On 8th February 1941, EJR visited Dr Laver's sister to collect books from Dr Laver's Library that belonged to Colchester Castle Museum and he successfully retrieved William Wire's Diary. Further details on this are available in E.J. Rudsdale's book.
We came away heavily laden, and with an invitation to go there again next week to search for other things. I believe that Mrs Lyon-Campbell and her friend Miss Raven will really do their best. When I got back Hull was unfortunately in, and I had trouble to get the stuff in. H. immediately “took charge”!
This afternoon Maura Benham came to tea in Parnell’s Cell. We had a good time, and I really believe she enjoyed herself. She was looking remarkably well, and had apparently been having a quiet time in Paddington lately, no bombs at all.
Lovely night, though cloudy. Slight rain. Much warmer.
7th February 1941 - Chelmsford in Wartime
Went to Chelmsford today with Capt. Folkard. First time I have been there by road since the war began. The new road works between Marks Tey and Kelvedon are still unfinished, but there did not seem to be any men working on them. It seems odd not to complete the road, as I should have imagined it would be useful for military purposes.
Chelmsford looks just the same. Big crowds about the streets, the market stalls have now been taken away from the site by the County Hall, and put in a muddy yard at the back of the “Bell” (which Chelmsford Corporation now owns) except for a few which still remain next to the Cattle Market, opposite Brittain & Pash. There was a horse sale on, in fact that was the only part of the market that looked very busy – the cattle pens were very empty. There were about 100 horses including a bunch of 40 cobs, alleged to be from Meredith & Drew, London [The firm of Meredith & Drew was a biscuit manufacturer]. They were certainly not, not being up to M & D standard. Some were quite good, there was a grey I would have liked very much, made 30 gns. As far as I could see most of them made a good clearance, although some appeared to be bought in by a man called Fisher from Ipswich.
Fisher and a rough looking gipsy man seemed to be in charge of these cobs, and they were certainly not M& Ds, whose turnouts I know well. As a matter of fact, I don't believe any of these animals had worked all winter. They all had their hind shoes off, thick winter coats, no clipping, except that their manes had recently been taken off, and had no sign of harness marks. They were all rather thin. Most of them made 14-20 gns, although they were old. Some made 20 and a half, 22, 25, 27 gns. I would have liked the grey and one or two others.
The sale yard was full, and full of mud and water too. There were the same gyppos and dealers you always see at Chelmsford. I saw both Sol and Joe Porter, and two of their boys, who seem to have kept out of the army so far. In fact, there were a remarkable number of men under 35 wandering about. As usual, nobody carries a gas-mask, although I had mine in my bag, and I did see one man carrying a plough-bridle had one. The people in Chelmsford's streets don't carry them either. There were several unbroken 3 year-olds, property of Col: Somebody “now on active service” (“he damn well isn’t!" called a voice when this was announced.) They made 3, 5 and 8 gns. They were a weedy looking lot. An unbroken half-bred Suffolk mare, 4 yr old, made 33 gns. One of two cart horses made 45 gns. The demand seemed pretty good. There was a lovely Landau van for sale, and a little trolley which I would have liked, but could not stop to see them sold.
Mrs May was there, from Tiptree Priory. She had driven a cob as far as Witham and put up there, and was lamenting what a poor sale there was for small ponies and traps. Apparently she has had a great deal more success with the Maldon War Agricultural Committee than she would with ours, as they have agreed that pony breeding is her business and will let her alone. This is great good luck for her.
At 3 had to go to the County Hall to see the Accountant about various matters. Had a long interview. He is very dissatisfied with the way in which Nott keeps our wages record [at the War Agricultural Committee], and insists that our method must be improved. The County Hall is full of dashing young damsels and the Accountants Office has men clerks in Home Guard uniforms. There are also two Home Guards on the front door, questioning callers. I went along to see Emmison, the [Essex Record Office] archivist, who is now doing Public Assistance work. No doubt he hopes this will keep him “reserved” – he is only about 33 I believe. He still does a certain amount of work in his own department, and told me he had actually been able to get a new man on the staff, an assistant archivist from Exeter, I believe he said.
Train at 4.58, not very crowded. Just time to get a cup of inferior tea in a most depressing refreshment room before it came in. All the way home I thought of the bombing of the Yarmouth train [near Colchester on 18th January 1941]. At Chitt’s Hill I saw the bomb-holes, in the field W. of the road and in the road. They were not very big, but they made me feel depressed and nervous.
Went back to the office and finished off some letters. Had tea at Jacklins. Fed Bob and the donkey in the moonlight.
Chelmsford looks just the same. Big crowds about the streets, the market stalls have now been taken away from the site by the County Hall, and put in a muddy yard at the back of the “Bell” (which Chelmsford Corporation now owns) except for a few which still remain next to the Cattle Market, opposite Brittain & Pash. There was a horse sale on, in fact that was the only part of the market that looked very busy – the cattle pens were very empty. There were about 100 horses including a bunch of 40 cobs, alleged to be from Meredith & Drew, London [The firm of Meredith & Drew was a biscuit manufacturer]. They were certainly not, not being up to M & D standard. Some were quite good, there was a grey I would have liked very much, made 30 gns. As far as I could see most of them made a good clearance, although some appeared to be bought in by a man called Fisher from Ipswich.
