Book 24

Wednesday 23^rd April 1941

ARW 12.10 am

AC 12.25pm all quiet

Stopped in in evening & started to do an R.A.F. badge on glass.  Did a good bit of it.  About 11 I felt a bit giddy so I went to bed.

Dad got me a raincoat.

Thursday 24^th April 1941

Still felt a bit giddy when I got up. 

Didn’t feel too good at work.

I didn’t have any lunch.

Went up to Len’s for a while.

Friday 25^th April 1941

We are holding a meeting on Sunday at Cave Rd School to get the firewatchers to sign the forms Ern got.  Ern asked Joyce to type some notices about the meeting & tonight she brought them over & I took them round to every house where there was a firewatcher.

So they’ve got no excuse for not turning up.

Len is going to get the Sax tomorrow £4 down & £1 next week so I drew up 2 receipts for the £4 & £1 respectively.  I also lent Len 10/- towards the Sax.

Len & I had a duet “In the Mood” on the piano & doubt if we have ever done it so well – the thought of the Sax inspired us.

I did some more work on the R.A.F. badge & now I’ve nearly finished the painting.

Saturday 26^th April 1941

Went to music shop & got “The Bad Humour Man” & “The Victory Arms” then Len Bert & I went for the Sax.  We got a couple of reeds on the way & we also passed a music shop.  I got “I can’t get Indiana off my Mind” & a couple of old ones – they had a stash of old music at 2d per copy – “At the Bathing Parade” & “Daytime Cowboy Joe.”

Then we got the Sax.  It wants a good clean up but it’s ok otherwise.  Len Bert & I could all get a note from it but nothing more.

The trains ran right through today.  The main damage seems to be between Temple & Charing X where a couple of bombs broke the roadway & blocked the rails & water got on the lines.  ARW 11.46 AC 1am all quiet.

Sunday 27^th April 1941

About 15 turned up for the meeting.  There was an Inspector there & he explained about the forms & all there signed them.  We got 10 helmets & arm bands later in the evening & Ern got all but a couple of the other forms signed.

The helmets are of good steel but the linings lousy.  Bert & I took ours – we had first issue as we are fire-fighters – firewatchers get theirs later – to show Len & his mother.  We had a practice as well.

Len can play a couple of tunes & when we swung out on “Tuxedo Junction” you would have thought we were “pro” almost.

Monday 28^th April 1941

Left the office at 5.15.

I got one of the illustrated Battle of Britain’s^I today.

Len & I went to school we had to pay,  3/-

I’m doing Book-keeping Monday and Hobbies Wednesday.  Len is doing Hobbies Wednesday & Shorthand & typing Friday.

Ern got the last 2 forms signed tonight & they will go to the fire station tomorrow.

Bert got some thick sponge rubber from work & gave me some for my helmet.

Miss Joseph told me I was getting another rise.

Tuesday 29^th April 1941

Went to hospital.  Got some medicine.  I’m not going any more. Home 12.

I spent the afternoon improving my helmet I put a pad in the crown & some small pieces at the side.  It is much better now.

Bert & I went up Lens for a while.

Wednesday 30^th April 1941

Len & I went to night school but we were the only ones, & when a teacher did come he said that so far as he knew the class was cancelled.

Len & I went to see Syd.  We stopped some time & there is going to be a party in 3 Saturdays time & maybe that will be the start of some more dances.

Len came indoors for a little while.

Went to bed at 12.40.

Thursday 1^st May 1941

Some of Glasgow Rd people are joining on our fire watching rota.

Aunt Lily & Joyce came over & stopped till turned ten

Friday 2^nd May 1941

Got my rise today.  Get now £1.15.0.  Gave Dad a £1.

While at lunch I got some chain for my RAF badge.

Saturday 3^rd May 1941

Went to music & got “Let’s have another One” 1/- . I didn’t get home till 2.30 from work as Kennett had the day off & I had to go to Park Crescent & Claridge’s Hotel.  There’s going to be a row between me & Kennett Monday.  

I had a bath & mended a puncture on my bike.

ARW 10.25pm.

We heard guns & planes occasionally. Mrs McGarry came in with us.

Tonight we had to alter the clocks another hour so we are 2 hours in front of G.M.T. & thus the raid only lasted 3 hrs 43 mins although the AC didn’t go till 3.8am.

I typed this morning some notices about the Fire Watching collection were starting.

Sunday 4^th May 1941

Up 10.30.

Len Bert & I were going to Walters to get some wood for a trap tray.  I wanted to go early but Bert didn’t get up till 12 & Len couldn’t go till 1.

About 12 mum asked me to clear away the debris & earth, from the bomb in the road that was outside aunt Lilies.

I did that & was talking to Doris until Len came along.  It was turned 1 when we were ready to start so all we did was phone Walter & find that he would be in this afternoon then we had dinner.

After dinner we went over to Walters.

I got a piece of wood for the trap tray & some staples that I want.  Then we went for a ride round.  Home 6.  After tea we had a practice & Len is not doing too bad with his Sax.

Len & Doris were with us for some time & I think well have Doris as croonette with us.

ARW 11.50 4.18am.  Bed 1 am.

ARW was quiet mostly but at 4 gunfire was terrific.

Monday 5^th May 1941

Up late got to work at 10.30.

When I told Miss Bayley about Saturday she didn’t like it & later on in the day she asked Miss Joseph if we could have Saturdays off & CJ is going to see what she can do for us.

Left office at 5.10. 

I went to Jaggs when I got home & got the clips for the RAF badge & so I’m all set to finish it.

Went to school.  Mr Richards asked me to take his pen to get it mended.  When I came home I saw Len & we had a time together. 

I got all the silver paper on the glass tonight & it’s all ready to assemble.  Ern was at his shop fire watching.  

ARW 11.13pm till 11.41pm.

Just before the siren & as it sounded I heard guns in the distance.  Quiet after.

Bed 11.40

Tuesday 6^th May 1941

While at lunch I bought myself an eye shield.

I had to sort some files in the storeroom & I’ve ripped the knee of my trousers.  That has finished the suit completely now, it was bad enough before.

When I got home mum told me that Doris went to the home this morning & she was expecting news any time.

Uncle Albert came this afternoon & he’s been bombed out.  The 19^th April apparently.

A bomb fell & the blast caught his place.  He is storing his furniture next door & tomorrow he is going to go down to Flora & the children.  He left a photo’ of them & the only ones I would recognise if I saw would be Flora or Iris, the others have completely altered.

Len & I went for a ride round from 7.30 to 9.30.  We went round Wanstead & the Park.

Dad & I did the fire watching tonight as the others couldn’t do it.  

Walter called about 10.30 & said they were expecting it in the morning.

When mum went to bed I started on my RAF badge but I smudged the paint & I will have to do a bit of it again & that will put me back a day probably.

ARW 11.47 to 11.57

All quiet.

At 10 to 1 a plane came over & the guns fired on it but there was no alert.  Dad went to bed about 1.40.

When I went along at 2 I found the others out waiting for me.

I suggested to Ern that we get several eye shields from the funds but I don’t know whether he will or not.

Bed 2.15.

Wednesday 7^th May 1941

No news when I left home.

When I got home dad said, “You’re an Aunt”.  I had hoped it would be a boy but it’s a girl & they are going to call it Beryl Elizabeth.

I don’t like the Beryl part but still its Walter & Doris’s baby.^II

We had a practice at Lens house.

Ern was fire watching on the street tonight.

Thursday 8^th May 1941

At 2.5 a plane came over at 2.22 the guns fired.

Told them up the office I was an uncle.

Stopped in & read in evening.

At 11.58pm the ARW went. We were all downstairs & we all dozed off.  The planes kept coming over the guns were going.  I woke at 1 am & soon after Dad & I went to bed, mum & Ern came up later.

The A.C. went 4.10am.  The planes were almost continuous & the guns were fairly heavy at times.

I sent a letter to Freddie asking him to come over.

Friday 9^th May 1941

Len & I went to Hobbies class this evening.  Mr Archer is teacher & as we are the only 2 we go in another class & we can do anything we like.  We did some painting.

Walter came over.

Saturday 10^th May 1941

Home fairly late.  I went to the Premier & saw Arthur Askey in “The Ghost Train”.  Also saw Bob Crosby & his band in “Let’s Make Music” & a short “Home Guard”.

When I got home Mum said Freddie had called, he had not had my letter.  He wants me to ring him Monday.

I finished my R.A.F. badge tonight.  It’s not too bad.

ARW 11.2pm.

Planes were coming over in droves & between 11 & 12 the whistles tooted.  I was reading in the kitchen but I was fully equipped & decked out blowing my whistle for the first time.

The nearest to us was in 44 Tweedmouth Rd the rest were some distance away.  All but Mr McGarry & myself dashed up there we stopped back in case any more fell.

There were crowds at the house & the fire was out in about 10 minutes.  I went in after a while & then only came out now & again.  Once while I was out 3 bombs fell quite close & we saw the smoke ”mushroom” very clearly because it was light as day almost, as the moon was full.  One of those bombs landed on the opposite corner to Aunt Lilies old house & it’s in a hell of a mess Lillie told us later in the day. 

Bert was on duty from 2 till 6 with the old boy from Hodgkin’s & Woods.  About 4 he came in & said he wanted to see his people in Parkers shelter for a few minutes so I offered to watch for him.

I said, “you won’t be long will you” Bert replied, “no I’ll only be a minute” & then as he went he said, “I won’t be long”.

I naturally thought he wouldn’t be long & as time went on I wondered where he was so I went down to Parkers.  Mr Parker was outside & he said Bert was sitting by the fire.

That annoyed me.  If Bert wanted a warm he could have gone indoors for a while, but when he says “I won’t be a minute” then sits by the fire nearly an hour I don’t like it.

I suppose he was annoyed because we weren’t on together this rota & thought he’d make me do his watch.  The planes were buzzing about up to a short while before the AC which went at 5.52am.

Sunday 11^th May 1941

Had a sleep from 6 to 11.

Dinner at 12.  Mum & Dad left for Walters at 1.  I had a bath.

Les came over in the afternoon.  He Ern & I burnt the incendiary bomb that Freddie & I made.  It burnt quickly & gave off terrific clouds of grey smoke.

Walter brought Mum home in the car.  They had dropped Dad at the shop to do his firewatching.  Mum said that Beryl is a lovely kid & has a very strong pair of lungs.

 I took Dad round some tea & then Mr Wells & I messed about with the table tennis stuff & had a game.

Len came home (he went to Edgware over the weekend) & he said that they had a fine view of the great London Fires.

It’s going to be a bit of a job to get to work tomorrow.  Len had the same as we did during the raid.  – one incendiary on a house.

ARW 9.52 AC 10.9  all quiet.

ARW 11.58pm bed 12.30

The raid was fairly noisy sometimes.  AC 3.47am.

Monday 12^th May 1941

ARW 5.3am AC 5.38am quiet mostly.  Up 8.  Left house at 9.

Went from Plaistow to Bromley by train then caught bus to Aldgate East.  The damage along the Mile End Road was terrific.  The bus dumped us at Aldgate & then we had to cross the city as best we could because the buses only started at Charring X again & went to South Kensington. 

I made my way to Liverpool St Station & dodged the long queue & got on the Central line to Oxford Circus & then caught the Bakerloo to Trafalgar Square. I got in at 10.30

Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey & Westminster Hall were all badly damaged.

