大象传媒

NOVEMBER 1941

1 SAT The day was taken up with end of the month clerical work, which has recently been increased. Two or three returns have to be made, and the past months travel claimed for. Volunteered to take a colleague鈥檚 salary to him at Worcester Park. Found his home after one false start, and stayed for a time. Mr Griggs home is well ordered, perfectly kept, and is a revelation on how a home can be made on PO鈥檚 money when it is ones interest in life. Found a 10 page letter from Kay, and also one from Betty awaiting my arrival home. All well and parcel mentioned 28/10 much appreciated. First air raid for many months at 10.15 pm., all over in an hour.

2 SUN A very happy day, although for George who paid us his last visit with Elsie and the boys before leaving for the RAF at Penarth, a both happy and sad one. Jack brought home his girl friend Grace, a good looking pleasant young woman, and we had music, dancing, card games. 鈥淧it鈥�! and good food, which made the day a great success.

3 MON Relieved upper coast APO who has gone up for airforce exam for navigators. Found my way round the upper reaches of the Thames, Brentford, Isleworth and also viewed Teddington Lock where I used to play as a boy. Returned home finding Roy home from school at 4. He was immunised part 2 in morning. Long letter to Kay and Betty.

4 TUE The upper coast APO failed in his RAF exam the first day, and thus returned to his normal duty and robbed me of the job. I attached myself to the rummaging crew for the day, but there was not a lot to do. At home, received a short (3 pages) letter from Kay, apparently compensating for 1st Nov 10 page one. Jack away dancing with Grace and spent evening at George鈥檚.

6 THU At Surrey Dock today. My cold developed, impeding breathing. Mother was out, paying visit to Fred and Mabel when I reached home, but returned at 4.30 with news, Fred still unfit for work and ordered to take fortnight鈥檚 holiday. Spent pleasant ( quiet!) evening reading Jane Austin鈥檚 鈥淓mma鈥�

7 FRI Jack up at 2 am for firewatching, and back to bed at 4; rather disturbed night. Kept reasonably busy round the docks at Surrey, but cold wind blew across open space made by demolition by fire bombs last year, and over the water, chilling acutely. Listened to Tommy Handley鈥檚 鈥淚TMA鈥� and had a laugh. Roy homework, Jack with friend to Wimbledon Town Hall dance.

8 SAT Business was slack again at Surrey, and it was my last day, I packed up and left at noon. Mum gave me an immediate dinner, so I was able to be at Wimbledon 鈥淓lite鈥� cinema by the time of the afternoon performance, commencing at 1.30. Saw a good programme of 3陆 hours duration; principally film 鈥淭he Great Lie鈥�, featuring Bette Davis and Mary Aster, both excellent in their roles. Home to the usual quiet evening.

9 SUN Usual off duty Sunday 鈥� privilege, very late getting up. Helped Mum with a job or two in the morning. For my work, went with Doreen Johnson to Morden on her return home from visiting us, and returned through back streets and across Cannon Hill Common looking for houses 鈥渢o let鈥�: none. Spent afternoon and evening writing to Kay.

10 MON Back to the "Harpy". Attached myself to Rummage crew, and we rummaged ship in Surrey Dock, travelling to and from by bus as usual. Mum and I had a discussion about Christmas presents, and she undertook to get my requirements for me. Dad had Roy鈥檚 main present, a 鈥淭rix鈥� controller and new engine 鈥� very expensive. I repaired a toy for Beryl鈥檚 use.

11 TUE Surrey rummaging. Felt particularly today, the effect of women replacing men in business. One can see women bus conductresses, really ticket issuing clerks, porters, milk distributors etc., and today, my hair was cut by one! Additionally, of course, there are many in the forces. They are certainly doing their bit.

12 WED Rain poured heavily during night, and Jack came home from an evening spent with Grace, with overcoat soaked. New telephone pipes for cables have been laid under our footpath in Bushey Road, making our sidewalk very muddy. Rummaging in London Dock CW vessels: Elsie sent good news her brother Alec rescued from 鈥淐ossack鈥� sank last week. Excellent letter from Kay: children bonny and amusing.

13 THU Dark now at 7 am when I set off for work: the double track of the Bushey Road is particularly dangerous especially when cyclists have no lights (very few). Also, it had been raining all night, and was humid. To "Harpy" first, to give in military service registration particulars, then Surrey for boarding duties with Deptford Creek officer. Not very busy. Quiet evening.

14 FRI Among other duties, took official documents from Surrey Dock office to Custom House and then went home. Mum gave me an early dinner and I was able to be at 鈥淩egal 鈥� cinema, Wimbledon, by time of programme commencement, 1.30. Good character study by Wallace Becry of 鈥淏arnacle Bill鈥�, but story dull. Enjoyable evening reading.

15 SAT Poor Mum has been much shaken by fall in street on Thursday, when overstepping a puddle in rain; her arm and side have been sore, and additionally, she has a nasty cold: but keeps remarkably cheerful. 8/4 Surrey, 鈥淒eptford Creek鈥� duties: my tour round docks being a very chilly one, being able to convey mac only to Surrey owing to weight and size of our overcoats. Shoes bought yesterday also somewhat uncomfortable when patrolling, it will take a few days to break them in. We spent an enjoyable evening reading, except perhaps Dad, who prefers to be active. I finished Jane Austin鈥檚 鈥淓mma鈥�.

