26th July 1940

Tremendous explosion about 1 o’clock this morning, somewhere to the east. Planes over tonight, but no warning. Had supper at Rallings.

25th July 1940

Went down to Maidenhead today. ...

There was a sailor on the train [home], going to Harwich. He was quite young, but had been all over the world and had been in three wars. Among other things, he had gone through a “marriage of convenience” with an Austrian girl in Venice – “a bit-of-alright she was, never saw her again, though.”

23rd July 1940

Raid alarm at 11.45pm tonight. Half a dozen or so people came into the vaults, including a soldier, who walked in about midnight. He spoke with a very broad Lancashire accent, and was apparently on leave. However, Forsett thought it very suspicious, and took it upon himself to report it to the officer in charge of the patrol in the Park, who promptly arrived with a revolver and accompanied by a soldier, rifle, fixed bayonet and all. They made an impressive entry, except that the soldier, who was leading misjudged the height of the low archway, and became wedged, finally emerging into the vaults backwards. The poor solider was “put through it”, and after searching questions and much investigation of papers, was admitted to be on leave. He wore rubber shoes and carried his army boots round his neck because he said they hurt his feet. The soldier and officer retreated up the stairs, unfortunately without noticing the small step out of the Wall-Room, over which they both stumbled, while the words “Blast!” and “Bugger!” rang out in the darkness.



The steps leading up from Colchester Castle's Roman Vaults. The Vaults were used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War


About 1 o’clock on Wednesday morning Richardson came in, doing a round of shelters. I took the chance to tell him of our complaints, emphasising that we still have no fire-fighting appliances of any sort.

Before the alarm, I went down the Hythe on Tuesday night with Hampshire, investigating empty stables. In all, we found accommodation for about 30 horses, all at the bottom of Hythe Hill. What a time it must have been 30 years ago, to see all these stables full, with the rich aroma of horse muck hanging over everywhere. ...

21st July 1940

Despairing that any further move would ever be made in the matter of horse A.R.P., I went up to Lexden this morning and again saw Councillor Ham. He was interested and helpful and said he would put the whole thing before the Mayor, thus ensuring that a scheme would be in operation without delay. Certainly it is only due to the Mayor than any movement has been made at all.

Went to Rose for lunch and tea, and then to Seymour’s.

Beautiful fine day.

20th July 1940

When I saw Sisson on Wednesday, I told him of my difficulties in getting any form of land work, so he promised to mention it to a friend. This morning the friend arrived, none other than Mr Parrington of [Sherbourne Mill] Lawford, who came to see us years ago about a discovery on his land. He was very kind, and said he could certainly give me work for the harvest, for which I was very grateful. ...

Went to Rose’s for supper.

19th July 1940

Went to see the cartoon “Gulliver’s Travels”. Very good indeed.

A concrete pill box has been built right across the end of Northgate St, completely blocking it. Most curious.

18th July 1940

Got “Horse Shelter” notices up at Bourne Mill and Port Lane, the first in the town.

Heavy rain most of the day.

Band playing the Park tonight, very nice.

Heard a big explosion at 1 o’clock this morning.