It is decidedly cooler this morning, wind E or S.S.E. but bright. Yesterday was warm but the wind was cool. Father planted nearly half allotment with potatoes. Today D.O. [District Officer] comes at 11 o’c and Father is on watch at 2. p.m. so will get no more in today. It is very vexing. He is stoop-holing them, as he thinks to plough them in would bring up rough clods again. I am still very shaky and very nervous. I got no sleep until Father came home. He will be at home two nights now so I shall be better I hope before he is out again.

[Aside: Sun. May 16. Ger. Dams Burst]

The bombing and bursting of Mohne and Eder dams was successfully! carried out by RAF on Sunday night. Since then another one has been bombed but I did not get the name on the radio. It is expected to do us a great deal of good in the war effort against Ger. it must be terrible to be there now with day and night bombing and now these burst dams. There must be an appalling loss of life.

This morning it was announced that well over 200,000 prisoners were taken in Tunisia. Think Italy will be given a chance to draw out of the war. I shall be pleased when we hear from Ron again. I am wondering if he will be moved and if so where to, I fear not to England, probably further away. I hope Sybil has heard from Frank since the war ended in N.A. She will be anxious.

Rene washed a few clothes for me yesterday, she had done her own before she came. Has colour washed her bed room but thinks she may give it another coat as this is pale blue and it was cream before. We saw Beauforts and fighters return from bombing a convoy off Dutch Coast Monday 17 afternoon. Ron has had letters from John Meldrum and Jeff [Pearson]. Jeff gets 48 hours leave to Cairo and is expecting 10 days at Alexandria. He seems to be having a high old time. Answered Mrs Leivers letter last night. She has rheumatism badly in her hands and wrists, but seems very happy amongst her grand-children. Jean and I sampled “stuffed chine” at breakfast, very nice too. Jean had 2 helpings. Father not up yet.

‘Stoop-holing’ for planting was stooping, making a hole and dropping seed potatoes in.

The ‘Dambusters’ raid was carried out from RAF Scampton, near Lincoln, by 617 Squadron, flying Lancaster bombers, under Wing Commander Guy Gibson.

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

Wrote to Ron yesterday and Jean posted it to-day. Sent a note by yesterday’s post to Dr M but he did not get it by this morning’s post as he should have done so have not got my medicine. Fortunately my asthma settled this morning and my bronc. is much better.

Got up about 11 to-day. Annie came with baby Eileen, fine little girl, she has a small light but comfortable pram. £10. What a price! She brought Rene and Ron a wedding present an embroidered cloth for Rene and a pair of towels for Ron. Rene had arrived when she came. Carl, came too, he is a fine little boy and not by any means shy. Eff came about same time, with 1 doz eggs. She had done her washing. Both of them wanted to get to Halls before they closed. We have not washed. Rene says she has turned her little bed-room out ready for distempering. If fine she will wash a few things for me tomorrow. I am stuffing chine too. Have got it soaking and the parsley picked. Am doing half of it. Parish shot a rabbit today and gave it to Father. Rene skinned it so shall cook it tomorrow, then with chine we should last for the week. Well I am very tired tonight tho’ I have done no work. Have finished Rene’s gloves. Jean had nearly done them and also finished off her, Jean’s, green socks, she had got past the heel of the last one. A lovely day again. Father has dug a good piece more of his garden.

Karl (spelling corrected) Falkner, more usually known as Dennis, elder brother of Martin, was a toddler at that time (see 11 May 1943).

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

This is one of those lovely days that come sometimes in May. Rene used to call them real Sundays when she was small, and one fell on a Sunday. Well this has every appearance of being one of them. As our time is two hours in advance of the sun, part of this side of the sand-hills are still in shadow and part of them catches the sun. Birds are singing, and it is so calm and quiet. War seems very far away, but that is a fallacy. Only a few hours since our planes were going out in droves to burn and destroy and to add another load of misery to the world in the hope of reforming. I wonder if “doing evil that good may come” ever works out successfully. Today we are to celebrate the African victory, Church bells may ring a merry peal this morning. I fancy there will be many people with sons and husbands who will never come back from there to whom the bells will sound like the passing bell, and many more anxious wives and parents who are waiting to hear from relatives who they know were fighting, who will not be able to rejoice whole-heartedly until they know they are safe. Well, war will creep into my diary as it creeps into everywhere now. But here today it seems far away and very peaceful, this lovely morning with the warmth of summer and the freshness of spring, the scent of the white lilac from the bush at Sykes gate, yet it seems a little spoiled by Jean going to parade with the Life Girls to Chapel. It is Youth Sunday and tho’ I know the Life Girls are a peace-time movement, they seem as if they must be in uniform and march and parade, more in imitation of war than working for peace. Father says “No war will ever put an end to war, only peace can do that.” He has just been upstairs (I am in bed as I have a touch of bronchitis) and says Dr Mellor died yesterday.

