1939 – 40 (ii)

[2nd page – August 1940, in ink]

so far.  although all the week we’ve been raided  Friday the 16 went the Fareham to gather Blackberries but spent 5 hrs in Air Raid Shelter stayed the night at Elsie had to get up at midnight & was witnesses to flares set up in field by fifth Columnist but an LDV (Local Defence Volunteer) saw them & put them out. & was nearly shot when challenge someone he heard warning who happened to be 3 NDC (National Defence) men.  arrests were made.  Aug 19 went to Commercial Road had raid warning not to long.  yesterday Sunday 18th: a day in the Shelter.  Dick was with us.  several Balloons brought down. 

20th All quiet.  Went to Bramdean with George & Lily in Car. a very pleasant evening. got back 2 min to 12.  no raids at all.   

Wed 21st warning midday not much doing near then soon after the all clear another warning Margaret & I in Dug out When Dick appeared had to come to Hilsea Depot with lorries. & managed to get a bike from an RE workman Bill Bede [?] & rode home just got a cup of tea & Gunfire started not too bad here. 

Thurs 22nd All quiet till midnight had warning very short  & then quiet 73 Friday, 4 raids making 77.  a Jerry flew right over airport & Depot but wasn’t fired on till it got over Hill no warning then Portsmouth hasn’t suffered today but by the Sound Bombs & Gunfire Gosport Lee & Southampton.  Margaret & I caught out at North End

Fri 23rd She had her photo taken.  9.45pm & all quiet, 10.15pm Dick just come in. 

Sat 24th all quiet till midmorning although warned. nothing much happen.  warning again 3.15 & Portsmouth was heavily Bombed.  the ground Vibrated in Shelter.  all Clear about 6pm.  505 people homeless in Portsmouth.  we went to the Odeon as soon as the buses started running to see Dorothy Lamour in Typhoon not too good.  OK rather didn’t come up to expectations after 15 mins in there warning again some people left but we remained not Bombed.  came from picture house & took Bus to Road House