Ap. 5 Easter Day 8 o’ clo. [1942]
# SOLDIERS AT EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE
# PLANS FOR MAIZIE’S WEDDING
# PRAYERFUL LONGING FOR PEACE
# MORE SPRING CLEANING
# VISITING AMY AT TRUSTHORPE FARM
Easter Sunday and the clocks were put on another hour this morning. Father came off watch at 8 o’c so Jean rose at 7.30. (5.30 by sun) and got his breakfast ready. I stayed in bed until 10.00 for once and Jean brought my breakfast up. She went to chapel. Mr A. preached. She said they had a very nice service with Easter hymns that went very well. Laurence played the organ. Rene was there, also the cross-eyed R.A. from next door and several more soldiers. Maisie came this aft. to ask Father to give her away as Jack can’t get. Don’t think he is thrilled. They all know where we live when they want a car cheap. Rene is invited to the wedding and M. said would I be able to go, if I was they would be pleased, but it sounded so much as if they felt they had to that I declined. I don’t like weddings much either and don’t want to go to the R.C. Church, anyway, not enough to go by bus. M has been past again today with a soldier, think she is rather foolish when she is to be married so soon.
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.
