ĂŰŃż´«Ă˝

OCTOBER 1941

1 WED The CPO was with us this morning, and the “job” mentioned yesterday was “clewed up” (- a Waterguard expression). Further rummage did not reveal anything extra. Something like uproar reigned at home this evening. Two neighbours chatted loudly to Mum; Dad ransacked house for a missing vacuum flask (for ĂŰŃż´«Ă˝ Guard use); Jack had pal home and was going to dance; and Roy, a friend doing homework!

3 FRI I wasted the glorious sunny afternoon going to the cinema to see a number of stars in “Zeigfeld Girl” of whom Heidi LaMarr was undoubtedly the most glamorous. The morning had been spent in clerical work again. At evening, Roy was away at choir practice till 7.30.

4 SAT Jack being out with his Grace overnight and sleeping at George’s, I had sole possession of our bed, and slept extra well, rising at 8, not being on duty till 10. Resumed acquaintance with one of the younger APO’s who was in the rummage crew last year, but was called up and became pilot in RAF. He has been invalided out owing to occasional lapses of memory and returns to rummaging again with us on Monday. Having been in 6 operational flights, he will find his old job most strange I fancy

7 TUE The mist prevailing somewhat, and during the morning we visited several C.W. vessels in London Dock. Held interesting conversation with our ex RAF colleague, with whom I walked most of way. Mum spent the day at Twickenham, Fred’s first day out of hospital. She duly returned through the black-out, at 9 pm: Fred finding his return to home life unquiet.

8 WED Foggy weather stopping all shipping; finished off Galsworthy’s “Tatterdemalion” and took out Anthony Trollope’s “Barchester Towers”. Bought some chocolate, very scarce these days. Will send to kiddies. Letter (8 pages) from Kay. Visit of Lily and Chas. off, latter overseas and Lily back in Blackpool. All well, baby shortened. (sic) Kay’s letters now highly entertaining and descriptive.

10 FRI Some rain this morning, this and a slight shower yesterday, is first for some time. Patrolled in river launch. Wrote note to Betty, for including in Sunday’s mail to Kay, in answer to very amusing letter received Wednesday. Quiet evening, Mum reading and knitting socks for RAF, Dad to ĂŰŃż´«Ă˝ Guard, inspection 9 — 10, I reading newspaper.

11 SAT Poured with rain all night, but abated at 8. Jack up from 2 till 4 am standing-by in case of “alert” for fire watching. Under present state of business, there was of course, no “exigencies” to prevent half day off. Went to Wimbledon to “Adam Had Four Sons”, a finely acted picture, in which Warner Baxter and Ingrid Bergman excelled. The theme, but not the acting, of the supporting picture “2-gun Cupid” was repulsive and upset my enjoyment of the whole programme. Evening reading again, Dad away all afternoon and evening, whist-driving at Putney.

12 SUN Off duty today, last occasion = 7/9. George came early from firewatching duties, Elsie and children at 11.30 am, whilst George and I had pleasant stroll over Wimbledon Common, Lou and children came for tea, so there was a house full for the evening’s fun which lasted until 8.30. Dad had to leave for ĂŰŃż´«Ă˝ Guard.

13 MON Dad returned home again at 2.30 pm, as he had taken his watch (guard) and was on hold for call if necessary. Had day’s rummage in Surrey Dock, resulting in 2 seizures totalling 1000 cigarettes (by APO mentioned 4/10). Tried writing to Kay (1 day late) amidst noise of dining room. In past, used bathroom wash-bowl covered with cork bath-mat: now dark by 6.30.

14 TUE Our returned officer distinguished himself again today, and also the other APO in crew, leaving me the drone in the hive, so to speak. Shouldered most of clerical work appertaining thereto, anyway. Letter from Kay, disagreement with Mother and victimization: hardly able to leave house. Wrote consoling letter, her return home seems inadvisable.

15 WED Beautiful day, yesterday it was drizzling with rain. To same ship as yesterday and had good fortune to make seizure in ships coal bunkers (450 cigarettes). To date, no owner. Gist of Kay’s letter yesterday: “Thanks for £2 maternity benefit, shall buy bale of bedding - £4/8s”! Further humorous incident: Dad got to RP Station this morning, before discovering he had not collar nor tie on!

