July 1944

Saturday 1 July Neil and I went to the pictures
Sunday 2 July Wrote to Ken. Dismal day.
Monday 3 July Wrote 87 to Ken. Took Mother out to collect the rents in the evening. Very wet weather.
Tuesday 4 July Finished 87 to Ken. Mowed and clipped the lawn.
Wednesday 5 July Dull
Thursday 6 July Went to the pictures with Moira and Betty. Wrote 88 to Ken
Friday 7 July Finished 88
Saturday 8 July Three weeks since I heard from Ken. Chief came over. Stayed for the weekend.'Iced cake.
Sunday 9 July Rained all day. Wrote 89 to Ken
Monday 10 July Received letter 25 from Ken. Written 17.6.44. Said he had injured hand. Wrote him 90.
Tuesday 11 July and Wednesday 12 July (written over both dates) Collected Red X with Betty. Ken's. Mother rang up Miserable weather. Lots of news over Betty's proposed marriage. My character is painted blacker every day because I try to understand the way B feels about Chief and don't condem him like the rest of the family. They seem to think I am trying to persuade her to marry him. Wrote Ken 91. Wrote to Peggy.
Thursday 13 July Very quiet in all respects. Spent evening doing embroidery.
Friday 14 July Mowed lawns. Wrote Ken 92
Saturday 15 July Went to Wycombe, had tea at Ida's came home at six o'clock. Neil went to Keighley and Betty  to Kingston for the weekend. Letter 93 to Ken.
Sunday 16 July Visited Ken's Mother and Dad at Harrow. Finished 93 to Ken. Very hot weather for a change.
Monday 17 July Received six letters from Ken. 25,26,27,28,29,34. He is now back in N Africa. Wrote him 94. He seems to be very fit. Received my photographs on 29 June.Thought it was very beautiful.
Tuesday 18 July  There are more letters from Ken. 30,32, 33. Said there were several parcels on their way. Wrote him 95. I mowed the lawns in evening. John went to Seaton again.
Wednesday 19 July Received 31 from Ken. Told me about good 4th July celebration they had with the American boys in Sardinia.
Thursday 20 July Went to Kingshill with Betty, saw Alia James and boyfriend. Wrote 96 to Ken. Heard of attempt on Hitlers life . High German officers plot.
Friday 21 July Lovely weather all the week. 28 weeks since Ken went away. Wrote 97.
Saturday 22 July Received some opapo ???) and 2 letters 35 and 36. Wycombe in afternoon, queues everywhere couldn't go to the flicks. Betty at Kingston for the weekend. Posted 97. Had letter from Allan Flatman also Toteim.
Sunday 23 July Mother and I went to Uncle George's to tea. Picked gooseberries for jam.Walked up Lee and back.Wrote 98
Monday 24 July Packed up parcel for Ken
Tuesday 25 July Packed parcel.
Wednesday 26 July Wrote 99. Most miserable day. Also wrote to Allan Flatman and Hilda Ritchie.
Thursday 27 July Neil returned from Beverley . Received letter 37 from Ken. He had received on 20th July my birthday parcel and Italian dictionary.
Friday 28 July Wrote Ken another 99. Betty finished her job at Hoovers. Girls gave her wedding presant of £1-10-0. Received table mats from Ken. £10-10-6 suty.
Saturday 29 July B and I went to Reading on 7.15 bus. She bought pretty blue wedding dress, I bought navy assemble! Both very short (??). I got (?????) in Maidenhead. From sore feet!! First day of my holiday.
Sunday 30 July Stayed in bed late. Church in the evening with Mother and Neil. Wrote 100 to Ken. Betty went to Kingston.
Monday 31 July Cycled round rent collecting. Glorious day.Wrote 101 to Ken

Great Uncle George

In 2012 I asked my Mum (June) if she would start putting together a bit of a family history - sadly because of ill health she didn't get too far - but she did write the piece below about 'Great Uncle George'. George West was Aunt Ruth's Uncle. His sister, Miriam was Aunt Ruth's Mother.

