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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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WW2 Diary of Winifred Sarah Elizabeth Middleton (part sixteen)

by nottinghamcsv

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Archive List > United Kingdom > London

Contributed by听
nottinghamcsv
People in story:听
Eric Middleton, Winifred Sarah Elizabeth Middleton, , Earnest Tomlinson, Edwin Bernard Earnest Tomlinson, Margaret Lauren Middleton, Winifred Tomlinson, Doris Irene Lockwood, Robert Cornelius Lockwood
Location of story:听
Rainham Essex,
Background to story:听
Civilian
Article ID:听
A5739294
Contributed on:听
14 September 2005

"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"

October 16th 1944 Monday
Have just returned from Boxhill feeling MUCH better. Muriel & I just walked & walked. Arrived back in Town, had lunch at The Regent Palace, bought a marvelous pair of shoes at Mansfield's.

November 7th 1944 Tuesday
I am writing everywhere that it is possible to do so. Have asked the Major for an appointment. Last Saturday I met the Shiltons in Town also Gladys. We had lunch at Oddenino's then tea at the Criterion then Gladys and I went to the Gaumont to see Abbot & Costello "In Society". Very much in common with Jean Shilton; she hasn't heard any more yet.

November 13th 1944 Monday
Gosh! How my knees knocked I have just had a telephone call from the Major and he had my husband's Co-Pilot by his side. I am going down to meet them on Wednesday catching the 10.16 am. Edwin definitely at Arnhem.

November 16th 1944 Thursday
Oh! My! Yesterday was my Day of Days! Had a perfectly wonderful time, felt positively AWFUL in the morning, but the Chief was very good to me, insisted on my eating something. Just managed to catch the train - Oh! I wore THE SMASHING HAT!! to keep my morale high. Had to stand all the way to Marks Tey (remember???) eventually arrived at Earls Colne and found a very Pukka Captain waiting for me - oh! it was marvelous to know he had been with Edwin the whole of the time right from Monday 18th Sept till Friday 22nd Sept, then he was called away to another sector. Right up to that time Edwin was perfectly fit and well. He introduced me to the Major about 6'4" of him, he was wonderful he'd come back too. Any questions I had in my mind were answered, to the best of their knowledge, and I came away feeling very confident. Major said he would have liked to ask me to stay to lunch but as there would be about 120 officers I said "I couldn't face that" to which he replied "Captain has a suggestion to make: could he take me out me into Colchester for lunch"? So off we went having been with him for about 45 minutes. We arrived in Colchester about 1.15 pm. Had a wonderful lunch at 'The Red Lion' and eventually caught the 2.40 pm train. First stop Liverpool Street. Captain Norton gave me his private address so that I may keep in touch with him. He said he was proud to have had Edwin with him. And so ended a Super Day for me. I feel so terribly Proud of Edwin. That narrows my investigations down a bit now, so I must just keep my Chin up and wait, as Edwin would expect me to do.

November 30th 1944 Thursday
Still no news of Edwin, feel firmly convinced he's hiding up somewhere. These two months have simply flown, guess its because I've been fairly occupied trying to get information.
'Greenbums' Mother has telephoned me to say he's a P.O.W. Have had a charming letter from one of the Major's men - S/Sgt Raspison - he has offered to help me in any way he can. Will get in touch with him as soon as he comes back from leave. Am still keeping this chin UP. Had my fitting for my new Harris suit on Monday. Hope I shall get it back for Xmas, looks pukka - Have finished the jumper which is "all my own work"! And have purchased a 'Super Sailor' to finish off the ensemble. Must keep it spick & span for Edwin's return. And my next visit to "The Burford".

January 9th 1945 Tuesday
I was very lucky at Christmas and managed to get an extended leave so first of all I went up to Warrington to give Mum & Dad the latest news about Edwin. Left Euston 10.25 am on Sat morning arrived Warrington 3.30 pm Stayed with them until Thursday then went to Manchester and so on to Cleethorpes. Had a wonderful time with Doris & Bob. They had two friends staying with them so we made a jolly party. Arrived back at 'Delamere' the following Saturday and commenced at G.E.G. 1st Jan. Still no news of Edwin, still got my fingers crossed. I can't believe that its in its fourth month now. Maybe I shall hear something soon, the War Office have given me until 15th April 1945, but I have a feeling that date will come and go before I hear anything. Lets hope I'm wrong. Went to Romford on Saturday, did some shopping, called on Mr & Mrs Harris, Fred's marriage has broken up so they have gone to live with him. They gave me a lovely tea and they want me to go again soon.

January 31st 1945 Wednesday
No news from Edwin. Am wearing my new frock to cheer myself up - its rather smashing - black with 3/4 sleeves. Mr Edward took me out to lunch, then gave me a lift to Romford in the car in the evening. Altogether a very pleasant day under the circumstances.

February 9th 1945 Friday
Am going to Streatham Hill this weekend staying with Wendy at her flat. Had a nasty Bang at the back of the 'Super' yesterday' just after 12 o'clock, I thought it had crashed on the office. We've had dozens of Rockets in Ilford, oh they are terrible things. And still no news from Edwin, but notices are still coming through about some of the men turning up. Monty has started his new Offensive, droped paras S.E. Nijmegan.

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