The Temple had a bad pounding & several courts & buildings are burned & flattened out.  When I went to the Temple I had to go under the Cloisters to get to where I wanted & they had been burned – in fact they were still smouldering & looked as if they would collapse any minute.

I went out another way – even though it meant going near a time bomb to save going under Cloisters again.

I went down to Ludgate Circus – all along the order is no smoking – so many gas mains are burst.  All around Ludgate Circus was a shambles & the terrific smell was still heavy about.  Many places I saw still burning.

I went to Chancery Lane & got a book for the firewatching accounts a Firewatch logbook.

Went to Westminster Library & got “Stars & Stripes” Maurice Dekobra.^III

The Bakerloo was very crowded going home & the Central Line was even worse.  A girl fainted on to me at Tottenham Court Rd & while I held her another girl undid the neck of her dress & another woman fanned her with my paper, & we got her out at Holborn.

Home at 6.15pm 

Went to school.

Gave Mr Richards his pen.  Saw Len & Bert & Terry.

ARW 11.42pm 

AC 1.50am the raid was fairly noisy sometimes.

Bed 1.20am

Tuesday 13^th May 1941

Got to work by train to Liverpool St Central to Oxford Circus, Bakerloo to Trafalgar Square.  Took 1.1/4 hours.

Home at 7.10

Stepney Green Station is in a bit of a mess but we stopped there going home although going, we passed it.

Len Bert & I went to see Syd.  We are going to be there at 6 on Saturday.

Afterwards we went up Lens for a while.  Leslie came over & paid me for the books & paid Ern for some torches & whistles he got.

Wednesday 14^th May 1941

Trains are running to Mansion House but I had to get out at Monument, go to Bank & get the Northern Line to Elephant & Castle & then got out Trafalgar Square by Bakerloo.

I went to the taxation of Charing X news theatre today.  It was very educative and interesting but I reckon Bratts ears were burning, he didn’t half get slated for the way the bills were drawn.

We didn’t do too badly thought.

Came home the same way as I went.

Len & Bert came in for a while & later I went down Lens.

Thursday 15^th May 1941

Went all the way to Charring X by District although some stations further on are still closed.

Went to Westminster Library & got “Bill the Conqueror” by P.G. Wodehouse.

Trains were not running in the evening & I got home by Northern Line Charing X – Tottenham Ct Rd 

Central Tottenham Ct Road – Bank 

District Monument – Plaistow.

Went downs Lens for a practice.

Friday 16^th May 1941

ARW 3.18 am AC 4.18am quiet mostly.

Travelling was o.k. today.

Len & I went to night school.

Went to Taxation of Keith Prowse today.  We didn’t do so well, but still, we will probably get some more out of them yet.

ARW 11.55 AC 4.35am rather noisy at times.

Saturday 17^th May 1941

Miss Bailey had the day off.  Left the office at 1. Went to library & got “When the World Shook” R. Haggard.

“Code of the Wooster’s” P.G. Wodehouse & “The Hand of Fear” Verner.

Got “I Got 6d” & “ I L-L-Love you so” at the music shop.

I wanted to get my hair cut but all the places were full.

Freddie was going to see me this afternoon but he rang up & said he wouldn’t come but would see me Wednesday.

In the evening Len, Bert & I went round Credon Rd but as Syd had been busy all the week no-one had bothered about the dance & so about 6 people turned up & they wouldn’t dance so we packed up, & spoke our minds, an argument started then but we stopped the argument & arranged that a dance will be held next Saturday.  Tickets in advance & all money to go to War Weapons Week & we are to see them again Monday.  They had a sweep at Woodmansee’s.  Dad bought me 3 tickets & won me a sewing certificate.

Sunday 18^th May 1941

Up early, had bath.

In afternoon, Len & I decided to go rowing over Whipps Cross when we got there, we found a queue waiting for boats so we went over to Wanstead Park but we found another queue there.  We had a ride in the park.

A good few bombs have dropped there & everywhere you go you can see traces of incendiaries.  We dug up part of one & one night we are going there with forks & trowels to get several.

In the evening I went down Lens.

He doesn’t like the first Clipper ship model he built, so just for a bit of fun, we put matchheads in it, soaked it in petrol & put it in a bowl of water & set fire to it.  We had drawn the blackout & it looked very realistic.  We’ve decided to make a model especially for that purpose & we made a list of things we would want.

We had a game of table tennis at Woodmansee’s while dad was firewatching there.

We saw Terry & Bert later.  Terry had some machine-gun bullets & we undid one & got the cordite out.  I kept a few sticks to put in the boat.

Monday 19^th May 1941

Len had taken the pieces of incendiary to work to get it unscrewed, he brought it back to me this evening.  Len, Bert & I went to see Syd.  

If it is fine on Saturday the dance will be in the playground & Bert has got a job for us at the E.L.C.C.A.S. on Friday.  Ivy’s pal Dolly actually got it for us.  If we are good enough we may get a definite job there twice a week.

We went in Lens home for a while.  

When I got home I worked out a programme for the dances.

Tuesday 20^th May 1941

We had a practice at Lens house in the evening.  Then we went over to West Ham Park & saw a Home Guard display.  It was good as well – bayonet charging, drilling, field wireless & machine gunning, signalling etc.

Wednesday 21^st May 1941

I practiced all evening.  Len came down for a while. Did some book-keeping.

I was Firewatch with Bert from 10-2.

Bed 2.20am

Thursday 22^nd May 1941

I nearly finished the store-room today.

Went to library & got “15 years a Store Detective” H.N. Cooper.

In the evening we had a practice & then Len & I went over to Wanstead to see the mimic battle.

When it was over we met Ern & as we were walking past the pond Ern said “Look! There’s mum & dad getting in the car”, so I ran to Walters to stop the car & get a lift, but when I got there I found mum & dad getting on a bus and Walter was standing by his car.  

When Ern & Len came up we went in to see Beryl.  She is very tiny & she has got a strong pair of lungs.

Friday 23^rd May 1941

We put a double amount in the savings group this week.

During lunch I went to see Mr Buttle.  Fenton House is in a terrible state & although Thurley are still there you have to go down what is left of Billiter St go up some stairs, go over the fire escape & go through some ruined offices to get to where they are.  They are in different rooms now.

I saw the typist when I got there & when I asked for Mr Buttle she didn’t seem to know what or who I was talking about & asked if I had come to the right office.  So I asked for Mr Cureton & she said he was at lunch.  She said I could stay to see him (I told her I used to work there) but I said I wouldn’t wait & asked her to remember me to him.  Apparently then Mr Buttle has left, Miss Purser has left,  Mr Cureton is in Fenton House Mr Simpson is at Fenton House, Mr Collins is at Amersham, Mr Thurley I don’t know about.  I’ll have to go there again soon.

Mum & Dad went to the pictures. We went to the dance.  It wasn’t very good.  They were a mod lot & wanted nothing but swing & jitterbugging. I played the piano at the beginning & the finish & another bloke played in between. Len won a good torch in a raffle.

Saturday 24^th May 1941

Had to go to Claridge’s.  Home 7.45.

All the hairdressers were full so I still haven’t got my hair cut.  Went to music shop with Len & got “Over the Hill” “America I Love you” “Along the Santa Fe Trail” “When they sound the Last All Clear”.

Mum & Dad are going down to Laindon tomorrow to look at a Bungalow Dad is thinking of buying.

We got round the school at 6.20.  We started the dance at 7. Joe’s Pro brother was home on leave & he played till 9 with us.  Then he did an accordion solo & then he had to go.  We felt on form although we were going to finish at 10.30 we stayed till 12.15am. They were clapping & cheering us & encore after encore was played.  We’ve never been so popular and I think one of the reasons is that there was more “body” in the band as Len was playing the P.A. instead of the xylophone. 

The Rev. Councillor Painton was there & I accompanied a couple of his songs.  At the end of the dance we suggested to Syd that we have more dances & that we are paid.  He agreed & we are going to see him during the week.

I hope we have some more dances because we were getting on fine with a couple of bits of fluff.

We eventually left about 12.45am.

Dad tried to get on the phone to Walter several times tonight to get some petrol for the trip to Laindon tomorrow, but he couldn’t get through.

Sunday 25^th May 1941

Up 10.am.

I went up the phone box to get Walter on the phone & I even dialled the operator but there was no reply from the phone.  Mum thought they had all gone out but I said that the office girl might not have put the phone through went she left yesterday.  After breakfast I cycled round to Fred Cottrell’s place, (he is taking Dad & Mum) to see if he had got any petrol extra, but he hadn’t so I went on to Walters.

Rose let me in as Doris was bathing Beryl.

Walter was out on a job & Doris couldn’t let me have any petrol but she suggested I go to the Apex garage where Walter gets his petrol & see if they would let me have some.

I rode home & told Dad & he gave me a card of his to give them at the garage & see if they would let me have any petrol.

I went to the garage, – & found it shut. 

While I was at Walters, Rose looked to see if they had put the phone through when I suggested it. I was right – it hadn’t been put thought.

I went & saw Doris again but she couldn’t suggest anything.  I saw Dad again & then went to Fred’s house.

I saw Margaret & as I was telling her I couldn’t get any petrol she saw Jim Simpson & when she spoke to him he said he could let them have 2 gallons.  So everything was alright – or so we thought.  But just after dinner Margaret came round to say that while Fred was bringing the car home the back spring broke.

They thought they wouldn’t be able to go but I dashed up to the station & brought a timetable & took it home.  There was a train at 3.5 at Plaistow, so I dashed round to Woodmansee’s so that Fred (who was firewatching) would get to Upton Park Station in time. 

Actually I was round the shop till 7.20. & I had to cycle home through all the rain & I got soaked.

Len & Bert collected the drums & P.A. from the school, we left them there because we were too tired to carry them (But didn’t bring the drums, it was too much).

Had tea when I got in.

Mum & Dad came in about 9.50.  They were lyrical over the bungalow & Dad is going to buy it if he possibly can.  He is going to speak to the owner tomorrow.  There is a nice long garden & we will be able to make a putting green there.

Water & electricity are not laid on yet but the only reason they aren’t is because of the war, it was just going to be done when the war started.  Dad is going to have it altered a bit but from what he says it will be a lovely week-end residence until he retires and goes to live down there.  I hope he gets it.  If he does we are going there Whitsun Monday .  Bed 1 am.

Monday 26^th May 1941

Bought “1^st P.M. album of 20 song hits”. 

Left early. Home 6pm.

Went to night school. Saw Len after school.  I knocked for Bert he had just brought his drums home with Syd.  Syd said that the dance raised nearly £10.  Dad spoke to the owner of the bungalow today & he is going down with him on Sunday to have a good look round & to discuss the price.  Walter came over.

Tuesday 27^th May 1941

Lovely at work, – I didn’t have much to do, – which was a great change.

In the evening I saw Len & Bert & practiced the piano.

Wednesday 28^th May 1941

I went to Thurley’s & saw Mr Cureton & Mr Simpson.  I stayed there a long time.  We just spoke about the blitz etc. until Simpson went out then Cureton said that Simpson had bought out Thurley & is now the boss.  I recon there was a row myself, Cureton said Buttle was working at Amersham & then Thurley got him a job recently at the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation.  Mr Collins works at Amersham & only comes in very rarely.  Miss Purser is working for another firm at Amersham.  After leaving Cureton I went to the UK CC in Plantation house but TEB was at lunch.

When I got home I wrote a letter to Freddie asking him to meet me at Laindon Station on Sunday.  Ern is going to come.

