In 1940, Edward is 64 years old, Kate is 61 years old and Alys is 56 years old. Eva is 31 years old and Philip is 27 years old (Alys and Dennis’ daughter and son). James is 2 years old (Eva and Teddy’s son) and Eve (Eva and Teddy’s’ daughter) has just been born.
Bought at Spence’s, Richmond, Yorks.
Name: Katharine Boyd
Private Address: Layton Manor, West Layton, Near Richmond, Yorks.
Telephone No: East Layton 10
(discussing ways of giving up main rooms and living in older part of house)
Dennis and Alys to get petrol on Singleton’s coupons.
Monday 1st January 1940
Perfect day. 12°. Frost and sunshine.
As Eva a cold and Alys a tickle in throat, Poz and Doz had meals in sitting-room except tea which they had with Dennis and me and Alys and Eva had theirs’ in Phil’s bedroom. Phil better, slight cough. Dennis and Doz and I walked on Phil’s pond. In p.m. Alys skated on Ashes Pond. Dennis listened news downstairs and Talk Sir J. Orr (verra Scotch) on diet in wartime. Nurse to a dance with Connie and Wilf.
Tuesday 2nd January 1940
Fine. Hard frost. 19°. Frost in night.
Poz and Doz still meals in sitting-room, except dinner. Dennis away in EYT at 10.10. (sleeping at Hales). Fed birds. Eva took James out short walk, Alys too but didn’t skate – too rough. Nurse slept. Alys broke news of drastic changes to Mrs Barber. Eva dined in Phil’s room. Alys told Poz and Doz about changes.
Wednesday 3rd January 1940
Dull, dark. Some rain. Thick ice on ponds.
Atkinson and Coates came; shutter to mend and estimates about changes. Mrs Barber raised difficulties. Alys and Doz to Richmond. I with Phil a bit (he in bed all day. Sinus ache). Mr Brown in. Knitted in p.m. with Doz. Wrote Bradford Art Gallery, accepting invitation to exhibit “Kate at the Window”. Doz up with Phil after tea. Alys with Phil in evening. News and Lord Snell (good speech).
Thursday 4th January 1940
Perfect day.
Mason Atkinson here all day making opening between rooms. Alys skated on pond with Miss Brown, Mr Brown took them in car. I with Phil and James very difficult about rest. Slept in Eva’s room (Mason hammering). In p.m. Doz and I walked to Brown’s across fields and then to our reservoir. Miss Telford’s to pipe at 5.15. I in Phil’s room after dinner (escape).
Friday 5th January 1940
Fine but clouds. 19°. Frost after.
Phil bath before breakfast and up at 11 and in hut. Alys skated with Miss Brown (in my car to pond). Blain took cupboards apart. Poz and Doz and I moved linen and glass. Barber, Binks and Atkinson moved 2 cupboards into pantry as porch-kitchen. In p.m. lined drawers and got things back. Phil upstairs at 6 to bed and dinner there. I upstairs after news, too straining, with talk about Zeus’ ears.
Saturday 6th January 1940
Very foggy.
I with Alys to Richmond (very late) – thick fog. Stayed lunch as had to wait for paint. Greyfriars, no good, so café. Back about 3. Phil down to tea. Fog all day so in bed. Doz took James out, Nurse’s day off. Phil on sofa in evening. Zeus very shivering. Put him in my room before news. Put mat over him in night. (Doz took names off Xmas cards).
Memo:
4th Took snapshots of James on ponds (ice thick)
19° frost 4th, 5th night.
Pickin 8 weeks from 4th.
Sunday 7th January 1940
Foggy. Cold.
I up to light fire at warehouse. To Compost with Doz. Magic fluid. Alys and I there in p.m. and Alys tidied drawer and I tidied cupboard (Phil’s train one). Poz and Doz did packing. Sat with Doz while she machined pyjamas. “Are you sure” in evening – News.
Monday 8th January 1940
Perfect day.
On garden seat in warm sun, took snapshots. Poz and Doz away in Cleveland G. car. At 11.5 Barber moved furniture from Phil’s new room (Tom Embleton’s, Cyril’s). I wrote letters. Sat in nursery in evening; no fire in sitting-room. News and “Monday at 8”. And talk about Germany and Blockade.
Tuesday 9th January 1940
Dull. Thaw. Cold. Sun later.
Phil and I fitting keys, silver chest. I to warehouse twice. Phil in toproom. Alys and Eva to see Atkinson at Ravensworth. Dr Woodsend to see Eva. Phil in and listened. Mr Chamberlain’s speech at 2.45 (Mansion House). Got knitting machine in nursery and Phil using it in evening. News and Rations Discussion on wireless.
Wednesday 10th January 1940
Fine. Frost. Feeble sun. Cold fog in p.m.
Looked out frames for Phil. Atkinson began taking away 3rd kitchen’s range. Coates taking off wallpaper. Alys to Richmond. Phil to Norman’s. Nurse with Alys to Richmond (for holiday – 5 days). I took James out 3.4 hour in p.m. but very foggy and cold. Alys washing paint in Phil’s new bedroom. Blain and painting 1st coat on walls. Comfortable in nursery in evening. Phil knitting sock. I carrying on with it. Eva sleeping with James. Zeus very cold in night.
Thursday 11th January 1940
Perfect. 18°. Frost. Glorious.
Mason bricked up fireplace. Coates began ceiling while cleared away. James with me. Phil, Alys and I in car to pond near Square Wood. Phil and Alys skated about 40 minutes or so. I walked back. James coughing so not out all day. I with him in nursery all p.m. Eva resting. After tea, I in top room doing titles on tins with Phil at lathe. Dogs slept in sitting-room. Too cold in my bedroom.
Friday 12th January 1940
Perfect. 14°. Frost.
Eva kept James in bed. Cough still bad. Alys and Phil to skate (Miss D. Brown too). Alys with James all p.m. I wrote Elsa. With James while Eva changed his cot over. Finished off Phil’s sock (his knitted one). News and Swinton.
Saturday 13th January 1940
Perfect again!!
James in bed all day. Cough bad. Dr Woodsend to see him at 3.30. I to Richmond at 12. Alys and Phil skated again. Mr and D.B. there. I with James 2 – 3.30. Eva resting. After tea, washed things. In smoke-room in evening for news and Gram Swing’s Talk. In turns with James, whose cough bad.
Memo:
8th Rationing began of bacon ¼lb, butter ¼lb, sugar ¾lb.
10th Nannie’s holidays begin
Finished “Three Harbour’s. Van Wyck Mason
Hore-Belisha resigned this week. Why?
8th Wrote E. Bache, Mrs Harvey, Lucy Binns.
12th Wrote Elsa and Pickin
10th – 11th night 18°. Frost.
Sunday 14th January 1940
Perfect day. 11° frost.
Fire in smoke-room again. Eva had bad night with James who woke up every 20 minutes. Zeus had bad diarrhoea all over sitting-room. Florence and I did it up with sand. Alys and Phil to skate at Lartington. Alys with James all p.m. Eva slept. I wrote Dennis lettercard. Dr Woodsend at 6.15 to fetch instruments. Saw James. Dogs slept gun-room. Eva up about 7 times in night with James’ cough.
Monday 15th January 1940
Fine. Wind cold.
Phil rheumatic in hip. Windy, so not skating. I painted a bit of dado. In p.m. to Richmond. Took dogs. Alys with James. Eva resting. In top room doing titles; Phil at lathe. In nursery in evening. Nurse returned 7.15. James cried “I want Mummie” a lot. Argument about Finland (help to) and U.S.A. and war.
Tuesday 16th January 1940
Snow blizzard and sun. 14°. Frost.
Fed birds, as usual. Painted dado. Alys and Phil to Richmond in Phil’s car, hood up to get application form for petrol. In p.m. Alys and then I with James (ivory carved men). Finished dado painting before tea. Smoke-room fire. Knitting and news and Australian talk.
Wednesday 17th January 1940
Lovely sun and snow.
Fed birds. (Zeus ate Nurse’s butter ration). Alys and Phil to Richmond in Phil’s car in snow. I cleaned up soot-fall in sitting-room. In p.m. with James (in cot but better). After tea, ironed nightgown in gun-room (to warm it for dogs). Finished green pair socks. Reading. Mais’ book “Isles of the Island” Hebridean.
Thursday 18th January 1940
Very fine. 15° frost in night.
Fed birds. Painted Phil’s wallpaper. Alys also. Phil and Eva for petrol and to Dairy Bridge in Phil’s car. I in Phil’s car to Smallway’s to take my tyre (puncture). Hard snow on road. Phil up to see James in bed. Began helmet (navy wool) for mine-sweepers. News of General Swinton in evening.
Friday 19th January 1940
Dull. Very cold. 22° frost.
I with Alys in my car to Richmond. Slight snow and rather dark. Paid Austin’s bill and countermanded Times. Wrote Doz. Wrote out sea-boot stocking recipe. Up with Phil after tea, but Blain up to solder tap, so down. Knitted. News. Talked Barber and Binks in vinery.
Saturday 20th January 1940
Dull. Very cold. 16° frost.
Covered up beehives fronts, cardboard and canvas. Painted in Phil’s room; Alys also. Nurse out. With James part of p.m. He in bed still (appetite better). 9th day of bed. Alys and Blain swept Ashes Pond. Put dogs in living-room (3rd kitchen) for night as very very cold. 23° of frost 10 p.m. and in night. 32 (Zero). Finished reading “Tattered Banners” by Paul Rodzianko. Very intense.
Memo:
19th my car radiators froze below and boiled above. Ordered muff at Smallway’s.
15th sent off £10 to Doz, registered She left it there.
16th/17th night 21° of frost Fahrenheit.
20th 32 ° of frost (zero).
Sunday 21st January 1940
9°, frost. Fine.
32° (zero this night). Fed birds a lot. Walked with Eva in garden and greenhouses – pipe burst. Alys and Phil skated on Ashes Pond a short time, but cold wind. Then on Phil’s pond. I skated too and squeegeed pond. With James all p.m. Scissors “game”. Alys flooded pond. Finishing off Phil’s sock. Are you sure” and news. Destroyer sunk. Snow fell at night.
Monday 22nd January 1940
Fine, some snow.
Florence in bed all day. To get Times with dogs and fed birds. Men moved bed and from my (to be) room. James up from 1.45 to 5.30 in night nursery. Unsteady on his legs. Smallway’s man brought car-muff 10/- for my Ford. Up with Phil in top room. Knitting. Listened Archbishop of York, good talk.
Tuesday 23rd January 1940
Fine. Perfect. 23° frost.
James not up all day as temperature up last night. Florence in bed all day (101 yesterday). Alys and I in turns painting Phil’s room and Blain too, final coat (Coates away at funeral). I uncovered bees at 11.30 and covered again at 2. With James till about 3.45. Nurse out. Helped Eva put him to bed. Zeus up there. Alys with Phil in top room. Talk by Churchill in evening.
Wednesday 24th January 1940
Dull. Sleet at times.
Alys and Phil to Richmond. Phil’s hair cut. I busy doing green rep curtains for my new room. With James in p.m. Gold boxes. He in cot all day as 98.6° in a.m. Up to see Florence, who in bed still and feverish. Heard Grisewood’s “World Goes By” about raid on German airport.
Thursday 25th January 1940
5° now but frost in ground. Slippery. Dark.
Machined curtains. Alys, Phil and Eva at warehouse measuring. I meant to distemper Alys’ room; but uncovered bees and looked for papers for Dennis and then did curtains. Gave Nurse wool for helmet. Florence in bed all day. James 99.4° at 6. News and General Swinton’s commentary.
Friday 26th January 1940
Snow.
Alys slight sore throat, so in bed all day. James 98.6° a.m. out for papers and birds. Put up one curtain in my new room. Coots made crate for my picture. Phil fitting key to desk. Pringles to look over cottage. I with James 2 – 3. Phil wrote officers about shooting and rabbits. Sent cheques to Paxton £27 (odd) together Florence up to tea. News, knitting. Alys knitting in bed all day.
Saturday 27th January 1940
Thick snow.
Alys up all day. Better. Phil drove me to Richmond and I sent off my picture “Kate at the window” to the Bradford Art Gallery (as invited). 4/- to pay. With James in p.m. Dr Woodsend to see him at 5. Temperature 98.8°. Dr Woodsend stayed to tea. Knitted in top-room 6 – 6.30. Alys slept on sofa in p.m.
Memo:
Car radiators emptied this week for fear of freezing. 21st, 22nd and 23rd
Knitting navy blue helmet.
22nd Wrote Mrs Hinchliffe with £2.2.0 and sea-boot stocking recipe.
George Buchanan goes to France this week
Cylinder cost £19.17.0 (my cheque).
Sunday 28th January 1940
Snowing. Hard frost.
James below normal. In bed all day. Out feeding birds. Snowing all day. Deep snow 10 or 12 inches. Wrote letters (about Miss Boodle’s death to Doz). Alys packing. Eva emery-papered old pram. Helped a little. James 99.4° at 6. Alys very tired and sore throat.
Monday 29th January 1940
Slightly snowing. Dull and cold.
Alys and Phil away to ? at about 10.30 in Phil’s car. James 98.4°. Eva and I out round garage. Snow and slippery. I sand-papered Alys’ windowsill. Eva and I put cotton-wool in beehive doors and cleaned snow. Painted Alys’ windowsill and with James 2 – 3. Finished 2nd blue helmet. Eva doing old pram. James 98.6° again.
Tuesday 30th January 1940
Snow again.
Out with Eva to warehouse and Road-end. James 98.6°. Painted 2nd coat on Alys’ sill. In p.m. to see Blain who in bed. Then with James till 3. Then distempered Alys’ new room till tea; and again after till 5.30 or so. James normal. Rang up Miss Brown about bees. Eva painting pram. News and South Africa talk.
Wednesday 31st January 1940
Snowing all day.
Out with Coats about fender-curb of ash and cupboard foot. Got Barber and Binks to take cupboard to joiners shop. Out with Eva at 11.40 in snow. Round garage and to gardens. In p.m. With James 2.20 to 3.20. Distempered Alys’ room till 4.15 and after tea till 1st coat was finished. News and Boxing (lightweight) – Barker and Buxton. Paper to be rationed.
Thursday 1st February 1940
Thick snow on trees and dull – about 31°.
No newspapers came. To settle meals with Hilda and Connie but 3 soldiers (Cairns) in for water, so saw Mrs Barber in bed. Fed birds and for walk with Eva and dogs. Distempered bedroom (began 2nd coat). Blain up, after lunch; doing pelmet with Coats. I with James who “rather bored”. Sewed pelmet. Washed things. News and Swinton.
Friday 2nd February 1940
Dull. Cold. Freezing.
Mrs Barber in bed all day. Blain bought down car and I drove to Richmond (Kenneth and shovel too). Very icy in parts and slow. Painted Phil’s sills in p.m. James up from 4 – 5.30 in bedroom. Distempering Alys’ room after tea till 6.15 Paid wages to Mrs Barber, Nancy and Hilda. Knitted helmets, Eva and I and News. To bed 9.55. James 98.8°.
Saturday 3rd February 1940
Very dark and dull. Freezing.
Mrs Barber in bed all day. Nannie away for day to Leyburn. James in bed till 3.45. Then up in bedroom. I out with dogs and to birds. Distempered room. Mixed new pail. Out to bees (cottonwool and snow). With James 2.10 till 3.30. Eva had lunch and tea in his room. Out to bees after tea, and distempered room. Eva put James to bed and came down to dinner. Sat up with him after. Nurse in at 9.30.
Memo:
11 days without sun
28th Wrote Doz and Aunt Bell and Art Director, Bradford.
29th Alys and Phil arrived Ram Jam Inn at 4 p.m.
31st Phil to Chandler 1st and Bedford Russell.
1st Sent off 3 helmets and 1 pair of socks to Dewsbury
2nd Wrote Kitty.
Sunday 4th February 1940
Snow then rain. Thaw. Dark.
Alys and Phil slept at Stamford. Fire in nursery. Out to block up bee-hives. Did a lot of distempering in Alys’ new room. With James 2 – 3. Then touching up with small brush (distemper). Alys phoned from Retford (Ye Olde Bell). Out to free hive door with Eva and James (who up in bedroom 2 hours). In nursery in evening. News and Are you sure.
Monday 5th February 1940
Very slow thaw. Foggy.
Letter for Eva from Teddy. Got up at 8 and out to beehives (stopped up). Fed birds. Looked up King card for Dennis; sewed my curtain and put it up. Wire for Alys (Ferrybridge). They arrived at 4. Perilous journey, slippery, slush. Tired. James down 3 p.m. to nursery (I with him 2 – 3). His first time since January 11th. News in evening and account of journey.
Tuesday 6th February 1940
Foggy. Damp.
Out to beehives at 8 a.m. With Alys to Richmond and Phil drove us, in my car. Slushy. Back at 1.10. I painted Phil’s window sills in p.m. (ivory). Alys with James who up at 3 and to nursery. (Nurse out). Tea with us. Wrote Dorothy. Snowballs on bank with Phil and to hives. He put mousetrap for Great Tits. News and knitting. Phil did Hornleigh jigsaw.
Wednesday 7th February 1940
Very slow thaw. Fog.
Out at 8 a.m. to hives. Mouse in trap. With Barber and Binks at warehouse; they carried Alys and Dennis’ divans and Phil’s wardrobe down to Hall in awful slippery snow. In p.m. I with James; Alys with men who brought down lots more furniture. Alys and Phil’s new rooms got ready and Phil rested in his. James up at 3. (98.2° at bedtime). Got Zeus carpet for basket and did him with Izal (disinfectant). With Phil in top room. Began gloves (navy wool).
Thursday 8th February 1940
Foggy. Damp.
Out at 8 to beehives. A Tit in trap and one yesterday evening. Gave Mrs Barber recipe, marmalade. Helped to hang parlour curtains. Men laid carpet and put furniture in. I with James 2 – 3. James in parlour with us all at 4.45 – 5.30. He was 99° at 5.30. We sat in parlour in evening but dined in dining-room. Phil to bed after tea and was sick in evening. Slept in Alys’ room.
Friday 9th February 1940
Frosty. Clear then dull.
To Hives at 9. Tit in trap. Breakfast in parlour. Phil in bed all day but better. Men moved sideboard and table. I arranged my room. Caught a Great-Tit in my window. With James 2 – 3 and then he up. Connie to tea in nursery. Darned Phil’s stockings. Blain put mousetrap by hives, but nothing caught. Eva and I listened in. Alys upstairs with Phil who 98.8° (or 99°) and slight rash. I slept in my new room – 1st time.
Saturday 10th February 1940
Frosty. Clear.
Fed birds in new room only. Out to hives at 8. Phil in bed all day. No appetite, rash gone. Alys to Richmond. Very icy on drive. I with Phil a bit. With James 2 – 3. Nurse out. Eva got him up. Tea with us. Rather fractious, 99°. Nancy bad places on legs. Wilf took her home. Phil better, but acetone and only took orange-juice and sugar.
Memo:
6th James had bath in big bath – first time since illness.
7th Alys and Phil slept in new bedrooms.
9th Hilda given notice to (economy) sorry.
9th – 17th day without sun – 10th sunshine.
Sunday 11th February 1940
Rather better day – 15 to 20° of frost.
Phil in bed in big bed (divan). Dr Woodsend to see James and Eva at 6. Alys and Eva packing. I changing things from room. With James in p.m. Out to hives and Blain; Dennis arrived in E.Y.T. at 4 from Tempsford. Nothing eaten since breakfast. James in parlour. Dinner there – and Phil down on sofa after. 1st time all in new parlour together. “Are you sure”. An inch of snow in night.
Monday 12th February 1940
16° frost, snow falls and sun.
Phil down to breakfast in dressing-gown. I searched files for Dennis. Dennis, Alys and Eva away about 11.30 in E.Y.T. (snowing hard) and very cold. Upstairs 12 – 12.45. With James 2 – 3 out to gardens and hives. Phil rested in nursery before lunch. Bedroom after. I with James in nursery 5 – 5.45. Phil too. Fire in Phil’s bedroom and he rested. Alys phoned at 8 from Ram Jam Inn. James 98.2°.
Tuesday 13th February 1940
Fine. Sun at times.
