War and peace and the price of cat-fish

19th May 1943: Methodists & marigolds

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:34:00 +0000

Raynes Park Methodist Church bus stop/Lantern Arts Centre/Cafe & Coffee shop. Google Street View in 1012. This was Ciss's Church (& same at as Cottenham Park? - reseach not yet undertaken by this blogger in 2013).

19 Wed. (con.) The chilly E. wind completely spoilt an otherwise brilliant day - pity. Did shopping by cycle including going to Morden. Sowed four varieties of my own experimental marigolds. Mr F. J. Bonham came to interview Ciss; he is writing a history of Methodism in Wimbledon and Ciss was able to give some interesting particulars. Started washing the painted walls of the scullery. Warning from 11.55 p.m. to 12.25 am. on 20th Thur. Warning from 1.0 a.m. to 2.45 a.m. Three enemy planes came from the N. and took moderate gunfire: the Raynes Park guns fired a few rounds at the last plane.

18th May 1943: bomb swished down & exploded

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:49:00 +0000

18 Tues. Very mild, the bright sunshine was not able to make itself felt because of the very rough chilly E. wind. Shopping locally in afternoon and along rail path. Uncle Tom & Aunt Nellie called in morning. Alan Spooner called in evening. Warning from 1.0 to 2.00 a.m. from 2.20 to 3.0 a.m. A few machines and moderate gunfire, and a few bombs heard one bomb swish down and explode. From 6.30 to 6.43 p.m. From 11.55 p.m./ to 12.7 a.m. on 19 Wed. Also from 2.25 to 3.36 a.m. Three enemy planes from N. to S. The first one was followed fairly closely by one of our night fighters because it was not fired at. Gunfire was a little more accurate but still not anything like enough of it: one machine was destroyed but not known where.

Note: Fred's entry for '19 Wed (con.)' appears tomorrow.

17th May 1943: the dam busters

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:26:00 +0000

...17 Mon. Then further warning at 12.30 a.m. A few machines from N. to S. flying very high received moderate gunfire but they did as they liked and a few bombs were dropped. All clear at 2.35 a.m. Also 3.50 to 4.15 a.m.: one more machine which was almost ignored by the gunners dropped one bomb over London: local guns did not fire.

17 Mon continued. Rather warm, lovely genial sun all day. Cycled top buy cats' meat at Morden, also bought lettuce seed and took accumulator. Sowed two sorts of lettuce seeds and cut lawn. Last night our airmen burst 3 great reservoirs in Germany with bombs and let the water free which flooded great tracts of the Ruhr. Warning at 11.25 p.m. a single enemy plane passed over from N. to S. and to eastward; it dropped a bomb which I heard coming down, it drew only very slight gunfire; the local guns were again silent: all clear t 11.43 p.m. This bomb fell at Brixton Hill. The bomb before midnight last Sunday was at Richmond.

"Last night our airmen burst 3 great reservoirs in Germany"

16th May 1943: midnight air raid

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:41:00 +0000

Salmon-cream Admiration

16 Sun. Rather warm, bright sunshine all day, but spoilt by a chilly wind. Short walk in afternoon, along rail path in evening. Warning from 1.40 to 1.50 p.m. The first rose out in back garden is Admiration, salmon-cream. A loud bang just before midnight followed by the sirens; all clear at 12.19 a.m on 17 Mon.

Note: Fred runs his Sunday entry on into Monday - when he gives details of that German air raid. And tomorrow he also reports the raid by the British forces on German reservoirs that we now know as The Dam Busters.

15th May 1943: trains (clean), bike (nice), uncles (Bill & Ben), roses (gorgeous), planes (air raid warning)... & "Wings for Victory"

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:03:00 +0000

15 Sat. Rather warm, sunny, fresh wind. Did all the shopping in afternoon by cycle. While in Wimbledon saw the grand "Wings for Victory Week" procession - good. Also saw the Southern Railway's up local line "fly over viaduct" between Wimbledon and Earlsfield Stations, also saw the carriage washing machine - trains go in dirty one end and come out clean the other. Bought silver dope at Colins and did some more painting to my bike, begins to look nice. Uncles Ben and Bill called in afternoon, short raid warning while they were here. The Heriot rose is gorgeous to-day. Dear Monica called; gave her a sweet.

14th May 1943: really enjoyed sunny cycling

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:36:00 +0000

14 Fri. Warm, perfect sunny day, even better than yesterday. Did shopping in morning including going to Morden to buy fish. Cycled along Coombe Lane, Bye Pass to Robin Hood Gate, Kingston Hill and home from Norbiton down Coombe Hill. I really enjoyed it.

