31st July 1940
Raid alarm tonight from 9.30 to 10pm. Only 17 people came in. It is surprising how few people bother to take cover at night.
30th July 1940
Hull not here again. He seems to be on holiday although nobody really knows. How long can this state of affairs last?
Well, I do know that if the opportunity offers, I shall be away, never to return. If I can get on a farm, where I am reasonably safe from both bombs and the army, I am finished with museums forever.
Well, I do know that if the opportunity offers, I shall be away, never to return. If I can get on a farm, where I am reasonably safe from both bombs and the army, I am finished with museums forever.
29th July 1940
Lt. Col. Dimmock of the Royal Engineers came in today, to report that his men had inadvertently broken into the Sheepen [Farm] Hut and removed the entire contents, all of which have been destroyed. He was very charming about it, and asked if I would go up with him to see the place. We went up in a huge army car, driving right across the fields, ruts and all, and saw how the hut was lined with a wall of sandbags, 2 ft. thick. I pointed out that the hut floor would probably collapse, as it was on brick piers and not flat on the ground, as was apparently believed. The Colonel suggested that Hull should put in a claim for al the timber etc. which has been taken. It is very lucky that the furniture, crockery etc. had been removed some time ago.
There was a Raid Alarm this afternoon at half past 5. 166 people came in, nearly all of them women, mostly with babies. Nothing happened.
Tonight I was running round to see Watts, Colthorp and others about ARP for horses, and I wrote to the Mayor, urging immediate action.
Sheepen Farm in Colchester was an important archaeological site which had been excavated by the Colchester Museum staff in the 1930s. The site showed evidence of occupation in the Iron Age and was also the location of a Roman temple, Roman pottery kilns and a Roman mint. The hut that was broken into can be seen on this photograph of Eric in 1934.
There was a Raid Alarm this afternoon at half past 5. 166 people came in, nearly all of them women, mostly with babies. Nothing happened.
Tonight I was running round to see Watts, Colthorp and others about ARP for horses, and I wrote to the Mayor, urging immediate action.
Sheepen Farm in Colchester was an important archaeological site which had been excavated by the Colchester Museum staff in the 1930s. The site showed evidence of occupation in the Iron Age and was also the location of a Roman temple, Roman pottery kilns and a Roman mint. The hut that was broken into can be seen on this photograph of Eric in 1934.
28th July 1940
A beautiful fine morning. Took the trap to Benham’s, looking very shabby, and unpolished, but can't be helped. Collected Maura and went off behind Lexden park, through a “mock-war”, during which we got stopped by guards and had moments of awkwardness as Maura had forgotten to bring her identity card. However, her natural charm got us past all obstacles. We went out to Rock Farm, Berechurch, and had lunch in the same field where we went before. The sun shone, sheep were grazing by the Roman River, and there was not a ‘plane in the sky. It was delightful.
From there we went on through Rock Farm, where the Cavalry are quartered, and up the hill to Abberton to see Wood’s mare and foal, which seem to be doing well, although I think the mare is not getting enough milk, the grass is rather sour I fear.
When we came back to Colchester the “mock-war” was over, so we had no further trouble.
Had tea with Rose. Grubb came in. Have not seen her for weeks. Poor old Grubb. What a life. She had just been for her weekly visit to the old lady in Severalls [Asylum]. What an end.
Went up to Seymour’s in evening. Much gloomy talk about the army. Jeffrey Saunders seemed to think he would very soon be in, and he registered a week before I did.
Eilean Grubb ran a horse riding stables where Rudsdale had learnt to ride.
From there we went on through Rock Farm, where the Cavalry are quartered, and up the hill to Abberton to see Wood’s mare and foal, which seem to be doing well, although I think the mare is not getting enough milk, the grass is rather sour I fear.
When we came back to Colchester the “mock-war” was over, so we had no further trouble.
Had tea with Rose. Grubb came in. Have not seen her for weeks. Poor old Grubb. What a life. She had just been for her weekly visit to the old lady in Severalls [Asylum]. What an end.
