Tag: World War II

Cynthia’s Diary – September 15 – 28, 1940

Sun Sept 15

Tidied up a lot.  Listened to a rather boring lot of records of The Reverend in America.

Mon Sept 16 – Sat Sept 21

Cannot remember much as I forgot to write as I do not have much time.  Go on Mrs. Covey’s bike to Cranley etc. a lot.  Go shooting!  The planes go over every night.

Sun Sept 22

Did not do much today.  Went shooting.

Mon Sept 23

Went to pictures.  Saw Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff in Tower of London, also Vic McLaughlin in Rio.  Nearly got bombed home.

Tues Sept 24

Uncle Hugh came today.  Going to stay week.

Wed Sept 25

Uncle Hugh is always catching rabbits, pigeons etc.

Thurs Sept 26

Forgot to write anything here.  I see June sometimes.  Took her shoes to her house.

Fri Sept 27

Uncle Hugh caught pheasant.  Boy are the bombs Loud.

Sat Sept 28

Uncle Hugh went back in van.  Tudor had cup of tea.  Bombs were terrific.  Went down the village.  Saw Ben.  Rode along with me, talked.

Cynthia’s Diary – September 1 – 14, 1940

Sun Sept 1

Had several raids today.  Had dinner at shop.  Went in library shelter.  Auntie Pat stayed at our house.

Mon Sept 2

Had raid at 8 o’clock till 9 this morning.  Went and played tennis with Phyllis, Pat, Billie.  Air raid in middle of game.  Went down shelter.

Tues Sept 3

Went to work.  Not bad.  Had warning in morning and afternoon.  Saw Dennis Young.

Wed Sept 4

Mummy’s Birthday today.  Am going to buy her a present Saturday.  Went to work.  Had warning several times today and at night.

Thurs Sept 5

Went to work.  Had raid this morning, one afternoon.  I have to answer phone.  Had raid lasting 9 hours and one lasting 1 hour.

Fri Sept 6

Had money, (salary) 14-5.  Warning in morning, one in afternoon.  Saw German plane making smoke in sky.

Sat Sept 7

Germans hit docks, fire blazing.  About 6 raids.

Sun Sept 8

Had dinner and tea at shop.  Tons of raids.  Shelter locked.

Mon Sept 9

Went to Labour Exchange.  Saw tons of ruins!  Two incendiary bombs in road.  Cannot remember much about this week except it was full of raids.

Tues Sept 10

Mr. and Mrs. Smail sleep down with us, also Miss Hodges, Mr. Burk.

Wed Sept 11

Tons of raids.  Might go away to Alfold!!  Dull day.  Shops shut.

Thurs Sept 12

Had dinner at shop, turned out of house.  Auntie Pat and Pamela left London.  Four houses away from us 3 houses were bombed down, people injured, also Walden?? Road etc.  Uncle Hugh came back in shelter.  Time bomb in garden. Went to business.  Four hours in shelter.  Several raids, whistling bombs!

Fri Sept 13/ Sat Sept 14

On Friday night and Saturday, Lavender Hill was bombed, also Clapham Junction, Post Office, etc.  All shops ruined.  Left London.  Got lift on lorry.  Saw cars crash.  Went on Tube, air-raid.  Met naval officers.  Air-raid.  On train!  Went in taxi 12/-.  Auntie Pat at Mrs. Covey’s.

Cynthia’s Diary – August 18 – 31, 1940

Sun Aug 18  (Full moon)

Had an air-raid warning.  Heard about 5 bombs drop.  Mummy ran from shop, dive bombers overhead about 1-30.  Just going to have dinner.  Had tea at shop.  Second raid at about 6 o’clock.  Sat on stairs.

Mon Aug 19

Daddy’s birthday today.  Sent him birthday cards.  Did not have any raids.  Did not go any place today.  Had nice tea!

Tues Aug 20

Went to pictures saw “The Last Post” also “The Spiders Webb”!!  Very good.  Had dinner at Restaurant.  Mummy had letter from Daddy.

Wed Aug 21

Did not go out today.  Did some washing.  Also ironing.  Very cold weather.  Have got to look for job.

Thurs Aug 22

Saw Doug, Ronnie Wood and friend.  Said hello!  Ron is post office boy.  I have an idea there will be a raid tonight!

