31st July 1944

Monday

To Post at 1.00am, a fine, brilliant moonlight night.  There was an alarm soon after midnight, just before I set out, and another at 3.30, but nothing came into this area, and there was no sound of gunfire.  Young Carter was on with me, and we talked all night about farming, ghosts, witches, and so on.  Some of his old grandmother’s tales are very good.

Clouds came up, but it was warm.  Felt very sleepy, and glad to get into bed at 5.30am.  Slept until 8.45, and did not get in until nearly 10.  Capt. Folkard furious.  Luckily no meeting today.  He himself works 14 or 15 hours a day, Sundays as well, and has the lowest opinion of anybody who does less.

Vast numbers of planes going out all morning.  Worked hard all afternoon until 6, then to Lawford.  Joy let me have 2 dozen eggs for Father, which will delight him. 

Back to Boxted, fine cool evening, and bed 11.30.

'Young Carter' who shared Royal Observer Corps duty with E.J. Rudsdale on this day 70 years ago is Douglas Carter, who was born in Boxted, went on to serve in the RAF and is now the village's historian.  Douglas has written a number of excellent books on the history of Boxted, which give a wonderful insight into the village.  Boxted's village website gives details of these publications.  CP