WW2: A Civilian in the Second World War

30th January 1942

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000Z

Heavy rain this afternoon, and then snow, blowing hard. Kept on all the evening.

About 10, when going to the post [at the Castle], saw a light on the top of the Town Hall, so I suppose they must have a watchman up there.

28th January 1942

2012-01-28T07:00:00.002Z

Went to the ‘Regal’ [Cinema] tonight to see “Billy the Kid”.

EJR received the following letter regarding his air raid shelter duty at Colchester Castle and kept the letter in his journal for this date:

Borough Police Headquarters
Queen Street
Colchester

28th January 1942

To Special Constables controlling Air Raid Shelters,

Another twelve months has passed fortunately without incidents entailing the general use of the public shelters. I am kept informed, however, of the consistent and conscientious manner in which so many of you have continued to carry out the routine duties you have undertaken in this respect, and I now write to express my appreciation of your having done so. Let us hope the test does not come but if it does, as many in authority expect, your duty will be a responsible one and I am confident it will be carried out in a proper and trustworthy way.

Chief Constable of Colchester

27th January 1942

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000Z

Intense cold. Felt ill.

25th January 1942

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000Z

Beautiful day. Took the grey [pony] out this afternoon, and then went over to Dedham after tea. Called on Sissons. A young man there from the Society of Friends, who is working with an ambulance unit in London. Lovely moonlight night when I cycled home.

24th January 1942

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000Z

Mother is not at all well, and looks rather down, poor old dear.

23rd January 1942

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000Z

Tremendous fall of snow today, but it began to melt about 5, and the streets were soon like muddy rivers.

There has been no water in the Castle since Wednesday, so I hope this is a real thaw.

22nd January 1942

2012-01-22T07:00:00.000Z

Very cold. All pipes frozen in Castle, so I have to carry water from Holly Trees.

Mother is not feeling very well today, owing to the intense cold.

21st January 1942

2012-01-21T07:00:00.001Z

Talk about the [Colchester Oyster] fishery today. Apparently there is no steam dredger any more, the last one having decayed. All the dredger men are quite old. It has been suggested that Tollesbury men might be admitted, but the freemen [of the Colchester Oyster Fishery] set themselves dead against it.

More on the history of the Colchester Oyster Fishery can be found in this article by the historian, Andrew Phillips.

20th January 1942

2012-01-20T07:00:00.003Z

At breakfast this morning heard on the radio the “Spanish Rhapsody” for the second morning in succession. A lovely thing, especially the trumpets. I could listen to it for hours.

Can anyone tell me the composer of this piece of music? Many thanks, CP
Update: My sincere thanks to Mike, Robin and Barbara who have kindly confirmed that EJR would have been listening to Ravel's 'Rhapsodie Espagnole, Part IV, Feria' (see comments below). If you would like to listen to this piece there are a number of versions available on YouTube. CP

19th January 1942

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000Z

[War Agricultural Committee] Meeting at Birch today. Nothing of much importance.

Terribly cold tonight. A dreadful black night. At St. Botolph’s Corner a woman evangelist stood preaching by the Abbey Wall, her strident voice shrilling out in the dark. The lights of a passing car showed three figures, motionless in the icy wind. In High Street, two nuns were going past the “George”. I saw them faintly in the glow of the doorway, and heard their beads tinkling as they walked.

17th January 1942

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000Z

I went up this morning to see Sir W. Gurney Benham about my Colchester photos. He was quite vague about them, and did not seem to be particularly interested. He spoke about the Corporation Grading Scheme, and mentioned that Hull had sent him suggestions regarding the Museum staff, but that he, (WGB) had never heard of the scheme. Poor old man, he is breaking up now. I told him it had been passed by the Council at their last meeting. He said “Ah, yes, I expect I have a report about it somewhere in the Minutes. I must read it.” He is 82.

I cycled up there on Daphne’s bicycle. Hervey saw me and said “I see you’re riding the mare today.”

Cutting chaff this afternoon to try and get warm. Also went down to Cannock Mill with the little grey. Much ice on Bourne Road and other by-roads and in the Mill yard. Tick Mason’s little pony and cart was there, the pony a tiny shaggy little thing, even smaller than the grey. A tall, thin man came into the yard, wearing a cap, rough clothes, and rubber boots. He patted both ponies and said “Well, I expect I should feel a bit strange with horses now.” I said, “Why, were you with them once?”

He said “Yes, I was a gentleman’s coachman in London for 19 years before the last war.” We chatted a bit about Tillings, Buchanan’s, W.H. Smith & Co, and he knew them all. It was strange to imagine this worn, shabby looking man had once worn livery and driven a pair from a box seat. He said he was father of young Smith who drives Tucker’s horse in Paxman’s.

We had information today regarding a scheme for immobilising tractors in the event of an invasion, the main part being that in a scare the driver shall notify us daily by postcard as to where he will be next day. This is typical of all the invasion arrangements and suggestions.

15th January 1942

2012-01-15T07:00:00.002Z

It is said that Yarmouth was bombed yesterday, and that there are 40 dead and 200 hurt. Nothing about it in the papers. May or may not be partly true. We have no means of telling.

Felt better today.

14th January 1942

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000Z

Terrible night last night. Pain and sickness all night long. Heard every hour strike until seven this morning. Felt bad all day, could hardly do my work.

13th January 1942

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000Z

Terribly cold, more snow fell last night. Felt very ill, internal chill and pains all over. Surprised to see Maura Benham come into the office this morning, looking very well after her illness. Had tea with her. She seemed in rather an odd mood. Talked of joining the A.T.S. I tried to reason with her, but without success. She said she felt the call of conscience, duty, etc.

Mines going off at Abberton about every ten minutes, last night as well. It is the ice that does it, I think.

12th January 1942

2012-01-12T07:00:00.002Z

Intensely cold today. Felt bad and miserable.

11th January 1942: The arrival of snow

2012-01-11T07:00:00.002Z

Woke up at 9. Cold and sunny, with nothing to show any immediate change in the weather, except that I saw an army lorry come in from the west with snow on the tilt. However, just after 1p.m. the sky clouded over rapidly with thick grey snow-like clouds, and grey fat flakes came whirling down thick and fast.

The weather showed no sign of abating, but I was determined to go to Lawford as I had decided, although I had so much work to do I had better by far of stayed in the town. However, I caught a bus, as cycling seemed out of the question, and away we went, snow falling faster than ever. The driver had to get out quite often to clear the windscreen. When I asked to be set down at the field path past Bargate Lane, he laughed, and said “That’s funny, I never put anyone down there except it rains or snows.”

I set off across the long path, snow not quite so bad, but great grey clouds still rolling across, and the sun shining behind them giving a luminous glow in the west. At the end of the path to Humberlands I met Parrington, Mrs. Belfield, and a handsome young goddess, very pink and blonde, walking back to Birchetts Wood, Snip and Pepper [the Parrington's dogs] gambolling in the snow. The young lady was a Miss Jessup, a prospective Land Girl, who may be coming to Parringtons. We walked as far as the plantation, where the fir trees, growing on the steep slope, heavily laden with snow, made a scene like Canada or Russia. Then I went back to the Mill with Parrington, looking in at the buildings and collecting samples of peas from a stack. At the buildings were pigs, young kerry heifers, and the horses in the stable, all excited as Fred was coming to feed them, so the air was full of squealing, lowing and neighing.

At the Mill, a roaring log fire in the parlour, a lovely farmhouse tea, homemade bread, cream and plum jam.

Sat talking and reading, until supper time, with beautiful mixed broth. Mrs. B. came back to supper. Much talk about Land Girls, advice being asked of me which I could not give. More talk, agricultural in general, War Agricultural Committee in particular. About a quarter to 7 we heard sirens faintly blowing in the distance, but no sound of planes. I think the “All Clear” blew about half past seven. I believe this is the first alarm this year.

I had to catch a bus at Bargate Lane at 8.20, so I walked up Jupes Hill, and had a long wait in the cold as it was late, and spent the time walking up and down trying to keep warm. The bus was fairly full. There was a girl conductor, trying to write her ticket records with frozen fingers. The cold was so intense that there icicles inside the windows. A Guardsman got in at School Corner, wearing full equipment, I suppose going back from leave.

The roads were sheets of ice, and the bus lurched and skidded round corners. We stopped by the dark gloomy trees of Ardleigh churchyard, black against snow covered graves. Some Canadian and English soldiers got in. I heard an Englishman say to a Canadian, “Well, I was in the Territorials, I was called-up two days before the war started, and I’ve only been on the ranges once. Then we fired 25 rounds.”

