Category: Edwards

Cynthia’s Diary – January 12 – 13, 1942

Monday 12th January

Freezing cold today.  Phoned Charles and Gordon with Dorothy.  Were not there.  Started snowing, spoke to Harold and Milton.  When we got back G and C were there.  Came by motor bike.  Did not go till about 1 o’clock.  Went in Dorothy’s a bit.  Mummy, Daddy etc. went to pictures.  I may go tomorrow.  I hear it’s a good film!!  The snow keeps snowing.

 

Tuesday 13th January

Had letter from Ivan, rather disappointing!  Went to pictures saw The Land Sisters in “Four Mothers”, also Lynn Barrie, Lloyd Nolan in Charter Pilot.  Phoned Charles.  Ken, Milton and crowd were there cracking jokes, also about Renee!!  Boy they are terrific!  Charles is coming tomorrow.  The snow is getting thicker.  The film was good.

Cynthia’s Diary – January 10 – 11, 1942

Saturday 10th January

Went to Guildford.  Had new coat.  Saw Ivan.  Rather disappointed.  Had cream cakes and tea at buffet.  Went to dance, Daddy treated us.  Went to “3 Horsehoes”.  Good dance.  Naughty Charles danced with me,  jealousy……. Lights went out in waltz.  Danced with Harold etc.  Saw some Satchel Court ((Sachel Court had been a large estate where Cynthia had taken pictures of the wealthy going on hunts with the hounds. It had been taken over by the “Union of Seamen” at some point, during the war. The Sachel Court girls must have been girls that worked there.)) girls.  Did not go to bed till late.  Saw Ally, John L. etc.  Had fun.

 

Sunday 11th January

Got up early.  Bob did not come.  Phoned.  He said he had been to Aldershot.  But would come about five.  But he didn’t .  Phoned Charles twice.  Also Cliff.  What a laugh.  Mummy, Daddy etc. went to Auntie Pat’s!  Was I disappointed that Bob did not come.  I could have gone to the pictures.

Cynthia’s Diary – January 8 – 9, 1942

Thursday 8th January

Tried to phone Bob, but could get only exchange.  Phoned Charles and Gordon.  Supposed to come over, but did not.  Went in Dorothy’s.  Ate chocs, read books.  Had supper with her.  Mummy, Pamela, Daddy ((Daddy is “Horace Charles Edwards”, Cynthia’s father)) and Wendy went to pictures.  I may go tonight.  Although it’s hard to get in to see it.  I wonder what happened to Charles and Gordon.

 

Friday 9th January

Phoned Bob.  He is coming on Sunday.  Maybe we will go up to town.  Phoned Charles and Gordon.


Cynthia’s Diary – January 6 – 7, 1942

Tuesday 6th January

Sent letter to Edna.  Also had letter from her!  Phoned Charles.  Joked about.  The other boys kept shouting they loved me, and I had a lovely voice etc.  Dorothy came with me!  Evidently Gordon had waited in all the evening in case I phoned!  Charles and the boys may come Thursday evening.   Daddy’s coming tomorrow.

 

Wednesday 7th January

Had letter from Theresa and Scotty.  ((Scotty is Derek Scott, I think.  He is a former British boyfriend of Cynthia.))  He’s ill and cannot go skating.  I was not going in any case.  I’m through with him!  Bob did not come.  But Charles and Gordon did!  Dorothy went to pictures with Gordon.  I went to dance with Charles.  Then they came to our house.  Also Ally, John L., and Harold.  Had chicken etc.  Did not go until late.  Daddy came home.

 

Cynthia’s Diary – January 4 – 5, 1942

Sunday 4th January

Bob ((Bob is “Robert Burns Cameron” with the Royal Canadian Engineers, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.)) did not come after all.  Very disappointed!  Phoned Charles twice.  Boys fooled about.  Wrote letters.  R.C.A.S.C.  Boys cannot come tonight.  May come tomorrow.  Took dog a walk, saw several people I know.  Did a bit of sewing.  Got a bit fed up.  The night was dark and dreary!!

 

Monday 5th January

Phoned Bob.  He’s coming Wednesday.  It was good to hear his voice.  Did not go anywhere.  When I pressed button, I got 4d instead of 2d.  The weather is awfully cold.  Charles and Gordon ((Gordon is a soldier who is quite friendly with Dorothy.)) came I think.  Had quite a nice time.

Cynthia’s Diary – January 2 – 3, 1942

Friday 2nd January

Charles came in truck.  Went to Cranleigh Hotel for drinks.  Saw Bert and George in there.  Saw Frenchman who owns hotel.  Went a ride.  Not bad.  Dorothy ((Dorothy Celius was a friend.  Billie, Cynthia, Pam and Wendy rented “the old schoolhouse” from her and that is how they met.  The schoolhouse was on her property behind her house.  Her husband Geoffrey (Jeff) Celius was in the army or navy, and was overseas.  She had two children.)) came in for a bit.  Had a bit of dance.  Talked etc.  Charles had a few photographs of me.  And gave me one of himself!

Also he gave Pamela his brothers address to write.  How thrilling.

 

Saturday 3rd January

Went to Guildford.  Saw Ivan.  Bought me book, candy etc.  Went to Lyons for supper.  Also had drink.  He was very disappointed I could not stay.  Talked to soldier.  When I got back Charles ((Charles is probably Canadian Charles Omar Bartlett,  from New Brunswick.)) and Gordon were there.  Bob and a captain had been.  May phone Bob.  Had quite good fun did not go to dance.  Charles not very well.  Lay down.  Charles phoned me.  Had letter off Gwenda.