Fisher and a rough looking gipsy man seemed to be in charge of these cobs, and they were certainly not M& Ds, whose turnouts I know well. As a matter of fact, I don't believe any of these animals had worked all winter. They all had their hind shoes off, thick winter coats, no clipping, except that their manes had recently been taken off, and had no sign of harness marks. They were all rather thin. Most of them made 14-20 gns, although they were old. Some made 20 and a half, 22, 25, 27 gns. I would have liked the grey and one or two others.
The sale yard was full, and full of mud and water too. There were the same gyppos and dealers you always see at Chelmsford. I saw both Sol and Joe Porter, and two of their boys, who seem to have kept out of the army so far. In fact, there were a remarkable number of men under 35 wandering about. As usual, nobody carries a gas-mask, although I had mine in my bag, and I did see one man carrying a plough-bridle had one. The people in Chelmsford's streets don't carry them either. There were several unbroken 3 year-olds, property of Col: Somebody “now on active service” (“he damn well isn’t!" called a voice when this was announced.) They made 3, 5 and 8 gns. They were a weedy looking lot. An unbroken half-bred Suffolk mare, 4 yr old, made 33 gns. One of two cart horses made 45 gns. The demand seemed pretty good. There was a lovely Landau van for sale, and a little trolley which I would have liked, but could not stop to see them sold.
Mrs May was there, from Tiptree Priory. She had driven a cob as far as Witham and put up there, and was lamenting what a poor sale there was for small ponies and traps. Apparently she has had a great deal more success with the Maldon War Agricultural Committee than she would with ours, as they have agreed that pony breeding is her business and will let her alone. This is great good luck for her.
At 3 had to go to the County Hall to see the Accountant about various matters. Had a long interview. He is very dissatisfied with the way in which Nott keeps our wages record [at the War Agricultural Committee], and insists that our method must be improved. The County Hall is full of dashing young damsels and the Accountants Office has men clerks in Home Guard uniforms. There are also two Home Guards on the front door, questioning callers. I went along to see Emmison, the [Essex Record Office] archivist, who is now doing Public Assistance work. No doubt he hopes this will keep him “reserved” – he is only about 33 I believe. He still does a certain amount of work in his own department, and told me he had actually been able to get a new man on the staff, an assistant archivist from Exeter, I believe he said.
Train at 4.58, not very crowded. Just time to get a cup of inferior tea in a most depressing refreshment room before it came in. All the way home I thought of the bombing of the Yarmouth train [near Colchester on 18th January 1941]. At Chitt’s Hill I saw the bomb-holes, in the field W. of the road and in the road. They were not very big, but they made me feel depressed and nervous.
Went back to the office and finished off some letters. Had tea at Jacklins. Fed Bob and the donkey in the moonlight.
6th February 1941
An incredible piece of luck today. A phone message from Craske, the auctioneer revealed that Craske was now putting in a valuation of Dr. Laver's estate. When Poulter explained the position about William Wire's “Diary” and other stuff, Craske came down at once, and we had a long interview. By another incredible stroke of luck Hull was out. Craske was most helpful, and the upshot is that he arranged for me to go to the house with him on Saturday morning to see Mrs Lyon-Campbell, who will then let me find [William Wire's] “Diary”.
Poulter explained everything, and Craske admitted in confidence that there was another will, made in favour of the Museum and the [Essex Archaeological] Society, but that some while ago Laver was somehow persuaded into making a new will in favour of his sister, who in return agreed to leave everything to him should she die first. Poor old Laver seems to have been quite sure that she would be the first to go, being 4 years older than he. What a tragic mistake.
Last night there were two alarms, the last until midnight, when it began to snow, and continued all night with great violence, so that this morning there was almost 2 feet in parts. I saw such a pretty girl going by Bourne Road this afternoon, wearing a bright green coat with a fur-lined hood. She looked beautiful against the snow. Early this morning I saw five of Moy’s carts, one behind the other, moving silently along Magdalene Street towards the coalyards, gradually fading into shapes in the mist.
Tonight trusted there would be no alarm, so went to the Hippodrome to see “Our Town”, a film made in an entirely new way, which I much enjoyed. Bright moonlight, and a few planes across.
Poulter explained everything, and Craske admitted in confidence that there was another will, made in favour of the Museum and the [Essex Archaeological] Society, but that some while ago Laver was somehow persuaded into making a new will in favour of his sister, who in return agreed to leave everything to him should she die first. Poor old Laver seems to have been quite sure that she would be the first to go, being 4 years older than he. What a tragic mistake.
