大象传媒

MARCH 1943

1 MON
At the conclusion of work today, news came of an exceptionally long journey tomorrow, and later, whilst at tea, our PO rang me up and confirmed it. Betty has had a mid-term holiday and has been such a help to Kay (and she needs it; her size handicaps her).I gave her a shilling.

2 TUE
As forecast yesterday, our trip took place today and occupied the whole day: very little resulted from our visit and we did not stay overnight 鈥� a great blessing. But the consequent scrambling for meals gave me indigestion, which was aggravated by the bumping of the speeding return journey.

3 WED
Stomach bad all day, and meals, ate little all day. A trip in the car did not affect me unduly: was glad work consisted mostly of the multifarious month end returns. Mum rang up: news of George 鈥� aircraft from S. Africa:

4 THU
A day given wholly to the crown, for I did not return home in evening, but stayed on for fire watching. There was a resum茅 of the air raid at 4.30 this morning, but not lasting long. We did not get up and John and Beryl slept through it. At firewatch, there was a long overdue demonstration of house fire fighting and we saw our roof outlook posts for first time. Not reassuring.

6 SAT
A real good night in my own bed 鈥� what a difference to last night! A volunteer firewatcher was wanted to do Sunday night: I did not volunteer. Found time to go to cinema today: Had to pay 鈥淪aturday prices鈥� for a mediocre show:- 鈥淢y Sister Eileen鈥�, with Rosalinde Russell, who I think is a good actress

7 SUN
A pleasant off鈥攄uty Sunday: did a few jobs; one in particular was a great relief to me 鈥� the black-out of John鈥檚 bed-room.

8 MON
A short and sharp air raid during early morning! The kiddies started violently at the terrific gunfire. Beryl had a 6w light on all night in her bedroom. Current incidents today composed of i) finding a purse (contents 2/11d) in Greys Woolworths (a town we visited en route to today鈥檚 business; ii) rendering very poor assistance in a case of injury on the road; iii) shepherding 2 young ladies who found themselves miles out of their way in C. Hill London.

9 TUE
Beautiful spring-like weather, marred only by the advantage 鈥楯erry鈥� took of it to send bombers Londonwards, and gave rise to a short 鈥渁lert鈥�.

10 WED
Another one of those 鈥渁ll crown鈥� days: except for early morning when I snatched time to visit the hairdresser.

11 THU
Engaged my day鈥檚 leave on the occasion of my birthday (36th); taking it easy at home a.m. And spending afternoon and evening up to 8, with Mum, Dad and Roy. Heard George is in India.

12 FRI
Was phoned last night re time of appearance for today, and told of the crew鈥檚 first seizure of any size, in which, of course, I am not a participant, owing to leave from work yesterday. An extraordinary circumstance! Returned to work, visiting vessel concerned, but nothing occurred today.

13 SAT
Visit to urban police court, owing to seizure of 12/3. This took largest part of day. Home early enough to permit Kay to go shopping in Morden with Betty and Beryl. Kay returned after a couple of hours, indignant of stares and nudges of people because of her deformed figure.

14 SUN
After the day鈥檚 work, I was on fire watching duties and filled in my time on the "Harpy" doing various jobs (wood sawing and so on), and chatting with the staff already on duty, the topic being 鈥淔irst Aid鈥�. There was no lecture or fire fighting practice: a very good supper at 7.30: news at 9: bed 11 pm.

15 MON
The night鈥檚 fire watching was uneventful and as the Water guard secured the use of separate dormitory of 4 beds, there was little disturbance: nevertheless, it was not the same as sleeping at home, and I missed my normal sleep by afternoon.

17 WED
Thick fog on river and giving everywhere a still and dismal appearance. Very little moving on river, opportunity to do one or two odd jobs. At home, did some wood chopping etc, to provide for fires night and early morning.

18 THU
Spent evening drafting a letter to A.R.P. Officer re flooded shelter: fear for a heavy 鈥渂litz鈥� with nowhere to go. Only solution = proper drainage.

