There is a great scare now – we are going to be invaded by Germans landing by parachutes, so in order to confuse them every place-name in the whole of Britain is to be obliterated. I can see that this would have some value in rural districts, but I really cannot believe that it is possible for the Germans to reach Colchester without knowing where they were. It doesn’t seem to occur to anybody that the Germans have maps.
Corporation men were running round tonight taking down all signposts or boards with the name “Colchester” on them.
30th May 1940
Rose’s brother Archie is safe back from France. He had a very bad time, but is now safely housed near Dorchester. I don't think Rose knew how narrow an escape he had this last few days.
Rose's brother had been amongst the British Forces evacuated from Dunkirk.
Rose's brother had been amongst the British Forces evacuated from Dunkirk.
29th May 1940
Went to the pictures tonight with Rose. Saw “Sherlock Holmes”, very well done and most life like.
28th May 1940
News very bad today. Belgians suddenly make an unconditional surrender.
They are now talking about the evacuation of the East and South Coast towns. I fear Colchester will be included in this. Children are being moved from Harwich, Clacton and Southend.
They are now talking about the evacuation of the East and South Coast towns. I fear Colchester will be included in this. Children are being moved from Harwich, Clacton and Southend.
27th May 1940
Took Father and Mother up to London. I got them to Paddington and put them on the train, and while I was on the platform who should come by but Balfour of Sutton’s Farms at Slough. I spoke to him, and introduced him to my parents. He said he was very busy now, and was in charge of the Local Defence Volunteers.
After the parents had left, I took the Tube to Tottenham Court Road. At Bond Street a girl got in and, after studying the route maps, asked me if she was right for the Post Office. We chatted on, and she told me she had been a reporter on the “Liverpool Post” and came from Manchester. She had resigned her job and had come South to join the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force), but had been turned down on medical grounds. She was now more or less on her beam ends in London, working as an attendant at the Monsignor Cinema near Marble Arch for 36/- a week, which is not a high wage for a B.S.c. Manchester.
She was greatly interested in London, and found considerable difficulty in finding her way about, so I gave her my street map, for which she was grateful. They cost 2/6, and you don't get many half-crowns spare out of 36/-, after paying 17/- a week for a room with breakfast in Kildare Terrace, Paddington.
After the parents had left, I took the Tube to Tottenham Court Road. At Bond Street a girl got in and, after studying the route maps, asked me if she was right for the Post Office. We chatted on, and she told me she had been a reporter on the “Liverpool Post” and came from Manchester. She had resigned her job and had come South to join the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force), but had been turned down on medical grounds. She was now more or less on her beam ends in London, working as an attendant at the Monsignor Cinema near Marble Arch for 36/- a week, which is not a high wage for a B.S.c. Manchester.
She was greatly interested in London, and found considerable difficulty in finding her way about, so I gave her my street map, for which she was grateful. They cost 2/6, and you don't get many half-crowns spare out of 36/-, after paying 17/- a week for a room with breakfast in Kildare Terrace, Paddington.
A typical London street map of the time similar to the copy that Eric gave away.
26th May 1940
Packing up to take Father and Mother to Maidenhead [to stay with Mrs Rudsdale's sister and her family]. Germans advance into Channel ports.
24th May 1940
Germans still advance.
Bought a very nice brass medallion today, commemorating the marriage of George III in 1761. It was found above an old ceiling in the new Police HQ in Queen Street, probably dropped through a crack in the floor above.
Bought a very nice brass medallion today, commemorating the marriage of George III in 1761. It was found above an old ceiling in the new Police HQ in Queen Street, probably dropped through a crack in the floor above.
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