Heavy rain all day, until about 7 o’clock. Uncle Frank [Webb - Eric's mother's brother] came to Colchester today, and is staying at the Cups. He seems very well, and most friendly and affable. I fear he must be a little lonely.
Posters tonight say “Two Cruisers Sunk”.
8th April 1942
Special meeting of the [War Agricultural] Committee called this afternoon to consider the case of Baldwin. This morning I went down to see the National Service Officer about him, and established the fact that he cannot leave in any case under the Essential Works Order. I always feel out of place in the National Service Office, chiefly because I know that one of the thousands of files there is mine.
The Committee talked a long time about Baldwin and finally decided that he ought to have £5 per week plus the rent of his house, which I think is very proper. He is in charge of 150 men, and he could get £6 a week in Paxman’s as a labourer.
Went to the Repertory Co. tonight, saw a play called “Jupiter Laughs”. Not bad, and well done. During the interval took the opportunity of again examining Bale’s drawings. They are really a remarkable series, and it is a shame that no effort whatever has been made to prepare a photographic record of them. Cr. Blomfield promised to see the Deputy Mayor weeks ago, but nothing has yet been done.
Major John Bale had painted a series of watercolours of Colchester in the late 19th century. During the war years, the watercolours were displayed in the Art Gallery in the Albert Hall, which was shared with Colchester Repertory Company. The collection of drawings is now held by Colchester & Ipswich Museums Service.
The Committee talked a long time about Baldwin and finally decided that he ought to have £5 per week plus the rent of his house, which I think is very proper. He is in charge of 150 men, and he could get £6 a week in Paxman’s as a labourer.
Went to the Repertory Co. tonight, saw a play called “Jupiter Laughs”. Not bad, and well done. During the interval took the opportunity of again examining Bale’s drawings. They are really a remarkable series, and it is a shame that no effort whatever has been made to prepare a photographic record of them. Cr. Blomfield promised to see the Deputy Mayor weeks ago, but nothing has yet been done.
Major John Bale had painted a series of watercolours of Colchester in the late 19th century. During the war years, the watercolours were displayed in the Art Gallery in the Albert Hall, which was shared with Colchester Repertory Company. The collection of drawings is now held by Colchester & Ipswich Museums Service.
7th April 1942
Hull has raised a great scare that the east parapet of Holly Trees is falling down, and there has been great excitement all day with visits from various members of the Borough Engineer’s staff, all very anxious to find something to do.
Joanna came in, looking wonderfully healthy and fit, and obviously enjoying herself. [Joanna Round was no longer working in the Essex War Agricultural Committee office at Colchester and was now a Supervisor for the Land Army Hostel at Peldon]. We both had a cup of tea with Poulter. He was telling me that young Meliea, who I saw in October (I think) 1940 and who was going from the Borough Engineer’s office to a job in Singapore, got there just before the Japanese and had to escape to Java and then Australia. I remember I envied him for going to a place far from the war.
Baldwin, our chief foreman [for the War Agricultural Committee], gave notice to leave today, but I don't think he means it to be taken seriously. He is anxious to have the whole situation of land in possession reviewed, as it certainly must be.
Joanna came in, looking wonderfully healthy and fit, and obviously enjoying herself. [Joanna Round was no longer working in the Essex War Agricultural Committee office at Colchester and was now a Supervisor for the Land Army Hostel at Peldon]. We both had a cup of tea with Poulter. He was telling me that young Meliea, who I saw in October (I think) 1940 and who was going from the Borough Engineer’s office to a job in Singapore, got there just before the Japanese and had to escape to Java and then Australia. I remember I envied him for going to a place far from the war.
Baldwin, our chief foreman [for the War Agricultural Committee], gave notice to leave today, but I don't think he means it to be taken seriously. He is anxious to have the whole situation of land in possession reviewed, as it certainly must be.
6th April 1942: Easter Monday
Bright and sunny, coloured clouds driving across the sky before a strong S.W. wind. What an ideal day it would have been in Regents Park! [for the Van Horse Parade]
Office, looked at the letters, and found Spencer there, industriously doing the time-sheets. Air-raid alarm at a quarter past 10.
As I went up Mersea Road I met the Indians coming along by the Abbey Wall, off for a route march with all their horses. Their uncouth and bizarre appearance never fails to delight me. The horses with their swaying packs ambled along in pairs, the sergeants riding, corporals walking, stretcher bearers and various odd men all strolling along exactly like some caravan leaving an eastern city. The men wore full equipment, and steel helmets, which gave a weird effect with dark complexions and full black beards. There appeared to be only two white Officers in the whole lot.
It is typical of this narrow minded little town that we allow these strange and fascinating men to live amongst us for weeks, without making the slightest effort to find out anything about them or take any interest in them at all. [The Indian Army had arrived in Colchester in October 1941]
Spent most of day working (gently) in the paddock.
Office, looked at the letters, and found Spencer there, industriously doing the time-sheets. Air-raid alarm at a quarter past 10.
As I went up Mersea Road I met the Indians coming along by the Abbey Wall, off for a route march with all their horses. Their uncouth and bizarre appearance never fails to delight me. The horses with their swaying packs ambled along in pairs, the sergeants riding, corporals walking, stretcher bearers and various odd men all strolling along exactly like some caravan leaving an eastern city. The men wore full equipment, and steel helmets, which gave a weird effect with dark complexions and full black beards. There appeared to be only two white Officers in the whole lot.
It is typical of this narrow minded little town that we allow these strange and fascinating men to live amongst us for weeks, without making the slightest effort to find out anything about them or take any interest in them at all. [The Indian Army had arrived in Colchester in October 1941]
Spent most of day working (gently) in the paddock.
5th April 1942: Easter Sunday
Working in the field this morning, carting wood to the house. After lunch to Dedham, to the Sissons’. Some pleasant talk during the evening but soon after dusk, when the RAF bombers began to drone their way over the coast, Sisson remarked very bitterly “There go the RAF to bomb more cathedrals!” I fear he is only too right. Hour extra light tonight. Back late.
Sisson's remarks referred to the RAF's devastating raid on the historic city of Lübeck on 28/29 March 1942, which destroyed three of the city's main churches. The air raid marked the start of the RAF's adoption of area bombing tactics. The targeting of civilian cities had been authorised by a new directive to RAF Bomber Command in February 1942.
Sisson's remarks referred to the RAF's devastating raid on the historic city of Lübeck on 28/29 March 1942, which destroyed three of the city's main churches. The air raid marked the start of the RAF's adoption of area bombing tactics. The targeting of civilian cities had been authorised by a new directive to RAF Bomber Command in February 1942.
4th April 1942
Working in the paddock this p.m., sawing wood, but could only do a little, as I soon felt the old heart pains come on, and became very exhausted.
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