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MARCH 1943
1 Monday
Met Denyse at St James Park. Dined at Gordon’s Club. Went to National Gallery in afternoon. In evening went to Colleseum, Charing X to see “Mother Goose” with free tickets given by B.C. Club.

2 Tuesday
Met Albert in morning at Turnpike Lane. Went “window shopping” in London. Met Denyse at Victoria. Danced at Paramount in afternoon. Saw Cary Grant in “Once Upon A Honeymoon”. Finished up at Gordon’s Club.

3 Wednesday
Stayed at home to do odds and ends ie packed my kit, had bath, haircut, and shampoo. Collected my case, repairs cost 8/6d. In evening went with Joan and Ron and saw George Sanders in “Moon and Sixpence”. Nazis sent over two raids during night, barrage was terrific, not much damage done though. A fitting end to my twelve weeks glorious stay in London. Back to New Holland tomorrow. God knows what will happen there. In any case, any place will be an awful anti-climax after London.

4 Thursday
Got under way about 12 o/c. Got a lift to Arnos Grove, eventually catching the 1.10 from Kings X. Had to change at Peterborough and then at Grimsby where I had time for a meal in the Toc.H. Arrived N.H. about 8 o/c, saw Ken Walker and had a drink.

5 Friday
Spent most of my day in workshops trying to persuade the Officer to send me out to my site at Grimsby. Unsuccessful, so far! Met Sandi, who is feeling as browned off as I am! Went to bed in disgust at 9 o/c! London, where art thou?

6 Saturday
Another pointless day in workshops. Sandi, Ken Walker and I built a bench, are we carpenters or Radio Mechs? I haven’t seen a Radio since I came here. Was on guard, read “Short History of the World” H G Wells.

7 Sunday
Regimental Battle Training in morning. In afternoon went to Goxhill with Sandi and explored Thornton Abbey. We then caught a train to Grimsby, went to flicks and saw Ida Lupino in “Ladies In Retirement” an unusual picture.

8 Monday
Messed around workshops painting etc. In evening had a Quiz hour under the auspices of the C.O. The boredom of this place is driving me scats! I’ll have to get away somehow or other.

9 Tuesday
Capt Voge called me in and asked various questions regarding a commission. Will have to go before the C.O. In the evening messed around doing nothing. One thing, the grub is good here.

10 Wednesday
Riotous happenings in New Holland — picture show in evening! The film was Abbot and Costello in “Rookies” a film I’d seen before, but anything is something in N.H. Found out that Fred Plumley another Radio Mech has also to go before the C.O. regarding a commission. One good thing, an OCTV course will at least take us away from here, and provide some interest.

11 Thursday
Another pointless day in workshops. In evening Sandi and I grabbed the 6 o/c bus to Barton and went to Toc H. Got a lift back in a Yankee “Jeep” by a couple of M.P.s. Read and went to bed early.

12 Friday
Twelve new Radio Mechs came in today. Met Bert Butler and Johnny Chapman, first time since my Basic. God knows what we want so many R/M’s for. Filled in 1127, form for potential officers. Was on guard in evening. This place is lousy!

13 Saturday
Day off. Sandi and I went to Grimsby, where we browsed amongst bookstalls all afternoon. I bought “The Martyrdom of Man”. In evening we went to flicks and saw Ann Rutherford in “Orchestra Wives” a good film, introducing song “Kalamazoo”

14 Sunday
Very unexciting day, a red “New Holland day” in fact. I’m still unsettled, here, I’m going to move heaven and earth to get out of here. Air raids are getting pretty frequent here, I wonder how London is faring? To bed early. Air raid at night.

15 Monday
More Radio Mechs came in, God knows why, there’s only painting jobs for them! In the evening it was O.C.’s night where I seconded the speaker in a debate on the Press, and its influence on people, good or bad. Letter from Mother.

16 Tuesday
Went to H27 gun site at Goxhill to do a job. Made the day a bit more interesting. Everybody in Workshops is furiously painting everything in an effort to waste the country’s money! In the evening went to ENSA show. Walked out!.

17 Wednesday
Went out to H18 my old site at Grimsby to do a job with Stewart Woodley and Ted Lill. Met Dave again, who is now the site mech. Met several old friends, including Dizzy who kindly mended my coat whilst I was there. It’s got to a position now where we all fight for jobs on site. Workshops is impossible. Painting and stupid regimentation rule the day, work comes second . We now paint underneath mudguards of the cars! Meanwhile 8th Army carries on!

18 Thursday
Went out to H20, another o my old sites at Stallingborough. Woodley and Ken Walker came with me. Met Joan Davidson and Nina again, hadn’t seen them for months. Finished jobs successfully, getting back to N.H. about 9 o/c

19 Friday
The only thing worth noting was that I managed to change from A platoon to B platoon in order to be with Sandi. Getting into an awful state of stagnation. Had letter from Joan, my sister, who is going into hospital with appendicitis.

