Category: 1944 Diary

Thursday 9th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

John and I caught bus out to Saltash Passage. Challenged for identity card by Yank sailor as we were watching Royal Albert Bridge. Chatted for some time with W[ar] R[eserve] policeman who had some connections with the Railway Coy. Parted best of pals. Dinner in cafe next to Riza’s. Went on Hoe in afternoon, read book in sun and watched the Flying Boat* take off on the Sound. To Goodbody’s Cafe for tea at 2.30 p.m. then back to Hotel and out to Friary for duty at 4.0 p.m. Work much heavier than at first thought. Three trains still to write up when John arrived at 10.0 p.m. Left them as shunter gave me a lift to Mutley Plain in his car. Chas asleep when I arrived. Chatted until 11.0 p.m. then bed.

*The Sunderland Flying Boats of Plymouth

Wednesday 8th March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Caught 9.10 a.m. for Plymouth, arrived 22 minutes late so waited for Limited. Latter arrived to time, John in company with WAAF, Mr Hill with Army officer. Took bags to hotel then quick tea. Mr Hill again at Plymouth Friary Goods Yard. Introduced to Mr Still, Assistant Div. Supt. for the Exeter Area LRly [?]. Latter took us to tea at local cafe. John Chas and myself back to Hotel for dinner at 6.30 p.m. Played solo and nap in hotel from 7.0 p.m. to 11.0 p.m. finished 3d up. And so to bed.

Friday 3rd March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Arrived at 8.10 a.m. Charles gone but hand lamp and forms left loose in van. Fire gone out. Unable to get a good fire going all day. John took my case to station in morning and relieved me at 3.0 p.m. Chased into Plymouth. First part of 3.50 p.m. already gone so went into refreshment room for a snack. Got in van with guard as far as Taunton. Slept from Exeter. Another snack at Taunton then picked up 6.35 p.m. Taunton to Yatton. Dad on Clevedon train. Arrived ‘Devonia’ at 8.30 p.m. Cedric and John already in occupation. Hurried through meal and joined them. Music till 10.30 p.m.

Thursday 2nd March, 1944

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Alec’s diary continues:

Up sharp at 7.0 a.m. and out to Tavy Jun. up side. Met Foreman Frost. No accommodation on up side so fixed up a cripple Brake Van with fire and used that. Very little to do all day. John arrived 3.10 p.m. but missed him in yard. Returned at 3.30 p.m. Played solo in evening then went to Millbay with Chas to see Mr Hill. John had to send his drawer key to Mr Morris up at the office as unable to find Westbury and Salisbury analysis forms.

Some solutions found!

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In an effort to trace the ‘Baby Imperial’ and the ‘Lord John Malcolm’ as mentioned in Alec’s diary, I got in touch with the Wembury Local History Society via their Facebook page and asked if any of their members could help.

Within hours, back came an extraordinarily comprehensive response from information provided by one of their members, Chris Robinson, which I have their permission to quote in full:

The Baby Imperial was located at 47 Cobourg Street while the Lord John Malcolm was 27 Russell Street.

Western Morning News, July 1st 1944

ANZIO MEETING : Mr. Carroll Levis And Plymouth Friend

Mr. Carroll Levis, who has just arrived back in London from an ENSA tour, which lasted six months although it was originally booked for three, had a great thrill when he met old Plymouth friend at the Anzio beachhead. This was Maj. Ted Taylor, the proprietor of the Lord John Malcolm Cafe, Russell-street, Plymouth. Many a time after giving a show at the Palace Mr. Levis would slip across to Maj. Taylor’s cafe in peacetime, and the two have been friends for many years. It was a tremendous surprise to him to meet Maj. Taylor at Anzio just nine days before the Fifth and Eighth Armies linked up. The two had dinner together at ‘Ted’s Tavern,’ which is Maj. Taylor’s mess, and which has a sign outside reading, ‘Ted’s Tavern Fully Licensed.’ Mr. Levis had given nine shows that day the troops. Maj. Taylor presented him with a souvenir the occasion – an ashtray made out of shell.

This is wonderful stuff, and it’s the sort of thing that makes family history so fascinating. Alec’s diary for 1944 ends long before Anzio, I’m afraid, or it would have been fun to imagine him eating at the Lord John Malcolm Cafe at exactly the moment when Ted Taylor and Carroll Levis renewed their acquaintance.

My grateful thanks to the Wembury Local History Society and to Chris Robinson for their help.