10th April 1941

Went up this evening to see Daven Soar [EJR's schoolfriend], home for Easter with his wife and child. All is well with them. We went out for a couple of drinks at the “Berechurch Arms” and the “Leather Bottle”, both places absolutely packed. Old Daven just the same as ever. Still running after any pretty woman he sees.

9th April 1941

German advance into Greece continues.

Allied armies in full retreat in Libya as well.

George Orwell discusses the deteriorating wartime situation in Greece and Libya in more detail - see his diary entries for 7th - 9th April 1941. CP

7th April 1941

There was an alarm at 8.45pm, so I had to go on duty. Moon shining through gaps in clouds, a few planes about, but nothing dropped.

6th April 1941

Down at Bourne Mill all morning and most of the afternoon with Maura Benham, who seems to really enjoy paddling about in the mud and water there. We had hoped to have a bonfire, but unfortunately the sticks were too wet and would not burn. We had a lunch of sandwiches, sitting in the old granary, which, although a cold wind was blowing, was quite enjoyable. Maura just the same as ever.

The AFS were down at the pond this morning, doing hose work as usual, and practising running ladders up the side of the mill. Maura said that [her brother] Hervey’s leg was doing well, and he hoped to be back at Fingringhoe soon, which is indeed good news.

Hervey Benham was invalided out of the Navy after suffering an injury to his leg.

5th April 1941

Penelope Belfield drove in today, and put up at Port Lane. The little grey [pony] looks very well indeed. We spent the afternoon sorting out old stuff to give her in the way of a curry comber, bits of harness, etc. She looked lovely, in a green tweed coat, with a green bandeau round her hair, still stammering delightfully. I long to comment on it, and compare notes, but I just daren’t yet. I had hoped to give her tea, but we stayed too late so she had to drive away soon after 6. Tremendously heavy rain, which cleared up just before P.B. left. Harry Day gave me six eggs in exchange for a bundle of straw. Called at the Seymours’ tonight and hear that Jeff. Saunders is due to join the army on Monday. He is lucky that he is only going to Shotley, so I suppose will be able to get home fairly frequently. Poor Jeffrey, but I believe he is keen to go.

EJR spoke with a stammer and his journal must have been an important outlet for him to express his thoughts.

Jeffrey Saunders was a schoolfriend of EJR's and they had both had registered for National Service in the same week in 1940. CP

2nd April 1941

Weather a little better, though still cold. Heavy explosions about midday. This afternoon a man came in from St. Osyth and told us they were caused by some cows belonging to Foulds, which were grazing at St. Osyth Marshes, getting out into a field of land mines, carefully prepared for invading Germans. Five cows were killed, the front legs of one being blown right across Clacton Golf Links. A dog was sent through the barbed wire, and succeeded in getting the rest of the cows off without further harm either to themselves or to him. Foulds had previously lost one cow when it was struck by an AA shell fired from Weeley Heath. I do not know whether, in a case of this sort, a farmer can obtain immediate compensation from the army, or whether he will have to wait until after the war.

Went to the pictures early this evening, and then down to Rose’s but found her in a very bad temper.

EJR's relationship with Rose had been deteriorating for some time and they finally parted in April 1941. EJR's account of the end of their relationship appears in his book. CP

1st April 1941

Heavy rain nearly all day. Field and front paddock at Bourne Mill a marshy swamp, Bob and the donkey paddling about up to their eyes in mud. Fodder terribly hard to get – hay £9 a ton, oats and bran rationed to 1 cwt per month (half each), chaff 4/6 a bag. Been very lucky to get straw last October at 1/1 a truss. Now 1/6 in town.

Met Harvey, Town Clerk’s department, in the street today. He told me there were strong rumours about the alteration of the reserved age for Local Government staffs of up to 35, but that it would not take place until August. This is indeed good news.

Heard today that Hull, cycling home last night, ran into the back of a company of marching soldiers, half way down East Hill. This, like the fire-engine episode [see 17th March 1941], happened just after the pubs closing time.