With James a little. Then Phil and I to Richmond in my car. To Ford office and then got 27lb sugar for marmalade (had 12lb already). Got fresco. Phil rested in hut 12.50 – 1.1. I with James 2 – 3. Mixed fresco for nursery. Florence out. With James 5 – 5.45. Phil wrote letters and into James a little. Rang up Dr Wrighton about Nancy Chilton.
Wednesday 14th February 1940
Snowing a bit.
With James. Began distempering new nursery (old dining-room). Phil doing brass doorplate for Zeus. Wrote Alys. Phil wrote letters. Colonel Du Cros rang up. Phil put graphite and oil on windows. Jigsaw begun. Cotswolds. 10° frost at night and snowed an inch.
Thursday 15th February 1940
Perfect. Sun and frost.
Wrote Dursbury, about wool. Phil wrote Dennis. With James, out with dogs. Phil with Binks brothers ferreting. Distempered new nursery. ,Blain doing electric bells. At 2 James in pram and we pushed him through snow in garden. In at 3.10. Wrote Eva. Distempering. With James 5 – 5.45. Phil out with Kimbo. Jigsaw and News and Swinton. 25° frost at night.
Friday 16th February 1940
Very, very cold. Foggy. 25° frost at night.
With James 10 minutes at 10 or so. Phil and I to Darlington taking Phil’s window to Neasham’s: to Hinton’s. Back at 12. Phil to his hut. Nannie “off”. I with James. Got him up and dressed at 4. Tea in parlour, Phil, James and I. Connie bathed him and put him to bed with Nannie watching. Phil tidied 2 desk drawers. News. Onlooker. Phil undressed in parlour (no fire upstairs).
Saturday 17th February 1940
Dull. About 32°.
I with Mrs B. and then James, and at 11 to Richmond and wrote cheques and letters. Packed Eva’s parcel. Got paraffin, fish, Seville’s. Back, via Ravensworth. Got petrol, paid bills. With James 2 – 3; he down to new nursery. Wrote Doz. Phil wrote Alys. In nursery. Phil too. “Garrison Theatre”. News and A.P. Herbert on “Bad Language”.
Memo:
12th Eva to Eynsham. Baby 27th?
15th Took snapshots of James – his first time out, since January 10th
17th Sent on letter from Teddy to Eva. Sent parcel.
3lbs sugar per head allowed for marmalade.
12 in house or 13.
Sunday 18th February 1940
Dull and snow.
Another tit in trap by beehives. James down after rest, dinner in new nursery and I out with him and Nurse, along East Layton Road, for about 30 minutes. Kenneth Steel to tea and stayed on to supper. “Are you sure” after. (I with James 5 – 5.45).
Monday 19th February 1940
Dull. Snow in a.m
Wool arrived. With James, and sewing chair in his room. James out 30 minutes 2.15 – 2.45. Did up wool for Alys, Eva and Poz and Doz. With Phil in his car to Ravensworth. Posted parcels and to Smallways. Lighted Odette’s fire in p.m. Tea 3.45. Phil to Darlington to meet Odette Clarke from Aberdeen. 5.7. She and Scally arrived. News. To bed about 9.45 – 50.
Tuesday 20th February 1940
Foggy. Raw. 32°.
Phil rested in bedroom. I sewed chair in James’ room. Phil and Odette out with Scally and Kimbo. I took Zeus out later. Wrote Alys. At 2, I in nursery with James. Nurse out. Too foggy and bleak to go out. Tea with James in nursery. Connie put him to bed. Odette and Phil did jigsaw in evening. Sinclair on Voice of the Nazi.
Wednesday 21st February 1940
Warm. Sunny. Thaw at last.
I to Richmond; and Phil and Odette to Barnard Castle. Bees flying, but died in snow. Met Brown’s in Richmond. James down to breakfast (1st time) and out at 11 in pram. Out at 2.15 again for hour. Wrote Eva with snapshots of James and Alys. Phil in hut. After tea, they walked to reservoir. Phil and Odette did jigsaw. Seaplane. My hand very sore with boil and chilblains. To bed before others.
Thursday 22nd February 1940
Foggy, but some now in p.m.
Very foggy. Fed hens. Washed Phil’s white scarf (with rubber gloves). Phil and Odette for a walk – Collier Lane. James only out at 2 as finer then. I took Florence to Richmond. Had hair done 3 – 4 4/3d tip. Back (in thick fog) to tea. With James. Phil and Odette for long walk 4.50 – 6.15. Pleasant evening. New jigsaw, and News and Swinton.
Friday 23rd February 1940
Sunny. Lovely.
Phil to Telford’s. Lent books, Mary T. (leg broken on ice). Wrote Alys and Eva. Then he and Odette drove Marske and Richmond. I with James and he out. Nurse out, and I took James in p.m. about, huts and chickens. Mick came out. Rivulets everywhere. Thaw. Tea with James in nursery. Connie put him to bed. Odette and Phil very short walk. Orchard. Nursery in evening and News and Onlooker (Norman Birkett). Boil still exuding and sore.
Saturday 24th February 1940
Very fine. Clouds at times.
James out for walk in garden (1st since illness). I to Richmond with Zeus. In p.m. Nurse took James in pram by gunroom. Phil in hut and Odette deckchair in sun. Goldfish dead. Frost/ice? Watched bees in p.m. Trying to get out, but snow still on grass. Out at 7 to open hives. Yorkshire Post crossword in evening and jigsaw. Sewed buttons on Phil’s ski-trousers. Hands very sore. Phil began grey flannel trousers.
Memo:
19th Florence 1-0.7
Teacloths 1.6
Taylor’s hairdresser – Miss Alderson (Gilling)
19th Odette comes (Clarke)
Summer-time begins (25th)
22nd letter to Eva
Sunday 25th February 1940
Cold. Foggy all day.
Summer-time began. Clocks forward and cold. Breakfast 9.30. Too foggy for James to ride or walk. Phil and Odette lighted fire in warehouse I up there, arranging things later. Wrote Alys and Eva and Dennis (with Trolley). Phil rested in bedroom. James great screaming fit over apple. I in at 2.30 and with him 3.30. Phil showed Odette his stamps. I hung calves pictures. They did jigsaw in evening. Nancy back.
Monday 26th February 1940
Cold. Foggy. Finer after tea.
With James. Looked out carpet in attic. Blain and Florence doing landing carpet. At 1.45 I drove Odette to Richmond (her hair appointment). Shopped. Got bell. Phil wrote Alys and Dennis. I took James out in garden (in “Wellicons”) snow still in parts 5 – 5.30. Phil rested indoors. Odette in his room 6.30 – 7. Florence felt coldy. Alys phoned about sea-stocking. Jigsaw. Phil told me Odette staying on.
Tuesday 27th February 1940
Very fine day.
With James. He out a.m. and p.m. in pram. Odette taking snaps of dogs and house. To get carpet with Florence and Blain. 4 bee hives flying. I dead. Did calves frame – gilded it. Phil to tea with Brown’s. Wrote Alys. Out to ponds, more dead fish and 3 live ones in a.m. Did crossword from Yorkshire Post in evening until 10.30, also “Am I”, “Got your number”.
Wednesday 28th February 1940
Cold. Rainy day.
James not out in a.m. Did “O’s”. Phil and Odette out to pond and see Barber about mimosa. I sewed grey skirt and petticoat and zip coat in p.m. Odette read. With James after tea and Phil and Odette walked reservoir in cold rain which turned snowy. Phil read me letters from Alys and Dennis during a.m. rest. Wrote Eva lettercard. Crossword and jigsaw (car-race) in evening.
Thursday 29th February 1940
Very cold. Dull.
Snow and sleet in night (snow on hills). Nursery soot down. I upstairs in a.m. Out walk 30 minutes. Slept at rest. Phil and Odette to Richmond. Hair-cut and about Binks. I did flowers. Scally miserable. Crossword with Odette in p.m. Phil in hut. Wrote Alys and Aunt Bella. With James in gun-room after tea. Phil and Odette walking by Fox Close (went in car). Crossword and jigsaw, and General Swinton after News.
Friday 1st March 1940
Fine. Cold 10° frost.
With James. Phil and Odette drove to Tan Hill, back about 1. Snow there. James walked in garden. Nannie out. I took James in pram to quarry. He had tea with Odette and me in sitting-room. Nurse put him bed (Connie cold). Phil to tea at Telford’s. Read letters when Phil rested. Nothing in common with Odette’s opinions. Diametric opposite. Crossword and jigsaw (turning over). Odette would look at picture.
Saturday 2nd March 1940
Dull. 7° frost.
With James; Phil and Odette brought car down. I to Richmond with Zeus and Kimbo. Phil’s and Odette’s films to Clarkson. Phil and Odette wandering about and in. Wrote Alys long letter and Eva, with Phil’s photos. With James and saw him bathed. News 8. Jigsaw. To bed 10.20. Phil and Odette only up at nearly 12.
Memo:
Boil on back of hand bad all week.
26th hairdresser, Hair done for Odette 2.15.
26th Florence £1.0.7
Bell 4.6
27th Baby would come (if same time as James)
Paid 29th Pickin 8 weeks to 29th.
Wrote Aunt Bella 25th paid.
Sunday 3rd March 1940
Fine but cold.
Phil opened bee-hives and changed sugar. James out walk all round. Phil and Odette lighted fire in warehouse. I moved papers and to bedroom. Nancy and Hilda colds. Odette in hut with Phil 11 till 11.15, or longer. Odette and I read in niche in sun, in p.m. Wrote Kit. James cried at 7.20. Sat with him while Nurse supped. Phil to bed 9.20. We read and at 10 to bed.
Monday 4th March 1940
Fine. Very windy.
Letter from Alys. With James, who sneezed. But he out for walk. Odette and Phil on seat and then hut. Very little walking. I tidied rushes, and got rotten apples. With James 2 – 3 nursery. Called on Hodge’s 3 – 4. Odette reading all p.m. With James 4.45 – 5.45 and when Nannie at supper 8 – 8.30. Scally made mess. Jigsaw and Phil to bed about 9.45. (Dogs all slept in gun-room.) Phil and Odette haystack (Barnes) till 7.
Tuesday 5th March 1940
Fine. Cold wind. 9° frost.
Mason to sweep kitchen chimney, so staff used Middle Kitchen. Washed Phil’s brushes. James for walk. Nurse out. Wrote Eva (with wool) and Alys. Took James in pram in garden 2 – 3.45 in sun. No cold apparent. Tea in nursery with James and put him to bed (Florence helped getting bath ready). Phil and Odette in my car to White House – haystack and back 7. Jigsaw in evening. Odette cold. (Cold night).
Wednesday 6th March 1940
Cold, some sun.
Nannie told Phil she had cold, so I took James (except out of doors with Nannie did). Phil and Odette to Richmond, got photos. Looked at them on seat. Phil trying to take Scally. Nannie took James out short time in pram. I with him tea. He slept 11.30 – 1.45. Finished dinner 3! Tea 5. Connie’s cold gone, so she put him to bed. Read Dennis’ letter to Phil and he Alys’ aloud to me. We to bed 10.30. They looked up motor-map, Reading to Eastbourne, and crossword. I slept with James.
Thursday 7th March 1940
Dull and cold still.
Woke 4 a.m, then called at 7. James wet both times. Dressed. Then dressed James by 8. Breakfast with him. Bad kipper. Phil and Odette breakfast 9 and out walk and she packed. Nannie took James a walk till 11.30. His foot cold, he cried, I put him to rest. Lunched 12.30 with Phil and Odette. At 1 they to Darlington. Phil saw her off 1.43. I gave James his dinner (he slept till 1.30). Took him in car to Scotch Corner. Phil, James and I tea 4.15 in sitting-room. Connie put James to bed. News. I slept in James’ room.
Friday 8th March 1940
Dullish, milder.
James wet at 4 a.m. I got up 7.20 and dressed James, breakfast 8. Porridge. 9 With Phil. Phil to Darlington 10.15 taking his car for brake-lining. I to Darlington 10.30 to fetch Phil. To beer-shop, and rusks. Phil to museum. Back by 12.15. Lunch with Phil. Then gave James his dinner at 2 (he slept so long). Nannie took him out. I to Richmond. Back for tea, and James’ tea 5.15. Phil to Darlington 5 to get Ford 10. Blain with him and Hilda, who left. Phil met Dennis 6.2 and back in my car, Blain in Phil’s car. James to bed 6.10. I slept with him again and he dry in a.m. but I up at 1, 4, 6 and 7.15.
Saturday 9th March 1940
Dull.
Nannie dressed him. I breakfast with Dennis and Phil at 9. All of us with James after. Dennis and Phil to get petrol, Smallways and round gardens. Dennis and Phil resting in p.m. I washed Phil’s brown polo pullover. Wrote Doz. Expected Lieutenant Brown to supper but he didn’t come. News, to bed about 10. I earlier, sleepy.
Memo:
4th Florence 1.0
Meat Rations begin on May 11th
7th Wrote Alys. Phil wrote too.
7th Odette goes 1.43. Arrives 7?
8th or 9th. Dennis comes. Wrote Doz 9th
Sunday 10th March 1940
Rain. Mild.
Milk very late. Wardle’s “slept in”. Breakfast 9.35. Dennis and Phil in with James. He out a walk. Phil getting things ready for packing. Dennis rested in p.m. Phil in hut. Lieutenant Brown to supper. Did “Are you sure” with him. Stayed till 10.
Monday 11th March 1940
Mild. Dull.
Breakfast 8.45. Dennis and Phil off in Phil’s car at 9.30. Arriving London 6.45. Tea at Hale’s. Dried sticks and tidied up. To Richmond at 1.45. Shopped and paid Thorpe’s bill. Bee sugar ration coupon. “Monday Night at 8” and News.
Tuesday 12th March 1940
Rain at times. Mild. Dark.
With James. He out in rain with Nannie. I sent handkerchiefs to Eva. I painted pram handle, cleaned brushes. Took James in car at to Aldburgh. Posted letters there. James had tea with me in sitting-room. Connie put him to bed. Fetched battery for wireless. Sewed cuffs for Dennis’ shirt. News.
Wednesday 13th March 1940
Snowing. Cold.
With James. He out walk in mackintosh. Would not take orange-juice. Wrote Dennis, with shirt (mended). Wrote Alys and sent pink nightie, and Eva about cot. Lettercard to Doz. Arranged soldiers to tea with Mrs Barber. Florence and Connie cleaned No 7. Florence took p.m. off. I re-knitted toes to seaboot stockings (Mrs Barber’s). Machined vest. James in for 30 minutes (long over his ham at tea). News. To bed about 10.
Thursday 14th March 1940
Fine day. Cold. Snow on everything in a.m. 8 degree frost at night.
With James .Mark on lip and nose better. Got white lead and putty. Did up parcel of 4 helmets and seaboot stockings. To Richmond. Bank. Zeus and Kim too. Back 1 o’clock. In p.m. everyone busy preparing tea for soldiers. Florence fell on back in spring clean hall. 14 soldiers to tea and “Sing-song”. James tea with me. Cleared out drawer in sitting-room. Sat with James upstairs 6.45 – 7.30. Altered rail in pantry. News. Knitting helmet.
Friday 15th March 1940
Dullish. Cool.
Muddling about tidying. Letter from Phil. Wrote Phil and Eva. Paid wages and 19/- Mrs Barber. James difficult about meals, good with me 5 – 6 (started him going to bed 6). Bing Boys and News and Onlooker. Nat Ayer, George Robey.
Saturday 16th March 1940
Fine and mild. Frost, night.
James out in garden 9.30. I with him on seat at 10. Fetched car down with him. He outdoors till 11.20. I to Richmond with dogs. In p.m. made bee-candy 2.10 – 3.15. James difficult at tea, but good 5 – 6 .Played with tins. Garrison Theatre and News.
Memo:
11th Florence £1.0.7
11th Dennis and Phil to London
14th Dennis’ birthday
16th Eva’s baby?
Bees 10lb sugar per hive allowed.
Phil to Chandler this week.
12th Got 3 gallons petrol (without ration – Jackson, Blain).
(40 years ago, Mother died at 10 a.m.)
Sunday 17th March 1940
Rainy. Cool.
Out with dogs. Took all my clothes from old bedroom and rearranged drawers. Felt giddy (coffee and cream?) Put jigsaws away. Lay on sofa, read papers. No tea. James 5 – 6 very good “Bye pillow”. Rumtitum. All right and good supper. Reading “The Man in the Dark” Ferguson. To bed 9.45.
Monday 18th March 1940
Muggy. Dull.
Alys phoned at 9.15. Eva had a baby girl at 2.15 a.m. Weight 6lbs 11oz. Took Florence and Connie to Scotch Corner (for Darlington). To Richmond. Wrote George Buchanan and Eva. Fetched Kimbo from huts. James in 4.50 – 6. Finished helmet. News. “Monday at 8”.
Tuesday 19th March 1940
Fine. Windy.
Letter from Alys about Phil in Bulstrode House. With James. Zeus’ collar lost. Atkinson and Caxton doing roof. Took James in pram along East Layton Road. He had tea with me – dripping good. “Drawing for my little sister”. Connie put him to bed. Began fitting chair-cover. Tired and did nothing after supper. Raid on Sylt – 30 planes. Damage done.
Wednesday 20th March 1940
Dullish.
With James in nursery. To Richmond with dogs. Wrote Aunt Bella and Ella. Had James from 4 – 6 putty, pincers. Tea-party for 11 soldiers from 4.30 till 8.15!!! In James’ room 635 – 7.20. After soldiers went, they let us know. “Stage 3” Air Raid warning. Supper 8.40!
Thursday 21st March 1940
Fine, but showers.
Did up helmets and clothes for Phil. Wrote Mrs Hinchliffe. With James in garden. Painted bathroom window. Making cover for chair. Wrote Phil. James in cardboard box. Tired in evening. Sewing till dinner on chair cover (spot under chin – boil?) Listened-in, read paper.
Friday 22nd March 1940
Fine, small showers.
Letter from Alys. Phil alright and at Eynsham. Out with James in garden. He out all a.m. till 11.20. I did chair-cover and listened in services programme. Forgot about Nannie’s day out (but she didn’t know!) Took James in pram, met Peggy with Rona. Had James for tea and till 6. Connie bathed him. Went on with chair cover. Onlooker and News.
Saturday 23rd March 1940
Fine. Mild.
With James in nursery. To Richmond with dogs. Walked with them in cobble square. Washed nighties, vest, stockings. Dr Warren came at 3.10. Talk and tea and James in at 5; and Dr Warren away soon after. Did chair-cover again. News, Waters and Jack Warner. Finished “Man in the Dark” Ferguson.
Memo:
18th Florence £1.0.7
20th Wrote Aunt Bella and Ella
20th Phil to Eynsham
18th Wrote George Buchanan 18th France
Sunday 24th March 1940
Fine. Mild.
No “Sunday Express”. Wrote Doz. In garden with James, and Arnold and Rona (aconite snowdrops). Made new cushions for Kimbo’s basket of green rep. In p.m. pulled up and tied wire netting round ponds. James in, “mending” with “pincers”. Walked in wood and saw Mr Hardy and Hodges. Read “Sunday Times” and crossword.
Monday 25th March 1940
Very fine and warm.
2 letters from Alys. Got car with James. We took Nannie to Richmond (she to Darlington). Gave James orange juice and put him in cot. Ironed clothes. Dinner with James. Took him in pram. Lambs, tractor, Lieutenant Brown and fiancé. “Kimbins and bone”. Tea. “Jobbies”. Put car “to bye-byes”. Florence helped with putting James to bed. He a cold, runny nose. Very good.
Tuesday 26th March 1940
Dull, cool. Frost.
Florence called me to see Nurse at 8.15. James temperature 99.2° so in his cot, for breakfast. I with him, then chair cover. At 1 o’clock, he was 100.8°. Sleeping on and off all day. Respirations 40. Very flushed. At 5 he was 102.8° so phoned Dr Woodsend who came at 6.15. Wrote Alys before 5. James sponged over and slept well all night.
Wednesday 27th March 1940
Cold, windy. Sun and cloud.
