1941

[17th page – January – March 1941, in ink]

March 6th 1941 6.45 Am
A lot has happened since I put this book away. but this morning I feel that I’ll start again  Portsmouth is a mass of ruins.  in some spots kings Road for instance is flat.  not a shop standing  St James Road is as bad.  the Guild Hall Gutted.  Commercial Road Charlotte St & all around Portsea is sad.  Kingston Road to just over Fratton Bridge & in Copnor Road Southsea end but as one comes into Portsmouth one sees Jerry has paid us a severe visit or two  Cosham Picture House the ‘Carlton’ & Flats opposite & so we go on.  Tues: night the 4th we heard Bombs screaming down & thought we were going to be shook up but fortunately they were delayed action & several went into the Creek & spare ground around  from the Bridge to Copseys Siding the Traffic has been diverted since & they are using the new Road out of the City  I have been away with Dick since the Blitzing in Jan: now he has moved to Witham & I have let Dining Room & bed room to Naval Officer & Wife for 3 months & I’m hoping to go again with Dick after Lionel has been on his 7 day leave & also Dick  a very wet night & still raining  oh on Wed we had a plane that our AA’s hit over the City & it unloaded it’s packet which dropped in Edinburgh Road & surrounding district – the plane came down at Hayling Island one more that can do no dirty work again.

Jan 10th 41 the first terrible Raid  fires everywhere. burnt for a week or more. 

[18th page – March 1941, in ink]

Monday 10th March.  Sirens sounded the Alert. about 8 pm. then very heavy Gunfire  we look out or about to do so when Mrs Ford comes in & says theyre dropping flares.  I get up & get shoes & RainCoat on & Steel Helmet & go to put the Hose ready.  dont get that far when there a terrific explosion & Mrs Mason yells down what a laugh we had afterwards.  I ducked down between the Gas Stove & the Dresser to save myself from perhaps flying Glass.  Margaret is under the Stair getting the Gum boots and remains there  Mrs Ford is half in the Sitting Room.  Mr Mason & Mrs is at the Front door  he pushes her down her face goes into Mrs Ford’s feet  & Mr Mason splits his eye on the door or somewhere.  they had dropped sticks of H.Es. the end of the Road. doing their best to get the Gas Works & the line (Railway) right along into the City  we had no electricity – & very little Gas.  this heavy bombing continued till 2.15 Am.  there was scarcely a break. 

every night since we’ve had heavy gun fire & some Bombs dropped  Wed or Thurs: Our AAs brought a plane down unfortunately in the City done considerable damage as it was loaded.  I’m writing this on Monday the 17th while I sit & wait for Lionel & his lady friend who I expect to come with him on his 7 days leave.  hope he brings his ration card.  

[19th page – November 1941, in ink]

Nov: 20th 41
Once more I make an entry lots have happened since last writing  the Young Lady Lionel brought home in the last lines of the other page. is going to marry him on his next leave which is expected before Xmas.  Lionel is a full Cpl now  Dick is stationed back at Hilsea.  David is still in the M.E.F. & Derwent at Deal.  Margaret & I are still at Catherington Cottage . where we went on June 16th.  I to Housekeep & Cook for Mrs Pegram . wife of Admiral P. D.S.O. Who is in Charge of Fleet in South America have met some interesting people since we’ve been there including Mr Michelopolos the Greek Press minister otherwise the Propoganda Minister  tall nice looking & speaks perfect English  he got away from Greece with their King but lost all his wife’s jewellery at sea.  the little help we had in Maude has been taken for war work  her boy was on the Ark Royal. that sank last Thurs: but all are saved bar one. & one seriously injured.  marvellous. out of 1,600 men.  we have an elderly woman in no. 65 a Mrs Robinson  Margaret has a job in Petersfield Co op daily  gets a bus at Roades Hill every morning 8.30 Am & Return 6- pm  ever since we left Portsmouth it has been quiet & free from Raids  Gerry been too busy in Russia & our air fleets are stronger  I have only come in for a couple of days to have my teeth seen to  going back tomorrow & Dick will come over Sat till Sunday  Mrs Pegram has been & is still away till next week.  she has one daughter Daphne who is at a Secretarial School she is 18’  the Cottage is very old but rather nice all modern conveniences  will try to make more entries in this book. now