No further disturbances last night. Out of about 20 enemy aircraft 4 were brought down. They were over N.E. coast. Some bombs dropped at G[rims]by. No fatal casualties were reported but some damage was done. Mr F[aulkner] came about 8.45 and swept chimney 2/0. Afterwards Rene white-washed ceiling and frieze. Looks very nice. Then we washed floor, paint? etc. Have a little polishing left for tomorrow. Ralph F[aulkner]  is at Colchester. Is doing staff training. Mr F thinks he will be going abroad shortly.

Father went to clear out pig-sty to-day and fasten stack so that pig could not turn it over or take it for side of sty. Went on watch at 2 p.m. so will have all night in bed.

In an open letter of protest to BBC Governors in D. Mail Friday Seton Margrave quotes the Lord Chancellor as calling some of the “music” “excruciating disturbances” which I think is very apt. I had sought in vain for words to describe what I thought of it. The nearest I got was “not music, just a row, without harmony”.

Father brought half pig’s head and hock today. Tomorrow he hopes to bring the rest of bacon and get it hung up to dry. We cut hocks off hams this year as one of Eff’s went wrong. Hams don’t look as nice but so long as they keep well, it doesn’t matter. Shall have to iron tomorrow. Have not been to Rene’s yet as I had bronchitis when I planned to go. Rene going to wash tomorrow.

‘Stack’ here was probably a small heap of straw or hay used for bedding for the pigs – which were kept in the grounds of ‘Hill View’, Will’s mother’s home.

Seton Margrave was film critic and later editor of the Daily Mail.

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Not an enemy plane last night but tonight 2 heavy explosions rattled the windows and we keep hearing gun fire, once I saw a flash, when we went down garden path to look round. We have been in pantry 2 or 3 times, under the stairs, when we have heard planes. My legs keep trembling. Jean and I are alone until 2 am. Perhaps I ought to go to bed as Jean needs to get her rest, but I could not sleep. She is composing herself for sleep now after curling her hair. I am very nervous and when I think of all the bombers we send nightly and daily too to Ger. I feel that we can only expect that they will come over here and do as much damage as they can. Oh! if only it were all over.

Father went to W[illough]by Stn to meet the 7 train to London with Miss Storer and friend. Comm and Mrs S went with them to Stn. The WRNS were going back to Dover. He did not get to bed Sat or Sun night tho’ he got a few hours sleep Sun afternoon and after 2 this morning. He will be pleased to get his clothes off when he gets home at 2 am. Mr F[aulkner] is coming to sweep chimney at 9 a.m. I expect (Tues) then I want to clean kitchen.

Things seem to have quietened down again, perhaps the gun-fire drove them off. 10.20. The Sprogg slipped in when we went outside and is busy washing himself on the mat by the s[itting] room fire. I have got the kettle on for our hot water bottles and my cup of Horlicks, but shall stay up awhile yet.

Gave Virgin [postman] Ron’s letter to post this morning. He was wearing dark-rimmed glasses. Had a P.C. from Eva for my birthday, wishing me “A Many Happy Returns” as usual, Also a letter from Edie with usual enclosure.

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It is my birthday. Jean gave me chocs and hankies. Rene brought me some Fuller’s pep[permint] lumps but they are not lumps but blobs. She is taking them back to Stow’s. She and T[om] came for tea then walked home with “Bill”. [Aside: We had a tin of grapefruit for tea.] They said they were cycling to Chapel. I did not go as I cycled to Harriet’s this morning. It is her birthday too, she usually comes to see me but I judged she would be too tired this year as she is helping to nurse Gosling. She had been up all night with him so I was pleased I had gone before dinner as she would be resting this afternoon. Betty in bed with flu’.

Jonty Gosling with wife Mary and dog

Father fetched Com. Storer’s from Roy. Art last night at midnight. Went on watch at 2 a.m off at 8 am. Took Cpt. Green’s to W[illough]by Stn at 10. On watch at 8 pm. Off at 2. a.m and takes Com. Storer’s dau[ghter] Lieut. St. to Wby Stn for 6.50 a.m. train. He is on watch again at 8pm Mon. night and D.O. [District Officer] coming at 2 p.m afternoon. I hope he will go to bed when he gets home about 7.30 Mon. morning, but have my doubts. He went to Dr. M[enzies] again yesterday as his neck was no better. Says massage well with liniment as it is rheumatism of muscles.