19 FRI
Day passed well in an environment very interesting (close to our old locality of residence in the East) but unable to record owing to war restrictions. Telephone conversation with Mum: given George鈥檚 address in India, where he has now arrived

20 SAT
Home in time to relieve Kay of Beryl and John, and for her to go with Betty to Raynes Park 鈥淩ialto鈥�. John has recently received 鈥淢.M.鈥� gas mask for baby one.

24 WED
The blessing (long overdue) of limited fixed bus stops has come to our local route and is in operation from today: object 鈥� to save rubber and petrol used by constant stopping. Due for fire watching, but released. Found Kay in a shocked state having just put out fire caused by John throwing paper into electric fire.

26 FRI
Home in time to suggest pictures for Kay and Betty. So after tea, they set off for Wimbledon 鈥淓lite鈥� to see 鈥淲hite Cargo鈥�, which they enjoyed: but the journey home was a nightmare 鈥� they had difficulty in getting a trolley at the Town Hall, and missed last bus at Raynes Park terminus, arriving home footsore at 11.45 pm.

27 SAT
Some fun was going on as to mottoes for the posters for Mum鈥檚 鈥淔airway Group鈥� War Savings effort - 拢100 target in 鈥淲ings for Victory鈥�, week 24/4 鈥� 1/5. Some rhymes were highly improper: my own was: 鈥淐ome on Fairway, do your best! Produce your surplus from the old oak chest鈥�.

28 SUN
Not home from work until late, but had a little success thereat. Good meal was waiting me, and a pleasant hour or so thereafter with the newspaper etc, in company of Kay and Betty.

29 MON
2 x 16 year old boys came to re-cement shelter and made very un-equal job of it.

30 TUE
Beryl was amusing at tea today: she spoke of the barrage balloons visible as 鈥済arage balloons鈥�. She says many amusing things in a very innocent manner at this time in her life. She and John play (and occasionally fight) together all day.

31 WED
Took my last 鈥渙dd day鈥檚鈥� leave, and spent it in the interest of the Crown, fire watching. I do every 10th night by attending the fire training school at the imperial war museum, Lambeth Road (old 鈥淏edlam鈥�, to which I was first taken when I joined King Edward School). Very instructive day: good training and instructors. Kay bad in night, came downstairs crying.

APRIL 1943

1 THU
End of the month clerical 鈥� always a long job. During lunch, acquainted A.R.P. Officer with the effect of yesterdays fire training which he had arranged for me. There are many similar courses which are available if only I can be spared. In the evening, replaced bunk beds into shelter; re-cemented floor having now hardened. Propped up weather proof door frame.

2 FRI
A very full day having travelled some distance to a ship, we were recalled and set off after a hasty meal to Ipswich. Travel and stops took us nearly 4 hours, and as black-out is at 8, and return journey necessary by 5 latest, we had to book rooms at a 鈥淐ommercial Hotel鈥�, ie Bridge House. High supper in town (fish and chips) cost 2/8d, 2 of crew carousing thereafter. Mr B and I had a good walk. Ipswich full of forces.

3 SAT
Our board and lodging cost 8/6d each, not comparable with the usual comforts of 鈥淒uke of Kent鈥�, to which we unfortunately could not go owing to lack of accommodation: left without regrets. Visited shipping and Ipswich Custom house, and set off for home, stopping at our favourite caf茅 at Mark鈥檚 Tay, where excellent lunch was provided at reasonable cost(=1/6d, 2 courses and tea, compared with last night鈥檚 fare for 2/8d). Back on the "Harpy", debated going home and late attendance for the night鈥檚 fire watching (which starts at 5 pm). Remained on "Harpy" however, and duly presented myself for fire watch duty at proper time. There was not a lecture, so during evening, I was able to do some writing and reading. We had an excellent fish supper and good company.

