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Mon 18th March 1940 - Hitler and Mussolini met at the Brenner Pass this morning and rumours are rife as to what took place. There is talk of Italy coming in and a blitzkrieg on England. The Germans raided Scapa Flow on Saturday night and the first civilian has been killed on British soil.
Wed 10th April - John (brother) has still not had his calling-up papers. Mr Worsnop came in this evening to look at our gas masks, as this is the last week for free replacement.
Wed 22nd April - I was awakened in the night by sounds of either gunfire or bombs, and sure enough the news this morning reported that bombs had been jettisoned at two places on the coast. Rumour says one was Felixstowe, but that, of course, is unofficial.
Thurs 23rd April - The news gets worse. The Germans have now reached Abbeville and Boulogne. Today they have arrested a Conservative MP and also Sir Oswald Moseley. The Government seem to be waking up at last, but why didn't they get going eight months ago?
Sun 26th April - They announced on the wireless tonight that they are evacuating children from the East Coast next Saturday. Yarmouth, Lowestoft, F Felixstowe and Clacton are included.
Wed 29th April - Percy spent the whole evening composing an eloquent letter to the office as to why he should be allowed petrol for going to school. The Petrol Board won't grant it now without a certificate from the office. We don't feel at all hopeful about getting it.
Thurs 30th April - All the talk now is of invasion of this country. They have today removed signposts from the main roads and the bridges over the river are mined. All the roads out of Ipswich have been barricaded and guarded by troops for weeks. Perhaps this will all be interesting to look back on after years.
Wed 19th June - The sirens went off at 11.30 last night, so down we all came into the hall. Gillian was in her Carrycot, and didn't wake, thank goodness. The house was shaken by gunfire for over four hours and we could hear German planes overhead. They have been picking up bits of shrapnel at Percy's school all day. Apparently there were about 100 planes and we brought down seven, most of them near here. Twelve people were killed.
Sat 22nd June - We had a warning almost as soon as we were in bed, and shortly afterwards we heard a German plane and the sound of a bomb falling straight on us, it seemed. Actually it fell on Anderson's house about 100 yards away. They were all blown to smithereens. We spent the rest of the night in Worsnop's dug-out. Crowds of people have come up to see the damage during the day - I dread the thought of going to bed tonight.
Mon 24th June - We had another night without a warning but I couldn't sleep and today I have felt absolutely on edge. Win arrived this evening. She says people at
Lowestoft and other coast towns have had notices to leave within 24 hrs if they get the order.
Tues 25th June - We did get a warning tonight, so out we went to Worsnop's dug-ou1 There were ten of us there from neighbouring houses, and with all the conversation there was, the time passed fairly quickly, only you get so tired after four hours of it. I felt simply dreadful all day, and although I tried to sleep this afternoon, Gillian was cross and wouldn't let me. I'm afraid all this is affecting my milk supply.
Thurs 27th June - Down into the dug-out at 11.30 again tonight and there we cowered until 3.15. I am getting so tired I feel a positive wreck.
Wed 3rd July - Today's holiday has not been stopped so Percy has been at home all day. I was just getting the tea ready when I heard a number of reports. I ran to snatch up Gillian who was outside in the pram and saw a German plane surrounded by puffs of smoke from A.A. guns. Apparently there have been daylight raids in many parts of the country and a bomb was dropped on a Suffolk town, but we don't know which.
Thurs 4th July - Eighteen bombs were dropped in the Cliff Lane district yesterday afternoon. It was unpleasantly near Percy's school. His boys nearly all have souvenir bits of bombs. Only one person was killed. Lowestoft was also bombed, says rumour and the Co-op Stores wrecked.
Mon 8th July - Just as I had finished bathing and feeding Gillian this morning I heard the reports of anti-aircraft fire, so down we went into Worsnop's dug-out at the double. Paul's, the Union Jack (pub) and St Mary Quay Church are reported to have been hit. .
Wed 10th July 1940 - The guns began last night before we had properly got into bed, so once more down below we went. Everyone was too tired even to talk and after four hours of it we came back to bed as there didn't seem to be much about. But apparently things really started after that and 12 bombs were dropped at Martlesham. Percy went to a lecture tonight to learn how to use a stirrup-pump. He, Mr James and Mr Bullock are going to have one between them.
Fri 12th July - I was just settling Gillian for the night when we heard loud reports and dived for the air-raid shelter. This morning we found we were right in thinking they were bombs. Eight fell on the Landseer Road district, two on Percy's school playfield
Wed 17th July - I have today received a form enabling me as a nursing mother to get milk at 2d a pint. - half price. This is the first time we have been able to get anything cheaply this war.