Jean is putting her hair in curlers, a nightly ritual now. Father has finished digging corners and headland of allot[ment]. Went to W.I. on Tues, very interesting. For Roll Call we had to give a “funny epitaph”. Most of those present did so. Afterwards Mrs Whitehead gave a demonstration on glove-making, skins, felt and bits of cloth. Cloth should be close woven and non-fraying if possible. The felt ones she showed us were really handsome with hand-embroidery, but felt is not obtainable these days. Afterwards in the social half-hour games were played, I was detained speaking to someone and the set was made up so I luckily missed it. I thought it was the height of absurdity, a lot of grown-up women most of them middle-aged and even elderly, prancing about and guessing actions in mid-afternoon of a working day. I thought we might have been better employed, but I suppose the word “social” conveys only the idea of “games” to some minds. Mrs Storer’s [dog] “Chum”, who cannot be left at home because he suffers from nerves since a “blitz”, cried like a baby whilst Mrs S joined the games so I sat beside him and he told me his troubles. Then there was tea which few wanted. I went on to G.ma’s while they had it. I think in these times and as the people all live in the village tea ought to be omitted.

Oh! dear, now there’s a plane drumming around just as I am going to prepare for bed, and Jean really ought to be there now. Hope we hear no more. They may be our own, but there is always the fear that they may be hostile. Jean is not nervous but I am.

Jonathan (‘Jonty’) Gosling lived at ‘Keal Cottage’. As an elderly retired policeman he had latterly worked at Dawsons’ farm, ‘The Willows’ (see Village Map). His wife, Mary, who had died earlier, was a close relative of Will’s mother and the couple had been widely known as ‘Aunt and Uncle Gosling’. He was a well-liked character, strikingly tall, broad and upright, with a ginger moustache.

Captain HH Green was the father of Hugh Green who had been lost in action (see 15 Feb. 1943).

Lieutenant Peggy Storer, Commander Storer’s daughter, a friend of Jean, joined in with social activities in the village. She was based at ‘HMS Royal Arthur’.

Mrs Whitehead, who lived on Sea Bank Road, towards ‘The Point’, was well known for her interest in craftwork, including tapestry, and provided guidance at the Girls’ Life Brigade as well as the Women’s Institute.

Chum was Commander and Mrs Storer’s dog.

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Bronchitis better again and asthma not too bad either. Weather brighter and not so bitter but still cold wind. Washed today, all clothes dry. Washed my folk-weave bedspread.

Very funny, on the wireless just now in Mon. Night at 8 Quiz. Name as many famous or celebrated men alive now who have moustaches in so many secs. After a pause Jean said “Charlie Chaplin” and the Quizzed said “C.C.” after her. I said Hitler, Q said ditto. Then I said “Anthony Eden” and Q repeated it. Neither Jean, I or Q could think of another. I think I am tired, I can’t seem to collect my thoughts tonight. Father took Stan Kirks? aunt or sister to Alford St. to catch 8.50 am train. He came off watch ½ hour early had tea and porridge then breakfast when he got back about 9.15. He got 2 gals pet[rol] also 2 oz of flowers of sulphur (brimstone). I want Jean to take Brimstone and treacle to see if it will help to clear the psoriasis out of her blood.

Father’s stiff neck and headache still persists, he hasn’t got Phensic Tablets today. I did not go to Chapel last night because of the cold wind. Jean went to Rene’s for tea, then came home as she had been to Chapel in the morning and S.S. [Sunday school] afternoon. Mavis and Joan came after tea. They stayed until about 9, had supper. Roy is in Somerset, near Weston-Super-Mare. Wrote to Edie [S] she has changed address again. Is very pleased to get into a little home of her own again after 3 years in one room with joint use of kit, and bathroom with owners. She is still in Harrowgate tho’. Eff started to dress Rene’s duck on Fri but we decided it was not very good so buried it. Tom is going to set cod-lines now. He has got permission to go on beach.

Gers have been dropping anti-personnel bombs (delayed action) looking like cig tins weighing about 4 lbs. May be open or closed, very dangerous. Must not be touched. Warnings on radio etc.

