed, for there was an 鈥渁lert鈥� for which we had to get up from approx 3/4 am. Another flying visit home as soon as up, as not on duty till 11 am. News came of our services being wanted at Ipswich, and we rushed there in approx 2 hours P.M. No ship, however. Evening walked through park with HLB. 10 pm
to 鈥渄igs鈥�.

24 THU
Best 鈥渄igs鈥� in Ipswich yet: good night鈥檚 rest except for one 鈥渁lert鈥� and good breakfast early in morning. Lady鈥檚 address duly noted. Good morning鈥檚 rummage with due results. Lunch in dock鈥檚 canteen 鈥� 1/- only. Return journey pm 鈥� at speed almost consistent 50 mph! (Ford car too!). Reached home to find Kay had grazed knee and sprained wrist due to falling in street. In much pain.

25 FRI
Kay needed assistance, being incapacitated by accident (see 24/6). She had rushed to intercept John, running into road and had tripped. Betty was therefore kept from school and proved a very great help. Protracted attendance at work (I caught last = 10.50 pm, bus home from Morden) defeated my desire to get home to help. Made Kay a small arm sling to rest her arm in: still painful.

26 SAT
An incident occurring during rummaging yesterday, was 鈥渃leared up鈥� today. Home to find Kay struggling along with Betty giving certain assistance. Stepped in and gave a hand, which at least secured release of Betty for a few hours play. Kay had hoped to be able to attend garden party in St Saviours Church grounds today, but arm continuing a handicap to household duties, and still painful, made this impossible.

29 MON
After 3陆 years of war, the Ministry of Food have perfected the ration book system to a minimum of filling in pages, method of distribution, and duration of use (= 1 year). Today I collected my ration book from Morden food office, and was issued a new identity card, in 10 minutes: up to this time, ration book problems have been very aggravating.

30 TUE
Kay鈥檚 arm now better.

30 WED
To Raynes Park to pay rent = 拢7: also ordered new monthly season = 拢1-5-6d, and have electric bill pay tomorrow (early closing today) = 拢2-16-0d: all of which very nearly accounts for 陆 of my salary received today.

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