Girls’ LIfe Brigade and Boys’ Brigade Assembly for Parade,
Chapel St Leonards, 1943 (Photo: Dennis Plant Collection) 

 

We have had 5 letters from Ron this week and Rene one. He has got our parcel. In Rene’s letter he says he has just got letters from me after being a month without. Poor old Ron, it would seem an endless time and so disappointing when the other mails came in. I never write less than once a week, we can only write and post them and hope for the best.

Miss Sykes’ house, ‘Sandlea’, was the first in the row on Anderby Road, the nearest to ‘The Point’, next door to ‘Red Tiles’ (see Village Map). Harry Sykes, believed to her brother and probably also living there at the time, had been a naval petty officer and was a Boys’ Brigade assistant and member of the Royal Observer Corps

Mrs Dandison, previously mentioned leader of the Girls’ Life Brigade, appears in the photograph.

Dr Mellor, in Skegness, had been retired.

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

14th May – Pag-rag-day in Lincolnshire. Years ago when I was a child, all the boys and girls in “service” used to start their one holiday of the year, except that some of them got a few days at New Year. The May holiday lasted a week and new clothes were bought, fairs held in market towns, when those who were not “stopping again” often hired themselves to a new master. In many farming villages the S[unday] S[chool] Anniversary was held on the Sunday occurring in that week. I can remember my young aunts and uncles coming home, some of them staying with us, my father being the eldest son of a large family, there being 20 years between him and the youngest. Sometimes the girls brought their beaux, I remember the great excitement caused by one Jonah by name when he arrived on a penny-farthing cycle. I can still see him starting off on his homeward way and getting just past the little Chapel, (a house now that the Wes[leyan] and Prim[itive Methodists] are just Methodists and all go to the old Wes. chapel) and then seeing him go head-first over the handle–bars. This was easily done as the pedals were in the centre of the “penny” wheel. My father had one after that but soon changed to a bone-shaker and later to a pneumatic tyred cycle. The sight and scent of a pheasant-eye narcissus always brings all this and lots more back to me. Partly because it was a favourite flower of my father and the middle of May is the time of its flowering, it being a late variety, coming with blue-bells and tulips. Then also the “chine” was stuffed with parsley. Celebrated Lincolnshire dish stuffed-chine, on sale at all the eating-houses in the little market towns and eaten in all the farm-houses and anywhere else where a bacon-pig was killed. I am stuffing ours next week if all is well. Apart from this being the traditional time, the parsley is usually just ready then and later the weather is too hot as it soon goes sour in hot weather. Still it won’t be much hotter in summer than it has been yesterday and today. It was a strong hot wind yesterday as if it blew from a furnace but not so windy to-day tho’ very warm again. I had a bit of bronchitis yesterday and all night, and still keep sweating, tho’ it is partly due to heat I expect.

Africa War ended May 13.
Yesterday morning the welcome news that war in Africa was over greeted us when we switched on the radio at 8am. We have 175,000 prisoners and 16 generals, Von Arnim amongst them. I wish it were all over. I fear there is much more bloodshed to come yet.

Had two letters from Ron this week, one written Easter Mon 26 Apr and the other 29th. It was only just a fortnight coming. He had got some newspapers and also parcel now. Had used Persil and it was a great success. His clothes really clean and not such hard work, must send him another parcel now. He writes very cheerfully, had got letters from us too, but somehow I feel he is a bit homesick. It must be between the lines, as he says we need not worry about him, he is fit and well, tho’ he does not like the climate. Says he feels like a school-boy again in his shorts and will send a snap if ever he can get one taken. It is comforting to think the war is over out there. I wonder if he will be moved or if he will continue to service planes operating from there.

