大象传媒

Sunday, September 15th

We slept fairly well during the night, but this morning I felt bruised all over. All my weight seems to rest in the small of my back in the deck-chair. Anyhow, at 4.30 I left the cubby hole and got in beside Gib for a rest. Gunfire went on almost continuously till 3 a.m. but after that there was comparative quiet. I feel very tired now. It is nearly 1 p.m. and we are in the usual spot. I've done a fair washing this morning. Gillian is in much better spirits.

It is getting on for 9 p.m. and we've been in and out of our shelter all day. Gib got home just after one of the warnings which only lasted a short time but another sounded at 8.30 and is still on. We can hear gunfire every now and again. Winifred has been fed and undressed and is now sound asleep on her bunk. The electric light has been returned to the 2 next houses in the block, but for some reason the man didn't call here or at Hattons. I took the children across to Mrs. Boxer's for a short visit this evening.

Monday, September 16th

Last night the usual activity went on - great bursts of gunfire and in between whiles, the sounds of enemy planes. There is one A.A. gun somewhere near here which makes a terrific noise. There is the BANG -whoosh of the shell, and the burst comes 3 or 4 seconds after. We slept not so badly, but I've added yet another cushion to my deck-chair. I now have two cushions and two pillows. Also, Gillian and I have a double blanket each draped round our heads like shawls - they deaden the noise somewhat. We've had several warnings during the day. The sky has been covered by low cloud and it must have been difficult to give fight to any enemy. Our warning this afternoon lasted for hours, but the children and I only took cover when we heard the gunfire or planes coming near. We had "taty broth" for dinner today, followed by stewed apples and custard. It was quite a repast! There's some tomato soup in the making for tomorrow, but it is having to look after itself as we are in our usual cosy corner! Gib had the day off. It is astonishing how much more confident and cheerful I have felt with his company. He has been busy fixing the scullery door. Once we have it fastened on, we'll get some daylight and can clean up a bit. He tidied up the front bedroom this morning. The upper part of the house will be used very little till the war is over. The electric supply is still coming. A phone message this morning has failed to produce any results.

It is nearly 9 p.m. now and the guns are active. Both children are asleep and Gib is preparing for bed. I wish there had been room in here for us all to sleep.

Tuesday, September 17th

Terrific gunfire went on last night almost continuously, and the sound of German planes could be distinctly heard. The children slept soundly, but I slept only intermittently. Just before 2.30 a.m. there was an extremely loud bang, and I think it must have been a bomb. After it, there was absolute silence for some time. How strange and eerie it seemed. Then the all clear came, and I took my aching body and lay down on Gib's mattress. To have plenty of room I lay with my head at the foot of the bed. I must have fallen into a sound sleep at once, because I never heard the next warning, and I don't know exactly when it was sounded. Through clouds of slumber, I heard more gunfire, and an all clear roused me at 5.30. I had been longing all night for a cup of tea, so put on the kettle. Gib had to get up to move the mattress so that he could edge his way into the scullery to procure milk and sugar, and I don't remember ever enjoying tea so much. About 6.30 we settled down again, and when Gillian awoke, Gib got up and dressed her to let me sleep on. Then he had a hot bath, and when I finally arose, I went for one as well. I looked forward to a good long soak, but of course the siren went and hastened my toilet. We both felt much better for it though. I can't remember my clothing to have been so dirty before. Now, when I can manage to get my hair washed, I'll feel a new being. Gib got busy this morning again, and took most of the muck out of the scullery for me. Also, he fixed the scullery door on, so we are able now to have some light in there, but of course, only with the door open. A gale has been blowing all day -consequently the poor old scullery has a nice thick coating of dust all over it again.

The Hattons have been hard on preparing for their removal. They intend leaving the big articles of furniture to be sent on later. We have had 3 or 4 warnings during the day, and have heard planes very high up, but very few people seemed to take cover. Most wait till they hear gunfire.

