28th February 1941

Nott told me today that yesterday afternoon there had been a strike at Paxman’s over some change in overtime rates. It only lasted an hour and a half. “And do you know”, said N. “they let the – get away with it! Instead of getting the soldiers in to shoot a few of the buggers”.

A most glorious sunset tonight. I was down at Bourne Mill and saw the sun, a pure golden orb, sinking down behind the hill, colouring the sky with sheets of golden light, so that every tree on the pond’s margin showed its bare branches like black lace against a gold brocade cloth. The water of the pond turned golden too, streaked with dark lines where the ripples moved the surface. And all the air was still, no traffic on the road, no clamour of tanks, but the faint lowing of a cow down the valley at Cannock Mill, and the sound of a horse trotting along Old Heath Road.

Weather extraordinarily warm for the time of year.

27th February 1941

Paid in a cheque today, and asked about the state of my accounts. I have on deposit: £200-19-10; in my current account: £13-8-5; at home in silver, (for an emergency): £20; in my pocket book: £5-10-0; making in all a total of £239-18-3. Besides this I have about £70 in superannuation money, which I can draw out if I leave the Museum. All quite satisfactory.

25th February 1941

I hear a good deal of damage was done at Harwich. 9 people were killed, 6 of them through standing in the street to watch the attack. Without doubt many people are killed now that raids are made in earnest because they refuse to take shelter at all. Early last year, when there were no raids, everyone scuttled underground each time the sirens blew.

Alarm tonight at 7.30, when it again seemed that Harwich was being bombed. It is curious that one heard no noise, but only saw flashes. It seems very terrible to stand here and watch people being done to death less than 25 miles away. Is this the beginning of an invasion?

24th February 1941: Air Raid on Harwich

Alarm at half past 9 tonight. Apparently an attack was being made on Harwich. From the Castle I could see gunflashes, bomb flashes, flares and searchlights. Very few planes came near the town, only one or two going over the N.E. side. All clear about midnight.

23rd February 1941

Went over to Dedham this afternoon, to the Belfields'. Took the pony out. She went very well, and looked really charming. Penelope [Belfield], wearing a green, long coat and a green turban, was most vivacious and lively. She drives quite well already. We went down to Dedham Street, and I called at Sisson’s, where he told me he had just been appointed in charge of bomb damage on historical buildings. We had a short discussion on this, and then I went back to Belfield’s to tea. Had a very pleasant time, but had to rush back to Colchester by 8 o’clock, to relieve Chapman at the Castle, as this is the [fire] watcher’s night off. I don’t intend to do this every Sunday. 

The architect, Marshall Sisson, was working closely with the newly formed National Buildings Record, which had been appointed in 1941 to compile 'a full graphic, photographic, and other records of buildings of merit, whatever their date, which have been damaged or are in danger of damage by warfare.' 

The resulting survey, amassed by the National Buildings Record, now forms part of Historic England's Archive Collections and is open to the public.

22nd February 1941

Hull and Poulter to Purfleet this afternoon in Blackmore’s car (Corporation petrol!) and looked over no less than 95 bales from Colchester but could not find any trace of coins nor indeed any paper from Laver’s house at all. I had to take fire duty at Holly Trees from 6-8, until the watchman came. Poulter arrived back 8.30. Said hardly any damage seen between here and Purfleet except some houses at Brentwood and Woolworth’s shop there. Doubtful testimony, as he is notoriously unobservant. Says damage very slight at Purfleet.

Beautiful fine day, much warmer than of late.

21st February 1941

Alarm at 4.30 this morning, until 7am. I opened the park. Bitterly cold, and a little snow falling, but between then and 8 o’clock there was a very heavy fall, quite 6” in the Park. I was amazed to see it.

Trunk calls to and from Purfleet today about waste paper from Laver’s. All Colchester bales are now being held until inspected, but Hull has by now lost all interest.