If the sun blazed always from cloudless skies,
And rain never fell on the earth,
No beautiful trees would give rest and shade,
No flowers would have new birth.

No grain would grow in the sun-baked soil,
No fruits form on the trees.
If the sun shone hot all over the world,
There would be no cooling breeze.

But the hot air rises on arid plains,
And the cool sea-breeze blows o’er,
The sun draws up and returns in rain,
The ocean’s exhaustless store.

If happiness filled our lives to the brim,
And we knew no sorrow or tears,
Our hearts would be hard, and our souls would grow dim,
If we had no trials or cares.

But the tears that fall when sorrow comes,
Soften our hearts hard core.
The trees of strength and endeavour grow high,
When the gales of adversity roar.

In our hearts grow the flowers of sympathy,
Of understanding and grace.
Our souls expand and look upon,
Our heavenly Father’s face.

Not alone in sorrow’s dark days,
But in joyful happy years,
We can share and help and sympathise,
After passing the Vale of Tears.

May’s poem ‘The Lessons We Learn’ is another expression of her beliefs and hopes for a better future. She had written in her Diary with these sentiments and a prayerful conclusion, at Easter time, a few weeks earlier (see 5 Apr. 1942). The poem has been added to the poems collection on this site. It also appears in the book The Casualties Were Small which contains over twenty of May’s poems as well as selected diary extracts, including those which suggest the background to each poem, accompanied by many nostalgic photographs.

Tonight between 7 and 8 o’clock a heavy explosion shook the house. We wondered what it was and Father said perhaps a mine at sea. J. Kirk called as he came off W.B. (Fa went on at 8 ) to say there were 2 boat loads of men coming ashore off a blown up boat, British. He thought we might hear rumours. Later “Mr Brown”, cook from R.A.s told us it was the patrol boat that was blown up but that it sank slowly so all the men got off and most of their clothes etc. He said they were in the infantry billets there and the only comment was “What a life”. They have been very fortunate. It is no doubt all right, yet it makes one think how easily an enemy could enter. The sinking of the boat could be staged and the men land with suit cases of H.E. [high explosive] or radio transmitting sets. The E.L. is already off making all the E.L. Radio sets useless and causing endless confusion in the darkness. With the aid of a strong force of 5^th columnists who knows what could happen?

Eva and Walter were married on Ap. 27^th at the chapel. E in a very nice powder-blue 2 piece, Gladys and Gra[ce] in clover dresses. All of the H[arness] family were at home for the occasion. Rene was invited and went. I did not go to Chapel as I had my old enemy. Jean did though. We are giving her tea-spoons. Think Keith is at home this week so must give him a belated w.p. [wedding present]. Shall we ever catch up with them all? Raymond may be in Madagascar which we us The British have taken over. One of the straws blown by the wind that we hope has changed in our favour at last. York has been bombed by Gers.

‘Thunder-packs’ probably meant ‘packs’ or ‘gatherings’ of thunder-clouds.

The Army (Royal Artillery) cook “Mr Brown”, based next door at ‘Corbie’, was also referred to as Cookie or Jock or Brownie. (See photograph, diary post 20 Sep. 1941.)

There may be thunder about tonight. I am feeling “nervy” not having got over my “bad about” of asthma yet. Shall be pleased when Father gets home at 2 a.m. Next week he will be patrolling and get all his nights in bed. We have cleaned Ron’s bedroom today, at least Rene has. It is three weeks tomorrow since we did Jean’s and I have been struggling with this tiresome asthma ever since and am still shaky though I hope the worst of it is over. Roy and Joan were married on Sat. Ap. 18 at Sk[egness] Church. Joan in blue and Mav[is] in pale pink summer dresses. We gave them a cut glass salad bowl. They spent the honeymoon at Buxton, or was it Matlock? They came down to thank us for bowl last Sat. Joan called me Aunt and kissed me so we are formally adopted I suppose.

Well it’s nearly dark though only 9.40 D.S.T. but very cloudy, so I’d better go to bed as E.L is still off. Am taking a candle up and leaving Father’s on table.

Mavis, here, was the sister of May’s nephew Roy.

D.S.T. Double Summer Time – clocks advanced 2 hours beyond Greenwich Mean Time – was intended to make more economical use of natural daylight hours.