Back at the Castle 9 o’clock, and took over. Finished a few letters. Dashed out to post them. Hot milk. Bed.

10th January 1942

2012-01-10T07:00:00.001Z

Went down to Cannock Mill this afternoon, and was told that old Mrs. Pulford had died only an hour before. Poor old man, he will be very lonely now, with his deafness. [Mr. Pulford was the last miller to own Bourne Mill].

All the wooden palings along the south and east sides of the Recreation Ground have now been removed last week, and it is an enormous improvement. The place now looks like one of the smaller London commons, and looks vastly better. I cannot imagine why the Parks Committee has done this, but no doubt it was for some quite different reason than to improve the amenities of the place.

Tonight reading Arnold Bennett’s “Journal”, of which I have only read parts before. Read most of the night, and ate a hot meat pie (horse?) at 4 a.m. Sunday.

8th January 1942

2012-01-08T07:00:00.000Z

Corporation Grading Scheme out now. I don't think the Museum staff will do much good in it. I know Hull is determined to leave me out if he can, as he considers me to be quite unqualified. Miss Oldfield, by virtue of a Manchester degree, is of course qualified.

6th January 1942

2012-01-06T07:00:00.001Z

Went over to Boxted this evening, and had supper with the Roses. Cycled back in brilliant moonlight. They are both so much happier now that he has this orchard job. What a blessing to be able to do any good turn at all.

EJR had found Stuart Rose a job with the War Agricultural Committee at Fordham Orchards.

5th January 1942

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000Z

[War Agricultural] Committee Meeting at Birch. Nothing much of importance. Sometimes at these meetings I feel I must burst.

EJR was not always in agreement with the policies and practices of the Essex War Agricultural Committee!

4th January 1942

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000Z

Weather cold and wet, but determined to go over to Rushbury’s as I had decided to do so. Cycled by way of Langham, and called at the ancient Priory Farm, on the North side of the Black Brook valley, now a gaunt ruin. The timber framing shows it to have been a fine house, of a most interesting plan, a main hall with side aisles. Three men were ferreting at the back of it. I think one of them was young Halsall.

Got over to Rushbury’s in the dry. He [Sir Henry Rushbury] was rather too pompous for my liking today. Talked of going to York next week, doing official paintings for the War Office. Promised to bring back a full report of York Museum.

No interesting talk, just a lot of hot air. He is very critical of the Government but so is almost everybody. Cycled back by 6.30, and went on duty at 8 o’clock.

A selection of Sir Henry Rushbury's wartime paintings can be viewed in the collections of the Imperial War Museum. His visit to York in 1942 led him to depict a wartime street scene in Stonegate which has recently been exhibited at York Art Gallery.

3rd January 1942

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000Z

Mrs. Stuart Rose rang up this morning, and asked me to meet them at tea this afternoon. Carted a load of wood up from Bourne Mill, and then went to meet Penelope Belfield at Port Lane, when she brought her little pony in to leave with me. She is joining the WRNS on Monday.

1st January 1942 - New Year's Day

2012-01-01T07:00:00.003Z

For some reason I do not feel quite so surprised to find myself still alive as I was on this day a year ago. My luck has held well, and although this disastrous war becomes daily more disastrous, that extraordinary good fortune which came to me on January 1st last year [when EJR was invited to join the Essex War Agricultural Committee] still maintains.

I am in a good job, one that I enjoy, still in and about my beloved Museum, and still owning dear Bob. The prospects are admittedly not good. Today I am “de-reserved”, and am liable for military service at any moment, although I hope the Executive Committee will ask for my deferment. Hull is determined to get me out of the Museum if he can. Even my War Agricultural Committee work is not quite so good as it was, as the new Office Manager at Writtle [the Essex War Agricultural Committee's Headquarters] is likely to cause serious trouble. Such a pity when we have got on so well at Colchester this last year.

The Museum is in a bad way. Hull is worse than ever, and is getting more uncertain every day. He is now more and more withdrawing within himself, not speaking to Poulter or I for days. Poulter becomes daily more morose. The whole place is in an indescribable state of filth.

My parents keep fairly well, although old age begins to tell on both. This terrible cold weather is bad for them.

Went out this morning with Nott, looking through the iron yards at the Hythe for stout chains, suitable for pulling out trees. At St. Botolph’s Corner I saw an old fashioned bullock cart on four wheels, quite an obsolete type. A few sometimes come to Ipswich.

31st December 1941 - New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T07:00:00.001Z

So ends 1941, and so we look into the vague vista of 1942, a year which will no doubt bring as many disasters and terrors as that now finished. Colchester has been very lucky indeed, in fact since those two days in the autumn of 1940 there have been few really terrifying moments, and the wail of the siren no longer turns my stomach. If this luck holds until the end of the war it will be a wonderful thing. There are rumours that aerodromes are to be built at Langham and Colne. If this is done I am afraid the town will be in considerable danger, but they are nothing more than rumours so far.

No bells and no sirens at midnight tonight, only a few distant drunken voices singing “Auld Lang Syne”.

30th December 1941

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000Z

Felt better today, but considerable pain in the legs. My limbs have a curious tendency to “go to sleep” at odd times. Heart pains quite gone now, but I have been careful to avoid any strains.

29th December 1941

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000Z

Terribly cold. The office is only half heated. Felt very ill. When I went out at 8 o’clock the sun was just beginning to show in the east, casting a faint pink glow across the sky, while the west was a beautiful egg shell blue. High Street was deep in misty shadows, the tower of the Town Hall and the Water Tower glowing faintly in the light of the rising sun.

Very busy all day with sugar beet cropping forms, but did not feel like doing very much work. Had an hour off this afternoon to go up to Mrs Lyon-Campbell’s with Poulter. The old lady was most pleasant, and we brought away a Bronze Age sword and a very fine palstave, both found in the garage, among a mass of rubbish. Dr. Laver bought the sword from Wells, and I believe it is from the Thames at Barking.

27th December 1941

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000Z

This afternoon it suddenly dawned on me that while wages are as high as they are now the working man will never make any effort to stop the war. Providing things are no worse than they have been this last two years, the working man will be content to carry on for a lifetime.

26th December 1941 - Boxing Day

2011-12-26T07:00:00.001Z

Fine, cold day. Had to go to the office all day. Only Joanna and Peter Folkard [Capt Folkard’s son] came in, to work on the Farm Survey, which is rather behind-hand. The whole town was very firmly shut, not a shop or a café open anywhere. I rang up Rose, who was there, but she had no food. We all (Jo. Peter and I) went round to the Regal, but that was shut, too, so we were finally driven to going to the “Red Lion”, where I have not been for years. Had a very good lunch, after waiting a while, and I paid for the lot, 14/4 in all.

Fine night, cold and starlight.

Apparently our Great Premier spoke on the radio tonight, but I am glad to say I did not hear him. I understand he said that England may be in a position to take an offensive in 1943, that our position is far worse at present than ever before, and that unimaginable horrors lie before us.

I was most interested to see in the Essex County Standard this week a letter from a farmer at Bures, suggesting that Churchill should be “elected” Dictator of England by a national plebiscite. He recalls in his letter (as a shame on the town) an occasion when Churchill came to the Colchester Oyster Feast, and was not very well received by the crowds.

It is interesting to see that anybody could be so stupid as to seriously advance this purely Fascist idea as an aid to Democracy.

25th December 1941 - Christmas Day

2011-12-25T07:00:00.001Z

At home most of the day. Mother still managed to provide a “Christmas dinner”, turkey, plum pudding, everything. She has never failed yet, and I don't believe she ever failed in the last war. Went down to the mill this afternoon, and did a little work. Quite a number of Christmas cards, which Mother set out on the mantel-shelf in the usual way.

Went back to the Castle and ate a lonely supper in the cell. No raids day or night. This is the third Christmas Day during the war, and there have never been raids by either side on that day yet.

23rd December 1941

2011-12-23T07:00:00.002Z

Went out with Joanna this afternoon to do the survey of Brick Kiln Farm, by the “Lion and the Lamb”. Part of the land is in Langham and part in the Borough, owing to the very peculiar formation of the boundary at that point. Hadley has a nice little farm, with 6 cows and a few pigs. He was complaining that old Mitchell will not take his horses (or rather horse and pony) off the low meadow, where he has no right to put them. I told H. to impound them, but all these men feel that the law protects the wrong-doer, not the complainant, and I know he will take no action. The horse is very old, and Hadley said “If he live on that medder much longer, he’ll die.”