Went up to Seymour’s in evening. Much gloomy talk about the army. Jeffrey Saunders seemed to think he would very soon be in, and he registered a week before I did.
Eilean Grubb ran a horse riding stables where Rudsdale had learnt to ride.
27th July 1940
Men of 34 years old had to register for military service today. Luckily most of them are in reserved occupations.
Rang up Maura Benham today, as I heard she was home, and arranged to take her out tomorrow morning [for a drive with Bob]. Old Bob can still do that much, although I don't think he will be ridden again. It is just over a year since the great Windsor journey. How long ago.
Eric is referring to his historic farm exhibition at the Royal Windsor Show in July 1939. His horse, Bob, went by train with him to Windsor and after the show Eric drove Bob back from Windsor to Colchester as described in the following newspaper account:
'Museum Success at the Royal', Colchester Gazette, 19 July 1939:
From visitors to the Royal Show at Windsor I hear nothing but praise for the old English Farm staged there by the Colchester Museum staff.
It was undoubtedly one of the outstanding features of this, the grandest of agricultural shows.
In his broadcast about it, Mr A G Street paid tribute to the cunning way it had been designed when he referred to its natural appearance. "Everything else here," he said "looks as if it had just been erected in the Great Park; this farm looks as if it had grown out of it; it looks as natural as the oaks here."
Royalty showed a great interest, and Mr E J Rudsdale, who was responsible for the exhibit, was presented to the King and Queen, the Duke of Kent and the Princesses.
I believe, however, that of all his experiences there the one of which he is most proud is driving home his 20-year-old pony, Bob, who had been a prominent feautre of the farm, the 88 miles from Windsor to Colchester in 19 hours. Bob, who must be one of the best-known quadrupeds in the town, finished his journey on Saturday by covering Brentwood to Colchester in the day.
Rang up Maura Benham today, as I heard she was home, and arranged to take her out tomorrow morning [for a drive with Bob]. Old Bob can still do that much, although I don't think he will be ridden again. It is just over a year since the great Windsor journey. How long ago.
Eric is referring to his historic farm exhibition at the Royal Windsor Show in July 1939. His horse, Bob, went by train with him to Windsor and after the show Eric drove Bob back from Windsor to Colchester as described in the following newspaper account:
'Museum Success at the Royal', Colchester Gazette, 19 July 1939:
From visitors to the Royal Show at Windsor I hear nothing but praise for the old English Farm staged there by the Colchester Museum staff.
It was undoubtedly one of the outstanding features of this, the grandest of agricultural shows.
In his broadcast about it, Mr A G Street paid tribute to the cunning way it had been designed when he referred to its natural appearance. "Everything else here," he said "looks as if it had just been erected in the Great Park; this farm looks as if it had grown out of it; it looks as natural as the oaks here."
Royalty showed a great interest, and Mr E J Rudsdale, who was responsible for the exhibit, was presented to the King and Queen, the Duke of Kent and the Princesses.
I believe, however, that of all his experiences there the one of which he is most proud is driving home his 20-year-old pony, Bob, who had been a prominent feautre of the farm, the 88 miles from Windsor to Colchester in 19 hours. Bob, who must be one of the best-known quadrupeds in the town, finished his journey on Saturday by covering Brentwood to Colchester in the day.
26th July 1940
Tremendous explosion about 1 o’clock this morning, somewhere to the east. Planes over tonight, but no warning. Had supper at Rallings.
25th July 1940
Went down to Maidenhead today. ...
There was a sailor on the train [home], going to Harwich. He was quite young, but had been all over the world and had been in three wars. Among other things, he had gone through a “marriage of convenience” with an Austrian girl in Venice – “a bit-of-alright she was, never saw her again, though.”
There was a sailor on the train [home], going to Harwich. He was quite young, but had been all over the world and had been in three wars. Among other things, he had gone through a “marriage of convenience” with an Austrian girl in Venice – “a bit-of-alright she was, never saw her again, though.”
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