James’ temperature 97.8° at 8.30. Ate egg. I with him, sitting up in cot. Cleaned books in shelves with Florence and Connie, who cleaning old sitting-room. At 1, James 98.6°. With him 2 – 3. Wrote Alys. At 5 James 101.2°. Phoned Dr Woodsend. Up with James. Alys rang up at 9 about James. News and Herbert Samuel talk on Middle East – good.
Thursday 28th March 1940
Very cold. Fine. 11°. Frost in night.
James 97.2°. With him. He quite himself. In his cot. Out with Zeus. Did chair-cover. With James 2 – 3. He 97° at 1. Wrote Dennis, and lettercard to Alys. James 99.8° at 5. Phoned Dr Woodsend. With James 5 – 5.45. Tragic Jew play on radio. Phoned Miss Brown about wool, garbage and dance.
Friday 29th March 1940
Very cold. Sleet.
With James, who 97°. Did chair-cover and listened-in “At the Black Dog”. 2 – 2.45 with James, showing him photos. To Richmond with Zeus. Back 4.30. Wrote Eva. James 98.4° at 5 – with him. Girl Guiding dance at Granary. Miss Brown came with wool (and to dance). Barber in bed with flu? All women staff to dance, till 2 a.m.
Saturday 30th March 1940
Fine and warmer.
Barber up and all right. With James who 97° (in cot all day). Wrote Phil after giving bees candy, with Blain (1 hive dead). Took leaves from pond. In p.m. with James Began distempering damp wall in Alys’ room. Turned off waterfall at 7.15 (on all day). Finished chair-cover. Pye gave out. Brought other one down. Churchill spoke.
Memo:
25th Florence 1-0.7
25th Nurse out all day to Darlington
29th Found Barber had spread compost all un-ready.
30th Guides made £4.
Sunday 31st March 1940
Showery. Mild.
James query rash? Phoned Dr Woodsend – doesn’t fit in sweat rash. With James, who not out as cold and rainy at times. Patched Phil’s aertex vest. Wrote Alys. With James in p.m. and he in sitting-room 4.45. New engine with rails. Out with dogs. Listened-in. Hon. Edward Ward, Finland. Mended gloves. Wool from Dewsbury came.
Monday 1st April 1940
Changeable. Mild.
With James. Out to Richmond with dogs. Washed clothes. Wrote Alys. Nurse out with James in pram. Miss Brown in with wool and stayed to tea. James after. “Monday night at 8”. News. (Smoke-room cleaned out).
Tuesday 2nd April 1940
Changeable. Mild but hail.
James out at 9.30. Florence and Connie porch room cleaned. Letter to Eva. Looked into stocking-darning situation. With James in nursery. After lunch, I took James and Florence to Barnard Castle. Had James for tea. Began re-fitting stockings of Dennis with wool from Barnard Castle. Began distempering little larder room. Nancy phoned for to nurse her mother.
Wednesday 3rd April 1940
Cold and dull in a.m. Sun in p.m. and showers.
James’ nose running. Not out a.m. I distempering old larder. Wrote Lois and Alys. Florence and Connie cleaning halls. James out in pram all p.m. With me after tea – tools and cardboard box. Distempered again. James 98.8° at 6. Listened-in Garbo film and darned Dennis and Phil’s stockings in evening.
Thursday 4th April 1940
Dull then sunny. Windy. Mild.
Tidied up still-room and drawers in sitting room and Nurse and Mrs Barber to Darlington. 1 – 7 so I got James from rest (after washing cretonne chair-cover). He had dinner with me. Fuss over “jobbies” (put him in cot!) Took him pram. Met Lieutenant Marryat at huts. Tea with James and then he good till 6. Florence helped me with bathing him. Ironed nightgown. Out with dogs. Sir Hugh Ellis commentary.
Friday 5th April 1940
Cold. Dullish.
With James. Out with dogs. Distempered larder. Blain in my car to Jackson’s for oil for Dennis’ car 7/6 and 2 gallons petrol. (one unit still owing me). To Richmond at 2.15 (called at Camp for Kimbo). Took both dogs. Wrote Ella. James in 1¼ hour. Gave Zeus “dry shampoo” after. Supper. Washed carpet with Carpetine, by fire. Alys rang up from Retford, Olde Bell 9 p.m.
Saturday 6th April 1940
Dull. Coldish.
Busy tidying. To Richmond to change bad corner bacon. At about 2.30 arrived Alys and Phil in car with James (whom they met in pram). Also Dennis with Eva and Eve Frances (in a carry-cot). James was shown his “little sister”. Settlings-in of the family. Tea. Phil and I for walk with Zeus. Phil telling me of Bedford Russell new sinus treatment. Kimbo run over and brought in by a soldier. Eva to bed for dinner, very tired.
Memo:
1st Florence £1.0.7
Owed Alys £1.2.6 over after Florence’s wages paid
Put it into cashbox.
6th Alys, Dennis, Eva, Phil, Frances arrive.
Germany invaded Denmark and Norway – 9th
Sunday 7th April 1940
Fine. Cool.
Eva in bed to breakfast. Dennis and Phil with James to get petrol. I fetched Kim from huts. Smokeroom fire lighted. Tony Wilson phoned. At 2.30 Lord Bolton to see Dennis (patient). At 2 Tony and George Cuming came. Bread and cheese and coffee (hitch-hiking). Aired beds for them. Kenneth Steel and “Tiny” Marryat to tea. All in garden. All to supper (9 of us, 2 tables). “Are you sure” afterwards. Tony slept in smoke-room. George Cuming in bachelor’s room.
Monday 8th April 1940
Dullish. Cool.
Dennis went off at 9.45 in Ford 8 EYT. Phil (and other boys in top-room, and then Tony and George billiards). I cut bulrushes and fetched Kimbo from huts and 2/6 to soldier who brought Kimbo back. In p.m. Tony and George Cuming away. Alys and I to Richmond. Phil doing accounts for Kay at 5 – 6.30. Wrote Teddy. News. German transport sunk off Norway.
Tuesday 9th April 1940
Dull, some sun. Cool.
News 8a.m of Germany invading Denmark and Norway (Blain told us). I out with James all about garden. In for news 10.15. I distempered room a little. Blackout in Alys ’room. News at 5 and Chamberlain 4.30 (summary) of House of Commons Statement. Phil fixing knitting machine in evening. We knitting, re-soling Dennis’ stocking. Naval fights off South Norway. Denmark completely occupied by Germans.
Wednesday 10th April 1940
Fine. Cool.
News 8 a.m. Phil took James out. Then I took him. Tidied out desk in old bedroom. Phil tidying his desk drawer. Paper bags. In p.m. mixed distemper and distempered wall – 2nd coat. News 1, 6. Naval engagement going on. Cut bulrushes; others and James walk by huts. Florence with Blain’s and Barber’s to Whist Drive, Ravensworth. Eve still got horrid sore place on her thigh – to be bandaged.
Thursday 11th April 1940
Fair. Dull and sun shine.
News at 8 in Phil’s bedroom. Mostly rumour. I to Richmond with Phil. His hair cut. New entrance hall being altered. Looked out matting at “Warehouse” with Alys. Cut more bulrushes and tidied up there. Then tired; read newspaper. 4.30 Summary Churchill’s speech in House of Commons. All ships (Nazi) in Skagerak and Kattegat will be sunk. Phil did his sinuses. I took dogs in fields.
Friday 12th April 1940
Fine.
8 a.m. news. Out with James by ponds. Phil fed syrup to bees. Eva feeling tired and achey. Eve more spots. Distempered 2nd coat in parts. Eva to bed before dinner.
Saturday 13th April 1940
Dullish. Cold.
Alys, Phil and James to Richmond. Binks left. I began doing posters for Dance. Took James out in pram all p.m. (and he had dinner with us). Nannie to her home 11 a.m. to 11.20 p.m. Lambs out. Indoors after tea, doing poster; out with dogs. Garrison Theatre (Naunton Wayne – good). Important news awaited. I in Phil’s room 10.15, 10.45 and at 10.45 new of British sinking 7 destroyers in Narvik (Warspite). “Extremely successful” Admiralty.
Memo:
8th Wrote Teddy, Posted 9th
12th 6.30 French recipe
11th Binks called up for 18th
Sunday 14th April 1940
Cool, fine.
Out with James. Phil trying to make key to fit desk locks. Brought Phil’s bed down, with Alys. Brought Phil’s; bed down, with Alys. Painting Dance Notices all p.m. Out with dogs in field. Alys brought Eve down, a minute – 1st time. “Are you sure”. Began seaboot stockings.
Monday 15th April 1940
Very cold. Sunny – snow on hills.
Eve 4 weeks today. Took James to play in Steel’s car. Made bee-candy. Alys and Florence put Phil’s bed up instead of Layton one. Lower. Alys and Eva to Richmond. Alys and I to Wardle’s and Stanwix. Looked up Myers for Dennis. Watched Eva doing Eve. Her leg better, she very good, not crying. Phil felt sick at supper. Didn’t listen Monday night at 8. Allied Troops landed in Norway.
Tuesday 16th April 1940
Fine, a little warm.
Tooth loose from root. With James till 10.20. Alys and I to Darlington. To Mr Badcock 11. He injected and took it off. Shopped. After lunch, I took James till 3.10, then Alys took him and I did Notices for Dance till 6.45. Out with dogs. News and Sinclair and Gracie Fields.
Wednesday 17th April 1940
Fine. 6° frost at night.
Made syrup and Phil gave it to bees. James saw chicks in incubator and in hover later. Did more Dance Notices and all p.m. till tea-time. Alys and Phil to Richmond. Mary Telford to tea, and in garden with Phil (very boring). Eve smiled 1st time. Eva brought Eve down in evening. (Alys and Phil climbed on roof).
Thursday 18th April 1940
Fine. 9°. Frost at night.
Out with James in garden. Florence washed Kimbo. Did some more Dance Notices and in after noon. Wrote Kit, for George’s photos. James in top-room 5 and Phil ran engine on straight rails. Phil did purl and plain on knitting machine in evening. News and talk by leader of attack Stavanger aerodrome and Admiral on Narvik.
Friday 19th April 1940
Cold. Damp.
Out with James in rainy cold. Put date on notice. Phil and Eva to Richmond. Eva’s hair done. Phil took Pye radio to Thomson. I did final distempering, and knitting. Alys cleared out drawer with old letters. Windlesham. Top room at 5 with Phil – engine run (green). Out with dogs. Eve weight 7lb 7¼oz. Florence and Blain’s to whist drive, Dalton, in Phil’s car.
Saturday 20th April 1940
Dull. Fine. Dull.
With James in garden. Alys and I to Richmond. I put £100 from Deposit ac into War Savings Certificates (added to 1916 ones). Phil gave candy to bees. I took Jamesout along Street 2p.m. – Dr Warren came. And stayed tea and News. Took dogs out (Kimbo with us all day). Alys and Phil out in evening. Pye battery ran out. Phil writing for extra petrol ration. Application for sugar for James.
Memo:
15th News of Troop landings in Norway. English, French and French-Canadians.
19th/20th Italy sounding as if war-like?
19th Eva to Hawdon and Phil’s Pye to Thompson.
20th Put £100 into Savings Certificate (War).
Sunday April 21st 1940
Dull. Damp
Eve had bath, as her leg is healed. Out with dogs. Wrote Badcock and renewing K-H letters and Readers Digest. Mended stockings. Florence to Ireland’s in car with Kimbo. I out with dogs again. With Phil doing his sinuses “Are you sure”.
Monday April 22nd 1940
Foggy. Cold.
Phil heard from Odette about her job at Epsom. James in (fog so not out). Made pin-cushion. Knitted. Washed carpet and also shampooed Zeus in p.m. Read paper and took Zeus out in fields. Kimbo away all day.
Tuesday April 23rd 1940
Dullish. Milder.
Saw Eve bathed. Out with James. Then Alys, Eva and he to Richmond in Phil’s car. I warmed syrup and Phil gave it to bees. Cleaned cans for Eve’s bath. Did “Keep Shut” and “Cloakroom” Notices. Wrote Aunt Bella. Kimbo out all night. Florence and I to site to seek him and Barber and I to warehouse.
Wednesday April 24th 1940
Dull. Damp.
Zeus diarrhoea. Kimbo was in Phil’s car all night! I with James till 11.30. Then cutting reeds in rock garden. In p.m. Alys doing looking-glass. Helped put it up by her window. To site for Kimbo. Took Zeus a walk. Wrote Dennis, with file of ? I to see Baby 10.15 after last feed.
Thursday 25th April 1940
Very fine and warm.
With Phil and Eva to Darlington (Phil’s car). Phil to Fothergill. Eva to Badcock 11. I bought fish and wool and goldfish (12 for 8/-) I learned to run motor mower and cut 2 lawns with Barber teaching me. Phil outside to rest. Baby out all day. Snapshot. Wrote Doz about compost.
Friday 26th April 1940
Warm sun a.m. Dull p.m.
James with Eva, which she had bath. I mended coconut matting mat with string (on wood-pile) and tarred string. Mended other mat on grass till 4. Out with James, Alys, Eva and then Eva and James picking daffodils in wood. Prepared curtain and in hut and Phil (after going up to the Dance till 10.50 slept there. Listened to News and Onlooker too in hut.
Saturday 27th April 1940
Muggy and thunder and rain in a.m.
Out with James. Thunder. In and did syrup and Phil fed bees. Alys and Phil to Richmond. Phil to register with the 26 years (Militia). Nurse out. I took James along Street. Picked cowslips. I bathed James. Eve out nearly all day. Finished soles to Dennis’ blue and tan stockings. Tired in evening. Walked to site for Kimbo, but he with Sergeant Goodwin in there. Eva brought Eve down at News time to register.
Memo:
27th Phil to Labour Exchange with the 26 Years (men called up)
22nd Eve weighed 7.10
23rd Wrote Aunt Bella
Blue Tit feeding from hand 1 – 2 regularly.
Phil slept in hut 26th and 27th nights
Sunday 28th April 1940
Foggy, dullish, cool.
With James, weeding path till 11.30. Did mat on wall. Mending. Phil resting in niche. Went on mending mat till 3.30. John Heigham to tea. Wrote Kit about Sir George Buchanan’s death. Zeus ate up gingerbread and chocolate cake (Dennis to Aunt Bee’s).
Monday 29th April 1940.
Foggy, cold.
Out with James. All a.m. doing wages with Phil. Looked out 1938-9 receipts off spike. Phil to tea at Telford’s. Captain Telford there. Only back 7.15 as up to a farm. Phil working knitting-machine.
Tuesday 30th April 1940
Misty, still cool.
Out with James. Made syrup for bees. Phil to meet a Mr Booth at Scotch Corner, to advise on selling the woodlands. Mr Booth to lunch and Alys took him to Scotch Corner at 3. I took James out 2 – 4. Phil fed bees at 5 and to get petrol with Alys and James.
Wednesday 1st May 1940
Rainy. Cold. Dark.
Out with James. Eva and Alys to Richmond in my car. I doing posters for Whist Drive all a.m. and p.m. too. One on red wall-paper. Phil writing Dennis about woods and Clark and Armstrong Rose. Phil knitted grey speckled sock in evening. (James out with Eva after tea). Lord Chancellor Caldercote.
Thursday 2nd May 1940
Dull.
With James weeding rockery. Did more notices for Whist Drive. Phil and Alys to Darlington. Phil to Badcock. Chamberlain speech about withdrawl of troops south of Trondheim (Åndalsnes). Grafted up Phil’s black and white sock toe and knitting Steer one. Eva, Phil and I in Steel’s car and fuss with James who after with me put Phil’s car in garage. Alys very tired and to bed early. Knitting machine jibbing.
Friday 3rd May 1940
Sun. Warm.
With James in garden and rockery. Phil too, weeding pond. Phil rested in sun. Washed clothes. Did 2 more notices Whist Drive till tea. Out weeding rockery. Rudd discovered alive! Finished off Steer’s wool socks in evening.
Saturday 4th May 1949
Hot. Fine.
Out with James to see Eunice Elgy’s calves, then rock-garden. Alys and Eva to Richmond. Did some notices of Whist Drive. Wrote Chris and Edith about Gilbert’s death. Phil slept in hut. Toothache all night (Aspirin about 3).
Memo:
2nd News and withdrawal from Åndalsnes and from Namsos.
Booth (about woodlands) – 3rd
2nd Phil to Badcock
29th Eve gained 9oz = 8lbs 3oz.
29th Paid Pickin to June 29th
2nd 1st Asparagus from garden.
Germany invaded Holland and Belgium – 10th
Sunday 5th May 1940
Fine. Hot.
Got out straw hats for garden. Did weeding with James. Phil had hose-pipe to fill jerry-pond. Rested and read paper in p.m. and wrote to Ella – toothache better. Mended mat (on bank). “Are you sure” outdoors. Phil slept in hut.
Monday 6th May 1940
Fine and warm.
Phoned Badcock. Weeding with James. Soot in nursery. To Atkinson’s with Alys. Helped Florence with soot after lunch. Did 3 more Notices after tea. Took them to Blain’s. Fetched Kimbo from site. Phil knitting machine.
Tuesday 7th May 1940
Dull. Mild.
Alys and Florence to Darlington 10; I with James weeding. Phil on roof. Mason to do nursery chimney. In p.m, I washing carpet with Nancy and cleaning sooty nursery and till 6. Alys back then (Phil’s clutch mended at Newsham’s). Chamberlain’s statement in Parliament. Eve asleep in my arms at 9.45.
Wednesday 8th May 1940
Dull. Warm.
With Eva to Richmond. She had her hair (half) permed – Hawdon. I had mine cut and washed (Murphy). No lunch as I with Alys to Darlington and at 2.30 Badcock pulled out root with abcess at end. Gas. At 3.25 back home. Rested. Chicken soup. Down to supper and news. Debate. Phil slept in hut. Alys listened to 12 midnight News with Churchill’s grave speech.
Holland and Belgium invaded – 10th (and Luxembourg).
Thursday 9th May 1940
Fine and hot.
With James in garden. Hot. Rested all p.m. Reading Captain Dove’s book. Out with James and Eva (James off alone) in garden. Dennis came about 9.15 by EYT car. Very tired. All the way from Lab and patient at Hales on the way. Phil slept in hut.
Friday 10th May 1940
Fine. Warm.
Bill Cave arrived at 7 a.m. (?) on leave (West Kent Regiment). News at 10.30. Germany invading Holland and Belgium. Brussels bombed. To Ram, new part put in. James came too. Income Tax papers in p.m. Weeding and pushing Eve in pram in garden, after tea. Chamberlain broadcast that he had resigned and Churchill Prime Minister. Phil knitting demonstration.
Saturday 11th May 1940
Fine. Cooler.
James lost (in billiard room!) Alys and Phil to Richmond in Phil’s car. James and I in garden and with Dennis and Bill who siphoning Queen Mary pond to find crack. Stockings darned in p.m. and toe off Phil’s blue sock grafted. James with Alys to Ravensworth for cigs. Alys, Dennis and Phil out after supper, talked to “Tiny” (Lieutenant Marriot). Bill and Eva dried supper things. New War Cabinet names. Eden – War.
Memo:
11th 15 day old ducklings under hen – 2 killed by stepping on them
7th Alys with Phil’s car and Florence to Darlington (clutch all day)
8th 2.30 Badcock
8th 10.30 Hair at Taylor’s. Eva’s hair. Hawdon’s.
9th Dennis comes.
15th Holland surrendered (except Zeeland – surrendered later).
Sunday 12th May 1940
Fine.
Bill and James to “Mr Steel’s car”. Wrote to Doz. I took James in pram along Street. 2 – 3.30 and then fetched Kimbo from site. Phil and Bill in Phil’s car and a walk. Dennis very tired. A little in garden. “Are you sure” in evening and News.
Monday 13th May 1940
Hot and fine.
No Bank Holiday by Royal Decree. Helped Florence. Mended mat on grass all p.m. After tea, helped Dennis with planting out double nasturtiums on wall. Phil and Bill and Blain changed bees into bigger hive from pink hive. I read paper. News.
Tuesday 14th May 1940
Windy. Fine.
Eva a cold. With James in garden, and Bill polished his buttons. Dennis doing nasturtiums. I helped a little. I took James in pram to quarry. Nannie out. Alys to Darlington with Bill who off by 1.30 train. Helped Dennis in garden 5 – 7.30. Eva in bed to supper. Cold heavy.
