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FEBRUARY 1942

1 SUN A change of Sunday duties to facilitate my other APO boarding colleague, led to my doing my third Sunday duty in succession = 27 consecutive days without a break. Continuous snowfall, and the boarding of vessels dangerous: when proceeding against wind, snow flakes stinging face and impairing visibility. ��ѿ��ý to warmth and quiet. All reading save Jack, absent and Roy playing.

2 MON Snow eased during darkness and became increasingly slushy as day wore on, especially in the City, where the fall was lighter. Work on the Wharf was light and soon accomplished with the aid of the launch. “Far Forest” by Francis Brett Young, hitherto enjoyable, pained me so much that I abandoned it. My next is “Old Wives Tale” by Arnold Bennett.

3 TUE Snow fell at times during morning but a great thaw set in during afternoon. Roads and footpaths swimming with slush and water, and rain fell. Received a pleasing chatty letter from Kay. All well. Asked local Estate Agents re houses to rent, in case of Kay’s return Easter. Answer = “none”. Depression due to lack of companionship, and safe conditions urge return.

4 WED Frozen remnants of the late snow still remain on ground: a cold wind keeps them there. Was fortunate in only having occasion to leave "Harpy" once. Wrote part of my letter to Kay. Studied music from “Short History of Music”, and read “Old Wives Tale” by Arnold Bennett — interesting.

5 THU The tedium of the day was relieved by a circumstance, which, because of the war, I am unable to state other than it was a “vessel of re-assurance”. Used evening well in studying music and making notes thereon. Roy rather queer, but improving. Cold business going to bed, but best place out of pervading cold.

6 FRI Half day today. It was again cold with a powdery snow, and felt particularly so coming out of Shannon Corner “Odeon”, which must be very well heated. Saw “Sullavan’s Travels” in which Joel McCrea had leading role, but Veronica Lake stole the picture. “Penn of Pennsylvania” too, in which Deborah Kerr shone. 3½ hour programme. Jack out with Grace: rest had quiet evening.

7 SAT The weather was like yesterday’s — very cold with an almost continuous fall of snow. Relieving the river APO in the afternoon was a chilly job, but we patrolled the whole length of our station. Found Sydney home on 48 hours leave, a short visit with Doll. Sid looking very healthy and smart, and wearing his new sergeant’s stripes. Doll rather pale, probably due to long hours of war work, but neat in blue stuff frock. High tea, chatted and played cards. They left amid good wishes at 8.30. Received cheery letter from Kay — the 2nd letter this week.

8 SUN Spoilt the day off by rising late, but filled in the time satisfactorily afterwards. All morning and part of afternoon, concentrated on an 8 page letter to Kay. Discussed therein my plans for future (first PO ship, then music). Examined more bedding parcels for moth. Pal of Jack’s called, but Jack was out with Grace. He is now in Navy: week-end leave, but no uniform.

10 TUE The final (we hope) thaw has left us cold and damp weather, but unlike the intensity of past weeks. River patrol was quite pleasant. Extraction of 2 pages of my fascinating book “Old Wives Tale” has terminated my enjoyment whilst library secures another copy. Evening at English and Music (i.e. theory). Letter from Kay giving happy anecdotes of kiddies who are splendid.

11 WED A very cold business checking over the shipping as we patrolled against wind morning and afternoon. Extent of business passed time very quickly however. In the evening at home, I wrote part of my letter to Kay and one to Betty. Also to the workers education association on subject of music study.

12 THU Caught a cold yesterday out in the launch and felt lowered in spirits consequently. Kept a cheery countenance, but felt badly in the evening. Mum met an old neighbour, Mrs Smithers when in Kingston, where Mum paid 10/- for hairdressing. I rendered small assistance to a lost soldier at South Wimbledon Station. Dad out at whist drive.

14 SAT Back to river duties, but only for half day. PO allowed me to keep out of the wind, as my cold has been pretty bad. The accumulated dust of a spare locker, which I inhaled into my throat when cleaning it out for my future use (since my old locker, by the “Bogie” led to my taking a cockroach or two home occasionally.) worsened my condition, and a projected visit to the cinema was abandoned owing to slight headache; afternoon partly spent in bed. Some atonement for lost entertainment was a cinema show of a “Popeye” film and a
3 reel drama, “Fury Below”, hired at cost of 5/9d for week-end, and covered by round collection. We had 3 visitors (neighbours) for occasion, but show poor.

