大象传媒

MAY 1944

1 MON
Kay and I rather worried about the attitude of the head teacher at Morden Farm school. Her (Betty) broken up education makes her a target for a bullying teacher when she should be receiving extra help. Kay is summoned to the school on account of a misdemeanour of which I am satisfied she was not the cause. Kay and Betty had an enjoyable evening at the cinema

2 TUE
An annoying argument occurred during the lunch hour. A smug young APO, with a typical water guard mentality made a discussion on APO鈥檚 meagre remuneration, the subject of an exhortation of how I ought to manage on my personal income. I will be careful to give him no occasion for repetition, and note this down on record. Kay to Betty鈥檚 school. Headmaster (smugly) affable, suggests Betty is 鈥渉ighly strung鈥�, i.e. too lively. Parted good friends: crisis over.

4 THU
The great news came by letter from the previous staff association that an exam is to be held in August. 67 candidates only, result placing in seniority (which means me in first few if I pass). V.E.C. Tuition Course offered at 3 gns. I accepted and commenced study in evening.

5 FRI
I applied the maxim 鈥淜now Thyself鈥� to my studying this afternoon, for in my half day, I felt anything but studious. So I went to the Raynes Park cinema, and there saw a passable programme as a light relief. In the evening, Kay and Betty went and saw the same programme.

6 SAT
My failure previous PO exam due to war and it鈥檚 troubles: evacuation of Kay and (2) children: maintaining correspondence with them, shopping cooking and feeding myself: looking after house and garden: removal to Mum鈥檚 and storage of furniture: difficulties of studying at Mum鈥檚, especially against blaring radio etc. Now I have a considerably less period for study and I hear that Kay plans to leave me for a well deserved holiday at Blackpool, and leave me almost in the same predicament!. Did much study at work, and quite well at my desk in the evening, but I do little more than one question per day. I bought Kay a 5/- bunch of tulips (=2 doz). She was most pleased.

7 SUN
On fire watch tonight, so left home this morning with prospect of not returning till tomorrow evening. At work, there was plenty to do, making me feel tired, whilst the heavy fire watch supper did not improve matters. Wasted time where I had hoped to be studying, and went to bed deploring a day almost wasted with no study done.

8 MON
Twice disturbed during night and had to dress myself and walk the station corridor and back. This broke up my sleep, and I found rummaging during the day exacting. Couple of hours study, and mowed lawns.

9 TUE
Excellent progress at Naval Regulations in morning. I was on duty at 2 pm. The watch was a hard one and of the fullest duration. Could have caught the last bus but preferred to walk home in moonlight. The journey took 23 minutes.

10 WED
Instead of being dead tired and sleeping well after walk home (9/5) spent a disturbed night. Another hard day at rummage made me almost 鈥榓ll in鈥� by teatime. Did a little study thereafter.

11 THU
Noise and Vibration caused by heavy bombers passing overhead was the talk of everybody. At home, Kay said little Pauline in her pram in garden cried with fright. Our first exam class held "Harpy" 5 鈥� 7 pm. Acquitted myself fairly well. Home 8, Kay told me pram and suit cases gone to station, and she and children travelling tomorrow. Put ventilation pipe into shelter.

12 FRI
Bid Kay fond farewell this morning, but managed to get up to Euston just in time to see her and children off. They all looked well, Beryl wanted me to go too 鈥� 鈥榯here鈥檚 room鈥� she said. The day was glorious: opened windows of house. Kay had left things reasonably well: I was not greatly incommoded the first day. Studied.

13 SAT
Did well at the Navy Regulations: working at them on and off throughout the day. Put them aside at nightfall, having answered the Navy questions in my V.E.C. paper. My worry now is how to divide my available study time between my V.E.C. tutor, and my exam class tutor (and daily rummaging PO) Mr Burt, who is of immense help to me. I fancy I can steer a middle course, with difficulty. Had a 陆 day: and when I was not in the back bedroom studying, I was doing jobs about the house. Commenced a letter to Kay: shall probably do a little letter writing daily.

14 SUN
An extra Sunday to being on duty every other one. This was fortunate as I was able to have my mid-day meal in the P.L.A. canteen. While I can do this, all I have to see to is a light breakfast (cereal and bread and marmalade): tea (cheese and salad, or an egg etc.) and my supper (cocoa). Neighbour gets bread and milk for me and hangs it on the intervening fence. A little study.

15 MON
Weather quite cold: forebore to go into my lighter suit until it changes. Overcoats were almost wanted. On way home, did my first Co-op shopping: they were very nice to me: my solitary rations looked very small. No letter from Kay as expected: wrote a little more to her letter. Did some studying: am progressing fairly well.