I went & saw Len for a while & we had a practice.

Thursday 29^th May 1941

I went to see Mr Buttle during my lunch hour but he was again at lunch.  In the afternoon I managed to get Fred on the phone & explained to him about Sunday.

Bert Len & I went to Syd in the evening.  The next dance is on June 14, & on the 21^st there is a wedding there & they want us to play.

We had a game of table tennis & then we came home.

Friday 30^th May 1941

Great dashing about in the morning at the office from 10 onwards.

Charles & Mr Savage (the witnesses in Slater) arrived.  Miss Joseph rolled in at 10 past 10 & Charles then finds a mistake in his proof much telephoning then goes on but about 11 EJ Charles & Mr Savage go to the court & we’re left in peace, we’ve just been reading or doing what we like.

Miss Joseph & Charles came back about 12.30.  We got the decree nisi.

Len & I went to school in the evening.  When we finished Len came down home & we had a practice.

Saturday 31^st May 1941

Got up at 11am.

I had a bath in the afternoon.  In the evening Len & I went to the Odeon & saw Artie Shaw & his band in “Second Chorus”.  Jolly good film. Also saw “Crook’s Tour”.

Sunday 1^st June 1941

Messed about all day till 5 & then Len & I went round Woodmansee’s while dad was firewatching & played table Tennis.  Bert went out for the day.

Len & I went for a walk about 8.

Mums sister Alice came round.

I lent Len my music.

Monday 2^nd June 1941

Up 8.  ARW 12.5am AC 3.15, heard a few planes.

Ern & I left for the station at 9.10.  I ordered my season ticket.  When we got to Laindon we couldn’t see Freddie so we thought we’d walk part of the way, we went the wrong way, when we got back to the station we met Freddie, he had got there a bit late.  We went to his bungalow.

We left there about 1 am.  Freddie and a pal of his escorted us & between us we found our way to our bungalow. 

We had a look round the outside (Mr Springhall didn’t leave the key when he went after seeing dad).  The view is wonderful we are on the crest of a hill & below us are fields & in the distance a blur where it merges into the outskirts of London.  It was a bit misty so we couldn’t get the real beauty of the view but on a clear day it must be wonderful.  The name is “Highland View” & the road is called Hillcrest Avenue.

The plot is 210 feet by 44 ft & it inclines slightly, the bungalow is at the back, which is the top of the incline, when Freddie & his pal left we had lunch with Mr Scott of “Killarney” in First Avenue. 

When we had finished lunch I went back to our place, when I got there I found our next door neighbours (Mr & Mrs Crockett) in our Garden.  Mr Crockett was digging some ground & Mrs Crockett was mowing the grass.  Mrs Crockett asked me if I would like to have a try at mowing.  I did so & found it hard work, so I went & fetched Ern & the 2 of us started mowing.  After a while they all came round & Fred Cottrell Ern & I were all mowing in turns.

Mr & Mrs Crockett said that after Mr Springhall left the bungalow they didn’t want the garden to look uncared-for so they did a bit of work there.  

We seem to have decent neighbours one side of us anyway, although on the other side, the people don’t seem up to much.

It’s alright for me, the Crockett’s have 4 children – the 2 eldest are girls aged 15 & 14 & the 15 year old doesn’t look too bad.

We did a good bit before we went & had tea.

After tea Mr Scott showed us two musical boxes she has, one is over 200 years old & is priceless, it is a marvellous piece of work.

Book 25

Monday 2^nd June Contd

After tea we went back & did some more mowing.

When we left we had almost finished the lawn.  We caught the 9.7 train home & were in by 10.  I didn’t get a seat till East Ham, the train was so crowded.  Ern got a seat though.

Joyce & Doris brought the rent over.

Dad is going to get us to do the conveyance.  Bed 12.30 am.

Tuesday 3^rd June 1941

It rained all day & I had to be out most of the time & I felt thoroughly fed up when I got home.

I got my music back from Lens house, he had gone to the pictures.

Bert went & saw Syd.

I went to the library & got “The Lost World” K. Vincent

“The Secret Formula”  “Alias the Ghost” Verner

When Bert came back I told him “We’ve got another job now, a dance at Russell School fairly soon”.

We went & saw Len & arranged to have a practice tomorrow night and on Thursday we will have a rehearsal round Credon Road.

I was firewatching so I didn’t go to bed.

Bert came in at 2 & we sorted the music into the different dances.  Although we didn’t finish duty till 5 we packed up at 4.30 as it was getting light. 

I pulled up the blinds & went to sleep in the chair.

Wednesday 4^th June 1941

Woke up at 8.30.

It was very hot today, in fact it was too hot to walk about, luckily I didn’t have to go out much.

I left early, about 5.45 home 6.30.

I arranged for Dad & Mr Springhall to come up on Friday.

Bert & Len came down & we had a practice but I didn’t feel like it, none of us did, it was too hot, so we packed up the stuff & took it round the post, so that it would be ready for us to go round there tomorrow night.

Thursday 5^th June 1941

Went to Westminster library & got “Travellers Club Tales”.

I went to see Mr Buttle.  Eric has been injured but he is o.k. now & is flying again.

They don’t seem to have had much air raid damage, Mr Buttle said their worst night was 29^th November when 11 bombs were dropped round him & he couldn’t find an exit from where he was but had to climb over heaps of rubble.

Altogether over 200 people were killed & several hundred injured in their locality that night.

I think Simpson gave Buttle the push, I know T.E.B. is rather sore about it.  Mr Thorley got him his present job & Mr Thurley is now with Sagma at 110 Fenchurch St.  I thanked Mr Buttle for my reference.  He wants me to keep in touch with him, & I shall do because I reckon T.E.B. is a very decent chap.

In the evening we went round to the post & had an impromptu dance, there were quite a few there & we are going to go round every Thursday. I had a couple of games of snooker.

ARW 12.10am to 3.15am.  It got noisy a couple of times.

Friday 6^th June 1941

In the evening Len Bert & I went round the post & played snooker & table tennis.  Went up Lens house.

Albert came home on 11 days leave about 11 pm.

Reg Powder stayed the night with us.  I stopped up till 2am talking with Reg and Ern.

ARW 9.22am AC 9.37am.  All quiet.

Saturday 7^th June 1941

Heard guns at 2am. Len went swimming in the afternoon & skating in the evening so Bert & I went round the post for a while.

I had my haircut in the afternoon, while I was at the barbers Freddie came in, mum had told him where I was.

Sunday 8^th June 1941

Up 12.30

Ern started his holiday, Bert is on holiday as well.  Bert went to a wedding job that Joe got for him. Len & I went round the post & played snooker.  From there we went to Dads shop & played table tennis.

When we got home we saw Bert & we went to the post to collect the accordion.  We saw Syd.  He is taking lessons on the accordion & he wants it left there. We told him we want 7/6 for Saturday’s dance.

Home 10.30.

Dads birthday today. He is 57.

Monday 9^th June 1941

Nothing much at work.  Went to night school in evening.

Tuesday 10^th June

Went to library & got “Unknown Essex” Donald Maxwell.

We went round the post in the evening & had a practice & played a game of snooker.

Wednesday 11^th June 1941

I did a lot of work today & have cleared up Slater so that we have only to wait till time for the absolute.

Mums 55^th birthday today. I got her some roses.

Ern came round the post in the evening & played a game of snooker, then Ern, me Bert & Len went round the Black Lion & played a game there.

Thursday 12^th June 1941

I joined the library in Duncannon St. It’s called the Red Triangle Library.  Got “Money Buys Anything” R. Vickers.

ARW 12.15am to 4 am very noisy at times.

Went to the post in the evening. Played till 10 then Ern Bert & I played Snooker till 12.15.  bed 1.

Friday 13^th June 1941

I practiced the piano in the evening & swapped stamps with a chap from night school.  Stayed up till 12.30 doing a X word puzzles.

Saturday 14^th June 1941

Miss Joseph asked me to find out if dad wants her to write to Mr Springhall about the bungalow. Its 8 days since he came up & we should have heard.

I practiced in the afternoon.

We went round the school at 6,0pm & got ready.

The dance didnt really start till 7.15. we were lousy before the interval. Les & Doris came.

After the interval Mum & Dad turned up & we improved greatly & when we finished we were nearly as good as the last dance.  Syd  is after another Job for us.

Left the dance at 12.15

Bed 1am.

ARW 1.15 to 3.30 fairly noisy at times.

Sunday 15^th June 1941

Up 12.

Went round the school at 4 to collect our kit & the money.  We arranged to see Syd again on Tuesday.

Les & Doris invited us to a party tonight, while they were at the dance.  Ern, Len Bert & I went over about 6.15.  Mum & Dad came later.  There were about 24 there in the finish.  We had quite a decent time.  Albert & I took turns at the piano & Len had the P.A.  Bert had his side drum.  We tried to teach Doris the P.A. & when we came away she could play it a little bit but she said it made her arm tired.

Left at 1am.

Bed 1.30am.

Monday 16^th June 1941

Bought music while at lunch.  

Calliope Jane

Amapola

Does she love me

Let’s be Buddies

Never Mind

The Swan.

I went to night school.

Aunt Lillie & Aunt Alice came over. I saw Len.

Bert & I were firewatching.  Bert came in with me.

Ern & Joyce had gone to see Albert off.

Ern came in at 12.30.  He had just brought Joyce home & Alberts train left at 9.20.

Ern gave her a night out.  He took her to a Corner House & then to Wards Irish House and a couple of other places.  I certainly would have liked to have been with them.

Ern stayed up & finally we went to bed about 2.45am.  

During our watch we heard one plane.

Tuesday 17^th June 1941

Up 9.15

Got to work at 10.15

Went to library in evening & got “The Devil Came to Leoon” “The Pocket Hercules” E. Jepson.

Ern Bert Terry & I went round the Post. Len came round about 8. We all left at 9.30.  Les Doris & Joyce came over & we were all at the gate talking for a couple of hours.

Bed 12.15

Wednesday 18^th June 1941

We’ve got a weapon at last then.  As long as this Radio locator works O.K. I’m not going to bother, like some people will, to try to work out what it is.^IV

Stopped in all evening sorting stamps.

Bed 12.20

Thursday 19^th June 1941

Dad had a letter from Springall.  So did we.  He sent us a copy of the Abstract of Title.  But we want more than that so we wrote to him.

Stayed in all night sorting stamps.

Bed 12.15.

Ern finished his holiday.  Lillie Joyce & Rose came over in the evening.

Friday 20^th June 1941

We started stamp club at night school.

Mum & Dad have decided to go down to Laindon on Sunday.

Dad saw Springall today & Springall said he is going to get his stuff out of the bungalow tomorrow.

Saturday 21^st June 1941

Longest day of the year.

Miss Bailey is having today Monday & Tuesday off as her boy has to join the R.A.F. Wednesday.

Left the office at 12.45.  Had a bath in the afternoon.  Freddie came, he arranged to meet us at Laindon Station tomorrow.

Ern is going to take Joyce with us tomorrow.  Walter & Doris are going to come down in the afternoon.

Sunday 22^nd June 1941

We all caught the 9.8 train & arrived at Laindon at 9.48. Freddie was not at the station so as I knew there was a definite reason for him to be late we went on.  Freddie caught us up when we were nearly to the bungalow.  He had overslept himself.

There were 6 of us then.  Dad, Mum, Ern Joyce Freddie and I.