Last night there were two alarms, the last until midnight, when it began to snow, and continued all night with great violence, so that this morning there was almost 2 feet in parts. I saw such a pretty girl going by Bourne Road this afternoon, wearing a bright green coat with a fur-lined hood. She looked beautiful against the snow. Early this morning I saw five of Moy’s carts, one behind the other, moving silently along Magdalene Street towards the coalyards, gradually fading into shapes in the mist.
Tonight trusted there would be no alarm, so went to the Hippodrome to see “Our Town”, a film made in an entirely new way, which I much enjoyed. Bright moonlight, and a few planes across.
4th February 1941
Very busy on Committee business from yesterday.
Rang Benton today, to ask for news about the Doctor’s papers. Benton in bed with flu, but Mrs. B. told me they had seen Mrs Lyon-Campbell [Dr Laver's sister], and that everything was left to her – all the books, pictures, notes, everything! As to William Wire’s “Diary”, Mrs Lyon-Campbell knew nothing of it. [Dr Laver had borrowed William Wire's diary from the Museum's collections before his death]. She proposes to shut up the house and go back to Devonshire at once. What an awful tragedy. The results of nearly a century of archaeological research in Colchester in the hands of a woman who has not the slightest regard for them or for her brother’s work.
I rang Cr. Sam Blomfield, and begged him to see Marshall the lawyer again, which he promised although not holding much hope. Benton is apparently prostrated by the news that the [Essex Archaeological] Society gets nothing, and does not intend to take any further action. Wire’s “Diary” is abandoned to its fate.
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.
Rang Benton today, to ask for news about the Doctor’s papers. Benton in bed with flu, but Mrs. B. told me they had seen Mrs Lyon-Campbell [Dr Laver's sister], and that everything was left to her – all the books, pictures, notes, everything! As to William Wire’s “Diary”, Mrs Lyon-Campbell knew nothing of it. [Dr Laver had borrowed William Wire's diary from the Museum's collections before his death]. She proposes to shut up the house and go back to Devonshire at once. What an awful tragedy. The results of nearly a century of archaeological research in Colchester in the hands of a woman who has not the slightest regard for them or for her brother’s work.
I rang Cr. Sam Blomfield, and begged him to see Marshall the lawyer again, which he promised although not holding much hope. Benton is apparently prostrated by the news that the [Essex Archaeological] Society gets nothing, and does not intend to take any further action. Wire’s “Diary” is abandoned to its fate.
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.
3rd February 1941
[Essex War Agricultural] Committee meeting at Birch Hall this afternoon, which started at a quarter to 2 and went on till 5.30.
The inner hall is hung with portraits all round and up the stairs, and on one wall, near the main door, hangs a 17th century helmet alleged to have belonged to Sir Charles Lucas. I mentioned this to Capt. Round, and he told me that he removed it from the Castle when the place was sold. Therefore the lobster-tail helmet which we have in the Museum is not the traditional one, but it has been there all my life.
Sir Charles Lucas led a Royalist rebellion against the Parliamentarian forces in 1648 but became trapped in Colchester by General Fairfax's forces and was forced to surrender after the town was besieged. Lucas, and his fellow Royalist Commander, Sir George Lisle, were subsequently executed at the rear of Colchester Castle for their role in the rebellion. The place of execution is now marked by an obelisk.
The Round family of Birch Hall had also owned Colchester Castle from 1782 until they sold it to the Colchester Borough Corporation in 1920 as a war memorial.
The inner hall is hung with portraits all round and up the stairs, and on one wall, near the main door, hangs a 17th century helmet alleged to have belonged to Sir Charles Lucas. I mentioned this to Capt. Round, and he told me that he removed it from the Castle when the place was sold. Therefore the lobster-tail helmet which we have in the Museum is not the traditional one, but it has been there all my life.
Sir Charles Lucas led a Royalist rebellion against the Parliamentarian forces in 1648 but became trapped in Colchester by General Fairfax's forces and was forced to surrender after the town was besieged. Lucas, and his fellow Royalist Commander, Sir George Lisle, were subsequently executed at the rear of Colchester Castle for their role in the rebellion. The place of execution is now marked by an obelisk.
The Round family of Birch Hall had also owned Colchester Castle from 1782 until they sold it to the Colchester Borough Corporation in 1920 as a war memorial.
2nd February 1941
Good old Hampshire carted my hay down to the mill for me, for which I was very grateful. Spent an hour clearing the stream, and felt completely done up and exhausted.
To Rose’s for tea, and this evening to Seymour’s. Thank God no alarm, so I had a free evening. Jeffrey Saunders was there. Still very busy at his office in Cockspur Street, which is undamaged, and although he registered last June as 28, when he put his name down for the Navy, he has never heard a word since.
To Rose’s for tea, and this evening to Seymour’s. Thank God no alarm, so I had a free evening. Jeffrey Saunders was there. Still very busy at his office in Cockspur Street, which is undamaged, and although he registered last June as 28, when he put his name down for the Navy, he has never heard a word since.
1st February 1941
Too busy to go to the Market today, although I wanted to see if there were any horses. Rheumatism in my legs very bad. Cold and wet weather, but Parnell’s cell is really quite warm and cosy. Can't understand it.
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