30th November 1943

Tuesday

Very bad night.  Throat felt almost closed up, and began to wonder if I had got diphtheria.  Had about 4 hours sleep, and did not wake until 8.  Got in very late.  Planes began to go out towards the coast at dawn, and kept on for about an hour.  High wind, and scudding clouds with blue sky between.  When I got to the office heard that a Flying Fortress had blown up in the air and crashed somewhere towards Fordham.  Captain Folkard had seen 5 men floating away on parachutes, at a great height, and thought that they would probably come down in the sea.

Called to see Mary Ralling at the Essex County Standard office.  She told me that Ella was very annoyed at not seeing me today, and that unless I meet her at the house, she will come to the office.  Asked Mary outright – how long could Father stay?  She said no limit at all.  She and her sister have done more for the old man than I would have believed possible.  Tomorrow I am to see a prospective housekeeper.  I hope to be able to get him to Margery’s for a month, if she will have him.

29th November 1943

Monday

Throat a little queer and painful to swallow.  Heard on 8 o'clock news that there has been a hit and run raid – harmless – on the SE Coast yesterday, under the usual cloud cover.  Looks as if that sort of thing will be starting again.

Called at Rallings soon after 9.  Took Father some apples.  He seemed very well.  Busy all morning on Committee work, and barely had time for lunch.  Usual Committee meeting.  Gardener-Church was not there.  There seems to have been some sort of row, I think between him and the Chairman.  Nothing very much done.  Lot of talk about the setting up of a dairy herd, but nothing can be done as we cannot get any buildings repaired.

Saw Joanna and her husband.  Joanna looked wonderfully well.  They are going to Ulster for a holiday.  I wonder how they managed to get permits?

Finished early, and got back to Colchester at 5.  Saw Poulter.  Hull is again ill in bed.  Called at Dedham on the way out, feeling very bad.  Bright starlight night, and a thin crescent moon on its back, and a lot of planes and searchlights at exercise.  Collected two book boxes from the Sissons and finally reached Higham at 11.30.  Very cold.  Had bread and milk.  Throat very painful.

28th November 1943

Sunday

Lovely quiet night, thick mist.  Rain most of the day.  Stayed warmly in bed until midday, reading “Quiet Street” by Elliot.  Most interesting.  Rest of day writing journal, letters, etc.  Not a soul came near.  When I was in the bath this afternoon heard a lorry near at hand.  Thought it must be the Yanks, but when I went out could see no sign of them.

27th November 1943

Saturday

Wakened by sirens shortly before 2.  Nothing happened for nearly an hour, then I heard a distant plane, and the Colchester guns fired a salvo.  The plane passed on un-harmed.  Fell asleep and did not hear all-clear.  The Germans are now threatening the most terrible reprisals, but I don't think much will be done before early spring.

Wet, muggy day, fog coming up at night.  Ella was in the house this afternoon, but I managed to dodge her.  Her incessant nagging is unbearable.

Back to Higham at 6.  All set for a thick foggy night.  No sign of the Yanks or the light yet.

26th November 1943

Friday

Late again.  Another lovely day.  About 3am this morning I heard All Clear sounding, the first siren for more than a fortnight.  Most people fear that great raids are in the offing.  Many planes going out about 9, white trails in the sky.

25th November 1943

Thursday

Another brilliant sunny morning, though cold.  Got up rather late, and did not get in until after the District Officer had arrived, which always annoys me.

On the Suffolk side of the river, great mounds of sugar beet, like long barrows, are accumulating by the roadsides, and in every field horses and tumbrils come silently through the mist with fresh loads.  As I went by Langham, Thunderbolt planes were taking off.

The majority of the letters written to myself and Father during the last 10 days say in effect “We are sorry to learn of your Mother’s death – but how lucky she is to be dead!”

Went back to Higham early to have tea there.  Heavy shower of rain as I cycled through Stratford.  All the English radio stations faded at 6.30, so I listened instead to Calais, where the news in English was giving bloodthirsty threats of what is going to happen to us in return for these dreadful raids on Berlin.  

24th November 1943

Wednesday

When I opened the door at 7.30, I found it was a lovely clear morning, with a thin crescent moon hanging just above the leafless trees, and a bright star nearby.  Got in early, as the Chairman was in to interview a farmer.  Then Engledow, the Labour Officer from Writtle came, a most unpleasant fellow, and was with Folkard all morning.  He is trying to get rid of Spencer, on purely personal grounds.  Actually Spencer is extremely hard-working and conscientious.

Another terrible raid on Berlin last night, absolutely pointless, and of no military value whatever.  

Heard that Stuart Rose was ill so decided to call at Boxted, but found it was only a slight cold.  He was recently hit on the head by a chain snapped when tree pulling, and I feared it might have been concussion.  Dodo was watching the baby roll before the fire.  Soon left, and called at Stratford, where Ida gave me a little fish for the cat.  Bright clear evening, brilliant stars, many searchlights playing all over the sky.  No sign of enemy raiders.  When will they come?

10 o’clock – wind getting up, and booming down the chimney.  German stations on the air strong tonight, so no raid on Germany.

Great excitement about Mosley being released.  Thousands of workers howling for his blood.  Seems likely there will be serious trouble in Parliament.