Freddie & I measured up the bungalow so that we would have an idea of what furniture we can take.

Then we all laid on the lawn for a while.  We had a picnic lunch on the lawn

Ern Joyce & I caught a lovely colour in the afternoon.

Mum Dad & Fred kept in the shade more.  Even so Freddie had a colour when he left us.  Joyce Ern Fred & I had a game with the putting sticks, knocking the ball from one to another.  At 3.40 Ern Joyce Fred & I went to meet Walter & Doris.  We were nearly at the arterial Road when we met them so we had a ride back.  Walter went halfway up the hill & then Ern & I carried the baby in its cot the rest of the way.  It was the most uncomfortable walk we ever had.  I was bending nearly double to keep the sun from Beryl & daren’t trip over & the sun was beating down on us – the sun only went in once the whole day & then only for about 30 seconds. – we eventually got the baby to the bungalow.  Walter later brought the car up to the gate.

We left at 8 & we all came home by car but altogether we had a very enjoyable day & I hope my colour lasts till next week so that I can improve it.  Next time I go down I shall wear shorts.  My flannels were sticking to my legs.

Bed 12.30.

Monday 23^rd June 1941

Miss Rubens came from the other office to work here while N.B. is away.

Went to night school, afterwards I bought some stamps off a fellow, for 5/-.  There are some good ones there as well.  Then I saw Len & changed stamps with him.

I bought “Flinging a Whing-Ding” today.  

Bed 12.30.

ARW 1.30 to 3am fairly quiet.

Tuesday 24^th June 1941

Went to library & got “Thrilling the Million” T. Stenner.

Stopped in all night.

Rang up Freddie during the day & asked him if I could borrow his stamp catalogue. He is going to bring to me tomorrow.

Wednesday 25^th June 1941

Freddie was at home when I got home. He had brought the catalogue.  Len, Freddie & I went round the school & played Snooker. I lent Freddie a Piano Accordion Tutor.

I’m going to stay with him over the week-end.

Thursday 26^th June 1941

Went into the city during my lunch hour & bought myself a stamp album.

In the evening we went round the post and stayed till nearly 11.

Friday 27^th June 1941

Went to Westminster library & got “Mulliner Nights” P.J. Wodehouse.

In the evening I went to school.  Mr Galbraith brought some stamps for us.

ARW 1.30 AC 2.15am.  fairly quiet mostly.

Saturday 28^th June 1941

I didn’t have to go in today.  Up 9. 

Had a bath. At 1 pm Freddie called & he & I left to go to his place for the weekend.  We caught the 1.30 from Barking.

About 3 we went for a ride round to our bungalow.  When we left we met the 2 Crockett Girls & went into the village with them.  In the evening Freddie his pal & I rode about 20 miles on our bikes.

Bed 10.30.

Sunday 29^th June 1941

Up 10.30.

Freddie & I left to go to our place about 3.  It is much more cheerful now, mum brought some curtains down & put at the windows.  We have brought down several other things as well.

Freddie & I mowed the lawn.  Mum took a lovely bunch of roses home with her.  We caught the 8.45 train home.

When we got home I saw Bert & he showed me a smashing extract from a book.

Stan brought the extract when he came home yesterday. He said he may send Bert some more down.  I hope he does.  I’m going to copy it tomorrow at work.  Ern wants one I want one & Bert wants a couple.

Monday 30^th June 1941

I made 5 copies at work today of the extract.

When I went to night school I showed it to all the boys & some of them want me to make them copies of it.

When I got home I sorted my stamps.

During my lunch hour I went down in the city to try and find a stamp shop I used to know that sold stamps by the bag.  But I couldn’t find it, I think that it has been bombed.

Went to library & got “The Ebony Torso”

I was firewatching from 2 till 5.

Tuesday 1^st July 1941

I went into the city again to try & find that shop but I’m sure it’s been bombed.

I felt lousy all day as I only got about 3 hours sleep last night.

Practiced piano in evening.

Went to Plaistow Library got “The Pocket Hercules” & “The Backsliders” E Jepsen & “Race the Sun”.

Wednesday 2nd July 1941

We suggested to E.J. today that as P.C. have not got much work, 1 of the girls can come down & work with us, she seemed quite taken with the idea & I hope she’ll act on it.

Len & I had a practice.

Thursday 3^rd July 1941

Mrs Secker came down from P.C. today to help us & we were able to leave at 5.15.

Home at 6.

Mum & Dad were at the pictures.  Len, Bert & I had a practice.

Bed 12.

Aunt Lilie moved today to Homerton.

Friday 4^th July 1941

Independence Day.

During my lunch I bought “He wears a Pair of Silver Wings” “Yes My Darling Daughter” & Dixieland Selection”.

Went to night school.

Saturday 5^th July 1941

Had a bath in the afternoon.

We left home at 6.45.

The party started about 7.45.  We had a fine time & we met a chap who could play alto & tenor & he sat in with us.  It sounded class.

The food display was marvellous for war time.  Sandwiches of different kinds, cakes, jellies, all kinds of drinks.

They brought me a shandy & I drank it before I knew what it was, so I can’t say I haven’t drank beer now.

Mark’s daughter was there & about 2am she started talking to us & soon we drifted out into the playground.  There were quite a few couples out there at different times.  Unluckily Mark came out soon after us, but if he hadn’t I reckon I would have done something I haven’t done before. 

We finally got home about 2.45am.

Sunday 6^th July 1941

Up 11am. I didn’t go out all day but just messed about doing whatever I fancied.

Went to bed about 11.30

Monday 7^th July 1941

Up 8.30.

Went to library & got “The Education of Hyman Kaplan” by Leonard Q. Ross.^V

Went to school in evening.

Tuesday 8^th July 1941

Terrifically hot.

Messed about all evening.  It was too hot to do anything really.

Wednesday 9^th July 1941

I went round by the post about 9.45.  I stopped till about 10.30 when Len came round on his bike.  One of the wardens had said that Sid wanted to see us.  So we went round his house but we missed him.  We went back to the school & saw him there.  He said that a chap from the Radical Club wanted us to play there on Saturdays & Sundays from 8 to 11pm.  Sid wants to see us tomorrow night when we have seen Bert & he will know then when we can see this chap ourselves. 

Len is on his holidays & Len is going away over the weekend but after he had seen his Pop he said he would stay here & go to the dance if he had gone away we were going to see if one of the Bishfords would do the job.

Thursday 10^th July 1941

Put in a good day’s work at the Registry, in Crowford.

Went to the post in evening with Bert.  We accepted the job at £1 Sats & £15/- Sundays starting this week.

Friday 11^th July 1941

Went to Library & got “City of Cobros” J.F. Doyer

Went to school in evening. 

Freddie called.

Saturday 12^th July 1941

Left the office at 1.

Uncle Albert called in the afternoon he had Abby with him, it’s the first time Abby has been in London for about 2 years.

Mum was out when they arrived & they had to go before she got back as they were catching a train from Paddington that got them to Bradford-on-Avon about 10.  Uncle Albert said he would probably be coming up again in 8 weeks’ time.

Went to library & got “Three men on the Brummell” J.K. Jerome & “Barradige detects E Jepson. 

We had a terrific storm in the evening – one of the worst for years – but it cleared up before we left to go to the Radical Club.

We got there just before 8, the first bus we tried to get on, the conductor wouldn’t let us bring the drums on.  But the 2^nd bus had a clippie & she didn’t mind.  Soon after we had started playing a chap turned up & said he was the pianist at the club.  He had a saxophone with him & he played that mostly but he played the piano a bit.  We got on quite well.  There were some sailors there on leave.  Their boat was in dock being repaired after having a bomb down its funnel.  They are a minesweeping crew.  They were together before the war on a trawler.  There’re skipper was there and he was as bad as the rest of them.  We managed to give them a good time thought.

Home just after 12.

Sunday 13^th July 1941

Bert & I did our firewatching.  Bert went in at 2.15. Ern was asleep in the chair, I had wakened Mr McGarry.

I didn’t want to go to sleep but I did & when I woke up it was 6am.  I called Ern & the 2 of us started to get ready to go to Laindon.

Mum & Dad got up & eventually as Ern wasn’t ready I went by myself.  I just caught the 7.12 train from Upminster.  

Got to bungalow about 7.45.

I changed into shorts & messed about generally.  Mum Dad & Ern came down by the 9.8 train.

We all did a lot of work.  The bungalow now looks neater & we got rid of all the clumps of weeds in front of the house & have dug up a strip by the fence at the bottom of the garden.

We also smoothed out one side of the house so that now we only have the other side & the back of the house to get under control & we will be able to mow all the grass easily.

I left at 6.15.  I caught the 6.52 train & got to the club at 7.45.  by the time the others arrived I had all the kit set up.  We did quite well on the whole but I myself didn’t do so well as last night, probably because I was tired & my hands were sore.  We got paid tonight, & Mr Skiff the entertainments manager wants me to go to his house & learn some of his songs so that I can accompany him.

Got home about 12.30.

Monday 14^th July 1941

I felt lousy most of the day.

During my lunch I bought “Boo Hooray” “I love my Work” “The Road that leads to Home” “Sergeant Selby” & “The Medley Book” I also bought “Sympathy” for Bert.

Night school finished tonight.

I went to The Club.  We played till 12.25.  Bert had his side drum skin broken by the vibration of the mike & had to play on the bottom skin all night.

The sailors kept sober although it was their last night & we had a jolly good time.  Home at 1.

Tuesday 15^th July 1941

At the club there was a girl who sang a waltz called “If I had my Way”.  I wanted to buy it but when I went to F.D.H. they told me that it had not been published.  So I will have to see the girl next time we go & ask her if she would write it out for me.  It is a very lovely waltz.

Len & I went to the Club on our bikes & brought home the Piano accordion.

Len had some friends in his house so we gave them a tune.

Went to library & got “ 2^nd century of detective Stories”.

Wednesday 16^th July 1941

Len & I went over Walters & borrowed his music stand.  I stayed with Len for a while.  Home 11.30

Thursday 17^th July 1941

Len & Bert came in for a while. Len & I went round to post for an hour.

Friday 18^th July 1941

Went to last night of school. Saw Len afterwards,

I had to go to Ealing this afternoon.  Mr Guedalla is seriously ill & EJ is moving heaven & earth to get Gerald home & I had to take a doctor’s certificate & a letter from the Law Society to Wing Comdr Collins, Gerald’s superior officer who had just returned from Iceland.  We are trying to get him leave & then we will put through an application for his release.  

Went to library & got “Tales of Dread”.

Saturday 19^th July 1941

Got home at 2.

Len came down to say he has broken his sax.  He broke the octave lever & also a piece of the top but he thinks he can get it mended.

Len & I went round to the shop that Len knows to see the sax but it had gone but he had some clarinets there, so we saw them.  I’m going to buy one of them – it will cost £4/10/-.  I shall probably get it on Monday week.

About 6 it started to pour of rain.  Mum suddenly said “Dad has not got a coat or umbrella with him” so I dashed off on the bike with our umbrella.  I got to the shop & as I’m crossing the road I catch the tramlines & over I go. I took a lump out of my hand, my knee & my trousers.

I couldn’t go to the club or do much at all as my fingers were all numb.

The others were alright thought because the Sax chap played the piano.

Sunday 20^th July 1941

Went to Laindon by the 9.8 train.  I didn’t do a great deal of work but I cleared one side of the garden of all the big tall weeds & got down part of one side of the house.