We went on to Dedham, to see Poyzen about a new water supply, and then, being so near, called at Sherbourne Mill, where Mrs. Parrington, who looked very charming in brown “slacks”, gave us a cup of tea. After that I got Joanna to drive me back by way of Dedham Street, so that I could go to the Sissons. Joanna is very pleased that she is staying on with us for the revision of the 1942 cropping, and so am I. She is a lovely girl, completely unaffected.

At the Sissons met Joan Richards. Mrs. S. had been playing the cello, which was leaning against her spinet when I went in, and some of her puppets, including the new one Poulter made for her, were scattered about the room.

Miss Richards was talking about fire-watching. She said that at Gloucester Cathedral there was only one night-watchman and an ancient verger, yet at her school, outside the town, the staff had been compelled to forego their holidays in order to maintain continual watch throughout the whole day. Sisson came in from Frinton, where he had been on bomb damage business, and brought his wife some flowers for Christmas.

21st December 1941

2011-12-21T07:00:00.001Z

Up late, after a bad night with considerable pain. Cut a little chaff, did a few odd jobs, lunch, washed and out to Langham. Saw Hadley at Tile Kiln, and inspected Mitchell’s horses. Went on to Dedham, and had tea at Sisson’s.

More fog tonight. Got into the Castle 5 minutes late, giving Miss Oldfield another opportunity to be extremely rude, which she was, pointing out that this was the second time I had kept her waiting.

20th December 1941

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000Z

Dull day, fog getting thicker towards the evening. Spent the afternoon carting fodder down to Bourne Mill. Old Bob is incredibly filthy, but seems very fit and happy. The donkey bounces along like a great teddy-bear.

Just as I was congratulating myself that these foggy nights ensure us no little peace and quiet, the sirens sounded at about quarter to 6. I was in Cyril Cook’s at the time, buying rations, and the fog was so thick that it was impossible to see across the road. It seemed quite incredible that planes could fly in such weather, but the Germans seem to be able to do anything. One of the sirens kept sounding a long piercing blast long after all the others had finished. No sound of any planes, although the all-clear was not given until half past 7. I sometimes think that the police forget there is an alarm in operation. Very few planes come over at night now, and not very many by day.

As I cycled up Queen St., I saw an ambulance standing outside the police-station, and a young girl limping into the building, supported by a St. John’s man and a constable. It looked very dim and mysterious, in the light of a few torches.

19th December 1941

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000Z

Great rush of work and hurrying around to get everything started before going to Writtle. Went up in Capt. Folkard’s car, with Jean Kemble from the Tendring office. She did not appear to have heard anything about the proposed amalgamation of the two District Offices. There was a thick fog all along the road, which made travelling very bad for me, as I could not have a window open at all.

Chelmsford appeared to be as crowded as it always is on a market day.
Finally got away at 5.30, and came home very slowly in a thick fog. For some reason I did not feel so sick as I usually do. It is clear from what was said today that the staffs of the District Offices are likely to be increased considerably. Capt. Folkard told me that efforts were being made to keep Joanna Round, and that he had spoken to the Executive Officer. I don't quite know in what capacity she will be employed now that the farm survey is almost completed.

18th December 1941

2011-12-18T07:00:00.000Z

Hervey Benham told me today that his eldest sister, Edna, is getting married very suddenly. For some years she has been a private secretary to the Headmaster of Harrow.

17th December 1941

2011-12-17T07:00:00.002Z

Cold early, with high clouds, and a suspicion of rain. A very busy day, which gave me a feeling of satisfaction.

Went out with Joanna to examine various pieces of land about the Borough which must be recorded in the farm survey. We went down to the Moors at Hythe Hill and walked along the footpath, St. Leonard’s Church peeping up among the trees, just as it did when Col. Cockburn drew the scene 126 years ago. Then we went down Hythe Hill to see Bruce, about the ownership of the Moors. The old houses opposite the church, which Penrose tried to save are gone now, not a stick or stone remaining. Bruce could tell us nothing, so we went to Francis & Gilders’ office nearby into a room hung with photos of barges, and a smell of tarred rope about. Found what I wanted, and walked back to Brook Street.

Then we went up to Grange Farm, Old Heath, to see some little old fields belonging to the gas company. Met the dear old fat man who has worked there for 15 years. He thinks highly of his master, Mr Berriman of Greenstead Hall, and told us this delightful little story. He said “You know, Mr Berriman is forever a’doing of kindnesses to people, things what nobody don't know about. Some time ago, years ago now, the old man’s dead now, I shouldn’t wonder, a little old man what lived down the Greenstead Road was a’sitting in his little old chair, and that had the worm and let he down wholly sudden like. And what do you suppose Mr Berriman went and did? He took hirself down there, and he says ‘Good afternoon, Mr. So-and-so’ (I rightly forgets his name, but he’s been dead years I expect). ‘Good afternoon’ he says ‘Yes, that’s right, my little old chair been and let me down and bruised my behind something cruel.’ And what do you think he done then? Why, he went and took his car, and went off up the town and he bought an armchair for the old boy. Then he thought ‘If I do this, I reckon the old woman’ll be wholly jealous,’ so he went and bought another for her as well.”

From there we went to see old Dodson’s field in Land Lane. How lovely it is, looking across to the Roman Wall. The old man did not recognise me, and had a good deal to say about the injustice of not being allowed to ruin the view by building houses along in front of the Wall. He had no idea that I was largely responsible for preventing this outrage, four or five years ago.

However, he told us several good stories about horse dealing. In the stables in Land Lane he showed us a good looking grey cob belonging to Drake, the dealer. The whole place reeked of liniment, and the cob stood on three legs. It was a nice looking beast though, and I can well understand anybody buying it in the hope of curing it.

The former rubbish-dump, just beyond “Maydays”, is now growing potatoes. Everitt cultivates all these odd pieces of land in that neighbourhood.

Had tea at Jacklins, for the first time for a week or so, and then went to the stables. Hampshire put his pony to for me to cart hay down to Bourne Mill. I went off in the dark, under bright stars, keeping well to the middle of the road, where I could see the white line. The pony bounced along in a lively fashion, and as I tried to ease him up about 150 yards from the top of the hill in Bourne Road, the offside rein broke. He broke into a canter, and I was quite in a panic. I jerked the near rein, pulled it a bit, and turned him into Gilberd Road. He was going too fast to get round, tried to stop, got on the pavement, his hooves crashing, sparks flying, the cart hit the curb with a crash, the breeching straps broke, the shafts hit the wall of a house and he almost went down. Then he stood still. A man came out of the house and said “Whatever are you a’doing of?” It was a very near thing, and if we had gone down the hill I am sure I should have killed him. However, very little damage done really; I shall have to pay for two new straps. Got back without further mishap.

Clouds blew up, and a little rain fell, very cold. Supper in the little café, hot sausages and mash. Bed late.

16th December 1941

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000Z

The post was very late this morning, for some reason. There are a good many post-women at work now, all over the town.

15th December 1941

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000Z

Another week. How little I get done. The days seem to follow each other as quickly as hours. Went to tea at the Regal. Saw a lovely little blonde who sometimes has lunch at Rose’s Café. She smiled and we had a little talk. There was also a gloriously handsome girl, with a soldier. She had a delicately moulded face, and long, thick black hair, hanging down over her shoulders. When she got up to go, she put on a scarlet cloak with a hood.

Beautiful starlight night, but no planes or alarms.

14th December 1941

2011-12-14T07:00:00.001Z

A horrible, wet, miserable day. It began to rain about 10 o’clock, and got steadily worse, but I was determined to go to Dedham, so in due course I set off, heavily laden with 14lbs of mixed corn on the carrier. It was a fearful journey, with a strong wind blowing across, great clouds scudding along with feathery edges. I looked at Walnut Tree Farm, Bromley. It is quite wrecked, roof off, doors and windows, all blown out. The two little farms on either side are also badly damaged, but I did not go so far. [Walnut Tree Farm had been hit by bombs in an attack on the Bromley Radar Pylons on 27th November 1941].

Went along by Ardleigh, and had to wait at the railway gates. The rain came sleeting across the grey little station, where two or three people were waiting on the down platform. The little cottage by the gates, where I so often had tea with [EJR's schoolfriend] Daven Soar’s grandparents, is deserted now, and the room in which we used to sit is full of sand-bags and concrete, to form a machine-gun post. The train came in, enveloped in steam, haul’d by the monster “Audley End”, hissing and dripping with water. After a moment or two it drew slowly out, heading away towards Norwich, 60 miles away.

Ardleigh Station closed in 1967.

