大象传媒

JANUARY 1943

1 FRI
Additional to usual New Year greetings, received A.R. Officer鈥檚 personal congratulations on passing St John鈥檚 First Aid exam. The 3 other Water guard candidates also passed. After consultation, decided to continue with fire watch team as qualified First Aid man, although entitled to exemption whilst on Mobile.

2 SAT
Phoned Kay to meet me at Morden with kiddies to go to Wimbledon to see 鈥淏ambie鈥� 鈥� Walt Disney鈥檚 film, but she declined. Learned Uncle Dick forced to break up home and thinking of selling small modern piano. Talked with Mum and Dad about buying it at reduced price offered by Uncle Dick. Kiddies to 鈥淏ambie鈥�, Wimbledon: met them as they came out.

3 SUN
Fire watching. Good supper.

4 MON
New firewatchers canteen arrangements worked well. Breakfast at 7.30am was enjoyed by all, save two of the Customs A team: charge for this and last night鈥檚 supper = 2/-. In room 11 vice, a man sick: home early enough to allow Kay and Betty to go to Morden.

5 TUE
Light covering of snow on ground at Morden. In room 11, work pleasant enough, but air conditioning and heating at fault (!) through blocked up chimney.

7 THU
Left work at 8 and Kay welcomed me home with news Aunt Alice had phoned piano (2/1) could be had at sacrifice price of 拢25 (Harrod鈥檚 had offered 拢30). Jack has kindly offered to lend Kay and I that sum, so accepted Aunt Alice鈥檚 offer by phone and arranged with Bentall鈥檚 to collect it tomorrow at cost of 拢2. Kay to anti-natal clinic: baby turned.

8 FRI
Piano arrived at 5 pm. Not such a rushed evening in room 11 鈥� quite enjoyable.

9 SAT
Viewed the new acquisition (piano) when I arrived home, and was satisfied as to it鈥檚 appearance (small) and tone. Dampering action too precise: needs tuning. Kay appeared pleased, but not wholly satisfied. Perhaps, to both of us, it represents a debt, and will like it better when that debt is paid.

10 SUN
Still cold and was glad to see dining room fire alight when I looked in at 6 am: it saved Kay a job. On 8/4 duty fog was fairly thick, shipping unable to move. Had a quiet evening round fire with Kay.

11 MON
The first day on the mobile was fully occupied, and though I found continued Rummaging, tiring, it was certainly more satisfying to be engaged all day and to be driven to and from the ships we selected. Harmonised well with crew and look forward to a happy year.

12 TUE
Kay had the chimney sweep in today (whom we have promised Betty as a father-in-law if she doesn鈥檛 progress with her lessons), I had a hard day cleaning up after him. Today, a second chimney was done, with consequent accumulation of work. This is hard going for a woman 1 month off childbirth. Wrote acknowledgement of receipt of piano, and satisfaction to Alice.

13 WED
Fast road journey in PO鈥檚 car today, which as a sample of many to come did not bring me much joy! Rummaging was very satisfactory. However and gave a balance to the day. Back late, but being on Custom House firewatch, and having reserved a supper, was well provided for, and soon in bed.

14 THU
The depressing state of the Essex countryside after the recent raids was intensified when I reached home and found our own garden (almost) underwater. We promised Beryl a bath in it but she did not concur!

15 FRI
Today makes 1 month from Kay鈥檚 anticipated confinement, and she still goes shopping with Beryl and John in pram, occasionally causing comment from interfering people who observe her condition. Listened to Tommy Handley (鈥淚tma鈥�), and read 鈥淢ansfield Park鈥� till bed-time.

16 SAT
An early turn was decreed today, and I could not help remarking what a difference to ones feeling the loss of an hour鈥檚 sleep makes. By evening meal time was quite ready to close, but bucked up later. Went down to Mum鈥檚 where Jack had ready the 拢25 he offered to loan me to pay Aunt Alice for piano. Only difference now is I don鈥檛 know her new address

17 SUN
Today鈥檚 duty was prolonged, and left very little time in the evening. Rummaging brought a little return and thus made the day interesting. Air raid at 8.30 pm (in which there was much gunfire and I baled out 4鈥� water from shelter) caused Kay to bring them downstairs, but did not go out to shelter.

18 MON
Yet another air raid at 5 am: Did not disturb children, who made no outcry at the incessant gunfire (John usually cries at sound of siren). Work was normal but arrived home tired after last night鈥檚 disturbance, only to suffer another alert at 7.45 pm which, however, was soon over.

