Sunday in January 1943. Community singing on the wireless and they have just sung the hymn “Oh God of love, oh King of Peace”. More than 40 years ago we sang it at school each day until the Boer War was over. “Beneath the angel-strains have rolled, two thousand years of wrong. Oh hush your strife ye men of blood, and hear the Angels sing.”

About 1.15 pm. a single raider probably a Dornier flew over the coast round by Huttoft and bombed the [Huttoft] Grange flat except the kitchen and did more damage in the village. It shook us and we heard machine gun fire, and (very foolishly) looking out saw the plane coming over S Kirks house-top height. It was so low and near the Swastika or rather cross on the plane was visible. It gave one or two bursts of machine-gun fire, putting a bullet through Mrs Blakely’s window in Landseer Av. No one hurt, then flew off over the sea. If it had dropped its bomb then it might have demolished us or the soldiers billets and killed many of them. Jean did not seem at all afraid and went to S[unday] S[chool]. After it had passed I went outside, and it was really amusing. Outside all the bungalows and houses were people and soldiers returning from dining-hall and there was a chattering of all of them talking at once like a lot of starlings or another burst of M.gunfire. It reminded me most of when we used to have teas in chapel, and when the door was opened to go in, a burst of chatter and clatter of cups used to meet us.

It was snowing fast when we got up at 7.15. this a.m. and there was about 3” of snow. It thawed later and the nervous start I give when it slides down our rather steep roof shows my nerves are still shaky. The infantry billeted near us moved away to-day. Yesterday afternoon 2 of them – young ones, came and asked if I would lend them a saucepan to heat up soup and beans (tinned) which they had got from Halls, “without points” one of them beamed. I asked if they had enough bread, and they grinned and said “Yes, pinched it from the dining hall.” I lent them the pan and they brought it back washed clean later on. Jean went to the door and she asked if it had been alright and they said “Yes, very good”. Poor boys. “Like lambs to the slaughter.” I wonder if we shall have any more near us. Father saw one of the R.As when on patrol today and he says Jock was recalled from leave, and has been posted, but not abroad. He did, however, get married. Poor old gloomy, he would moan. Not without reason tho’ this time. Keith and Marian are home. Roy was recalled from leave, sent to Weston-Super-Mare for a 12 weeks course, when they arrived they found it did not start until 14 Jan so asked for and obtained leave until 13^th. Roy arrived back at Joan’s at 7.a.m. Sat morning. Rene came this afternoon but not Tom. He was resting but might meet her. It is not nearly so cold. Hope this thaw doesn’t mean more snow. Father took Jim Coupland to Wil[lough]by Stn. to catch 3.30. train this afternoon as roads too snowy to cycle.

Sampson Kirk’s property was ‘Nelson Villa’, west of May’s home ‘Lenton Lodge’. (See 11 Jan. 1942 and Village Map).

Mrs Blakey (corrected spelling), a widow, lived in ‘Alpha’, Landseer Avenue. Her son, Fred, a decorator, who also lived there, was serving in the forces away from home at that time.

May’s nephew Roy, married to Joan, (see 30 Apr. 1942) was attending a boat-building course, related to his RAF post in Air-Sea Rescue.

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

It is so wet and stormy Father has gone to see if he can get on the 8.15 bus’ to Ingoldmells and patrol back instead of cycling one way. We had snow showers all yesterday, very wet and slushy but not nearly as cold as Monday. Washed on Tuesday but it hardly dried a thread. Lit fire in room yesterday morning and put them round fire. They are all dry now so must iron today. My asthma not so bad now. I usually get about 3 months when I am free from it. Must persevere with “Anestans” now I am improving and who knows? Not I, certainly.

Had a cable from Ron on Tues. with Xmas and New Year Greetings. It is nice to feel in touch once more. Mavis and Mary P. came for tea on Tue. They were like 3 old women playing card games all the time except when Mary could bury herself in a book. Jean went to Sk[egness] on Monday and stayed dinner at Coulston’s. She did not take coupons so could not get slipper wool? 4 oz 1 coupon 4½ oz. However, Father took Mrs Jones, Cook’s Welsh friends, to the station on Tue. and got it. It is blue, very pretty, and she has nearly finished them. Had a short letter from Jock, Wed, saying he expected to be married that day, so sent him a Greetings Telegram. Virgin took it so hope he did not forget it. It was so rough to send Jean out, tho’ Rene came. Mavis came too to fetch her cycle just before dark and brought the paper. She found it too rough to take cycle. I was sorry she had come, we don’t expect them to bring papers. Did not get any rug done yesterday as I had to put a hook and eye on Fa’s collar (tunic) and he got his gloves so wet they would not be dry for to-day, so he thought he would have mittens made into gloves. It was a longer job than I thought but found a pair of Ron’s wool ones for him to wear today.