Fri Aug 23

Had raid about 3:30 this morning.  Forgot tin-opener.  Heard guns and planes.  Moonlight nights.

Sat Aug 24

Had raid in morning and one in afternoon.  Went to Auntie Pat’s at night, had raid, went in her shelter.  Lasted about 2 ½ hours.  Heard planes afterwards when we got home.

Sun Aug 25

We had bath. Went to Auntie’s.  Had an air-raid about 20 to 11.  Also one at about 1-15.  So stayed night.

Mon Aug 26

Went to pictures.  Saw George Formby in “Let George Do It”, also “Fighting Mad”.  Renee came round, Auntie Pat etc., came for night.

Tues Aug 27

Had terrific raid from 9:30 to 4 o’clock, bombs and guns going.  Did not get much sleep.  Also had rain in afternoon.  Had raid about 9:30, lasted about 2 hours.  Just made tea.

Wed Aug 28

Had raid about 12:30 a.m.  Did not last so very long.   Put earth on shelter the morning.  Had letter from June.

Thur Aug 29

Went after job in Estate Agent.  Don’t know whether I’ve got it yet.  Put more earth on shelter.  Made shelter better.  Washed hair.  Did not have any raids.

Fri Aug 30

Had 1 raid dinner time,  2 in afternoon and one about 9:15 lasting 7 hours.  Have got job, start Tuesday.  The bombs and guns were terrific.  Fell asleep.

Sat Aug 31

Had two raids this morning.  One at 8:30, the other at about 11 o’clock.  Had raids all day today.

Cynthia’s Diary – August 4 – 17, 1940

Sun Aug 4

Went to Auntie Pat’s in evening with Marnie??  and Mummy.  Did not do much today.  Had Ice and fruits for tea.

Mon Aug 5

Went to pictures.  Saw Edith Fellows in “The five little Peppers”, also James Cagney in “The Pluck of the Irish”.   Were going swimming, closed.

Tues Aug 6

Mummy bought me new dance dress and lovely shoes.  Went to Locarno in afternoon.  Also Mummy, Mrs. Smail, Pamela and Renee.  Had fun.  Went played tennis in evening.

Wed Aug 7

Caught boy stealing pears.  Stayed in bed till late.  Saw Mary.  Went walk.

Thurs Aug 8

Had letter from Mr. Brettell with haymaking money.  Bought some more cards.  Mummy and Pam went to whist-drive across road.  Saw Doug and friend, also spoke to Ronnie several times.

Fri Aug 9

Mummy went to Alfold.  Pam went swimming.  I went to pictures.  Saw “Old Mother Riley in Society” also “Two Thoroughbreds”.  Good.  Had two eggs for supper.  Had dinner at restaurant.

Sat Aug 10

Went shopping with Mummy.  Saw Auntie Pat, Mr. Grieves, Mrs. Arnold and Jean.  Bought Wendy’s present also Mrs. Kirby came and saw flat.  Went to South Side ___  with her.

Sun Aug 11

Got dinner.  Mummy was going to Whist drive, but too late.  Had ices and fruit for tea etc.

Mon Aug 12

Wendy’s Birthday today.  Went to her party.  Lovely tea.  She had 5 cards, cot off Mummy, doll off Auntie Pat etc., beads off Pamela, Brick truck off me.  Played tennis.  Had ices.  Saw Jean Johnson.  Wendy was very excited about her birthday.

Tues Aug13

Went to shop several times, tooth came out, at last.  Mummy did not go out but yes she went to whist drive with Pam??

Wed Aug 14

Saw Ronnie Wood, Doug and Boys.  All or most of shops shut, so did not do much.

Thurs Aug 15

Went to pictures.  Saw “Swanee River” and “City of Chance”.  Air-raid, stayed in cinema.  Wandsworth factory burning.  Guess it was sabotage!

Fri Aug 16

Had air-raid in morning and one in evening.  Just going to cinema.  Bombs dropped loudly.   Went to pictures.  Saw “I Take this Woman”, also “Just William”.  Mummy liked them.

Sat Aug 17

Did not have any raids today.  Went Clapham Junction.  Had ice.  Saw Mary and Jean and Ronnie.

Cynthia’s Diary – July 21 – August 3, 1940

Sun July 21

Donald is rather nice.  Had hay fight. Boys chased us.  June does not like to go out with Don.

Mon July 22

Boys made gunpowder.  Shot it in gun.  I played piano.  Went out with boys!

