大象传媒

DECEMBER 1942

1 TUE
Went to Oliver's city address to buy small locking screw for typewriter-ribbon, but found premises bombed down. Spent some time trying small screws from home stock; only made temporary job. Learnt how to adjust stops to alter width of margin. Kay managed her letter to Myrtle alright, and I made out December budget; finding I am "sailing close to wind" (owing to typewriter purchase), and must go easy.

2 WED
Had a commission to buy the P.S.A., 9 copies of the report on social insurance - the current topic of everybody鈥檚 conversation. Had to go to Stationery office, Kingsway, and queue up - and then only allowed 2 copies! Called on Dad at Crown House. Spent perfect evening cleaning and oiling typewriter: works well.

4 FRI
Reverted to my usual duties on the river. It was a splendid day for December, the sun shining all the afternoon and taking the keenness from the air. Called at Achille Serre for my overcoat (cleaned and repaired). Satisfied, but one sleeve lining sewn wrongly when cuffs turned up - shall have to return: bill was 15s. After multifarious household duties, managed some typing.

5 SAT
Quite black when I leave the house at 7 am: today, rain clouds obscured what little moonlight there was, and peoples faces could not be discerned. The winter solstice will mark the turning point and dawn will beak earlier. The downpour came mid morning and made our river trip unpleasant. On firewatch tonight: and in the rush to get away from work at noon, forgot to ask for the card entitling me to cheap ticket. Booking clerk accepted my explanation, however, and issued me with one. learned of altered firewatching dates and am now on Christmas Eve, not Christmas day - an improvement. Colleague and I shared a separate room, in future to be for waterguard use only.

6 SUN
Our sleep (see 5/12) was interrupted at 2 hourly intervals by the time keeper, who visited an adjoining room for "clocking in", so did not have a very good night's rest. Added to this, the watch was a busy one, forgetting my notebook on board a ship, I had to return thereto in my own time

8 TUE
Menu of the riverside cafe at which I now lunch includes chops and veg - 1s-4d, braised steak 1s-2d, steak pie or pudding 1s-0d sausages and chips, 10d and 5 x 3 "sweets" - astounding variety for wartime, reflecting well the organisation by the Ministry of Food for maintaining wartime food supplies. At home, learnt George is now barracked at Blackpool.

9 WED
During my lunch hour, visited Taylor's of Chancery Lane, the original suppliers of my typewriter. Found that the missing locking stud of my ribbon mechanism is difficult to replace, but came away with a broken part given to me. I tried to affect a repair in the evening, but had to substitute a split pin for the stud. Typed.

11 FRI
Withdrew 拢3 on demand and arranged to draw balance out and close account from savings book. Repayment of small departmental expenses also helped depleted exchequer. In evening, bought a Christmas tree at Morden, and carried it home. It is to be decked up as a surprise for Beryl. After B had gone to bed, we further discussed Christmas plans: Kay is to go to Wimbledon tomorrow.

12 SAT
Now, at the conclusion of my study of First Aid, I can record the difficulties under which I strive to work on board the "Harpy". Our common room is the nucleus of all activity, but even in the quiet spells, the restlessness and talk of one colleague was a constant distraction. So much so that I might almost attribute my failure in the exam to him. I am minuted to Mr Boalch's Mobile next year, and may thus escape him. Kay had an exhausting day shopping in Wimbledon, but Beryl was thrilled with Father Christmas and the buses and trains. Kay and I further discussed Christmas plans, and later, I read First Aid.

14 MON
A new scheme of fire watching comes into operation today, in which our colleagues in any firewatch are customs men, and not M.O.W and P. This suits us better. I was not required for the firewatch turn for the night. Attended First Aid exam (2.30), found it fairly easy, but made one silly mistake due to 鈥渆xam complex鈥�.

15 TUE
An incident at work made my day most interesting, but it would not be politic to record it. Gave consideration to learning 鈥渢ouch鈥� typing, and speed shorthand in order to be able to report and type 7/43 PSA Annual conference (suggested fortnight ago). Short notice, but am inclined to agree to it:? Mobile hours next year.

18 FRI
Miserable, misty or else, rainy day. Studying Pitman鈥檚 shorthand whenever opportunity occurs, but numbers of Custom House Home Guard changing and cleaning uniform in common room rather balked me. At home too, the incidents of radio programmes which Kay and Betty (quite naturally) wanted to hear, which were concurrent with my typewriting practice, retarded progress.