Hope the weather improves, I haven’t got my groceries from Stow’s yet. My throat is dry and tickly. It would be, as we have no sweet coupons until next week, having been rash at Xmas. Also I made a mistake in the weeks and thought this was the commencement of 7^th period and it isn’t until next week. Am alright except for tea, it will be “tea begrudged and water bewitched” I’m afraid until Monday. Made too many cups at Xmas I’m afraid. Infantry in R.As [Royal Artillery’s] billets and in two of Ashley’s houses. They do not cook here or have meals so we don’t see much of them. Our pig is missing the R.As most, especially as we can’t seem to get pig pot[atoe]s either. Heard the sound of bombs yes[terday] afternoon. Father went on watch for Joe Kirk 6 to 8 pm. and found they were at Mablethorpe, no particulars, but one on beach sent shrapnel thro’ Watch bx. Others were dropped down Vic[toria] Road. Later on radio said bombs were dropped on East Coast and damage and casualties resulted with some people killed and afterwards a place in E[ast] Ang[lia] was bombed too.

Will did catch the bus – to Mastin’s Corner, Ingoldmells, near the ‘Royal Arthur’, almost in Skegness. (Jean’s diary: 7 January 1943.)

Mary Plant, Jean’s friend lived at ‘Waysmeet’ with her aunt Mrs Dandison (see 4 Jan. 1942).

The three ‘old women’ were Mavis Simpson, Mary Plant and Jean.

The note on slipper wool probably meant that, whilst May intended to buy 4 ounces, 1 coupon was required per 4½ ounces of wool.

Jones, soldier, and his wife were friends of Army cook Jock Brown. Their daughter was also a taxi passenger on that occasion (Jean’s diary: 5 January 1943).

Frank Virgin was the postman (see 16 Dec. 1940).

Victoria Road was in Mablethorpe.

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

We returned from Yeadon on Tues 28^th [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 12^th 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.)

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

What a long time since I wrote my diary, and by a strange coincidence the E.L. has just gone off again. I was pressing Jean’s pink dress and heard the familiar “click” in the pantry where the meter is. I finished the pressing and inserted 1/0 wondering if we had really used the last shilling’s worth, but there was no light when I took off the iron and put the bulb in and none in any of the others either. There have been thunder-packs this afternoon but have not heard thunder, still the electricity in the air may have had something to do with it. (At 2 a.m. discovered I had not turned the meter knob.)

Tonight between 7 and 8 o’clock a heavy explosion shook the house. We wondered what it was and Father said perhaps a mine at sea. J. Kirk called as he came off W.B. (Fa went on at 8 ) to say there were 2 boat loads of men coming ashore off a blown up boat, British. He thought we might hear rumours. Later “Mr Brown”, cook from R.A.s told us it was the patrol boat that was blown up but that it sank slowly so all the men got off and most of their clothes etc. He said they were in the infantry billets there and the only comment was “What a life”. They have been very fortunate. It is no doubt all right, yet it makes one think how easily an enemy could enter. The sinking of the boat could be staged and the men land with suit cases of H.E. [high explosive] or radio transmitting sets. The E.L. is already off making all the E.L. Radio sets useless and causing endless confusion in the darkness. With the aid of a strong force of 5^th columnists who knows what could happen?

Eva and Walter were married on Ap. 27^th at the chapel. E in a very nice powder-blue 2 piece, Gladys and Gra[ce] in clover dresses. All of the H[arness] family were at home for the occasion. Rene was invited and went. I did not go to Chapel as I had my old enemy. Jean did though. We are giving her tea-spoons. Think Keith is at home this week so must give him a belated w.p. [wedding present]. Shall we ever catch up with them all? Raymond may be in Madagascar which we us The British have taken over. One of the straws blown by the wind that we hope has changed in our favour at last. York has been bombed by Gers.

‘Thunder-packs’ probably meant ‘packs’ or ‘gatherings’ of thunder-clouds.

The Army (Royal Artillery) cook “Mr Brown”, based next door at ‘Corbie’, was also referred to as Cookie or Jock or Brownie. (See photograph, diary post 20 Sep. 1941.)