May’s Sketch of Anti-Personnel Bombs

Barley, oats and rye are now included in our bread. We are more than holding our own in Tunisia. Russians still driving Gers out of towns and villages. Wrote to Ron last night posted it today. Father went to Stow’s for tea, they sent 1½ lbs said I had ½ lb from last month but I don’t think I had. 5/0! Rene showed me how to measure my head and cut out paper pattern of hat brim today. Her first lesson in hat-making. It is 9.15 so we shall soon go to bed, that is if all is quiet, at the moment a plane is drumming around. There was a raid over S.E. last night, about 25 planes 3 were shot down (bombers).

Edie Simpson was May’s step-mother (see 16 Dec. 1940).

Stan Kirk? (May’s question mark) was almost certainly Stan Ward, brother of Miriam who lived with Sampson Kirk (see 10 Jan. 1943).

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Rene has just gone home after a cup of tea. Jean has not been to school since Monday tho’ she seems to be a little better today. Wind is not quite so bitter but a very drying Mar wind. More sun than the last two days. Think my bronchitis is improving a bit. It seemed to ease off at tea time. Tom called for a bottle of medicine at Dr. M’s yesterday. As Jean was not at school he gave it to Mavis to bring. She brought it and was very pleased because I gave her some pork dripping. Rene has taken her Red + [Cross] box to Miss Bakers and also her bridesmaid’s dress to have a bolero made of the piece cut off the bottom. Miss B has promised to do Jean’s too for Whit which falls in June this year. It was Shrove Tuesday this week and we had pancakes. Alas! No orange or lemon. Still we had a real farm egg to make the batter and some good lard to fry them in. Tom has had a photo taken at Wrates to put on his “pass” for the beach. Very good. He brought home a wild duck, just dead this morning, rather to Rene’s disgust I think. She has left it here and is going to put it in boiling water tomorrow and get its feathers off. I think she’s hoping it’s uneatable! I should think it will be “fishy”. Autumn is the time for wild duck when they feed on the ripe corn.

Little book man, “my bookie” as Rene calls him, a rather misleading title, came today, he had been 3 weeks in between this time instead of two as he had to wait until March for P[etrol] Coupons. He does this lending library work to supplement his income, he is quite elderly and they have cut down his petrol so low that he has had to give up a lot of his round. It seems a shame when he is doing all he can to keep self-supported. And farmers who are being subsidised and making pots of money get petrol to run about their farm business etc. So Mr Collison’s election to F.R.C.A. for linguistic research is for his collaboration with Dutton’s in their universal language “effort”.

Had a letter from Emmie to-day. Parcel arrived safely. Joan and Ida there for tea Sunday so had a share of pie. Ida and Vic writing frequently. He grew a moustache which turned out “ginger”. When Father grew one years ago Re used to call it his “little ginger beard”. Emmie competing in Yeadon Nursing Force for silver cup. Hope her team wins. She is sending Ron paper and all sorts of things that he needs including enough ink powder to make 2 gals. Also tobacco, why tobacco? We have ordered razor blades and ink powder and have got paper and sticky labels and an indelible pencil soap and so[ap-] powder and toothpaste. Am afraid we can’t get much different to her but we will try to get suction-plate washers as he may need them. She was sending newspapers too so perhaps will send “Standard” if any news in it this week. Of course they can afford all he needs but we do like to send things too. Perhaps we’ll think of something original. This bleak wind is cutting my poor primroses.

Cousin’s grand-daughter came today to see if Father would fetch her from Ingoldmells at 10.15 p.m. Wed from a party at Three Tuns. Jean has finished my blue slippers and I have put the soles on. Can’t wear them until she has shown them at school.

[The following was written at the top of the next available page, presumably before the next dated entry:]

“It is always a disturbing experience to catch a new expression on a familiar face and to realise that some subtle change is at work that may be revolutionary in its consequences.” Alice Megan Rice in The Buffer

Wrates was the well-established photographic studio, run by Mrs Amelia Wrate, in Lumley Road, Skegness. Her son, Alfred Wrate, was responsible for ‘walking photographs’. The name is currently incorporated in Wrates Scholastic Photographs Ltd, Prince George St, Skegness.

FRCA – Fellow of the Royal College of Art.

The Dutton family owned a bookshop and library in Skegness. Reginald JG Dutton, with Frank Collison, developed a ‘universal language’, aimed at efficient international communication. Details were first published in Dutton World Speedwords (Dutton Publications, London, 1943).

Ida Smithurst, sister of Joan, bridesmaid at Ron and Emmie’s wedding, met Vic Morrell, best man, at the wedding (see 1 Aug. 1942). They were writing to each other, and later married.