19 SAT
Dad secured a 鈥淛ohn Bull鈥� fountain pen for me, and I am using it for first time. In common with most other things, they are scarce and of high price: this is a cheap one. My 鈥淲aterman鈥� was dropped and the barrel split; so much so that the rubber sac slipped forward. Kay is making use of it in it鈥檚 dying days. Half day.

21 MON
My old job of preparing the Sunday duty list for the next year, came home to me, as it has done 2 previous years. This took my work time to the full, so I was unable to do many little jobs I love for then, such as this diary, shorthand practice, literature reading. In evening, 鈥渟nobbed鈥� one of Beryl鈥檚 shoes, badly worn down at heel. My first attempt at heeling 鈥� very good!

22 TUE
Determined effort at the Sunday duty list (21/12) in order to resume my normal job, and by working hard, finished by 4 pm, earning economies from the original rotor of tasks. Shortened 鈥淲aterman鈥� for pen barrel last night, and today it collapsed in my hand whilst signing on: reproach is ineffectual and the 鈥淛ohn Bull鈥� unsatisfactory, so new pen is indicated. Heeled Beryl鈥檚 other shoe.

23 WED
Not recorded yesterday was the great success Kay had with the knitted Elephant 14鈥� x 8鈥� x 6鈥�, destined for John for Christmas. She has given all her leisure time to the task. Home for half day. Kay went to hairdresser at Raynes Park and called in at Mum鈥檚. I was summoned to collect window blind given by Dad, which I hope to put up

24 THU
I was the man to stay on duty till 4 pm; all others taking half day. Very crowded conditions in train and bus homeward bound. Was very tired, but assisted Kay with the manifold Christmas Eve duties. Kay worked tirelessly till 12 pm, wrapping presents, filling stockings and completing the big elephant (23/12). The Christmas tree looks good. Found Betty has quite as much as others.

25 FRI
We took the children into the front room and beheld their pleasure as they found their stockings and presents, and saw the festive side-board and decorated Christmas tree. All were satisfied, and Kay and I gratified. We arrived at Mum鈥檚 in time for a real Christmas dinner, turkey this year, cost 拢2-16s-0d. Lou, Albert and children, Elsie and children present. Drank toast to George, absent overseas. Kiddies gave us a concert. I left 11 pm, Kay and children remaining.

26 SAT
Miserable day on duty: cold and foggy. Had to walk to Morden, and was refused a workman鈥檚 ticket at Morden station. On Sundays, this facility is readily granted. 8/4 duty and not home till nearly 5, but satisfied to have had yesterday at home with kiddies. Kay and children left Mum鈥檚 after breakfast, and returned to our somewhat cheerless house, but soon made comfortable and had a good dinner ready for me when I arrived. Learned Kay had stayed up card playing, etc, until 6 am at Mum鈥檚, and consequently was entirely exhausted: especially owing to her pregnant condition (now 7 months). We had our Christmas tree and crackers, a little house containing surprise gifts (Pascall鈥檚 make) and Kay slept on settee while Betty and I played.

27 SUN
The dull cold fog prevailed. Today, I did not wait about for buses (as yesterday I did, unavailingly) but walked to Morden having no difficulties about a cheap ticket, as I held a firewatchers card for the night鈥檚 firewatching.

28 MON
An uncomfortable night on a rickety camp-bed: slept in a series of snatches. Last night鈥檚 supper and this morning鈥檚 breakfast could have been had for 1s/6d the two, but Kay had packed me full provisions. Home a little earlier; found Kay feeling bad 鈥� weight of baby pressing on a leg nerve, she says. I rested in afternoon, typed letter to Sid in evening.

31 THU
Roads mildly slushy after night snowfall, but, temperature more agreeable. Having arranged for half-day (see 30/12) left 鈥淗arpy鈥� at noon and went home after lunching out as usual. Kay went into Morden for some necessary night clothing for Beryl, whilst I took charge of John; Betty and Beryl being at Raynes Park cinema. They all returned at about same time. Dad called in evening to effect mutual re-exchange (30/12) and gave account of funeral. Made rough copy of letter to L.P.T.B., criticising Christmas holiday bus services which caused misfortunes of 26/12. Did not see New Year in: was well asleep in bed.

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