3rd July 1944

Monday
High, light clouds, and cooler.  Wind S.E.  Went in early, but unfortunately there was an alarm at 5 past 9, as I was going down North Station Road, so felt I could not go in until the ‘all-clear’ came.  Went along Serpentine, across King’s Mead, along the Roman Wall.  Heard a heavy bang, and then the ‘all-clear’.  Went through Land Lane and up East Hill, but there was another alarm just as I was about to go up Winnock Road to the office, so I went off down Morant Rd, round the Recreation Ground, where people were going into the shelters, down to the Distillery and so to Bourne Mill, where I waited until the ‘all-clear’ at quarter to ten.  Fortunately Capt. Folkard was out when I finally reached the office.  Quite absurd behaviour, but cannot bear to be inside a building while an alarm is on.

Heavy rain most of the morning, and felt too nervous to go to lunch.

Had to leave at 4 today to get to the Post at 5.  Heavy rain all the way, got soaked, and no tea either.  A diver came up at 6, we could hear it quite plainly, heard it cut out, and the crash of its explosion.  Centre told us that it was at Marks Tey, near Burmans Farm.  Hope Frank Warren’s horses are alright.  There have already been two in the Marks Tey area.

Was on with one of the “A” men tonight, a most unpleasant bad tempered brute.  After the “diver” nothing else happened the whole evening.  Wind shifted to W. and N.W.  Got back to Woodside by quarter past 9, and had supper, thoroughly tired and very hungry.  Sirens again at 11.  Went out into the rain, and heard aircraft come over, but nothing else.  Miss Bentley had gone up to bed, but she came down and got in the cupboard under the stairs until ‘all-clear’ sounded.  Goodbody up too.

To bed myself at midnight, determined not to get up again whatever happens.