‘Suction-plate’ refers to false teeth fittings.

Alice Megan Rice was a writer in the 1930s and 1940s. Any further information about her or ‘The Buffer’ would be welcomed!

Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored ‘The Casualties Were Small’?

March came in yesterday like a lamb. Very little breeze and a poor visibility rather than a mist. Had a big wash and clothes all dried well. A very heavy dew at night almost like a shower with slight frost at sunrise. Had a long letter from Ron yesterday. It was over two weeks since the last. He had just received one of mine written on Dec 20 altho’ I had got the answer to one sent Dec 29 some time since. Still he got two more before he finished his letter on Jean’s birthday which he remembered. Natives had been doing his washing. He does not like washing and it is very hot midday there now. Cost him 60 francs. Exc[hange] has altered in our favour and 3,000 francs he had are worth £15 instead of £10. He has sent it to Emmie. Says the N.A.A.F.I. can supply 4pts [pints] beer every time it is open but writing paper tooth-paste etc are seldom obtainable. This is a bit too bad as they were asked to finance the N.s [NAAFIs] or they could not stock them and of course it is chiefly the small and non-drinkers who have the money to invest in them. He is very fit he says and very busy. We are not to worry if we don’t get many letters. We shall send him a few odds and ends this week, Emmie has already sent one.

This fine mild weather reminds us of the last two springs, but this is much earlier, when Ron used to come for his day off from Binbrook. I think it must have been bright and sunny lots of times when he came, because one day last week when it was fine and warm I put on the little checked yellow and white cloth for Father’s lunch and it seemed as if Ron must walk in. It very often rained on the way to Willoughby at night. Rene had thought the same too and mentioned it in her letter to him.

Jean and I went to Trusthorpe on Sat Feb 20. Aunt J[et] had been in bed with bronchitis and was very frail and rather subdued, she had not strength to talk long, but was really very good considering her age and that she was only getting up for part of the day. Ken had been in bed with flu’ and A[my] and F[red] had had it too. Amy looks thin and tired. I brought home 15 eggs. She would only take 2/6 tho’ she makes 3/1 doz for them. They were fine eggs. I sometimes think the eggs we very occasionally get from the shop must be pullet eggs they always seem so small and look so “tired”. Amy’s had a lovely fresh “bloom”. She gave me some purple primroses, “wannias” she called them, they seem to have settled down and will grow I think. Snowdrops, primroses, violets and a carnation are in bloom in my garden and a wee bit or two of aubrietia. A bud on the anemones at last. If fine and I am not too asthmatical I am going to Rene’s tomorrow. Father will come to dinner, I have not been since she was married so it’s about time. I have not got ironed today, no breath to do much. Rene washed at home and went to hat-making class W.I. this afternoon. She left “Bill” here and fetched him tonight. He was comfortably established in Fa’s armchair when she went in kitchen after tea. He knows quite well he isn’t allowed on chairs here. He has his own at home.

Father fetched Cousins from Sk[egness] St[ation] at dinner time and took Mrs Parish and “Uncle” to Huttoft for potatoes and a pig’s fry, after tea. We had one pig killed last Tue. Wells charged 7/6 just for his man killing and dressing it. It was badly dressed too. We had to chop toes off all the feet and I put very little of the rind in brawn as it was so bristly and a lot of the top skin not scraped off and being black looked very nasty. The sausage skins were very good. Rene helped with them and they did not take long. We made about 80 sau. Very good too and 6 pies. Not many mince-pies yet as I want more fruit but we got a few for weekend. Sent Emmie Pork pie, Haslet, Duck and sausage, on Thurs. We registered it, but have had no letter from her so far. We sent a letter too, separate. Jean been at home today, thought she had a cold but hope it has passed off. Father is on watch 8pm till 2am. He has to take Mrs Pilgrim to Ingoldmells for Scholarship sittings and to take Mr Collison from Hogs[thorpe] back to Ingoldmells when he fetches Mrs P. back at dinner time. Mr C at the end of his note to Father asked “What relation am I to you?”! Weather feels rather like a change tonight. I have weeded the middle bed on the lawn and planted the polyanthus rose in the centre. It was too smothered up at the back. Have also weeded small bed to left of front door but there is a lot more to be done yet. Still it is early yet. Jean weeded hers at half-term last week. She has made a woolly ball for Sybil’s baby today and packed it up to post with a letter inside from herself. Sybil sent two mounts for Patsy’s poly-photos [unclear] photo’s. Must see if we can get some for Phyllis [‘Faulkner’]’s baby.