At the end of the week looking back on what we have done I think we are considerably nearer getting the bungalow.

Freddie & his pal came up just as I was leaving & they came to the station with me. I caught the 6.52.

We were on form tonight & the same fellow brought his clarinet & played it occasionally.

I saw Mr Shipp about me not turning up last night but he said it was O.K. & I was paid in full.

Home 12.

Monday 21^st July 1941

In the evening Len Bert & I went round the Post.

Later we went & saw Arthur Thompson.  He was in bed with Sciatica.  We went in & saw him & stayed talking for about an hour.

It cheered him up for he said that he was absolutely browned off.  As for us, we got a lot of tips from him.  When we came home we stood talking to Joyce & Queenie for a long while. 

Home 11.30 bed 12.

Tuesday 22^nd July 1941

Len got his sax mended.

Len Bert & I went round & saw Mr Earles.  We stopped about 4 hrs telling dirty jokes.  Mrs Earles is going to have a baby.

Ronnie Earles showed us some of his drawings.  He is a smashing artist.

He may buy a guitar & join us.  We are going to see him Thursday and take him round the school.  He wrote a tune a couple of years ago & we are going to play it for him.  One of Bert’s friends is coming over as well on Thursday.

Bed 11.45.

Wednesday 23^rd July 1941

I left the office at 5.45.  We got round Cumberland Road at 7.30. We arranged to play till 11 for 22/6d.  At the end of the second dance the secretary came up & gave me 25/-.

We were on form !!!! it was one of our best dances.

Syd & Mark came later on.

We packed up at 10.30.  Stopped in Lens for a while.  Home 11.40

Thursday 24^th July 1941

Done more work today than I have done for a long time.

I brought home the contract for Dad to sign.

Bert & 2 of his pals, Len me & Mr & Mrs Earles went round the school.  Mr Earles tune is quite good.  When he comes back from his holidays he is going to come round & I will write it down.

He is going to buy a guitar and join us.

Home 11.

Friday 25^th July 1941

Bought a clarinet tutor today.

I was firewatching from 2-5 this morning & today I had a lot of walking & it was very hot so when I got home I was just about dead beat.

Miss Bagley started her holidays tonight.  I went for a walk round & called at Miss Elson’s and I’ve arranged to go there next Friday.

She said, “bring all your old stuff”  Old stuff be damned, I’ll show her something when I get started.

All I want to learn is how to fill in with the right , how to put accompaniments to tunes of more than 4 bs or 2#s. & how to get a quick left hand for Quickstep – & also how to play real boogie-woogie.

I shall buy my Clarry tomorrow.

Saturday 26^th July 1941

I bought my Clarry & a reed.  I borrowed 2/6 from Ern as it left me on the rocks.

When I got to Erns shop Joyce was there.

I practiced on the clary & could blow it fairly well.  Mum only said, “A fool & his money – “ & Dad said, “Do you think you’ll be able to play it”.

Went to the Club.  We did fairly well.  Allan Wilson said that he thought it was stiff & I tried it & found it much easier to blow.

Home 12.

Bed 12.30

Sunday 27^th July 1941

I wasn’t going to Laindon today but when mum & Dad woke up they found it was raining so none of us went.

Ern lent me another 7/6.

I can get a good few notes now on the Clarry.

When I showed it to Lens pop he said that it was stiff so I shall take it to Boosey & Hawkes tomorrow & get some advice about it.

Ern is getting on well with it too.

Len came down in the afternoon.

Len & I went to see Syd but he wasn’t at the post.

We were more on form tonight than last night at the club.

One of the blokes at the club is going to do a strip tease next Saturday at the club – of course he won’t go right down but he will do it.

We spoke to the girl who sings “If I had my Way” & she said a friend of hers had it & it was published by Felix McGlennon, I’ll try & get it tomorrow but I thought that McGlennon’s closed down a long while ago because you never hear of them now.

Ern is coming to the club next week.

Bed 1am.

Book 26

Monday 28^th July 1941

ARW at 1.45am to 3.50am.

I was woken up at 2 by dad because Mum wanted to get up as they were dropping mines & incendiaries.

We all came downstairs & Mrs McGarry came in. 

The raid was just fairly noisy and about 3 a fire was started at Stratford.  A.C. went at 3.50 after a lull of about ¾ of an hour.

I was very busy at work all day. I went to try & get “If I Had My Way” & finally tracked it to Campbell Connelly.  They said they would have it if anybody, but it hadn’t been sent to them from America so it had not & never would be published here.

Boosey & Hawkes said that the Clarry was alright but the mouthpiece was lousy.

The chap I saw had been playing Clarrys for years & he said that if I got a new mouthpiece I would find a difference.  He tried another mouthpiece & there was an entirely different tone.  I could see they didn’t want the job of altering the present mouthpiece so I said I will try to get it altered locally so I shall probably take it to the Essex Musical Store.

Miss Joseph wanted to know what I had in the case & when I told her a clarinet she said it was her favourite wind instrument.  She spoke to me about it for a long while & it is surprising the amount she knew about music.  She hopes I get on well with it.

I saw Len & Stan in the evening & told them what had happened.

Len is going to take the Clarry to the Essex Store tomorrow & see if they will do it.

Bed 12.30.

Tuesday 29^th July 1941

Len couldn’t take my Clarry tonight but he will try again tomorrow.

Len & I were going to see Syd, when I saw a fellow I thought I knew, he thought he knew me & eventually we found that he had seen us at Russell school when we were playing to the soldiers.

He gave us the meeting place of the Ilford & East Ham Rhythm Club – Herbert’s at the Boleyn they meet every Tuesday at 7.30.  We may go next week.

Syd wasn’t at the Post so Len & I played snooker & table tennis.

Home 10.15

Wednesday 30^th July 1941

Len took my Clarry to the Essex.

He said that someone had been trying to alter it to suit themselves & had spoilt it.  He said that even if the mouthpiece was repaired it would go again but he could let me have a new mouthpiece for 15/-.  Of course, shopkeepers are always after the big penny but I think I will get a new mouthpiece.  I should have a spare as well then.

The octave lever on Lens Sax broke again so we mended it as best we could. Bert went for his first drum lesson from Butch.  He seemed rather discouraged when he came home, I think he is realising how much he has to learn as yet.

Mum ordered some stuff for the bungalow.  She and Dad are going down tomorrow to let Mr Crockett have the key so that the stuff can be put in our bungalow.

Thursday 31^st July 1941

Mum & Dad went to Laindon Len & I went round the school in the evening & saw Syd

Home 9.30

Mum & Dad said they would have liked to have stopped at the bungalow.

Friday 1^st August 1941

Miss Joseph went to Nottingham for the weekend and as she went about 3.15 we packed up about 4.  I got home at 4.45.

I went to music tonight.  Miss Elsom picked out every tune I couldn’t play except “The Johnson Rag” & I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was in a band after the poor showing I put up.  

Bert got a record of Joe Loss playing “In the Mood” & “Woodchoppers Ball” & Victor Sylvester playing “Amapola” & “There goes that song again”.

They are smashing records I may play “In the Mood”.

Saturday 2^nd August 1941

Bert & I got our hair cut in the morning. Len & I went to the Essex Store & I bought a new mouthpiece & cleaning stick & some oil for my clarinet.

The new mouthpiece is a bit easier to blow.

Ern came to the Club with us.  We had a damn good time.  Mac did his strip tease as promised and was he good.  It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.

Home 12.

I went to the library & got “Red Sea Nights” by W J Makin” & “In search of the Mahatmas of Tibet”

Sunday 3^rd August 1941

Up 12.

In the afternoon Len Bert & I all listened to one another’s records.

Went to the club.  The girl who sung “if I had my way” was there (we found that her name is Miss Angel). She sang for us.  I told her that we couldn’t get “If I had My Way” & she promised to try to get it for us from a friend of hers who used to be in Jack Payne’s Band.  Of course he had the orchestration.

We are wanted up there tomorrow night. There will only be the 3 of us as Wilson can’t turn up.  Home 12.15

Monday 4^th August 1941

Up 7.20

We caught the 8.20 to Laindon.

The lino & stuff was in the bungalow.  Dad & Ern laid the lino while I cut the grass.  It was a fortnight since it was last cut & it was ever such hard work to get it down. I finished it about 5.15.  Dad & Ern had the lino laid and altogether it looked more shipshape.

We had tea & about 5.45 it started to pour with rain.  I had just finished in time.  I caught the 6.50 train home.  While I went to the station the rain eased up a bit but Ern said that it rained very hard again after.

I got to Plaistow about 7.40 & you could hardly see through the rain it was so heavy.  I tried to dash from doorway to doorway & wait while it was extremely heavy & dodge through it when it stopped a bit.  When I got to Lens & knocked at his door I was soaked through & my boots squelched as I walked because there was so much water in them.  Lens uncle said that Len went to Bert’s about 7.

I dashed down to Bert’s & saw Mrs Clay.  She said that they had gone about 10 minutes before.  I dashed indoors and changed & went to the club. I got there at 8.20.  We were all agreed that we deserved about 7/6 for coming through the rain tonight.  It was the hardest rain I’ve seen for years.  The storm we had about 2 weeks ago was nothing to this.  We did well and we packed up about 11.15.  We asked if the piano could be put on the stage next week so that we could have the benefit of the mike.

Will Shipp had gone & some old boy called me in the office & gave me £2/10/- & asked if I was satisfied.  I didn’t know who he was so I said that we wanted to see Mr Shipp actually, because we had broken our holiday to get here & had had to come through all the rain but it would do.

I thought the old boy was someone Will Shipp had left the money with for us.  I saw Len & Bert & they were mad about it like I was so we went and saw the old boy again & explained that we thought we deserved more than 15/- for tonight.  He then told us that he was Mr Payne the Secretary of the club & he said we were to leave it to him & he would see to it for us.  He was very pleasant over it so all’s well that ends well.  I had seen this nice old boy dodging about but I didn’t know who he was but now we do & I think he is a very nice old boy.

I asked Dad today if a chap named Bert Angel I had heard him speak of had a daughter about 20 years old & told him about Miss Angel at the club.  Dad said that he might have & that if she was Bert Angels daughter she lived in Humberstone Rd.  So I shall try to find out more about her from someone.

A chap up there tonight sang a song called Dandy Don.  It’s an old Ragtime number about 30 years old, but if ever a tune was meant for swing it’s that one so I shall try to get it & make a modern swing number of it.  I may call it Dandy Don goes to town.

Tuesday 5^th August 1941

I went up Lens house in the evening.  Bert went to see Butch.

Len & I transposed a couple of songs & played them over.  If Len continues with his Sax like he was tonight he will be playing it in the band in about a week or so.  I’m not so dusty on the Clarry myself now, either.  I can play some tunes on it.  I went home about 11.20.

Bed 12.

Wednesday 6^th August 1941

I bought 3 new reeds today.  I got 2 manuscript books for writing out tunes & bought also “Dolores” & “The Hut Sut Song”^VI

We went to the dance in the evening, we did very well.  Packed up at 10.30.  Syd was there.  We gave him 100 cigarettes we had got for him for all that he has done for us.

Thursday 7^th August 1941

Went up Lens in the evening.  We transposed several more tunes.  I stopped till 11.30.  Mum & Dad spent a busy time sorting out stuff to go to Laindon on Monday.

Friday 8^th August 1941

I finished work for a fortnight.

