18th October 1940

Heavy gunfire this morning, 2-3 am. I think mobile guns, manned by the Australians. Went to see Hervey Benham this evening, who is staying with his father-in-law, Penry Rowland. He and his wife Barbara look very well. Mrs. B. was in a public shelter at Plymouth which received a direct hit, but she was untouched, and through her efforts, everybody was saved alive except one child. Alarm tonight, few bombs. Thick cloud. Slept at Castle as usual.