12th December 1941

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000Z

Glorious starlight tonight, but cold and blustery. Saw a great meteor fall across the southern sky, while a great star showed just above the tower of All Saints Church. I have so much to worry about just now – possible loss of deferment, loss of job, horses, everything, yet I am still hopeful that it will come right. Had a dreadful nightmare last night, something to do with an air-raid, but I cannot remember it. I know at one time there seemed to be a huge plane flying up the Colne towards Colchester, in that horrible grey mist which so often surrounds my bad dreams.

11th December 1941 The United States enters the War

2011-12-11T07:00:00.003Z

Went out to Boxted this evening to see the Roses, who were just going off to do their turn at firewatching. I went along with them, getting there just at nine. They were anxious to hear the News, and had brought their radio with them. As it was so near time, they switched it on in the school yard, and standing there under the stars, with searchlights waving far away to the south, I heard the chimes of Big Ben, as clearly as if I had been on the Embankment, followed by the information that the United States is now at war with both Germany and Italy. So another chapter of misery and death begins.

It is strange how I have before heard momentous news over the radio in the most unlikely places. Five years ago tonight, I was standing outside North Station with Hervey Benham, waiting for his sister, when I heard King Edward VIII’s farewell speech coming from a radio in an empty car just outside the station.

Cycled back at 10, by the light of dozens of searchlight beams.

10th December 1941

2011-12-10T07:00:00.001Z

News today that the “Prince of Wales” and the “Repulse” have been sunk in the China Seas by Japanese planes. Quite incredible. Apparently these huge ships were sent out without air escort into a region infested with Japanese air-craft carriers. There was a large notice in the “County Telegraph” window at lunch time, headed “Naval Losses”. Hervey Benham was at lunch, full of gloom and misery.

My photographs are going well. Got another lot from Mason’s today and paid them a bill of £2-10-0.

EJR's collection of historic photos of Colchester, entitled 'The Prospect of Colchester' was assembled as a record of historic buildings and streets in Colchester in case they were destroyed by bomb damage.

E.J. Rudsdale Book Signing at Colchester Castle Museum - 14th December 2011

2011-12-09T09:22:00.000Z

I will be signing copies of E.J. Rudsdale's Journals of Wartime Colchester at Colchester Castle Museum's Christmas Open Evening on Wednesday 14th December 2011 from 3pm-8.30pm.

The Castle will be open for free and there will be festive entertainment for the whole family and a Christmas market.

I hope you can join us and I look forward to meeting you.
Best wishes, Catherine Pearson

8th December 1941

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000Z

Papers full of the Japanese attack on America, and their great successes.

6th December 1941 - Civil Defence Exercise

2011-12-06T07:00:00.002Z

Capt. Folkard saw Thurgood yesterday, and he says our deferments are all practically certain, which cheered me a good deal.

Great manoeuvres today. The town was “attacked” by “invaders”, and the whole of the Civil Defence Organisation was on duty to deal with the various “incidents” which were to occur.

At 9.30 I went out for some supper, and just as I crossed the street by All Saints Church, a car drove up, two men got out, and threw a lighted cracker into the road, where it exploded with a tremendous report. Immediately an ARP ambulance, coming up East Hill, ran clear over the imaginary “crater”. The two firework throwers waited a few moments for wardens to come and take charge of the incident, but nobody came, so they got in the car and drove away. It was only when I had eaten my supper that I realised that as a special-constable I ought to have taken charge until a warden appeared.

Bourne Mill was broken open by Canadian soldiers early this afternoon, as they were instructed to hold the place and search for “parachute-troops”. So far as I know nothing was stolen.

5th December 1941

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000Z

To Writtle today. Took cycle on train to Chelmsford, called at the Market. Fair lot of horses there, and quite a number of traps. Could not wait to see any sold. At Writtle, various business, and tried to see Thurgood about my deferment, but could not. However, Capt. Folkard was there today, and promised he would help.

2nd December 1941

2011-12-02T07:00:00.001Z

Much telephoning to and from Writtle [ie: Writtle Agricultural Institute near Chelmsford where the Essex War Agricultural Executive was based] all day today. Their telephone account must be enormous. Late this afternoon there was a call from Mr. Thurgood, the National Service Officer, for me, to enquire my age, registration number, military service number, etc., as an application was to be made to the Ministry for my deferment. This sounds rather grim and alarming, so I rushed home to find my cards and telephoned the information at once. He also wants the details concerning Nott and Spencer [EJR's work colleagues at the War Agricultural Committee]. I have a feeling that if one of us is to be taken it will be me. Fine and cold, then thick fog this evening.

30th November 1941: Gt Bromley Pylons Radar System

2011-11-30T07:00:00.001Z

Went to Dedham today, by way of Crockleford and saw two enormous craters in a field next to Carrington’s Farm, where two of the land mines fell on Thursday. The other two were further over towards Bromley. This was apparently an attack on the Bromley Pylons, but missed by a long way. A lot of people in the district are complaining because no attempt was made to bring down the attacking planes.

The pylons at Great Bromley formed part of the Chain Home Radar System, which gave the RAF advance warning when German bombers were approaching. One of the pylons and the ancillary buildings survive on the Great Bromley site and photos can be viewed on the Derelict Places website. CP

29th November 1941

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000Z

Got up at 7 this morning to let Joanna Round into the office so that she could do three hours work before going hunting. Warm, but pitch dark. I could hear the footsteps of people going to work, and see a few cycle lamps coming up High St. An early bus came round from the garage in Queen Street, full of workmen.

28th November 1941

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000Z

Had a most unpleasant dream about quarter to 6 this morning. I was with Hervey Benham and Maura, apparently in a field, and we were sitting on the grass, looking at pictures in a book. One showed a Thames barge fast on some rocks, a boat hanging from its davits on the starboard side, and the great red sail flapping. It was entitled “The Death”. The pictures were endowed with motion, like a film, and I could see the waves moving and the sail flapping. I had just drawn Benham’s attention to this fact, when a mighty bomb exploded nearby, with a blinding, yellow light and shattering roar. I crouched on the ground, my hands over my ears, and woke up in that position, sweat running off me and my heart pounding madly.

Wild stories in the papers today about “conscription for all”. Tonight heard one of the “Colonel Britton” broadcasts on the radio, the most puerile drivel I ever heard.

25th November 1941

2011-11-25T07:00:00.004Z

Warmer, dull morning, and became so dark that by 10 o’clock we had to have lights on. Rain began, and the scene from the office window was one of grey winter twilight, steely rods of rain beating down, a low grey sky, the tree boles on the Castle Ramparts showing black against it. A woman with a shopping basket hurried across the lawn, her head well down into her umbrella, her light coloured mackintosh gleaming against the asphalt path. It is strange that here, in the very heart of Colchester, I can see green fields and woods right up to the distant horizon. What a tragic mistake that the By Pass road was ever put along the bottom of the valley.

This is the view that Eric Rudsdale could see from the windows
of Hollytrees Museum in Colchester Castle Park.
Part of Hollytrees Museum had been taken over by the Essex War Agricultural Committee as office accommodation during the war and this was
where Eric worked from 1941.

24th November 1941

2011-11-24T07:00:00.001Z

Fine day. Warm. Did not feel well, with stomach pains on and off all day and a high temperature. Capt. Round came in today about the proposed aerodrome at Birch, which he is determined to oppose. He suggests Tiptree Heath as an alternative. How human these people really are. Of course, England must have hundreds of aerodromes, it’s essential, but by Gad, not at Birch! The amenities will be destroyed – the shooting will be interfered with – and, worst of all, Norfolk’s Grove, the best covert for miles, will be uprooted! To say nothing of ruining at least 500 acres of good farm land. Therefore, extinguish the common rights on Tiptree Heath, and bully the Air Ministry to establish a large aerodrome on the edge of a populous village. It is somehow curiously reassuring to find that our elders and betters are so like us.

E J Rudsdale Talk to the Dedham Vale Society 28 November 2011

2011-11-22T14:55:00.002Z

Readers may be interested to know that I will be giving a talk on 'E.J. Rudsdale and his Journals from 1920-1951' to the Dedham Vale Society on Monday 28th November 2011 at the Assembly Rooms, Dedham, Essex at 8pm.