I went to music.  Afterwards Len Bert & I went round to Mr Eades house.  He has got his guitar.

I bought today “Pretty Little Busybody” “20 Good Old Songs” ”20 Chorus Songs” “Victor Sylvester’s Waltz Medley” & “Victor Sylvester’s Quickstep Medley”.  & also the orchestration “Handy Tunes”.

We hadn’t been round long before Syd knocked at the door.  He had found where we were from our people & had come round to us in a car.  He had been at Poplar Trolley Bus Depot at a dance & the Band hadn’t turned up so he had offered to see if we would come.  I don’t suppose we would have done for anyone but Syd but we all piled in the car dashed home & got our kit & piled back in the car.  The Bass Drum had to go on the roof & we looked like a tank going along.

We soon got started once we got there & boy oh boy were we in the mood. I don’t think we’ve ever played so well.  We were going to get 7/6d for doing it.  We had a vote of thanks in the interval & when we finished I was handed — 30/- for us.  —10/- each for less than 2 hours work. & they will probably have us at their next dance.

My raincoat which I left in the car went down to Dagenham but I can collect it from Credon Rd Post on tomorrow or Sunday.

Saturday 9^th August 1941

Bert got me Joe Loss’s record of “In the Mood”.  Bert’s pal Denis & Johnson came over in the afternoon & we had some fun on all the different instruments in Lens house.

We went to the club in the evening.  

Home 12.

We have to alter the clocks this evening.

Sunday 10^th August 1941

Up at 8.  Had a bath.  Bert went to Rainham.

In the afternoon I went to get my coat & Len went to the pictures.  I stayed round the post for 3 hours.  

Syd & I had a heart to heart talk about dozens of things.  He is going to give us a rehearsal one night in the near future.

I never knew Syd had so many sides to his character until after we had had this talk.

After tea I saw Bert & we ferreted out the tune of “If I had my Way”.

So we now have the words & music of it.  Bert brought back several pieces of fairly old music.

We went up the club.

We got the extra 7/6 we wanted for last week.  Miss Angel ok’d the tune so we know we’ve got it right.

Monday 11^th August 1941

Up at 7.40

I packed all my stuff.  It rained heavily.

Mr Stansell arrived with the van at 11.  Dad He & I loaded all the stuff on the van.  At 12 I rung up Miss Joseph she wants me to come up on Wednesday so I shall stop for the dance as well.

I travelled in the back of the van.

I didn’t feel too good when we stopped at the Halfway House for a drink.  I had got all the smells & all the bumps upset me so I didn’t have anything to drink.

It was terribly muddy when we got to 2^nd Avenue & Stansell came in the wrong way & got bogged & so we were faced with the heart breaking job of carrying all the stuff piece by piece to the bungalow over a ¼ of a mile away.  It took us 6 hrs & we would never have finished then if it hadn’t been for the Crockett’s & Mrs Scott.

I think it was the worst job I’ve ever had.  No one who hasn’t seen 2^nd Avenue on a muddy day can imagine what a task we had.

Once we were finished we didn’t do much else & we went to bed at 10.

Tuesday 12^th August 1941

We got the bedrooms and best room straight today & I took a couple of photos’ of the bungalow.

I started digging up one side of the garden today.

Actually I’m writing this on the 18^th and I can’t remember much of what I did.  But every day was crowded .  Last Saturday I rang Miss J. about the bungalow & she told me to ring DEW&C to find when they would complete & when I rang them they said Mr Iles was on holiday & could not complete before the 26^th.

Wednesday 13^th august 1941

I came up for the dance tonight. I called in Erns shop to get a handle for our pickaxe.  I rang up EJ from Erns place and told her about the completion.

We had a hell of a good time at the dance.  Syd Mark & Bert were there.

I slept at home tonight.

Thursday 14^th August 1941

Caught 9.30 train, at bungalow at 10.50.

I did some more digging today.

The bungalow looks smashing now we are settled.

I went over to Freddie’s bungalow for a while in the afternoon, they have got a smashing garden now.  The weather this week has been very funny.  Wet & then fine wet & fine & so on.  But today we had grand weather.

We took some more photos’

I stayed out till after dark finishing digging up one side of the garden but I did it.

Friday 15^th august 1941

Mum went up town today.

It rained all the day except for a couple of hours in the evening after mum got back. It was the most depressing day we had down there.  I sorted out all our records.

In the evening Freddie & Owen came round & we went mushrooming & got about 2lbs of them.

Saturday 16^th august 1941

I finished up a roll of films and started another roll.  We had decent weather because I was going home.

I left after dinner about 12.30

My case was extremely heavy & was hardly getting along until Mrs Scott caught me up & she made a good pacemaker for me & I got on the platform at 1 precisely.

In the train I thought things over, on the whole I’ve enjoyed myself & I’ve advanced considerably with the Crockett girls but I recon if I go down there next year we shall have a much better time because there will be no removing jobs to be done & I’ve learnt a lot of the Clarry this week.  I left my camera with Mum & Dad.  We went up the club in the evening so I have not done much playing this week my arms were very tired when I finally got home & then I had to stop up firewatching till 2.

One of the girls we know at the Wednesday dance asked Bert to develop some films for her & when he was doing them Len & I were there.  One of them was a smashing picture of her so we did about 6 extra ones for us & some for the chaps at Bert’s place as they all know Mary because she used to work there.  I wonder what her face will be like when we show her our photos of her.

Sunday 17^th August 1941

Up 11.  I cooked breakfast.

Len & I went round Ronnie Earles place to get the music stand that we left there last time we went.  He’s getting on all right with his guitar.

I went to Lens for dinner and tea & Len & I practised all day.

Went up the club in the evening. Arthur Thompson was waiting for us outside.  He had promised to come up one night.

He knew Wilson, in fact they used to be in the same band.

Arthur took over drums for a while & boy oh boy did we put Rhythm into it.

The difference a really good drummer makes to the band.

Home 12.

Monday 18^th August 1941

Went to library & got “The Construction of the Musical Scale” & “Harmony Diatonic & Chromatic”.

I took Len to the cinema in the evening we saw “Target for Tonight” and “That Night in Rio”.

Tuesday 19^th August 1941

In the evening Len Bert Arthur Thompson & I went to the Rhythm club at Herbert’s, we had quite a good time, but boy the jam session was the best, it made it into a super evening.  We left at 11. 

Home 11.30.

I bought today, “Boa Noite”^VII “She had those Dark & Dreamy eyes” “Forever and a day” & “No 10 lullaby Lane”.

Wednesday 20^th August 1941

After dinner I went to the New Gallery in Regent St & saw “Fantasia”.  It’s a wonderful film & I could have seen it through & through again & again.

I went up Charing X Rd & bought some music.  I got “Stamping at the Savoy” “F & D’s book of famous waltzes “ “ I give you my heart” & “ I Yin Yi Yi Yi”.  I also bought some manuscript books.

Len fell off his bike today & cut his lip so he can’t play his Sax till that’s healed.

We went to the dance.  Syd Bert & Joe turned up. We had a good time.  Mary was mad at first when we all showed our photos of her, but I think she felt flattered though.  Home 11.30.

A policeman came & asked us if we could do a police dance on Friday week, and he is going to write me & let me know definitely.

Thursday 21^st August 1941

Mr Redding & Joan came up.

Ern & I went out in the afternoon & bought some firefighting equipment, we got 1 axe, 1 lifeline(100 Feet) 5 ceiling hooks & 1 crowbar.

In the evening we all went round the post & had a practice .  Mr Earles was jolly good on Guitar.  Sid was supposed to be giving us a real rehearsal but he didn’t turn up till late, he had been trying to get a tenor sax for us for a job at the Bus Garage again where they want a 6 piece but he said if we like he will say he has a 4 piece who will do the job & he is going to put us through our paces with the quicksteps & then we should be good enough to do the job ourselves, so the 4 of us are going round on Monday and Thursday next week & he is going to improve us on quicksteps.

Home 11.45.

Friday 22^nd August 1941

Stopped in all day saw Len & Bert in the evening.

Saturday 23^rd August 1941

Bert & I went out in the morning & had a tour round the West End.

It rained all the time – just our luck.

We started at Bourdons of Shoreditch.  I left my Clarinet there to have the barrel mended, & while we were there Alan walked in & he promised to collect it for me.

Bert brought a cymbal & a pair of sticks.

Then we went by train to Leicester Square & walked up Charing X Rd & along Oxford St to a place Bert had to go from there we went down Wardour St to Piccadilly Circus & to Keith Prowse.

I brought “I understand” there.  I ordered Victor Sylvester’s Quickstep Medley.

Then we walked to Leicester Square, took a train to Holborn & walked along Holborn we bought some gramophone needles at a shop along there.

Then we rode home & got home soaking wet at 1.15.

In the afternoon Len Ron Bert & I had a practice.  Ronnie said he would come to the club tonight but he didn’t turn up however.

Sunday 24^th August 1941

Up late.  In the afternoon the 3 of us went to see Arthur.  I brought a tin hat off him for 5/- & Bert bought one for Johnson & he also bought a cymbal arm.

At the club I didn’t do much work because they stopped for Churchills speech & after that the pianist they used to have, turned up in uniform & he played several numbers & we closed a bit earlier than usual but I don’t mind because I got paid for it.  Bert was told tonight that we are the resident band at the club as long as we like to stay, after the war as well.

Monday 25^th August 1941

Work again.

Gerald is home, he arrived on the 17^th.  Last week he signed an agreement taking over the firm if FMG dies.

I went to K Ps during lunch & bought “So Deep is the Night” & “Down Forget me not Lane”.  My record wasn’t in but they may have it tomorrow.

We all went round the post in the evening for a practice. When we finished Syd told Bert one or 2 home truths about his playing & he didn’t like it.  That’s the whole trouble with Bert he can’t be told anything & although he is always decrying bashers on the drums, he is developing into one himself, now he has got 2 cymbals he keeps going from one to another at all awkward places throwing us all out.  Syd never has any criticism against me & the other 2 don’t like that, Syd told Ronnie he is o.k. on his guitar.

I can see a big row soon if something isn’t altered in the band.

Someone from the bus garage came & he will bring someone else along on Thursday & we can settle the money part & they will want another player.

Tuesday 26^th August 1949

KP still haven’t got my record, if they don’t get it by tomorrow I shall go somewhere else for it.

Went to music in evening.

Wednesday 27^th August 1941

I got my record from Keith Prowse.  We went to the dance in the evening.  Ronnie came with us.  We had a damn good time.  We split our earnings between the 4 of us.

Thursday 28^th August 1941

Mum & Dad went to Laindon.  I bought an air gun off Ern.

We all went round to the Post for a practice, we are going to get £3 on Sept 7^th between 5 of us.

I gave Ern a couple of games of snooker.

Ern painted my helmet today for me.

Friday 29^th August 1941

Went to dance in evening.

When we got home Mr Terry the Head Warden was talking to Ern & when he had gone Ern told Bert & I that on Sept 14 it was going to be made compulsory to Firewatch^VIII & Mr Terry wanted Ern to take over a section from Dundee Rd to Grasmere Road we would have a post & firewatchers for the section would have to meet there & go to their own roads in a raid.  You would have to fire watch under a fine of £20 first time £50 2nd time & 7 months hard labour for 3^rd failure to turn up.

We drew a rough map of the sector & Ern said he will probably consider one of the bombed houses near North St or have part of the school for his post.

