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

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

August 1944

Tuesday 1  Took June to Marlow for a picnic. Wrote rest of 101 to Ken. Had letter 37.

Wednesday 2 Letter 38 from Ken. Went shopping in Wycombe, bought navy shoes. Went to see ' Thousands Cheer' in afternoon.

Thursday 3 Letter 102 to Ken. Mother and I went shopping in the afternoon. I met Kathleen in evening and had a beer at The Rainbow.
Friday 4 Wrote 103. Betty went back to Teddington. Lovely day, been good all week.
Saturday 5 Stayed at home all day.
Sunday 6 Betty x Chief were married at Church of the Sacred Heart at Teddington. Neil and I went up in the morning with Joan Lively. Everything went well. Magnificent wedding cake.

Chief and Betty - wedding picture - contributed by Chris Gutierrez 

Church of the Sacred Heart as it is now

Monday 7 Sent Ken 104 telling him all about the wedding. Collected the bicycles from the station. Scorching hot weather. Betty x Chief rang up. Rang Ken's mother.
Tuesday 8 Work didn't go down very well after a week away from it. Neil
In bed with Bilious attack. Finished embroidery and made up cushion cover. 105 to Ken. Betty x Chief rang up.
Wednesday 9 Letter 40 from Ken. Went to North Dean in the evening to help Neil measure the land. Wrote 106 to Ken. Wrote to Men's Mother.
Thursday 10 Betty came over for the day.
Friday 11 Letter 107 to Ken. Received 41 and 42 from him. Mowed the lawn in evening. Glorious weather.
Saturday 11 Fete at the Vicarage. Raffled cushion for three guineas. Had a good day. Betty rang up.
Sunday 13 Betty x Ch. couldn't come over as Chief wasn't very well. Rang Ken's people. Wrote Ken 108 also wrote to Fran. Lovely day.
Monday 14 Collected Red X. Wrote Betty + sent 10/. for her birthday. Started 109 to Ken.
Tuesday 15 Finished 109. Sent wedding cake. Bought knives and forks - kitchen knives. Lovely weather. Another landing in South of France.
Wednesday 16 Betty rang up. Received Kens portrait and a  letter. Very hot weather. John returned from Devon. Wrote to Ken's  Mother, also 110 to Ken.
Thursday 17 Recd. surface letter from Ken. 24 pages. Last instalment written 8.8.44. Wrote him 111. Betty rang up in the afternoon.
Friday 18 Wrote Ken 112. Received 43 + 44 from Ken.
Saturday 19 Met Betty + Chief at 8pm. Had a drink at Ida's. 9.30 'bus home. Sent birthday telegram to Ken.
Sunday 20 Wrote 113. Rained nearly all day. Betty + Chief went back at 6 o'clock.
Monday 21 114 to Ken. Returned RedX box. £1.13.8. Cold and wet day. Wrote to Moira.
Tuesday 22 Finished 114. Rec. another 44 from Ken.
Wednesday 23 Saw 'Fanny by Gaslight'. We heard that PARIS had been liberated by French forces of the interior.

Thursday 24 Wrote 115 to Ken. Rec. letter from him arrived for Betty. Poured with rain all afternoon and evening.
Friday 25 Took John to Reading. Went to Calvert to pay the ????. Betty rang up.
Saturday 26 Went to see Betty + Chief at Kingston. Visited Stonleigh in the eve. Recd. letter from Fran. Rang Ken's Mother.
Sunday 27 Ken's birthday. Left Betty's at 1.15 to visit Ken's Mother + dad. Wrote Ken 116. Very hot weather.
Monday 28 Poured with rain in morning. Mother in bed with a cold. Collected all the rent in the eve: 117 to Ken.
Tuesday 29 Made blackberry and apple jam.
Wednesday 30 118 to Ken. Heard from Moira. Betty rang up at lunchtime. Had received a nice parcel from Chief's Mother.
Thursday 31 Recd.  45 from Ken. Wrote 119. Betty came over.

September 1944

Friday 1 September Finished 119. Made Black skirt from woollen dress.

Saturday 2 September  Mother in bed again. Stayed at home to do housework etc. Neil and I went to see ‘This Happy Breed’ in eve. Started 120. Received lovely  handbag as birthday present from Ken.