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

Talking of starlings, Ron says Mr Russell was feeding one and as it strutted down the path, its mouth full of bread, a neighbour’s cat sprang at it and mauled it before they could rescue it. Emmie made it a bed and tried to restore it but it died. Emmie is out of love with cats and would like to destroy them all. Ron has been at Waltham since Mon. as their planes are operating from there whilst B.B. [Binbrook] is US [useless] owing to the snow. He arrived home last night at 10.10 pm. We had gone to bed but Father let him in and I came down in D.G. [dressing gown] and got him supper. The fire was still in and he slept on couch. He had a nice long day at home and I made pancakes as I had promised. I forgot them on Shrove Tuesday. Father likes them with currants in. Ron had Rasp[berry] Vin[egar] to his, Rene butter and sugar and I had Golden Syrup, various tastes in the absence of either oranges or lemons. Saved some batter and made Jean two for tea. She ate hers with butter (or rather marg.) and sugar. Was extravagant and put two eggs in. Had 4 from Eff. Rene brought one so Father and Ron had an egg each for tea. Jean ate 3 or 4 of those I had from Eff last week. She is better and started school on Tuesday. I shortened her blazer sleeves, it looks very nice.

We finished Ron’s socks and he went back in them as the feet of those he had on had shrunken so much that the heel was in the middle of his foot. The wool we get now is terrible, it is a pair that I refooted before Xmas. Have told him to bring any more that are like them. He has 6 or 7 pairs altogether. Hope this last pair won’t shrink as they were knitted from wool pulled down from a pullover so should be well shrunk. We took him to Will[oughby] St[ation] tonight, he might find his mates gone back to B.B. [Binbrook]. If so he would have to bus’ back to G[rimsb]y and catch a bus’ to Camp at B.B. but would have plenty of time. We did not wait at W. as Father was on watch at 8. p.m. Hallgarth has had a scheme for all the C.G.s to get a signed pass from Mil [itary] to go on beach at all times. A weird idea which Father thinks may get him in trouble. The Navy does not usually ask favours of the Army in her own domain. However they received them to-day.

Father put up the trellis yesterday that we had to take down to put up the Hut. He has planted a climbing rose and two ramblers by it, so hope they grow up and hide the hut a little from the road, tho’ it is quite respectable. Wrote to Edie and Amy on Sun. It is E’s birthday to-day. Rene has a bad cold again, Ron had a cold too. G.ma has had Dr. He has given her med. and is going to examine her on his next visit. She is very thin and weak, as she has been afraid to eat much because of indigestion. Have sent for my driving licence. Notice how faded the new stamps are now that they are using less dye in printing them. Points values are altered again. Salmon 1^st Gra[de] now wants 32 pts, sardines 24, but dried fruit 6 instead of 8. So far I have had sufficient.
[Aside: It is an offence to have more than 1 week’s food in store.] It is an offence since Mon. to waste paper or cardboard, even bus’ tickets or cig. pkts. punishable by a £100 fine or 3 mths imprisonment or both. Eden disclosed Jap atrocities on Brit. prisoners in H-K [Hong Kong]. Rangoon fallen. Java too.

Eva passed her Med. Ex. but may not be called up for months as she is employed in necessary work. Weaving. Men keep being called up from farms and men in Forces take jobs in “Civvy St.” think they are aiming at training everyone. Ron’s Well[ington]s were amongst those that bombed Renaults. Said they laid it flat. One went down to 2,000 ft and dropped his bombs. One dive-bombed with a “Wimpy”. One was so low that the blast blew him wrong-side up but he was not damaged, in fact all the planes returned safely. There was no opposition whatever, either plane or A.A. So we must have caught them napping for once.

May occasionally drove locally, sometimes when Will was unwell.

Rangoon, the capital of Burma, fell to the Japanese on 8^th March 1942. British forces escaped to the north. The Japanese invasion of Java had commenced on 1^st March after overwhelmingly defeating British, Australian and Dutch naval forces in the Battle of Java Sea.

The reference to ‘Weaving’ is curious. Eva Harness had apparently already worked away, possibly ‘learning electrical engineering’ in Peterborough (see 31 Jan. 1942, 4 Feb. 1942) or an activity in Sleaford (‘going back’ – see later: 16 Mar. 1942). ‘Weaving’ may have referred to attempts to avoid being called up for work further from home or just possibly the word could have been meant as ‘Weaning’ as a reference to her work with Mrs Dandison which included looking after babies and young children (see 6 Mar. 1941).