This is what June wrote. 

'George West c 1880 – 1960

He was my grandmother’s (Miriam Hopkins) only brother. Anne and George West produced just the two of them. He was married to Aunt Kit – rather a nagging , miserable type I gathered - and had two daughters, Norah and Kathleen. I have no memories of Norah ( I gathered she took after her mother) but can remember Kathleen. She was lying on a chaise longue with a rug over her and was thin, fatigued looking but pretty. She was an ‘invalid’. I never discovered what was wrong with her and don’t remember being curious. Odd for such a nosy person as myself but people weren’t so ‘open’ then and didn’t seem to think children should be.

The four of them lived in a pretty flint cottage in Louches Lane at the top of the steep hill leading up to Naphill from Hughenden. Uncle Neil and Auntie Joan* lived in a brick built cottage opposite them.

I never knew what exactly Uncle George did but I think it was connected with wood in some way. His appearances in my childhood were somewhat odd. When I was staying with my grandmother he would appear in the early evening, stay to supper and then stay the night in a bed that appeared to be kept  made up for him. His relationship with his sister, Min as he called her, was not exactly congenial. They were always arguing and she was always moaning about him. I enjoyed his frequent and random visits as he taught me how to play draughts and was always willing to play with me. Was he escaping from Aunt Kit?

He was a very dapper man – usually white shirts, navy blue suit, well-polished shoes. He wasn’t very tall but sported a firmly tipped, well-trimmed moustache. One morning I was fascinated to hear, ‘Min, Min have you seen my moustache wax?’. So that’s how he kept the ends so sharp.

We moved to Beaconsfield, I was busy at school and later work and he faded out of my life.  Aunt Kit died, Norah got married and had children, Kathleen died and he eventually died, after my grandmother, I think. And the pretty flint cottage with its garden full of fruit trees was sold.'

FYI This document was on her laptop - She didn't send it to me. I think she hoped she would be able to write more - but ill health took its toll. June was a journalist - and this 'article' is something only she could have written - it is funny, irreverent and gives us a short insight into her perceptions about 'Great Uncle George'.
*Uncle Neil was Ruth's youngest brother and he was married to 'Aunt Joan' 

June 1944

Thursday 1 June Nothing of note

Friday 2 June Received letter 18 and 19 from Ken. Both lovely ones. Said he had received 200 cigarettes from Mother, also a letter from Jack Tyas. Wrote 69 to Ken.

Saturday 3 June Wrote letter 70 to Ken.  Mother N and I went to see ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ for second time.

Sunday 4 June Wrote surface letter and sent photograph to Ken. Miserable weather

Monday 5 June Miserable day again. Wrote 71 to Ken

Tuesday 6 June D.Day Invasion, Heard that British and Allied troops had landed on coast of Normandy. Big naval and air forces co-operating. Finished 71 to Ken.

Wednesday 7 June Good progress by Allies. Wrote letter 72 to Ken. Washed Mothers hair in the evening. Knitted socks. Dull weather.

Thursday 8 June Met Betty in Wycombe had tea at Majestic. Wrote to Ken’s Mother and sent photograph. Wrote 73 to Ken.

Friday 9 June Finished letter 73

Saturday 10 June Received letter 20 from Ken. Went t London with Mother and visited P.O.W  Exhibition. Went to pictures afterwards.

Sunday 11 June Neil & I went to church.  In afternoon went to the Plow for tea. Wrote Birthday letters to Ken. Sent him Italian dictionary. Wrote letter 74

Monday 12 June Received airgraph from Ken. Wrote him 75. Sent off his birthday parcel.  Ken’s Mother rang up.

Tuesday 13 June  Received surface letter and batch of five snapshots. Looks very well. Wrote him letter 76! Wrote to Peggy Tyas .

Wednesday 14 June Dull weather. Pat came to tea with John. Jerry started flying pilotless planes on attacks against this country.

Thursday 15 June  Went to Kingshill Village hall with Kathleen. Cycled home in the rain. Laddered my stocking. Wrote 77 to Ken.

