大象传媒

DECEMBER 1944

1 FRI
Another day on Gourock pier. The rain poured down at intervals, and the cobbled quay was a series of puddles. Feet were soon wet, and I fear for my health. As a counter, I propose buying new boots, and take another definite step by registering under National Health with a doctor (Donald) in case of sickness. Also solved a problem by taking soiled linen to a Greenock laundry.

2 SAT
Received clothing Coupon Book, coupons intact, in an envelope written in strange hand and redirected by post office from 1 Glenthorpe: Book supposed to be with Mum. A mystery! Wrote to Mum for explanation. Weather at it鈥檚 worst yet. A howling gale at times, with hailstones and a terrific wind. Inside Gourock pier head box the best place. Hardly able to make headway against wind on quay side. Also quite cold, and Miss W can do without a big fire in kitchen, being somewhat plump, but at letter writing, I felt cold. End of my first complete week at Greenock. When I shall rejoin Kay and family, I know not. Having already applied for Christmas leave, with but small hope of success.

3 SUN
9/5 Sunday. Although her usual 鈥榣i-in鈥� day, Miss W got me off at the usual time. It was, of course, raining and blowing best part of the day and on my rounds of the docks (my 1st trip), it pelted down. Changed boots and sox when I got home at 5.30 鈥� my shortest working day yet. In evening, bathed, sewed up torn mac. And serviced radio.

4 MON
But for weather (it was not at it鈥檚 worst, although it occasionally hailed), today was best so far in Gourock. Sent out on an all day job of boarding a vessel 鈥� my first official boarding job since promotion. Thanks to a good APO who knew the job (and, alas! the ropes) thoroughly, the job was done and both left office by 5 pm 鈥� 鈥渟atisfied鈥�.

5 TUE
Today, I assured myself of dry feet at least, going to and from office, by buying a rarity 鈥� a pair of rubber boots from local Co-op. I was lucky to get them. Difficult to walk in and need sea sox to go in. Wrote to Mum asking for her help. At work, used up a book of 100 duty slips (2 cancellations).

6 WED
Slouched along in my rubber boots the 25 minute journey to the office, but for once, did not have to dry sox around fire etc. A very heavy day. Worked 9 am till 9 pm, in fact, the day was all work and sleep. Away from home and family, life just has to be lived.

7 THU
Quite cold in morning: hard to hear the alarm go off. Was able to proceed with my work at the office at a normal rate until somebody discovered I was in and found a job for me out. Had my first and perhaps only look at a few shops in Greenock on way back from this job. Home by 5.30. Wrote to Mum in evening.

8 FRI
A day鈥檚 work that almost broke me, for, apart from a hectic rush of duty taking, the weary grind of 鈥榩riming鈥� (making 鈥榩rime鈥� entries) I made errors in money by over charging and could not balance my books. I left the office at 10 pm abandoning the clerical work as hopeless, being tired and hungry. Bed at 11.30.

9 SAT
A much better day at work, not so rushed and better able to deal with matters. Spent part day afloat, and part day on Gourock pier, leaving at 7 pm. This gave me time after my evening meal, to write another note for inclusion in a delayed letter for Mum, and to glance through news papers. To add to yesterday鈥檚 misfortunes, my duty money collected from ships crew was found to be 10/- short, which, of course, I had to pay in. 鈥楢 lesson to me鈥�.

10 SUN
So cold today that snow fell and made the roads slushy. My new rubber boots saved my feet from becoming damp: was on the same job as last Sunday. Great news was given by my CPO that my Christmas leave had been granted. Wrote to Kay for leave Monday week. Had my weekly bath and did other jobs in a quiet evening at 鈥榟ome鈥� with Miss Watts in her sitting room.

11 MON
Developed a cold: caused considerable inconvenience. Nose was blocked and made sore with wiping. Put a cheerful face on the misfortune, though found myself much handicapped when doing boarding duties by launch on board ship. However, gained valuable experience during day鈥檚 work, having a good APO. Shall have sampled most duties and found my feet by time of Christmas leave. In evening, did some sewing, amend office circulars, read news paper.