The Artillery have been practising and this afternoon the Point Gun has been firing. Bang! Bang! Bang! sewish sh – Bong! when it explodes in the sea. I am having a day in bed and every time it is fired I start tho’ I am quite aware of it. I can still hear firing in the distance tho’ the Point practice is over. We get little vibration from the gun, tho’ so near it is only noise, but the far away ones shake the house rattling doors and windows.

It has been a lovely day again, it was yesterday, just like on our wedding day 30 years since. Mon. Ap. 15 /12. The spring was much earlier that year though. I remember the hedges were green and the blackthorns a mass of snowy blossom.

Rene made egg and lettuce sandwiches for tea before she went home. “Bill” found me this afternoon. Rene said he had missed me. He came up later to say goodbye and share my cake. We have sent Ron some ginger cakes Jean made. Rene put some sweets and choc in for him. Also the 2 pairs of socks I have refooted using up a third pair that were past renewal. It is a great waste spoiling them in the laundry. Indeed this seems to be a war of waste up to now, and now they are frantically collecting paper, rags, old iron, rubber etc to make over. It is rather difficult to believe that we are going to win back on made over goods what we have lost on new stock. We are getting frugal minded, it is quite painful now to burn even a scrap of paper except letters or anything like that, and I suppose we shall save rubber bands and stoppers just as conscientiously now. Tins and bones we do save and metal tubes. We squandered petrol right and left early in the war. Now they are cutting it down to less and less and if the Japs get to the Burma oil wells, which they look like doing, I don’t know what will happen. I hope we have sense to make them unusable for some time. Perhaps all these tests for oil in our own country (or were we making hidden reservoirs?) may turn out useful.

The Budget was out yesterday, 6^D oz on some tobaccos and 3 on 6½ [?] cigs. and heaps more taxes. The D.M. [Daily Mail] cartoonist pictures Morrison offering Savings Cert at the same price! If we only had a bit more encouragement about the way the war was going, we don’t mind going shorter than we have done yet, of clothes and luxuries. Rene went thro’ gas chamber last night in A.R.P. [air raid precautions] lectures on gas. She is in the decon[tamination?] squad.

Had a letter from Ron this morning, Vic has been made a corporal, very excited. Think Ron rather envies him, but only for the extra pay. Maisie married Mon. Very pretty wedding but I think extravagant in war time. White satin with veil and train and 4 bridesmaids and a “reception”. Father gave her away, Rene and Jean saw her married and Rene and Father went to the wedding breakfast. Father planted eshallots yesterday. We are gradually getting flower garden in shape. Rene brought me some aubrietia which is thriving. My own little plants grown from seed are almost in flower too. Anemones fine plants this year one in bloom and others coming on. Polyanthus a picture, very few daffs so far.

Stephen Vincent Benet’s short story ‘The Last of the Legions’ is based on a legionary’s account of happenings as the final Roman legion in Britain prepares for departure.

The low calibre gun near ‘The Point’ was used by the Home Guard for firing practice. The more distant high calibre guns were manned by the regular Army.

Herbert Morrison (Labour Party) was Home Secretary in Churchill’s wartime coalition government. The ‘Morrison shelter’ was named after him.

Maizie’s four bridesmaids were Connie Hill, Helen McGuigan (Ben’s sister), Gwen Ranson (Ciss’s daughter) and Pat Hill (Jack’s daughter).

It has been a really lovely day with sunshine nearly all day. Ron will be enjoying it at Yeadon I expect. Jean went to Sk[egness] for ointment for psoriasis. Hope it cures her. We thought she had mumps earlier in the week and asked Dr. M[enzies] to call but it turned out to be a new tooth we think. However, I wanted to ask him about the psor. so it did not matter. He is getting stout again now. My hand still very painful – think I may have to see the bone-setter again. I paid the balance of my Dr’s bill, £2 today.

I have transplanted some Cant[erbury] bells and polyanthus today and Father some white stocks. Rene brought me 2 roots of aubrietia. She thought they were different colours but both have come the same. Perhaps some of mine will be different – it isn’t in bloom yet. My violets are in bloom now, I have just one little wild wht. one but Jean has some coming on I think too. The daffodil that used to come up in the midst of Mrs Leiver’s wild plot has come up again this year in spite of all the soldiers digging and traffic. It has 3 or 4 lovely blooms. “Fair daffodil, that comes before the swallow dares, And takes the winds of March with beauty.” Only it is April this year, all things are late. Father weeded the markery bed and it is beginning to grow. Sp[ring] cabb[age] coming along too.

