30th November 1940

Short alarm this morning, but nothing at night, when a fog came up. Uncle Frank [Webb] arrived from Croydon today. They have had some terrifying experiences there, but he seems to be quite unshaken. Had quite a lot of talk about the old family.

Frank Webb was Eric's mother's brother.

29th November 1940

Strange how some people consider that towns are safer than the country so far as raids are concerned. They like to feel they are near a shelter. In day time I much prefer to be out in the open country, but at night I find it very terrifying to cycle along lonely dark roads when German planes are flying over, and I always hurry until I am back behind the solid walls of this ancient Castle.

28th November 1940

Long alarm, from 6.45pm tonight until 2.35am on Friday morning. Few planes about, and heard no bombs.

27th November 1940

Alarm at 6.20am this morning, the first for 56 hours! Bombs fell loudly to the N.W., I learnt later at West Bergholt, where some goats and chickens were killed near the Brewery, and the blacksmith’s damaged.

Tom Critchley's Letters 1940 to 1941

Regular readers of Eric's blog may be interested to know that you can now access Tom Critchley's Letters from 1940 to 1941 via a new blog. Tom Critchley wrote vivid accounts of what it was like to live through the London Blitz during 1940 to 1941 in letters to his family. The archive is also a remarkable record of his reactions to war and the social changes he witnessed as a result of the conflict. My thanks go to Barbara Critchley for her excellent work in compiling this blog. CP

26th November 1940

Felt dreadfully ill today, and fainted in the Library this afternoon, being revived by the staff with hot tea. Very embarrassing. However, went off to see [the film] “Saloon Bar”, still feeling bad. Afterwards spent a miserable evening at Rose’s. Fine night, but no alarms, nor any all day.

25th November 1940

Went over to Lt. Horkesley this morning, and recovered the shroud brass, and the inscription (all there was) of the other Swynborne tomb. Brought them away strapped onto my cycle carrier. Went down to the “White Hart” Nayland, about the missing head, but the landlord swears he never heard of it, and has no remembrance of two men discussing the matter. Then went to Horkesley police station, and the school, and offered 10/- reward to anybody who might find the head. Back at Colchester, I telephoned the County Council Highways Depôt, to make sure that their Horkesley roadmen should keep a sharp look out, as it might be in a ditch.

No alarms today, nor any up to 11 o’clock tonight.

The missing head from the effigy of the Little Horkesley Knight was eventually found and reunited with the figure. All three effigies, which were restored by the Colchester Museum staff can now be seen in the rebuilt church at Little Horkesley.

For the background to the destruction of Little Horkesley Church and its artefacts see EJR's earlier diary entries from 22nd September 1940.