16 THU To Surrey Dock. Much as I would like to describe the vessels we visit and the tales the seamen tell, “careless talk” — and writing have to be guarded against. Hence, much of interest is not recorded. Poor Roy had 2½ hours homework to do — disgraceful.

17 FRI Had a morning doing clerical work and the weekly “half-day”. Too tired to venture forth to pictures in afternoon, spent it resting. Had an excellent evening — chief desideratum (sic) — quiet, for Dad was at a ĂŰŃż´«Ă˝ Guard cinema instruction class, and Jack out with Grace. Read beginning of “The Good Earth” and find it of gripping interest.

18 SAT Jack climbed into bed after a visit to Streatham Hill “Lacarno” dance Hall with Grace. He considers it a “wonderful” place, and I guess he will pay it many more visits. At 6 am, I woke him again for work, so he barely had 5 hours sleep. A fresh arrival at Bellamy’s sent us swinging aboard the ship, but to find most smuggling had been detected at Gravesend — which is usual when the ship has lain there for a few days. We were thus fully occupied until 4.30 pm before we left "Harpy". Dad visited ĂŰŃż´«Ă˝ Guard Headquarters concerning his name being included in “company orders” to find he had been granted a 6 month service extension above the age limit — 65. Reading book evening.

20 MON Rummage on ship at Surrey, on which our “new blood” had yet more success — 900 cigarettes under bridge gun mounting. No-body had admitted concealment up to time of leaving ship, and further, an 11th hour attempt for an owner of 450 cigarettes on the 15th was unsuccessful. Another quiet evening, all reading, save Dad, who repaired Roy’s lighting set on his bicycle.

21 TUE “Receipt of letter” day (-from Kay). News fortunately good, but for the old cry of “want to come home” can be read between the lines. A well written letter from Betty, which I answered straight away. Rummage during day was in London Dock — coasters. Saved one of Roy’s chicks from destruction when it was being stalked by a cat after escaping from the hen coop Dad constructed (7/9).

22 WED The weather keeps fine and sunny, if somewhat cold, making our walk abroad into London Dock a pleasure. Found Mum and Roy out when I reached home — gone to see Arthur Askey at Wimbledon Theatre. Dad, Jack and I managed our meal on our own. Wrote to Kay, notifying her of a vacancy at Preston.

25 SAT Even colder today, but still sunshine. Four of us walked in pairs to the ships at the further end of London Dock and enjoyed our walk. Had a half-day and went to Shannon Corner to see Olivia De Haviland, Charles Boyer and Paulette Goddard in “Hold Back the Dawn” — an excellent picture. Late as I was, I was at home before Mum and Roy who had been shopping in Wimbledon and Tooting, whilst Dad was off to a whist drive, and Jack out with Grace. Attempted to start a letter to Kay, but felt in too low spirits, so read a little more of “And quiet Flows the Don”, which suited me better.

26 SUN Was perturbed to find I had not provided for uniform for my duty turn, 8/4 Surrey Dock, omitting to bring it home from the "Harpy" yesterday. This, however, was soon rectified, although it delayed my appearance for duty. Visited, among other things, a wreck, newly salvaged and brought to yard for repair.

27 MON A beautiful morning sky, which our weather experts said portended rain: as I grow older, I shall better appreciate October sunrises and sunsets. There was no rain, however, but the day was overcast, and it was dark early. Rummaged at one of riverside wharves, a grain vessel, mightily infested with rats, of which I saw a number. Studied another of Dad’s encyclopaedias.

28 TUE Rummaging in the Surrey Dock, travelling by bus from the "Harpy", but the ship had been well rummaged down river. Letter from Kay, all going swimmingly. Replied in evening sending parcel of material for frocks, and sweets for the kiddies. Current home craze = making giant sized jig-saw puzzles in which all assist.

29 WED The mornings are very cold now and I have debated whether to go forth in rain or overcoat: but by 9 am, it is considerably warmer. Nevertheless, at one time, snow flakes were seen. When we waited on quayside for launch to come along side (after rummaging same ship as Monday), we were chilled. Learned George has received calling up papers. Goes to Wales next week. Roy and friend “Trixing”, others reading.

31 FRI Overcoats, not macs predominated in the river crew as we patrolled to and from our riverside ships which were rummaged. Pay-day: but forfeited ÂĽ of our half-day waiting for it to be shared out. Visited old fashioned ex variety theatre, now cinema, at Rotherhithe. Poor show. Tommy Handley, radio in evening.

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