Sun Dec. 14 8.15 P.M. [1941]
# WINTER WEATHER AND ILLNESSES
# CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN SKEGNESS
# BRITISH SHIPS SUNK BY JAPANESE

It is very rough and cold tonight, after a dull quiet morning it started to rain a fine drizzle and came on very fast later. Jean did not go to S[unday] School but Rene came home, says Mr A’s chest hurting him again to-day and very stuffed up. Seemed a bit fed up with him. If I am not crocked, he is, or failing that she has a cold herself, her last one is not gone yet, but think I am getting off of her hands a bit. Did not get staircase cleaned last week, must try tomorrow as I am only doing a small wash. Father and I went to Sk[egness] on Fri. aft. Got Jean a pair of shoes £1.1. ! and 5 coupons. Rene gave me 10/0 for Xmas box, bought a new H. W. Bottle and a pinafore (3 coup.) still have 4/0 left. Bought a pair of pants and posted them to Ron at Yeadon to wear with civil clothes. Sent the enlarge. of his photo as he wanted it for Emmie. Having a small party on Thur evening as Ron won’t be here for Xmas. Have written to Mrs Denman and to Edie. Sent E. one of Ron’s photos, they are the best he has had taken. Rene has taken the film to be developed that has Amy and Ken on. Hope they will all turn out well. It is a very interesting if expensive hobby. Father is on watch, the box is draughty and two or three of the others have colds, hope he does not get more.

Will Hill ('Father') in Coastguard greatcoat

Will Hill ('Father') in Coastguard greatcoat

Russians seem to be driving the Germans back now, hope the tide is turned there, the news from Libya continues to be encouraging. The Far East is too new a war to judge anything at present. The loss of the Prince of Wales and Repulse was a big blow but the comparatively small loss of life was a great relief. Jessie sent me some more chrysanths to-day, the last, I hope they last over Xmas, they are lovely. I still have a few of my own in water. I brought the buds in and put them in water in the pantry and they have come out well. Eff had the rabbit we had from Warner’s (Millicent). She was as big as a hare and so fat. Parish killed her for me as Father hates killing tame rabbits. Our kitten continues to visit us. It is a great pet.

Jean with Pet Rabbit

Jean with Pet Rabbit

In Libya the siege of Tobruk had been relieved on December 10th 1941, as part of Operation Crusader, as German forces under Rommel were withdrawn from the immediate area. Further German withdrawals, within Libya, took place in the following weeks (although the situation was reversed for a while in 1942).

HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk by an intensive Japanese aircraft attack off the coast of Malaya on December 10th 1941.

Warners were an elderly couple whose bungalow was in the area leading to Joe Kirk’s ‘Point Farm’ from St Leonards Drive (see Village Map).

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

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