Rudsdale regularly visited Dedham and supported the campaign to preserve Dedham and the Dedham Vale in the 1930s, so this it will be a very fitting location to talk about his life and work.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. Please contact the Dedham Vale Society for further details. Many thanks, Catherine Pearson

21st November 1941

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000Z

Warmer today, a cloudy autumn morning, the sun shining through grey and purple clouds. Everything very damp in the Castle, the walls sweating in rivulets. Had a bad night, high temperature and a sore throat. During the morning, Mrs. Blake, on the floor above, hurled a shower of bread crusts out of the top window onto the lawn beneath. Instantly a great flock of gulls, blackbirds, jackdaws, thrushes and sparrows, appeared from nowhere, and came wheeling and swooping in the most amazing evolutions, the jackdaws and sparrows dodging among the bigger birds. It is a strange thing that the Castle pigeons never seem to join in these daily feasts, nor do they ever come down to feed with sparrows. For years I have tried to tempt them with corn, so that they would come sailing down in great squadrons, like the London pigeons, but I have never succeeded.

17th November 1941

2011-11-17T07:00:00.000Z

A little better than yesterday, but blustery, grey and purple clouds coming and going across the sky. Almost all the leaves are down now, and from my window at Holly Trees the great beech by the Castle Ditch shows only a few rustling russet leaves on the ends of his fingers. The little flowering cherry on the law below me has a few leaves still left, and a wide circle of brown and yellow all round him, like feathers, reminding me of a partly plucked chicken. “Old Bob”, who used to run with the Harriers, crosses the Park leaning on his stick, bent up with rheumatism. A plane flies slowly across the sky, towards the east.

It is just a year since the great air-raid on Coventry, when the centre of the city was destroyed and 300 people killed. I well remember it, for hundreds of German bombers flew over Colchester all night long, coming and going, sailing unhindered beneath the stars, as there was no opposition at all.

16th November 1941

2011-11-16T07:00:00.002Z

Cold and windy. Rain began about 1 o’clock, and I cycled over to Dedham in a heavy buffeting side-wind, which, as I had two stone of chicken meal on the carrier, made heavy going. (I got this for Mrs. B. with some unwanted ration coupons). I was late at the Belfields, but had a cup of tea, and got dried a bit. Penelope talked about going to work at the Brantham factory, as she feels she will be forced to work before long [as a result of the National Service regulations for women].

Went down to Sissons, and spent the evening mounting photographs, which are coming along very well. Back to Colchester at 11.30.

From the spring of 1941 all women had to register their occupation under the National Service regulations and single young women between the ages of 20 and 30 began to be directed into war work. By December 1941 the National Service Act (No 2) made the conscription of women legal for the first time and led to a huge increase in women workers of all ages being employed in the Women's Services or in essential war work.

13th November 1941

2011-11-13T07:00:00.001Z

This morning had to go with a Government vet: and two members of the County Livestock Committee to see cows at Holmwood Farm, Chitts Hill, kept by old Phizacklea. There are nine lovely little Jerseys, a Jersey bull, all half-starved, and in terrible condition. The fool has nothing to feed them on this winter except mouldy hay, and they are only producing 3 gallons a day from 4 cows. Five are dry, and all of them have aborted at one time or another.

11th November 1941: Armistace Day

2011-11-11T07:00:00.003Z

Armistace Day, cold and dull, with mist in the distance, just like a dozen other such days in past years. The Mayor deposited a wreath of poppies at the Memorial without any ceremony. A few other wreaths were put there, from the British Legion, the “Old Contemptibles”, etc., and during the day people could be seen slowly mounting the steps of the monument to read the labels on them. Poppy sellers in the streets, and most people wearing one. Heavy rain all the evening, everything soaking wet.

Amazing story in the evening papers about a madman who today drove a car round Chiswick and Ealing, stopping here and there to shoot people. He shot 6 or 7 in all, and killed one. One man was shot quite near Argyle Road. It gives one a great sense of horror to think that there may be other such persons at large. I remember that about three years ago a man went onto a tube station in London, and for no reason whatever pushed a girl under a train. Ever since then I have always stood against the walls when on Underground stations.

10th November 1941

2011-11-10T07:00:00.000Z

Heavy rain all day, so Bob was not brought back. I now have 20 bags of corn chaff, but cannot get any straw.

Mayor making today, Ald. Sanders again.

9th November 1941

2011-11-09T07:00:00.004Z

Slept badly last night, the luxury of a real bed being counteracted by the intense coldness of the room. This morning I heard Mrs. B. and Penelope moving about at 8 o’clock, getting ready to cycle to Mistley Catholic Church. Read, dozed, and woke again, to find to my horror that it was quarter to eleven. Hurried about, no breakfast, and rushed down to the Mill. Cold bright day, and windy. Got Bob out, filthy dirty and just got him to the trap when the Belfields arrived. We all went up to Lawford Hall to fetch the phaeton. Mrs. Parrington came galloping across the Park on Roger, riding very well indeed.

The phaeton was a great success, and even with the hood up suited Bob admirably. Made all the harness fit, then back to Birchett’s Wood to lunch, (in a very cold room. Some people have no comfort in their houses). This afternoon we all went off to Dedham, Penelope looking really lovely. She suited the vehicle very well, looking quite an 18th century lady in her manner and appearance. Called at Sisson's, and he took photographs of us.

This photograph, which was taken by M.A. Sisson, shows Bob harnessed to the phaeton with EJR in the driver's seat and Penelope Belfield sitting beside him. Joy Parrington can also be seen riding her horse, Roger. The photograph was taken outside the Sissons' home, 'Sherman's Hall' in Dedham High Street. EJR labelled this photograph: ‘When we drove over to Higham'.

Then went off to Higham, bowling along the lanes in fine style, dear old Bob going well. The roads were thickly coated with fallen leaves, an immense number having come down in the last few days. The farms on the Suffolk border look well. At Moye’s farm near Stratford Church there were many fat stacks all very well thatched. At Higham, we called at Cedric Morris’s house, but he was not there, and the whole place looked very forlorn and derelict. It is strange that artists never seem to live in their houses, but are always somewhere else. While we were there I heard much machine gunning, bombing, and the sound of planes in the direction of Colchester, and was much alarmed, but the ladies were not in the least interested, merely assuming it was an attack on Leavenheath aerodrome. Back to Lawford, called for Mrs. P., and took the phaeton back to Lawford Hall, Bob still going strongly. Mrs. Nichols was there, looking just as charming as she did last year. We discussed Tandem driving. Mr. Nichols, who is Ambassador to the non-existent Czecho-Slovak Republic, drove off to London in a Rolls-Royce.

Settled Bob at the Mill, then walked back with Penelope. Just by Jupes Hill we heard sirens, and a few distant explosions. High tea, then caught the 8.20 bus to Colchester. Heard the all-clear soon after we left. To office, wrote some official letters, then to post, and was furious to find café shut at 10 o’clock, as I had no bread at all.

A most enjoyable day.

8th November 1941

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000Z

Got filing box for my photos, made by Benham. This afternoon drove Bob slowly to Lawford, and put him up at Sherbourne Mill. Then walked up to Birchett’s Wood. Supper, and much talking then bed at 11.30.

7th November 1941

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000Z

Rang Penelope tonight, and arranged to spend the weekend at Birchett’s Wood.

5th November 1941

2011-11-05T07:00:00.002Z

Not a Guy to be seen anywhere today [for Guy Fawkes Night]. Spent a lot of time searching through photos at the “Essex County Standard” tonight – a saddening job, to be reminded of many scenes with which I was familiar when I was young.

When I went to the little café tonight for supper, I thought as I walked along the cobble paving by All Saint’s Churchyard that William Wire must have walked along this very pavement. It is almost the last piece in Colchester, and shows clearly in a photo of 1858.

Lovely moonlight night, cold and still. Standing on the Castle roof, I could hear the machines at Paxman’s and Bracketts [factories], humming in the distance. No planes over.

All Saint's Church now houses Colchester's Natural History Museum. Can anyone tell me if the cobble paving that EJR mentions above remains near the Churchyard?

William Wire was a 19th century antiquarian who kept a diary of archaeological finds in Colchester from 1842-1857. EJR's decision to keep a journal had been influenced by his knowledge of Wire's diary.

4th November 1941

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000Z

Full moon tonight, showing dimly behind thin clouds. Very cold.

3rd November 1941

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000Z

Mr. A.W. Page [a farmer on the War Agricultural Committee] said today that he did not see why the Government should get so much money out of Excess Profits Tax, so after this harvest he gave his head men £25 each – on condition they invested it in War Loan!

Mrs. Rushbury was at lunch today in Rose’s café, with an artist whose name I forget. They were talking about Chelsea Public Library, where both had worked. Mrs. R. said she had met her husband there, when he very shyly asked her to let him paint her. She must have been a very pretty little thing 20 years ago. They seem to have had a good party at his birthday last week. One of the guests was sick in the garden.

[War Agricultural] Committee today. Very long and dull.