Jean is at Life Girls meeting and Father has gone to mow lawn at Lee’s house, so that he can get on at home tomorrow. J. Kirk just been to say there is another bucket of milk for pigs if he likes to fetch it, he dare not give his pigs too much to start with. I had better get supper ready I think. Eff has heard from Dennis he is quite happy and liking it alright so far. Had a letter from Mrs Leivers today. Have put my gladiolas in tonight, they have good roots and nice shoots too so hope they do better than last year.

‘Pag-rag-day’, well described by May, was much earlier reported in the Lincoln, Rutland & Stamford Mercury, May 20th 1870, which referred to an event ‘not so numerously attended by servants as might have been expected from its being “pag-rag day”, and but little hiring took place.’ The derivation is explained in Provincial Words and Expressions Current in Lincolnshire, J Ellett Brogden, 1866: ‘Pag’ – To carry on the back (from ‘pack’ – to carry like a pack); ‘Pag-rag-day, Pack-rag-day’ – The 14th of May, the time when the servants in Lincolnshire pack up their clothes and change their places. See also ‘flitting day’ (see 16 Apr. 1941).

The chapel that was converted to a house was almost certainly the Primitive Methodist chapel in Trusthorpe, the village where May had lived as a young child. The chapel was closed in 1933, following the Methodist Union in 1932, and the house was named ‘Cumberland’.

General von Arnim, Commander-in-Chief of Axis forces in North Africa, was captured on Cap Bon by British troops.

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

It has been a stormy day with a soft “torn-down” wind and occasional flying showers tho’ we did not catch many. It has calmed down at last. I hope it does not rise in the night. Last night just after putting out my light about 11.30, there was a rumbling explosion and the windows and doors rattled then the rumble came again and the house and bed seemed to heave as if a wave passed under from west to east. It reminded me of the earthquake shock we had nearly 12 years ago now. A plane was shot down on E. Coast, it may have been that. J. Kirk thinks it was gun practice on Norfolk Coast. He says there were several more explosions after 2 a.m. when Father came home. Fa said there was a very heavy one about 10. I must have gone sound asleep as I only heard the one between 11 and 12 pm. There have been a few more bumps or explosions tonight, the last ½ hour. Hope there won’t be any more as it’s time Jean and I were in bed. Having no siren we do not know if enemy planes are in the vicinity. I am often pleased we have not, but when alone and there are explosions about it would be nice to feel secure when there was no warning. Jean has had toothache tonight. It has eased a bit now after applying some of Heely’s embrocation. Expect it is these cold winds.

We continue to take a lot of prisoners in Tunisia and have encircled Cape Bon enclosing enemy in centre so there is no chance of him getting away by sea. It seems a pity they do not surrender and save unnecessary blood-shed. They drove 17,000 sheep into the peninsula with them so do not mean to starve. Some of the others are still fighting desperately. Winston C. is in America. We were wondering where he was. He arrived Wash’ton about 1 a.m. our time this morning.

I have just read a book by “Alyce Simpson”, “The Convent”. It is a true story I think of a young girl going into a convent intending to be a nun, but after staying part of the 3 years she runs away. It tells how some of the young women go mad in time and some just go silly. Some of course really do seem to have a “vocation” and to be saints. A great many get tuberculosis owing to bad air and bad food and lack of hygiene and cleanliness. A.S. is a woman who lived here at one time and still has a wood house or houses down Landseer Ave. They are after the style of Swiss chalets. She is a Swiss lady. Her husband built them. She has two daughters, don’t know if she has any more family. They are called “Swiss” of Chalet Simpson to know them from the various Sims in the village. When we were children we were the only Sims in C[hapel village] but now there is just Fr[ank] to represent our family, then there is farmer F Sim. Josh Sim. and a family from Boston semi-retired besides the Swiss people. I wonder if it is part of her own life. Later – It is. I read it thro’ very quickly as it was very interesting, not thrilling, more in the nature of a “human document”.

Wind keeps rising in gusts, but it seems quiet in other ways so must retire. Father on watch until 2 a.m. He will be tired as he came off at 2 a.m. to-day, and has been to Boston with Granthams, then took milk to pigs from J Kirks. Our potatoes (Divernous [? unclear]) and peas are up, and eshallots doing well. Rest of garden not planted yet except onions.