I've given Gillian a good wash this evening and cleansed her hair. It was thick with dust. As usual she wanted to get ready to go to bed in her cubby hole at about 6.30 p.m. We are all in again, and the firing is going on. It is between 8.30 and 9 p.m. I wonder if Gib will venture to come home during it all. I don't suppose the All clear will go any more tonight now. And next week is night shift week. I'm not looking forward to it. The electricity is still off - and of course the gas. Mr Holding, the butcher was telling me this morning that a woman took her weekend joint back on Monday and wanted him to have it. She said as the gas was cut off she couldn't cook it! There is quite a run on corn beef.

Wednesday, September 18th

Here we are again. Needless for me to say where! It has just gone 8 p.m. and the racket has begun again. Last night I must have slept better as I only have hazy recollections of gunfire and planes. During today, we have had several warnings again, and during one this afternoon, we could see far away and very high up a formation of German bombers. The sky round about them was spotted with the smoke from shellbursts. Just before this, I counted 36 of our fighters passing overhead in 3 groups of 12. The sky was patched with fleecy clouds, so I suppose it was ideal for raiding. It is getting on for 9 p.m., and Gib will be leaving work. His relief got in early last night to let him get away, but the raid was going on while he was on his way home. He is going to ask for a tin hat.

The Hattons will leave here for the North in the morning. They are looking forward to a good night's sleep tomorrow night. I was told that Mrs. Bond is going to look for a place near Slough. So that will leave only Mrs. Needs and us in the block. I feel as though I'd like a change of scene myself. Gib has cleared out the pantry for me today, and I've had the dining room and scullery looking quite nice and like old times. I'm really very pleased that Gib has done the worst for me -I didn't feel as though I had the energy or the heart to begin - after always having my place so spick and span. The wind hasn't been so boisterous, so we haven't been troubled by dust quite so much. It dried rather a big washing for me though. I'm not able to boil the clothes as the gas is still off so I hope they will remain a good colour, I'm sure. They are very bonny as yet.

Thursday, September 19th

Gib got home just after 9 p.m. last night. He had to jump off his bike and fall flat when he heard a salvo of bombs being dropped. No tin hat yet. I dosed off and on all last night and when awake heard plenty of noise. I was glad to see the daylight again. The Hattons went off this morning, leaving their furniture to be sent on when they have found a house. Gib cleaned the top part of the dresser for me this morning, then cleared the debris out of the back garden. He shovelled it all round the shelter. We had tomato soup for dinner and there is enough left for tomorrow. We live very economically these days. I had a letter from Gib's mother this afternoon -nshe is worried about this business and said I'd find a warm welcome with her if I'd go with the children. This war is bringing out very kindly feelings, I find. For myself, I feel no unkindness now towards those who have done me a bad turn, real or imagined. Life is too precarious to harbour evil thoughts or brood on past wrongs.

Today has been a day of mixed sunshine and showers. We only had one warning this morning, but I have been told that Plaistow and Aldgate were raided. I fancied I heard a German plane going over about 10 a.m. The heavy clouds would be an advantage. Mrs Boxer's mother's home in Canning Town has been demolished, but she has found a house here. Mrs B. brought me a large bunch of Michaelmas daisies this evening. They add a note of cheer to the room. I believe the gas is on again. I began at once to make a cake, but the oven acted in rather a strange way, so the cake mixture has been left till I get Gib to have a look at the stove. Two great crashes which sounded as though they might be bombs gave us rather a start. I hope Gib is all right. One plane after another seems to be going over. Our barrage has died down a lot.