15 SUN With Jack still abed, Roy at church, Mum in kitchenette cooking and Dad in garden, I had a clear road for my Sunday letter to Kay, and made a satisfactory job of it. Afternoon was also to my liking — quiet with Roy at church again and Jack away till tea time. Evening, all neighbours from 2 and 4 Fairway came in to see film show.

16 MON Turned very cold again and was glad to get back to Common Room at the "Harpy" after morning and afternoon jaunts out. News of loss of Singapore, coming upon escape of warships from Brest, caused discontent amongst those assembled around “Bogie”. Roy away at chums doing homework, Dad and Jack not in till 7.45 pm. Reading “Insanity Fair”.

17 SHROVE TUE “Pie-Can” day as one of us, when very young, called it. We duly had them, war or no war, but alas, with syrup instead of lemon or orange. Day passed equitably at "Harpy", war situation still causing comment. Trouble with downstairs electric lighting, current to points from which Dad ran table lamps, but not to overhead lights. He laboured all evening but could not find fault.

18 WED Still very cold, giving people pale drawn look and red noses. Walk to and from shipping, and when rummaging holds, a trial. Requested half day in advance of usual day (= Friday) as George was home on 48 hour leave. He looked very fit, and seemed on better terms with Elsie (see 11/1). The two boys were badly behaved, though. All left 7 pm. George returned to camp.

19 THU Patrolled around our wharves today, but business is not brisk. The weather was grey and cold, but the walking offset that. Having had my weekly half day, took my usual cinema outing in the evening — “Elite” cinema — Gary Cooper in “Sergeant York”, a wonderfully acted film — almost unbelievably so. Learned Dad had had neighbourly assistance with electrical trouble.

21 SAT The cold grew more acute, and whilst we were visiting shipping, commenced to snow, which it did intermittently till dark, alternating with grey skies and pale sunshine. Our opposite numbers took their turn for half day, and left the river station to be covered: checked the shipping from inside the launch! At home, Dad was engaged for whole evening tracing out the electric light wiring fault (see 18/1) firstly with Albert Johnson, who came over for the purpose: and later with a neighbour, Mr Havell, who also volunteered a hand. Jack brought home an antiquated Chas Chaplin and one reel drama “Trust to Luck” 9.5 mm film for cinematograph show to visitors tomorrow. Temporary lighting service finally fixed up.

22 SUN “20 times between 1/1 and 12/2, temperature dropped well below zero, and twice, was 10 degrees below” — Press today. It was pretty cold on the river today, but we are becoming inured to it. Fred, Mabel and children came and saw cinema (21/2). All bonny, including Fred, late invalid. Went to Elite to see film “Strawberry Blonde” which I have had noted for some time. Fair.

24 TUE Outside conditions seemed better, but nevertheless, snow tried to fall. We patrolled our 5 mile stretch of river normally, morning and afternoon, and viewed shipping. Confectionary very scarce these days: secured some chocolate and chocolate wafer to send kiddies. Also, Roy got me mints. Evening as yesterday, save tonight, Roy and Mum playing “Rummy” card game on card table next Mum’s chair.

25 WED Normal day on the river, but still very cold. Reading book by Lin Yutang, “Love and Irony” = series of wise articles: very good; alternated with “Martin Arrowsmith”. Evening writing to Kay, Dad lent me balance of £9 required to send February housekeeping money in advance. Called library, collected “Henry Esmond” therefrom.

26 THU River patrol weather conditions remain unaltered — cold wind, attempts to snow, and the "Harpy" Common Room and the “Casino Room” were the most frequented places. Immediately after dinner, went to Shannon Corner “Odeon” and saw an average programme (but 3½ hours long). Merle Oberon in “Lydia”: Lupe Velez in good film too.

28 SAT The nearness of the time of full moon make the moonlit nights very cold, but occasionally, by contrast, the afternoons are brightened by a spell of pale sunlight. Thus it was today, and whilst the morning was not extraordinary, the afternoon, which Mum and I spent in Tooting Markets, was brilliant. I exhausted all my clothing coupons (and more money than I wished to spend) on 2 new shirts and 2 pairs pyjamas. Prices in every art, even to birthday cards, appeared to be about double pre-war price (i.e. One of my shirts cost 15/-). Mum bought pair of sheets, nearly 30/-! Jack out with pals: Dad at whist drive: Mum and Roy, “Rummy”.

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