13th May 1943: 150,000 prisoners

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:54:00 +0000

13 Thur. Warm, fine sunny day, tempered by a fresh S.W. wind; lovely. Shopping locally, also to Wimbledon. Short cycle ride in evening, heard the first cuckoo over Kingston Hill way, also saw swifts and house martins, the first this year. The N.African campaign is over and Von Annim and over 150,000 of the enemy have been taken prisoner.

12th May 1943 continued... War report

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:49:00 +0000

...The enemy forces in N.Africa are routed and completely cut off from the coast: the African campaign will soon be over. The long expected attack on the enemy in Europe may soon materialise. Mr. Churchill in Washington to see Mr.Roosevelt: things will happen soon.

12th May 1943: quiet for train spotter

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:39:00 +0000

12 Wed. Very mild, very dull. Had no shopping to do this morning. Did more enamalling to cycle. Along rail path in evening saw Collins. Saw Southern Rlys.new twelve wheeled electric locomnotive.

11th May 1943: "she really is a dear"

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:55:00 +0000

11 Tues. Mild, some sunny periods, but the wind although chilly has moderated a lot. Cycled to the Morden cats' meat shop. The lovely girl who serves there was giving a dog a run. I saw her when I was riding to the shop. She recognised me and said good afternoon; wasn't that kind of her; she really is a dear. Aunt Liza called.; Doris' new baby will be named Donald Vincent.

10th May 1943: grounded may

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:28:00 +0000

10 Mon. Mild, heavy clouds, rain all day; the wind blows in great gusts. I saw a lovely pink may tree in bloom lying flat on the ground, blown down by the wind in Martin Way. Fought my way through the wind and rain to buy fish and mustard seed at Morden; also took accumulaor but that was a local errand.

9th May 1943: 3 sweets & 1 birth

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:13:00 +0000

9 Sun. Mild chilly rough wind but some bright sunshine with little warmth in it. Little Connie, Monica and John called: gave them a sweet each. Cousin Doris had a baby to-day; she now has two boys and a girl. Short walk in evening, and glad to get back; best indoors. Oh, Mrs Akroyd came to tea.

On this day: overnight the US 6th Armored Division penetrated the retreating Axis forces in Tunisia.

8th May 1943: hunting for boot polish

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:41:00 +0000

8 Sat. Mild but the raging sou'wester made it seem quite cold; heavy showers all day following a night of deluge and hurricane. Got the groceries as usual and hunted all over the neighbourhood to buy boot polish which I did after traversing literally miles.

7th May 1943: vegetable world

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:51:00 +0000

7 Fri. Mild, cool wind, but some nice sunshine. Did the usual Friday morning shopping including going to Morden to buy cats meat. Bought three more tomato plants and planted them. Also preparing borders for other plants.

Extra Notice - Poetry

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:43:00 +0000

Dear readers of this blog. If you are a poet, or know of a poet you can mention this to, please let me draw your attention to my website Poems Please Me.

The reasons I'm giving the website a bit of extra publicity here is:

1. I have a competition which is nearing the deadline closing date - 31st May. International entries are most welcome.

2. The website has been going for about 3 years, and I have just introduced a Monthly Newsletter which readers can request via a coupon.

Here's a poem about Fred:

My Uncle Fred

His narrow, terraced house survives the blitz

until its blacked-out windows can enjoy

sashed daylight, hazed by lace, creating

patterns on the polished, oilclothed floor.

Hiss click, hiss click. Steel needles conjure

symphonies from brittle, shellac discs

(a giddy dog admires His Master's Voice)

spinning new worlds between the dull brown walls

– and on the picture rails, hung by their wheels,

aircraft, created by a master's craft –

doped tissue paper cloaks the balsa frames

glued under gaslight, employing self-taught skills.

With equal gentleness he strokes a bow

across a violin or – on Sunday,

a day for ritual – sets foot

inside the musty, hallowed sitting-room,

draws in his fragile breath and

pulls with sympathetic strength

at organ stops, summoning a fugue by Bach

to rattle doors, disturb the cats,

shake off a week of post-war toil.