He’s got up to the 14^th to get in touch with all the street leaders & make some preliminary arrangements.

Saturday 30^th Aug 1941

Went up club in evening they kept us later than we have ever been before.  We arranged with Wilson that he would come to the dance next Sunday afternoon.

Wilson forgot my Clarry but he will get it on  Monday.

Sunday 31^st August 1941

I was firewatching from 2 – 6 with Ern so I didn’t go to bed.

Len Bert Ern & I all went to Laindon at 6.30 Mum & Dad were coming later.

We sent a note round to Syd telling him we had got Wilson & asking him to cancel the accordionist.

He said that he wanted to see us on Monday evening.

We had a jolly find time at Laindon & it was the most enjoyable day I’ve had for a long time.

Len Bert & I left early so that we could get to the club.

Alan didn’t come tonight, but a chap that we’ve met up there who plays Sax & violin, came & he joined us, he was smashing but he is much too fast.  Connie Eades was there with us.  When we got home we were told that about 10 & after planes were heard & the guns were very loud. 

Monday 1^st September 1941

Felt lousy all day because I haven’t had much sleep for several days past.

I went round Ronnie’s house & we sorted out some tunes he might be able to sing if we could transpose them.

Len Ronnie & I went to see Syd.  He got mad & so did Len & they had a real argument .  I didn’t say too much it was finally arranged that he would see when we could all practice together & see how the accordionist got on with us & we would have a 6 piece as the garage said they would pay us £3.12.0 for 6. But I thought to myself that Syd would cancel the accordion – he was so mad.

Tuesday 2^nd September 1941

Mr Guedalla is getting much worse.  Miss Baily started her holidays.

I messed about all evening.

Wednesday 3^rd September 1941

Went to dance in evening had a good time.  Ronnie was with us.  Home 11.15.

Arthur came to the dance with us & played part of the time.

Thursday 4^th September 1941

Mr Guedalla is dying they all say it’s only a matter of days before he goes.  He is unconscious now.

Aunt Lily & Rose came in the evening .  I practiced most of the time.

I got “The Inimitable Jeeves” from Westminster Library.

Friday 5^th September 1941

Miss Joseph said that she & GDS discussed my salary & decided to give me a 5/- rise on 1^st October.  

I bought “Corn Silk”.

Went to music in evening.

We went round the school & had a practice later.  Got “Great Prophecies about the War” from the Westminster Library.  I am going down to Wickford to attend at the completion of the purchase of the Bungalow.

Saturday 6^th September 1941

I caught the 11.17 train from Ilford to Wickford & arrived at 12.2.  I found I had a bus ride when I got off the train & then I had a walk.  Eventually I arrived though.

We soon settled it all & then Mr Coleman gave me a lift back to the bus stop in his car.  I caught the 2.8 from Wickford & arrived home at 3.40.

We went up the club in the evening.  It had been arranged that Ronnie will be paid 10/- for the 2 nights.

Sunday 7^th September 1941

The dance at the Bus Garage was O.K. we will almost certainly get the next job up there.

We went direct from there to the club.  When we were packing up at the club the Secretary told me the purple was up.  But nothing came of it.

Monday 8^th September 1941

I went to Boosey & Hawkes & got some reeds.  I went to the BBC & found out the number of a record I heard the other day.  

I played the piano & practiced on my Clarry in the evening.

Tuesday 9^th September 1941

Mr Guedalla died today at 2pm.

After the number of times everyone has been to see him he was alone when he died.

Mrs Guedalla came to the office to see Miss Joseph, I passed her as I was going out, & just after she had got at the office (Miss Joseph was out at lunch) the clinic rang through with the message that Mr Guedalla had passed away & so Mrs Guedalla was the first person to know it.

Miss Joseph went to Park Crescent she put the notice in the telegraph & times & we had them ringing us up to confirm the notice.

We stayed at the office till 20 to 7 but Miss Joseph must have been there nearly all night because she was writing letters to everyone telling them the news, & when she finished that she would have to come back to the office & sign her letters here.  Mr Guedalla is to be cremated at Golders Green Thursday at 2pm.

Len & I went round the post in the evening for a practice. 

The cops are having a dance on Friday & want us, as I didn’t see anyone – they called when I was out I left a letter for a copper to collect tomorrow, Syd has heard of 2 more jobs for us in the near future.

Wednesday 10^th September 1941

Great rushing about at the office today.  Mr Guedalla is being buried tomorrow & the office will be closed.  

We went to the dance in the evening.  Arthur came with us. 

The coppers went for our letter while we were at the dance & he didn’t like the 30/- we asked for. At the last dance we did for the cops, Ronnie came & didn’t get paid, & so the cop came to the dance to see me he wanted us to do it for 22/6d as we did last time but I told him that we wanted 7/6 a man.  He turned up nasty, so I said we wouldn’t do it unless we got 30/- so he said he get another band.  Arthur was mad when we told him about it.  He said, “Does he think your (—-) Coolies or slaves”, working for about 5/- each.  He said it was the best job I ever did to refuse it under 30/-.

Dad & mum were of the same opinion when I told them what had happened, – they already knew a bit of it.

Thursday 11^th September 1941

Got up at 11. When Stan came, he is home on leave & is going visiting all his relatives.  It was strange that he should call the day I am home, he said that wherever he goes in the daytime he only sees females & in the evening his girl wants to go out with him.  I went to the library in the afternoon & got “The Adventures of Bindle” & “Mrs Bindle” by Herbert Jenkins.

Book 27

Friday 12^th September 1941

Went to music in evening.  I lent Len some music.  Miss Joseph went away for the weekend so we left early.

Saturday 13^th September 1941

I got my record of Rudy Weidoeft.^IX  Left the office at 11.30.  Showed Len the record, & then went & got my suit that was being cleaned.  

Had a bath.

We went to the club.  It was a super night, we all felt on form & I never knew that Len could do such thing to his sax.  

I missed night school today.

Monday 15^th September 1941

We came to a decision about buying music etc. yesterday, it was agreed that music should be paid for in equal shares & that all repairs under 2/6 were paid for by the person who needed them but all repairs over 2/6 would be split equally.

Today I bought our first orchestration “Birth of the Blues”.

I got home at 7.20.  Saw Len after tea & gave him his part.  He asked me to get him some pods for his sax so he gave me the 3 leavers & said “don’t pay more than 3/6d for them”.

Bed 10.30

Saw Bert just before I went to bed.  He saw Arthur tonight, he has got a job on Friday & says we can go if we like.  Dad went to the doctor today.  He is suffering from Hernia & will have to wear an appliance.  Poor old pop.  The best people always have to suffer most.

Tuesday 16^th September 1941

I got Len his pads from Bosey & Hawkes —— they charged the enormous sum of 9d for the 3 pads I got. Len & I went round the school in the evening after we had given Ron his guitar part of Birth of the Blues.

The warden Bert was round the school & we tried to teach him the sax & Clarry. 

Wednesday 17^th September 1941

Went to the dance. Arthur was there.  I arranged to go round the school tomorrow night. 

Stopped up till after 12 talking to Ern.

Thursday 18^th September 1941

I made up dads account with the firm for the bungalow today. 

Len & I went round the post.  Quite a load of people turned up & we played for them.  We tried to teach one of the girls how to blow the sax.

Friday 19^th September 1941

Went down Charing X Rd round the bookshops during lunch.  I bought “The Good Soldier Schweich” in one shop.  When the war is over I’m going to start buying some of the good books that I was looking at today — books that will always be interesting, but of course they are expensive.

I went to music in the evening Len & Bert went to a dance to see Arthur playing.

Dad took mum to the Doctor this evening.  She seems to have a sort of breakdown, & she has to rest as much as she can.

I rang up Freddie today. He is coming to see me on the 28^th.

Saturday 20^th September 1941

Len & I went up East Ham to Greenwood the music stores, but when we got there we found they had been blasted out.  We found another music shop a bit further on & I bought “Victor Sylvester Slow”.  “Fox Trot Medley” “Oasis” “Huckleberry Duck” & a selection “music while your work “ & “St Bernard’s Waltz.”  Len bought “I hear a Rhapsody” Went up the club in the evening.

When we got home Bert was firewatching & I was on after.  As we have got the post ready Ern Me, Bert & his uncle went down the post and played darts till 2 when Bert finished Ern & I stayed there till 5.15. then we went home.

Bed 6.

Sunday 21^st September 1941

I overslept & didn’t go to school.

At the club we had the most musical evening we’ve spent there so far, we were getting real rhythm & melody.

I got talking to a nice bit of overtime at the end, I must say I would like to take her home, maybe I will next Saturday.

Bed 12.30

Monday 22^nd September 1941

I invested in 5 certificates today.

Bought the trio of “I’ll think of you” backed with “Moonlight in Mexico”, also bought “Beautiful Dreamer”.

Went up Lens house in the evening.

We heard the radio Jam session at 9, was fairly good but Aubrey Franks^X squeaked several times in his solo.

Mum & dad went down to the bungalow.

Gerald came home late & I didn’t leave till 6.45.  Home 7.30.

Tuesday 23^rd September 1941

Mum came home in the evening.  She is going back Friday.  Len & I went up the post in the evening & played for a while.

I took my Clarry to Bonodows for a new barrel but they haven’t got any.  I shall sell my Clarry & buy a L.P. one.

I had to go to Mrs Guedalla at Claridge’s and didn’t get home till 7.45

Wednesday 24^th September 1941

Went up the club in Cumberland Rd.  Arthur came with us.  We had some fun.  Arthur had speciality “Oasis” and did we swing it.

We are moving the offices from Park Crescent to Grand Bldings & today I was at P.C. sorting the books.  I found a picture of the type Ron paints & took it for him, he asked me to get some more if possible.

Thursday 25^th September 1941

Spent the day up P.C. sorting books & tying up papers.

Bert came in in the evening.  I got some pictures for Ron from P.C. & took them round.

Friday 26^th September 1941

Miss Ashton & I finished getting ready for the removal men.  I got Ron some more pictures & got myself some books.  

Went to music read afterwards.

Saturday 27^th September 1941

Had hair cut in afternoon.  

I went down Lens house.  Went up club in evening.

Home 11.45.

Ern told us that an ARW had gone in the distance & Bert Ern & I stopped up till 1.30, guns fired occasionally.  We went up at 1.30.  soon after there was a terrific burst of gunfire, & then I fell asleep.

Sunday 28^th September 1941

Up at 8.50.  went to school at 10.  Home 12.15.

Saw Ronnie in the afternoon.  He is making a music stand & it will be jolly good when it is finished.

He came round early in the evening & trailed over Boa Nite, Amapola & Kiss me again.

He sang these 3 at the club & it was jolly good too.  When he sang he wasn’t announced & when we went into the 2^nd chorus of Boa Nite & Ron started crooning everybody was taken by surprise but they enjoyed it & he got clapped a lot.

Monday 29^th September 1941

I bought “I hear a Rhapsody” backed with “Just a Little Cottage” & “Aurora” backed with “Tell your troubles to the breeze”.  I got trio parts.  I also bought a piano transcript album by Fats Waller with several old favourites in it.

Went to library & got “Quick Work” by P G Wodehouse.  

Gerald came up.

Stayed in all night.

Tuesday 30^th September 1941

Went to library & got “Dancer in Madrid” by Janet Riesenfeld.

