Tag: Cynthia’s Diary

Cynthia’s Diary 1945

1945 May 7- 13

Cynthia

Monday May 7

My photos of Wendy arrived.  Very good. Had letter from Rae.  Also one from Johnny, in hospital with tonsillitis.  Went to show saw Storm Over Lisbon. 

They announced VE Day will be tomorrow.  Yippie

Tuesday May 8

The War is over after all these years it doesn’t seem true.  Went over to aerodrome mess in car with Jack Fisher and wife.  Played piano.  Met Canadian girl (war bride).

Everyone had holiday today.  Went to dance till 2 o’clock.  Marched in Torch parade with band singing and shouting.  Wonderful bonfire with Swastika on top.  All Cranleigh was lit up and flags flying, fire-works shooting about.

Thursday May 10

Welcomed more prisoners of war.  Station master etc. tried to push us off the station, but I stood my ground.  Prisoners cheered.  Gave them books.  Deans came today on leave from Holland.  Gave me pair of red clogs, handkerchief, lipstick, pair of stockings, etc. 

Ethel, Mr.&Mrs. Kingdon also came round for cup of tea.

Friday May 11

Went to dance on Wednesday till 12.  Welcomed more prisoners.  Gave them books.  Met Ken Lee from Birmingham.  They’re really all the best boys from England, all R.A.F. officers and really well spoken.  It’s interesting to see their souvenirs and talk to them.  They gave us German money.  They’re all Officers in the R.A.F.

Saturday May 12

Went to show saw “The Adventures of Mark Twain”.  Mr & Mrs. Kingdon and Ethel came for cup to tea etc.  I lost glass out of French watch Deans had lent me, thus bending one of the hands. 

Sunday May 13

Went to Bognor Regis for day with Mummy, Pam & Wendy.  Went in Buttins Fair.  Took bus ride to Little Hampton.  All beach closed there.  We could see several mines, also sea mine and aerial torpedo.  Bought a portable radio on Wednesday.  L12-10-0

The Dowdall House – Fowler’s Corners

Half House Fowlers Corners

Cynthia arrived in Halifax on June 14, 1946.  She then travelled by train to Belleville, Ontario.  John and his brother Gordon picked Cynthia up at the train station.  After an overnight stop at Gordon and Thelma’s, they headed to Sudbury to visit with relatives.  A party was thrown for the newlyweds that lasted until dawn.

Originally they were going to live in Sudbury, but Gordon convinced John and his other brother Marmaduke that they should come to Peterborough.  He said there was good farmland, (Marmaduke wanted to farm), and there were jobs at the Canadian General Electric company.

John and Cynthia lived with Gordon and Thelma on Stormont Street.  John got a job at the GE.

On August 7, 1946, they purchased an acre of land on the Peterborough-Lakefield Highway, 5 miles from Peterborough.  The price was $250.00. Then they decided to sell it.  At some point they moved in with “Duke” and Marie on the farm at Orange Corners.

They purchased the land at Fowler’s Corners from Bill Burgomaster (actually his mother owned the farm).  John was able to get a loan from the VLA (Veterans Land Association), because he had served with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps., and they began work on the house.

 

At first they built half of the house.  Cynthia thought that the wind would knock it over, so John attached guy wires to hold it down.

Cynthia’s Diary – June 2 – 15, 1946

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June, 1946

2 Sunday

Mummy had letter from Johnny.  Had present off Auntie Elsie Also off Mrs. Batchelor.  Went for papers.  A shortage of cigarettes in Cranleigh.  Did not go out.  Mrs. Ward came.

3 Monday

Had new instructions from Wives Bureau.  I leave Friday. And am now sailing on the Queen Mary.  Daddy went back.  I phoned Phyllis.

4 Tuesday

Went to Ewhurst to dancing class with Mummy and Wendy.  It was raining.  Glad to get home.

5 Wednesday

Did not go out.  Pamela and Mummy stayed home again.  Did sewing etc. Also ironing.  Daddy is meeting us in London on Friday.

6 Thursday

Did shopping.  Had tea at Hibbs with Mummy and Wendy.  Went fixed money at Bank.

Went to show.  Saw Son of Lassie.

7 Friday

Taxi called 12:30.  Caught 12:49 train to Guildford.  Caught 1:20 train Waterloo. Packed.  Stood all the way.  Met Daddy.  Phyllis.  She gave me present.  Had cup tea. Then had another at caf. Kissed them goodbye 4:30.  All cried.  Dozens children.

8 Saturday

Had coffee in caf.  Watched Victory Parade from Balcony.  Saw King, Queen and Princesses also Prime Minister and Winston Churchill.  Phoned Mummy had Whelks.  Wrote to Mummy and family.