Sunday 3 September End 5^th year of WAR. John, Neil and I went to church. Started to make ???? Betty + Chief rang up. Finished 120.

Monday 4 September Letter 46 from Ken. Did some sewing in the evening. Started writing 121 to Ken. Also had letter from Betty. Antwerp and Brussels liberated.

Tuesday 5 September Collected for the Red X. Saw Moira at her Aunts house. Finished 121. Allied troops in Holland to Luxembourg.

Wednesday 6 September Letter 47 from Ken. Nice day.

Thursday 7 September Terrible day. Letter 122 to Ken

Friday 8 September Received Alpenstock from Ken

Saturday 9 September Arrived at Beach Hotel, Seaton for weeks holiday. Glorious weather.

Sunday 10 September  Lovely sunny day. Walked to Beer in morning, then spent rest of day on Beach. Wrote 123 to Ken.

Monday 11 September 124 to Ken. Also wrote to Betty. Lovely day again. Went to Lyme Regis.

Tuesday 12 September Glorious weather. Wrote 125 to Ken. Went to Torquay and Exeter with Pat and Cecil Hearne.

Wednesday 13 September  Birthday parcels and cards from Betty, Chief, Kathleen, Mother and Neil. Met Jock John at ‘The Beach’.

Thursday 14 September Letter 50 from Ken. Got a bit merry at The Beach. Good crowd of officers kept everybody lively. Box of chocolates from Betty and Chief.

Saturday 15 September Had letter from Mother. Wrote 126 to Ken. Terrible gale blowing. I felt  nearly as terrible  as the weather when I woke up.

Sunday 16 September Glorious day

Monday 17 September Wrote to Betty and wrote 127 to Ken. Walked over golf course at Seaton and back through Axmouth

Tuesday 18 September letter 51 from Ken. Met Pat at Lain?????, called at ‘Dad’s’ on way home. Wrote 128

Wednesday 19 September Lovely day again

Thursday 20 September Letter 52 from ken. Glorious weather. Walked towards Beer. Wrote 129 to Ken.

Saturday 21 September Lovely day again. Had tea with J. Walked to Beer in evening

Sunday 22 September Rained. Made out list of gramophone records for Pat. Wrote 150 to Ken. John came down to Seaton.

Monday 23 September Dance at The Beach. Neil came down.. Had a good time at the dance.

Tuesday 24 September Weather dull. Pat and I walked in the morning + sat on the beach in afternoon. J had dinner with John and me.

Wednesday 25 September 131 to Ken. Dull weather again.

Thursday 26 September Returned to ‘Longlea’ after lovely holiday in Seaton. Collected rents in afternoon. Recd. Letter from Ken.

Saturday 27 September 132 to Ken. Started to work again. J rang in evening.

Sunday 28 September Neil + I practice d dancing all evening. Betty rang up.

Monday 29 September J rang up. Washed Mothers hair also collected for Red X in evening. Letter 133 to Ken.
Tuesday 30 September Went to Wembley to spend weekend with Peggy. J’s Mother died during the morning. Peggy, her Mother and I went to The Orchard during the evening.


Uncle Ken put together a scrap book with photographs, cards, and other memorabilia from his OS's postings. below are a couple of pages - with the text written below. 

Return to Algiers - September 1944 - 9th Month O'S's

Alger - la Cite Blanc (From El Biar)

October 1944

Sunday 1 October 134 to Ken. Returned home at 7pm. Rained in evening

Monday 2 October Helped Mother with rent  collecting. 185 to Ken. 55 from Ken

Tuesday 3 October Letter 56 from ken. Helped Mother to get ready for her holiday.

Wednesday 4 October Went to Waterloo with Mother to see her off to Seaton. Met Betty there – then went shopping. B bought a coat. Returned after lunch. Jock came over

A later postcard showing the 'prom' at Seaton.

Thursday 5 October 136 to Ken. Made blackberry and apple jelly. Wrote to Mother at Seaton.

Friday 6 October Neil and I lunched at Sheriffo (?) Rang Betty.

