7th July 1940
Got up early this morning, caught Bob, and went round to [Stanley] Hill’s to borrow back my van, then round to Wood’s in Magdalen Street to collect his foal. We had quite a job to get the foal into the cart, but did it with a struggle. It is only a tiny thing, but it thrashed about and struggled in a most extraordinary manner. The mare walked comfortably behind, while Woods sat on the back of the van. Sometimes I feared the foal would hurt himself, and we debated as to whether to unload and let him run loose or not, but finally we got to Abberton safely, to Mabbitt’s place, and unloaded him there. It was a fine sight to see him running on the grass, and to see the amazement in his expression of seeing the outside world. He was born in a shed in Gaskin’s Yard, and it must have been wonderful to him.
Lunch and tea at Rose’s, and then to Seymour’s as usual.
Lunch and tea at Rose’s, and then to Seymour’s as usual.
4th July 1940
Went up to London this afternoon. Called at the Ministry of Supply, but they could do nothing for me. I thought as much. Called on Turner at the Royal Agricultural Society’s office in Bedford Square, but he too was quite pessimistic. I told him that Leslie could find nothing for me in Essex. He was not surprised, and said that as far as he knew conditions were all the same in every part of the country. I spoke of the fat cattle situation, and he told me that it was generally known that the Government wanted to have a big supply of meat ready for the army, when an invasion of the Continent is begun next spring. It still seems incredible to me that anyone can seriously contemplate such a proceeding. All very depressing. ...
5th July 1940
Some rain tonight at last, and no sign of enemy planes after dark, a great blessing. The radio reports day raids in other parts of the country.
Work proceeding at North Hill, and pottery is now coming out from below the earliest road level.
Work proceeding at North Hill, and pottery is now coming out from below the earliest road level.
3rd July 1940
Today the band of the 4th Cavalry Training Regiment marched through the town. This is the first military band I have heard since the war began.
There was a sudden raid at 10 o’clock tonight, towards the east, but no alarm was given. A number of planes came over very low, and I could hear distant bombs. When I was going home from Rose’s I could see a big fire in the sky towards Ardleigh, and a policeman told me it was one of Brooks’ warehouses at Mistley, fired by an incendiary bomb.
There was a sudden raid at 10 o’clock tonight, towards the east, but no alarm was given. A number of planes came over very low, and I could hear distant bombs. When I was going home from Rose’s I could see a big fire in the sky towards Ardleigh, and a policeman told me it was one of Brooks’ warehouses at Mistley, fired by an incendiary bomb.
2nd July 1940
Had two very quiet nights on Sunday and Monday. Wrote to the Ministry of Supply today. Our Castle Vaults were inspected today by an official from the Ministry of Home Security. When I told him that they must be the most ancient shelters in use, he pointed out that the Royston Cave was being used as a shelter.
Drawing out road section tonight. Supper at Rose’s.
Drawing out road section tonight. Supper at Rose’s.
1st July 1940: Invasion Preparations
The Town Clerk rang up today to say that Barclay’s Bank were preparing to move all their valuables from Colchester in event of an invasion, and that he had agreed that the Museum’s gold coins should be taken out of the town. Hull got in a great panic and began talking about having a great pit dug in the Vaults, in which he would bury the entire collection.
It is becoming more and more clear to me that I must get out. Leslie has suggested that I might get into the Ministry of Supply, and I shall write to them, although without a lot of hope. It is farming I want, yet that also seems quite hopeless.
A very fine road section is now showing at North Hill, and things are coming along there very well. Went to Rose for supper.
J C Leslie was the Principal of the Essex Agricultural Institute and had become Executive Officer to the Essex War Agricultural Committee. Rudsdale knew Leslie from his collaborations with the Essex Agricultural Institute to produce historic agricultural exhibitions in the 1930s.
It is becoming more and more clear to me that I must get out. Leslie has suggested that I might get into the Ministry of Supply, and I shall write to them, although without a lot of hope. It is farming I want, yet that also seems quite hopeless.
A very fine road section is now showing at North Hill, and things are coming along there very well. Went to Rose for supper.
J C Leslie was the Principal of the Essex Agricultural Institute and had become Executive Officer to the Essex War Agricultural Committee. Rudsdale knew Leslie from his collaborations with the Essex Agricultural Institute to produce historic agricultural exhibitions in the 1930s.
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