12 TUE
Cold was much better and consequently, enjoyed the day more. The weather was a bright wintry sunshine, a trip by launch up the Gare Loch was a pleasant experience. I feel I am quite suited for and able to do the PO鈥檚 job: since I came north, I have been inclined to think it beyond me and asked many unnecessary questions. Realisation makes life sweeter!

13 WED
Another day in the launch, but one of fog and cold. Did the rounds as quickly as possible in case the fog thickened suddenly. Getting about ships in the Firth is a difficult business and dangerous: the main drawback to an otherwise likable job. In by 5 pm and promptly 鈥榟ome鈥�. An evening round the fireside. Read Children鈥檚 Encyclopaedia.

14 THU
By good fortune, was allowed to remain in the office all day and thereby was able to catch up with all outstanding clerical work, I also helped out a colleague who was behind. The coldness of the morning turned into dreary rainfall, and going home, I felt most downcast. Tea with Miss Watt, and a cheery fire, letters from Kay and George, soon revived me and I spent evening reading encyclopaedia (as yesterday), and amending office circulars.

15 FRI
Again worked in the office. Weather was dreary, glad to be inside. Lunch in services canteen in Bloomberry Road (YMCA): a good meal at a reasonable price 鈥� 1/4d. Prevailing price in town about 2/6d! Letter from H.Drury, last person who I thought would write to me. Replied immediately. Spent time much the same as last evening, reading and writing and amending. Glass of milk (hot) before retiring.

16 SAT
After attending to the principal job of the day (as detailed on the 鈥榦rder sheet鈥� last thing at night in the office) I found myself in Greenock, and did a bit of Christmas shopping. Bought 2 statuettes in Boots: a 鈥榙oggie鈥� group for Miss Watt and a posed figure for Kay. Quite pleased with these purchases, and hope they give satisfaction. When I got 鈥榟ome, I found Miss Watt鈥檚 niece, a girl of about 18, there. At first, naturally shy, we soon became friends, she darning me a pair of sox., and later playing 鈥楲udo鈥� and 鈥楬alma鈥� with me. Many months since I have played either game!

17 SUN
With a good APO, 9/5 duties went pleasantly enough. Perhaps a truer reason is that there being no rain, and the chill being bearable, working conditions weren鈥檛 too bad. At 鈥榟ome鈥� Miss W鈥檚 niece left early evening, under my escort to the bus terminus. Got a letter written to Mum, who is cross through not writing

18 MON
Hoped to leave office by 5 pm prompt, and even changed duties with an obliging brother officer to do so, but after a busy day duty taking, did not leave till 6 pm. This meant a rush round having meal, packing etc before 8.5 left Greenock for Glasgow. Caught it and was in splendid time for 11.05 departure for Preston, and secured centre seat in compartment.

19 TUE
Often disturbed in railway compartment, arrived in Blackpool at 8.20 鈥� nearly 2 hours late, and very tired. It was just breaking daylight as I reached 6, Drummond, Kay and Betty eagerly receiving me. Both were much impressed with my uniform. Renewed John and Pauline鈥檚 acquaintance and were soon friends. Mum, Dad and Vera were also home. Went out shopping in afternoon and in evening sat around fire.

20 WED
Up in time to assist Betty in getting ready for school. Vera rehearsing locally, hours 9 鈥� 6, home for dinner. Pauline very full of cold but bearing up; John only a little better. He accompanied Kay on a 2 hour shopping expedition in morning 鈥� first time Kay out for a week. Wrote our Christmas cards, less than a dozen sent this year (6d each). Enjoyed the society of kiddies, but found it most wearying. Bed at midnight.

21 THU
Late bed means late rising, and Betty had no one to see her off to school. She brought us up a hot cup of tea, however. Kay and her Mum did their shopping independently during morning, in time for Betty coming in. In afternoon, she had a school party prior to 鈥榖reaking up鈥� on Friday. Her contribution was a cream cake. Kay went out again in afternoon, and small gifts continued to appear for the family. Parcel came from Fairway yesterday. All out save Kay and I in evening, Kay washing.

22 FRI
For a 2nd time, Pauline woke us up very early morning, due, we discovered later, to a tooth coming through. Poor Kay kicked throughout night by John sleeping in same bed and anxious not to crowd me too much, Was not too patient with her. Pauline got better as day wore on. Spent evening at home: Kay doing up gifts for Myrtle鈥檚 tomorrow.