Saturday 7 October Trouble at Ida’s. Peggy + June came up to stay, Ida came late at night. Jock came in the afternoon from London. 137 to Ken. Recd. Letter and photos from Ken.

Sunday 8 October More trouble at Ida’s. Jock visited us again in the afternoon.

Monday 9 October Letter 59 from Ken. Very nice one. Seems fit. Also recd letter from Fran. Collected the rents. Wrote to J. 138 to K.

Tuesday 10 October Very Busy. Bathed June then washed my hair.
Wednesday 11 October 139 to Ken. Letter from Jock. Awful weather. Did some cooking during evening.

Thursday 12 October Wrote to Jock. Terrible weather. Betty rang up in afternoon. Ida x family still with us.

Friday 13 October 140 to Ken. Another busy day.

Saturday 14 October Lovely day. Collected for Red X. Neil and I tried to get into the pictures in ?????

Sunday 15 October 141 to ken. Glorious day – busy all the time. Peggy + June here. Ida away for the weekend.

Monday 16 October Collected rents after work. Ida came back at night. Mother rang up from Seaton. 59 from Ken

Tuesday 17 October 142 to Ken. Mother rang up again.

A picture of Betty and Chief sent to Ruth

Wednesday 18 October – no entry

Thursday 19 October 143 to Ken

Friday 20 October Jock came over in evening

Saturday 21 October Mother and I went to see ‘Song of Bernadette’ in the afternoon.

Sunday 22 October 144 to Ken,

Monday 23 October 60 and 61 from ken. His trip was very successful. Took red X box back £3.18.0 for 2 mnths

Tuesday 24 October Betty came over to stay for a couple of days.

Wednesday 25 October 145 to Ken

Thursday 26 October Betty went back in the morning. Mother still in bed with a cold. Ida and family still with us.

Friday 27 October Neil, John and I lunched at The Red Lion. Mother in bed.

Saturday 28 October Met Frances in Wycombe in the evening for a couple of hours. Wrote 146 to Ken. Rang Pat. Jock rang me later.

Sunday 29 October 147 to Ken. Busy in the house all day. Jock rang up

Monday 30 October Lovely autumn day. Letter 63 from Ken. Also heard from Betty. Sent 147 to Ken

Tuesday 31 October Nice day. Betty rang up and asked me to take ?????? to Moira. In at the evening as usual.

November 1944

Wednesday 1 November Went  shopping before going to work. Bought book of Country poems to send to Ken -also crossword puzzle book and Xmas cards. Received letter from Jock. Went to the pictures with Neil to see ‘Destination Tokyo’.

Thursday 2 November 148 to Ken. Rang Jock

Friday 3 November Boring as usual

Saturday 4 November Surface letter to Ken. Received one from him addressed to John, Neil and I. Went to see ‘Home in Indiana’

.

Sunday 5 November Started 149 to Ken. Chief broke his ankle playing football. Dreadful day – stayed indoors all the time.

Monday 6 November Letter 64 from Ken. Sent him 149. Collected rent in the evening. Started 150. Ida went away for a few days.

Tuesday 7 November Letter and football poster from Betty Lovely day again. 150 to Ken. Betty rang up during the evening. Boxing tournaments started in Wycombe again.(below are scores from 7 November 1944)

Town Hall, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
		Teddy Peckham		L	Mick Carter		PTS	8	8x3
		Harry Legge		W	Billy Haley		PTS	8	8x3

Wednesday 8 November Pretty dull. Wrote surface letter to Ken and packed Christmas parcel.

Thursday 9 November Letter 65 from Ken. Took only 3 days. Sent off his parcel. Betty rang up in the morning after her interview at the Ministry of Labour.

Friday 10 November 151 to Ken. Very cold but nice day.

Saturday 11 November Remembrance Day. Collected Red X. Dreadful weather.

Sunday 12 November Neil and I went to church in the morning. Wet in afternoon. Stayed in for the rest of the day. 152 to ken.

Monday 13 November 66 from Ken. Also letter from Betty. Very cold weather. 153 to Ken, Jock rang up.

Tuesday 14 November Cold and miserable day. Betty rang up. 154 to Ken.

Wednesday 15 November Letter 67 from Ken. Lovely day. Jock rang up. 155 to Ken.