Friday 16 June Received letter 22 + 23 from Ken. Put all his snapshots in an album. Wrote him 78.

Saturday 17 June Nice day. Chief came over and bought a bottle of Pimms No. 1 Met him and Betty at Ida’s at 8.30 and had a drink. Caught 9.30 bus home. Read, Letter 24 from Ken

Sunday 18 June Visited the Cavigans at Harrow. Cycled to Missenden station. Lovely weather

Monday 19 June Collected Red X money with Betty. Whizz bomb fell at Terrieus (??)

Tuesday 20 June Moira came to supper. Mother bought home cushion cover for me  to embroider. Started letter 80 to Ken.

Wednesday 21 June Received letter from Hilda Ritchie. Finished 80 to Ken. Very cold day

Thursday 22 June  Nice day. Wrote letter 81 to Ken

Friday 23 June B and I went to see film ‘Song of Russia’ Robert Taylor + Susan Peters. Very good. Flying bomb fell at Hampden. Never heard it!!

Saturday 24 June Lovely day. Wrote 82 to Ken. Betty went away for Holiday. John went to Seaton.

Sunday 25 June Pretty dull. Stayed at home all the time.

Monday 26 June Wet day. Left work at 5 o’clock and took Mother to collect the rents. Wrote 83 to Ken. Sent white coat to Ken’s Mother.

Tuesday 27 June Went to Palace with Moira

Wednesday 28 June Awful day – rained a lot. Rang Ken’s Mother. Wrote 84 to Ken.

Thursday 29 June Received letter from Peggy Tyas, also new allowance book from Air Ministry 3/6d per week (extra compulsory allowance from husbands back dated 4.5.44). Did some washing in the evening. Wrote 85 to Ken. Skip rang up.

Friday 30 June. Capt Fitton came in during the evening

May 1944

Monday 1 May Lovely day. Wrote letter 49 to Ken.
Tuesday 2 May Received Air letter No. 8. Also surface letter written 20th March. Ken seemed pretty fit. Wrote 50 to Ken.

Wednesday  3 May Went to the pictures to see 'This Is The Army'. Very good.








Thursday 4 May B told the family she was going to marry C. Terrific uproar. Wrote letter 51 to Ken.
Friday 5 May Wet and Windy weather. Wrote to Ken and enclosed some snaps. (Surface letter)
Saturday 6 May John took me to Windsor. Won 10/- . Went to church with mother in the evening. Wrote Ken letter 52
Sunday 7 May Lazy day at home. Had drink with Idea and John in the evening. Betty away for the weekend.
Monday 8 May Nice day. Nice day. Mowed lawns in the evening Ken's mother rang up. Wrote look letter 53.
Tuesday 9 May Letter 54 to Ken. Uneventful day.
Wednesday 10 May John went to Devon. Received 2 air letters. 9 + 10.
Wrote 55. Did some clipping. Wrote to Ken's Mother.
Thursday 11 May Glorious weather. Had easy time in the garden during the evening. Renovated print dress.
Friday 12 May Received letter 10 the second from Ken. Wrote him letter 56. Washed my hair, did some washing - then knitting. Paid £65 into the bank. Lovely weather. Grannie (?) Rhodes 92nd Birthday.
Saturday 13 May Wrote letter 57 to Ken. B and I went shopping in the afternoon in cotton frocks and were caught in the rain. Made scones and Jam tarts in the evening.
Sunday 14 May Chief came over! Went to station with Betty and him in the evening.

