January 1944

I am Ruth's great niece. 

Ruth wrote a diary most of her life - just a couple of sentences most days. Sadly I don't have all of her diaries but I do have 1944 and 1945 - and I have decided that I will create a blog replicating what she said, using her abbreviations, grammar etc to keep it as true to her spirit as possible.

 I will be adding diary entries, pictures and background information over the next few weeks and months. 

This is Ruth circa 1944 

Ruth was the third youngest of 6 children. My Nan - Ida was her oldest sister. I was born in 1966 and never met Doris or John who had died before then but I do remember my Nan, (Ida), Neil and Betty. 

Ruth was married to Kenneth Cavigan (Ken). They had no children of their own but my Mum, June, was a sort of adopted daughter as she lived with them from around the age of 10. 

I will fill in any gaps I can along the way... 

Ruth lived in Buckinghamshire, England. 

Ruth Cavigan nee Hopkins

This picture shows a family photograph when Ruth was about 12 
(left to right) John, Grandfather, (Standing) Doris, (Sitting) Ruth, (Standing) Ida, Betty (on Grandmothers lap) Grandmother, Neil. The children in oldest to youngest order - Ida, Doris, John, Ruth, Neil, Betty. 

This picture shows Ruth and Ken in the mid 1940's

The 1944 diary 

Betty's driving licence 

Saturday 1 January Ken rang up just after midnight to say he had left Doncaster and had to report to B next day.

Sunday 2 January Went up to Harrow and saw Ken for a few hours. Travelled to Paddington with him.
Monday 3 January Ken rang to say he was coming home for 3 days embarkation leave
Tuesday 4 January Met him at wyc  (Wycombe) Station with a taxi at a quarter to ten pm.
Wednesday 5  January lunched in Wycombe with Betty and Ken. Did a little shopping.
Thursday 6  January Went to Ida's Wednesday eve - had quite a night. Ken went to see his people.
Friday  7  January Took Ken to station in ?¿???? car Didn't like seeing him off . Never do! Going overseas.
Saturday 8 January Had phone call from Ken late at night. B, F and I went to town in the afternoon saw a show called 'This Time it's Love'. Naughty. 
Sunday 9 January Stayed in all day except for journey to post letter to Ken. Packed our things in new cupboard. Ken's mother rang up
Monday 10 January Had two lovely letters from Ken. Wrote to him again. Otherwise - usual Monday.

Tuesday 11 January Another letter from Ken. He rang up just after midnight. Had feeling he 
 would soon be moving off.

This card was sent to Ruth -dated 11 Jan 1944

The back of the In Absence poem

Wednesday 12 January  no entry
Thursday 13 January Ken sent me a wonderful letter and a little card in it. Rang up his Mother
Friday 14 January  Very boring as usual
Saturday 15 January Heard from Ken, giving me an A.P.O address to write to. Mother and I went to
the picture’s and were stranded in  the fog. Had to sleep at Ida's
Sunday  16 January Couldn't get over to Men's parents owing to fog. Washed and set June's hair. Wrote
 to Ken.
Monday 17 January Awful weather. Frozen stiff at the office
Tuesday 18 January Met Betty and Peggy in Wycombe and saw 'Gentleman Jim' very good.
Wednesday 19 January Work as usual. Washed my hair. Wrote to Ken
Thursday 20 January terribly busy
Friday 21 January had letter from Ken which was posted from the boat. Seemed happy Wrote to him in evening.
Saturday 22 January Went up to Harrow for the weekend. Betty went to see J at Ashford.
Sunday 23 January Came home in the evening. Poured with rain.
Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 January Work as usual
Thursday 27 January Mother and I went to see Walt Disney's film 'Victory Through Air Power
Friday 28 January More workwork. Doris Rees came in for the evening.
Saturday 29 January Work. stayed in all evening
Sunday 30 January Ida, Bob and June came to tea. B, I and John went to Rexi
Monday 31 January usual things. Plenty of Americans came to the office. Rang Cavigans