4 SUN
A broken night鈥檚 rest in the Customs house, but another good feed before signing off fire watch at 8. Our fire leader and cook manage the meals excellently; in fact are causing other Customs Teams envy. Spent a pleasant day doing odd jobs and a couple of hours in garden. Double summer time has commenced, giving us an extra hour of daylight for this purpose.

6 TUE
Tuesday April 6th 1943 was entirely given to the Crown: we started later than usual, which gave me an opportunity to lie in a little, but beyond that, I just had time to get my supper and then to bed. In the morning, Beryl in my bed asked 鈥渢hose hairs in your nose are to keep the flies out aren鈥檛 they, daddy?鈥� This is a sample of her quaint sayings.

8 THU
Back to our ship of yesterday, where we hoped to consolidate our success there, but did not do so. The matter of 鈥渙wners鈥� get more difficult: one cannot blame members of crew for not owning up and thereby being fined additionally to losing their goods.

9 FRI
Hear some terrible stories of present day perils of the sea, and one from an ordinary Greek seaman today, which brought a sob to my throat. The men of the merchant navy have more than their quota of heroes. An hour or two putting an edge to my back lawn: Mother came to see how Kay was: Beryl kept her amused whilst I had a chat when I came in from the garden.

10 SAT
Kay鈥檚 water broke at 3 am, and when it became certain the midwife would be wanted, I phoned her at 4. She delivered a girl at 7.15 am, weight 8lbs and, to our surprise, told us to expect another. This proved a boy at 10.15 am, weight 7 lbs, so that Kay must have been carrying a total weight of 24 lbs in all, Nurse says that Kay had a difficult time, particularly with first child, but by the end of the day she was progressing favourably and so were children. Telegraphed Kay鈥檚 parents.

11 SUN
Kay鈥檚 night was fairly good: Betty slept on the settee and attended to any wants: I slept soundly upstairs until 6.45 pm, having been awake since 2.45 am yesterday. Mrs Lew, the lady helping us, brought her 2 children to the house and I left for work. She worked very hard, and fortunately, the visiting children harmonised with ours. Mum came for a couple of hours: Kay had one bad turn; later O.K.

12 MON
Waited until Mrs Lew (see 11/4) came to take over and left for work. Had previously raised Betty who had a fire lit and John and Beryl downstairs. A good deal of laughing and leg pulling among my work mates, but many congrats. Also by phone from Lou J etc. (a surprise phone call from Vera, in London for the week with a promise to visit Wednesday, was not recorded yesterday. Kay fairly well.

13 TUE
Repeated yesterdays arrangement with Mrs Lew, but left a trifle earlier. At work, was in receipt of many kindnesses from colleagues; garments etc for the twins from Mr Boalsh, my present PO. Mum came in evening again. Waited in vain for nurse鈥檚 evening visit, but learned no visit after 3rd day. Mrs Lew managing everything perfectly: a gem!

15 THU
The twins slept in dining room within hearing, but not enough to affect Kay鈥檚 sleep in the front room. An 鈥渁lert鈥� at 0.30 rather spoilt things, but there was no local activity.

16 FRI
Round of visits to register the twins, secure rations and clothing coupons, to fill up books requiring particulars took me 3 hours today. But it was a good job done and by the afternoon, our twins were actually on books of Co-op and had had their week鈥檚 rations. As yesterday.

17 SAT
End of the first week of Kay鈥檚 convalescence. Pleased to see her progressing, although she is still pale and somewhat haggard. She has had plenty of visitors to admire the twins, perhaps rather too many. Vera leaves London tomorrow, and paid her final visit today..The fine weather has enlivened the monotony of Kay鈥檚 lying in and she has flowers brought in from many sources. I supplied a bunch yesterday as it was our 12th marriage anniversary. Spring flowers, because roses were 21/- a dozen.

18 SUN
Twins crying for food necessitated early rising whether on or off duty. Busy from start to finish of day; lawn clipping, controlling kiddies, or home nursing Kay. She had morning and afternoon visitors: am Sid (home on 36 hours leave) and Doll.