16 TUE
Weather again at 50 ish degrees Lit boiler in evening to warm the house and to have a bath: electric fire in dining room and study. Concluded my letter to Kay ready for sending. No news from her yet. Did well with my studies, finished up volume 1 鈥� 4: it came back to me quite easily.

17 WED

Had plenty of time for study in the office today and revised some of vol. 1-5. On fire watch too did a little instead of wasting the time (as last time). Sent Kay her usual amount of housekeeping money (50/-) by registered letter. Victualling myself at own expense. Wrote an air mail letter to George, congratulating him on promotion to Pilot Officer. To fire watch bed at 10 pm.

18 THU
Slept quite well until 3 am, and resolutely refusing to 鈥渨alk the station corridor鈥�. I laid in torment till 6. To Surrey Dock office, return on time for once! The days work was not hard, but by 5 pm, the time of the class on study of regulations , on "Harpy", I was too tired to gain much benefit. Home about 8 pm: card from Kay saying safe arrival at Blackpool on mat.

19 FRI
Able to take a 陆 day today, but unfortunately did not spend it doing much studying. Went to the Co-op for the balance of my ration shopping but the queue was too long, so I came away without. At this and other disappointments, and a general feeling of defection, went down to see Mum.

20 SAT
Quite a satisfactory day. The greater part of our work was pm, so I had the whole morning in the office to study. But the pm work extended until 5 pm and very nearly prejudiced my getting my part rations. In fact, I was unable to get my bacon, but one of the girls at the shop, a friend of Kay鈥檚, came round on her own to the house to bring me part of her own rations 鈥� a very kind act. A nice letter from Kay. Kids definitely have whooping cough. Wrote part letter to her, and did other clerical work, but not a lot of study.

21 SUN
My 3rd successive Sunday on duty, i.e. I have not had a day away from work since 30/4, and the next prospective break is Sunday 28th = 28 days. My model employer, the Crown (!). Work was attended by an incident which means my probable appearance in the police court. I trust I shall not be baited by a defending solicitor. Some study done.

22 MON
In the course of the day, I was present at the melancholy business of 鈥渃harging the offender鈥� at the police station. I dislike this aspect of our job. Jack paid me a surprise visit about a projected visit to Blackpool, all set to travel there tomorrow.

23 TUE
Weather more seasonal, but still dull. Did my shopping at the Co-op, where they well looked after me. On phone, Mum said Jack had gone to Blackpool. Hope he pairs up with Vera for the week. Evening: typed my seizure report for court tomorrow.

24 WED
Court case went smoothly, the Customs solicitor almost pleading for the accused! There was the danger of international complications, accused being one of our allies, an American. Had the seizure report to type again in evening and made a good job of it. Some study.

25 THU
Weather good to dull again. Very little summer weather yet. Some dispute at work about 陆 day, thought not to be wanted because of class in regulation study. I decided to give class a miss, and took benefit of time off. Left office at 1 pm. Spent my ration book points en route . Went down to Mum鈥檚 for a break.

26 FRI
After yesterday鈥檚 observation on weather, it decided to improve today. The evening was beautiful. I planted some lettuce plants given to me by Mum. Letter from Kay = 1陆 pages, in unhappy strain. Kiddies all 鈥渨hooping鈥�: Kay a nervous wreck without sleep. Household and garden chores are leaving me no time for study at all. 3 weeks gone.

27 SAT
Not many people travelling up in tube this morning: most would be able to include today in their Whit Sunday, I have tomorrow and Monday off with an empty house to spend them in, and , being on fire watch at 5 pm, will not have the great privilege of 鈥榣ying in鈥� on Sunday morning. I got some study in at the Crown鈥檚 expense thereby. Left Surrey at 4 pm for Custom House. Beautiful weather: nobody in a hurry to turn up. 5 people sat for the excellent supper, however, following which, I wrote part letter on scrap paper, to Kay. Poor sleeps.

28 SUN
Had some noisy Sea Scouts to break my sleep as well as the usual cause. So when I reached home, I worked a bit in the garden, and then had 2 hours sleep. Went to Mum鈥檚.

29 MON
Another 1陆 page letter from Kay (surprised at Bank Holiday delay of letters!). Situation same, except that Kay has a sty in her eye which confines her to the house. She is very abject. Wrote cheering letter, suggesting she and kiddies better by week end, and she should stay month鈥檚 duration of railway ticket

30 TUE
A very hot day. We were pleased there was not too much to do pm. Sent usual housekeeping money (50/-) to Kay. Can鈥檛 manage any extra money for her, poor dear.

31 WED
A very tiring day: tried to study in evening, but felt more like going to sleep. Roy came to see me and brought some meat pie and bread pudding: I sent back cooking fats and some Yankie magazines. Saw Mr Burt re 拢3 K.E.C. exam course. 4 weeks have passed and I have done nothing. Whole matter a great worry.

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