2nd November 1941

2011-11-02T07:00:00.000Z

Had a long and pleasant day at Birchett’s Wood [the Belfields' home] and the Sissons' [at Dedham], cycling home at midnight under a watery moon, with a few heavy showers at times, fortunately blowing behind me. Had a narrow escape where a trench has been badly filled in on Harwich Road. I fell into a hole about 6 inches deep when going at full speed, and all but came off. Got to Castle at quarter to one, dried my clothes and drank hot milk.

1st November 1941

2011-11-01T07:00:00.001Z

The Germans are still advancing into the Crimea, but the newsboys this afternoon were only calling “Big Race Result”.

Cold wet weather. On duty alone [at the Castle] tonight, and relieved Winnie, [Miss Oldfield] a strange little girl, who has nothing whatever to say.

30th October 1941

2011-10-30T07:00:00.000Z

Out early this afternoon, and cycled to Battleswick [Farm]. The old gentlemen are still about the place, and are continuing to farm about 20 acres across the valley, which I am sure they will do until they drop dead. They are both real good Essex farmers. Inspected some old brewing things for the Museum, and then on to Fingringhoe. Saw pretty little Miss Elmer driving a tumbrel past Grubb’s, while her father’s tractor was ploughing the big field behind Hervey Benham’s house.

Found Grubb varnishing a trap. Everything in terrible confusion, old pails, tins, old stoves, bits of harness, furniture, all over the garden. Told me a sad tale about her brother trying to get her turned out of the cottage. Had a cup of tea with her, at a table which as usual bore the remains of the last five or six meals, spread with a cloth which was covered with cats’ footmarks, leading to and from the milk jug. The animals had evidently drunk out of the jug as far down as they could reach. There was a plate of rotting tomatoes on the electric stove, and an incredible mass of harness on the floor. She said “We generally keep it on the sofa but somebody came in who wanted to sit down.”

Poor Grubb. I don't know what she can do. I tried to tell her it was useless to keep eight horses, all either very old or else unbroken, but she would not listen. Back at 6, and saw Hampshire about some more chaff, called at home, then supper, finished letters, and to the post at 10.

Very cold, but not so bad as yesterday.

29th October 1941

2011-10-29T07:00:00.000+01:00

Biting cold N.E. wind. Sunny in the morning, and then about 1 o’clock it began to snow, but soon left off. George Farmer came in, looking rather ill and depressed.

27th October 1941

2011-10-27T07:00:00.002+01:00

Cold, windy day. [War Agricultural] Committee meeting at Birch. Frightful row about Langenhoe Hall, the Chairman threatens to resign. It is certainly a scandal if old Tuke can evade his liabilities by allowing the Committee to take possession.

In consequence of this row, got home early and had supper and much pleasant conversation at Molly Blomfield’s in Trinity Street.

26th October 1941

2011-10-26T07:00:00.002+01:00

Drove Bob over to Boxted, to Harry Holmes’ place, for a load of corn chaff. Left him there, and cycled on to the Rushbury’s house at Higham, where I had tea. Rushbury is rather a pompous little man at close quarters. Cycled back to Boxted, called at Roses’ cottage for a few minutes, picked up Bob, then back to Colchester by 6.30. Got two dozen bags of chaff.

23rd October 1941

2011-10-23T07:00:00.001+01:00

Had another dream last night about bombs. Once again I was in some building that was being terribly shaken by explosions. As I lay awake about 4 o’clock this morning the idea suddenly came to me to write a diary which might be called “Twenty One Years” based on these journals, covering the period from 1920 to 1941. “Twenty One Wasted Years” would perhaps be a better title.

The Indians are very popular in the town, crowds of small children following them everywhere.

22nd October 1941

2011-10-22T07:00:00.000+01:00

Decided I had not given Mother anything worth having on Monday, so bought her a very good bag and put £2 in the purse of it.

Went to tea at Jacklin’s, and saw Mrs. Betty Prior, looking very charming, just about to leave for London on the motor coach. Saw her off, just across the street, and then to the Mill to feed Bob.

Lovely starlight night. Many searchlights out. Supper in the Oven [at the Castle], and about 10 o’clock Penelope ‘phoned to thank me for the book. Wished she was having supper with me. What a wonderful invention the telephone is.

21st October 1941

2011-10-21T07:00:00.001+01:00

Glorious weather, though cold. View from the office window made grander every day by the ever changing autumn tints. A lady artist appeared this morning, with sketching board and folding stool, and sat on the Holly Trees Lawn, apparently sketching the E. end of the Castle. Much interest was taken by a crowd of little boys, who sprang up from nowhere, and two tall Indians, walking through the Park, stopped to speak to her.

EJR's book 'E.J. Rudsdale's Journals of Wartime Colchester' records that the first Indian soldiers arrived in Colchester by 17th October 1941.

20th October 1941

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000+01:00

Dear Mother’s birthday. Gave her a few little gifts, which seemed to please her, and she had one or two from friends and relations.

I find that we are still carting barley at Abraham’s Farm, Gt. Tey.

19th October 1941

2011-10-19T07:00:00.001+01:00

Lay later than I intended, but got down to the stables before Maura arrived. Got busy cutting chaff. Wonderful what two pairs of hands can do, we got through a whole truss in half an hour. Then carted it to Bourne Mill with Bob. Sat on the hay in the granary and discussed the future of the Mill property, which seems to be very bleak.

Lunch, washed, and away to Lawford with a set of harness for Mrs. Parrington. Fine warm day, and was carried there on the wings of the wind, scudding along in fine style. Stopped at Old Shields Farm, Ardleigh, to inspect the dead stock set out for sale tomorrow. Nice cob-size van and tumbrel which I should like.

Got to Sherbourne Mill at 4, and drove out with Roger [the Parrington's horse] in the ralli. He went very well, with a lot of shying. Going round by Humberlands, met little Rosemary, who remembered me from last year. Tea at the farmhouse, and then down to Dedham. Sisson there alone. Heard alarm in far distance, but no planes until nearly 10, when two went over, very low above heavy racing clouds, flying east. Back in the Castle by midnight, after a most enjoyable day.

18th October 1941

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000+01:00

Bright, with strong westerly wind. Spent the afternoon at Benham’s offices, going through old photograph files, from 1903. Made some very interesting discoveries, including pictures of the military review and the aeroplane at Colchester in 1913, both of which I remember well.

17th October 1941

2011-10-17T07:00:00.002+01:00

Bought Barker’s book of horse drawings today, and sent it to Penelope for her birthday. Hope she will like it.

EJR probably bought the book 'Nothing but Horses' by K F Barker, which had been published in 1937 and contained over 100 equestrian drawings by the author.

15th October 1941

2011-10-15T07:00:00.000+01:00

Cold. Heavy thick clouds all day. Very busy in office, after Committee meeting.

14th October 1941

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000+01:00

Rain today, and cold. We are still carting barley at Abraham’s Farm, Gt. Tey, where it has been left out by the late tenant Ross.

Cycled over to Dedham tonight, to the Belfields, and had supper. Penelope's brother, a lieutenant, was home on leave. Nice young chap, looks very like P.

13th October 1941

2011-10-13T07:00:00.001+01:00

Dull day. [War Agricultural] Committee at Birch. Spent two or three hours sorting P.G. Laver’s photo collection tonight. Went up to Poulter's flat to hear the 9 o’clock news, which was “jammed” by the Germans, so we could hear nothing. Quiet night.

12th October 1941: A Visit to Flatford

2011-10-12T07:00:00.005+01:00

Glorious, warm sunny day, with great fleecy clouds floating across the sky. The first tints of autumn are appearing in the trees.

Set out this afternoon to go to East Bergholt, and arrived there about quarter to 4. Cycled down the long lane to Flatford, and looked across the glorious Stour Valley. When I stand in Suffolk and look across to Essex I always feel that Suffolk is really a foreign country to us. Quite a lot of people at Flatford Lock, fishing and sitting about on the grass, and there were two boats on the river. The “16th Century Cottage Tea Rooms” were doing quite a lot of business, and I thought at first that this must be where the lady [who EJR met on 3rd October 1941] was living. However, before making enquiries I thought I might as well have a look at Flatford Manor again, so I went there. Noted several interesting details of the construction which I had previously overlooked.

Went back to the tea rooms, and discovered that my lady did not live there but at another tea room opposite, which is kept by old Richardson, who used to have Flatford Manor when it was a farm. He is quite a naturalist.