20 Saturday
Went to to Grimsby with Sandi. Dave came in and gave us a lift there in the R.M.O.’s car. Saw Victor Mature in “7 days leave” an amusing film. Had friendly argument with a Yankee about English and American education.

21 Sunday — Spring begins
and a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of — disgust of the Army and its stupid red tape, at New Holland anyway. Jim wrote from Jerusalem, I hope his Army is different! Was on piquet, otherwise day was useless.

22 Monday
Parcel from Mother. Was O.C.’s night in the evening. Discussion on the Advisability of marriage in wartime. I spoke twice against marriage in wartime and got classed as a cynic! Was told I had to go to HQ tomorrow for interview with Major.

23 Tuesday
Hereafter known as “Black Tuesday”! Went to Brayton for interview, was kept waiting 11 hours by that ignorant bastard Major Chantrey. Interview not very successful. Sickly ride in lorry back, breakdown on way. What a day, how I hate the Army.

24 Wednesday
Film in the evening, a pretty good one called “Seven Sinners” with Marlene Dietrich and John Wayne. Marvellous fighting scene in it. To bed early after a NAAFI supper — of tea and Eccles!
Never, in nearly four years of Army life have I been so disgusted with the Army. After that wait yesterday and the abandoning of work for the task of sweeping up I can only hope and pray that our 8th Army is different, otherwise we’ve lost the war.

25 Thursday
All work stopped in Workshops in order to make it “pretty” for the Major’s visit. He never came of course! In the evening we discussed ways and means of starting some entertainment knowing full well it was useless talking!

26 Friday
Was sent out as site mech to H24 at East Walton. A place smaller than New Holland, but what a relief! In the evening went to the local “Black Bull” and then on to the local dance. Its nice to be a site Radio Mech again.

27 Saturday
Ted and Stewart came out here with Lt Casterton to fit LFF. My first day on site consisted of real hard work, rather a change from real hard painting! Went to a dance at Killingholme about 3 miles away in evening with Mike an RA fellow.

28 Sunday
Had a shock today, found that Pearson is now my Radio Officer, after my trouble with him at Scunthorpe! Still only for three weeks. Went to Black Bull in evening, where I joined the yokels in a sing-song.

29 Monday
Stagnation is creeping upon me, I find I’m too lazy to read now, although I’ve tons of time. I spent most of the day working on the set, and went to bed early, starving hungry.

30 Tuesday
Got out of my rut. Went to Grimsby where I saw a smashing film “The Man Who Came To Dinner” with Bette Davis and Monty Woolley. Met Joan Willis and Margaret from H15 in town. Wish I was back at M15.

31 Wednesday
Letters from Joan and Mother also parcel. Sent parcel to Mother containing books, clothing etc. In the evening had a picture show here, Abbott and Costello in “In the Navy” a very funny film. Letter from Joan had surprising news, she is going to get engaged to Ron. I wrote the usual letter of congratulation and advice, although why my advice should be any good beats me! The boredom of this site is gradually turning me semi-mad.

APRIL 1943
1 Thursday
A new T.I. turned up on the site, he gets in my hair a bit, but I hope to be able to tame him shortly! This dance that the Camp is having on Mon. looks as though it will be OK, everybody seems to be looking forward to it.

2 Friday
Was going to the “dance” in the Village in the evening, but found it had been cancelled until Sat. when a big NFS band from Grimsby were coming. I can just imagine the big band, piano, drums and Sax! To bed early.

3 Saturday
Was right about band, but had an enjoyable evening because I met a girl named Joyce Barton who was home for the weekend. She actually works in a munitions factory at Peterboro’

4 Sunday
A touch of real summer today. I found a spot and sunbathed, I was wanted on the phone and nobody could find me. Evidently a good spot! It was Fred Plumley from H18 who wanted me. In evening went for a walk with Joyce.

5 Monday
Best day since I left London. Camp dance was a huge success. Girls came from H20 one of my old sites, among them were Joan and Betty. I danced most of the evening with Joyce Barton, the Major putting in keen competition!

6 Tuesday
Pearson came out to phase the set. Oscillator broke down, so he’s coming again tomorrow. ENSA concert in evening, surprisingly good for Ensa, unless this dreary site makes everything different appear good. Don’t like new fellows in my hut.

7 Wednesday
Parcel from home. Pearson came out, and left me with dozens of jobs to do. Managed to persuade him that I should have 24 hrs on Saturday. Things certainly seem upset at home. Joan going into hospital on the 13th and Mother attending hospital with her finger. I hope everything is ok, they are delightfully vague in their letters.

8 Thursday
Pay-day, and for once I have some money left from last week, there is just nothing to spend money on here. Learnt that the Calibration party is coming tomorrow. Hope I get my 24 hrs in OK. Read “This Nettle Danger” by P. Gibbs.