16 SUN My third successive Sunday off duty: freedom is very pleasant if it is un-accompanied by money worries. My overtime payment will be very meagre. Was able to help Mum (almost over fall 15/11, now). Doris came in and told us of her new war job. KLG plug factory, Robin Hood Gate. Dad mended sewing machine, and Mum busy making Christmas gifts on it. Wrote to Kay.

17 MON Returned to base ("Harpy"). Opportunity to read a little and started a collection of letters 鈥淭he Gentlest Art鈥� by E.V.Lucas. Jane Austin鈥檚 book, 鈥淓mma鈥� was a village society story, in spirit of it鈥檚 peculiar grammatical style. A gale sprung up in afternoon, and rain poured down, fortunately easing at 4 pm when we left. Poor Jack now war-works till 7 pm, home 8 pm.

18 TUE Complete darkness when setting out in mornings now. This will be the case till January at least. Rummaging a ship on our own station for once. Spent whole evening doing up a toy, pass-time rather, for Betty鈥檚 10th birthday, Friday. She sticks coloured paper to designs of bookmarks, calendars etc, supplied packaged with sweets. Roy sent gift too. His canary died in a fit today.

19 WED Duly posted off Betty鈥檚 parcel at Billingsgate P.O., but unfortunately dropped her cards in pillar box too, thus she will receive them early. At work, most strenuous part of the day was afternoon, when most of the "Harpy" staff attended a First Aid lecture in Custom House, practical bandaging afterwards. Letter from Kay. Beryl has been ill with a cold, but is improving. Wrote part reply.

20 THU Went to Benson鈥檚 jewellers who have been 鈥渂litzed鈥� from their Ludgate Hill premises, and are now in Old Bond Street. There, bought Kay her Christmas present, a fine gold neck chain for her gold cross = 拢3/3s/6d, less 10%. Extravagance justified owing to a 拢6 refund of income tax. Also settled with Mum about other gifts, making Mum a monetary gift and arranging to buy Roy 鈥淭rix鈥� rails to the value of 8 shillings. Visited library.

21 FRI My 鈥淏ig Girl鈥檚鈥� 10th birthday. God bless her. Thought about her and looked at her June holiday snapshot at intervals during the day. Hope she received my parcel and had a happy day. 3 full length and 2 x 录 length rails arranged for yesterday, bought for me today: cost 8 shillings (!), but will make Roy happy. Almost all Christmas shopping done now.

22 SAT Only half day鈥檚 work, a hasty meal and a local cinema. Saw an average programme: consider American films still miles ahead of British: there was one of each in the show. House empty when I returned home, Mum and Roy Christmas shopping at Kingston (terrible crush). Dad at his usual Saturday whist drive, Jack still at work. Dining room full during evening, however, for additionally to all of us, his friend Derrick Somm??? came in 鈥� mutual help at homework! Women鈥檚 part in war work (see 11/11 and 16/11), again predominant. Women of 1911 class register, which includes Elsie. Received 拢15 money order in final settlement of my claim under war damage act:- by post.

23 SUN 8/4 "Harpy". Day alternately bright and cloudy. Duties mainly clerical. Had opportunity to write a four page letter to Kay, telling her of yesterday鈥檚 windfall, and suggested we might enlighten Betty on sex matters now she is 10. Whole evening to myself: Dad, Mum and Roy at Tony Johnson鈥檚 birthday party (aged 6). Jack out with Grace.

24 MON Banked the 拢15 money order at Bishopsgate post office today. Adds to total savings of 拢2 (!) this year鈥檚 effort at 1s per week (i.e. 2 x 6d saving stamps). Put in hard work in the hottest engine room of a ship I have been fated to rummage (Surrey). Called library on way home and collected an ordered book 鈥淢agnolia Street鈥� by Louis Golding. Anxiety re Jack home late.

25 TUE Rummaging in Surrey again. After 13 years in the water guard, I now enjoy rummaging. Paid Mum 拢1-8s-9p, pants, a vest and various presents for Christmas. Buying clothes for myself and for presents much depleted my clothes coupons, but received John鈥檚 coupons by post from Kay. Roy spent evening homework and packing his many gifts in coloured crepe paper, one month too early.

27 THU Received an indoor job of amending by printed slips certain official instructions. This suited me as my cough worsened and a cold developed and I needed to keep warm. Sent off usual 拢9 to Kay and 拢2 extra for Christmas expenses. Dad lending me enough to do it (Payday tomorrow). Dad and Mum embroidering gift aprons, Mum has run up on her machine.

28 FRI Cold proceeding ordinarily, not causing great discomfort. The smoke and hot air of the 鈥淓lite鈥� cinema, Wimbledon, did not affect me much. 鈥淏lossoms in the Dust鈥� (Greer Garson) referred to cast off illegitimate children 鈥� a touchy film. Roy enrolled us all in his 鈥淭rix鈥� club (complete with audited accounts) at 1d per week. 鈥淏oss鈥� R.H.Cole Esq.

29 SAT Spent morning doing part of end of month clerical work, and afternoon, managed to make a start on Kay 鈥榮 week-end letter. All spent quiet evening reading and later, listening to radio. Dad however, went to a whist drive at Putney and tried to win us a turkey 鈥� no bon! Roy and Derrick played with the 鈥淭rix鈥� on one side of the (dining) room. Cold troublesome, woke up coughing in night.

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