30th April 1944

Sunday

Lovely warm summer day.  The Boxted orchards are a wonderful sight, a mass of blossom.  Cuckoos calling in the Plantation all morning. 

Went to Lawford this afternoon to tea at Sherbourne, as Joy had asked me.  At the top of Jupes Hill found Moorhouse and his little son trying to catch a pony.  He called to me to help, and by a simple stratagem I was able to catch the pony at once.  Everybody very pleased.

Lovely tea at Sherbourne Mill.  Was shown the new calves and the new petrol driven grinding mill which has been put in the basement of the old mill building.  Most useful.  Bought 6 eggs for Father, then left to call at Dedham.  Jack Penton was at Sissons, and we all sat in the garden for an hour.  Major Inde called, and a Sergt. Merrill of the US Army, whom Sisson had met in the “Sun”.  He was most amusing, Mrs Sisson asked what he was, and he replied “Technical Sergeant Merrill, but just call me Phil!”  She said “Will you have a cigarette, - Sergeant?” and he answered “Well, if it’s all the same to you ma’am, I’ll just light up my pipe.  You see I’m practically British!”  I had to look away or I should have laughed.

 

Left at 10, and cycled to Boxted in the cool quiet evening.  Not a ‘plane in the sky, but enormous bombers began to go over between 10.30 and 11, under the clear moon.  Nightingales singing everywhere.

29th April 1944

Saturday

Dull again, but warm.  Two Suffolks rolling the field behind the house this morning.

When I got to the office found everything in an uproar, so slipped home for a few minutes.  Miss Payne said Father seemed a little unwell, and complained of pain round his heart. Annie Ralling is no worse, but her mind is wandering.  While there found a form which had come to me from Writtle, addressed to me as the occupier of Bourne Mill, and enquiring (a) am I occupied full-time on this holding? and (b) if not, what other work do I do?  This is signed by Thingood of the Labour Department, who has known me personally for three and a half years.

Up town this afternoon, shopping and Library.  Called at the Castle, and found Mr. Middleton, the radio speaker, talking to a large crowd about gardening.  Sounded very dull to me.  Arranged to take the “rat-lady” out to supper tonight.  Went home to tea, and stayed an hour, then back to Holly Trees.  Saw a card from Christopher Hawkes, announcing that he and his family have returned to Fitzroy Terrace permanently.  Curious thing to do at a time when more and bigger raids are expected on London at any moment.  

Took the “rat-lady” to the café in Culver Street and then went for a walk through the Park and along to Partridge’s, strolling in the quiet evening.  Then we went back to Holly Trees and sat on one of the seats for an hour or so, until it became too cold.  Left her at 11.30, and said goodbye, as she is going back to London tomorrow.

Noticed a Home Guard sentry patrolling under the railway bridge at North Station.  So far as I know they are not yet stopping people from coming into the town, and there are no signs of any particular military activities.

Planes were flying over tonight in formation, the wing-tip lights glimmering like little coloured stars.  There was a new searchlight on, somewhere in the Horkesley direction, beyond the Plantation.

In the “Essex Telegraph” this week is a piece of the vilest hypocrisy I have ever seen.  It is stated, in order to show how religious the Americans are, that two Yankee airmen spend their time between air-raids sitting in a cathedral “near their camp”, praying, and recuperating their depleted strength for the next effort.  It would of course be hard to say whether the English or the Americans have destroyed the most churches and cathedrals in Europe, but to print such rubbish as this is an insult to the public.  One only hopes that both British and American airmen will agree to leave unharmed any cathedrals near German aerodromes, so that their enemies may have the same opportunities for quiet contemplation, before coming over here to bomb schools in mistake for factories.

 

Boxted at 1a.m.  Had to walk most of the way, having no lights.  Beautiful warm night.

28th April 1944

Friday

Hundreds of ‘planes going over between 4 and 5 in the morning.  So difficult to get more than a couple of hours sleep nowadays.  Late up.  Dull, and rather cooler.

Chairman came in this morning, talking about Home Guard duties.  Saw Mary Ralling today, and she talked about Annie.  Poor dear Annie.  She was so very kind to Father that day last November, held his hand, put her arm round his shoulders, made him tea.