Sara [rabbit] has a family, born on Thursday or Friday. All we can see is a lovely bed of soft grey fur which occasionally heaves as if breathing. Had a letter from Emmie this morning. They have got their new house. Thinks Ron won’t get these holidays as they are busy cleaning. Tea rationing is strictly enforced now. 8oz per head a month and we are asked to take the whole month’s supply at once, and the coupons are not only cancelled but removed. Tea can still be purchased at any shop. I have had 1lb this week and shall get the other ½ lb next. It turns out at 6oz a week. We use about 10 oz so shall have to use coffee for Father’s flask and let Jean have cocoa for breakfast and supper and am afraid we shall have to do without our afternoon cup before Rene goes home and all the other odd cups during the day. If we have any raids I expect we shall have to indulge. Rene brought me a bot. of Horlicks today so I shall be alright for supper while it lasts. I don’t like either coff. or coc.

We have had more thunder this week, and on Tuesday night bombs shook us up a bit. I was very nervous somehow and we got up. Bombs were a good way off though. Theddlethorpe I think. One German was brought down, think we heard it. It is a beautiful night and our planes seem to have started going out again. Lots went last night and we heard a lot come back.

In addition to their two houses in Anderby Road, Ashleys’ two semi-detached bungalows were across a small field behind (west of) ‘Lenton Lodge’(see Village Map).

Bessie Brown’s uniform was that of a gunner in the ATS (see 6 Jul. 1941).

Mrs Kirk, here, was the wife of farmer and coastguard Joe (senior). Son, John, was last mentioned (as on leave) in the diary entry of 11 Jan. 1942.

Mrs Leivers’ wild plot was at ‘Corbie’, next door to ‘Lenton Lodge’ (see 6 Dec. 1940).

The ‘daffodil’ quote is based on that in William Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale, Act IV.

‘Markery’ – mercury or Good King Henry – a vegetable also known locally as ‘markberry’ or ‘Lincolnshire spinach’.

‘Ron won’t get…’ – meant ‘Ron won’t get there…’

Have written to Ron. He will be going to Yeadon next weekend. Had a nice Easter card from Emmie. It hardly seems as if the world were much better than it was the first Easter, though in those days Britain was only partly civilised I suppose. Yet we cannot think that Christ died for the sins of the world in vain, or that He who conquered death cannot bring all this war and destruction to an ordered existence again, if we all humble ourselves before God and walk in paths of righteousness. But we do not as a nation seem to be turning to God so far as I can see at present. If only He would start the little leaven of Peace working that would grow to leaven all the world, and that we might live in peace and happiness with all nations.

Out of this chaos Lord we pray
Bring order, light and peace.
Pierce the dark clouds with lightning’s ray
And bid the weary tumult cease.
Oh may we all with humble hearts
Fall down before Thy face
Forgive our sins, restore our faith
And bless us with Thy heavenly Grace.

On Thursday I cleaned the bathroom. At least I had nearly finished distempering it when Rene came. She finished it off and scrubbed out and we polished it after dinner. It looks very nice though the dist. is not very professional. I can manage paper best. I had the dist. so don’t know what it costs now. I did not make Hot X [cross] Buns this year, but may do later. We can’t buy any more white bread now. Breakfast cereals and condensed tinned milk are included in points now but we are to get 24 points instead of 20 per month each. We can have 1 lb. of sugar in place of each lb. of jam or syrup the next 3 months if we like. That may be alright in the country but they do not promise much soft fruit in the shops. Expect the government will preserve most of it. Still, I think though we have no fruit I will risk getting some. The bought jam is not very great. Went to Trusthorpe Thursday for a few hours. Aunt Jet seemed fairly well. Ken leaving school to start work – he is not 14 until July, and not very big. Is very keen now but may get tired when he has to go to work every day. Amy should have less to do outside, but there is always a lot to do on a farm. Have finished renovating one pair of Ron’s socks and started on another.

Laurence Hill, nephew (see 21 Dec. 1941), was the organist.