The intensive very-low-level RAF bombing raid on March 3^rd 1941, on the Renault factory at Boulogne-Billancourt, just west of Paris, was very successful in damaging production of vehicles for the German forces, though many French workers were killed. Only one out of more than 200 aircraft failed to return.

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

Cold and raw to-day, kept trying to snow and felt as if it might turn off to cold rain. The wind is getting up now, blows at bay window so think it is N.E. Ground just covered with snow this morning but quickly melted except the few patches of old snow. Jean’s snowman really gone but still a patch where the drift was on the lawn. Had a letter from Ron to-day written Mon. night, he says they had 2 inches snow and on the sloping road in the village the children were sledging. He had been talking to Emmie on the phone, very clear for once. He will be going there for week-end on Sat. all being well. He is back again in A. flight again, at his own job. I expect as instrument repairer. It will be cold after being in the oxygen room, but the powers-that-be don’t study that. Said in last letter (before this) that he was making me an allotment of 10/0 a week to save for him, so that if ever it was necessary I might perhaps get something from R.A.F. Sincerely hope it will never come to that. He thinks he will make sure of saving £1 a fortnight by that. They are paid fortnightly. Roy does the same and Keith did, don’t know what happens when they get married, expect it automatically peters out.

Yesterday Doris, Kath. and Shirley and Barbara came for the day. S and B are 5 and 3 and are very good to bring out. S is dark and pretty, soft dark hair and bright dark eyes. Jean was very happy with them, she was having Mon and Tue half-term. Jean was minus her glasses on Fri night, it would happen ½ term, she was much relieved to find them in desk at school, as she thought she had them in her satchel when she started home. Various changes in Government but nothing startling. 7 now to bear the responsibility, instead of Mr C. alone. That at least is a change for the better. If two heads are better than one, let’s hope 8 are better in proportion.

No wireless yet and don’t know when there will be. Evison says when he writes re parts they do not even answer his letters. Car adjusting and batt. charging cost 9/3. Jean’s rubber hot water bott which she pierced with kn. needle vulcanised for 9^D. It was little worn or it could not have been done. Father cleaned Ron’s cycle yesterday and mended Jean’s punctures and cleaned hers too. They both look OK. It is very nice not having them in the house all this snowy weather. I have put the bulbs Mr A gave me in soil in hut, to develop roots, they have already sprouted leaves, and the weather is not fit to plant them in the garden yet. Wind keeps coming in gusts at the window.

Evisons' Garage, Hogsthorpe, 1940s

On Sat. morning between 10 and 11 o’clock a new Dornier (Ger) bombed Roy. Art. One bomb was 3,000 lb. and brought down about 300 chalets. Fortunately only 4 persons were killed and about 15 injured. It is remarkable as there are thousands of trainees there. Another bomb which did not explode was dropped at Sk[egness] on Vine Rd off Drummond Rd. Father saw the plane and heard bombs. Paul saw the big one drop, said it looked like a man dropping down. There was a snow shower at the time. Plane circled round here before dropping bomb. Jean and I thought it sounded like a Ger. but it was frosty and snowing so thought it might be that. Jean ran out to look but could not see it thro’ the snow. Father was cycling to Hogsthorpe for car, then he took F Johnson to Burgh to fetch a calf. 7/0 but he gave him 6^D extra, most unusual for FJ. to give him more than he is charged. Mr Scott has passed away. Expect Miss S. will stay on in Bungalow as it was his own and she has made a lot of friends now. Rene and I have each started a sock for Ron out of some wool I have pulled down a pullover for. It is about right colour and better than the new stuff we get now. Hope it does not shrink. His leave may be end of March now but he does not know for certain yet. Roy was home for week-end. Joan there in spite of having mumps. Rather selfish of her I think.

One Skegness house, unoccupied at the time, received a direct hit. The unexploded bomb at a second house was located months later. (See ‘Skegness at War’, Marjorie C Wilkinson, Cupit Press, Horncastle 2007, p 12.)

Fred Johnson, farmer, was the father of Norman, Doreen and Betty (see 8 Feb. 1942).

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

Brrrh what weather! Snow and sleet and rain. Jean has not been to school this week yet. Yesterday we had more depth of snow than before, this year. In the afternoon it turned to rain and for a time rained and froze everything into sheets of ice then thawed and made great pools of water everywhere as the ground was still too hard to absorb it even where it was not covered with ice. Father went to Louth on Mon. with Mr S[cott]. It was not too good going then, but got thro’ and back without mishap. Frank R[aynor] says that yesterday there were a great many cars in the dykes between Louth and Lincoln, indeed he said there were so many, there was not room for more. A little exaggeration I expect. He came for straw to bed the pigs with. One lot of soldiers gave Father a lot when they went away. It has been very useful. Frank said he had done no work, except on the O.P. [Observer Post] for three weeks, except 1½ days.