Alyce Simpson, unrelated, Swiss, an author, previously lived locally, in Landseer Avenue. Two ‘chalets’, ‘Alpha’ (occupied by Mrs Blakey – see 10 Jan. 1943) and ‘Beta’ were semi-detached and another, ‘Gamma’, was detached.

Josh (‘Jos’) Simpson was the son of farmer Frank Simpson (see 10 Sep. 1941), whose farm he took over. He was a Home Guard member.

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

Last Thursday and Friday 6th and 7th May saw the Allies entry into Tunis and Bizerte within a few hours of each other. All the armies being in contact now and the remains of the enemy (over 100,000 prisoners) in two separate parties one in the mountains and others dropped in Cap. Bon Peninsula deserted by Luftwaffe and by the highest officials too it is supposed. These remnants have been fighting fiercely but are gradually cracking. The whole of the army round Bizerte, 6 generals included, surrendered unconditionally, and the remnant in the mountains have today asked for terms, which are of course unconditional surrender of themselves and equipment. All this has not been done without a big loss of life on both sides tho’ they keep on saying our side have lost remarkably few. It matters little how few to those to whom those few are all. I hope Frank Adams has come thro’ safely. Sybil said he was fighting and she heard from him in letters dated 12 and 16 Ap. It is a wearisome anxious time and now will begin the big and bitter struggle for the final overthrow of Germany. Franco is crying for Peace but Allies say no Peace until we force Ger. to an unconditional Surrender. It will be a bitter struggle with many more young lives thrown into the greedy maw of war.

Did not hear from Ron last week, last letter dated Ap 17. He was well and very cheerful, says wild flowers are lovely and much larger than ours. I wonder if he will be moving now. I dare not wonder if he will be coming back to England yet, so many went a long time before him. I wonder if Jeff and John Meldrum are alright and Jock, poor old Jock. John Kirk and John Smith and Arthur Beardsley, all out there somewhere. Laurie Wilson too I believe. There has never been any more news of Ken [Hill]. Cyril Belton is home on 48 hours embarkation leave. His mother’s face looked old and grey instead of brown and twinkling when she told me yesterday. He was in the last war too, joining up at 16 and Harold her other son lost a hand. They keep singing a song on the Radio now (Jean bought a copy lately) “When the lights go on again, all over the world. When the boys come home again all over the world”. It has a haunting tune that seems full of, as yet, unshed tears that must presently fall for those boys who will never come home again.

Emmie came for Easter weekend, from Thurs. to Tues. It was a late Easter, Good Friday being on 23rd April. Em did not enjoy it as much as usual as she had come without leave from the Mill. She had an urgent letter from her mother to say be sure not to stay beyond Tues as the foreman was very annoyed. However when she got back so many more had taken Sat. morning off as well as the official Fri and Mon that she hoped to get off lightly. Her spirits quickly recovered and she wrote that perhaps she would come at Whit. We are hoping her Mother and Daddy will come too. Elsie came for tea the Sunday she was here. They took rather a liking to each other last year. Elsie has been very ill and is making a slow convalescence, tho’ she is at work again she still looks very poorly. She brought me two dozen lovely eggs today for me to preserve, they are 3/1 doz which is the price farmers get for large and small all the year round, but they are worth it (the retail price is 2/0). The size and flavour of farm fed eggs are 100 per cent better than those fed on ration scraps and potatoes. Rene says some of the eggs taste like potatoes. She had a bilious attack last evening just before going to her Red + exam on Home Nursing. Not because she was nervous but she got her feet wet on Sat and thinks it was a chill on her liver. However she managed to get there rather late but did the test and is fairly certain she passed as she was asked about things she knew. They all laughed at Phoebe as she got mixed and said a bottle was to be filled through a tunnel instead of a funnel.

