1939-40 (iv)

[4th page – August 1940, in ink]

was heavy bombing & Gunfire.  Bombs have fallen all around up here Gasworks only 200 yds away & the Houses are being evacuated because of Time Bombs not yet exploded & also the troops in the old Cricket field so we are expecting to have some explosions.  supposed to be 4 or 5 Bombs up there  Portsmouth has suffered badly this weekend.  Palmerston Rd Southsea & Fratton way.  86 raids now. 

27th Tues Slept all night in Shelter 3 alarms  Did washing & just had Dinner & an alarm.  only a short one.  then went over to Cowplain met an old lady at Meredith Rd quiet queer she had been bombed in her house & lost everything was going to Friends.  very peaceful at Cowplain  Sirens at 5 ocl & heavy Gunfire.  went for a walk & Caught the 9 oc: Bus at Lovedean Corner got as far as Waterlooville & Sirens sounded went to Public ARP shelter the raid which was very intense lasted 5 hours.  Porchester Rd a mass [?] of incendiary Bombs then when we got to Cosham siren again & we had another hour in another shelter.  we had to walk from the London Road to Green Lane. & arrived home 5.15 AM. 

28th just had tea & herring Roes on Toast now hope to go to bed for a sleep.  Quiet until 4 pm & warning came through Mrs Ford Mrs Popps Mrs Barton & their children came in Shelter with Margaret & I.  we didn’t have anything much.  10 pm & Siren again we slept in Shelter.  Jerry planes over till 4 Am.  Gunfire & Explosions dont know what happen really  I should think it was incendiary Bomb.  a smell of burning in the wind. 

Thurs 29th Gunfire at sea or along the coast & then the Siren our planes went out to meet them & kept them at Bay.  a very nice clear night so I dont suppose we’ll have a peaceful night.  10.15 Warning so we Retire in Shelter.

Friday 30th Although Jerry was over all night & Gunfire etc. we slept well between whiles getting used to the hard beds I suppose.  Any how we never heard the All