Tues July 23

Went walks today.  Pamela had her tooth out Friday.  Saw tanks and soldiers.

Wed July 24

Found some mushrooms.  Had them for tea.  Saw a plane doing some stunts.  Fell in river.  Went to Stovold’s Hill.

Thur July 25

I go home tomorrow.  Did some packing went to secret meeting with Dennis, Donald and June.  Don bought us Ginger shandy.

Fri July 26

Went home to London!  Uncle Hugh took us to pictures saw Ronald Coleman in “The Masquerader”.  Also another good film!

Sat July 27

Went shopping had photo taken.  Saw Auntie Pat, also saw Dennis Young.

Don also bought block of choc each.  Had some fun.

Sun  July 28

Did not do much today.  Burnt potatoes.  Went  to meet Mummy.  Went walk on common with Mummy, Auntie Pat etc., etc.

Mon July 29

Went to labour exchange.  Am going to have job  in West-End.  Went  swimming.  Saw Doug.  Had dinner in restaurant.   Got off with boys.  Went in park with Mummy.

Tues July 30

Wrote after job.  Went to pictures.  Saw Gordon Marker, Bonnie Hale in “Hyde Park Corner”.  Also Billie Burke, Frank Morgan in “The Ghost Comes Home”.

Wed July 31

Saw Mary.  Went to dance, but full, so came back home.  ________ was Tuesday.  Have not had any letter from June or Roy???

Thurs Aug 1

Went out to Garret Lane.  Saw Mary, Doug, spoke.  Mummy had letter about technical school.

Fri Aug 2

Went to pictures.  Saw George Raft and Joan Bennet in “the House Across the Bay”.  Also East Side Kids in “ditto.  Saw R. W. and friend in evening.  They smiled.

Sat Aug 3

Saw R. W.   Went shopping.  Had dinner in restaurant.  Met Mummy.

Cynthia’s Diary – July 7 – 20, 1940

Sun July 7

Had letter & pocket money!  Went strawberrying.  Got place ready for Mummy.

Mon July 8

Went to school today.  Saw lots of tanks go by.  Renee may not go to Canada.  I may go to school tomorrow morning.

Tues July 9

Mummy came in afternoon from Cranleigh station with Wendy.  Did not go out in evening anywhere much, just went to station to get case.  Got off with soldiers & boys.  Saw Spikey etc!!!!

Wed July 10

Went to village.  Called in at Jack’s.  He gave Mummy glass wine!  Arranged to go Friday.  Did shopping.  Had dinner at Gibb’s Hatch.  Ices etc. 8/-.  Called at school!  Saw Tanks!!!

Thurs July 11

Went to Horsham.  Had dinner at “The Cotswold” 7/-.  Went to flicks.  Saw “Sons of the Sea” & “Jungle”.  Had ices etc.

Fri July 12

Went Cranleigh.  Had tea at The Singing Kettle Café.  5/-.  Went to flicks, as it rained.  Saw Madeline Carroll in “Husbands or Lovers” also “I Was a Convict”.  Jolly good, had ices and _____ 2d each apples.  Got film and shopping.  Had lift in Jack’s lorry back!  Appologized for not going to house.  Regret not going.  Got off with College boy.  Please turn next page….

Sat July 13

Went to village took girls with us.  Bought sweets.  Went up Rosemary Lane!  Saw Miss Grose.  Boy did we laugh.  I drove car.  Took snaps.

Sun July 14

We played tennis, also made hay.  Mr. & Mrs. Lever came.  Mummy went & had drink.  A: did not come.  Fed pigs each day, also collected eggs.  Mummy nearly missed train.  Got off with soldiers.  Also boys.  Soldier got hold of bike.  Wendy forgot doll.  Mummy went home.  They charged 6d for case!  What a rush.

Mon July 15

It teemed with rain.  Had lift in Lorry.  Saw army.  Had to knit socks all day.  Got soaked dinner time.  Gee it’s lonely without mummy.

Tues July 16

Still raining.  Guess it’s going to rain 40 days,40 nights!

Wed July 17

Have still to knit socks.  Going home week on Friday.

Thurs July 18

Did not do much today.  School is closing for good.  Saw lots of tanks.  Had lift in lorry.