9 Sunday

Went to tea with Phyllis.  Met her sister, brother etc.  Wrote to Mummy.  Phoned Mummy.  Left Hostel 10 o’clock.  Left Waterloo at 12. Arrived Southampton 1:30.  Gee the Queen Mary’s a big ship.  Wonderful food.  Had bath.

10 Monday

Saw film “Diamond Horseshoe”, Betty Grable, Dick Hayes.  Phoned Mummy in morning.  And afternoon, evening.  Said Goodbye to them all.  Had telegram from them.  Had bath.

11 Tuesday

Queen Mary left Southampton 9:30 a.m.  Took photo of coast and ship Nelson.  Went to show saw Rex Harrison in “Blyth Spirit”.  Had bath.  Did shopping.  Bought jumper, brassiere, etc.QMCynthia_0003

12 Wednesday

Was sea-sick, also the others.  Forced myself to eat.  Got cigarettes.  Also souvenirs.  Sat on deck and in lounge.  Had coke, apples, etc.

13 Thursday

Had hair shampooed and set in Beauty Salon.  The Right Honourable Mackenzie King who is on the boat, gave a speech!

MackenzieKing QMCynthia

 

14 FridayAutographMK

15 Saturday

Docked at Halifax in morning about 11 o’clock.  Went through immigration. Changed money.  Sent cables.  Spoke several times to Mackenzie King.  Took his photo.

A page from Cynthia’s autograph book

Cynthia’s Diary – February 10 – 23, 1946

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10 Sunday

Maurie came again.  Johnny and I went to Stockland Hotel in evening.  Malcolm wouldn’t come.

11 Monday

Auntie Elsie came into town with us.  Had ice in Lewis.  She went to see old ladies.  We went to see Daddy and Auntie Sis etc.  Then went to show.  Saw “A Thousand and One Nights” at Gaumont.  Had supper and went home after having drinks.

12 Tuesday

Tried to book seats at Hippodrome to see Hot Ice, impossible.  Elsie gave us £1.  Had tea Gaumont, then drinks then went to Stockland for more drinks.

13 WednesdayGaumont Theatre Birmingham

Got up early and caught 9 o’clock train.  Floods had subsided.  Got into London early.  Had drinks in Bear and Staff.  Lots of stage and screen people in there.

14 Thursday

Went to Leicester Square Theatre.  Saw George Brent in The Spiral Staircase.  Had lunch etc.  Got train 5:30 to Guildford.  Had drinks and supper.  Went to Onslow, then to show.  Saw Humphrey Bogart in Conflict.  I was sick.

15 Friday

Went to show.  It’s nice having Johnny around the house.  Hand still in bandage.

16 Saturday

Did not go to dance.  Had drink at 3 Horseshoes.  No fish and chips.

17 Sunday

Did not go to show as I’d seen one of the films.  Johnny took photo of me in the Garden.  Left on last bus.

18 Monday

Johnny came round, brought Ace.  Elaine came too.  Had supper then, curse it, he had to go back to camp, as he has to go up to the Hospital early about hand.

19 Tuesday

Went to Ewhurst with Wendy to watch her dancing.  While I was out, Johnny phoned, the poor darling’s hand is broken, so he has to go to the hospital and probably won’t get down for a few days, Oh! Gosh!  I feel like crying.  Gee, I miss him terribly and love him so very much.  Went shopping.  Had headache.  Edna phoned.  Coming 2nd March.  Ace phoned.  Coming Saturday.

20 Wednesday

Johnny phoned.  Promised I’d go and see him tomorrow.  Mummy and Pamela found out about the baby.

22 Friday

Went to Guildford 12 o’clock.  Had cup tea, caught 1:15 bus to Bramshott Hospital.  At last found Johnny.  Film on Weekend at Waldorf.  Felt faint.  Johnny got me water.  Had super there.  Got home 8 o’clock.

23 Saturday s.r.7.0, s.s.5.28

Johnny got here 2 o’clock.  Had dinner.  Went to show saw Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca.  Caught 9:30 bus home.  Ace didn’t come!

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Cynthia’s Diary – February 24 – March 9, 1946

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24 Sunday

Went got papers.  Went to White Heart and had drink with Johnny.  Wore his hospital blue trousers.  Darling Johnny had to leave 6-50.  Oh gosh!  It was wonderful to have him for a few hours.

25 Monday

26 Tuesday

27 Wednesday

28 Thursday

Johnny has a few days leave till Sunday.  Went to show.