Thursday 16 November Finished 155. Mother and I went to see ‘Passage to Marseilles’ rather depressing.

Friday 17 November Rained all day long. Letter from Jock.

Saturday 18 November Mother and I shopped in the afternoon. Had tea at Sherriffs. 156 to Ken.

Sunday 19 November Jock came. Very wet day.

Monday 20 November 157 to Ken. Betty rang up.

Tuesday 21 November Lovely day. Wrote to Jock, also to Frances.

Wednesday 22 November Mother, Neil and I went to see ‘Double Indemnity’. Very dismal day. Wrote 158 to Ken, also wrote to Betty.

Thursday 23 November 67 and 68 from Ken. Wrote him 159. Betty rang up.

Friday 24 November Letter from Jock. Betty and Chief came back for two days.

Saturday 25 November Met Betty + C in Wycombe, had a meal with them then went to the local for a drink. Collected Red X. Wrote 160 to Ken.

Sunday 26 November Betty went back. Very miserable weather. Surface letter to ken, sent him wedding photo’s from Betty. Jock rang up.

Monday 27 November Jock range up again to say his father was dangerously ill and not expected to live. Letter 161 to Ken.

Tuesday 28 November Ida showed up in her true colours she came in at night and there was a ‘show down’

Wednesday 29 November Letter 162 to Ken. Ida and her family having to go to digs in Wycombe. Betty rang up to say Chief had gone to France. Rang again in evening.

Thursday 30 November 163 to Ken. Ida and her family departed. Wrote to Betty. She rang up . Wrote to Peggy Tyas. 

December 1944

Friday 1 December Betty rang up during the evening.

Saturday 2 December  164 to ken. Shopped in the afternoon. Stayed in all the evening.

Sunday 3 December  165to ken. Wrote to Betty. Went for walk in the afternoon with Neil.  John and Pat rang up.

Monday 4 December  69.70.71 Three air letters , surface letter and anniversary telegram from Ken. 166 to hi. Lovely day. Collected the rent.

Tuesday 5 December 167 to Ken. Stayed in all evening.

Wednesday 6 December  In all evening. Jock rang up.

Thursday 7 December Spent evening at Kathleen’s. Terrible weather all day. John came back from Seaton.

Friday 8 December 168 to Ken. First snow.

Saturday 9 December went to Betty’s for the weekend saw Carmen Miranda in ‘Greenwich Village’

Sunday 10 December 169 to Ken. Got back from Betty’s on the last bus. Had a very nice weekend.

Monday 11 December Started 170  to Ken. Talked to Jock on the phone.

Tuesday 12 December  Letter from Betty.  Finished 170. Wrote to Chief. Wet and miserable weather again.

Wednesday 13 December  74 from Ken. 171 to him. Very foggy day. Went to Wycombe and did some shopping before going to work.

Thursday 14 December  Packed up Xmas parcels and wrote letters. Ken’s mother rang up. Letter 172 to Ken. Miserable weather again.

Friday 15 December Usual sort of Friday at work.

Saturday 16 December  Collected Red Cross. Neil and I went to the pictures. No 173 to Ken.

Sunday 17 December Washed my hair. Played gramophone records. Started 174 to Ken.

Monday 18 December Lovely day. Collected some rents in the morning . Finished 175.

Tuesday 19 December  Xmas greetings in letter from Ken. Very foggy day. Mother and I went to Wycombe and bought reading lamps for John and Neil. 176 to Ken.

Wednesday 20 December 10.15 a.m Mr Vaughan. Very foggy in London. Had quite a good day. 177 to Ken.

Thursday 21 December Letter 76 from Ken. Jock rang up.

Friday 22 December Finished work at lunch time. Went to Wembley to take duck to Peggy. 178 to Ken on the train. Betty came.

Saturday 23 December Neil, Betty and I went to Wycombe in morning and had a drink at the Red Lion. Mad mince pies in the afternoon. Stayed in all evening. Jock rang up. 179 to Ken.

Sunday 24 December  Chief came home from France for 7 days leave. B. he and I got very merry on John’s gin at night. Very cold and frosty.

Monday 25 December  Oranges from Ken. Betty x Chief went to London for a broadcast. Letter from Chief. Wrote to Ken.