Rene and I did a good big wash today as it poured with rain most of yesterday. I had got a good start and several things on the line when she got here, which was a good thing as she was still seedy. We did not go to the W.I. Dennis went away yesterday to start his career in R.A.F. He is very enthusiastic so hope he likes it. He will be at school about 18 months Eff says before flying so hope the war is over before then. Father has been most of the day at Evison’s garage while exhaust pipe of car was repaired, part of it replaced. On Sunday afternoon just as he wanted to start out with L.P.s [local preachers] he found it had parted. I went with him to fix it and he held it whilst I tapped it with hammer, both lying down. I hammered away (futilely it seems as a bit was gone) industriously until I missed the pipe and hit Father’s head. He had his hat on fortunately, and as I was in an awkward position I could not get very heavy blows in, so altho’ it raised a slight bump it did not hurt very long. I nervously tapped a bit longer then he fastened it up with wire. It kept in position for that journey and to Boston yesterday, then he had it repaired today £1 and 2s for oil as Jimmy forgot to replace cap when filling it up a week or two since and it had been thrown out, the oil I mean. I think they had a neck to charge for that. Father was pretty cold as the wind had been icy all day and it did not do his rheumatism any good. He got Mr Lamb to bring him some of Heelys Wht. F Emb [White Flower Embrocation] from Alford today. He brought it along tonight. It was the old price 1/3. It used to do him good so hope it does again. He went on watch at 8 pm until 2.am.

Annie [Faulkner]’s baby girl (Eileen) was born April 29th. Mrs Maurice [Faulkner]’s little boy (Martin) Apr 30. Con was married 29th so we acquired a great niece and a new nephew the same day. As if we weren’t “shied up” with enough relations. My polyanthus nearly over now but tulips are out and my anemones still blooming gaily. I used to think their name of “wind-flower” meant they were delicate and spoiled by the wind, why I don’t know, but I find they revel in the breeze and are very sturdy flowers. I am finishing writing up my diary in bed to save blacking-out the room.

Cap Bon Peninsula, Tunisia, is a fertile area known as the ‘Garden of Tunisia’. The military action referred to was known as ‘Operation Vulcan’.

Spain, under Franco, the dictator, was ‘neutral’ but there had been concerns regarding its connections with the German side.

Jeff here probably refers to Jeff Pearson (see 4 Dec. 1941).

Arthur Beardsley had been one of Ron’s school classmates. The family had lived at ‘Pilgrim Cottage’, along a short track from near Ship Bridge (see Village Map).

Laurie Wilson was the son (believed to be the same person elsewhere called ‘Arthur’) of Mrs Wilson, absent owner of next-door house ‘The Rest’ (see 8 Jan. 1942).

Kenneth Hill (nephew) was the airman who lost between 14th and 15th December 1942. See poem ‘Easter Sunday Apr. 25. 43. K.H.’

Harold Belton, father of Joyce and brother of garage-owner Cyril (see 19 Jan. 1942), had been a farmer but at this time was a rate-collector and a sub-postmaster in nearby Hogsthorpe (see East Lincolnshire Map).

Eggs were preserved in isinglass, kept in a bucket. The eggs needed to be very fresh.

Jim Evison was the son of the garage owner, Claude (see 27 Jan. 1942).

Heely was a chemist in Alford.

Eileen Faulkner was Herbert and Annie’s baby daughter (see 30 Sep. 1942).

Martin Faulkner, brother of Dennis, was the baby son of Maurice (see 2 Apr. 1941) and wife Kathleen.

Connie Hill, Will’s niece (see 2 Feb. 1941), married Joe Clegg who was then counted by May as a ‘nephew’.

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

It is more than a month since I wrote in my diary, and quite a lot of interesting things have happened. I have been busy with visitors and cleaning, and a few days off now and then with asthma and so neglected my entries.

At the new moon in April the wind, a great gale, was N.W. veering N and at the 8 o’ clock spring tides two days later, piled the seas up in the narrow entrance to the Wash, of which the Point is like one doorpost. It was the biggest tide, at least the highest waves I have ever seen and the biggest on this coast for 40 years or more. It burst the bank at old Capron’s and flooded the Marsh as far as Cousins, surrounding their bungalow to a depth of 4 ft. Altho’ the tide was beating at the bank by 8 o’clock summer time (6 GMT) and broad daylight, they carelessly locked up and never went out to look if it was coming in. Granthams went to warn them but could not make them hear so concluded they were not at home and it was not until the water suddenly rose round their feet that they found out. Fortunately there are bedrooms upstairs so they retreated up there and were rescued by boat next morning. Emily L was here for week-end and we walked down on Sunday night to look at the Marsh. It looked very desolate with its bombed bungalows surrounded by water.