'Chief in his uniform'

Monday 15 May Met Betty after work and went to the pictures. Wrote letter 58 to Ken. Weather very cold.
Tuesday 16 May No mail from Ken so far this week.
Darned stockings all the evening. Wet + cold again.
Wednesday 17 May Ditto weather. Received A.L 12 from Ken, seemed in good spirits. Wrote letter 59 to him.
Thursday 18 May (no entry)
Friday 19 May Letter to Ken. Lovely day. Moira called. Betty went away for the weekend.
Saturday 20 May Photographs 5.20 p.m. Met Neil afterwards and went to the pictures. Weather very cold. Wrote letter 61 to Ken.
Sunday 21 May Went over to Harrow to see Ken's Mother and Dad.
Monday 22 May Letter 62 to Ken
Tuesday 23 May Letter 63 to Ken. Fetched proofs from the photographers.
Wednesday 24 May Letter 64 to Ken. Mowed the lawns in the evening. Rang Ken's Mother.
Thursday 25 May received letters 12a and 16 from Ken. Posted 64. Ken seemed very well. Had good beach picnic Received one of my parcels (No. 3)
Friday 26 May Received letters 14 and 15 from Ken. He has been made leader of the newly formed 1st. Sardinian Rover Crew. Both letters were good news. Had received another parcel from me ( No. .2). Wrote him 65. Lovely afternoon + evening. Bought Ken 12 Savings certificates.
Saturday 27 May Shopped in the morning. Went to pictures at night with Neil. 'Guns of louaine' (??) Heat wave.
Sunday 28 May Mother, Uncle George, Neil and I went to Whiteleaf. Picnicked on Clenero (?) Lawn. Unforgettable journey in farmers bus. Wrote letter 66
Monday 29 May Had letter 17. Wrote Ken 67. Had leisurely day at home. Peggy and June came along in the evening. Started knitting Neil's socks.
Tuesday 30 May Work again. Started letter 68. Heard Roy Biggs had died of wounds. Cycled to Wyc late at night to meet Betty off last train.
Wednesday 31 May Finished letter 68. Nothing interesting happened during the day.

April 1944

Saturday 1 April Stayed at home all day. Did washing in afternoon. Chief came over to see Betty. Played darts in the evening. Wrote to Ken.
Sunday 2 April Went to see the Cavigans in afternoon. Finished Ken's letter No. 33. Awful weather. Altered the clocks(Sat. night)
Monday 3 April Very muggy day. Bags of work at the office. John rang up from Seat on.
Tuesday 4 April Wrote Ken letter 34
Wednesday 5 April wrote Ken letter 35. Betty went to Dentist.
Thursday 6 April Have not heard from Ken this week. Betty laid up again abscess.
Friday 7 April (Good Friday) Finished work mid-day. June came up for the afternoon. Made a lot of pastry in the afternoon.
Saturday 8 April Washed at home all day. Washed my hair. Betty still in bed. Wrote to Ken.
Sunday 9 April (Easter Day) Neil and I went to Whiteleaf Church at 8.a.m. Chief came over. Wrote to Ken 36.
Monday 10 April (Easter Monday) Neil and I went to the pictures 'The Girls They Left Behind'  (I can't find any reference to this film - will check the entry). Collected rents in the morning.
Tuesday 11 April Had airgraph from Ken.

Wednesday 12 April Wrote Ken AL. 37. Mr Vaughan 11.30 a.m. Received 2 air letters + one airgraph from Ken. Went to see 'For Whom The Bell Tolls' at the Carlton Haymarket. Betty up.