‘Wannia’ – a name for an early spring purple primrose – was possibly Amy’s invention as no other reference has been traced.

Mrs Juliet Parish was the wife of Will’s Coastguard colleague Albert Parish. It is not known who ‘Uncle’ referred to here.

Local information suggests that another butcher, not ‘Wells’, may have been meant here.

Patsy Adams was the baby daughter of soldier Frank and wife Sybil whose pregnancy had been mentioned earlier (see 12 Mar. 1942).

The word relating to photo mounts was unclear (question mark was May’s) but either refers to ‘poly-photos’(a sheet of, typically twenty, sequential photographs taken in a studio or department store) or  could have been a deliberate misspelling of ‘fabulous’.

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Another very windy day with a few showers. We washed but only put a few things out, wool jumpers etc. and my wool coat A.F. [Air Force] blue. It dried well, I put out stockings too, but dare not put sheets and tablecloths and thin things on line, it would have blown these “thin” and as the wind was not right for line, it twisted things round and round the line. Hope it’s not so rough tomorrow. Rene washed a few things at home before coming, her garden is shady so she left them out to dry. It has dried roads up well. Jean is busy lining her new dk. brown wool handbag. We have found a “zip” for it and it will be quite nice I think.

Had a letter from Ron on Sat. a nice long one. It was only finished writing on 21 Jan and P[ost]mark date was 28 Jan so it was not long on the way. Says the mountains are looking lovely with young grass and corn crops just coming up. It doesn’t look as if he is very near the battle zone which is a great comfort. Had a letter from Emmie too, she sent my clothing coupons back, she had used 10. Ron has sent word he doesn’t need pyjamas, at least not new thick ones out there. E has sent him a parcel, if it goes and he gets it we shall send one too. Answered both letters yesterday. Joan Smithurst’s young man has arrived in N. Africa. Don’t know what happened but he had to swim for it. I used to worry about Ron until he arrived on land and we got to know on Xmas Day. He does not like wash-days. They get one day in eight to do their washing. Says it is getting very hot in the middle of the day now, like our summer.

Ron, on right, with RAF chums in North Africa

Had a letter from Em. L [sister – Emily Lewis] today, she was going to Kathies to help with pig, so I shall not send any. It is a risk sending and shall have to send Emmie some this year. We have got the “permit” for 23^rd to 28^th so hope we are able to kill it then. It is not fed up, but in good order so if all’s well shall have it killed tomorrow week. Shall be very pleased to get it in the house.

Rostov has fallen to the Russians and Gers seem to come over most days or nights on small raids, and we raid them very heavily. Father is on watch until 2. am. On Thurs. morn. he goes on patrol again. Hope it clears up his cold, which hangs on persistently. Rene is getting over hers but says she gets tired. Says rabbit which they fetched last week is quite settled down and happy. Think we shall have to kill one of ours to eat this week, may as well as we haven’t sold them for breeding purposes and they don’t make enough to bother about selling for food just now. Har[riet] may have one tho’. Jean has been getting things ready for cooking at school tomorrow, meat rolls no less. I had not much meat to spare, but it will make 2 or three. Jean says wind still blowing hard. We can’t hear it much in the front. Shall soon go to bed I think. Have finished one of Father’s socks (knitted from sleeves of blue pullover) and set the other up. Also done a bit of rug. Won’t take so long now, but must cut some more snips.

Hugh Green is missing, that is the second boy from Chapel. Tony was of course away before the war, but Eric [Brown] went from here, no news of him yet. Mr Collison made a Fellow of Roy[al] Coll[ege] of Arts.

Hugh Green died, aged 20, serving as a Merchant Navy deck boy, on 22^nd January 1943. All 64 on board were lost when SS St Sunniva sank off Novia Scotia. The ship was reported to have overturned due to being top-heavy with extreme build-up of ice in severe conditions. His memorial is at Tower Hill and he is named on the village war memorial. (Some information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty Register. See also Tribute to the Merchant Seamen of World War Two – ‘S.S. St Sunniva’ item by Maureen Venzi – part of the Allied Merchant Navy of WWII website.)