A terrific amount of damage was done all along the coast. I watched it from my bedroom window, Jean and Father went to the box. The water came over each side of it. It was a magnificent sight, even the bit I could see over the Point. Still I could see right across the Wash. Glorious rolling green waves, galloping white horses with flowing manes and tails racing towards the land. In the gap between sea-horse and gun-house huge plume of gossamer spray like white smoke would suddenly go up 50 feet in the air then race with the speed of an express train to the shore. Huge walls of brown water rose 50 feet out of the sea then caught the N.W. wind as they broke. The spray was blown back a white veil for 40 or 50 yards as the wave galloped over the wild water to the shore, spreading all around it a lacy white train, like a dusky bride all robed in purest white. Far in the west from behind the wrack of flying dark rain clouds the slim moon peeped now and then as if afraid to look on the wild waters, she had made her pact with the wild North West wind to raise.

Emily stayed from Sat. until Mon. Then Grandma came on the next Thursday and stayed until Tuesday. She was not very well and nervous and wanted a change. She seemed very content and I hope it did her good.

Mr Capron was the pig breeder and soft fruit grower who lived near the edge of ‘The Marsh’. See 19 Dec. 1942 and Village Map.

Mr and Mrs Cousins, whose bungalow was in ‘The Marsh’ area, were believed to be the couple who had previously lived at ‘Granby’ in South Road (see 5 Nov. 1941).

The ‘gun-house’ was the existing concrete emplacement, upon which the Coastguard watch-box had been re-sited in the previous year (see 4 Sep. 1942). The breakwaters in the vicinity would have contributed to the visual effect described.

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

Tho’ March did not come in like a lion it certainly went out like one. It blew a gale Tue. and Wed. night, gusts which shook the house and made the beds shake. I don’t like the wind, it makes me nervous. It has been better today and there is very little wind tonight. I am pleased as Father is on watch 8 to 2 am. Just before he went on Gordon came to see if he could fetch Keith from Sk[egness]. Mary has such a cold she could not come to see before. He could not go of course as he had no time to get anyone for an hour and Keith was due at Sk at eight 15. He was a bit bothered about not going but could not help himself. Hope Mrs. Ashton could go but am doubtful. Gor. had a very bad cold too. Still it’s no use me worrying, he is probably home now. The last bus from Sk is at 7.15 p.m. now.

It is Ap.1^st the R.A.F.’s 25 birthday. 25 years since the R.F.C. and R.N.A.S. joined as R.A.F. War is going well in our favour in N.A. [North Africa] now. Eden prophesies a long war. Hope he is wrong. Jean and I thought we could hear gun fire just now. Hope not. U-boat menace continues to be very serious. Notice on Radio tonight that egg ration is now increased to 1 egg per person a week unless privileged ie invalids etc. 1/7^th of meat ration to be tinned-beef. We have had no letter from Ron for 2 weeks now. What a long time it seems, but must not grumble. Mary’s have just had one after 3 months from Ray. Gordon has left Wells’ [butchers].

Have found 2 glove patterns and am going to make Daisy a pair from 3/6 wash-leather she bought at Stow’s. Hope they are a success. Rene has my No.7 pattern tonight to cut out a new pair for Tom to use when gardening. We are learning quite a lot of useful things. There was an article in the D. M. [Daily Mail] yesterday on Plastics. It makes one wish we had been born a few years later to read of how the houses will be filled up with plastic walls and floors etc. “Bakelite” is a version of it and walls will have decoration incorp. in the material. It will only need washing and polishing. Expect they will have to invent a new idea then to get a change of colour scheme now and then or we shall get fed up with always having the same décor. When Mother first bought enamel ware after tin and iron hollow-ware and before that wooden bowls and earthenware, I used to wonder what would be the next material. Earthenware and china are old and will continue I think, but after chromium stainless steel we seem to be likely to have an immense number of things made of plastics. An aeroplane body has been made of it and car bodies, lighter and stronger than “tin-lizzies”. Don’t think it will oust silver or wht metal and st steel teaspoons and knives. Silver is much nicer to eat from than “bakelite” and of course china and glass to drink from and much nicer to look at. It is a manufactured article not “natural”. Rene and I have s[pring] cleaned my bedroom this week. Did not start anything else today as I am very “puffy”.