His diaries record the thud of bombs,

the price of fish, a flower seller killed,

a rose in bloom, a broadcast by the King

and other miscellaneous things... a baby's birth

- Tony French

6th May 1943: a quiet day

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:28:00 +0000

6 Thur. Very mild, very cloudy; fresh wind. Did shopping locally, met Mrs Child & Jenefer. Sowed cress seed.

Note: I think this is Fred's shortest entry since I started blogging his diary - Tony

Quote:

"We shall continue to operate on the Italian donkey at both ends - with a carrot and with a stick." - Winston Churchill speaking at a press conference in the USA, May 1943.

5th May 1943: paid for 2 cwt of coal

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Sun, 05 May 2013 09:13:00 +0000

5 Wed. Very mild, very dull, but it is calm at last - what a relief. To Trewins(?) to pay for the coals. 2 cwt @ 3/8 per cwt. Also bought 3 Carters' Sunrise tomato plants @ 7 1/2d ea: planted them in afternoon. Planted out lettuces in evening then for a short cycle ride. Alan Spooner called with two wireless coils for me to see.

Photos and postcard:
1. Link to photo & memories of the remarkable Carters' Tested Seeds factory
2. Link to postcard of the same stately-home like Raynes Park factory

4th May 1943: devastating wind

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Sat, 04 May 2013 08:15:00 +0000

4 Tues. The otherwise mild day was completely spoilt by the fierce east wind which is smashing down the newly grown plants in the garden: dreadful. To Merton in afternoon. There remains a lot of work to be done in the garden but but I can't work in such a devastating wind.

3rd May 1943: landlord admires my roses

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Fri, 03 May 2013 06:53:00 +0000

3 Mon. It would have been mild but for the east wind which was very violent and chilly; some sun but its effect was spoilt by the wind; terrible. To Morden in the gale to buy fish also to the post office etc. On fire duty to-night. The landlord admired the roses at the front door.

2nd May 1943: 'delightful... cheered my heart'

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Thu, 02 May 2013 08:09:00 +0000

2 Sun. Very cool, very dull, chilly E. wind. To Dear Mother's grave in afternoon also walked through John Innes Park.: the flowering trees and shrubs most of them named enchanted me: saw some unusual plants. To Wimbledon Common in evening, did not venture far on: saw the most glorious wisteria on the front of a large house in Lingfield Road. Met Alf & Lily, Len & Emily Garrod. A little girl named Rita who I have not seen lately laughed with pleasure at seeing me again. "Where have you been all this time," she said. I told her I still lived at the other end of the road. "I have been away at school all day," she said, I expect that is why I haven't seen you." Now wasn't that delightful; it cheered my heart.

1st May 1943: 14 children to tea

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:14:00 +0000

1 May. Sat. Very mild, cloudy, some rain. Did small amount of shopping in afternoon then along line to Wimbledon: a Lord Nelson loco stood on a siding at Wimbledon. Fourteen young children of the Sunday School came to a tea party here. Gladys, Jean Child and Miss Lawyers (Sawyers?) came. First roses out on climbing Mme.E.Herriot; the earliest it has ever been. One or two blooms have been half open for several days.

30th April 1943: Gladys is very loveable

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:07:00 +0000

30 Fri. Very mild, very dull & cloudy; rain most of the day. Did shopping in morning including going to Merton to buy haricot beans: got meat, groceries and most of the week-end supplies, so shall have little to buy tomorrow. To see Gladys who promised some things to help with the children's tea Ciss is going to give tomorrow. Saw the garden; Gladys is very loveable. Also to see Mrs. Akroyd's wireless - new high tension battery needed: slight attention to her sewing machine.

29th April 1943: cycling for cat's fish

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:39:00 +0000

29 Thur. Very mild, cloudy, fresh wind, slight rain later. Doped fuselage of 34 ins. model, also wing of same. Cycled to Morden, Worcester Park, and finally bought some fish at North Cheam.

28th April 1943: cat food is toughest task

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:35:00 +0000

28 Wed. Very mild, cloudy but chilly wind continues. Hunted all over Raynes Park and Morden for Dinky's food but got none: my most difficult task. Planted runner beans seeds and other work in garden. Stripped fuselage of 34 ins model and re-covered with black tissue: could not get the usual dark blue.

27th April 1943: showing off bikes

noreply@blogger.com (Tony in Devon) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:30:00 +0000

27 Tues. Very mild, wind a little less strong. Along line to Wimbledon bought some meals. Then to Merton Road to buy some sheet balsa & black tissue at Colins aero shop. Then to Merton High St. to buy fish and home along Kingston Road. Alan Spooner called in evening to show me his re-enamalled cycle; I was able to show him mine.