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Blew a gale in the night from south, right in watch box door. Father very cold, says he feels the cold, with having had flu’ so recently. Stayed in bed until 12 o’ clock as it was so wet. Jean went to school early, as it was so rough, in case she had to walk, but wind had moderated a bit by then, it is quite still now but either the sea is bumping very hard or A.A. guns are going. I rather think guns. Will stay up until 10 I think as I don’t want to get up, and Ger seems to come on “nuisance” raids, somewhere, most nights. It is not nearly as cold as yesterday. If fine tomorrow will try to wash a few things before Rene comes. She is still feeling seedy after cold. She went to the W.I. [Women’s Institute] meeting today. Took Bill home first, to his immense disgust, as he had just settled down to afternoon nap. She wanted to look at her fire as it is so cold to go in and make fire just at teatime. Saw Elsie going home before 4.30 so Rene would not be rushed. Eff came to borrow potatoes tonight. Said she had not been to W.I. she never remembered it as the day is altered from the Hogsthorpe day, now Chapel has its own.

Have written for Pet[rol] coups and also for permit for pig to be killed. Wrote to Em L [sister – Emily] last night. Had an egg for tea as I did not want cold mutton for dinner. Very good it was too. Made a chop hot for Jean and potatoes in pan and a pancake left from dinner. She ate a Lyon’s fruit? tart after. Mrs. Hall asked if we should like some. Jean had gone to get sweets, she had no coup. on Sat, and brought two. Father took one for lunch on watch. Don’t think they are very great. Can’t decide whether it is the sea or guns, tide is certainly nearly in. Have turned the heel of Father’s sock and done some rug. Went to sleep after Rene went. I am better from cold but seem very tired after dinner. Have had two bad nights, (sleepless not asthma).

Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored ‘The Casualties Were Small’?

Rene came today and thinks perhaps scarf may be fine wool. The stockings look quite decent on. Father has gone on watch 8p.m to 2am. Radio announces that we shall have to grow more green veg. for next winter as transport for them would not be available, the trains and lorries will be needed for war purposes. We usually grow enough for ourselves, as do most people in scattered districts but it would do no harm to grow more I suppose as they can always be given to rabbits or pigs if not wanted otherwise. I think there must be a big tide tonight again as I can hear it bumping and the wind seems to keep perking up too. Hope we have a quiet night. It was a sharp frost this morning with ice and wht [white] rime. It will do land good if it doesn’t come more wet. A few good frosts would do good. I washed Jean’s blouse and pinafore today ready for school tomorrow and a few other oddments. Jean ironed them after tea. She has been doing H.W. [homework] nearly ever since and is very tired, as soon as water for bottles is ready we shall go to bed. The soft water for the morning wash is nearly hot. The alum[inium] bottle in Kapok stuffed case is quite a success. She puts it amongst blankets at foot of bed and it is warm for morning. Much better than cold hard water and she doesn’t like water from rubber bed bottles. She says it smells of rubber.

‘Father’ – Will – Sketched by Jean for School Homework

Rene’s cold a bit better but she doesn’t seem very well yet. We did not do much today. My cold is getting better but I was glad to rest after dinner. Did a bit of Father’s sock as Jean seems to have given it up. Frank has a piece of glass which will do for car window and H Simpson is going to look at brakes. Shall be pleased when job is done and invalid Petrol cou[pon] exchanged. Rene had written to Ron but Jean had taken mine to post so she was posting hers this afternoon. I put 2½^D st[amp] on mine as I enclosed phrase book from Jessie.

Mavis was quite thrilled yesterday with Wom[en]’s Mags I had let Jean bring down from cubby hole at top of stairs. They are very nice books but date from 1926 to sometime in 1928. 2 years of them. Monthlies. I stopped taking them when Rene left home that spring to go to Nott[ingha]m as I did not have time to read them. I have thought of giving them for salvage or to the wom[en’s] Services but Jean and Mav can read them first anyway. There are beautiful pictures in them and good reading too, but the illustrations and fashion advts are of the most ugly type of dress we have ever had, with waistline round over hips and skirts as short as now. A short fat woman looked dreadful in them, but if I remember right they were very comfortable and we were not poured into them as we appear to be now, so many people now look as if they had outgrown their clothes and they are tailored to fit so tightly that they look as if the seams would burst. They are no kinder to the short and stout than the 1928 fashions and to see an elderly lady of this build in a fur coat barely reaching her knees and the thin spindly legs some fat people have coming from underneath makes me feel all hot and uncomfortable for the poor dears. Perhaps I look no better but as the parody of Burns runs, “Oh wad some power the giftie gie ’em to see theirsels as I can see ’em.”

