Sat Sep 5. 9.15 pm [1942]
# RETURN HOME FROM YORKSHIRE WEDDING
# BELATED NEWS OF SKEGNESS BOMBING
# SEASIDE VISITORS DURING AUGUST
# ENJOYING FISH AND CHIPS
We returned from Yeadon on Tues 28th [July]. We left there at 9.a.m. went to Leeds by bus’. Mrs R[ussell] went with us which we thought very kind. We picked up Joyce Coulston by the bus’ stop. She had been staying with an aunt at The Woolpack Inn. The train was in the station so we got in at once as they are so crowded. We had a quick journey to Alford only changing at Doncaster and Grimsby and no waiting anywhere. Arrived home about 3 pm. At Alford we heard the news of raid on Sk[egness] so Father went to Watch Box to find out exactly which streets were bombed and we were relieved to hear it was not near Coulston’s. We did not tell Joy[ce] until then. Her parents and [her] Grandma came in car for her after tea. She is a very capable girl to take out anywhere.
I was not very great the next day but between us we prepared Wed and Thurs for the Boswells arrival at tea time on Thurs. Four of them this time. Mr and Mrs and Aubrey and Doris a daughter, a very nice girl. They are very little trouble but I was ill two days, so poor old Jean had to work most of her holidays as I had to go to bed on the 12th two days after they went and was there a week and only got up a few hours daily for another week. Am not very strong yet but bronchitis better. Cook has just gone, he came in for fish and chips. A heavy shower delayed Aunt Eff so Father missed his as he went on W[atch] at 8.p.m. It was a stormy sunset but is fair now. Rene was here during the shower. Jean is nearly asleep so must wash up and go to bed.
Joyce Coulston, Jean’s friend, had travelled by train to Leeds with the Hill family in order to spend a few days with her aunt in Yeadon.
When Skegness was bombed on 27th July 1942 the following civilians were killed: Mrs Chadwick, Mrs Kirk, Mrs Shaw and daughter Florence: See Skegness War Memorial Roll of Honour.
The Boswell family was staying at ‘Lenton Lodge’ as paying-guests.
Many years previously, Frank and Eff Raynor had a fish and chip business in the village. On this occasion Eff, on bicycle, had probably collected fish and chips, as a favour for the family, from ‘Joey’ (actually Edgar) Elliott’s shop in Hogsthorpe. (Irene Elliott, Joey’s wife, was in the Red Cross.)