Wednesday 15th May 1940
Rain. Cool
8 a.m. news of Dutch surrender. Eva’s breast tender. Gave fomentations. Alys, Dennis and Phil away in 2 cars to North Road Hotel. I looking after James and Baby most of day in turns. Eva slept in p.m. She stayed in bed all day. With dogs to field by Street at 3.35 and again with James after tea. Florence’s day off. James crying and coughing in evening. Alys phoned from Knebworth 167.
Germans in Brussels – 18th
Thursday 16th May 1940
Fine, warm
With James in garden. Eva up and better and in garden with us by wall. She had acute rheumatism in back, better in p.m. With Baby in garden in p.m. till 3.50. After tea by swing with Eva, James and Baby and dogs. Sewed door-mat outdoors. News and War commentary (Rowan-Robinson – General).
Friday 17th May 1940
Fine, hot.
Out with James in garden. Barber cutting lawns. To Richmond – Police score cards. To Ravensworth for biscuits 2 p.m. With Baby in garden in p.m. and after tea all to Mr Steel’s car and quarry field. Whist Drive and Eva gave prizes at 11 p.m. in aid of Forces’ Families Association. (News and Onlooker). Made about £3. Mrs Barber got prize and Olive (port) and Norman Binks.
Saturday 18th May 1940
Fine and hot.
Alys phoned from Ye Olde Bell. Phil reaction and unable to come on today. I to Richmond and to Dalton to take Telford books back. Looking after Baby afternoon. Watering nasturtiums with James after tea. Putting new cuffs on Dennis shirt. News, and Duff-Cooper. Battery gave out.
Memo:
17th Whist Drive
17th – 18th News very grave from Sedan Front. Battle of the Bulge.
5th Simpson shooting rooks here.
16th Phil to Chandler
Germans invading France – To Amiens and Arras.
Sunday 19th May 1940
Fine and Hot.
In garden with James. Washed clothes. At 12.50 arrived Alys. Dennis and Phil in Phil’s car. Phil feeling better, but still ill. News. Dinner. Finished off Dennis’ shirt cuffs. Took James in pram 2 – 4. Picked cowslips. Nurse out. In garden. Dennis planted nasturtiums. Looked out car and file for Dennis. “Are you sure” and Prime Minister (Churchill) spoke.
Monday 20th May 1940
Fine. Hot.
Alys and Dennis to Darlington 8.10 and Dennis to London 8.50. With James and ironed. Alys very tired and depressed (bad night). She rested in p.m. I with Baby up in barnyard. Read papers. Watered nasturtiums. News a little better. German advance slower.
Tuesday 21st May 1940
Fine. Warm.
Eva to have hair permed at Richmond (as half done May 8th). Alys with her. I with James. Picked lilies of valley and made 4 bunches for Morell. Rested all p.m.(slept). Tired. After tea, weeded a lot in lower path. News of Germany in Amiens and Arras. Duff Cooper spoke after news. Told to sign identity cards.
Wednesday 22nd May 1940
Fine, cooler.
Gave Kimbo worm pill. Weeding. With James. News at 1 – Germans driven out Arras. Alys and I putting up black paper bedroom windows (black-out not good enough). Both Miss Brown’s called, after tea. In garden. All News rather grave of German advances – Abbeville.
25th 1st bombs on English soil – Essex or Kent?
Germans reach Boulogne.
Thursday 23rd May 1940
Fine and hot.
Weeding with James. Then “stopping” vines as shown by Barber, till 12. Finished off door-mat in p.m. Picked nettle tops for vegetable. Phil put upper in beehive and had no “river”. Stung on his foot, after supper.
Friday 24th May 1940
Fine and hot.
Weeding with James Picked more nettles. Sewing binding on kitchen carpet 11.30 – 1 and then 2 – 3. Hoed weeds among roses and later in lower border. Lieutenant Marriott left and Lieutenant Pinkney came – sherry. Cairns P. and J. Ayr left and Sergeant Goodwin. (Not allowed to hear army news – must be patient. Not let enemy know).
Saturday 25th May 1940
Fine and hot.
With James and then Alys and I to Richmond in Phil’s car for cement and oranges 6d a lb. Hoed lower border. Pinckney (Lieutenant) came for bath. Still holding Calais. Bombs in North Riding – 8 casualties. Talk by Harold Nicholson on rumour and “chatterbugs” and by Ernest Bevin.
Memo:
Wrote Adrian Waterlow
20th Eve Frances (9 weeks) 9lbs 22oz.
General Gamelin suspended by “Weygand”.
24th Blue Tit didn’t come for nuts – first time
23rd Blue Tit took nut from hand still.
Tenerife Attacks at Menen and Courtrai on B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Forces)
King Leopold and Army capitulate
28th Belgium Government dissociates itself.
Sunday 26th May 1940
Hot. Thundery.
In garden; hot. Ducklings hatching. To yard with James and Eva. Took photos of Eva and James and Baby on steps. Rested. Tired and heat great. Stormy. Fitted ponds and Phil and I put sick fish back – cured. Great fighting for Calais.
Monday 27th May 1940
Fine. Hot. Windy.
Letter from Kitty with copy of one from George (May 14th) in B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). Weeding with James. Altered check cotton frock in bedroom. Wrote Kit, James naughty at tea-time. Up to see ducklings and he was sick there. News increasing gravity. Watered carrots and hoed.
Tuesday 28th May 1940
Thundery. Warm.
Dennis’ letter saying he had moved to Albany Street. Alys and Eva picking gooseberries. I weeding. News at 1 of King Leopold’s command to army to capitulate. B.E.F. flank left unprotected in air. Churchill in parliament. Alys took James out. I with Baby. Sewed on porch. Dr Woodsend called. Reid for the electric engine. Phil shooting rooks. James had pains at 5 – 5.45. Duff-Cooper spoke at 9 to Empire and U.S.A.
Wednesday 29th May 1940
Rain early. Fine later.
Alys and Eva to Richmond. James and I fetched my car (put distributer on). Weeding path. Mr Booth to tea and until after News at 6. Lieutenant David Pinckney in, for bath, and all to beehives. Heard Queen-bees piping in cells! Alys and James to site to fetch Kimbo 10 p.m.
Wonderful withdrawal and embarkation all week from Dunkirk. Heard Cliff was back from Flanders.
Thursday 30th May 1940
Fine and warm.
Weeding path with James. Wrote Ella about Roly’s death. In p.m., I mowed lawns with motor-mower. Alys learnt too. Mended kitchen door-mat (arcade one). News of disembarking from Dunkirk. Postcard from Elsa. Tony safely back from Belgium.
Friday 31st May 1940
Fine, slight showers p.m.
Sewed kitchen carpet binding, out doors a.m. and p.m. Miss Brown came. Phil had called on them a.m. and they out. Phil to tea with the Brown’s. Phil found Queen bee above Queen excluder!!! Brood and Honey all mixed!
Saturday 1st June 1940
Very fine and warm.
Alys and I and James to Richmond in my car. Took James in pram. Nurse out. Rona and Alan Cliff in Pinckney’s car. Eva and children tea in nursery. Major and Mrs Newhouse (Doris Collins) to tea. Dennis arrived in EYT at 5.30 (from Hales’) with record. Wire from Kitty, George safe home. James upset and screaming at 9.30. Minister of Information in Churchill’s Government.
Memo:
29th Ella wrote of Roly’s death on 26th
31st Tony Ayrton safely back from Belgium
1st George Buchanan safe from Flanders.
2nd Wrote Elsa.
Attack on Somme Front – 5th
Sunday 2nd June 1940
Perfect.
In garden. Very hot. Dennis chipping cement away and letting out water (siphon) from Queen Mary’s crack. I wrote Elsa and Doz. “Are you sure”.
Monday 3rd June 1940
Very, very hot and fine.
Out with James weeding and with Zeus rabbiting. James in pond to waist, with Dennis paddling. I did over carpet with Izal and did Zeus with shampoo. Dennis concreted the crack in Queen Mary’s pond. Blain helped. David P. brought accordion in. (Dennis vaccinated Eve Frances a.m.)
Tuesday 4th June 1940
Very, very hot. Breeze too.
Alys took EYT to Neasham’s and bees to Richmond. James in pond again. I mended front door-mat, and tile (loose) and Florence and Connie cleaned. Lord Bolton’s appointment at 2.30. Dennis and I in C.W.C. to fetch Alys from Richmond at 12.50. Dennis and I planting out on rock-garden. Geranium Ibericum. Eva to fetch EYT from Darlington at 5. Phil and James to Scotch Corner with her, then bus.
Wednesday 5th June 1940
Perfect again.
Dennis planting on island. James in that pond with him. Lunch 1. At 2 Dennis away to London (via Hales’). I with Baby on front steps. Alys stung by bee (bees very vicious). Alys to Mrs Elgy and Mrs Barnes about First Aid lectures. I Planted more in rock garden and watered there. Air-raid.
Somme – Aisne Battle
Thursday 6th June 1940
Very hot and fine.
Air-raid warden at 12.15 or so. Alys’ windows shook. Elgy came. Zeus barked. In garden with James. He paddled with Eva in pond. I did pillow-cases from old sheet. Florence and Connie collected for Red Cross. Watered rock-garden. Alys and Eva and James to the Green’s (White Farm) and Alys to Vera Corner and Ireland’s about First Aid lectures. I with Baby and did grass border and talked Phil. Another air-raid at 10.50. Nottingham and Dishforth? Air man killed. David in with accordion and chocolates.
Friday 7th June 1940
Very, very hot and fine.
Cut lawns with motor-mower at 12.15 – 1. Alys helped with croquet lawn. Washed things in p.m. and hung up to dry. Phil to Brown’s after tea and after supper (swarm in). James signs of jealousy, 1st time. Got in Baby’s cradle. Watered rock-garden. Air-raid in night S.E. County.
Saturday 8th June 1940
Very, very hot and fine.
To Richmond with Alys. Very hot. Eva and James in ponds. I took James out in pram in wood at back. Too hot for walk. Sat by a tree. Dr Stanley Warren came and stayed tea and supper. Watered plants. Talk by Dr Hugh Dalton – Minster of Economic Warfare.
Memo:
2 air-raids on many counties (12 on 6th)
War Commentary Captain Cyril Falls – Times War Correspondence
6th Wrote Ethel Miles
3rd Wrote Elsa and Doz
5th James 3rd birthday 3 years old.
10th Italy declared War on France and England
Sunday 9th June 1940
Very, very hot.
Hotter than ever but breeze. Got linen hats. To warehouse with James. Took snaps of James in ponds. Read paper. Washed thing in p.m. took Baby 3.15 – 3.35 in wood, cooler. Phil practising piano-accordion. Shortened grey silk skirt. “Are you sure”. To huts for Kim at 9.50.
Monday 10th June 1940
Very, very hot. Thundery.
Out with James. Wrote for carpetine. James in pond with Eva but naughty about getting dressed. Did flowers in p.m. and wrote Dennis. Eve’s vaccination taking. At 6 Pringle gave lecture First Aid in old sitting-room to us and 15 or 16 others. Mussolini’s speech. Italy declares war on France and England. All picked gooseberries after supper for sale.
Tuesday 11th June 1940
Hot and fine.
News 8 a.m. With James, weeding. He not allowed in pond as naughty yesterday. Alys and Phil to Richmond (War Savings Certificates and hair cut). I took James in pram by Barn. James picking up chicken and naughty. Phil to Dalton 7 – 8 to give Revision 1st Aid Class. Eva very tired (no more possibility of letters from Egypt???)
Wednesday 12th June 1940
Slightly cooler, few drops of rain.
With James through gate to rabbit-warren. He paddled but didn’t have clothes off, as cooler. Machined grey silk skirt. Washed things and out to Alys and Baby. Supper at 7. James to chickens before. Alys and Eva to East Layton – 1st Aid lecture at 7.30 – 8.30. Phil and I watered garden.
14th – Germans entered Paris
Thursday 13th June 1940
Fine. Hot. Windy.
With James in shade in garden path till 11. He paddled (with Eva). She not in. Shortened alpaca skirt. Cut branches. Watered garden. 2nd First Aid Class 6.30 – skeleton. All picked small strawberries to eat after dinner. News of Evacuation of Paris leaving it open city and Germans marching in. Air-raid warning at 11.45 p.m.
Friday 14th June 1940
Fine. Hot.
Out with James, weeding. He in pond with Eva and to get petrol with Alys and Phil. Swarm of bees on fir-tree, high up. I took Baby who wakeful from vaccination scab. Alys watching Phil and Blain get swarm in skip. Miss Brown came, and talked in garden. After supper – swarm into hive. Strawberries for tea – 1st time.
Saturday 15th June 1940
Fine. Cooler.
Out with James. He paddled and in pond (with Eva). Alys and I to Richmond; and to lunch at 1 o’clock at King’s Head with Doris and her husband, Major Newhouse. Everyone very anxious at grave war-news from France. Dennis arrived at 4.15 in EYT (from Hales and London). In garden, watering with James and Dennis.
Memo:
12th 7 p.m. Phil to Dalton 1st Aid.
13th 6.30 Pringle 1st Aid
12th East Layton 1st Aid
17th Reynaud resigned. Marshall Pétain forms Government. France’s Army “ceased hostilities” and asked Hitler about ending war.
Sunday 16th June 1940
Grey and cold.
With James to rabbit holes (and both dogs). No paddling – too cold. Phil getting honey from comboin new extractor, and he and Dennis trying to arrange electric belt for it. I took James in pram along street and back by East Layton. David Pinckney to bath and supper and “Are you sure”. News very grave. Can France survive?
Monday 17th June 1940
Fine. Sunny.
Out with James and Dennis; they paddled in pond. Eva and Phil to Richmond. Dennis did work on shutter fasteners. At one o’clock News that French Army had ceased hostilities. Baby began 5 hour feeds. I with her, in garden 3 – 4 (1st Aid lecture 6.30 – 7.30). Honey extracted all day. Picked gooseberries.
Tuesday 18th June 1940
Fine. Sunny.
Out with James. Picked ½ stone (7lbs) of gooseberries. Dennis and Phil and James to get petrol. Filled in ration books. Cut nettles. Watched bees. Rona and Nancy to ponds. Rona paddled with James. Dennis in too. Phil to give First Aid Class at Dalton and brought back swarm from Brown’s. Put it in hive at 8.45. Churchill’s speech in News. Invasion of England. Air-raids at night. 100 bombers; we brought down 7. 12 people killed.
Wednesday 19th June 1940
Hot.
Dennis away in EYT. Phil and James took skep to Brown’s. Alys and James to Richmond. Took 3rd gun to Police Station, to lend. Fetched Pye home. Dr Warren looked in. Supper 7 and Alys and Eva to East Layton, lecture (Elinor) on 1st Aid 7.30 – 8.30. In garden. Air raids 12 – 3. 6 killed civilians. 3 Enemy planes down.
?21st Germans meeting French Plenipotentiaries at Compiegne in railway car.
Thursday 20th June 1940
Cool. Grey.
With James; then he and Phil to Road end for frames. Alys and I cleaning Honey extractor and room, plates. Weighed honey pots. In p.m. Alys and I to Richmond and took Baby Eve in cradle at back. David Pinckney called in 8 – 9, thanked Alys for strawberries. Told of air-raid and bombs on Hudswell. Search-lights – good night; no air-raid on England.
Friday 21st June 1940
Fine. Warm.
With James picking Sweet Williams. Phil destroyed 3 wasp nests; stung. Alys and picked strawberries. Wrote Lois. David in at 7.15 about accordion radio. Phil showed Peggy Blain bones. He up in Blain’s garden about hose in evening. 8 cacti out.
Saturday 22nd June 1940
Cool.
Alys to Richmond at 11. Took Nannie. I with James in garden. Took James out to quarry in pram. News of Armistice signed by France and Germany.
Memo:
17th Phil took two guns to lend to Local Defence Volunteers.
(17th Baby began 4 hour feeds)
20th 15 cacti, 21st 8 cacti
June 20th Pickin (from April 25th).
28th Terms of Armistice. Germany. Grief and amazement.
Total Capitulation – Churchill “Stupefaction”.
Sunday 23rd June 1940
Cool, then fine in p.m.
Alys, Eva and Phil to Barton, at 10.30 to see Mrs Hustler’s hospital. I with James in garden. Cool. In p.m. I sewed leather on Phil’s sleeves. After tea, Dennis arrived in EYT from Tempsford. Out with James, Rona. “Are you sure” and News. Terms of Armistice. Total capitulation. Bad night!
Monday 24th June 1940
Coolish but very fine.
With James and Dennis in garden. Phil to ram. Broadcasts from General Gaulle. All picked gooseberries for bottling. First Aid Class at 6.30 – 7.30. Splints. Alys sole of foot very painful.
Tuesday 25th June 1940
Coolish but very fine.
James would get his car. Went with dogs to rabbit burrow. Clipped lonicera hedge. Took James to quarry in p.m Cleaned pram wheels, cow mess. David in to bath and talk. Phil to give 1st Aid Class at Dalton. In at 8.45 to supper. Talked about making Air Raid shelter. Air-raid in night – 4 killed, 5 planes brought down by our gunfire and fighters.
Wednesday 26th June 1940
Fine. Windy. Showers.
James with me in garden and rabbits. Very good. Dennis and Phil in cellars about Air Raid shelter. Clipped lonicera hedges; back drive in p.m. and evening. Rested in p.m. Alys with Baby. Alys and Eva to East Layton 1st Aid lecture – 7.30 – 8.30. James with his car and Rona after tea. News of our ‘raids” on enemy on land. Where?
26th Terms of Armistice. Italian. Petain’s government.
28th Channel Islands bombed and machine-gunned.
Thursday 27th June 1940
Fine, windy.
Soldiers cut tree for cellar prop. I clipped hedge. Sent car insurance. Miss Brown came and helped Phil look for Queen Bee. I got stung on head. Picked gooseberries. Clipped hedge and cut nettles. Aid Class 6.30 – 7.30. After supper to see 26 cacti out and again at 9.30 – 10.15, also Dennis, Phil, 3 Blain’s, Barber’s and Pringle’s and Whitehouse (daughter Pringle).
Friday 28th June 1940
Grey, cool.
Breakfast 7.45. Alys and Phil took Dennis to Darlington, and he to London medical – War Committee – 9 o’clock. Cut nettles. Watered rock garden. Miss Brown and sister after tea to see electric honey extractor working. Out to see 21 cacti in evening. Air-raid in night. Dennis slept at Hales’, Tempsford.
Saturday 29th June 1940
Fine. windy.
Alys and Eva to Richmond. I with James till 11.30, then Eve till 12.25. Nurse out. Took James out in pram, Elgy’s field and road-end. Phil took James to get petrol in 2 cars, his and mine. Alys and Phil to Darlington to meet Dennis by 10.22. They all back at 11.10. Air-raid again. 2 killed or 3.
Memo:
29th bees in arcade, after frames,
23rd Wrote Doz and Pickin with cheque till August 15th.
2nd Channel Islands occupied by Germans.
Sunday 30th June 1940
Fine. Hot.
In garden with James. Read papers. With Dennis and Alys. Wrote Poz, cutting nettles in p.m. After tea again by wall and all of us taking loads down (Phil’s old room). To cactus house and took tools back. No time for “Are you sure”.
Monday 1st July 1940
Fine. Hot.
Coats doing cupboard. Learning Washout. Dennis away in EYT at 12 to Hales and then Ashridge. Put peat to rhododendrons and watered flowers. Pringle’s 1st Aid 6.30 – 7.30. Air-raid (daylight) Phil gave us pressure point lesson. News of German occupation of Guernsey and Jersey.
Tuesday 2nd July 1940
Fine, Hottish.
With James in cellars. Atkinson making Air Raid Shelter there. 2 soldiers helping. I helped Barber put stakes for currants. After lunch, put nets over and mended gun-room cupboard. Eva’s turn in, later on all of us. Zeus not well. Air-Raid 9.15 (on Newcastle? 12 killed, 123 injured). Zeus slept in my room.
Wednesday 3rd July 1940
Fine. Windy.