19 TUE
Betty鈥檚 eliminating exam for scholarship tomorrow, therefore bed early.

20 WED
One of the red letter days in my life, when for the second time I escaped injury from German bombers. For security reasons am unable to give locality or details. Suffice to say, it was same area as 1st occasion. Rummaging soon quietened nerves to normal. More 鈥渁lerts鈥� in evening, but no more thrills!

22 FRI
Gave Kay a little money for a pair of blan-sheets, but she did not purchase them because of the scandalous price asked. We need bedding badly, and do not wish lady helping us out during confinement period to find us so sadly lacking.

23 SAT
My Sunday 鈥渙ff duty鈥� was to be marred by a night鈥檚 fire watching, but was considerably eased by a couple of hours at home with Kay and the 2 younger children; Betty having been treated to the pantomime at the Wimbledon theatre. Firewatch commenced at 5 pm and the usual supper provided at 7.30 pm, which, with the morning鈥檚 breakfast, costs us 2/-; and good value too. Bedded in my own small dormitory, but camp bed too narrow and creaky to allow of a perfect night鈥檚 rest. Fortunately, no 鈥渁lerts鈥�

24 SUN
Left firewatch at 8 am, and found the suburbs shrouded in fog, and thick frost everywhere. Started right in and lit dining room fire for children and by then, Dad had arrived. He stayed all day and did us great service by putting up blind in kiddies room, removing furniture and fixing up beds for Kay鈥檚 confinement, and fixing another light in kitchenette.

25 MON
Had time to start First Aid study of 鈥減oisons鈥�, a subject included in the M.W.P. instructor course, as it was mainly an A.R.P. course, in keeping with the times. Kay, Betty and I listened to the 5th instalment of our serial 鈥淭he Young in Heart鈥�: these instalments are not long enough.

26 TUE
Since beginning a station minute, have colleague at 鈥淗arpy鈥� whose conversation is worth listening to: a rare thing amongst the water guard, who often do not go beyond cards, women and pubs. At home, great news: coal had come: very scarce now.

27 WED
The river-side caf茅 at which I get such an excellent mid-day meal is now frequented by PO鈥檚 and CPO鈥檚! 鈥淎lf鈥檚鈥� renown is spreading. Betty planted a few bulbs for the spring before it was dark

28 THU
Kay went to the clinic doctor today and again he looked grave and had to turn the baby to a proper position. He warned of strenuous work, but with housework, Beryl and John, she can hardly avoid it. Thereafter, typed letter to Aunt Alice to cover remittance for piano: address only just to hand

29 FRI
Kay鈥檚 nights are so bad with bodily pain, twitching etc that very kindly, she elects to sleep in the newly erected double bed, with Betty. Even so, she is often un-rested, and a little cross in mornings.

30 SAT
I arrived home to find Kay so depressed and tired that I pressed home a suggestion to go to Raynes Park cinema with Betty, and she finally went at 4.45pm. Beryl has been enthralled with old treasure cot fetched out of garage. It satisfied her habit of mothering her babies.

31 SUN
The gale continued, and by the time I returned home from duty, hoardings, telegraph poles and fences were down along the whole bus route homeward bound. Fences lining own garden both partly down: advised Brown. Also, garden completely waterlogged, so unable to use struts etc. Terrific howling of wind, and rain and rain pattering down all night, some got through window framework into bedroom.

FEBRUARY 1943

1 MON
Took out a monthly season, Morden to Moorgate (and intermediately) at the cost of 25/6d = approximately same cost pro rata as weekly season = 6/4d week. Advantage = no queuing for weekly season, and monthly season convenient paid for ex month 鈥� end Salary. The gusty wind continued to blow, and rain, even hail, to fall with occasional calm periods.

2 TUE
Abnormal weather has abated. Afternoon was mildly sunny with occasional shower clouds. It was my turn for an all night stay at Custom House, fire watching, but was told I was not required.

3 WED
Learned a firewatcher was required last night to replace a sick and a colleague, whose phone number was better known than my own was called out. 鈥渁dvantages鈥� of being on phone. Saw very little of home, and nothing at all of Beryl and John, as I was home late and in bed 2 hours later.

4 THU
Kay has suffered considerably during this pregnancy with stomach cramp and something she calls 鈥渢he tickles鈥�. In the night, she had to jump out of bed with an attack of the formers: and has now decided it would be better for her to sleep alone in double bed in back room; Betty sleeping with me.

5 FRI
Kay received a visit from the nurse who is to attend her shortly, and was much relieved to hear her baby is in the correct position; and that her confinement arrangements were approved. Phoned Mum and heard she had had a letter from George, - at sea. Letter un-dated and information censored of course.