Went to Holly Trees, and Poulter insisted on introducing me to a most charming young woman in charge of a stand at the Castle show, illustrating rat destruction.  Made quite a hit, so went back and asked her out to tea.  She came, and afterwards we went to the ‘Playhouse’, and saw quite the worst film I have seen for years, something about Russia, but there was a lovely Walt Disney cartoon to make up for it.  Afterwards we walked up to Sheepen Farm and back to the town, and had a coffee in one of the milk bars.  She was staying at the “Lion”.  Talked about Ministries – Ministry of Food seems every bit as bad as the Ministry of Agriculture.  She is charming, knowledgeable and witty.  Have not enjoyed a talk so much for months.

Hervey Benham put an extract from my journal in the Essex County Standard tonight, about the Clacton ‘plane crash 4 years ago.  It was anonymous of course, but made me uncomfortable to see it, particularly as it was slightly changed.  In his editorial notes he quotes a gloomy entry from his own diary.

 

Boxted at midnight.  Planes.

27th April 1944

Thursday

There was an alarm at 5 o’clock, so Miss Bentley said, but I did not hear it.  Have been most fortunate in not hearing alarms.

Sent in Royal Observer Corps forms.  Went out to see Sier, who said the Birch Hall MSS are most interesting, and went through several with me.  When I got back set Daphne to make a typescript copy of the whole thing, particularly Gray’s notebook.

Called at the “Standard” Office and saw Mary Ralling who at last admitted that Annie is dying.  Did not know what to say, and there is nothing I can do.  All we hear about now is the wonderful “health-schemes” that are being prepared, yet there is no means of helping an old woman dying in pain, nor even the means to get somebody to do the housework or help to nurse her.  Mary can now be getting only about an hour’s sleep every night.

Back to office early after lunch, and saw Watt’s beautiful mare go sailing past at 2 o’clock, on her way home, coat and harness shining in the sunlight.

A circus on the Recreation Ground, for three days.  Went along this evening to have a look at it.  A few dirty motor caravans, a few tents, a “big-top” of green and white striped canvas, two or three ragged old pie-bald horses, a few tiny ponies on which children were being given rides at 3d a time, and a sad little donkey.  The prices of admission were 3/6, 2/6 and 1/-.  Big crowd lining up, although there was over an hour to wait.  The whole set-up looked forlorn and cheap.

Apparently these people are allowed to erect their show at the Recreation Ground as part of the “holidays-at-home” attractions officially sponsored by the Town Council.  Before the war, no really good circus, such as Mill’s, would be allowed to do such a thing.

Saw Marjory Purser there.  She looked worn and tired, and was obviously in the family way.

Went  up to Old Heath to see a man about getting a schoolboy for agricultural work, and heard all about the stupid obstructions of the Education Committee.  Then to Bourne Mill, and sold my scythe to Gibbons for 7/6.

To Boxted at 8, and listened to the radio – “Itma”.  Copied out more of Gray’s notes.

The District Officer says this man Maidstone was appointed Deputy District Officer yesterday.  He is only about 30, and the Chairman is alarmed in case he should turn out to be a Conscientious Objector, “because if he is, I’ll have nothing to do with him.”

“Dig for Victory” Exhibition in the Castle, for three days.  Did not go, but hear that the collections have been roughly handled by a gang of men from the Depôt.  Marshall, Park Superintendent, is in charge.

Noticed a small pit in Mersea Road, by the Abbey Wall, about 150 yards from the S.E. corner, dug for a gas main.  At that point there is no footing to the wall whatever, and clean sand shows about 9” under the present surface.

 

Hazy tonight, and the young moon rising red through it.  Sound of nightingales and aeroplanes.

26th April 1944

Wednesday

Brilliant morning, but cold.  ‘Planes going out in hundreds from 6 o’clock onwards.  As I cycled up Military Road, saw Maisie Farmer, with a bright yellow scarf round her head.

Snowball came in and discussed the possibility of holding some sort of agricultural show in August, under the auspices of the Committee.  A good idea, and I showed what enthusiasm I could, but where shall I be in August?