Thursday 13 April Had another lovely air letter from Ken. 28:3:44. He had just received a batch of 23 from me. Wrote him 38.
Friday 14 April Received 2 airgraphs from Ken. No 1 x  2. John sent us a box of plaice from Devon.
Saturday 15 April Received air letter No. 5. Wettish day. Betty went to see Chief for the weekend. I washed the car in the afternoon. Wrote to Ken. 39. John came ho!e from Seat on.
Sunday 16 April Fetched workmen at 7.30. Pretty dull day. Did lot of reading. Wrote to Ken 40.
Monday 17 April Received airgraph from Ken....3 Now received A.L 1 to 5 and airgraph 1 to 3. Wrote to him.. 41.
Tuesday 18 April Received another air letter .4. Ken seems to be getting along quite well . wrote to Ken 41. Lovely day (so far). 10 a.m
Wednesday 19 April wrote to Ken 42
Thursday 20 April Finished letter 42 to Ken. Received air letter from Ken.
Friday 21 April Had airgraph No. 6. Mowed the lawn in evening. Wrote Ken letter 43 to K.
Saturday 22 April Received 18 lemons from Ken. All good. Kathleen and Anne came to tea. Mowed the lawns. Wrote to Ken. 44
Sunday 23 April Went to church in morning and to Marlow with Mother in the afternoon. Finished letter 44. B and J away for the weekend.
Monday 24 April Pretty dull. Gardened in the evening. John brought Pat in. Started letter 45
Tuesday 25 April Same again. Pat came over to tea. Finished letter 45
Wednesday 26 April Lovely weather. Ditto
Thursday 27 April Received air letter 7 From Ken. Wrote him 46. Did more gardening in the evening. Pat came to tea.
Friday 28 April Did more gardening in the evening. Wrote to Ken 47.
Saturday 29 April Finished letter 47. Betty away for the weekend. June came up? Fran came over to tea.

Sunday 30 April Wrote 48 to Ken. Quiet day at home. Lovely weather. June stayed again.

March 1944

Wednesday 1 March Nothing exciting happened. Wrote to Ken, No. 15
Thursday 2 March B went to the pictures with Harry Martin and bought him in for supper.
Friday 3 March Received another letter from Ken written 16.2.44. Seemed pretty fit. Went to Police dance with Neil  x Betty. All thought it slow.
Saturday 4 March Wrote to Ken No. 16. Went to Wycombe in afternoon. Sent him 200 Players cigars. B. Went to Aylesbury. Stayed in during evening.
Sunday 5 March Sent Ken air letter no. 17. Mrs Bailey and Margery came to tea. Was up at 6.15 a.m and fetched workmen from Wycombe.
Monday 6 March Received 2 airgraphs and 1 air letter from Ken. He had moved to a new place. Said weather was awful. Sent him small parcel - letter 18.

From Ken - Portrait 

Tuesday 7 March Snowed in the morning. Packed up second parcel for Ken, enclosing letter 19. John returned from Devon.
Wednesday 8 March Wrote second part of letter to Ken. Went to R.A.O.C depot at Bicester to deliver some felt. Heard Frank Tucker was missing.

Back of portrait 

Thursday 9 March Usual old day. Wrote to Ken. Letter 21

Friday 10 March Same again. Sent letter 21
Saturday 11 March B and I went to Wycombe in afternoon + bought June up for tea. Pictures in evening.
Sunday 12 March B and I went to  'Ishbelo' (?) to tea. Walked round Naphill. Pictures in - are awful. Wrote letter 22 to Ken.
Monday 13 March Boring day. H Martin came in this for supper. Wrote to Ken.
Tuesday 14 March Collected for aid to China. Wrote to Ken. 23 Peggy and June came up.
Wednesday 15 March Pretty dull.
Thursday 16 March Received letter from Ken. Now in Sardinia. Went to the pictures. Tea in Palace cafe. Sent Cavi letter no. 24
Friday 17 March Very busy.
Saturday 18 March Bought June up to tea. Chief came over for the day. He B and I went to the pictures.
Sunday 19 March Sent letter 25 to Ken. Got up at 5.30 am. Fetched workmen at 7.30. Took Chief to station.
Monday 20 March Received 4 letters from Ken. Sent him another one and a Sunday paper. Letter 26. He seems to be keeping fit.
Tuesday 21 March Had tea in Palace café and went to pictures afterwards with Mother who had been to June's birthday. Saw 'The Lamp Still Burns'

Wednesday 22 March Sent letter 27 to Cavig. Mrs C rang up. Was worried because no. of Kens letters had been returned to her. Washed my hair.
Thursday 23 March Received surface letter from Ken written 12:2:44. Wrote to Ken.
Friday 24 March Glorious day. Went round with the wages. Had airgraph from Ken. Sent him letter 28.
Saturday 25 March Lovely day. B and I went to Wycombe and Downley. Had tea in Palace cafe. Went for bike ride in evening. Letter 29 to Ken.
Sunday 26 March Went to Chief's birthday party with Betty.
Monday 27 March Glorious weather again. Wrote Ken letter No.30
Tuesday 28 March Received Air letter from Ken. Busy day again. John West and young John came down for evening. Sent Ken letter 31.
Wednesday 29 March Nothing interesting during the day. Had lovely surface letter from Ken. Wrote surface letter to Ken.
Thursday 30 March Had another airgraph. Wrote to Ken 32. Took wages round in afternoon. Washed my hair.

