Thursday and Friday the bitter piercing cold continued until a thaw set in in the afternoon. I thought I was going to have a return of pleurisy but strange to say when the thaw started the pain began to get easier and tho’ short of breath I am much better again. It rained and froze Fri morning, Father took Mrs P[arish] and uncle to Alford and the roads were like glass. However it started to thaw and poured with rain and by Sat. morning was comparatively mild, all snow gone and rather misty. Ron came for day, he is thinner but cold is better. Jeff is posted overseas, they put six names in a hat and drew one out. Ron’s name was in too. We are pleased it was not his name but so sorry it is Jeff who has to go. He is only 18 and the one real pal Ron has. Ron has his photo, it is a fine face. They call him the “Judge”. I did not go to the station with Ron. (G. P[aul] did two hrs for Father) because of my troublesome chest. He went off in good spirits, goes to Yeadon next week-end if all is well.
It was pouring with rain when we went to bed but to our surprise on arising at 8 o’clock Father found the ground well covered with snow, the sky a murky greyish yellow looking as if full of snow. He did not think locals [preachers] would go but started off and did not return. It is nearly 5 o’clock so should soon be here now. It has snowed fast nearly all day but turned to a drizzle now. The sand-hills and trees and bushes are a picture, it is so still, the snow laid on every twig and branch but the last hour it has thawed and a lot has fallen off and it keeps sliding off the roof too with a rumble like thunder. The sky still looks full, am afraid this thaw means more to come. The Toynton little boy is getting better tho’ fairly bad still. A lot of illness about. There goes the car so Father is safe back. Fa had his tea says roads not very bad, it did not snow at Leake until 9.30 and had turned to a drizzle and thaw at 2.30. I finished Ron’s gloves Fri night, he was very pleased with them. He bought a watch at Meadow’s as he broke his wrist-watch and then Father’s which he had lent him, and they are so long getting repaired now. His new one is an Ingersoll (Swiss) £1. It will be useful even if his other is repaired soon. Have written to Kathie and Emily (returned photo) also to Mrs Bailey, Harrison says Mr B. ill in bed. Have also written to Roy in reply to his letter. Must write to Ron. Our pink points have now to cover dry fruits, some cereals such as rice also dry beans lentils and peas. War news from Far East a little more encouraging.
Old Leake is a village near Boston.
Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored ‘The Casualties Were Small’?
Rode the same journey this afternoon, from Chapel Point to Alford, conditions much better than 70 years ago. I went past Sunny Side, May’s abode at one time and of course mine. It is boarded up and in a terrible state of repair, makes me feel depressed when I think of the good boyhood days I spent in Chapel. So many memories are being triggered reading the diaries.
Paddy Coote, Nottingham