Tuesday 26 December Betty and Chief went back. Went to the pictures in the afternoon. Started 181 to Ken. Jock rang up during the morning.

Wednesday 27 December Wrote to Ken’s Mother. Didn’t go to work. Heating system frozen up. Finished 181. Received lemons from Ken. June came for a few days.

Thursday 28 December Did office work at home as heating was frozen up. Very dull evening.

Friday 29 December 182 to Ken. 77 from him. Still very cold and frosty. Mother full of xxxx as usual.

Saturday 30 December Collected for Red X June came with me. Stopped in all evening. Very miserable. Letter from Ken’s Dad.

Sunday 31 December Went for walk in the afternoon. Very Dull. 183 to Ken. Jock rang up. Saw the new year in. Jock range after midnight to say happy new year.

Monday 1 January 78 from Ken. Token for him. Wrote 184 to Ken. Very lovely weather to start 1945.

January 1945

Aunt Ruth - exact date not confirmed - kindly provided by Matt Hopkins, with thanks

Monday 1 January 78 from Ken.  (sadly I cannot read these few words - apologies that they don't make sense)Toten for living.Note 184 to Ken. Very lovely weather to start 1945.

Tuesday 2 January 79 From Ken. Wrote him 185

Wednesday 3 January Chief rang up from Wycombe en route to Reading airport. John came back from Devon.

Thursday 4 January Lovely day, cold and frosty 186 to Ken.

Friday 5 January  Started 187. Mother + Neil went to the pictures. Enjoyable evening –

Saturday 6 January Stayed in all afternoon + evening. June and I went to Wycombe in the morning bought keys. 81 from Ken

Sunday 7 January Terribly cold again. Finished 187. Had some snow.

Monday 8 January Took June to school. Collected some rents after work. Letter 80 from Ken. Washed mothers hair in the evening. Wrote to B

Tuesday 9 January Letter from Peggy. 188 to Ken. Snowy again.

Wednesday 10 January Mother and I went to see ‘Love Story’. Very good.

Thursday 11 January Heard that Chief had been in plane crash in France and was the only one to escape with his life – two broken legs. 189 to Ken also wrote to Peggy –

Friday 12 January Work as usual. No more news of chief.

Saturday 13 January Did Red X. Went to see ‘Adventures of Mark Twain.’

Sunday 14 January 190 to Ken. Heard that Chief was in hospital in Gloucestershire. Went for a walk in the afternoon. 83 from Ken.

Monday 15 January Collected rents in the morning. Betty rang up.

Tuesday 16 January 191 to Ken. Washed my hair. Jock rang up. Betty went to Gloucestershire to see Chief.

Wednesday 17 January Nothing exciting to relate. Started to read ‘Buried Alive’ by Arnold Bennett.

Thursday 18 January 84 and 85 from Ken. Wrote him 192. Very wet day.

Friday 19 January Paid wages in the afternoon. Betty rang up.

Saturday 20 January Went to Teddington to help Betty pack up. Quite a lot of snow in Wycombe when I got back

Sunday 21 January 195 to Ken. Lovely day – snow – but bright and sunny. Read quite a lot – ‘Anna’

Monday 22 January More snow. Betty rang up from Bristol

Tuesday 23 January Letter from Chief. He has been awarded the Purple Heart. Wrote to him. 194 to ken. Felt very dull all day and evening.

Wednesday 24 January Betty came over to stay for a couple of days. Very cold weather and quite a lot of snow on the ground. 86 from Ken.

Thursday 25 January 195 to Ken. Betty bought new slacks and a blouse in Wycombe.

Friday 26 January 88 and 89 from Ken. Arnold Stratford visited us on leave from M-E-F. Took Betty to the station for the 8.38. Russians have separated S Prussia for rest of Germany.

Saturday 27 January 196 to Ken stayed in all evening. Mother in bed.

Sunday 28 January Mother in bed. Lovely sunny day but very cold. Ida and June came up. Started 197

Monday 29 January More snow! Finished 197. Mother in bed.

Tuesday 30 January 91 from Ken. Deep snow. Betty rang up to say Chief was much better. Washed my hair. Thaw set in. 198 to Ken.