Fri July 19

Took Pamela to dentist.  School closed.  Had photo taken.  Saw soldiers, spoke.  Plane crashed.  Real machine guns fired.  Saw German.  I was not scared, everybody else was.

Sat July 20

Went to flicks, saw Ronald Coleman in “the Light that failed”, also Bob Burns in “I’m from Missouri”.  Got off with Jimmy.  Saw soldiers.

 

Cynthia’s Diary – June 23 – July 6, 1940

Sun Jun 23

Had breakfast in bed!  Did not do much in the morning.  Feathers gave me piece of German plane.

Mon Jun 24

Went to flicks.  Saw Otto Kreuger and Mary Maguire in “Black Eyes”.  Also Jack Buchannan, Bruce Seton, Kathy Walsh in “Middle Watch”.  Met Boys, nice.  Saw Ken, few soldiers.

Tues Jun 25

Air Raid Warning in night. 3rd.  Lasted 2 hrs.  Made Pamela pair knickers.  Altered dress.  Paul gave me bullet.

Wed Jun 26

Saw Flood, came to school on cross-bar.  Had Raid warning, but did not have it.

Thurs Jun 27

Went to school.  Ball match, singles, won.  Saw Bob, Patrick, Don etc., all said “Hello”.  Had quite nice time!

Fri Jun 28

Had spelling and puzzles.  Mary won.  Saw lorries of soldiers.  Mummy says can’t go to U.S.A.

Sat Jun29

Did washing and work.  Meant to meet June to lake.  Went to Auntie Jessie’s.  Had cider.  Saw Millie, and boys, badies.  Went to top of hills.  Had fish and chips by —–.  Soldiers said “Hello sweetie”.  Saw Boys and few others on way back.  Saw Phyllis.

Sun Jun 30

Saw Roy with girl friend ride past.  Had rides on Feather’s and Morris’ bikes.  Also sat on motor bike.  Girls had strawberries!

Mon July1

Went to flicks.  Saw Tommy Founder in “Laugh it off” also “Trunk Case”.  June met Eddie from Cranleigh College, we had cigarette.  I got off with few boys.

Tues July 2

Told Renee about pen-pal.  She was not annoyed!  Mummie’s coming on Tuesday.

Wed July 3

Saw some soldiers, they all waved.  I have a lift in the milk lorry every morning now.

Thurs July 4

Saw tons of tanks.  There was a soldier in the lorry this morning.  Boy! Was he nice!  Mummy is staying in Bham.

Fri July 5

Did not get letter.  Very disappointed.  Had spelling bee.  Our team won!  Saw soldiers.

Sat July 6

Went to flicks.  Saw ”Just William” & ”Hell’s Cargo” with Walter Pigeon etc.  Saw Feo, Ben, Joan, etc. Tons of soldiers.

Cynthia’s Diary – Jan 1, 1940

January 1940

Mon 1

Went to cinema with Auntie Pat, Pat, Pam & Wendy.  Saw Mr. Motto Takes a Vacation, Stanley & Livingstone.  Good.

Tues 2

Mummy took Pat, Pam & myself to see “All the Best”, a review.  2/-  seats, ices and sweets, enjoyed ourselves.  Wendy at Auntie Pat’s.

Wed 3

Went to Auntie Pat’s, helped with curlers.  Torch broke.  Had film developed, jolly good.  Put them in album mummy gave me for Xmas.

Thurs 4

Went to Auntie Pat’s.  Mummy came later, arranged to have a party, we were going to play tennis on Friday, too cold.

Fri  5

Had a bit of a party.  Phoebe came gave me 6d.  Had a nice tea.  Mummy came out without key.  I was at Auntie Pat’s, she came in slipped???

Sat 6

Came back to Alfold, such a night, nearly got on wrong train, held it up, met Janet, went to new billet.  Quite nice, Miss Watson gave me 6 l. Mummy saw us off.

 

Cynthia’s Diary – October 1, 1939

The Rectory 1939 (Cynthia waving)

When Cynthia was evacuated from London, in September 1939, she and her baby sister Wendy were first billeted at the Rectory in Alfold village.  Her bedroom faced the cemetery, where a large rock supposedly marked the grave of a witch.  A previous occupant of the room, a girl named Mary, had scratched her name on the pane of glass with a diamond ring.  I wonder if it is still there?

Dorothy, Wendy, Margaret at the Rectory garden, facing Surrey Downs, October 1939