Some R.A.F boys called just as Father was going on watch, evidently a fresh lot come to And[erby]. Wanted to know if there was an inn near. It is so out of the way there and no amusements and I doubt if there is a W.V.S. I feel so sorry that there should be nowhere else for them to go, but don’t know what we can do about it with Father away so many evenings and Jean just growing up.

Frank, who supplied the car window glass, was probably May’s brother, Frank Simpson, but possibly Frank Raynor.

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These pages are so thin, I find I have turned two together again, must copy some of my “poems” into them. Mustn’t waste paper in these days. Had a beastly cold or perhaps the 48 hour flu’ Dr. M told Father was going about. Very nasty but no temperature he said. Well I was very hot and cold Thursday and kept Jean at home until 10.30. and was not too bad tho’ about whacked by tea-time. Rather better Sat. morning and kept improving. Jean went to see how Rene was yesterday afternoon and found her very seedy. She has gone again now. As it was Sun I thought they would manage even if she was in bed. It is time she was back again as it will soon be dark. She has lamps and there is a slim new moon, but it won’t give much light. The sea settles as if it was going to be a frost. Father has just been to cover his car down. It has been cold and showery today, rain and snow mixed, tho’ at times the sun shone quite warmly. It gets a bit of power now in the middle of the day.

Jean just came back again. Rene is much better and says she shall be here early tomorrow ready for work after her rest? Think we had better have a quiet day. Young John Short (stockings) has gone in forces also Laurence. Her[bert] Fau[lkner] had to join H.G. Mary has 3 boys in forces now. Ray[mond] in Iraq. Ke[ith] is in Wales and now Laurence has gone. It will be an anxious time for them.

Had a long interesting letter from Ron on Thursday dated 11 Jan so only about 3 weeks coming. Very quiet I think. Says natives very dirty and ragged no shoes. He has 1000 francs in N.A.A.F.I as the boys had to lend money for stock. Sounds opulent but Jean thinks francs may be only worth 2^D. Tobacco 10^D oz Players cigs for 20 [?] and very good quality at that. Quite a smoker’s paradise. They had had a sudden storm just a few puffs of wind then a terrible gale, torrents of rain and the worst lightning he has ever seen. It did not last long and the tents stood up to it and very little wet came in. His corner being quite dry. Tom says he hasn’t seen a gale yet if the tents weren’t blown down or quite away. Hope he doesn’t. Says the tents are warm and comfortable and fitted with E.L. [electric light]. Tom thinks this is a luxury! Ron says natives have a lot of little donkeys which they pile up with loads, poor little beggars. He has seen camels but there aren’t any where he is now.

Flora came to call for Jean to go to S.S. [Sunday school]. I gave her an apple, she was very pleased. Mrs Balding senr. brought me a few. Elsie G brought me 1doz eggs 3/1, they are lovely big ones. If we get any at the shops they are always small think they must shrink, as there must be a lot of big ones collected off the farms. Eff brought me 3 but would only take 6^D for hers. They are nice and fresh but the farm eggs are best now as the hens get corn. Had Cant[erbury] lamb for dinner today and preserved kidney beans. I forgot them until after Xmas. They were put down in dry salt and kept perfectly. The lamb too was extra good. We opened a tin of Pork sau[sage] meat again this week and made sau. rolls, very good too. There is enough fat to make ¾ lb flour up. Must get another tin as they need only 9 points. Now 2/6 tin. Tinned fruit on sale tomorrow, must see what they have got and how many pts wanted. 60 pts a month don’t go far and I am owing two from this week. Got ½ pound dates and ½ pound raisins yesterday. Grandma better again and as quirky as ever. Eff wished Jean Many Hap[py] Ret[urns] of her Birthday and Gma wished her M.H. Ret. of the year. Jean had to put her tea-party off as I was so seedy. Flora said “Mrs Hill would be badly as she was coming to tea.” They must come this week. I gave her a pair of stockings for school and Rene a dark blue scarf 3/6½, cotton, the poorest thing. Jean chose it and it looks quite nice on.

John Short was nicknamed ‘stockings’ after the long black stockings he used to wear. He lived with his parents at ‘Ashleigh Villa’ near Tylers Bridge (see Village Map).

Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored ‘The Casualties Were Small’?