Eric Rudsdale left Colchester for Wales on 23rd March 1944 and returned on 1st April 1944.
The blog will resume with the next entry in his diary for 2nd April 1944. CP
22nd March 1944
Wednesday
Hear that a canister of incendiaries fell in Goring Road just
missing the wardens’ post there, but no damage done.
Am now quite determined to
go. Told Father I shall be away “about a
week”. How long shall I really be? Bought another haversack, cost 6/3.
At lunch today in the café, we
heard a broadcast of some organ music, from Birmingham , I think it was.
The old Jewess from the fruit stall was sitting drinking endless cups of
tea as usual, at the same table as two shop girls. I heard her say, indicating the wireless,
“Ain't half as good as the man at the “Regal”, is he?” and one of the girls
replied “You’re right.”
Noticed that one of the girls in
the brothel opposite our office is now wearing a pair of American khaki
trousers, and one of the children wears those curious breeches affected by
American boys, no doubt gifts from an admirer.
Evening papers say 8 ‘planes
brought down last night, and it was obviously a big raid. After tea went over to Dedham to get some papers to take away with
me, and stayed there to supper as I was able to provide some tinned soup. Pleasant evening talking, but gave no hint
about my going away tomorrow. Left at
11, and walked very slowly all the way.
About 11.30 a large number of aircraft began to come over, several
hundred I should think, coming in from the east. At first I thought they were Germans, but
soon saw that most were carrying their riding lights. They were flying very low, and some were
obviously in trouble from the sound of their engines. Must have been a big raid on Germany . How much longer is this to go on?
Bed about 1a.m., very tired with
so much walking. Father’s birthday
tomorrow – 72. Poor old man. Miss Payne seems to make him happy. Bought him the usual half a pound of tobacco,
the best I could get. Wonder how much he
misses Mother?
21st March 1944
Tuesday
Fine clear dawn, still cold. Wind veered to N.E. No sign of any more rain, and yesterday’s
shower barely enough to lay the dust.
Twelve ‘planes came over from the north, in formation, flying low
towards the coast. Continually thinking about Mary Hulbert’s cottage
near the border. Feel a frightful sense
of impending doom.
Supper in town tonight, then went
to Lt. Rivers with some papers for Stuart Rose.
Walked and rode back towards Woodside, trying to stay out as late as
possible. Brilliant stars, and a good
many planes about. Signal lights
flashing in Suffolk, so that I wondered if there was a raid on, but no
gunfire.
20th March 1944
Monday
Overcast and cold. Wind N.W.
Had excellent breakfast, porridge, egg etc and got to office by 9. Wonderful!
Busy preparing for Committee meeting.
Birch all afternoon, but nothing very special done. Joanna there for tea. Seemed rather depressed. Got back at 6.30 with Craig. Talked about the new “Reconstruction
Committee” of the Corporation, as distinct from Town Planning. Largely nonsense.
Rain began at tea time, a light,
steady drizzle, and the Committee stood looking out across the wet leads into
the Park, saying “Ah, not before time, neither”, “We want it bad”, etc. The drought is very serious indeed, and I
don’t think this rain is the end of it.
The glass remains high.
Went to collect cycle at the Town
Hall, and found I had a puncture.
Nuisance. Heavy clouds tonight,
and felt rather better myself. Had an
excellent supper, and went to bed early, still thinking wild, idiotic and
absurd thoughts. What can I do?
19th March 1944
Sunday
Had a splendid night [in Rudsdale's new lodgings at Woodside, Boxted, the home of his new landlady, Miss Bentley]. No alarm, and heard no planes. Up at 9, had a hot bath, then breakfast,
reading, and writing. Went into Sprott’s
Marsh, lovely spring day, warm, and birds singing, but oh how we want
rain. Walked right through the wood, and
found that the little cottage which used to stand in the wood has long since been
destroyed, nothing remaining but the outline of the garden and an old apple
tree. Did a few sketches and then went
to Dedham by way of the aerodrome. What
dirt, confusion and noise, huge bombs scattered about everywhere. And what a contrast to see Dedham in the
sunlight, the church bells peeling for afternoon service, jackdaws and rooks
wheeling, fat white clouds floating across the sky, people walking out, a
football match on the playing field, children skipping. The Colchester bus came in and several people
got out of it and wandered down towards the river.