Friday, September 20th

Gib arrived about 9 p.m. last night and sat for a while with us under the stairs. It was an awful night. Plane after plane flying across very low, and terrific anti aircraft fire. At 1.25 a.m. we heard a bomb fall very close. The noise was frightening. Then we heard car after car go past, rescue squads as we learned later. I've never been so glad to see the daylight and to hear the All clear sound. We learned this morning that 2 bombs had dropped in the gardens behind Mrs. Boxer's house - one a direct hit on a shelter, killing 2 children and badly injuring the parents. There must have been a good number of bombs dropped in and around Dagenham during the night. There are many more houses windowless in the streets near us. The shock of the 1.25 a.m. bomb opened one of our front windows downstairs and blasted a window out of Hatton's front. Gib went along to Mr. Dyer's 3 times during the morning to see if he would run us to Stamford, but he wasn't in. I called again myself later in the afternoon and caught him but he said he was sorry he had no petrol. I felt stumped, as I have a queer feeling about travelling by train just now. However, much to my surprise and pleasure Mr. Lee said he might be able to run us through tomorrow. I was quite astonished after tea today when our Jack called to see if we were all right - he had been rather worried as he hadn't heard from us. Mother's and Winnie's letters today too are anxious. They will get a shock tomorrow if we arrive there safely. I loathe the idea of leaving my husband, but he says he will use the shelter and that is a relief. He was hard on this morning doing it out, and we have mattresses down and are fairly comfy. Mr. & Mrs. Holding share it with us. I'm writing this in it. Both bairns are sound asleep. The serenade is going on overhead, but so far it hasn't seemed quite so bad as it was last night. Now we'll see if we can arrange ourselves to get some sleep.

Saturday, September 21st

I'm still here. Mrs Lee fancied the run in the car so we have put off going until tomorrow and intend setting off about 8 a.m. all going well. I hope Gib will be able to go too. He has been very busy at the shelter today again and fixed a comfy bunk for the bairns. We may all be able to stretch and sleep tonight. I hope the planes aren't too troublesome. Bombs were dropped during last night in Valence Road so Mr. Lee told me, but did no damage. A land mine exploded near Rylands Estate today - a most terrific frightening noise. Apparently all the estate has been evacuated as there are more time bombs.

We had a warning about 6.30 tonight, but our fighters went up and chased the raiders away apparently. Fighters are being sent up during the nights as well, so the newspapers report. We had a nice dinner today, roast beef, Yorks. pud., baked spuds and rice pudding. I made Gib a nice apple tart, and a panful of tomato soup. My heart is very heavy at the thought of going away and leaving him having to carry on here alone. I hope it won't be long before we can all be together again. There was a letter from Jack this morning, written before his visit yesterday. What a difference it makes having the electric light on again - the man fixed it up yesterday afternoon. The gas is on too. It has been a glorious day - warm and sunny, like Summer. Everything seemed so peaceful, but we didn't need to look far to see that a war was going on. Jack was quite appalled at the destruction when he came yesterday.

Sunday, September 22nd

We had a very quiet night, or so it seemed to me, but possibly it was because I slept more soundly. Gib had arranged a splendid bunk for Gillian and Winifred and made a wire mattress out of Hatton's broken chicken run wire. The four adults were able to stretch out on the mattresses. We were up betimes as Mr. Lee wanted to get away by 8 a.m. but it was 8.30 before we got into the car and set off. The ride was pleasant, though Gillian did her usual act - she was sick. We arrived in Stamford just in time to hear the All clear - familiar sound. All were very astonished and pleased to see us. Gib had to set off back home at 2 p.m. so the stay was short. I felt very heavy hearted to see him depart without us, and I pray it won't be long before we can all be together again. I was very tired and slept soundly all night, never hearing the sirens. We had several during the day and two or three during the night apparently.

Monday, September 23rd

The usual household tasks. In the afternoon, Kath, Gillian and I went to meet John. No sirens at all today, consequently there seems to be little of note to write down.

Post script

My mother returned almost at once to Dagenham to be with my father, taking my baby sister with her. I stayed in Stamford with my grandparents, aunt and brother but was so homesick that my mother returned and took me back as well. My brother remained in Stamford as he was going to school there. Life in Dagenham was far from dull for the rest of the war. For instance, I can clearly remember May & Baker's burning after a bombing raid and the coming of the doodlebugs. I wish my mother had continued her diary.

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