WW2: A Civilian in the Second World War

This blog posts extracts from E J Rudsdale's diaries of life on the home front in Britain during the Second World War. Each extract was posted exactly 70 years after it was first written, marking the 70th anniversary of the Second World War between 2009-2015.

29th October 1940

Did not get up until 9 this morning. Very pleasant riding in. Alarms today at 4.10pm, 4.30, and from half past 6 until 10.40. Just after ...

28th October 1940

Shelters are begining to be excavated on the lawn in front of the Hospital. Raid alarm at a quarter to three, and another at 5 o’clock. A ...

27th October 1940

To Mill all a.m., chopping firewood. Alarm – 4pm-7pm. Tea at Rose’s. Hampshire took my dogcart phaeton over to Hadleigh today. Was sorry...

26th October 1940

An alarm at 12.30. When I was in my yard this pm, about 3.30, with Bob carting straw, I heard a plane diving, and was just in time to see a...

25th October 1940

Began washing the Horkesley figures. No siren all day. Got two suppers tonight, at Rose’s and the Rallings. Beautiful fine day.

24th October 1940

Heard today of a serious disaster at Braintree. Two land mines fell the other evening on the East Road – St Mary’s Road area, and caused gre...

23rd October 1940

I heard today that a Colchester man, who lives in Wellington St., and is a conscientious objector, has been put in an army prison in the Isl...

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E J Rudsdale: Born on 14th February 1910 in Colchester, Essex. Began work at Colchester Castle Museum in 1928.

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