There were a lot of people about, and quite two dozen cars on the Car-Park. The tea room was a long wood shanty with an earth floor, furnished with a few forms and tables, all deeply embowered among trees and bushes. I enquired of a woman outside, and was told that “Mrs. Prior” was in, immediate calls for “Betty” giving me the other part of her name. She came out, very pleased to see me, and we had tea in this curiously ramshackle shed. The air was becoming cool, and the sun was sinking as a golden ball behind the Essex hills. Some people came in for tea, and then a youth and a girl, who sat talking about bombs which fell at Ipswich last night. Heard them say that one fell in Brook Street, and did a good deal of damage, although it seems nobody was killed.

After tea, was shown the pigs and poultry, all housed in a few derelict sheds behind the tea-house. There were also a couple of cows. The whole place was terribly decayed and neglected.

EJR included a postcard of Willy Lott's Cottage in his journal to mark his visit to Flatford so here is a photo of the same view today.

Mrs. Prior agreed to walk back to Dedham with me, across the meadows. She told me many sad things about her life, and I was amazed to hear that she has three children, the eldest a boy of 14. I had imagined that she was under 30. Her husband has treated her very badly.

We got to Dedham in the gathering dusk, and waited for Miss Richards to meet us, but she did not come. As we waited it grew dark, and RAF planes began to fly over towards the sea, some dropping crimson flares as they crossed the coast. The sky was full of searchlights. At last left her at the “Marborough”, made a hurried call at Sissons’, where I saw Miss Richards, and then rushed back to Colchester.

Just past the “Wooden Fender” I noticed what appeared to be a considerable fire towards Ipswich road. There were dozens of blazing points, which I took to be incendiary bombs, so I went to a cottage nearby, intending to get help. As I knocked hard on the door I heard the voice of Wee Georgie Wood, the comedian, singing on the radio “Who's that knocking on the door?” and the more I knocked the more this idiotic song was bellowed back at me. At last I attracted attention, but by this time the fire had died to a glow, so that nobody felt inclined to tramp across the muddy fields to investigate. As a result of all this, reached the Castle 10 minutes late, and found Miss Oldfield waiting, cold and angry. She was extremely rude. However, as soon as she had cleared off I went over to the café for supper, as there was no alarm.

About a quarter before midnight when I was on the Castle Bridge I heard far away the sound of alarm hooters at Paxman’s and Brackett’s, and then the noise of a plane coming from the west. I jumped inside and shut the door just as there were a number of tremendous explosions, and I could see shells or bombs bursting in the air. I put my helmet on and went onto the roof. The noise of the plane was dying away, and there were no sign of any fires. I could hear voices outside the ARP Headquarters and somebody said something about “fire at the Queen’s” so I presumed there had been some damage in the Berechurch Road. The explosions were in that direction. The night was very chilly, and I was shivering with cold and fright, so went down to a warm bed. I expect my poor old people were frightened.

9th October 1941

2011-10-09T07:00:00.000+01:00

Had two very queer dreams the other night, in the early hours of the morning. In the first I was in the basement of a large building, it seemed to be in London, when bombs fell loudly and terrifyingly near. The place trembled violently, and a piece of stone fell on my foot.

I woke up, badly frightened, but fell asleep again only to have this second dream. I was with a girl in Wimpole Road, near Miss Bowle’s house. It was a dusky evening. Suddenly I noticed a golden coloured aeroplane high in the sky, diving towards us. Its wings were not noticeable. It dived down, flattened out a little, and then dived again, while I saw bombs fall out of it in the direction of the Gas Works, which oddly enough were visible from where we stood. The plane came zooming up, dropped some more bombs, and flew away firing its machine-guns. I thought “How convenient to be able to stand here and see an air-raid” and did not feel at all frightened. The girl (who left no impression) and I then walked towards the Gas Works but the dream became confused and I remember no more.

8th October 1941

2011-10-08T07:00:00.000+01:00

Thick fog early in the morning, but cleared away by eleven o’clock. Then a bright sunny day.

Tonight, when coming up town, I noticed a prayer meeting by the corner of the Abbey Wall in Stanwell Street, the preacher and his circle standing in deep shadow, only his hands and prayer-book catching the moonlight as he moved. His harsh voice rang out in the frosty air, as unheeding soldiers walked down towards the town.

Felt very queer in the head tonight.

7th October 1941

2011-10-07T07:00:00.003+01:00

Had a day off. Went over to Ipswich in Mr. Craig’s car, picking up Penelope B. at Stratford Church on the way. Had a very pleasant day. A good horse sale. The chestnut cob which I so admired when Blake had it was there, and made 40 gns in 5 minutes. It was bought by a man named Frost at Bromley. It is a fine looking animal, and I wished it was mine.

After the sale we went to the Museums, and ate lunch in the park shelter behind Christchurch Mansion. P. wanted to go into a café, order tea or coffee, and then eat our own food, but I could not face that. Rain began to drizzle, and the old park looked very dreary. Penelope, as usual, was most anxious to get home, so there was no chance of going to a cinema, which I rather hoped we should have done. Came home on a Colchester bus.

Busy tonight doing office work which I should have done during the day.

EJR always enjoyed going to the Horse Fair at Ipswich and this link to Sir Alfred Munning's painting, 'A Suffolk Horse Fair, Lavenham' gives us an idea of what these sales were like. Munnings was one of EJR's favourite equestrian artists, so he would have appreciated this painting! CP

6th October 1941

2011-10-06T07:00:00.000+01:00

Thick fog early, but then cleared up, and became a lovely day.

5th October 1941

2011-10-05T07:00:00.000+01:00

This morning drove in Watts’ little tub trap over to Fingringhoe with the jennet, taking Maura and Edna Benham. Lovely day, pleasant drive. The jennet had not been in harness for a year, but she went very well, her tiny feet clattering along in great style.

3rd October 1941

2011-10-03T07:00:00.000+01:00

Coming down High Street after lunch, I met the good looking woman whom I saw at a Repertory Show last winter, waiting for a bus at the Hippodrome. I stopped and chatted, and discovered she is staying at a café at East Bergholt. Promised to call and see her there.

Glorious sunny day. Had to take wages out this afternoon to Severalls Hall and Boxted. Children blackberrying in Severalls Lane. There was a tractor ploughing somewhere on the farm. I could hear it faintly, and a horse drawn flax puller near the house.

Called at Boxted Hall, to pay men there. Saw pretty land-girl. Called at Homedale Farm. They have several very good traps there, one very good indeed. Then went to Lt. Rivers, to Rose’s and found Mrs. Rose writing up and editing old Mr. Waller’s cycling diary, of about 1890. Not very interesting in my opinion.

She also had a list of Essex books compiled by old Waller, which was most useful, and I borrowed it to make a copy. Had supper by candlelight, flickering shadows on the beams now nearly 500 years old. Left at 10, in brilliant moonlight. Bombers were going over towards Germany. Went down to Bourne Mill and fed Bob. The Mill looked lovely in the moonlight. Owls were crying and squeaking all round. Called at home, and then to the Castle and bed.

2nd October 1941

2011-10-02T07:00:00.000+01:00

Always seems to be pay day in the office, or else preparing for pay day. Thursday again, and the end of another week in view.

Thick fog early this morning, and very cold. At half past eight the Town Hall tower was just shimmering out of the mist, pearl grey and pink against a clear pale blue sky.

Bright and sunny later on, and the Park was full of people sitting about on the seats and lawns. A schoolboy football-match was on in the Holly Trees Field. Pretty nurse-maid, very blonde and petite, walking with a little boy, who was bowling a hoop and running squeaking after it. A Scottish soldier stopped to play with a puppy belonging to a little girl in red.

1st October 1941

2011-10-01T07:00:00.000+01:00

Joanna Round’s 21st Birthday today. She did not come to the office as they were having a celebration at Birch Hall.

Supper at the café. Maisie was there, waiting to see me. The Welsh girl fortunately did not come. Maisie looked very well. She wanted me to find a cottage where she and George could spend his next leave. I said I would try.

Alarm at 9.45. Heard a plane, and bombs fell so as to shake the plate glass windows violently. Took M. home, and then walked back in lovely pale moonlight. All clear 11.15, just as I got to the Castle.

30th September 1941

2011-09-30T07:00:00.003+01:00

Went to Bill Watts’ place to see a new trap which he has got, a little governess car, only built last year at Bury St Edmunds. He wants £9 for it.

Work on photos tonight, and got quite a lot done.

EJR was now assembling a collection of old and contemporary photographs of Colchester as a record of the town's historic streets and buildings in case of their destruction in air raids. He called the collection 'The Prospect of Colchester' and it now forms part of the collections in the Colchester Museums Resource Centre.