Jack Hill was the eldest son of Will’s brother George and Rose, the grandparents who had brought up Maizie. A joiner, Jack lived with wife, Constance, and children in Nottingham. He may have been serving in the Royal Navy at that time.

Yesterday morning it poured with rain so as it was not fit for cleaning, I baked and we went to Alford after dinner to get petrol and see the bonesetter, as my hand kept getting worse. Ligaments were crossed Bromfield said. Father had his hair cut and Rene and I went to Godsmarks to buy material for costume, but found a ready-made which just fit, so had it instead. 9^S/11^D (18 coupons). It is a plain tailored, black, with faint white line and looks very swish. Shall have to take in darts at waist of skirt, otherwise it needs no altering. Bought 3 cheese size plates 10½d each, they used to be 4d or 5d, also stockings for Jean 4/6. Jean broke up today for month, she stayed at Coulstons until 4.15 bus and brought Father’s medicine from Boots also 50 Eph. for me.

Ron phoned up to Hall’s about 6.o’c last evening from Willoughby so Father fetched him. He had afternoon off so thought he would come home. He got out with his old pass and will get in somehow, didn’t seem to worry as he had a pass for today’s leave. It was nice to have him home for the night and we hope he gets in alright, otherwise he may lose his week-end leave. He expects to go to Yeadon on the 11^th. Won’t be home again until 29^th I expect. He hopes his 7 days leave will commence early in May. He looks very fit and well. Got the iron, changed his trousers and pressed his blue ones after he had tea last night. We took him back to Willo’by to catch 7.24 train. Did not wait for it as Father was on watch at 8.p.m. J.J. [Joe Jackson] has been put on the staff for beach patrol. Rene was going to gas lecture tonight she said. She came home Sat for tea, did not stay long as they were going to Crows for supper. She came for dinner and tea Sunday as Mr A was preaching. Father was out too taking preachers, he went to Knotts for dinner. It was a day of National Prayer. Fa dug up and cleared part of garden near front fence on Monday but it has been too wet since to finish it. It has been heavy showers this afternoon and evening. I washed Ron’s socks, dried and darned them and Mavis brought him a new pair, an Easter present from W.V.S. she said. Very nice ones too.

The wind which was almost a gale when we went to Wby. seems to have all gone now. Hope it will be fine and warm a few days now and things will grow. Have a big bud on one of my anemones. The bulb I set in flowerpot in house is in flower now, a lovely scented, cream narcissus with orange centre. My hydrangea is putting out new shoots and looks very healthy. Took my bag of rags, old clothes etc. to Priestley’s at Alford, they paid 1/6 st [stone (weight)] for them so I got 2/3, quite good.

Ron says Emmie has got Roy’s wed present, a set of hand embroidered pillow slips and bolster case. 25/0. Things are a terrible price. Think Rene and I are giving Maisie towels. Jean’s school report very good. 76.2% marks and is 5^th out of 27 in form.

Godsmarks’ was a small ‘department-store’ with branches in Alford and Louth.

Joyce Coulston, living in Skegness, was Jean’s school-friend.

Will was probably invited to dinner with Knotts as the family of the ‘last preacher home’.

We cleaned and papered the kit[chen] Mon and Tuesday and Ron came on Wed. His name has been in the hat again but did not come out I am pleased to say, but I wonder how long it will be before he is sent abroad. I cannot think of it. He is looking very fit again and hopes to be home again Tue or Wed. He won’t get to Yea[don] for Eas[ter] week-end as leave is stopped between 2^nd and 7^th to keep the Rly lines free.

Harriet came Wed afternoon but told us no “special” news of Eva, only that she was moving. Ivy has been called up and is being sent as kitchen maid to Alford Hospital. What a farce.