Phil and Alys doing heavy bee work, then to Richmond. In back garden with James. Lupin seeds off, and then mended nets. Blain helping Barber. Mason and soldiers making Air Raid Shelter in cellars all day. I mended nets in p.m. too (raspberry nets). Miss Brown cycled up about bees. Alys and Eva to East Layton for Elinor’s 1st Aid lecture. Phil to Dalton to give his class. I took dogs a walk.
4th Mr Churchill’s statement about French fleet battle at Oran and 400 air-pilot prisoners returned.
Thursday 4th July 1940
Rain at last in p.m.
Alys’ 56th birthday. No presents. Washed up Zeus’ diarrhoea in porch and covered other messes. Fetched Kimbo from huts for his nicotinic pill. I picked blackcurrants from 2 – 4. Alys also helped. Heavy showers last part. 1st Aid by Pringle 6.30 – 7.30. Miss Holt and I. Eva had pain and on sofa in evening. Fire in cosy-stove.
Friday 5th July 1940
Rained a bit.
Out with James; waterproofs but soon fine and warm again. Alys and I washed honey extractor and tools. Phil and Alys to Simpsons about stretcher. Blain too. Alys phoning about soldiers, or evacuees. Mended gloves. Phil to the Blain’s 8 – 10, showing pressure points.
Saturday 6th July 1940
Fine. Warm on whole.
Eva’s 31st birthday. Alys and Eva to Richmond and James. Nurse out. I looked after Eve 11 – 12.30. Weeding buttercups. James rested in p.m. as only back 12.30. Dr Warren at 3.30. To tea. James weeding with me. Front drive and lawn. David Pinkney in for bath, and Phil back with him to huts, till 10.15 or later “Take Posts”. Air Raid.
Memo:
3rd Gave Kimbo 2 Nicotinic tablets
4th Gave Kimbo 2 Nicotinic tablets
5th and 6th Gave Kimbo 2 Nicotinic tablets
2nd Men called re evacuees
Wendell Wilkie nominated at Republican Convention
9th Heard about French battleship “Richelieu”.
Sunday 7th July 1940
Fine, partly dull.
Both dogs made messes in night, so I a long time cleaning up porch, also under trees with James. Phil taking M&B for cold and all day in hut. Meals there. Nicotinic too. I cut nettles and thistles in p.m. (washed clothes at 12.30). “Are you sure” in hut 7.15. Phil to bed after supper. Put dogs in gun-room porch for night.
Monday 8th July 1940
Fine. Warm.
Phil up to breakfast. Felt better all day. I picked redcurrants and raspberries all p.m. and after tea. After tea, getting beds ready for evacuees – 5 little boys arrived at 6.30 while First Aid Class going on. Florence and Connie washed them (and Nurse) and to bed on top floor. Pringle on varicose veins and rabies. Dogs slept gunroom porch. Zeus woke me at 5.50 a.m.
Tuesday 9th July 1940
Rain, wind. Sunny intervals.
Big mangle dismantled. Got bricks for boys to play with. Unpicked awnings (for iron). Picked raspberries for our lunch. Took James in pram to quarry. In at 3.30 and James a cold. Phil rested early and to Dalton at 6 for class. Back at 9 for supper. Pringles had boys 1.30 – 3.
Wednesday 10th July 1940
Rainy. Cool.
Out a little but then indoors with James. Playing at the table. Ironed clothes. Unpicked awnings again. In p.m. in laundry with evacuees – Teddy, Alec, John, ?, Joe. They wrote letters to parents in Gateshead. Miss Heatherley, their teacher, came. Supper 7. Alys and Eva to East Layton to First Aid class. Phil microscoping bees for disease with Peggy Blain. Phil to Blain’s at 8 – 10. 1st Aid. I got bird out of net in garden.
New French Constitution this week – not Liberté, Égalité, and Patrie. “Work, Family, Fatherland”.
Thursday 11th July 1940
Heavy rain.
Alys phoning about new kitchen-maid. Nancy leaving. With James; washed up breakfast things. In bulls-eye room tidying old boxes. Measles quarantine for John Mitchell! Boys not to school as “teeming” (raining) and tummy aches. 1st Aid by Pringle here – questions.
Friday 12th July 1940
Dull, not rainy.
Eva dyed bandages and Major and Colonel called about coming here, inspected space. Eva wrote to Doz. I mended Phil’s coat. Alys to Miss Simpson’s. Alys to Richmond in p.m. I looked after Baby and weeded. More officers came to settle about coming on Monday – R.A.S.C. (Royal Army Service Corp). To “Warehouse” to clear out things till 7.30. Arranged laundry room after supper. Phil to bed 8.30. Ironed bandages (Eva did nearly all).
Saturday 13th July 1940
Fine and warm.
With James, cleared and washed up. Picked raspberries, Eva too. R.A.S.C. men and officers all day clearing. Lieutenant Bill Brown and bride to lunch (back from honeymoon). I took James out in Ireland’s field, haymaking. Captains Howes and Hayward to tea and see rooms. Alys bathed James. All up to see what had been done up by barnyard. David Pinckney in for bath and talk at 8.45. Phil to bed early but talked to David.
Memo:
12th quarters requisitioned by R.A.S.C Big barn, granary, potato house and places for butcher, bakery
8th evacuees arrived.
Nancy Chilton left.
Sunday 14th July 1940
Dullish. Warm.
Alys and I phoning Miss Dorothy Simpson about evacuees being taken elsewhere. Getting 2 officers’ bedrooms ready, made beds. Alys to Skeeby with Miss Simpson in p.m. but boys were fetched at 5 by Mr Hutchinson. Eva and Phil to Mrs Elgy’s. Captain Hayward in to supper 8.30 and to Churchill’s speech and news. Up to let Kimbo in at 4.30 and to let Zeus out at 6 and 6.30a.m!
Monday 15th July 1940
Fine and Hot.
With James. Then picked raspberries (old canes) till 1. Alys to Richmond. In p.m., rested 45 minutes. Picked raspberries all p.m. too and after tea; and red-currants, also Florence and Connie, and then 2 soldiers. First Aid at 6.30. Captains Hayward and Howes in to News and evening. Kim up at Yard and fetched him. Phil to Brown’s to tea.
Tuesday 16th July 1940
Dull and heavy and hot.
Out with James, plucking 2 chickens, and Eva too. Lice and excreta! Then picked raspberries for our tea (after lunch). Dr Warren called in. To warehouse after supper with Alys and Eva. Both Captains in to News and new wireless set tried. Captain Hayward said he had to leave.
Wednesday 17th July 1940
Rain all day. Fire in evening.
James with Wadie’s toys indoors. I wrote to Dennis. In p.m. all to Hutton Magna Church and baby was christened “Eve Frances Alys” by Mr Booth. She cried loudly all the time. Connie took James out. Mr Booth to tea. Captain Hayward in at 8.30; talk about Garmisch and “Anne”. News. More talk. Took Zeus out. Downstairs at 11, 12.15, 2 and 5a.m. to let Zeus out! “Taffy” Jones came in at 10.15 and slept in Captain Howes’ room. Talked about Norway.
Democratic Convention nomination President Roosevelt (for 3rd term!!)
Thursday 18th July 1940
Dull. Cool.
Eva wrote Dennis. Captain Hayward in at breakfast and talked and away at about 10.30. Alys gave Phil washout. Out with James, then sewed. In p.m. picked raspberries with Barber and last strawberries. James screamed again, and not allowed a bath. Kimbo run-over? Very subdued. David in depressed at 8.30. Captains Jones and Howes in to News and evening. “First Field Bakery” stories. Namsos and Narvik.
Friday 19th July 1940
Windy. Heavy showers and sun.
Let Zeus out 6.30. Got car, with James. Alys and Eva to Richmond. Howes asked if wife could come for weekend. Moved things in attics. Mrs Barber taught me to skin chicken. Skinned two in laundry. Rona to play with James in garden. Dr Thompson to tea and give Phil re-fill. David in. I took dogs a walk. Howes in for news. Phil in bed directly after supper.
Saturday 20th July 1940
Heavy rain and bright sun interval.
Fetched car with James. Alys and I to Richmond. Back 1.10. Took James in pram to Ireland’s. Saw pig, calf. Phil all right all day. Weeded buttercups from drive borders, after tea. David in for bath and stayed supper. Alys to Eppleby and Catterick in Phil’s car to fetch Cliff, and Mrs C and Alan as Cliff “overseas” in a.m. (Ireland??). Captains Jones and Howes and Mrs Howes in for news. “Woody jaw”. To fetch Kimbo from huts at 10.15. Alys back about 10.15.
Memo:
19th Invasion of Britain promised!
18th – 19th Hitler and also Roosevelt speeches
Sunday 21st July 1940
Fine. Cool. Sunny.
Phil in bed all day with reaction from re-fill. Out with James weeding. Hemmed alpaca skirt. In p.m. Alys and I moving furniture from passage in stables. Baby very good up there. Alys in hot houses with Captain Jones and Mrs Howes. I weeding buttercups and picking raspberries. Jones and 2 Howes to news and I with them to see 1 cactus at 94.5.
Monday 22nd July 1940
Fine.
In garden with James, till 11. Then picked raspberries till 1.15. Phil in bed but in hut to lunch and up to tea. I picked redcurrants in p.m. Alys wrote to Kit. Fetched Rona with James. Stuck soles on slippers. First Aid Class at 6.30. Phil came. Fractures. Captain Rhys Jones for news and talked of Namsos. Dynamity. Phil to bed 8.30.
Tuesday 23rd July 1940
Fair.
With James in garden and through rabbit gate till 11.25. Picked raspberries for lunch. Phil down to breakfast but looked very pale. Took James to quarry and Eve. Layton Road in p.m. in pram. After tea, took him in car to Ireland’s, to see milking. Phil to Dalton for his class, 1st Aid. News. Budget 8.6 income tax. Howes in. Jones in later. Butter talk.
Wednesday 24th July 1940
Fine.
With James in garden. Then he with Phil, Alys and Eva in Phil’s car to Richmond. I carried wood to cellar (air-raid shelter). Picked raspberries. Broke dental plate (gold hook) so to Darlington to Badcock 3.30. Took two soldiers to Scotch Corner on way home. Alys and Eva to First Aid Class – East Layton. Phil to Bink’s about ferrets. Binks here. Phil to bed before news. Weeded drive border. News and Beaverbrook. Both Captains.
Thursday 25th July 1940
Fine.
Eva, James and I up to yard but Captain Jones not there. Saw Bread. With James in garden, gardening. Tired. Bees looked like swarming in p.m. Phil rested outdoors. Cut laurels. Eva to Dr Woodsend about ear noises and tea there. I with James in garden. Picked raspberries (before tea). First Aid Class 6.30. Fractured femur and leg. Captain Jones asleep all through News and Talk by Air Vice Marshal Joubert (de la Ferté).
Friday 26th July 1940
Fine, mild. Thundery showers.
About with James. Top knocked off gate post. With Alys to Richmond. She left note for Doris Newhouse. Alys had hair trimmed. I helped Barber syringing (with hose) in peach house and weeding. Alys and Eva to tea at Simpson’s. Baby “Jobbies”. I with James in garden. Beachball. Ferrets arrived. Hut made for them. “Ben”. Phil to bed at 8.40 and I listened News in Alys’ room and to bed 9.15. Tired.
Saturday 27th July 1940
Fine. Showers. Cool.
Out with James, weeding. Nurse out at 11 and Alys to Richmond by bus and back to lunch. James played indoors (cosy-stove alight) till nearly 3 as raining. Then in pram while I picked raspberries for tea. Peggy in for biology with Phil. Captain Jones in and helped with requisitioning papers. News. James sick in night.
Memo:
“Carmarthen” Welsh Farm Butter
2 Empire, 1 Danish and water.
25th 28 German planes brought down
24th no air-raids at night
26th Heard of Aunt Bee’s death (91st year)
Sunday 28th July 1940
Fine and warm.
James had pains and felt tired all day. Out with James. Read paper on bed. Wrote Doz. Weeded and did some mending in p.m. Florence out. Mrs Barber brought in tea. No one laid it. We laid supper. Alys rang and had Mrs Barber in to give ultimatum about Connie. Bees swarmed; and put in hive at 5 (Phil fetched skeps at 2 p.m.).
Monday 29th July 1940
Fine and warm.
Out with James. Took branch shears back. Picked raspberries for lunch and Morell and blackcurrants. I took skeps back and stayed to tea with Mrs Brown. Rona in with James. First Aid Lecture 6.30. Artificial respirations (Reverend Kennedy came and asked for peas in garden a.m.). Captain Jones and Captain Howes in for News. Up to let Zeus out 5.30.
Tuesday 30th July 1940
Fine and warm.
Out with James and picked blackcurrants and got car. Alys and I to Darlington about my plate (Badcock) and Registry Office. Lunch in car. To Nancy Chilton, East Cowton. Back. Alys wrote Nellie Melson. I wrote Kitty. Phil to Dalton to give 1st Aid lecture. Phil to bed 8.50. Eva to News in Phil’s room. No officers in.
Wednesday 31st July 1940
Fine and warm.
With Phil to Richmond. Both had hair cut. 3 gallons of petrol in my car. Home 11.20. Picked raspberries. Alys making curtains do for Officers’ Mess. Helped a little. Looked after Baby. Phil, Eva and James to Barnard Castle for extra petrol on Telford’s ration. Dr Warren here. Alys and Eva to East Layton for 1st Aid Class. Mrs Jones arrived. 4 officers into meal after “manoeuvres” (exercises).
Thursday 1st August 1940
Fine and warm.
James more pains, 2 or 3 times in day. Out with James. Wrote to Doz (for 37.10 cheque). Dry cleaned Zeus. Washed carpet with carpetine. Phil busy ferreting rabbits and about scrap-iron. Washed my hair in p.m. Malcolm Berry arrived. Cameronians 2nd Lieutenant. Went off after tea. Mr Harry Brown called. First Aid lecture. Captain Howes, Captain and Mrs Jones in to News.
Friday 2nd August 1940
Fine and warm.
Up at 5 for Zeus. Rene phoned from Wooler. Out with James till 11.30. Alys and Eva to Richmond. Eva cabled to Teddy. Wrote Doz with cheque £6. Doris Newhouse and Miss Herrick and Miss ? to tea. Captain Howes wanted Alys’ bedroom for wife. Phil to tea with Brown’s and at 7 to Ravensworth to give 1st Aid lecture. Watered garden. Captain and Mrs Rees-Jones in to News and talked about Imps and Young Liberals.
Saturday 3rd August 1940
Fine and perfect.
Alys and I skinned 3 hens for boiling. Phil ferreting. Out with James; and Eva in rock-garden and Mrs Rees Jones. With James in Phil’s car to take peaches to Mrs Brown at 2. Then put stuff on iron dump. Then took James in pram. Tea. Rock-garden with Jones and Phil then took them to top-room. After supper (kippers form the Brown’s!) Joneses and Captain H. Kidston in. Mrs H. came for weekend.
Memo:
29th Nurse gave notice.
28th first peaches
29th Eva worried never hearing from Teddy
29th Felt nasal catarrh better. Very slightly clearer. No Benzedrine.
August 1st shampooed hair
2nd Eva cabled to Teddy.
31st Hair cut Miss Alderson 1 (2d tip).
Italians attacking British Somaliland – 6th, 7th
Sunday 4th August 1940
Very fine and warm.
Fuss about baths. Eva couldn’t have one as Mrs Howe in. In garden and with James. Looked out skirt patterns. Eva cut out tweed skirt on my bedroom floor. Read papers. Weeded. Cable from Teddy came. Rona and Arnold in, by swing. Tried to change gold-fish and rudd, but into island pond as holes in net. In garden. Did “Are you sure” and News with both Captains and their wives.
Monday 5th August 1940
Hot and fine. Showers.
Rock-garden with James and Mrs Jones and Mrs Howe. Mowed lawn with Alys and Phil – very long grass. Mowed in p.m. too. Till engine stopped. Mr Harry Brown called a.m. First Aid 6.30. Mr Pringle Insensibility. Eva and Phil to bed 9. Mr and Mrs Jones at News with Alys and me. Battery gave out.
Tuesday 6th August 1940
Fine. Warm.
Captain Howes left. Mrs Howes left later. Out with James (who rubbed foot on paths and was sorry). Washed things. Gardened. In p.m. took James to quarry in pram. Cut off grasses on lawn and uprooting buttercups. Blackstone man about electricity engine. Phil out for wasp nests with Kenneth at 8 and ping-pong at the Blain’s with Mrs Elgy till 10!!
Wednesday 7th August 1940
Fineish. Dull.
Up for Zeus. With Eva to Richmond. Back at 12, and Alys then took Mrs Jones to Darlington for 1 o’clock train (to Leeds-Wrexham). Captain Jones in and talking about cine show by E.N.S.A., but postponed. I looked after Baby and Alys arrived with Marion Berry at 3.45. Weeding. First Aid at 7.30. I with Alys to East Layton to Elinor’s class, instead of Eva. Phil to his class at Dalton. News with Captain Jones in, and Phil. Wrote Poz who ill.
8th – Great air battle attack on convoy. Enemy aircraft. 63 brought down, 13 of ours lost.
Thursday 8th August 1940
Cooler. Dull.
Weeding lower drive with James, till 11. Phil washout and didn’t seem very well all day. Fitted Eva’s skirt. Read paper. Helping Alys to grind coffee. She with baby. First Aid 6.30. Notes in pay envelopes of injuries. Gas-masks. Out with dogs. Marion, Eva and I alone for News. Alys and Phil upstairs. Sir Walter Kirke, commentary good.
Friday 9th August 1940
Coolish. Dull.
Weeding with James till 1.30. Phil ferreting. Eva and Marion to Richmond. I wrote Dennis. In p.m. in garden weeding border. After tea saw bees throwing out drones. Ferrets being fed. Phil to his Ravensworth class. I weeded strawberry bed. Captain Jones to dance at Bowes. Battery gave out in News (U.S. broadcaster from Berlin).
Saturday 10th August 1940
Windy. Coolish
Out with James then in vine-house, cutting out mouldy grapes (American blight?) till 1. Also in p.m. till 4. Marion took James out. Alys and Phil to the Brown’s to pay £2.0.0 for honey. Officer here requisitioning more rooms. I put James to bed “Botty’s boiling”. He had boil there. “Look in my ‘jamas, Aunt Kate”. Phil at Blains till 10.55.
Memo:
Eva poisoned finger and thumb
Captain Jones spiritualist stories
4th Teddy’s cable came
9th Letter from Teddy to Eva – July 6th
6th Men for Blackstone engine
Bank Holiday cancelled
August 9th Bees throwing out drones
10th Nannie decided to stay on.
Big Air attacks – 12th 62 Germans down.
Sunday 11th August 1940
Fine and hot.
Alys and Eva to Dr Woodsend who lanced Eva’s thumb and finger. Marion to Church, East Layton. Out with James then Phil said ferret was lost, all searching in wood and rabbit-holes. One had killed the nice “mummy-hen” in coop and a chick. Did grapes in p.m. in vine-houses. Talk about burning German forests. Phil to bed at 9 after “Are you sure”.
Monday 12th August 1940
Fine. Windy.
Out with James weeding rough ground. In p.m. too. Eva and Phil to Darlington to tailors. Marion too. Did work on grapes, and finished off groundsel. First Aid 6.30. Marion in too. Not Florence. Watered garden till 8.50. News of big air battle. Captain Jones in after News. “Surety” job.
Tuesday 13th August 1940
Muggy. Close.
With James weeding waste patch. Very hot, muggy. Phil and Ken with ferrets and until 2 and then Phil back again with Blain, till 4. Dr Woodsend to se Eva’s hand, opened finger. I ironed her new skirt. Got grapes. At 6.30 I with Alys and Eva to Catterick and Dr Woodsend (with Dr Wrightson) again opened Eva’s finger and thumb, without gas, as there wasn’t enough in cylinder!! Phil to Dalton to lecture (last) and stayed to hear piping. Fire in evening.
Wednesday 14th August 1940
Fine on whole.
Out with James. Zeus knocked me over, on lawn. Weeding. Alys and Marion to Richmond. I sewed Eva’s skirt and in p.m. Alys dressed Eva’s finger which better. I with Baby. Alys gave Phil washout. Doing skirt after tea. Alys and Marion to Miss Elinor’s class at East Layton. Phil to ping-pong at Blain’s. News. Parachutes found, but no parachutists. Eden’s speech. Captain Pulleine died.
