1944

[24th page – April 1944, in ink]

David went overseas in last week of Feb  he is at present in Egypt.  he never had much of a chance to enjoy his home for the short Period he was in England.  it’s all wrong.  I hope when this book is old the country will be governed in a bit fairer way  Blasted Capitalism but Class distinction is not nearly so prevalent  this part of the country certainly looks like war.  Troops of every discription coming & going  Tank Gun Barges. planes by the thousand & England is banned from the Wash to Lands End  20 to 30 miles inland only those that live there are allowed.  the 7th of March Admiral Pegram died  I went to his funeral & am now staying with Mrs P at the Cottage. for a while  Margaret & Ianthe are in Leicester with Joan until she has had her second baby  Dont know where Lionel is.  am disgusted with his wife  the way she looks after her baby  but I suppose the child will survive & grow up thinking she has a wonderful mother but shes a selfish thing  Dick at Ludgershall  can manage to nip in at times when a lorry is coming this way for good or despatching  I have been told we have Bridges built for this invasion & they have tested one in the Harbour firing 3 torpedoes & it didn’t sink  hope. it’s correct  Jerry is sending over Rec: planes & orders are no plane is allowed to pass over Pompey & get away. of the Enemy s.  so far all has been as ordered

[25th page – December 1944, in ink]

Dec 28th 1944.  A lot has happened since March Great Strides have been achieved  D. Day the day we invaded Europe June 6. 7 or 8th cannot remember which day it was successful & we are in Germany in some part  Jerry has been sending over V1 Bombs called by Churchill Doodlebugs.  one Blasted the Cottage. & was thrown out of bed in August about 4 Am  lots of damage but no one hurt in The Village  now he’s sending V.2. which is a Rocket of Great penetrating force   cannot be seen or heard until it either explodes in air or come straight down  therefore rather nerve racking  the noise of explosion is tremendous   Rather difficult to explain  a huge bang & then a roar which seems to last seconds They come at such a rate   They often exploded themselves  they are carried by a Heinkel bomber. to somewhere near the coast line & then shot off.  the V1 are shot from the Base over wherever they are Calais Holland etc.  we have got lots of their bases  weather has been against us  our troops could not have had filthier weather.  David & Der met in Rome this month first time since 1934  had two nights to celebrate & then Der was flown back to Greece where They are rising against one another in General.  Margaret still at Glos’. where she went after leaving Joan  Sid her Bro ill with T.B.  expect her home sometime soon.  been up to Joan & London. where Mrs P is have a good time  when I go there brought back 2 bott Brandy 2 sherry 1 gin & got nearly pushed & kicked down on Waterloo Station in the crowd. to get on the train  lots more this Xmas for the majority of folk.  everyone of us were separate  Lionel France David Italy Der Greece Joan Leicester Margaret Glos & I home.  first Xmas I’ve ever spent alone  Father at Ludgershall but I had a nice quiet restful time which I needed having got a cold also next Xmas we hope Germany will be beaten & order

[26th page – December 1944, in ink]

& our boys home except for those who will have to go to fight the Japs.  it’s a treat to have no sirens or very few.  we have the Street lamps now & we need only have ordinary curtains instead of Black out ones  a real treat & most helpful; for nerves & health.

29.12.44
Dick came in last night  had taken him since lunch time to get here stiff with cold.  had to catch the noon train today to be sure of getting back.  Just had a wire from Mrs Pegram  She is coming down tomorrow for lunch bringing Panda. one of Jill’s puppies  Weather still Good dry cold & frosty.

Dec 30th Sat:  Feeling much better today  Mrs Pegram was late had to miss the 10. train  she’d Given back her Key to a Major Hunt & couldn’t leave the House unlocked long enough to take Panda for a walk before travelling & order herself a taxi  had to wait till Mrs Dawson arrived  Panda is looking better.  am keeping her for a week or two  Mrs P staying with Sir Admiral & Lady Bonham-Carter I have an invitation to go there for a Day  have to wait for warmer weather  wish they would send me in a pheasant or a Partridge  had a wire from Margaret  she is returning by road with Bill tomorrow  hope the roads will be better  they’ve been like a sheet of Glass  got 14 pounds from David this morning  £5 each for Father & I and the rest to give to the nephews & nieces  also a letter he’s taken on for his 21 years.  hope he’s done right  no news from Der Since he went to Greece  I think it’s rather sad there should be trouble there  the news says they are not treating our prisoners well  taking the [illegible] & food away from them  as bad as the Japs  we seem to be holding the Jerries in Belgium,