Gladys Jackson came about 7 o’ clock to see if Father would take a man to Anderby. He had been to the chemists on a cycle and could not get back. He has bronical asthma he says. It was foolish to try to cycle all that way and then back meeting a north-east wind He got to Jackson’s by degrees then waited until Father took car to fetch him. G. went to watch box to get her father to stay until Father got back in case he was late. It was a man he knew, Ada Peel’s [? unclear] bro-in-law. He was pretty bad I think by the look of him. Father gave him 2 Eph[edrine] tabs, hope they would relieve him a little. It’s a rotten complaint, I could tell just how he felt. He could not sit still so guess the pain was bad. G.J. says baby nephew is still very poorly and has only 4 teeth yet. One Dr says he won’t be better until he cuts his teeth and the other says his teeth won’t come until he’s better! I was laundering Ron’s socks when she came, asked how Jim fared with his. She said he washed his own, bought a box of Persil read the directions which said, put in water with P. and boil. Says he did and G. said they had faded white but had not shrunk like Ron’s. Now are his socks cotton? Or are you pulling their legs Jim?

Jean is nearly asleep so we had better go to bed. I may read a little if not too tired, but have had a busy week. Washed yesterday and ironed this morning.

Gladys Jackson was the daughter of coastguard Joe Jackson; Jim was a relative.

Father has another wretched cold. Wish he could get free of them. He is missing a watch tonight. Ron hopes to get home again on Wed. Says his cold is better. Roy was home Tue. to Fri. He is to be married at Sk[egness] on April 19^th if all is well. Maisie is to be married at the R.C. Church Skegness on April 13^th. I should like just a peep at the marriage “lines”. She is having white dress and veil and Con is bridesmaid and the “reception” is at Lily’s Café. R[oy] and J[oan] are going straight away to Matlock and having no reception. Don’t know when Eva is going to be married, officially I don’t even know she is going to be married, but the registrar sent her a message by Maisie. I should think this was quite out of order. I am sure H’s [Harnesses] would rather anyone else had known about it than Ransons. Ralph Faulkner is home and has brought a girl. Grace has to register next week and Dotty Raynor and Dor[een] Johnson with the next lot. Think V[era] Rob[inson] will be registering Saturday. Oh dear this weary war. Jean has started copying Nipper cartoons out of Daily Mail. Does them well. Hope it will improve her art.

Walter Miller’s amusement arcade (closed for the winter season with his car stored inside) was in the village centre, near ‘The Pullover’ (see Village Map). (Walter was a Royal Observer Corps member and daughter, June, was in the Girls’ Life Brigade with Jean.) Mr ‘Bert’ (Thomas Herbert) Faulkner (see 2 Apr. 1941) was at the fire as a part-time fireman.

The NAAFI – Navy, Army and Air Force Institution – provided shopping and social facilities for servicemen.

‘Canning’s shops’ refers to several built by John Henry Canning, near ‘The Pullover’.

Miss Kathleen Moore was meant here (see 11 Jan. 1942)

Mr Meadows owned the Chemist shop near ‘The Pullover’.

H Samuels jewellery chain store had a branch in Skegness.

Maizie Hill, about to marry Bernard (‘Ben’) McGuigan, was the granddaughter of Rose Hill (see 2 Feb. 1941) who had brought her up as a daughter. Maizie (her own chosen spelling since a teenager) had been born to Rose’s daughter Ciss Hill, who was later the wife of Percy Ranson. Ciss and Connie were sisters.

Lily, née Boddice, Monk’s café and dress shop were near Stow’s stores, near ‘The Pullover’. Her husband was George Monk. Lily and her brother, George, had attended the village school with Rene.

Dorothy (‘Dotty’) Raynor, the daughter of Herbert, was meant here (see 9 Dec. 1941).

Doreen Johnson, farmer’s daughter, was previously mentioned 8 Feb. 1942.

Vera Robinson was the sister of Malcolm, Mansel and Mabel (see 18 May 1941). She had been a senior pupil at Jean’s school.

A new offensive! Doth not the old offences rise?
A dreadful stench among the prayers and tears
Of those who send their cries
To God, these weary warring years.

Lord purge the hearts of all mankind,
And let the old offences out
Let all be born anew in heart and mind
And peaceful aims put all our foes to rout.

Turn all our enemies to friends,
We are thy children, so are they.
On all of us Thy rain descends
Thy sun doth cheer us with its ray.

With puny hands we fight and strive
Trying to grasp beyond our reach
Only Thy patience lets us live
Thy mercy Lord extend to each.

This poem was used to begin a new Diary book on the first day of spring 1942. It is listed as a Diary entry and has also been added to the poems collection on this site. (Unusually it does not appear in the book The Casualties Were Small which contains most of May’s poems.)