6 SAT
Kay not half as grumpy this morning 鈥� she had a good night鈥檚 sleep due to relieved mind. A semi gale was blowing overnight too! No more damage to fences, however. Prospects of much work and a late evening did not materialise, so made for home.

8 MON
Today was one of those 鈥渟lave鈥� days, given wholly to the Crown. For by the time I had reached home and had a meal, the combined effect of the meal and the weariness of the working hours, left bed as the only thing.

9 TUE
Another leisureless day due to business conditions. Kay was depressed when I got home at 8 pm.: In her present pregnant, state to sit John on her knee is difficult, and to deal with him while he sits and wriggles is often a painful business.

12 FRI
Work became almost pleasurable today when it took us into the locality of my old hometown, and I renewed association with scenes of childhood. I phoned Kay I should be all night firewatching, having forgotten to tell her last night. There was a lecture at 7 followed by the usual firewatcher鈥檚 feed. Bed 10 pm.

13 SAT
Slept by fits and starts as I always do when I am in a strange bed, and was up by 6.15 for the 6.45 breakfast feeling un-rested. I was grateful at there being no particular heavy task during the day and rushed home at conclusion of work.

14 SUN
The wind still blows gustily and I am glad my fence has not been repaired yet. Labour is so scarce that I do not doubt fence will not be done for weeks yet . On duty all day, but immediately after tea Betty and I carried steps back to 1, Fairway, and spent the evening there. Dad was away on firewatch.

17 WED
A very full day with a little success, which came, unfortunately, just at lunch time and deprived us of lunch which we decided to do without, owing to pressure of business generally

18 THU
Almost a repetition of yesterday with regards lunch, but saved by finding a mobile canteen, run by the Woman鈥檚 Legion, where tea, sandwiches and cakes were obtainable, and is serviced by ladies of the better class, Kay had attended clinic and was in good condition: baby鈥檚 position correct. Betty gave Kay good help.

20 SAT
Managed to convince Kay a visit to Raynes Park cinema with Betty would cheer her up (things had gone hard with her in her present awkward condition) and she and Betty set out at 5 pm. I often feel very grateful for the splendid health my children enjoy. Kay and Betty returned soon after 9, having enjoyed themselves.

22 MON
My work today caused me to remain aboard one ship constantly (except for mid-day snack) and was a very boring business. Particularly as the object of waiting aboard was not achieved. Fire watching 5 pm onwards, had a fire watching 鈥渜uiz鈥�. Received prize for highest individual score - 5 cigarettes.

23 TUE
A trip in the car today, and quite good companionship. I was quite doubtful of the unanimity of the persons composing our Rummage crew, but we understand each other now, and work (almost) in harmony together. Had had a bad night whilst fire watching and was home late and quite ready for bed after my meal. Chatted with Kay and discussed spending of overtime (this month 8 gns!)

24 WED
The clerical work consequent upon recent successes took up large part of day; indeed, I worked harder than usual! It was very cold and frosty in morning, due I suppose to waning moon: later it became very fine.

25 THU
Similar weather to yesterday morning, only foggier: again, bright intervals in afternoon. Baby awoke us at 2 or thereabouts again. I鈥檓 to do one or two jobs for self whilst at work today (sewing etc) and a lone trip to K6 Dock on official business took up balance of day.

26 FRI
The sun soon brought about the pleasant conditions spoken of yesterday 鈥� a misty sunshine after a cold and frosty morning. Was kept very busy, including a trip to West India Dock, where I had a good lunch at the P.L.A. canteen, but in crowded and noisy circumstances.

27 SAT
End of the month clerical kept me going almost continuously. As 鈥渃lerical鈥� officer of the crew, I get all the 鈥渒icks鈥� and no 鈥渉a鈥檖ence鈥�. My only regret is that I lose many good opportunities of acquiring knowledge of which I should be the gainer, were all work equally divided out between the crew: the satisfaction accruing is that of 鈥渆arning my corn鈥�. Shipping news caused us to stay late: so late, in fact, that at one time we debated sleeping at the "Harpy" overnight, as we would have to be at work early tomorrow. Driving home through the blackout was a nerve wracking business, but we parted at "Harpy" safely and I arrived home, in uniform, at 9.40 pm. Kay had good supper ready.

28 SUN
Made an early start at work and was busy all day: narrowly missed accident on shipboard, wrenching shoulder and bruising other arm. Kay had 35/- perm yesterday: looks glamorous.

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