19 MON
Kay was allowed up for 1 hour today and was sitting around fire when I went to her for tea: quite a shock! She is feeling fairly well.

21 WED
The fine weather left us and a little rain fell, at which all my gardening colleagues sighed with relief. Was able to study the mannerisms of the Yanks today 鈥� amusing! To Grays Police court: my 2nd visit there. Home late: phoned, Kay answered! Allowed out of bed for 6 hours.

22 THU
Grey, rain threatening. Much clerical, posted my income tax form. Average weekly income over 拢7 a week. Still a pauper though 鈥� family of 7 to provide for. Arrived at a quiet home: Kay up from 9 am, sitting with Mum and Dad reading.

23 GOOD FRI
Not a bit like a pre-war Good Friday, having been decreed an ordinary working day by government, things were very much as usual. I took the twins into Kay at 7 am: both were crying lustily for their food then. Before I left, Kay was up, to be ready for nurses last official visit, and to pay her fee: 拢2 for the period of 14 days. Did not return home, fire guard duties from 5 pm 鈥� 9 am Saturday. An 鈥渁lert鈥� at 11 pm. I took station in F.A.P. Over by mid-night.

24 SAT
Felt the affect of a bad night鈥檚 rest commencing at mid-night and continued till 6 am with at least one disturbance. The usual good breakfast was provided, and the company was congenial. Work followed fire watch. Received instructions by phone, to buy John a pair of shoes 鈥� 5鈥檚, - as his present pair chafe his heel. This I did, homeward bound at Morden making a purchase satisfactory to Kay: cost 4s/6陆d. crowds of people shopping: bus queues at almost all stops. Rail travel conditions similar - or worse. No Easter Eggs of course: plain chocolate obtainable on ration. Had hot cross buns yesterday as usual. Mum called in on way to Morden. Sent Dad newly 鈥� purchased fountain pen, with request for nib renewal. Obtained powder for baby-food from Lou as a gift:

25 EASTER SUN
Not on duty till 2 pm, but got up usual time (6.45) as the babies needed Kay for their food. Put tent up for kids although it was blowing hard. Just as leaving at 1 pm, nephew Ken and his friend Dennis came to spend day and stop night. Betty guided them on visit to Hampton Court.

26 EASTER MON
Remarkable little traffic for a bank holiday. I caught one of the early 鈥渨orkers journey鈥� buses 鈥� gratifying, because last general bank holiday (Boxing day) the earlier of them were withdrawn. Ken and Dennis had left for Euston before I got home: their visit led to the cramming of single beds, with subsequent loss of sleep to Kay and self.

27 TUE
In this battle of getting a living 鈥� score: a day to the Crown 鈥� just as the whole of Easter was 鈥渁 holiday to the Crown鈥�. Account: out, at 9.45 am: home, at 10.45 pm. A full day, which included a long journey, but nothing very eventful. Kay went to Wimbledon re a pram for twins, and was lucky:- deposited 拢1, 拢9/10s more to pay. Confinement cost now about 拢20.

28 WED
At work, a return for my efforts but in regrettable circumstances. At home, examined new pram, Kay delighted; self merely satisfied: the utility pram not so striking as anything pre-war. Made up May budget and find it will just about balance with economies. Poor Jack, has received no payment for money loaned for piano.

29 THU
Made a report on yesterday鈥檚 seizure, which subsequently landed me in W.S鈥檚. office. Phoned vicar and arranged for Kay鈥檚 churching, and infants baptism at St Saviours church, at 3.45 on 2/5.

30 FRI
Travelled 180 miles today: 160 by private car on official business, the usual 10 miles each way to town making the balance. Not home till between 9/10 pm, so little time for anything else but food and do the 鈥渂lack-outs鈥�, write this diary and sundries, Poor Kay dead tired: very yellow and suffering from lassitude. Betty gives insufficient help.

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