Thurs 18th July - Percy and I took the baby and went for a walk this evening. They have built a concrete pill-box on the bridge near the farm across the way, and another on the Henley Road bridge. We do appear to be waking up at last.
Sat 20th July - After dinner we went for a walk along the tow road to Westerfield, but you can't forget the war for long because of all the defences you keep coming across.
Tues 30th July - I went into the town this afternoon. It was just as crowded as on a peace-time market day. Coming back through the Arboretum I was horrified to find that the tunnel under Bridle Way, through which I pass to get from the Lower to the Upper Arboretum, is being made into an air-raid shelter. However, a kindly workman helped me lift my pram over the debris so I didn't have to go back.
Wed 7th Aug - This afternoon we walked through the park. There are voluntary women helpers there wearing red flags as aprons. When they take them off and wave them the children know they have to run to the air-raid shelter.
Thurs 22nd Aug - We missed some excitement by going to Colchester. Apparently there was yet another warning in Ipswich at tea-time and a Dornier 'flying pencil' was shot down in flames on Gippeswyk Park. The crew of five baled out and came down in Felaw St., Fore St., Riverside Rd. and near Vickers respectively.
Sat 24th Aug - I discovered this morning that Hitler and his boys had made me forget to order my weekend joint, so I had to bike into the town to get some pork, which is not rationed. I was worried in case the sirens should go all the time, but actually we got no warning until just before tea, though there have been mass raids in some places again today. Percy and Mr Worsnop spent the whole afternoon and evening making a gate through the fence so I can get to the shelter more quickly.
Wed 4th Sept - About 9.30 tonight the warning sounded again and we had a marvellous view of two German planes held by the searchlights while the guns fired and finally a British fighter came to finish off one of them. Everyone was watching from outside their shelters and a tremendous cheer went up when the German appeared to fall in flames.
Tues 10th Sept - The butcher delivered a bombshell with the meat this morning when he announced that Ipswich is being evacuated. However, it is not quite as bad as it first appeared for they are only asking those who want to go.
Wed 11th Sept - Percy spent the afternoon putting wire-netting on the hall windows to make it a little safer still.
Sat 14th Sept - Soon after we had finished dinner we heard a German plane and it was seen to release five bombs. They fell in Christchurch Park, St Margaret’s Green, Fore Hamlet, Rosehill Crescent and Foxhall Road. No siren of course.
This was to have been the day of the invasion, but so far nothing has happened except two air battles in which the Germans have lost 189 planes to our 25.
Mon 16th Sept - We were up a long time last night watching the anti-aircraft barrage over London. I was amazed to find that you could see it so far.
Percy came home with the news at dinnertime that further efforts are being made to evacuate the civil population. They had a big meeting at his school this afternoon. If he has to go it will apparently be to Loughborough. He had to stay up at school till 5.30 to help with registration.
Thurs 19th Sept - We got the warning last night before I had finished with the baby. So once more we spent the night in the hall. Percy doesn't have to go to school till ten if there is a night warning.
Sat 21st Sept - As usual I was awakened last night by German planes and presently I heard the swishing noise of a bomb, right over our heads it seemed. Later there was a terrific flash and explosion which shook the house. So we spent the rest of the night in the hall. Apparently they dropped two large land mines by parachute. The first landed in Cemetery Road but did not explode and 500 people had to leave their homes temporarily. The second came down on Rushmere Golf Course and damaged no end of houses.
The Jarvis’s next door but two heard today that their boy Peter has been killed. He only left school a year ago to join the Air Force.
Thurs 26th Sept - I dashed down town on my bike as soon as Percy got home tonight as I wanted to get a few articles of clothing before the new Purchase Tax — 33.1/3rd comes in on Oct 1st. The butter ration has been reduced to 2 ounces.
Mon 30th Sept - The day has been full of alarms and excursions after a fairly quiet night. The siren went just after 1.30. Percy was on his way to school and I was rather worried, but as usual when we get a warning, nothing happened. However, as we were having our tea this evening, there was a series of tremendous explosions. It seemed as if bombs were dropping at our very door. We dashed for shelter, but by the time we got there it was all over except for some machine-gunning above the clouds. Apparently the bombs fell in Tomline Rd., Derby Rd., Hatfield Rd. and over the Gainsborough Estate.
Tonight the siren went just after 8pm and we took shelter till 10.30, when we retired to the hall.
