Category: 1944 Diary

Sunday 19th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

No Home Guard this morning so did not get up until 10.0 a.m. Had bath and shave eventually getting downstairs at 11.0 a.m. Played Clara and piano. John came round at 2.0 p.m. says he has been mending car and looks like it. Joined the party and went to Brockley Combe in afternoon, suspected case of anthrax. Blood test made on spot, no trace. Was permitted to look at slide. Most interesting. Returned to their house to tea. Had a game of billiards. Quite good little table, wants some getting used to however. Packed up there at 7.30 p.m. Had slight musical moments until 8.30 p.m. then to Salthouse. Place crowded not much amusement. Met Mrs Hobbs, Pat, Jimmy, Don Hack, Mrs Fletcher and friend also Ted Drewitt. Gladys Yandell was also present. Finished up there at 9.30 p.m. to home, read then filled up diary till 11.11 p.m.

Saturday 18th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Caught 8.0 a.m. Played solo to Bristol John in No. 9 rooms then [he?] went on 9.0 a.m. Did a bit more to SG and Friary finish both lots on Monday. Caught 12.15 p.m. Met Mrs Simpson on Clevedon train. Home at 1.30 p.m. John and Cedric turned up at 2.0 p.m. Had a bit of music til 3.0 p.m. then rang up Mick who was in two minds about coming down. Had pretty good jam session latter delighted. His trumpet playing getting on very well. Cedric, Kay and John called round at 6.30 p.m. Kay must hear Clara so demonstrated. Repaired to Salthouse. John complained to Ken re: overcharging latter looks murderous. Packed up at 9.0 p.m. then went home.

Friday 17th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Caught 8.0 a.m. train. Not enough to play solo so read Clarence’s Guild Monthly.* Squared up quite a bit of Stoke Gifford and Friary. Went straight into pictures after arrival at home station. No John only Don Hack there whom I knew. Sat with him and kept a watch out for John. Lousy film. Walked out with John at 8.0 p.m. Could not see John. Ended up in Salthouse. Don obviously and successfully intending to get tight. Success unqualified. Managed to keep within bounds myself, the fellow seems to have an unlimited supply of money to waste. Mick Barrel came in and arranged for him to come down tomorrow. Walked around town with him and Harold Dark till 11.30 p.m. then returned home.

*I have no idea what this is. Online searches are showing nothing for ‘Clarence’s Guild Monthly’ so it may simply be a ‘Guild Monthly’ of some kind that belonged to Clarence. (Dear Alec, the occasional spot of punctuation would have been very welcome!) Beyond that it would simply be guesswork – perhaps an engineering or gardening magazine of some kind? There are both engineers’ and gardeners’ guilds with online presences but there, I’m afraid, my attempt at research ends.

Thursday 16th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Caught 6.38 a.m. arrived Stoke Gifford at 8.00 a.m. Relieved John Lewin. Caught 4.40 p.m. with Bill Harbour Senior. Train left on time. Arrived home 6.0 p.m. No Badminton so John came down for a half hour or so, Went round to Salthouse for a couple. promised to meet him at Pictures tomorrow night. (Salthouse with Ced. and Kay.)

Wednesday 15th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Caught 6.38 a.m. to Bristol then 7.30 a.m. bus to Stoke Gifford. Arrived 8.0 a.m. Met Cyril. He brought round cup of tea at 12.0 noon very acceptable. Home on the 4.40 p.m. Bristol very late. Did not get home until about 6.0 p.m. John went to pictures. Stayed in and played Clara. John rang up at 10.0 p.m. Arranged to see him tomorrow.

Tuesday 14th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Got up at 10.0 a.m. Played Clarry till 11.0 a.m. Walked to station for 11.10 a.m. thence to Bristol to meet gangs. To club for lunch with John. Saw Alec Campbell. Hill came in with Dad. Held conference till 1.45 p.m.then packed Chas. off to Stoke Giffod with Mr Wilmot. Had a haircut then helped Mr Hill with Friary till 4.15 p.m. caught 4.40 p.m. Bristol. Home near 6.15 p.m. Home Guard at 8.0 p.m. then home again at 9.30 p.m.

Monday 13th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Caught 8.0 a.m. to London. No work till Bob came then did not touch Friary but got on with preparations for Stoke Gifford for this week. Worked till 5.30 p.m. then caught 6.30 p.m. with Chas. Got to C’don about 11.0 p.m. Gordon on Yatton Car*.

*It’s a fair guess that he means a diesel railcar, which was definitely in service on the Clevedon-Yatton shuttle service at this time.

Sunday 12th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Got up at 9.30 a.m. Went to Home Guard. Understand Brian Wise now in Navy. Chad Jones promoted Corporal. Home at 1.30 p.m. with Clarinet, Jack Bentley lending same. To Portishead with John and his people in afternoon. Home at 5.0 p.m. Tea then John came round at 6.30 p.m. Demonstrated Clarry for his benefit. Seem to get on OK with this one. To Salthouse in evening then for a walk with John and Margaret. Home at 9.30 p.m. Read then bed.

Saturday 11th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Woke up at Newton Abbot then slept to Taunton and from there to Temple Meads. Walked over to office, chatted with staff for 15 minutes or so then into Dad’s office and got down to it. Mr Loxton have me a call at 5.00 a.m. popped out and caught 5.25 a.m. milky. Made connection at Yatton with 5.50 a.m. goods. Met Reg Cook and Signmn. Francis. Arrived home at 6.30 a.m. Breakfast then slept on bed till 10.0 a.m. Rang up Cedric says they are going to Bath. John came round in afternoon. Did not go out. Latter stayed to tea then fixed lawn mower. Went to pictures in evening – Gordon Harker in ‘Warn That Man‘. Met Margaret Moore. To Salthouse afterwards, then back with Pat till 11.0 p.m.

Friday 10th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Slept well. Woke up to find most of bedclothes on floor. Had breakfast with John who did not have a very busy night. Walked out to Mutley Plain for sandwiches and newspaper. Took Chas. and my cases to cloakroom at North Road and had a coffee in refreshment room. Read paper then went for a walk on the Hoe. Saw plenty of naval activity and flying boats in the Sound. Walked around to the ‘Mayflower Stone‘ then cut through town to Riza’s where I had lunch at 12.0 noon. To hotel at 12.30 p.m. then out to Friary via Mutley Plain. Relieved Chas at 1.0 p.m. sharp. Says things just going to get busy. Very true. Went up to town at 4.15 p.m. after food. Bought half dozen jam tarts but could not find a sweet shop.

Returned to yard at 4.25 p.m. in time to take 9.30 a.m. Yeoford (next train). John came back at 10.0 p.m. Shunter gave me a lift back to Mutley Plain in his car. Walked from there to North Road. Recovered my suitcase from Cloak Room. Lot of noisy sailors on station. Train arrived 11.10 p.m. Got in and read book till we left at 11.30 p.m. Slept to Newton Abbot.