480 German planes brought down in these 8 days, in raids over England and coast
Thursday 15th August 1940
Fine and hot.
With James in garden. Washed clothes and chair back. Air-raid warning at 1.15. Eva and Nurse and Alys and Marion took James and Baby down to cellar and had lunch there. Junker brought down between here and Barnard Castle. I mowed lawn 2 – 4. Hot. 1st Aid Class. Fractured spine and stretcher. Phil, Eva and Marion to huts to see Cavil about Air Raid Warnings. We listened-in in Captain Jones’ room as our battery out.
Friday 16th August 1940
Dull, windy.
With James in garden. Helped Barber with wires. With Alys to Richmond. Phil ferreting. In p.m. Alys and I plucked three ducks. Wrote Lois, Mr Booth to tea. I hoed rose-bed. Phil out to his class. Captain Jones to dance.
Saturday 17th August 1940
Hot and fine.
Out with James. Hot. Ironed nightgown and chair back. Did up honey sections. In p.m. got grapes. Looked after Baby a little. David Pinckney came in on way home from Hospital. Phil to tea at Brown’s. Phil to Blain’s for ping-pong.
N.B. average of 82 planes per day brought down this week.
Memo:
13th 78 German planes down – 13 of ours of which 10 got back later.
15th 180 German planes down and 19 British.
12th Eve Frances gained 5 ½oz
(mealy bug in grapes)
15th Air-raid on South West London
15th Pickin from June 20th
Sunday 18th August 1940
Warm. Fine.
Gave Kimbo worm pill. With James weeding. Alys and Marion to Church at Gilling. Helped Phil with honey-combs. Felt giddy so lay down 2 – 4 and sewed a little on black skirt. Kimbo in my room, shivery. Wrote letter about Nazi wounded and nurses – V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment). P.S. to Newsby good Naval man about little Merchant ships.
Monday 19th August 1940
Dull. Showery. Cooler.
Ken had teeth out? Out with James – bonfire. Nannie to Darlington with Connie and Peggy about bridesmaid’s frocks. Alys took James to Ravensworth in car. He rested in p.m. Did Eva’s skirt. Lieutenant Cook came. Picked carnations for Morell. 1st Aid lecture. Instructions in envelopes again. Cook and Jones in to News. Heard Nazi plane over in night.
Tuesday 20th August 1940
Cool. Showery.
Out with James. Packed up carnations for Marion. She away. Phil and Eva to their tailors in Darlington and Marion with them in Phil’s car. I picked more carnations and marguerites and golden rod and montbretia for Morell. Sewed Eva’s skirt and my skirt in p.m. Phil out to Ravensworth class and Boys’ Brigade till 8.50. I out with dogs.
Wednesday 21st August 1940
Windy. Cool.
With Alys to Richmond. Sent letter to Amy Steel. In p.m. washed blouse. After dinner, showed Lieutenant Cooke the greenhouses and talked about sinking of the Lancastria; Nazis machine gunned but didn’t drop incendiary bombs in oil.
22nd – Germans shelled our coast and convoys from French coast.
Thursday 22nd August 1940
Dullish. Fairish.
Phil out ferreting. Mac came with Mrs J – 14th months old. Did a lot of hoeing weeds, blackcurrant beds. James there. Then ironed green blouse and Eva’s skirt. Alys did Phil’s washout and then to Darlington to met Mrs Jones. I with Baby in garden, doing grass edges. Syrup for bees at 6 with Phil. 1st Aid class. Phil did wasp nets with Kenneth after dinner.
Friday 23rd August 1940
Cool. Fair.
Out with James in peach house watering roots while Barber pumped. Alys to Richmond alone. I washed honey extractor outside arcade. In p.m. wrote to Edith Bache and Barbara. After tea, hoed herbaceous border and began compost. Alys and Phil to Blains’ with soup for Kenneth, Mrs Jones supped with us. Captain to Mess (farewell to Colonel. Phil’s invite postponed). Phil walked far after poachers.
Saturday 24th August 1940
Cool. Fair.
Eva bad pains and sick in night. Dr Woodsend came. Syrup to bees; made bags to pack it. James screaming fit. Made another bag in p.m. and cleaned up honey-room Eva better. Major Bardsley and Surgeon Lieutenant Chance and wife and big baby to tea, with Joneses. Did a little compost work. Phil to dine at Morritt Arms, guest of the Joneses. Cooke there too. News in Eva’s room and did bandage practise.
Memo:
22nd Sent letter to Yorkshire Post about German airmen in our hospitals.
18th 144 German planes down. 16 of our’s and 8 pilots safe
22nd Fed 1st syrup to bees. Wrote E.M.B. 23rd
20th Letter from Edith Bach, Philadelphia, U.S.A. inviting 4 of us and dogs to stay at 4400 Locust Street!
19th Pickin (for 15th) till October 10th – 8 weeks rent
20th Wrote Amy Steel – U.S.A.
Air raids on London – Machine gunning Scilly children. Wounded on beach. Killed a girl. Girl in Wimbledon killed by machine gun shots (friend of Gwen – Doz and Poz’s maid).
Sunday 25th August 1940
Fine. Mild.
Eva all right, up to breakfast. Out with James and cut edges of path. New Colonel (Cook) and Major Meade came. Nannie away. James dinner with us, I took him out in pram to road end. Talked Vera Corner there. With James and Eve in garden and top-room with James and then Joneses. Phil running engine. I bathed James. He slept in Eva’s room. Kimbo shut in harness-room. Joneses and Mr Cook in to News.
Monday 26th August 1940
Warm. Fine.
Out with James, watering nasturtiums and picking carnations (Morell). Soldiers (9) helping in garden in p.m. (By order Army). Captain White came. I took James to quarry. He had all meals with us. Nurse back at 4.45. Picked carnations till 6.15. Last of our First Aid lectures. Insensibility.
Tuesday 27th August 1940
Warm and fine. Rain in night.
Great row among Barber’s – woke me at 7.45. Bunched carnations. Eva and I in Phil’s car to Darlington. Eva to tailor. I to vet (out). Back at 1. I to Richmond at 1.35. To my bank in Phil’s car. Made bags for bee-covers. Mrs Barber to North Cowton. Phil to tea at the Brown’s – not onto Boys’ Brigade.
Wednesday 28th August 1940
Fine. Warm.
Breakfast 8. Alys and I in Phil’s car. Took Captain and Mrs Jones to Darlington. She to Wrexham by 9 train. I to Binn’s and took Kimbo to vet. Query dislocated hip. Back at 10.20. With James in garden. Wrote C.B. Davey and Ella. Barber killing wasps in porch. Arnold gave James and Rona motor-rides in James car. Alys and Eva to Elinor’s lecture. Phil to bed 8.15. I out with dogs and they up in Phil’s room. All there fore News. Phil has had rheumatism in chest muscles 2 weeks now.
Thursday 29th August 1940
Fine. Cool.
In rabbit part with James and Arnold, Nancy and Rona getting twigs. Alys and Phil to Richmond for “Private” sign for bathroom. Looked up bandages with Eva. Alys gave Phil washout. Eva giving Baby “Cow & Gate” in teaspoons before 2 p.m. feed. 1 ½ oz. 6.30 exam (St John’s) First Aid. Pringle and Phil, Alys, Eva, Blain, Mrs B., Peggy, Vera Corner and Miss Holt. Phil to ping-pong at Blain’s after supper.
Friday 30th August 1940
Fine.
I to Richmond with Phil to Walton’s (new pork butcher) to buy black out stuff. Washed pullover. Made cushion for Kimbo in p.m. Gardening in lower border and after tea .Phil to bed before news and at 9.10 Florence in to say air-raid in progress. All over by 9.45. but another later. All slept through it.
Saturday 31st August 1940
Fine. Windy. Warm.
With James by seat and Zeus. Then washed blue cotton dress. Took James out in p.m. Sat near Holt’s house. Very windy everywhere else. New railway book. Folded and damped bandages, made bee syrup. Cut carnations and after supper, Phil bandage practice on Alys and all out to see if “blackout” all right.
Memo:
29th Talk by Robert Sherwood.
Captain Jones received letter from his mother at Neath, censored – bits cut right out.
23rd started compost
26th soldiers helping in garden.
28th Wrote Carrie and Ella
Air-raids every night all over England all week.
Eva’s marks 73 or 72 – K.B. 71, Alys 67, Peggy 60, Mrs Blain 69, Blain 64.
Sunday 1st September 1940
Fine and warm.
Air raids at Midnight. Alys, Eva, Nannie and both children and Mrs Barber and Florence to cellar for 1 hour. 5 bombs dropped at Thorpe and 2 at Kirby Hill. In garden with James. Dr Aymer rang up. Ironed blue cotton frock and bandages all p.m. Made black-out lamp shades. Made 2 more bee-hive cushions. After supper, watered garden. “Are you sure” and News. Phone for R.A.S.C., so in Phil’s room for Priestley’s talk. Phil to bed 8.55.
Monday 2nd September 1940
Fine. Warm.
Picked flowers with James. Made light shade for pantry. Eva covering eiderdown. Weeding in p.m, front lawn. Gardened 5 – 7 – lower border. Phil to lecture go Guides at Brown’s – 6.30 – 7.30. He stayed to dinner at Dunsa Bank. Lieutenant Cooke in after News (La Baule Hotel – Nazi and Labour Corps German Jews). 700 francs a day.
Tuesday 3rd September 1940
Fine. Warm.
Out with James. Picked marguerites, scabius, montbretia, carnation for Morell. In p.m. took James in pram to Ashes Pond. Then road-end (took Zeus back). Soldier’s wife on seat and Dimmock grandchild there. Sewed petticoats (blue and green ones) shorter. Fetched Rona with James. Put car back and to East Layton Post Office with Zeus. Eva doing Eve alone tonight.
Wednesday 4th September 1940
Fine. Warm.
With James in garden. Alys and Phil to Richmond (Anderson’s collision with fallen tree). Captain Jones said leaving tonight. Alys to Richmond to meet Mrs Cooke and Keith (11 months) at 2.40. I with Baby but wrote to Dennis. Some gardening. Helped Phil carry honey to jam-room. Phil to Watson’s (Smallways) and on to Brown’s about Anderson’s car. He stayed dinner at Brown’s.
7th Invasion expected by “arrested”.
Thursday 5th September 1940
Fine and warm.
Captain Rees-Jones (Technical College, Blackpool) said goodbye at breakfast. Out with James by rabbit holes and dogs. Tidied things in still room. Florence to Darlington for day. Mended Zeus’ carpet; did flowers. Phil to Barnard Castle in a.m. with H. Brown to see Solicitor about Anderson and again to Barnard Castle to fetch Dr Aymer to tea here (Lt. R.A.M.C. Royal Army Medical Corps) Alys drove him back at 6.50. News and talk by Philip Joubert (de la Ferte). James Campbell phoned – coming.
Friday 6th September 1940
Fine. Warm.
Out with James by rabbit-holes. Gardened (nasturtiums). Phil put poison for Queen wasps in wall. Eva and Mrs Cooke sewing on seat. At 2.30, I in rock-garden. James Campbell came in Baby Austin. Air Force uniform F/O (Flight Officer). He stayed night. I gardened a bit and sewed curtain lining with Alys. To bed about 10.30.
Saturday 7th September 1940
Cool. Fair. Rain after tea.
With James out; James Campbell away about 10.30. To rabbit-holes. Watered nasturtiums. Washed stockings. Took James out in p.m. and Mrs Cooke too and her baby Keith, to Mrs Collingwood’s about rooms. To Mrs Ireland too. Sat on seat. Alys put James to bed. He watched Keith bathing first. Alys, Eva and Phil to road-end after supper for sausages. Cookes to Morritt and Keith woke up and cried for ages. Soldiers up and down all night, going to leave.
Memo:
Air-raids all week. London suburbs and all over England – night and day.
3rd – 1st anniversary of Declaration of War
7th Big Air Raid on London (night – 306 killed).
Dr (Lt) Aymer to tea. 5th
Simpsons to tea 6th Put off till 13th
Week of Great Air Raids on London
13th Buckingham Palace bombed
R.A.F. bombed Berlin Station, gasworks.
Sunday 8th September 1940
Hot and fine.
Out with James and gardening and doing flowers. News 9 and 10.15 about big Air Raid on London. R.A.S.C. to leave here. Watering plants. Captain White left at 8 a.m. but rang up later. Florence out. I finished letter to Doz. Connie away so Mrs Barber brought in tea and supper. Officer came re “damages” in evening – chair and gate posts. “Are you sure”. Mr Cook said goodbye, and he left at 8 a.m. with rest of R.A.S.C.
Monday 9th September 1940
Sunny but North wind.
Mrs Cooke and baby still here. Out weeding groundsel in garden, with James (on ashes of bonfire). Phil to see Anderson and walked by Gale. Weeded in p.m. too. Filled wheelbarrow. Phil out to Girl Guides lecture and stayed on at Brown’s till 10.45. Mrs Cooke had supper with us. Letters from Doz and C.B.D.
Tuesday 10th September 1940
Fine. Cold wind.
James a cold. Took him up to fetch Phil’s car down. James and I on logs in yard till 11.20 or so. Alys and Phil to Richmond. I felt coldy, so lunch in still-room. Slept on bed in p.m. Tea in still-room. In garden with James and Eva and Baby and Mrs Cooke and Keith. Supper in nursery. To bed 8.35. News in my room.
Wednesday 11th September 1940
Fine. Cold.
Breakfast early as Alys drove Mrs Cooke to Richmond and Keith and pram in Phil’s car at 8.45 (and visited Y.W.C.A. with Doris Newhouse). They back to Liverpool. I did weeding in cabbage beds with James and later as well in peas. Phil ferreting with Kenneth by skating pond. Walked home as my car battery out. He towed it back after lunch. I wrote Kit. In garden with James. At 6 Churchill’s broadcast. We laid meals as Florence out and Connie a cold.
Thursday 12th September 1940
Dull, drizzly. Windy.
Alys had two letters from Dennis. Phil to Darlington with Mr Brown. I got apples with James in orchard and weeded. Finished letter to Kit with photos. Jam to bees, after supper with Phil. Gardening between tea and supper and out with Eva, James and baby. James fell in dead thistle.
Friday 13th September 1940
Heavy showers and sun.
My 61st birthday. Fetched car, with James. Eva and James to Richmond – presents for Connie. Dustman. Looked after Baby p.m. Alys gave Phil washout. Phyllis and Simpson came to tea. Phil had his in hut. News and Air-raid interviews from London and Onlooker on how to bear air raids or something.
Saturday 14th September 1940
Cold, but fine.
Out with James who wetted in rabbit-holes by hens. Darned stockings, Eva doing eiderdown. Took James out to quarry in p.m. Dr Warren to tea. Phil making boat. News, and discussion about U.S.A. and coming in to the War.
Memo:
8th – 9th night 2nd big Air raid in London
9th – 10th 3rd
10th – 11th 4th
11th – 12th 5th not so big
12th – 13th less big
8th wrote Doz
11th Alys wired to Doris Freer offering beds.
Told “24 hours delay”.
Big attacks off Channel ports by R.A.F. on barge concentrations (for invasion) every night. Big raids on London at night.
Sunday 15th September 1940
Fine, cool.
Out with James. Then wrot to Doz, Kitty, Ella and Lois. In p.m. knitted on seat in garden and Colonel Ropner came (car broken down). Big shipping magnates. Stayed tea. Phil to tea. At Heigham’s. “Are you sure” and Priestley.
Monday 16th September 1940
Heavy showers. East wind.
Fetched car with James. To Richmond with Alys. Tidying up in p.m. Barber’s to Darlington. I got wedding present 10/-. Connie. Mr Harry Brown to tea and 6 p.m. News. Phil took him back in my car. Then Phil to supper with them in his own car. Back about 11. Shut out.
Tuesday 17th September 1940
Sun. Gale. Showers.
With James on seat and then picking up apples. Eva too. Hundreds off in gale. I took James in pram, but only to barn garage as heavy showers. After tea, picked up apples again. Alys and Eva too. Tired. Phil to Dalton to lecture to men.
Wednesday 18th September 1940
Dull. Wind less. Some sun a.m.
Washed up breakfast things. Eva dried. Alys and Phil to Darlington in Phil’s car. Brought wireless set, birthday present for me. Carried bee things to top-room. Alys and I tidied still-room. Did flowers after tea. Read papers. Phil to Blain’s in evening (bandaging). Air raid warning (sirens at Richmond) at 8.30.
Thursday 19th September 1940
Very showery. Fine p.m.
Blain and Phil doing lathe fixtures. With James then Alys, Eva and I fetched carpets and rugs from “warehouse”. In p.m., I washed my Persian carpet on front drive. Air-raid warning after tea. Washed green armchair in garden (for Barber’s). Alys and I arranged still-room. Carried things to top-room. Played vingt-et-un in evening.
Friday 20th September 1940
Fine, Showery.
Fetched car with James. Letters from Doz. They all left London for Oxford 18th. Alys and Eva to Richmond, Phil and Blain in lathe room. Plucked 2 cockerels. Dr Thompson at 3.30 (Alys gave Phil washout after helping pluck). Dr Thompson gave Phil a refill and stayed tea and long talk. Phil to bed before supper (to try and avoid reaction). All in his bedroom. Read my old letters to Kitty to them and photos. Florence and Blain’s to whist at East Layton.
Saturday 21st September 1940
Fine. Warm.
Phil in bed all day, feeling all right till about 6. With James to rabbit holes. Nannie home at 2.45. Took James to quarry in p.m. Sat with Phil after tea. With James and Rona in garden. All in Phil’s room after supper. Cochrane. German plane over after News and Raymond Gram Swing. Searchlights. James slept in Eva’s room.
Memo:
15th 185 planes brought down
17th Lewis’ and Bourne & Hollingsworth bombed
18th Selfridge’s
18th Tit on window-sill; last there April 23rd
18th Barnard’s left London for Oxford (by car).
General de Gaulle to Dakar.
83 children died on torpedoed boat “City of Benares”. 6 saved on boat later and Miss Cornish.
Sunday 22nd September 1940
Fine.
Children both woke about 5.30. Phil in bed all day. Temp 101° and felt ill. I out with James. Took photos of him with Zeus on steps. Wrote Doz at Oxford. Took James in pram along by huts and sat in stubble field. Nannie back at 6.15. With James in rabbit holes. All in Phil’s room for “Are you sure” and News, but barely audible.
Monday 23rd September 1940
Fine. Cool.
Out with James and dogs. Phil in bed all day. I in his room and he read 1895 letters (to Kitty). Washed things in p.m. and did flowers. After tea, ironed in still-room. King’s speech at 6 about “George Cross” and medal. In Phil’s room after supper. News.
Tuesday 24th September 1940
Fine. Cold.
Phil down to breakfast in dressing gown. Letters from Tony Wilson, Lois and Dennis (to me). Very interesting about London’s raid damage. Out picking Michaelmas daisies for Morell with James. Did some gardening, lower border. Wrote Kit. Gardened after tea too. Phil to bed at 6.15. Eva and I worked by fire downstairs and News; Alys up in Phil’s room for News.
Wednesday 25th September 1940
Fine. Cold.
Phil all right again. Out with James on sunny seat. Took snaps of him holding Baby. Sent letters back to Kit. Gardened later, lower border. Eva took James and Eve to quarry after tea. Fed chicks. Began leggings for Baby. All 4 played vingt-et-un and poker till 10. (Finished leggings on 9th – 2 weeks). Letter to Alys from Doris Freer and Dennis with one from Ted Shenton.
Thursday 26th September 1940
Fineish.
Gardening with James, lower border. Phil beginning boil on leg. Alys to Richmond. Got cardgame books. I looked after Baby in p.m. 2 new little ferrets. Phil to see old Binks. Poker in evening till News and Phil to bed at 9. Sir Walter Kirke’s commentary.
Friday 27th September 1940
Dull. Windy.
Fetched car with James. Eva and I to Darlington. We bought shoes and boots (wool-lined), clothes for James. Clips for tool-rack. In p.m. set nasturtium cuttings. Hilda came back to work. Phil very depressed. Boil aching. Played “Hearts” in evening. (syrup to bees at 6.15). Put Americloth on Phil’s shelves with Alys.
