大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the People's War site by CSV/大象传媒 Radio Nottingham on behalf of Eric Middleton with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions"

April 12th 1943 Monday
Mother still in bed, its two months last Friday. Am hoping to be able to go over to "The Gables" tonight, I haven't left Mother's side all the time. Mum has offered to come up and look after Mother to give me break so we hope to be able to arrange for her to come when Edwin does on 28th April - only 16 days!!! We've got a horse on the lawn!! Mother with a super effort managed to get as far as the living room on Saturday to see "Dolly" but it was nearly too much for her. Her will power is wonderful. Dr came on Saturday: thinks she's marvelous. She is certainly a wonderful patient. I am getting new suit Thurs 22nd for husband's homecoming Hooray!! Feel terribly excited !! oooh!!! Mum's Mum 'Edwin's Gran died Sun April 4th 1943,

April 28th 1943 Wednesday
Edwin arrived at Victoria 11.30 am. I met him there, we had lunch and went to Euston to meet Mum off the 1.40 pm. We all went to the Dominion and saw Tracy & Hepburn in "The Keeper of the Flame". Very good acting indeed.

April 30th 1943 Friday
Pouring with rain so Edwin & I toddled off to see "Yankee Doodle Dandy" at the Princess. Very catchy tunes.

May 1st 1943 Saturday
We took Mum out to lunch at Taylers Romford. Lovely roast pork, baked potatoes, greens, apple tart, custard & coffee. Then we went on to Auntie Gert's and Auntie Nance's to tea. Had a musical evening. Just managed to catch the 10.20 pm from Barking.

May 3rd 1943 Monday
Went up to Town, had lunch, then on to Shepherd's Bush, Ivy's Mother's. We stayed the night there. She made us very welcome. Then on to Auntie Mc at Bushey. We had a marvelous day there. Mr Mc gave us another of his lovely paintings. I must try and get them framed. (He gave us a pair for our Wedding Present)

May 5th 1943 Wednesday
Spent a delightful day with Auntie Em & Uncle Tom. Edwin cut and rolled the lawn and I helped Auntie with the hedge trimmings. We caught the 7.40 pm train.

May 6th 1943 Thursday
Mum went back. We all got up very early and arrived at Euston in plenty of time to catch the 10.25 am. We rang Dad to let him know Mum was coming: Edwin had a chat with him. Then we went for a walk, then lunch and too the Hipodrome to see Bobby NIowes in "Lets Face It". Quite good, some real high spots in it. Then home; we caught the 5.55 pm from Barking.

May 7th 1943 Friday
And so to our last day together, we spent it at home. We had a lovely dinner then went over to Delamere for tea. We took some snaps in the garden of our darling mother, in her best coat She is looking much better these days. although she still has the pain, but maybe with the warmer weather she will feel better. I went to Barking to see Edwin off 7 pm. Oh! how awful it is when he goes back. I am going in to work tomorrow morning.

May 27th 1943 Thursday
When I arrived home Mother was ready to go out with Mr Hardwick for a little run and she wanted me to go with her so I grabbed something to eat and we set off about 6.45 pm. We went for a beautiful ride arriving home about 8.30 pm. As soon as I got Mother indoors she collapsed with the pain. We managed to get her to bed & I telephoned for the Dr. She is very very ill. Its a large clot of blood.

June 2nd 1943 Wednesday
Mother still very ill. Father sent for me at 10.30 am this morning. Dr coming nearly every day; the pain is terrible so he has given her morphia - doesn't look too good.

June 4th 1943 Friday
Edwin arrived on 7 days leave. Mother is so ill he is going to pop up North one day. Oh! its marvelous to have him with me.

June 10th 1943 Thursday
Edwin went up North yesterday I met him in Town today. We went to Victoria Palace to see Lupino Lane in "La-di-da-di-da". Very good indeed.

June 11th 1943 Friday
Edwin went back today 6 pm. Mother recognised him, she is so very ill I don't think she can go on much longer.

June 12th 1943 Saturday
I sent for Auntie Em & Maude. Mother in a deep sleep since 10.30 am. They both went at 6.40 pm. I was alone with Mother and at 7 pm noticed a marked change come over her. When Father came back from putting his fires out he said I'd better fetch Mrs Mc Lean, which I did. She advised me to telephone the Doc. He came at once and said he didn't think Mother would last the night. Mrs McLean stayed with me all night long. We sat up all the time. Mrs McLean went home about 8.30 am and told me to go at once if anything happened.

June 13th 1943 Whit Sunday
At 12.20 pm (mid-day) our darling Mother passed away, she just went off in this deep coma. I went for Mrs Mc at once. I don't know what I should have done without her, she's a brick.

June 18th 1943 Friday
Mother was laid to rest in our little cemetery at Mid-day today. Everyone has been so kind. Mum came from up North and my darling husband arrived last night. He is a great comfort to me. There were over 40 wreaths - very beautiful ones. Mum goes back tomorrow week. I shall go back with Father, I must look after him now, but I want to get 'Delamere' straight before I do. We've had some wonderful letters.

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