February 1944

Tuesday 1 February Awful weather
Wednesday 2 February Received air letter from Ken. Apparently somewhere in North Africa. Sent him air letter same day.

Kenneth Cavigan (Ken) circa 1944






Thursday 3 February Very busy day. Had lovely cold!! Went to see Bette Davis and Paul Reinhard in 'Now Voyager'. Very good
Friday 4 February Wrote to Ken in evening . Busy again. Received letter from Kathleen who had been suffering with a cold too.
Saturday 5 February In bed with cold
Sunday 6 February In bed
Monday 7 February Got up in the afternoon, John bought Pat in for a short while.
Tuesday February Did some office work at home
Wednesday 9 February Do.do The Vicar called during the afternoon
Thursday 10 February Had 2nd air letter from Ken. He has moved 600 miles. Now living in Hotel overlooking Mediterranean. Seemed fit and well.

Norman Growes, Ken and Joe Lenncol (?)

Friday 11 February Went back to work. Busy as usual. Jackie called in evening 
Saturday 12 February Had another letter from Ken one which he wrote whilst at sea. Went to Wycombe with Betty in afternoon, "No" everywhere.
Sunday 13 February  B (Betty) and I went to Marlow, had tea there then came back to the pictures. Good time.
Monday 14 February  As usual. Pretty dull day. Snowed in the morning.
Tuesday 15 February Awful weather. Peggy and June came up for the day.

June (My Mum) aged around 6 

Wednesday 16 February had 2 Airgraphs from Ken. Sent him another Air letter.
Thursday 17 February Busy at office. Met Betty in Wycombe after work and went to pictures.
Friday 18 February usual Friday. B and I taught Neil to waltz and foxtrot.
Saturday 19 February B and I went to Wycombe in the afternoon and to Kingshill with Red X boxes in evening.
Sunday 20 February sun B and I went to Aylesbury in afternoon. Had tea at Bulls Head Hotel. Came back to Wycombe to the pictures. Saw Ingrid Bergman In Just Fine (The title of this film is difficult to read – the only Ingrid Bergman film with a title that seems to make sense is June Nights – will investigate further JW). Very good. Met Reniy Smith on Missenden Station.
Monday 21 February Received airgraph from Ken. P& S unit address, written 11.2.44. He had received no mail from me up to that date. Seemed to be keeping fit.
Tuesday 22 February Mother and I went to London. Bought blue dress and black suede court shoes. Ken's parcel was sent off. Also wrote to him. No 10 Air letter. Ken's mother rang up.
Wednesday 23 February Freezing cold at the office. Dr Allen back from N Africa; in the same branch as Ken. Wrote to Ken again. No. 11 letter.
Thursday 24 February Very busy at the office. Another raid over London. 6th alert in 5 days.
Friday 25 February Had another airgraph from Ken. Written 14.2.44. He was very happy as he had received a lot if my letters.
Saturday 26 February Made sausage rolls and tarts in the afternoon. N, B and I went to pictures in the evening. Called at Ida's for John afterwards
Sunday 27 February .Went to Harrow to see the Cavigans in the afternoon . saw Harry Martin on the bus.
Monday  28 February Received airgraph from Ken 16.2.44. Said it was very cold. Nicky Brooks and Helen Christmas came to tea and stayed for ages
Tuesday 29 February Wrote Ken an ordinary letter, no.14 Enclosed some razor blades. Glorious day.