Saturday 28th September 1940
Some sun. Dull and cool on whole.
Phil’s27th birthday. He out ferreting with Ken. I, at 10 o’clock to Richmond alone. Fetched sausages. Bank, County Council. Connie Barber’s wedding to Wilf. Bainbridge at 3. Nannie (Pam Johnson) and Peggy Blain, bridesmaids. Hutton Magna. Mr Booth. Alys, Eva and Phil went. I with Baby. Flo took James in pram to East Layton. Mrs Blain. Rona after tea and James “jobbies” in shorts. Mr Johnson and Nannie’s sister to see James and Eve. Cochrane and News in evening. Wedding party going on till 1 a.m.
Memo:
R.A.F. bombing Berlin stations, power stations this week.
27th 133 planes brought down
24th First sign of chilblains on fingers
27th Hilda back
Raids all week on Berlin and Invasion ports. Raids on London, Liverpool. Chamberlain retired.
Sunday 29th September 1940
Dull, not cold.
Connie and Wilf came to dinner! Phil out ferreting with Kenneth – 3 rabbits. Out with James in garden, picking up apples. Eva too, picked flowers. In p.m. I took Baby in pram to lower border and weeded. Alys writing and showing Hilda. Florence out. Did syrup for bees; helped Phil who mended James’ motor car. “Are you sure”. Phil to bed 8.45.
Monday 30th September 1940
Dull. Mild.
Put oilcloth on shelf for Phil. Alys and I to Darlington at 11; back at 1.40. In p.m. got papers and cardboard scrap into sacks. Wrote Dennis. Phil with Blain to Smeaton about chicken-house; Phil to Dunsa to lecture to Girl Guides 6.30. Back to supper 7.45. I set carnation slips and pinks. All to bed 9.30 (or 10.15 me).
Tuesday 1st October 1940
Mild. Dull.
Not much. Out with James as making cushions for bee-hives. Then picking Michaelmas daisies for Morell (4 varieties). In p.m. took James in pram to field at Dunsa Farm, sat and knitted. David Pinkney in for tea. James naughty. Phil to Telford’s to lecture to farmers and back at 8.40. News.
Wednesday 2nd October 1940
Dull. Mild.
James in tree. Rabbit holes. Alys and Eva to Richmond. Phil, James and I in Phil’s car to see shed, in field. Helped Phil take things down from top-room and wrapped up bee things in top-room. Wrote Doz and Teeds. Made cover for Phil’s tools-shelf. Listened-in to Vosper’s play “A Murder on the 2nd Floor” in evening. Phil working in his little room till News (wore new shoes all day).
Thursday 3rd October 1940
Dull, not cold.
With James to rabbit holes. Phil walked to shed in Barne’s field. Zeus got out and followed. Re-arranged shoes and boots shelves and cleaned several. Wrote Ethel and Doreen in p.m. Picked chrysanthemums. Phil working in lathe room. To yard with dogs. News and Sir Philip Joubert.
Friday 4th October 1940
Dark, drizzly. Mild.
With James to Barnyard. Made cushions for hives. Alys machining. Officer called about what R.A.S.C. left here. Out to take keys to Blain who demolishing hut in field. To orchard. Phil to ping-pong at Telford’s 6 – 7.30. News and Onlooker by Lionel Hale (good, Heinrich and Hermann). Florence to whist drive. East Layton with Blain’s.
Saturday 5th October 1940
Fine, mild.
Phil ferreting all a.m. Invitation to Francis Steel’s wedding today. With James tying up chrysanthemums and tidying leaves. Wrote to Sissie and Miss Pickin. Sewed blackout curtain at 5.30. Cochran in evening. Sarah Churchill. Alastair? from U.S.A. about stopping all scrap steel to Japan.
Memo:
1st began cod liver oil and malt
2nd letter from Ethel Miles about Alastair Danby’s – “killed on active service”.
3rd Wrote Ethel and Doreen
2nd Wrote Doz
Sissie’s house bombed.
5th wrote Sissie and Pickin with cheque
Sunday 6th October 1940
Fine a.m. Rain all p.m.
Phil out ferreting. Out with James to rabbit-holes. Nannie out, (to see Connie’s house). I with James indoors. Woolly animals under desk and in wheel-barrow. Grand piano. (Alys and Baby out at 4 to post). Mended clothes. Phil out (tree branch in drive blown down). News and Hamlet – Gielgud. Emlyn Williams, Martita Hunt.
Monday 7th October 1940
Perfect. Slight showers p.m.
I to Richmond with Phil, his haircut. Took his film to Clarkson’s, ordered my prints. Darned socks and stockings for Phil. Phil to tea at Brown’s and lecture Girl Guides. He read “honey taking” from “Under the Greenwood Tree” aloud. News.
Tuesday 8th October 1940
Fine. Rain later and fair again.
Florence woke Alys who anxious. Out at 7.15 to see chickens. Arnold didn’t shut up and little white cockerel eaten by fox. Cut Michaelmas daisies for Morell. Wrote Teddy and Miss Pease. To Mrs Blains with Baby and grapes. Phil to Dalton for lecture. Cut out hive cushion. Resume of Churchill’s speech in Parliament in wireless at 6 and 9. Phil back 8.40. Eve down for News, as crying.
Wednesday 9th October 1940
Rain and gale. Mild.
Out with James in rain to Ashes Pond; talked to Miss Holt’s Aunt. Dry. Cleaned Zeus and then washed his towel. Knitted and tidied still-room a little. Picked up apples with James after tea, in gale. Phil to ping-pong at Telford’s with Blain and Peggy. Back at 8.45 to “What Every Woman Knows” at 9.20. Alys had no tea or supper.
Thursday 10th October 1940
Fine. Shower showers in p.m.
Eva had 2 letters from Teddy. Letter from Dennis to Alys saying he had weekend leave, coming 11th – 15th. Alys only coffee and toast (no lunch, tea or supper – orange juice only). ALys and Phil to Richmond taking Ken to dentist. I with James to rabbit-holes. Made 4 more bee-cushions in p.m. Unhappy about Zeus. (Zeus persona non grata with everyone. Shall I have him put down?) Weeded rock garden and border. News. Commentary by Ferraby (Naval correspondent).
Friday 11th October 1940
Perfect day.
Out with James and weeded rock-garden, cut dead flowers. Washed clothes. Darned on seat in hot sun. Working in rock-garden in p.m. and did flowers. Dennis arrived 5.45 from Ashridge Hospital (1 hour from Buckden). Had “A.T.” part way. In garden. News in evening. To bed 10.15. Dennis told about bombs, land-mine near Ashridge.
Saturday 12th October 1940
Fine, cool. White frost.
Tidied leaves with James. Dennis and Phil walked around. All sat by garden door. Knitting, darning and Dennis and Phil botanizing. I took James in pram to quarry. Men working electric drills and “Zeus Man”. Dr Warren to tea. Cleared up leaves. Phil dug hole and set up my bird-table (blown down by gale). James very good. News and Bevin in evening. Dennis and Eva and Phil botanized.
Memo:
7th Eva had cable from Teddy and sent her’s.
8th Wrote Teddy for Xmas
Picken 10th – 8 weeks from August 15th
Wrote 5th
Nazis pouring into Romania
Sunday 13th October 1940
Foggy, fine in p.m.
Up at 12.45 a.m. and again 5.15 for Zeus. Out with James. Foggy. Mended Dennis’ pullover hole in front. Round border and rock-garden with Dennis. Picked apples in orchard and picked flowers in p.m. Finished “Case of the late Pig” – Allingham. “Are you sure” and Priestley and News.
Monday 14th October 1940
Dull, mild.
Up at 3 for Zeus – moonlight. Dennis and Phil to see Anderson, but he out. James in garden with me (late as naughty earlier). Cavil to see Phil (and came to tea and till supper in lathe-room). I with Baby in p.m. a little. Phil and Dennis to Anderson again; at 3. Mrs Blain’s brother, Frank (from Canada, a sergeant) in evening.
Tuesday 15th October 1940
Dull. Mild.
Out with James. At about 11.40 Dennis away in EYT (to Hales’ tonight?) Did flowers but none for Morell today. Took James out in pram to quarry. Saw 2 lorries there. After tea, Phil varnishing spars on boat. He planted Lonicera, the 1st of new hedge. I picked up apples. News and Lord Lloyd. Phil turning chair leg on lathe.
Wednesday 16th October 1940
Dull. Mildish.
Up at 4 and 6 with Zeus. Alys and Phil to Darlington. Eva and I washed up breakfast things. James in rabbit holes with shovel. Sewed Zeus’ basket edge with webbing. To road end with Baby at 3.45. James hammering nails on hut; and with me to orchard. Phil to Telford’s for ping-pong, taking Blain and Kenneth.
Thursday 17th October 1940
Rain. Mild then fairer.
James screaming (James boil on knee). To fetch car with James. Battery outl got Blain. Eva and I to Richmond. Had our hair cut. Miss Alderson. Bought 2 big cod oil and malt (5/7 each). Wrote postcard to Doz. Apples for Blain’s. Phil and I planted Lonicera hedge after tea. News and Sir Walter Kirke’s commentary – good.
Friday 18th October 1940
Mild. Dull
James out a little but tired so we looked at books in nursery. Cleaned shoes. Knitted. Wrote Ella in p.m. and knitting – re-footing Dennis’ stockings. James not out after tea as chilly and had pains in p.m. Phil and I went on planting Lonicera hedge till 7 (dark!)
Saturday 19th October 1940
Mild and dull.
Letter from Gwen saying Orford House bombed. Out with James and fetched Phil’s car. Alys and I to Richmond to County Council. Bought pullover. Nurse went for holiday (at 2.30). I took James. In pram to quarry. Met Blain’s with mushrooms and rabbits. Fed chicks. With Jams after tea. Alys bathed him and put him to bed in my room.
Memo:
17th Hair-cut (Alderson)
14th Finished 1st bottle. Malt and Cod Liver Oil
19th Wrote Ella
19th Nurse goes for holiday
Hitler meeting Franco and then Petain and Laval.
Sunday 20th October 1940
Dull. Mild, damp.
Up at 2.45 with Zeus. Phil ferreting till 1.15. James woke at 7. He went into Eva’s room 7.40. We all had breakfast at 8.30. Out with James picking chrysanthemums. Took James to road-end after dinner in pram. Alys bathed him after Eva and he had walk in fields and we fed ducks apples. “Are you sure”.
Monday 21st October 1940
Dark and rain.
I awoke at 7.15. With James getting cabbage leaves into compost. Took him out at 3 in p.m. as rainy before. He played with cars first. Zeus ran after car. James fetched Rona (who wee-wee and peppard). Helped Phil a little with engine wheel. Bound Zeus’ basket. Phil to Blain’s to ping-pong. Churchill’s speech to France and News. Phil home for News.
Tuesday 22nd October 1940
Foggy, mild.
Woke at 7.15. With James to compost and “stagger basket” till 11.30. Knitted. In p.m. too wet and foggy, so indoors. With James playing his cars. Alys gave Phil washout in a.m. After tea to post and out with dogs and with James till 6 from 5.30. Phil to ping-pong (4-somes) at Blain’s and back 9.30.
Wednesday 23rd October 1940
Cold. Windy. Dull.
Up 4 with Zeus. I woke 7. Out with James in fields (and dogs). In at 11. Got blinds and made 4 more bee cushions in p.m. Hilda took James out in pram. Alys and I both wore lined bootees. Cold east wind. Eva and James for walk after tea. Phil to Telford’s ping-pong and in at 8.45. or so (with Blain and Peggy).
Thursday 24th October 1940
Cold. North East wind. Clear.
(Blain a cold). Letter from Dennis to Alys telling of being bombed in car. James woke 7.15. Out with James to rabbit holes. Feet very cold in Wellingtons so in at about 10.45 or 11. He played with “O’s” (letter). I began gloves for Eve (mitts). Took James in pram to quarry in p.m. 2.30 – 3.30. Eva took both to road end after tea. Knitted. Did some sand papering for Phil’s engine. News and Joubert in evening. Phil felt rather like a cold. Took M&B and nicotinic.
Friday 25th October 1940
Fine on whole
Up at 6.45 (Zeus). I woke 6.45 too. Phil in bed all day (taking M&B). Cold. James and I fetched car and I to Richmond for fish. In p.m. slept in chair! Wrote to Barbara and the reference questionnaire to Matron of St Thomas’ Hospital. Out with James in orchard after tea. He did jobbies in shorts. Alys bathed him. Florence out. News and Baby down after while. Eva bathed.
Saturday 26th October 1940
Fine but shower in a.m. Coldish.
Phil in bed all day, feeling sick from M&B but eating well and normally. I out with James till 11.30., orchard. Then indoors. He playing with car. Lunch (James got chicken bone in throat). He rested in p.m. Slept. I knitted thumb on Baby’s mitt. Out with James 5.30 – 6.15 picking chrysanthemums. James “tank-engine”. News. Phil very depressed and bored in evening but no sore throat, and not a heavy cold. Talking M&B all day. Blast from bomb in Phil’s room – door shook.
Memo:
26th Hitler and Mussolini met in Florence
26th Phil’s last M&B Saturday evening
Reading “Prince of Paradise” Francis Gerard – very exciting
28th Italy’s Ultimatum to Greece. War between them begins.
Sunday 27th October 1940
Dullish.
I woke 7. Phil in bed all day, but feeling better. Out with James clearing paths with rake and springbok. He rested in p.m. Finished Eve’s mitts and put elastic in them. Out with James after tea clearing leaves from lawn. Red sunset. Sat with Phil for News.
Monday 28th October 1940
Fine a.m. Dull later.
James woke 6.45. Phil in bed all day but better. Out with James in orchard. Picked basket of apples for Blain, who doing chicken shed. I rested a.m. and Hilda took him in pram to Ravensworth in p.m. I reading papers. Out to orchard in evening. Sat with Phil for 6 News. Nannie back from holiday. Alys upstairs 9 News. Eva and I downstairs.
Tuesday 29th October 1940
Fine. Cool.
Phil in bed all day; cough but not bad. Out with James raking path (he cried for springbok). Alys to Richmond and phoned (out of petrol) from Sharston’s. I took up Phil’s dinner. Alys back at 3.30. I with Baby in garden. Eva with children indoors after tea. I sawed lilac bush. News in Phil’s room (Eva too, by door).
Wednesday 30th October 1940
Very, very cold. Gale south east.
Phil in bed all day (but would have been up if fine). Washed up and James played indoors, as Alys up with Phil and so rainy and cold. Sat with Phil a little. Mended vest; ground coffee, Alys in hut, looking after Baby. Expecting Tony and George – beds made. Eva sorting photo negatives In Phil’s room for News.
Thursday 31st October 1940
Warmer. Rain all p.m.
Up at 3.15 – Zeus. Out with James and to see Barber about apples in store. Eva to Richmond in Phil’s car. I patched chair in her room. Dressed respectably and to tea (in Phil’s car) at Brown’s to meet Mr and Mrs Campbell Fraser. Home by 6 for blackout. Phil came down to supper in dressing gown. All up to News in his room.
Friday 1st November 1940
Perfect a.m. then dull, not cold.
With James clearing leaves. Phil down to breakfast and in hut by 10.50. Wrote Doz. Did chair in Eva’s room again. In p.m. made bee cushion and filled with duck feathers. Blain to meet Marion Berry at Scotch Corner about 6.50. Supper. Talk and knitting. Phil to bed 8.40. News and talk on Laval, by Times Correspondent.
Saturday 2nd November 1940
Dull .Rain p.m. South East wind. Gale.
Down 7.20 for Zeus who puddle again. Phil dressed to breakfast. Washout after. James wee-wee in shorts. I gardening a bit. Nurse out. Marion took James in pram till 3.15. James and I dried pram. Planted 4 more carnation cuttings as rabbits ate others. Took dogs out in South East gale to orchard and again after supper, little way. In Phil’s room (I) for Garrison Theatre (warmer) and Alastair Cook and Arthur Askey and R. Murdoch – “And Bomb Drops” till 10.15.
Memo:
31st Write Doz
30th Letters from Gwen and Helen to Alys about their respective bombs on their homes.
29th Dust man came
2nd Mrs Barber to doctor – high blood pressure
Sunday 3rd November 1940
Fine a.m., dull later. Fine evening mild.
Marion to church. With James in wood and wheelbarrow and tidying path of leaves. Alys cleaned hut. Phil outdoors on bed. Eva starting a cold. Hilda away. Wrote Kit. Called on Miss Holt (Mrs Middleton) and Mrs Dimmock about paper collecting. Alys doing lathe. Eva and Marion had supper in nursery. Marion in to News with us and P.S. by Emlyn Williams.
Monday 4th November 1940
Dull. Rainy.
(Eva meals apart all day as a cold). Alys and Phil to Darlington. (Charwoman) Fothergill stayed lunch there. Marion away by busses 11.45. Hilda back but has to leave. Doctors orders. I out with Baby in rain. Alys and Phil back 3.30. Emery papered Phil’s steel thing, took dogs out. News and knitting. Alys did up Dennis’ dress trousers. Had sent Phil’s in a.m. by mistake.
Tuesday 5th November 1940
Mild. Dull.
Trousers went off early post. Out with James then aired and filled bee cushions (old ones). Phil to see Mrs Brown about chickens. Sewed bag. Kenneth Steel (pilot officer now) came and we got early tea. The Barbers left at 3.45 for holiday. Eva supper in nursery. Phil working lathe all evening.
Wednesday 6th November 1940
Mild. Rather dull.
Florence lighted stoves (cosy stoves) and got breakfast. Nancy Chilton came at 10. I out with James in orchard. Roof on chicken shed. Gathered parsley and carrots (wormy). In p.m. cut and washed carrots. Heard Roosevelt re-elected – 3rd Term. Washed parsley for drying. Eva supper nursery. Out with James after tea and Eva with Baby. Phil at lathe all evening.
Thursday 7th November 1940
Perfect day.
Eve sick, seems a cold? Eye watering. Eva to breakfast with us (cold gone). Out with James in garden and showing Florence where to pick Brussels sprouts. Phil outside rest. Alys and Eva to Richmond. I washed things. Ironed in p.m. Electric light out. Short. Candles. Out with James to little rabbit holes. News and Cyril? Times, war expert. (Phil dug for lonicera in a.m.)
Friday 8th November 1940
Nice day. Misty. Sun.
I a cold so in nursery with bricks. Cleaned hall and smoke-room. I washed gloves. Wrote Doz. Phil to Scotch Corner to meet Mr Booth who to lunch and over Estate with Phil and in smoke room. Dried parsley. In garden with dogs. Eve’s cold better. She down at 9.30, while Eva had bath. Phil to bed 9.20. Phil only and rest all day 6.30 – 7.30.
Saturday 9th November 1940
Wet. Dark.
James in Nursery though better. Eve cut her 1st tooth. I sewed brown skirt-belt. Picked Brussels sprouts. In apple-room with Phil and new hen house. Nurse out. Alys and I with James and Eve in nursery. Chalks and bricks. Out with dogs. Picked and washed parsley for drying. Zeus yelped from 9.30 till 1.30 a.m. – 4 hours.
Memo:
8th Miss Simpson with puppies for 11th
5th Letter from Doz about 6 Elm Park Road being bombed (windows and door burst in).
3rd Wrote Kit with C.A.’s letter.
Tit began nuts on wire
8th H.A. Booth to lunch (agent/forestry)
5th Presidential Election – Roosevelt and Wilkie not in
Our 40 pullets hardly laying at all.
Mrs B’s 12 pullets lay 6 eggs a day.
Molotov to Berlin
R.A.F. brought down 13 Italian planes here.
Taranto 12th
13th Fleet Air Arm Damage to Italian Fleet.
Thursday 14th November 1940
Fine. Cold wind.
Out with James taking box hedge from orchard to garden. Cabbage leaves to compost. Mended gloves in p.m. after tea with Phil (and James) worked on lonicera hedge. James began new Harrod boots. Phil to bed before news. Joubert Talk and optimistic.
Friday 15th November 1940
Very fine. 7° frost.