1 March Fri

Johnny came.  Went met Edna in Guildford.  Cecil came in the evening.  Edna’s nice.

2 Sat

Cecil had to go to camp.  We got up to see him off.  Went had drinks in the evening.

3 Sun

Stayed in bed till late.  Boys went and had drink.  Went to White Heart in the evening.

4 Mon

Went to White Heart again.  Got quite merry.  Bought some chips.

5 Tues

Went to doctor Kettlewells.  Edna came with me.  Examined me, but could not tell much.   Have to go to the hospital Thursday.  Met Johnny and Cec in Onslow.

6 Wed

Went to Onslow again.  Cecil thinks he’ll leave Sunday.

7 Thur

Went to Hospital for Internal examination.  Verdict: I’m going to have a baby!! Of course we already knew, and so does everyone else.  Johnny for one couldn’t resist telling everyone weeks ago!!

8 Fri

Went to show.  Saw Hollywood Canteen.  Had ice-cream.  Sent form to Canadian Bureau.

9 Sat  s.r. 6:30,  s.s. 5:53

Cec left for Canada today.  Edna upset.  Johnny came.

Cynthia’s Diary January 27 – February 9, 1946

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27  Sunday

Went to show.  Saw George Sanders in “The Moon and Sixpence”.  Had drink at Onslow. Caught 9:30 bus home.  Found 6d.

28 Monday

Did my washing.  Mrs. Tugwel called round about telephone.

 29 Tuesday

Johnny comes home every night now.  It would be so lonely without him, as Daddy is now in Birmingham.  He has a job there.

30 Wednesday

Johnny came, stayed home.

31 Thursday

Made appointment to have hair permed.  Went to show.  Johnny came, saw George Formby in “I didn’t do it”.

1 February, Friday

Had hair permed.  Maria, short style, curls all over 2-7-0.  Johnny came.

 2 Saturday

Johnny came.  We didn’t go out as it was so wet.

 3 Sunday

Rained all day.  So didn’t go out.  Elaine came round.  She and Pamela went to show.

4 Monday

Johnny came, all bruised and with his wrist in agony.  Did best we could.  Didn’t know what to do with it all night.

 5 Tuesday

Johnny came, had been to M.O.  Took ex rays and bound it up in plaster.

6 Wednesday

Johnny came.  He starts his leave tomorrow.

7 Thursday

Went to community centre for dinner.  Johnny’s hand all swollen.  Went to Onslow.  Saw old Rydinghurst gang.

8 Friday

Went to Birmingham.  Arrived 9:30.  Looked around London on way.  Good trains.

 9 Saturday

Malcolm came to Auntie Elsie for weekend.  Also Maurie.  Met Johnny’s friend Cecil Ace and wife, Sylvia at College Arms, Sparkhill.  I was sick, so came home at 10 o’clock.  We could have gone dancing and stayed night with them.

Cynthia’s Diary – Dec 31,1945 – Jan 26, 1946

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31 December 1945  Monday

Went into Guildford.  Got evening dress. White with red polka dots.  Mrs. Kosten Hendricks helped me alter it as it was too long.

Went to Cranleigh College dance with Johnny in taxi with Lt. Cmdr and Mrs. Kosten and Pam.  Had drinks etc.

1 Tuesday

2 Wednesday

Went to Onslow with Johnny.

 

17 Thursday

Johnny went back today.  Went to show

18 Friday

Johnny arrived to help us move.  Went to Onslow.  Andy, Jack and Elaine and friend came to supper.

19  Saturday

Moved into our new house today.  Got radio fixed up etc.

 20 Sunday

Went to show with Johnny.  Also to Onslow.  Pamela brought Andy, Elaine and Jacky to supper.

21 Monday

Johnny went back to camp.  Radio broke.  Went to show.

22 Tuesday

Wrote letters and sent off competition.

 23 Wednesday

Johnny came this evening.  He has 4 days leave.

24 Thursday

Went to show.  Saw Hedy Lamar in “Conflict”.  Johnny stayed home, he’d seen it.

25 Friday

Johnny and I caught 9:45 bus to Guildford, then train to London.  Got room at Union Jack Club, Waterloo.  Went drinking.  Went to Lyons Brasserie.  Then to show at Odeon.  Saw George Raft in “Stop Whistle”.

 26 Saturday

Had drinks, supper etc.  Went to London Pavilion.  Saw Bing Crosby, Bob Hope in “Road to Utopia”.  Went to Brasserie.  Got into Guildford at 7:30.  Went had tea, then to Lion Hotel for supper and drinks.  Met Daddy in subway train, on way to Birmingham.