A new Dornier dropped 3 bombs at Sk[egness] on Monday dinner-time. Mr A was at dinner in the Café under the Pier where he always goes. The proprietress moved there when her café on Lumley Rd was bombed out before. He saw them drop. Expect poor Miss ——[Blanchard] will think they mean to get her. There were no casualties and small damage. Suppose the G[rammar] Sc[hool] children were watching the planes 2 Dors and a spitfire chasing them in and out of cloud when one boy said, “Look he’s dropping something”. The master yelled “Down” and down they all went on the floors. We are all pleased to know the spit. brought one of them down a little further north.

Mr A (on right) at Violet Café, Skegness Pier. Cyril Capes (on left) and Inspector Ellis.

Rommel is still advancing in Libya and all our troops have retired from Malaya into Singapore. They have blown up part of the Causeway just like Gotham’s wise men who put a fence around the wood to keep the cuckoos in. Japs have already started to dive-bomb says Fra[nk] Ray[nor]. Amer. doing well in Philippines and Russians still advancing which heartens us up a little. Let’s hope the Japs spread out so far they cannot unite again.

Rene walked yesterday afternoon. Mr A did not go to business. She said to-day that it was very hard walking on her return on the wet ice, but some soldiers on a lorry gave her a cheer as she toiled up Belton’s hill. Bill did not come. She brought us a few small apples, they are very nice and a treat 9^D lb. She did some of her washing on Monday and I had started of mine to-day when she came. We both have sheets to do some day but don’t want to wash them until they will dry outside as we neither of us have much Convenience. Shall put to-days wash round the sit-room fire when I go to bed – Let the kit. fire out as we burn enough coal these cold days. P[ercy] brought [coal] nuts today and they are very swift, it is a good thing we have a little in store. He says Ciss is getting up but weak, as she is on a diet of barley-water and such-like things, with no fat whatever, tho’ he said she was so hungry last night she ate some bread and butter instead of dry toast.

Had a letter from Ron yesterday, but it was written on Sat. Shall be pleased to hear how he got on at the week-end as it was so stormy. Mr Virgin [postman] had to walk round yesterday, Fr[ank] made him a cup of cocoa, he kindly brought me a dozen Eph. Tabs in the afternoon as I was out of them and it saved anyone going down. Father has a cold again, very seedy to-night, shall be pleased when he comes off at 2 am. as he can stay late in bed in the morning. It is not fit to do anything outside these days. Jean hopes to go to sch. but expect she will have to walk to bus’ as Father called out, when he went at 8 pm that it was freezing. There is a good bit of wind, hope it isn’t another bitter black frost.

Have finished the Greek Key pattern on my rug border. It is going to take a long time but will look nice I think when done. Jean is putting in an oblong of black and red in the middle so.

May's sketch of Greek Key Pattern

Don’t know how it will be filled in. Am filling G.K in with green. Our brown and grey gull nearly lives in the garden now. Jean went down on her knees when she went to feed them yesterday and Father skated wildly on the path but kept up, tho’ he went down another day. Rene says she went down in Sunningdale Drive and this morning Mr Hallg[arth] apologised for being late at the W.Bx but said the “points were wrong at Hall’s Corner and he fouled them” he had gone on his back and spilt his hot tea out of his can down his coat. Am afraid there will be some broken limbs. Jean’s birthday tomorrow.

Eva went to Peterboro’ on Monday. Wonder how she is getting on. Think she was lodging with friends at first. Expect H[arriet] will be wondering about her, am afraid she won’t rest very well as Frank [Harness] is ill with flu’ in Nottm. Jean is putting Snip. out, she slipped in when Father went. We are going to get a little snack and go to bed. Kettle boiling for bottles. Father generally fills ours afresh when he comes in at 2. Am taking aluminium one too tonight. Oh, dear! I keep blowing my nose tonight but haven’t got the old cold in my head.

‘OP’ was the abbreviation for Observer Post, manned by the ROC, situated to the west of Harness’s Wigg Lane Farm (see Village Map).

