May 27. 8.15 a.m. [1943]
# RENE CONTINUING HOUSE DECORATION
# PRESERVING EGGS FOR WINTER
# MORE LETTERS FROM RON
# VISIT FROM EX NEIGHBOUR AND TODDLER SON
# NEPHEW KEITH’S WIFE HAS TWINS
# NEWS OF NEPHEW DENNIS IN RAF

Dull, warm and moist, the sort of weather that I don’t like, at least it doesn’t suit me. Rene had to give her sitting room a second coat of dis[temper]. It had probably not been decorated since first being put up at Chapel so it was not to be wondered at. She says it looks much better now. She has got carpet down again and pictures up, paint washed and curtains and covers washed so will probably make an end of it to-day. She came yesterday and finished my washing and went home again about 3.30. It was a grey day not dull as the sun nearly came thro’. The clothes dried very slowly. There was little wind and it was a chilly one but turned warm after tea and came a little shower. Father went to Redcott and then mowed our lawn after tea and put in some more potatoes. He has finished planting allotment. I heard the birds singing very early this morning, we hear the cuckoo frequently now and the swallows skim about the whole day thro’. I have got my bucket full of eggs in water glass, about 7½ doz. They will be useful in the winter.

Had two letters from Ron on Monday dated 8th and 11th May. He expected war would be over in N.A. when we got them. He had got air-mail and A. graph from me. Had a letter from Emmie and one from Vic yesterday. Eme got into trouble after all about her Eas[ter] hol. Her letter crossed mine but she says it is not likely that her M[um] and D[ad] will get for Whit. Emmie may come Sat. to Tue. Mrs Coote and Paddy came for tea yesterday. Pad is getting rough and spoiled. Pat as thin as ever ¦and looking all her years and so shabby, tho’ a good brush to her navy suit and pressing would improve it|. She had on a wool coat and jumper under her navy jacket. She was always a cold mortal. They cycled. Pad has a tricycle. It is a good help. She can get out a lot more with him than if he had to walk. He is brown as a berry and plump to podginess.

[Aside: Keith’s twins born this week.] Keith and Marian have twin girls. K is 21 in July. Jean says Walter and Eva are home. Annie, Eva and Betty were scrubbing the Chapel and Gra[ndma] minding Eileen. Jean went to S[unday School] A[nniversary] practice.

I made Dennis a pair of pyjama trousers Thursday night. He had gone away with just one pair. He has sent a photo home showing white flash in cap denoting he is training for Air Crew. He is very proud of it and says he is quite happy tho’ Jean says he looks a bit wistful rather like Ron’s first photo in uniform.

Paddy Coote was a toddler at that time (see 1 Mar. 1942).

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

  1. I’m still as brown as ever still plump.
    Have just come back a week ago from Chapel St Leonards my doesn’t time fly

    Paddy Coote

    Reply

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