At 4 I had tea at the café, full
of soldiers and girls and family parties.
Then went to Lawford for some eggs for Annie Ralling who is coming home
from hospital on Tuesday. Mrs Nichols was
there, with her little girl. She seems
to want to sell the phaeton.
The sun sank in a mass of crimson
flame, and I went along the Long Road to Langham and then to Boxted, feeling
more and more nervous as night fell.
Called at Lt. Rivers, more to fill an hour than for anything else, and then
walked from there to Woodside by back lanes.
A lot of lights were on, some signalling as marks for night fighters,
and there seemed to be a fire of some sort towards Polstead, rising and
falling. Brilliant stars. As I reached the “Queen” heard an all-clear
from Suffolk, but heard no alarm.
Bed 11.30, full of wild thoughts,
and feeling increasingly nervous.
18th March 1944
Saturday
Clear sky this morning, but fog
in the valley. Took one of my kitbags to
Boxted on the way in. Saw a fine cob in
a trap on Gunhill, exactly the same as Robin, but a mare. The owner was walking beside it so I spoke to
him. He was a Scotsman, and said he had
driven from Somersham, the other side of Ipswich, was going to Colchester to
Market, and then back by way of Boxford, about 50 miles in all. A lovely cob, only 5 years old.
Poulter phoned to say that Kenn [of the Borough Engineer's Office] had
now condemned Middle Mill [in Castle Park] as a dangerous building. Fantastic.
The man must be mad.
‘Planes over in hundreds all day
long. Went to the library, then saw
Hampshire about some hay. He has another
fresh pony, so I drove it, the first time I have driven a pony for months. Dear old Hampshire full of what a “deal” he
had to get this pony, and how he “chopped” his other one away, but I don't
suppose more than 5/- and some drinks actually changed hands.
Bought rations, had a good tea,
and went to Dedham to collect various things.
Talk about affairs of the Dedham Parish Council, which seem very
extraordinary. Went along to the Talbooth
to collect the rest of my belongings and to pay. They charged me £5 for less than two weeks, a
most extortionate amount. Had quite a
shock when I was waiting to pay – the local policeman walked in, and told the
house-keeper he “wanted to make some enquiries”. He looked at me very suspiciously and said
“You been called up?” seeing my luggage.
I said no, feeling very foolish.
Keep thinking about Wales. Feel in half a mind to go tomorrow. If only the weather would break I should stay
here happily.
17th March 1944
Friday
Woke to find a lovely thick
fog. Another huge convoy on the road
this morning. Went out to see the Income
Tax people this morning, and fear I may have to pay them over £30. Had a haircut. As I was going round Headgate Corner, saw
Peta Buck, with her little boy, rather plump now. She must be over 30. Always admired her when I was at school, yet
never spoke to her. Thought of Rose when
I went by the “Wishbone” against the very doorway where she first kissed me one
summer night seven years ago.
Culley, Pest officer, tells me
that there are a pair of peregrine falcons at Rockingham Farm, Layer Marney.
This evening went with Poulter to see
alleged bomb damage to the Roman Wall in Dale’s Yard, Priory St. An incendiary bomb fell just behind it,
damaging a tin shed, and about a bushel of loose stone has fallen, but whether
on account of the incendiary or not is rather doubtful. Poulter tells me that O’Neill [from the Office of Works] is coming next week
to see various things about the town.
Lovely evening. Haze coming up. Duncan Clark says that the old garden-house [in Castle Park] is to be saved after all, but that the Borough-Engineer estimates that it will
cost £100 to repair it. Perhaps £20
would be near the mark. Poulter annoyed
because Hull had gone away and left the light burning in the Castle. He showed me a letter just received from Mr Timperley, at Merton Park, saying that 500 people were killed there and a
thousand injured in the last four raids, and much worse at Battersea and Chelsea. Yet the official figure gives only 960 for
the whole country for a month.
Cycled back slowly to Talbooth
for my last night there. Felt nervous at
the prospect of another move, and long to get away. Each evening I feel dreadful.
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