23 SAT
Betty not having to go to school, we overlaid, and I did not get downstairs till 10.15. Unfortunately, Kay鈥檚 Mum preceded us, and having to light fires etc (usually done for her) was much out of humour. Poor Betty was (as usual) the recipient of venom when Kay and I went out for 3 hours to do balance of Christmas shopping, which included buying Kay her first frock for ages. The greatest offence to Mother still remains to exclude her from any excursion outside the house:- this, throughout our 14 years of married life. In the evening, we went out together again (heaped insult!) 鈥� to Myrtles, where we saw whole household with Myrtle, sick, and Beryl only just recovering. Congratulated Doris and American soldier, Joseph upon engagement.

24 SUN
There was an air raid warning during the night, something of an event in Blackpool; but nothing happened. John was a great worry, kicking in bed continuously. Think I caught something of flu when at Myrtles yesterday, for I had sore throat all day and didn鈥檛 feel too grand. Saw Vera off (Bolton) from Central station. Betty went to baths and also out in evening. Kay laid out all gifts on dining room table. No stockings.

25 MON
Things went quite well. We were up early and the presents distributed from a heap on the dining room table took place when all (save Mum and Dad) were down. There were cries of satisfaction from all. Kay checked the duck, and a CWS pudding was quite palatable. For tea, we had a cake iced by Betty at school. Betty went to Tower with Myrtles children: rest, quiet evening.

26 TUE
Decided on a visit to Myrtles today: a final one to say good-bye to Beryl. Myrtle herself feeling somewhat better, Beryl almost well. Introduced to a 鈥榖achelor鈥� party of boys on leave, etc. But later, all dispersed and I had my family complete 鈥� first time since 11/5/44 when they left me. Mum and Dad came 8.30, and we left them there at 9.30 pm.

27 WED
A quiet day at home: Betty only (of the Pollard鈥檚) went out to cinema: Mum and Dad leaving home at 7.15 for the 鈥極deon鈥�. Thus Kay and I had our last evening together, but Kay was very busy washing and mending, preparing for my return to Scotland tomorrow. Betty had to pay 1/9d = full price in Tower. At 13, she looks like a young lady.

28 THU
John was restless in the night with a thirst, and I fear he has caught Beryl鈥檚 flu鈥�. Arose reluctantly and spent morning making preparations for departure at 1.30, including a call at North Station re train times. Final farewell, Kay and I fearful of showing sorrow, and thence to Central Preston; Carlisle (2录 hours, crowded and standing) and Glasgow. In digs by midnight and to bed by 12.30.

29 FRI
Passed a good night and was back amongst 鈥榯he boys鈥� at 9 am. Many kind enquiries re enjoyment of leave. Day proved to be arduous and long, but fell back into duty 鈥� taking quite naturally, and balanced books by 9 pm. 鈥楬ome鈥� by 9.30 Miss W very solicitous, has presented me with a book and calendar as Christmas gift. Wrote to Kay re safe arrival, and enclosed her money.

30 SAT
A day at less pressure than yesterday, but lasting till 7 pm. Patrolling on Gourock Pier is quite pleasant, if somewhat cold, weather: there was even 2 hours sunshine! Got away Kay鈥檚 letter (29/12), and one to Sid, (via Doll), whose birthday it is. Many Christmas letters to write. Wrote a letter to Mum also, and sent off Postal Order for evacuation expenses. Exchanged small chat on our Christmas cards and gifts with Miss Watt, giving her piece of Betty鈥檚 cake to try (25/12) and half the stick of rock Kay bought in Blackpool. The rock was one of Kay鈥檚 surprises for Christmas: one of her kindly efforts to please me.

31 SUN
Up at 6.15 鈥� Earliest at Gourock
yet, on duty at 8 am, Princes Pier and was fortunate in getting an early bus, to enable me to relieve on time. Spent the day afloat. Saw much evidence of 鈥楬ogmanay鈥� . Glad to get back to Miss Watt鈥檚, where a couple of regulars 鈥� a naval officer and his wife, were good company. Fortunately, they were tired after yesterday鈥檚 travelling, otherwise they would certainly have been jolly until after midnight. As it was, I slid off to bed at 11.15, but rest of company stayed up.

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