9 Friday
Calibration party arrived. The party now consists of Joey, Steve, Eric, Don and Ted. This means more work. In the evening went to the local dance but got terribly bored and left before the end. Rang up Dave at H18.

10 Saturday
Met Dave and Fred Plumley in Toc H Grimsby. Went to see Ronald Coleman in “Talk of the Town” a good film. Met Maxie in the Rotary Club, just coming back from his course at London. Four of us went to Army Dance at Healing.

11 Sunday
Having slept the night at Dave’s site H18, Maxie and I came back by train. Maxie got pulled by Red Caps for being 24 hrs overdue. The filthy swine! Met an interesting ATS Officer on the train back.

12 Monday
Major supplied a Bitling, managed to get his wireless going, but am going to keep it in my hut for a while by saying it isn’t quite mended yet. Wireless makes a difference.

13 Tuesday
Camp Dance. Even better than last week, probably because the REME calibration fellows were still here. H20 girls came again, this time Edna Archer came, a girl I knew when I was on H20. Very enjoyable evening.

14 Wednesday
A Yankee Officer came to take over Pearson’s place, thank God! His name is Stubner, seems a decent chap. We worked late on Calibration, then went straight to bed, listening to the wireless awhile. Our hut is getting really good now, the wireless and REME personnel make a hell of a lot of difference, although even the R.A. chaps in the hut are quite decent fellows. Gregory, the Wiltshire yokel, is now back from leave.

15 Thursday
Pay day, an item always worth noting, despite the lousy pay. The Budget decreed that cigs, beer and films should go up in price today. The soldier’s three chief pleasures again taxed! We’re certainly paying for this war.

16 Friday
On Calibration all day. Maurice Drake came out to do a job, he of course having just returned from London is browned off. Started reading “Fact and Faith” by J B S Holdane, a book on social problems of today. There are plenty!

17 Saturday
Went to Grimsby. Met Dot Frazer, Pat Edwardson and Babs Wignall in Town. Saw a film “Across the Pacific” with H. Bogart, usual Yankee film showing one Yank against the whole Jap nation!

18 Sunday
Very quiet day. No Calibration done, as wind was above 50 mph. In the afternoon sunbathed and read alternately, had a shower after tea and went to bed early. Letter from John McKenzie.

19 Monday
Letter from Mother saying Joan’s operation was last Thursday. N.H. Workshops rang up and told me to be ready to pack up and go at a minutes notice. Apparently I’m one of the few who can fit IFF. Embarkation?

20 Tuesday
N.H. collected me and I was sent by ferry to Hull, from there to Selby. Got to report 8.20 tomorrow morning to find out what its all about. In evening saw best ENSA concert I’ve seen yet.

21 Wednesday
Yes, its embarkation alright. Went into office and was told I’ve got 14 days Embarkation leave. Was inoculated and came home via York. Well I’ve wanted to go abroad for nearly 4 years and I guess I’ve got it at last. Of course something could still stop it but I don’t think so somehow. I’ve not been issued with any special kit so I’ve no indication where I’m going.

22 Thursday
Went to see Joan in hospital. She looks pale, but is progressing favourably. Went from there to Bushey to see Gran. She’s quiet but was pleased to see me, although embarkation made her think of George again.

23 Friday (Good Friday)
Left Gran’s, went shopping in Watford. From there to Kings X again to see Joan. Had a date with Babs at 8.30, we went to see Freddie March in “I married a Witch”. Quite a good film.

24 Saturday
Went to Regal and saw Mickey Rooney in “Andy Hardy’s double life”. A funny film, well acted. Went with Mother in evening to see Joan in hospital. I like Nurse Sinclair!

25 Sunday
Went with Mother and Ron to see Joan again. Afterwards we three went to see James Cagney in “Yankee Doodle Dandy” another good film. Joan coming out Tuesday.

26 Monday
Mother and I went to Bushey. Saw A. Amy, U. Bob, Pat and John. A quiet day, but I enjoyed talking about old times, or rather prewar times.

27 Tuesday
Went shopping in Oxford St. Went to March Arch and saw “The Commandos Strike At Dawn” with Paul Muni. Then Leicester Sq. to see “The Gentle Sex”. 2 good films.

28 Wednesday
Stopped in with Joan all day, and in the evening went to Hounslow to see A. Amy and family. Had a pleasant argument with U.Bob re politics.
Well the first week of my embarkation leave is over and I’ve done quite a bit. Been visiting, seen some good films, and bought myself a few presents. Wonder where I’ll be in a month’s time?

29 Thursday
Went to Richmond in afternoon with Pat, ice-skating. Met Bob and Amy in evening and went to see “Count of Monte Cristo”. A very full and pleasant day.

30 Friday
Left Hounslow early. Came back to pick up Joan and took her to A. Hilda’s at Andover for her convalescence. I stayed the night. Brian is getting quite big and is a nice little chap.

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