Miss Blanchard was the name of the proprietress of the Élite Café on Lumley Road and the Violet Café under the pier, both in Skegness. The bombing in the town on February 2^nd 1942, when ‘two service girls were saved from almost certain death or injury by an Army NCO’, was described in ‘Skegness at War’, Marjorie C Wilkinson, Cupit Press, Horncastle 2007, p 12.

Allied forces had retreated from Malaya to Singapore via the connecting Johor-Singapore Causeway which they blew up on January 31^st 1942, in an attempt to delay the Japanese invasion of Singapore (see 11 Jan. 1942).

Traditional tales had the wise men of Gotham, a village in Nottinghamshire, deliberately behaving foolishly. Explanations included attempting to convince representatives of King John that the villagers all suffered from insanity (believed to be contagious), in order to dissuade the king from using a road or building a hunting lodge nearby, which would have resulted in taxes and restrictions.

‘Belton’s hill’ was the slope, down over the outflow, from ‘The Point’ to the ‘New Road’. Cyril Belton’s garage was nearby.

Percy Ranson, husband of Will’s niece Ciss, was the coalman.

“Points were wrong” was a ‘figure of speech’ which alluded to railway points.

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

I have just come up to bed, got up about 2 o’c to-day, have not been up for dinner except Sat. Was hoping Dr. would come as I want fresh medicine. Am decidedly better, but not very brisk yet. Expect Ron will come tomorrow, had a letter from him today also from Emmie, he had told her I was ill. Roy home on 7 days leave, also Billy Hallgarth. Jessie sent me ½ doz pears off the wall tree. Had a parcel of useful jumpers from Mrs Denman a.m. today. She says she is also sending a navy coat for Jean in a separate parcel. The things are very useful.

Daisy came Sun afternoon. Mr Wells has not been able to get Norman off so she is afraid he will have to go. He does not want to go which is hard for himself and harder for his mother. Peter wants to go but is hardly old enough. Mavis and Jean going to Parade to-morrow afternoon to see Ginger Rogers. Roy and J[oan] gone tonight I think. It rained all this morn and is very cold tonight. Jean is just bringing me a cup of tea. Rene got me 2/6 jar of Horlicks yesterday, they only let invalids have it at Stows so am being careful of it. E light keeps dipping, is not very good in any case, wonder if Jerry is about. He dropped bombs in Sk. bathing pool Sun night, no casualties.

Wonder if Jean can get a chop tomorrow, had no meat yesterday or today as warmed up beef not very digestible for invalids. Wouldn’t mind another rabbit, the last was very good, fried it with carrots and onions then the gravy thickened and stewed altogether until tender. Sent Pauls half of it. Jean has brought some white chrysanths in and some small bronze button ones, it was whipping them so in the garden. Have got to the heel of Ron’s second sock. The pair Jean knitted in Aug he brought home to be washed and mended last week. (I am knitting the toes and heels double now). They are enough to make one weep, Rene vows they boil them at the laundry and of course the wool isn’t like pre-war. He had his RAF ones lost at the laundry and could exchange for new, don’t think he can exchange knitted ones.

Father took car to Mrs Smith’s funeral (Parish’s mother-in-law). 7/6. Mrs W [?] Green was there and rather amusingly Hugh who has left the sea and is in a garage at Alford now and drove the solic[itor?]. Father said he was rather grubby and wondered how she liked to see him. Rene did not come back tonight, I told her not to, she seems never to get any rest. On Sunday Mr A came for tea considerably improved by having cysts removed from head, not at all sensitive about it. Think a fresh consignment of soldiers have just arrived, heard marching, then “here we are” and considerable banging of doors at Ashleys, their billets. Believe they are the Sherwood For[esters]. Think S. Lancs are going into Nissan huts at Bilsby. Have written to Emily, Emmie and Mrs Denman today.

Billy Hallgarth (jnr.) was the son of Bill Hallgarth, coastguard (see 31 Jan. 1941).

Norman, nephew, Daisy’s eldest son, was employed by Mr Wells, butcher.  Peter and Chris were Norman’s younger brothers (see 17 Feb. 1941).

The ‘Parade’ was a theatre/cinema in Skegness.

Mrs Smith, here, who lived at ‘Moggs Eye’, a small cottage (whose name was later given to the nearby beach) between Anderby and Huttoft, was the mother of ‘Bert’ Parish’s wife (see 2 Jan.1941).

Mrs Green was the wife of Captain HH Green and mother of Hugh (see 2 Jan.1941).

The ‘Sherwood Foresters’ were the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire regiment of the Army.

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