Out with James; ponds skim of ice on. Phil and Blain putting rubberoid felt on hen-house. Alys and Eva to Richmond; at 12 for nails. I helped Blain 2 – 3.30 in orchard. Alys and Phil to tea at Campell-Fraser’s. Florence out. We laid meals. I out with James in orchard and field till 5.30. Eva sorting photos. Phil in work room all evening.
Saturday 16th November 1940
Dull. Mild.
Out with James. Phil doing shed in orchard with Blain. Made candy for bees, but failure. After lunch, knitted and James played. Took him in pram to quarry at 2.30 – 3.45. And out in orchard after tea till 5.30. Melted candy down. News. Knitting. To bed 9.45. Reading Osbert Sitwell’s “Triple Fugue”.
Memo:
Tits began tit-bell 10th
Nuts on wire 7th
10th Death of Mr Chamberlain (Neville).
Ordered new diary at Spencer’s – 12th
Sunday 17th November 1940
Dark rain, mild. Brighter spells.
Not out. Dark and rainy – most of morning doing candy for bees again. Phil in top-room doing bogey. Alys took James out in p.m., then Nannie, who pains, query appendix. I out with dogs and then Baby. Chickens. Florence out “Are you sure” and News.
Monday 18th November 1940
Wet. Mild.
Very wet, but out about 10.30 with James and in at 11.30. Nurse away 1.15 to see Doctor. James with us and rest in p.m. Baby refused food and only would have Eva (expecting to wean her). Out with James at 5 but soon in. Phil finished wheel. Nurse back 7.30, inflammation of bladder (cystitis). Began cuff for purple pullover.
Tuesday 19th November 1940
Very fine and mild.
Phil rang up Dr Dickinson at Newcastle. James with Phil to garages in Phil’s car. Dried and filled bee-cushions. Phil rested outside on path a.m. and all p.m. I dried papers and cushions p.m. too. Phil gave candy to bees. Cleared path (aubretia) of leaves. With James after tea. News. Phil rang up Dr Thompson.
Wednesday 20th November 1940
Gale and very changeable. Rainbows.
Alys and Phil off to Newcastle 9.15 to see Dr Dickinson for re-fill. Eva, James and I to Ravensworth shop and Jackson’s too. Blain took my car to Jackson’s for new oil in back axle. Looked after Baby a little in p.m. Alys and Phil back (via Durham Cathedral) at 4.15. Lieutenant Hill called and to tea, I out with James till dusk. News. Phil to bed just before. William the Silent.
Greeks take Koritza. Italians retreating.
Thursday 21st November 1940
Fine a.m. Dull later.
Out to orchard. James didn’t come; cleared leaves off bank and lawn till 12 .In p.m. took tins to dump; collected Holt’s paper. Goodbye to the Middleton’s. Talked to Mrs Dimmock and Mrs Elgy. Atkinson here; needing money. Phil still all right – no reaction. Worked at lathe all evening!
Friday 22nd November 1940
Perfect day.
Atkinson here doing drains on roof gutter. Out with James clearing leaves from wood path. Tin to dump, and talked to Hodgson and Barnes. In p.m. cleared dust-bin stuff for tin containers .Sewed in room. Florence out. Out with James after tea, till dark 5.40. Listened “In Britain today”. Phil working but unsatisfactory work. Talk by Cooke on “Why France Collapses”.
Saturday 23rd November 1940
Showers. Cool.
With Eva to Richmond. Phil started car. Called at Planetree Farm on my way back on Mrs Stott (cooking). Wrote Agatha. Took James out in pram to quarry at 3 – 3.45. Expecting Rodber (wireless) and Hill but neither came. Phil squashed the measurer and unhappy. News.
Memo:
18th Tit came on tree and took nut I threw on ground (must be my old friend – May 23rd last time).
22nd Letter from Kit
21st Litter from Doz
20th Letter from Agatha Shore about Stotts
Sunday 24th November 1940
Dull. Fine. Mild.
Out with James. Planted 3 loniceras. Read papers. Finished collar of purple pullover. Lieutenant Hill came 3.15. Talk and knitting and tea. He stayed till 7.15. Read papers. I out with James till 3 stars out 5.40. News and “Are you sure”.
Monday 25th November 1940
Dullish. Fair. Mild.
Letter from Teddy to Eva. Out with James. Bonfire. Eva and Phil to Darlington in my car. Eva a “perm”; they back at 3.15 or so. I clipped lonicera. Mr Read in (engine). Lieutenant Hill for bath and stayed tea. Phil bought blow-lamp. I gave 30/- towards it for Xmas. Out with James at 5. Marvellous sunset. Knitting sea boot stockings.
Tuesday 26th November 1940
Fine. Mild. Windy.
Heard of Mitch’s death – peritonitis (through Mrs M from Bombay). Out with James. Orchard and compost. Phil cleaning Mitch’s engine. Darned stockings and put away greens and sea kale in compost (and chrysanthemums). Eva out with James after tea and I with Eve on rug on nursery floor. Alys a pain, and very bad night – sick and diarrhoea. Stayed in bed all 27th.
Wednesday 27th November 1940
Very fine and cold.
Out with James. Tidied up sitting-room and Eva too and Florence cleaned it. With Eve in p.m. a little in garden – chickens. At 4 Rev and Mrs Campbell Fraser to tea. Eva took her into nursery after. Alys a headache (aspirin) temp 100.4° at 6. No more stomach-ache. News. Knitting. Phil’s stool broke, in lathe-room.
Greeks took Pogradec on Lake Ohrid
Thursday 28th November 1940
Very fine. Cold.
Alys still 100° so Phil phoned Dr Woodsend, who came 12. Alys nothing but orange-juice all day. Eve only took 4oz 2 and only 1oz at 6. Eva took her out in p.m. I clipped and tidied aubretias. Out with James after; rabbit holes. Big tree down. Deep leaves. James very good all day. Wireless off middle of news. Nazi planes over, and much bombing heard all night in distance.
Friday 29th November 1940
Very fine. Cold.
Out with James then in and washed up. Alys in bed till 8.30 p.m. I to Richmond. Fish, tap. Back at 1.15. Only 3 oranges from Cherry’s but 24 elsewhere. Dr and Mrs Stott (Major R.A.M.C.) to tea, and walked here, bus back to Gilling. Alys down to supper in dressing-gown. I to call at Hodgson’s. Mrs Hodgson had strokes. Eva and Phil baths in evening.
Saturday 30th November 1940
Fine on whole.
Alys in bed, not feeling well yet. Phil and Blain moved pullets to new house in orchard. James and I saw them fed there. I took Eve by chickens and then James to get petrol at Smallways. Dr Warren came and Lieutenant Hill also to coffee and bath. I put James to bed and bath in old bathroom. Alys in bed all day.
Memo:
26th – 27th middle finger kept going “dead: – white and tingly at touch.
Greeks still advancing, Italians retreating. R.A.F. bombing Italian ports.
Sunday 1st December 1940
Fine. Mild.
Gave Kimbo worm capsule. Alys in bed till tea. Out with James. Wrote Dennis. Dr Woodsend came at 12.30. Baby constipated and difficult about soup. Alys down to supper. “Are you sure”.
Monday 2nd December 1940
Perfect day.
Out with James. Phil to see chickens – 1st outing in orchard. Nannie to Connie’s 21st birthday after lunch. Helped Eva feeding Eve, only 1oz. Took her out. Alys up at 3.30 and put Eve to sleep in garden. Phil hot in hut, such sun. Out with Phil, James, Blain and Kenneth to put chickens to bed, and on roosts in orchard hut at 5.20. James bathed (I did him) and he slept in my room.
Tuesday 3rd December 1940
Dull. Better p.m.
I woke 6.45 (I let Zeus out 4.15 a.m.). Breakfast 8.30. Alys gave Eve her food. 10, Phil and I to Ireland’s. I took Eve out a bit and James in p.m. Alys fed Eve (2) and Zeus helped. I took her in pram and hens. Alys put her to sleep. James and I and Phil to orchard. Nannie back after tea. Mr Read all day doing engine.
Wednesday 4th December 1940
Phil in top-room with blow lamp. Out with James (wetted) and mended compost hop cover. Eva to Richmond and posted Doz’ hot bottle. Out with Baby after her food at which Zeus helped. Fed chickens. Then Alys at 3.30 and put her to sleep. Out with James after tea, car to garage and then orchard. Phil putting chickens to roost. Zeus helping 6 p.m. feed again. Baby took nearly 8 oz. Sewing and news.
Thursday 5th December 1940
Grey, wind in evening and rain.
Eva got cable from Teddy. Out with James and planting lonicera hedge with Phil. Also cabbage leaves to compost. Read paper. Took Baby 3 – 3.30. Alys put her to sleep, then Eva had her. Out to orchard. Out with James after tea but cold and drizzly. Phil and Blain helping chickens to roost. Bonfire. Phil to ping-pong at Blain’s after supper. Back to News and Joubert’s talk.
Friday 6th December 1940
Dull. Cold. Gale.
Out with James in rain, to Mrs Elgy’s to pay bill. Wrote Pickin, Elsa C.B. Davey. Out with Baby in p.m. 3 – 3.30. Man about gate posts – army. Out to see orchard chickens in gale. Built stove shelter for them. Phil to ping-pong at Telford’s. Back about 8.30.
Saturday 7th December 1940
Fine. Very cold.
Phil ferreting. Eva and I to Richmond at 10. Tinned foods for Blain’s Xmas. Back 12.45. I out with Baby 2.30 – 3.15. Then Eva. Alys and Jams to Jackson’s for bulbs. I out with James after tea. Hill in for bath 6.40. Phil to the dance in granary 9.20 (Home Guard dance for Spitfire Fund). Barber’s took Florence to Darlington in p.m.
Memo:
6th Pickin with 8 weeks to January 30th – said February 2nd ’39 in error.
Wrote Elsa and C.B.D. 6th
Big Western Desert offensive. 20,000 prisoners. Sidi-Barrani occupied.
Sunday 8th December 1940
Very cold. Sunny.
Breakfast things with Eva. Out with James. Chickens. Made kapok in sacks cushions for Zeus’ basket. Nuts for birds. Nuthatch seen. Out with Baby 3 – 3.30 garden and hens. I not out after tea. Very cold. Out with dogs. Zeus left food. Restless but good night. “Are you sure” and A. P. Herbert.
Monday 9th December 1940
Dull, mild.
Alys and Phil to Darlington to get slates. Out to chickens with oatmeal. Machined vest. James pain and no tea. Gregory in dates. Out with Baby 3.30. Washed and dried clothes. Wireless poor at 9 p.m. To bed 9.30.
Tuesday 10th December 1940
Fine. Cold.
James out with me in garden and Eva and Baby. Alys washed Phil’s light plus fours. Wound wool. Out with Baby a little in p.m. James wouldn’t eat his dinner, and was sick at teatime. He felt sick again after tea. Phil to Blain’s with the Telford’s too to ping-pong. Back 8.45. Wireless gave out 4000 prisoners in Western Desert coup (on upstairs wireless, brought down).
Wednesday 11th December 1940
Sunny and hard frost. Perfect.
James up, but rotten, so to bed in nursery cot at 10; and slept 12 till 2.20. With him a bit in p.m. Miss Brown called about Xmas for soldiers. Phil and Alys to Richmond. Phil to tea at the Brown’s. Eve sick in her pram in a.m. and again in cot in evening.
Thursday 12th December 1940
Fine, cold.
Manoeuvres soldiers in granary again. James in bed in cot in nursery all day but out (in dressing-gown) after tea. Fed chickens in orchard. Manoeuvres going on and 3 R.A. soldiers in, asking for tea, off munitions lorry. Phil to ping-pong at Blain’s after supper, till 10. Began socks for James (inside his Wellingtons).
Friday 13th December 1940
Very frosty – 14°.
James up all day; pains occasionally. Out in garden 15 minutes in a.m. heard of death of Kenneth Steel (bomber pilot). Made straw cushion for Zeus’ basket and kapok for Kimbo. Florence asked for Xmas at her home!!! Phil had a wash out. Alys very tired and upset about Florence. Nannie brought Baby down at 9.30.
Saturday 14th December 1940
Dark, frosty, cold sleet.
Eva and I to Darlington in my car. She had hair set. I bought blue boots, toys. Took new wireless in to Northern place. Clock to Charley Ruddock (Cole!) 2/6. Lunch at Carrick’s. Nurse out (and burnt her hand). Phil to tea. Brown’s. Played with Baby and with James a good deal. Wore new boots, blue came off. Did up parcels – Lucy and Teeds.
Memo:
8th Nuthatch by my window nets
Square malt and cod liver oil 1.10 ½ Boots
11th Letter from Elsa to Alys.
Sollum taken. Much booty. Now 30,000 prisoners. Mr Churchill spoke in House of Commons.
Sunday 15th December 1940
Mild. Fair.
James pains again. Wrote Kitty and did up parcels – Teeds, Lucy and Sissie. Cards (censor job) to Steel’s, W.B. Davies and E.M. Bache. Held engine frame for Phil. “Are you sure” and Lieutenant Hill in for bath at 10.15. Eva down. Out Zeus 2.15 a.m.
Monday 16th December 1940
Mild. Dullish.
Out to take Alys to Darlington at 12.15 and in with her (instead of bus). Snack lunch (separately). Buying cigs for soldiers. Got sheepskin boots. With James 5.15. – 6. David Copperfield 6.15 – 45? Phil to Blain’s after supper, ping-pong. Back for News.
Tuesday 17th December 1940
Perfect day.
Alys and I to Richmond. Back calling on Mrs Stott 12.35. James well and Eva took him out in pram in a.m. Nannie out, but stayed in. I took Baby 3 – 3.30. Then Alys. Helped Eva with James and Eve on rug. Took dogs out. Washed my hair. Phil to Telford’s to ping-pong 6 – 8.40.
Wednesday 18th December 1940
Mildish. Dull.
Out to orchard. Darned Phil’s stockings. Talked to Florence a little (cleaning lunch) about her leaving. Got James up and took him out in pram. Alys, Eva and Phil to cocktail party at Croft. Stott’s invitation – Mess. R.A.M.C. I with James till 6.20 in nursery. Washed stockings. Supper 8.20. Talked Florence while laying it. Took dogs out (shampoo’ed Zeus 7.30).
Thursday 19th December 1940
Fineish.
Washed porch Kimbo mess. Out to orchard. Wrote Lois, card Nellie Sime. Doris Freer with £1. Minnie, Davis Leggett with 10/-. Eva and Alys to Darlington at 11.30. Washed night-dress. With Baby 2 – 2.30. Washed carpet (Zeus). With James 3.30 – 4.15 and both children 5 – 5.30. All back from Darlington; with Marion Berry, who missed connection and late. Coke on stove at 10, with one turn of screw and it lasted till morning.
Friday 20th December 1940
Dark a.m. Mild.
Ironed nightie and chair-back (and washed it). Began re-footing Dennis’ stockings. Florence away about 6; we cleared tea things. Later Miss D. Brown called about soldiers’ party. Laid supper and later cleared it, and laid breakfast. Bathrooms empty, and Eva waiting – no amami night.
Saturday 21st December 1940
Perfect day.
Phil ferreting. Barber lighted red stove at 8. I lighted cosy stove at 10. Out, and then mended Teddy’s foot. Nannie away 10.30 or so for day with holly wreath. Out with James 12.15 – 12.50. Out with Eve in p.m. Dr Warren to tea. All did some housework. Eva rheumatism in hip. News, and talk by a Dane, very good English.
Memo:
18th Cocktail party Croft
22nd Cocktail party Gatherly Castle
20th Florence Jones leaves
19th Marion Berry comes
Libya: Over 36,000 prisoners.
Sunday 22nd December 1940
Very cold and grey.
Eva and Phil to cocktails at Gatherly Castle 12. (Eva on sofa all p.m.) I have stye. Eva headache all day. I took James and Eve out 10.30 till 11.30. Marion to Church – East Layton. And had letter from Pratt (of his marriage). Cleared up, and with Eve then to pick up James but he slept until 3.45 an wet his cot. Marion on Mrs Barber’s cycle to Forcett Nativity play. Read papers. Alys did soup and eggs in pantry. “Are you sure”. Marion to bed 9. Argument about Eva’s bath.
Monday 23rd December 1940
Grey, not cold.
Cleared up Kimbo mess (porch). Harry Brown called (colds, so not to tea today) outside. Stye in my right eye horrid. Housework. Read papers in p.m. (Sunday as none today came). Washed tea things and out with dogs. Churchill’s speech to Italians at 9 p.m.
Tuesday 24th December 1940
Drizzly. Dark.
Wrote Dennis. Alys and Eva to Richmond. Marion and Barber cutting evergreens for Hutton Church. I with James and Eve. Mr Booth came. Phil to Dowson’s with Atkinson. D. Brown called and stayed tea. Alys and I did up Blain’s parcels. Crossword and News. Eva and Marion did Xmas tree and stocking for James.
Wednesday 25th December 1940
Dull. Not cold.
Marion to Dalton Church at 8 on Mrs Barber’s cycle but no service. Fed birds and housework. James had stocking and presents. Stye maturing. Lieutenant Hill to tea. Xmas tree at 5.15. Mrs Blain and Rona came, also Connie. Took dogs out. Supper. Did Times questions. News. Apparently no bombing by either side over Xmas (Connie and Wilf spent day and night).
Thursday 26th December 1940
Fine day.
I with James to Blains to thank for Xmas card. Marion and Phil to Brown’s and Marion for 12 mile walk with Marjory and Phil with Harry Brown. Marion out to lunch (picnic) and tea. Housework. In p.m. Alys and I rested on beds 6 p.m. 7 soldiers to party, also 3 Blain’s and Vera Corner and Connie and Wilf. Lieutenant Hill to supper. Talk by Commander Kimmins. Very good.
Friday 27th December 1940
Dullish. Mildish.
Out with James. Housework. Cleaned silver. Alys too. Phil ferreting all a.m. In p.m. Alys and I to Ravensworth, and then Barnard Castle re butter – Hunter’s. Marion took James out after his rest. Eva slept. Mended Phil’s coat. Phil did fireworks (indoor) for James and all of us. Phil and Marion looking at Times questions in evening. Phil to bed 8.55. Talk by Frank O’Connor.
Saturday 28th December 1940
Very fine.
Birds, nuts, housework. Carpet-washing. Blain a chill. Marion cycling. Washed Zeus’ towel in p.m. and Alys took Eve out (Nannie away 24 hours). I took Eve at 3.15 till 4. James slept all p.m. “unfortunately” as he told Phil. Marion ready to take him out. Helped Nancy to feed poultry and Zeus (Ken ferreting). News and talk on the 9 p.m. Silence. Big Ben. James slept in my room.
Memo:
No air-raids by either side over Xmas – 24th – 25th
Our guards on coast doubled in case of surprise invasion.
Zeus’ milk stops after Xmas day. Too scarce.
29th Big Incendiary raid on City, London – Guildhall gutted.
Sunday 29th December 1940
Mild. Dullish.
James woke 5.45 but quiet and I only lit lamp at 6.45. At 7.30, he to Eva. Marion to Church – Hutton Magna. Alys, Eva and I all very busy housework and children. Phil ferreting. Marion to Browns to lunch and piping with D. Brown. Alys took Baby out all p.m. I took James 3.15 in pram. Lieutenant Hill to bath and coffee. ”Are you sure” and Times questions.
Monday 30th December 1940
Mild. Dull.
Phil and Alys to Richmond (changing for butter ration). I cleaned furniture and brass in sitting-room. Marion knitted glove. Rested in p.m. Dorothy, Marjorie and Harry Brown to tea and News at 6. In evening, we did Times questions, with answers from Brown’s copy of Times. To bed 10.30 as waiting for phone to Mr Berry, about Marion’s going to London.
Tuesday 31st December 1940
Snow and sleet.
Eva and Phil took Marion to Darlington for 10.48 train. I out with children and dogs in sleet. Then Alys. Mrs Hird (with a cold) cleaning. Wrote Lois. In p.m. Nannie out. Eva with Baby. I cleaned bathroom. Out with James 3.45 in snow and Eva with Eve. Tea things and with Eve on rug; let her fall over on her face. Took dogs out in snow. News and knitting. Read Roosevelt’s speech. Alys read letters from Dennis and Kitty (about miscarriage) aloud.
The Diaries of my Great-Great-Aunt Kate 