Keep hearing a plane or two go by. Wireless has R.A.F programme on all evening. Some of it good and some “piffle” and worse. Jean brought Sprogg some “Tibbs” on Tue as he is losing his coat and seems out of sorts. I pick up lots of fur all round the house. Think “Snip” has got hairs but it is short though very thick, not like Sprogg’s long mop.

Jean is 6^th in term work, not bad as she has missed several times this term. Says one of the boys is ill with temp. 102. We have got our seed-pot[atoe]s at last. J. Kirks horse gone again, he is trying to buy one. Hope he will as Father wants to borrow it. I told Fa (in a joke) it would be a good idea if he bought one, J.K. would easily keep it for him. Fa has got Denman’s lawn scythed and ready for rolling and mowing. He had done Granby. His neck is still very painful but the knotty muscles at the sides seem to have gone.

Besides Alvar Liddell, there is Neil Munroe at Sk. and Bruce Belfrage at Roy[al] Art[hur]. Quite a galaxy of radio announcers. Rene has heard they are getting commission. They were at a Brains Trust in Algitha Road Chapel [Sk.] one night. Marshall did not call again, perhaps he went back by train as the weather was not very good. Jean went to Sh.W. Mariner’s concert on Tues. It was very windy so I did not. Thought we ought to patronise it in case the President II got wrecked! May go tomorrow night to second ed. but doubtful. Father has to fetch artistes again. Expect J. Hall will take them back as on Tue. We have got about 14 “ships” (½^Ds) already this week. We save them for funds, indeed I think I was the means of the Pauls starting their box for them.

Ship Halfpenny 1943

Keep hearing a plane or two go by. Wish they would cease, or perhaps I should not say that, they may be on our own patrol. Visitors to within 10 miles of coast between Humber and Penzance may be banned at very short notice this summer. It looks as if things may be moving before too long. I fear 4 years will not see it thro’. Jack Stow is home on leave and George too. B[illy] Hallgarth [junior] gone back, left his gas mask, frantic wire for them to send by regist. post. Ralph on bus going away again, to Aylesbury first I think. Said he had not Ron’s address but would get his mother to get it. Monty Hall gone away too. My eyes ache, shall have to get glasses changed before long. Mavis’ ankle troubling her again. Rene’s B’day last Sunday. Very pleased with gloves which have to be finished yet. As we used coupons we could only raise her 1 bar choc.

RFC – Royal Flying Corps (before the founding of the RAF). May’s brother, Frank Simpson, had served in the RFC in WWI.

RNAS – The Royal Naval Air Service (existed prior to the founding of the RAF).

Alvar Liddell, Neil Munroe and Bruce Belfrage were all well-known BBC radio announcers.

‘Ship-wrecked Mariners’ concert was meant here, probably in aid of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society, a charity. During the war this supported families of merchant seamen injured or killed by enemy action.

‘President II’ was a conference series held between the British Prime Minister, the U.S. President and others, but May was probably alluding to ‘HMS President II’, the Royal Navy accounting base (see 6 Feb. 1942).

‘Ship halfpennies’ had a sailing ship depicted on the reverse – see photograph.

George Stow (junior) was the brother of Jack and Frank and was the youngest son of stores owner George (see 12 Mar. 1942). He served in the Royal Navy, including submarine service.

Montague Ashley Hall was an architect who, having served as a Lincolnshire Regiment captain in WWI and early in WWII, had transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a lieutenant. Penelope was his daughter (see 15 Feb. 1942).

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

A week since I last wrote in my diary. No letter from Ron this week. I have written to him, and today posted St[andard] and a D[aily] M[ail]. Last night I wrote to Sybil and an airgraph to Frank. He is in II^nd HAC [Honourable Artillery Company] regt. I seem to think that is the oldest regt. but not quite certain. Hope he gets the a.g. soon. Had a letter this week from Jock’s wife and Jock’s address. He is in N.A. [North Africa], the only one of the crowd that were here to go abroad. I have written to both of them. Hope he gets plenty of letters or he will be down in “the dumps” I fear.

On Wed. Rene and I cleaned Jean’s bedroom, under difficulties, as Edna, Frank and Mic[hael Harness] came about 11 a.m. of all times and stayed about an hour. They wanted to catch Rene here. Brought her a very nice flower-bowl with flower-holder. Pale green glass very lovely, stand has figure of a lovely lady hanging on to a scanty robe which is totally inadequate to cover her. Still it’s one degree up on Ron’s bronze ash-tray. The lady on it is minus a robe at all.