Had to phone to Cuckney, the so-called “Director of Education”, about his refusal to release a schoolboy for agricultural work.  He informed me in calm and precise tones that the Borough Education Committee were not falling in with the Ministry’s scheme, as they did not feel that it applied to town schools.  He is just the type of bureaucratic official who delights in willful pigheaded obstruction.  A perfect fool.

This afternoon a Miss Lane called from West Bergholt, a pleasant little girl of about 18.  I remember her mother several years ago acting Lady Macbeth in the play which was performed outside the Castle.

Left early, and went to Mrs. Pat Green’s to see a friend of Mrs Sissons, Miss Walshall, who is interested in farming.  Turned out to be a prim young woman of about 23, who apparently has some sort of work in connection with the R.E.C.I. Research Department.  Found myself committed to take her to tea at the Regal, which I did at a cost of 4/9.  Then showed her Sheepen Farm.  She was very intelligent, but extremely dull.  Made me envious by saying that she is going to a job in Dumbarton in June.

Lovely evening, and magnificent views across the Colne Valley.  Had to go home to take £15 for Father which I drew for him today.  He is gradually eating into his deposit money, but I don't see that it matters, providing he is happy.  Found letter from Proudfoot at home, giving me release from the shelters so filled in enrolment forms for the Observer Corps.

 

Boxted at 10.  Landing lights on, and ‘planes flying round in the dusk, red and green lights on their wing-tips.  Nightingales singing loudly in the plantation.

25th April 1944

Tuesday

Colder, with a N.E. wind, cloudy at times.  ‘Planes streaming over the house soon after 8, bombs hanging below them.  

At the office found a telegram from Mary Hulbert – “Pony not required – Hulbert”.

Handed in at Shrewsbury at 3 o’clock yesterday.  Walker must have done it for her, and did not even bother to do it in the morning, although she works in the very building from which they are sent.  This is a bitter disappointment, and I can’t imagine what is behind it.  Am I to take it as a snub?  Or is it merely an ordinary telegram, condensed as economically as possible?  The one I sent cost 2/2.  When I left they were friendly as if 14 years had never passed, and I quite thought that they had been genuinely pleased to see me.  It seems that I am quite incapable of understanding the simplest thing in human relationships.

Heard today that a ‘plane crashed during the night at Langham, not far from Severalls Hall.  It was a Canadian bomber; coming back, and appears to have been shot down by a German, trailing it back from the Continent.  Several people heard it falling, and some say that they heard the sound of machine gunning.  The thing was smashed to pieces, and all the crew dead.  Parts of the engine fell near some of the aerodrome huts.  On Saturday last, an American ‘plane crashed near the “Shepherd & Dog” when taking off, but the pilot was not hurt and the bomb did not explode.

This morning saw Sier about Col. Round’s MSS, and he promised to look through them.  Then went to Proudfoot’s office and spoke about my release from the Castle shelters.  He ‘phoned the police, but there was no-one there who could help, so he said he would have to let me know.  

 

Took Daphne to tea, then to Holly Trees, and spent evening there, writing letters and talking to Poulter.  Boxted at 10.30.  Reading and writing.  Planes about, and heard guns in the distance about 1am, but there was no alarm.  London I suppose.  Bed at 1.30. 

24th April 1944

Monday

Much colder this morning, and cloudy, but ‘planes going out very early above the clouds.  Called at Holly Trees but no letter from Mary Hulbert.  Tried to work out when the telegram may have been delivered – perhaps not until today.

Got Daphne to list my negatives – 79 of them, and posted them off to All Souls to the National Buildings Record.  Later wished I hadn’t done it.  First time I have deliberately deprived Colchester Museum of anything of mine which it ought to have had.

Wrote to the Bank today, and asked them to transfer about £80 to current account, leaving only £100 on deposit.  Can now settle debts and draw £20 any day I like.

Tea at Last’s.  Saw Diana with some of the Repertory Company.  

About 6 the clouds drifted away and it was a brilliant evening.  A huge mass of 4-engine bombers flew over the town very low, heading homeward.

 

To Holly Trees until 8.30, working on Round’s Castle papers, then to Boxted, writing letters, tea, etc.  Not many planes about.