29th September 1941

2011-09-29T07:00:00.000+01:00

Michaelmas

Cold and wet all day. Committee meeting at Birch. Mr. Craig was talking about the sale of Severalls Hall Farm.

28th September 1941

2011-09-28T07:00:00.001+01:00

A beautiful day. Drove over to Lawford with Bob, then put Mrs. Parrington’s Roger in my trap, and she drove Parrington, myself and Penelope Belfield over to East Bergholt. Penelope and Parrington sat behind. Roger went very well, this being the first time he had ever had breechings on. He turned round once, on the Ipswich road, but fortunately a car which was behind us had good brakes. Home to Colchester, and took three eggs for Mother.

Supper at the café. Welsh girl not there.

Update: 28th September 2011
Following my request for help to translate EJR's Welsh phrases in his diary extract for 23rd September 1941, I am very grateful to Brett Colley and Derek Jones for providing the translation for me and I have now been able to update the extract to reflect this. Thank you again, Brett and Derek. CP

27th September 1941

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000+01:00

From the office window this morning I saw a man going up High Street pushing a hand-cart filled with tall brilliant coloured flowers, red, yellow and brown. I don't know what they were.

Two alarms tonight, the first for a week. Nothing happened.

25th September 1941

2011-09-25T07:00:00.000+01:00

Dull warm day. Rushed to the stables at 6 o’clock to cut chaff, rushed to the Mill, rushed home to get clean and changed in case I met the Welsh girl.

Went to the café. Welsh girl not there. Rang up Mrs. Sisson and had a long talk about the possibility of my living at Dedham or at Sherbourne Mill as an alternative. Mrs. Parrington is quite willing for me to do.

New evidence for EJR's wartime account

2011-09-24T09:20:00.004+01:00

Thanks to readers of E.J. Rudsdale's blog, it is now possible to corroborate EJR's account of the German plane which was shot down in the Clacton area on 16th September 1941 and his sighting of the Northern Lights in Essex on 18th September 1941.

Mike Dennis kindly drew my attention to the German Aircrew Remembrance Society website which has an entry for a German plane shot down near Clacton on Sea on 16th September 1941 and includes the pilot's name, Erwin Veil. Roger Kennell of the Clacton Victoria County History Group then contacted me to say that his father recorded the following entry in his diary on Thursday 18th September 1941: 'Last Tues we shot down a German bomber near Jaywick'. This would have been the night of 16th September 1941 and, therefore, also confirms EJR's account of this plane being shot down in the Clacton area.

Roger Kennell's father also recorded on 18th September 1941: 'Aurora Borealis seen tonight', confirming that it was possible for both EJR and Mr Kennell Senior to see the Northern Lights as far south as Essex that night.

Many thanks to Mike and Roger for your help with my enquiries about these events.

The Clacton VCH Group's book: Clacton at War, which Roger Kennell helped to compile, is a fascinating history of Clacton, a coastal town on the frontline in the Second World War. CP

23rd September 1941

2011-09-23T07:00:00.003+01:00

Bad stomach pains all day. Have not felt so ill for years.

The Welsh girl was in the café tonight. Walked to Mile End with her, and felt a little better when I got back. She was in the café tonight and smiled in a very pleasant way, so I got into conversation with her. She speaks Welsh, although it is the South Welsh, as her home is at Swansea. We talked of Wales, of the mountains, of Cardiff. I have not enjoyed a conversation so much for a long time. When I left her in the darkness near Mile End church I said “Nos dawch cariad” ["Good night love"] and she answered “Nos da in cluwi, mi cyfaill!” ["Good night to you, my friend!"] Previously she had said with a lovely lilt, “Talkin’ to you iss like talkin’ to the people far away at home."

She works as a nurse at Severalls Asylum.

Following my request for help with the Welsh translation for this extract, I am very grateful to Brett Colley and Derek Jones who have kindly supplied me with the correct transcription and translation, which I have now added to the diary entry above. Many thanks Brett and Derek for your help, it is much appreciated, CP

Eric Rudsdale was descended from a James Jones of Selattyn on the Welsh borders. He identified closely with his Welsh heritage and frequently visited North Wales during his lifetime and learned to speak Welsh.

22nd September 1941

2011-09-22T07:00:00.002+01:00

Went to see “Love on the Dole” tonight. This is a splendid play, well made, and well acted. It was originally written before the war, and is prefaced by a short explanation which states that it is thanks to the generous forbearance of our wonderful government that we are allowed to see this exposure of working conditions five years or so ago, and which makes it quite clear that the types of workers depicted are now enthusiastically toiling for the war effort. No doubt they are earning £7 or £8 a week. When one realises that these were the conditions in the North, until quite recently, it is clear that the working people will put up with any hardship and danger of war rather than go back to such a state.

Felt very ill tonight, with bad head pains.

21st September 1941

2011-09-21T07:00:00.000+01:00

Up at 8. Misty and warm. Breakfast, then down to the Mill to fetch Bob. The sun came out, and the wreaths of mist drifted away over the pond as I led him trotting up Bourne Road. Harnessed up, and away to Westfields to call for Maura Benham. We went along Spring Lane, Lexden, where the Home Guard were blocking the bridge. Met a man riding. Drove up the track opposite West House Farm, under the railway, onto the fields near Bergholt. There were thousands of lovely blackberries. Hedges’ pony was in one field, and began calling loudly, Bob answering. Climbed over to see the pony, a nice looking little beast. I think I might try to buy it. A Canadian despatch rider came along on a motor cycle, and tried to get the machine across a narrow plank bridge over St. Botolph’s Brook, where I had such a battle with Bob some years ago.

Ate lots of blackberries. Lovely view of the town from the top of the hill above the railway. Such a dreadful pity Stephenson has put so much bad work into West House Farm. He has quite spoilt it. Home Guard had all gone by the time we got back to the river.

This afternoon cycled to Lawford. Took Mrs. Parrington’s pony for a run in the luggage cart. Very much enjoyed myself. Went back to the Atterburys at Gunhill. On the way back saw Penelope, very pretty. Had tea at the Mill, then down to Sissons this evening. Talked about my old photos. Mrs. S. very kindly offered me a home for the winter. Most tempting. I must think it over. Alarm about 10. Distant explosions. All clear 11. Cycled home feeling rather ill, but better after hot milk. Lovely starlight night. Slight mist.

Saw a heron at West Bergholt this morning, flying along the valley.

18th September 1941: Aurora Borealis Sighted

2011-09-18T07:00:00.002+01:00

Beautiful fine day. Cold and misty in the early morning. Frightful muddles in the office today, chiefly about letting land, owing to “red tape” and careless mistakes.

Another alarm this evening. A strange light in the Northern sky, apparently the Aurora Borealis [the Northern Lights].

Update: 24th September 2011
Thanks to readers of E.J. Rudsdale's blog, it is now possible to confirm EJR's sighting of the Northern Lights in Essex on 18th September 1941. Roger Kennell of the Clacton Victoria County History Group has kindly contacted me to say that his father (who was in Clacton) recorded the following entry in his diary on Thursday 18th September 1941: 'Aurora Borealis seen tonight', confirming that it was possible for both EJR and Mr Kennell Senior to see the Northern Lights as far south as Essex that night. Many thanks, Roger, for your help with my enquiry. CP

17th September 1941: News of a German Plane Shot Down near Clacton

2011-09-17T07:00:00.002+01:00

Heard today that the glare which I saw last night was a German plane shot down near St. Osyth. I believe this is true.

Another alarm tonight at the same time. I wonder if the Germans are training bomber pilots for the winter?

Fine sunny day, though cold.

Does anyone have any information on this wartime incident at St Osyth? I haven't been able to track down any records so far so perhaps the story was false? Thanks CP

Update 24 September 2011:

Thanks to readers of E.J. Rudsdale's blog, it is now possible to corroborate EJR's account of the German plane which was shot down in the Clacton area on 16th September 1941. Mike Dennis (see his comments below) kindly drew my attention to the German Aircrew Remembrance Society website which has an entry for a German plane shot down near Clacton on Sea on 16th September 1941 and includes the pilot's name, Erwin Veil. Roger Kennell of the Clacton Victoria County History Group then contacted me to say that his father recorded the following entry in his diary on Thursday 18th September 1941: 'Last Tues we shot down a German bomber near Jaywick'. This would have been the night of 16th September 1941 and, therefore, also confirms EJR's account of this plane being shot down in the Clacton area.

Many thanks to Mike and Roger for your help with my enquiries about these events.

The Clacton VCH Group's book: Clacton at War, which Roger Kennell helped to compile, is a fascinating history of Clacton, a coastal town on the frontline in the Second World War. CP