Jack Stow has arrived in a Scottish Port, his wife very relieved and I think enjoying the anticipation of his leave after many months away.

To resume the account of Wed. S.C. [spring cleaning] we set to with a will after dinner and were nearly finished. I had to put fire in room, and Father was hoping to do a bit more digging when Marshall an R.A. came thro’ the gate. I did not go to door as Rene was there, but she did not know him so I had to go after all. He was cycling to Huttoft from Boston, he was staying with his little girl in B. for leave. As he was passing Chapel he came (at the request of the rest of the R.As still with him) this way to inquire of the Chapel people how they were. Said they (the R.A.s) were all wishing they were at C again. His section are on the A.A. guns and have a lot of A.T.S with them. Says they are very good at their jobs on guns but no cooks. Mary Churchill is with them. Say she is very nice with no side. They were all on leave and expected to move to Wales, Newport, Mon[mouth]. Jones is with them and will be able to spend his days off at home. I am so pleased. His wife was very nice. Jock was very fond of them. Before Marshall had gone, Phoebe [Kirk] came to return clippers which she borrowed last Sun. and she stayed about an hour. Mar. had tea and I opened a tin of pineapple as I had no cake. He ate toast, bread and butter and jam! Still Jean said we could eat the pineapple without help. We finished the bedroom in between times. Oh dash that Hi-de-he and Ho-de-ho. Ever since that ridiculous officer was shown up for his idiotic insistence that men and officers should greet each other thus on meeting, we have had a rash of it in BBC programmes, it is not funny after once or twice.

This has been a very sad week. On Thursday we were all shocked to hear Mr. Faulkner had had a serious accident and been taken to Sk[egness] hospital. A few hours later we heard he had passed away. Mr. Faulkner died Mar. 25^th. He fell on a concrete floor on his head and fractured his skull at the back and behind his ear. There was no hope from the first. He just said “My poor head.” Dennis [Raynor] was with him. I think the ladder holding up a plank they were on, slipped. Den. being young jumped clear into a heap of chaff. It was only about 8 feet so there was not time for Mr. Faulkner to turn right over. It cast a gloom over all the village. Poor Mrs F had gone with Ralph who is on leave to Nott. but returned same day but too late to see him. The inquest was this morning (Sat) and he was laid to rest this afternoon. He was greatly liked and respected and crowds of people came, doubtless many more would have been there, but it was not expected to be before Mon. There were many beautiful flowers in spite of short notice.

Mrs. Mason or Miss Riggall, I forget which, summed up all our thoughts I think by saying “He was a man we all feel happy to have known.” He can ill be spared, but no one was more fit to go I am sure. Someone was saying to Com. Storer how sad it was and how sorry they were. He said “So am I, but, no, I think that today he is one of God’s very bright angels in heaven.” Joe Kirk on hearing said “Well he’s gone straight to heaven.” Jean and I gathered all the primroses and violets we could in the garden and made a bunch of them with leaves all round in case there was not time to get a wreath from the Chapel. They had got one however but our bunch was very sweet. It may be he has been “taken from the evil to come” as he has been ill a long time tho’ he did not give up work. Father took him preaching on Sunday. How little anyone thought then that he would be gone before this Sun.

The Honourable Artillery Company was the oldest surviving British Army regiment, as May suggested.

Frank and Edna Harness and their son, Michael, were visiting from Nottingham (see 21 Oct. 1941).

Jack Stow, in the Merchant Navy, was Maisie’s husband (see 12 Mar. 1942).

Marshall was one of the Royal Artillery soldiers who had earlier been based at ‘Corbie’, next door (see 6 Dec. 1940).

Mary Churchill, daughter of the Prime Minister, served in the ATS as did the King’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth (see 6 Jul. 1941).

Mrs Faulkner and Ralph were probably visiting Phyllis, who lived in Nottingham at that time (see 15 Oct. 1942).

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

Father hung bacon today, it all looks very nice. Hams nice and thick. I cooked last small chine today.

Chine preparation and cooking has been described previously (see 2 Feb.1941).

 

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