 

Cynthia’s Diary – December 30, 1941 – January 1, 1942

1942 Collins Pocket Diary

On Wednesday, evidently, Bob was on his way over here in the evening, but he ran another soldier over and killed him.  His name was Jock Hersham.  He had just got another stripe that evening.  Maybe I shouldn’t have asked Bob to come to the dance!!

Tuesday 30th  December

Bob came.  Went and had drinks.  Then back home, danced etc.  Did not leave till late.  Am going out Sunday with him.  Gave me his identity disc.

Wednesday 31st December

Bob came today, but I was at the office.  Said he may go to dance, but didn’t.

Thursday 1st January

Went to Cranleigh College dance.  Scotty came, also Charles and Naughty Charles, Gordon, Harold, Ally, John L. Cliff and the rest.  Had lots whisky.  Met lots including Roy.  Kissed lots. Got lost in truck on hills.  Had bit of party.  Charles lent me his college ring.  Supposed to meet me today.  Did not come.  Rather disappointed.  Think I’ll phone him tonight.  Did not go to bed till late last night.  5:30 a.m.

Cynthia’s Diary – 1941

Cynthia and Renee

There doesn’t seem to be a diary for 1941.  Maybe she wrote a diary and lost it, or left it behind in England.  I believe it was in 1941 that she fell in love with Robert Burns Cameron.  I’m sure he looked dashing in his officer’s uniform.  I know she dated him when she was seventeen.   R. B. Cameron was with the Royal Canadian Engineers.  He came from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Cynthia’s Diary – December 22 – 31, 1940

Sun Dec 22

Did not go out today.

Mon Dec 23

Went to Horsham.  Bought presents.  Had tea in Cotswold. List (or Lots) Xmas card.

Tues Dec 24

Christmas Eve.  Filled Pam’s and Wendy’s stockings. Went to Alfold and Cranleigh.  Saw soldiers.  Also spoke to two Royal Artillery, arranged date.  Also spoke to sentry.

Wed Dec 25 Christmas Day

Had plenty of drink, chicken, pud etc., had party.  June came. Played piano with Daddy.  Impersonated.

Thurs Dec 26 Bank Holiday

Boxing Day.  Had more fun.  Eric came.  Went in car to Cranleigh.  Went to Mrs. Burk Myers.  Borrowed shoes!

Fri Dec 27

Saw Eric.  Went to Three Horseshoes.  Also to Railway and Onslow.  Had sherry, port, ginger wine.  Came home in car.  Eric came.  Laddered stocking 5/-.  Saw Joy???  Daddy went back today.  Had present off Dennis 6/6.  Saw Tony.  Hitler did not bomb us Xmas.

Sat Dec 28

Did not go out.  Played cards.  Won 3 ½ . ??

Sun Dec 29

Saw Ganga.???  Eric came in car.  Stayed late.  Saw Ben and Bucket.  Cleaned windows.

Mon Dec 30

Have a cold.  Allen Green is ill.  Did ironing.

Tues Dec 31

Poor little Lucky died this afternoon.  I think Ken was cruel to him.  Could have gone to pictures with Dennis, Feathers, —–.

Let’s hope the War will end soon!!

At last 1940 is over. Let’s hope peace will be restored this time next year!!

Cynthia’s Diary – December 8 – 21, 1940

Sun Dec 8

Did not go out today.  I dreamt, the other night, I visited Hitler and he promised peace.

Mon Dec 9

Had letter from Renee.  Went to Cranleigh to take chicken.  Had 6d off lady, 6d for going there and 6d for cutting hair off Mrs. Covey.

Tues Dec 10

Saw Ken, Pam caught her rabbit.  Saw Fred, Mrs. Layer’s son!

Wed Dec 11

Am looking forward to Xmas.  Have bought a few presents.  Did not go out today.  Saw Fred.

Thurs Dec 12

Saw few people!  Sent card to Ray.

Fri Dec 13

Went to village.  Saw Ben etc.  Arranged date.  Will not turn up.

Sat Dec 14

Had drinks Mummy bought. Went to flicks.  Saw Diana Churchill in “House of the Arrow”.  Also ”Roman Scandals”, Eddie Cantor.  Ben did not turn up.  Did not go to dance after all.

Sun Dec 15

Went to Cranleigh in Archies Car, Boy and Donkey way.  Had chicken dinner.

Mon Dec 16

Archie may have pub.  Did not go out today.

Tues Dec 17

Daddy is coming home soon.

Wed Dec 18

Did not go out today much.

Thurs Dec 19

Went to Guildford with June, jolly good.  On way home saw car signaling.  Had to lie in ditch owing to bombs.  Saw boys.  Paddy gave me pair of clips.

Fri Dec 20

Went to dance at Cranleigh College.  Danced with officer who was with Lady Burns. Saw Ken.  Met crowds of soldiers.  Eric kept giving us port etc.  Went in Railway and Onslow.  Met Eric Hibbs.  Arranged date.  Sat at pictures with Tony also Monday with Jack.  Nearly came home in army lorry.  Kissed me goodnight.  Came home in Armstrong car.

Sat Dec 21

Daddy came today.