Fri 11th Oct - It was a marvellous day, misty, with a clear sky and I took Gillian into the town. We came back through the park where there is a dead Dornier on view in aid of the Spitfire Fund.
Fri 18th Oct - After dinner I decided to do a bit of shopping. I had only just got into Footmans when there was the sound of whistles blowing and everyone started scurrying about like mad. I seized Gillian and down into Smythe's cellar we went. Mrs Worsnop arrived a few minutes later and there we sat till 5.30 - over two hours. I came out then and the all-clear went at Electric House just as we had passed it and nearly frightened Gillian out of her life.
Mon 28th Oct - Italy and Greece are now at war. We have promised to help the latter but so far have given them nothing but fair words.
I was rather surprised to see Mr Worsnop's car outside during the morning and later when I was hanging out the washing Mr Wightman called over the fence to say they had a holiday as their works were bombed yesterday. They are both at Ransomes and Rapier. Five men were killed there when examining a time bomb. Apparently the Germans yesterday dropped very small time-bombs rather like a green condensed milk tin and Percy says they were exploding them near his school all day.
Tues 29th Oct - It has been a still grey day so that we have heard very clearly the time-bombs dropped on Sunday as they have been going off. It is now said that six were killed at Waterside Works - four of them were in the Deaths column in the Star tonight. Some special constables were injured by another and Percy heard that Val Revett had to have a leg amputated and Inspector Harrington had part of his face blown off. Three of Percy’s boys picked up one of the bombs in a wood and are now in hospital. Rumour at the school today says one is dead.
Wed 30th Oct - It has been a simply lovely morning - though punctuated by the sound of yet more bombs exploding. Percy gave a lift to a sailor who says that two naval men who were dealing with the said bombs were killed. This makes at least eight dead and goodness knows how many injured. The policemen concerned apparently found a bomb and had it in the car they were driving.
Fri 1st Nov - We were no sooner up this morning - at least Percy was still shaving than we heard a German plane flying towards Wattisham Aerodrome and presently there was the usual loud crump and back he came coastward, quite unmolested. There were three of our fighters about later, but he would be well on his homeward way by then. Mrs lames says they dropped a stick of bombs across the married quarters.
Mon 4th Nov - We got back (from Norfolk) in good time to get unpacked before tea and everything seems fairly normal except that the empty houses on Dale Hall Lane have been filled with soldiers who are making our quiet neighbourhood resound with weird noises.
Tues 5th Nov - Things seem to have been moving while we have been away. They had two air-raids here - one on Sunday night and one yesterday morning - at the other end of the town, fortunately for us. Also this area is full of Scottish soldiers. They seem to have taken over all the large empty houses nearby.
I didn't get washed up until after the news and no sooner had I finished than the siren wailed again. We took cover rather precipitately as there was a lot of activity and we have another gun which makes a terrific din.
Wed 6th Nov 1940 - Percy narrowly escaped being machine-gunned on his way to school this morning. He saw some workmen fling down their bikes and rush for shelter, but by the time he reached the spot the plane was above the clouds again. The important piece of international news today is that President Roosevelt has been re-elected for a third term. Opinion seems to be that it is a good thing for us.
Wed 13th Nov - I met Mrs James this afternoon and she says they dropped an incendiary bomb on Akester's on Sunday night, as well as others in the same district, so we are wondering about our laundry and also about my people, who are quite near.
Sat 16th Nov - We came to Southburgh (Norfolk) this morning and saw no evidence of bombing till we arrived at the corner of this road where we came upon a notice saying "UNEXPLODED BOMB -LOOPW AY". Apparently there is a large one about 1 000 lbs - in a field about 400 yds. away and so far the REs have not been able to get at it. I don't like it at all. While Percy and George were milking this evening we
heard more bombs drop. They thought they were out in the direction of Carbrook Aerodrome. I feel quite cured of any idea that the country is any safer than the town.
Tues 26th Nov - After dinner I took Gillian for a walk in the park which was so full of soldiers practising the various arts of war that I felt too much like a military objective to be very happy.
Fri 29th Nov - After a lot of waiting about for the laundry I went down and did a bit of shopping. The man actually let me have 3 ounces of cheese - the first we have had for weeks.
Summary at end of year - 1941 is beginning with a food shortage. Biscuits, oranges, sweets and treacle are practically unobtainable. No doubt there is worse to come before peace arrives. My wish for the coming year is that we may be spared from suffering and especially from fear, for that is by far the worst part of this war.

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