Tomorrow is the day of atonement & Jose won’t be in.  She left early tonight & so did we.  I went round the post with Ron & we wrote out his tune & I am going to orchestrate it sometime.  We also picked out some more tunes for him to sing.  A pal of his has written words for some songs and he wants us to put them to music for him.

Wednesday 1^st October 1941

Went to library & got “Himalayan village” by W Gorer.

After lunch I went up Park Crescent, we found some more books to come down.

Home 6.20

Went up Cumberland Rd dance.  Wasn’t too bad up there.

Thursday 2^nd October 1941

Went to library & got “The Social Institutions of the Kipsigis” by W.E. Peristiany.

Saw Len in evening.

Friday 3^rd October 1941

Freddie brought Walters cloth today, he called in the evening with it.  He & I tried to ring Walter to tell him about it but we couldn’t get through.

Went to music.

When I came back from music Len & I went to the police dance but we couldn’t get in as it was full up.  What we heard of the band wasn’t too bad but Ron who got in said that they were lousey, the trumpet only played a few tunes they had a concertina & they all did it for nothing except the pianist, who got 10/-.

They only played 3 quicksteps, & the rest were fox trots & waltzes & they spent a lot of the time with raffles etc.

Len & I went for a walk round.

I was firewatching 10 till 2.

Saturday 4^th October 1941

I rang up Walter to say I had his cloth.

After dinner I took it over to him, I asked him for some plywood to make a music stand.  He’s got some wood so I suppose he’ll let me have it shortly.

Len & I had a practice. It was o.k. up the club tonight.

Sunday 5^th October 1941

Up at 9.

Went to school.

Mum isn’t very well.

Dad had to go firewatching so I didn’t go till he got home about 10 to 8, because I didn’t think I ought to leave mum alone. I don’t think I’ve ever know her so queer.  Home 12.15.

Bill Shipp said he would see about getting on the stage.

Monday 6^th October 1941

Bought “These are the things I love” & “Round the back of the arches” backed with “Adi-adios”.  I also got a song for Ron “Song of Songs”.

Gerald was up.  I left the office at 6.15.

Stopped in all night sorting stamps.

Walter called in the evening with a photo of the baby.

Tuesday 7^th October 1945

Went to library & got “Famous Bank Forgeries, Robberies & Swindles” by R. T. Hopkins.

Left office at 6.

Wednesday 8^th October 1941

I’m spending all my time getting things sorted out up the office now.

Went up the ARP Hut.

Home 11.15

Thursday 9^th October 1941

I had a practice in the evening & partly orchestrated one of our tunes.

I got caught in a gas test at Charing X station coming home.

I didn’t know anything about it & as I turned the corner of Northumberland Avenue to go to the station entrance I felt something in my eyes then I saw a chap put on his mask & then I saw a lot of smoke over by the station so I just held my breath & ran like hell on to the platform, it didn’t affect me very much but I’m carrying my mask in future.

Friday 10^th October 1941

Saw Freddie in the evening.

Went to music in the evening read afterwards.

Saturday 11^th October 1941

Saw Len after tea & we had a practice.  Went up the club there were 2 sailors up there one on accordion & the other a comedian.

We had one of the biggest jams I’ve ever been in.

Will Shipps brother in-law — who tried to cut us out of the job once — managed to get on the piano once & didn’t want to get off but still I saw he did get off.

Bill Shipp asked us if we could go to a party afterwards so Bert Len I & Allen all went we go there at 1.15am & packed up at 4.30am.  Playing almost all the time.

Sunday 12^th October 1941

Up at 9. Went to school.  I met Bert as I was coming home he has the chance of a job next Saturday at the Black Lion Pavilion.  It is a firm’s dance.  As we discussed & finally arrived at the conclusion (which has been steadily going around in all of us for a long time) that the Radical Club wasn’t doing our playing any good & we weren’t appreciated by them so we came to the decision that we would chuck up the job tonight.  After dinner Bert & I went to see Ron.

Mrs Eades told us that last night Ron had 2 double whiskies & he was drunk when he got home & while she was getting the supper ready she went into the scullery & when she came back Ron was sitting down with a hunk of bread of his knees, their tiny kitten in that & another huge chuck of bread on top of the kitten & he was trying to cut the lot in half to eat as a sandwich.  The poor kitten was struggling to get away & Ron was sawing away at it. I doubt if Ron will ever be allowed to forget that.

We went & saw Syd & told him we would be free for weekend jobs & then we all went to see Arthur & he said we were doing the best things.

I went up to Lens house in the evening & shortly afterwards Bert came along with Ern & Terry.

Bert then said that we had better not chuck the Radical Club tonight as Len Newell who actually got the job is not seeing the fellow again for the next few days & he may engage another band & then we would be in the cart.  So we left it at that.

Stan & Ivy came up for a little while.

Mrs Eades won 10/- in the draw & Ivy won 5/-tonight.  Ern & Terry stayed on the stage with us, & Ern enjoyed himself with the mike.

Allen didn’t come tonight, the 2 sailors were up there. Packed up at 11.

Monday 13^th October 1941

Gerald came in frantically busy.

I didn’t leave the office till 7.15 because M. Redgrave’s secretary was coming at 7 to pick up his will that Gerald did today & the night staff of Grand Bldgs couldn’t be found & I had to stop to let her in, when the watchman did eventually come along it was 7pm and I had a lovely row with them about their being nobody about.  Home at 8.  Bed 11.

Tuesday 14^th October 1941

I ordered “Bomber Command”^XI today.   Gerald came in.  left at 6.  Stayed in.  As Bert has very little to do at his office he was given the job of sorting out all his firm’s files, with another chap, at the Head Office & their Islington depot.  He had to buy a boiler suit on Saturday (which the firm paid for) he started yesterday at Islington & he said all the files are in a cellar that stinks like a sewer & he said files going back to 1925 & even older were there & most of them had been eaten by rats.  He said you raised a cloud of dust every time you move & he came home tonight with a lovely cough caused by inhaling so much dust so he is not going in tomorrow & I don’t blame him.

Wednesday 15^th October 1941

I sorted out all the old books today at the office left at 5.50.

Went to the dance Arthur came.  We had a good time tonight & did we put rhythm in.

Bert says we will get the job if we like to take it so after a lengthy confabulation we decided that tomorrow Bert would find out if we had the job then he would ring me & if we had the job I would then ring the Radical Club and say we wouldn’t be coming up any more.

Mark is going to get us a job at a £ a man If somebody can go round the post tomorrow so Ron is going round.  I am going to see Arthurs band tomorrow night Bert is going to help Arthur with his kit earlier.

Book 28

Thursday 16^th October 1941

Got at Arthurs dance early.  Bert & I were on the stage behind the piano.  Len turned up after a few dances, and just before the interval Ron & Mr Eades came.  Ron had been to see Mark about a job he’d got for us but Mark wanted to see me so I had to go round the post.

The job is at Tennyson Rd school on Sat 25^th Oct.  We will get 15/- each.  Saw the boys afterwards we are going round the school for a practice Sunday night.

Bert rang me up during the day & said we have got the job on Saturday next, so I wrote a letter to Mr Payne telling him we wouldn’t be coming any more.

I got Saturday morning off to go out with Bert.

Friday 17^th October 1941

Went to music.  Saw Len after.

Saturday 18^th October 1941

Ron came round about 9.45 & Bert & I went up the West End together.  We started off by visiting Premier Drums but nothing Bert wanted was in stock.

Then we went to Browns.  We got the badges we’ve been after there, Bert got a drum Ron got a guitar & I got a Clarry. No pianos were in stock we bought “Maria Elena”, “What do we care”, “What’s at the top of a sunbeam” backed with “Russian Rose”.  “It always rains before the rainbow” backed with “London Pride”. “Rise & Shine” & we ordered “My sister & I” to be sent to us.

Then we went up Charing X Rd & had some lunch.  Ron then went home & Bert & I went by tube to Manor Hse station to go & see West Ham & Arsenal at Tottenham’s ground.  It was quite a good match but although the final score was Arsenal 4 West Ham 1 the actual score was West Ham 4 (maybe 5 Arsenal 2).  The referee Mr L Brown, was a dirty sod & didn’t give West Ham a break.  Arsenal scored first & then West Ham came down & someone (I forget who) poked the ball so that it hit the crossbar & from there it fell about a foot behind the line.  The linesman flagged a goal but the Arsenal goalie turned & scooped the ball up & threw it into the field & the so-called ref allowed the game to proceed.  While West Ham were appealing the Arsenal ran down & scored & then a minute after they got a 3^rd, but if the ref had allowed the goal West Ham scored Arsenal wouldn’t have got their 2^nd or 3^rd.

West Ham went to pieces then and Arsenal only failed to score because of great work from Gregory our goalie.

Just before the end of the first half West Ham very nearly scored a couple of times.  After the interval Arsenal didn’t have things quite their own way & West Ham scored what would have been goals if the ref had been up the ball, the ball was over the line each time but it was scoped out each time.  Then Arsenal got a goal & West Ham nearly went mad, Foxhall Headed a ball in & I wouldn’t be sure whether it went or not but it was a near things. There seems to be an invisible barrier round the Arsenal goal the way the ball kept going just outside the bars.  At last West Ham got a goal that not even the crooked Ref could refuse, the ball was backed right into the net.

Afterwards West Ham nearly scored several times but just failed.

Home 6.15.

We all went round the Black Lion at 7.  Hardly anyone turned up from the firm who’s dance it was, & the chap running it looked like making a big loss, but we offered to stay late, & Ern went round the bars as they shut & got all the people in & then someone went round with the hat & I don’t think he made such a heavy loss after all.

We had a very good time & we were all half-drunk going home, they kept bring us drinks, shandys at first but eventually beer & we had about 4 different kinds.  We eventually got home about 12.30.

Ern & I were firewatching from 2-6 but I went upstairs & just fell asleep on the bed.

Sunday 19^th October 1941

I got up at 9 though & went to school.  One of the chaps there may get us a job from his firm, if the dance does materialise Miss Angel & her sister will be there, as one of her friends works at the same place as this bloke.  He also knows a chap who prints tickets etc & I have asked him for a sample & a quotation as Ern, Ron Bert Len & I have almost decided to run dances between us, possibly round the Black Lion.

We all went round the school in the evening & had a good time.  Bert (the Warden) brought round a smashing dame he introduced as Wiggles & she started making eyes at Ron.  She will be at our dance on Wednesday probably.

Ern is coming on Wednesday.

Monday 20^th October 1941

Went up Park Crescent in the afternoon & brought downstairs some of the books.

Len & I went to see Ron in the evening.  We numbered all for orchestrations & went through all the music & threw out that which we won’t want to take around with us.

Tuesday 21^st October 1941

Went to library & got “Newsgirl in Palestine” by Barbara Board.

I bought “Beneath the lights of home” “F&B, 54^th selection” “20 golden memories of Hawaii” & “PM 4^th Piano album”.

Wednesday 22^nd October 1941

Ern came up the dance in the evening.

Thursday 23^rd October 1941

Mum & Dad went to Laindon.  When I got home I found that the music we ordered had been delivered.

“My sister & I” is backed with “You walked by”.

I went to the Broadway & saw “Murder on the Yukon” & Arthur Askey in “I thank You”.

I brought home a stack of music from Park Crescent today.

Friday 24^th October 1941

Went to music, bathed after.  I bought 2^nd Peter Maurice Album of 20 song hits & 3^rd PM album of song hits.

Bert came in for a while.

All the Reddin’s came home.

Saturday 25^th October 1941

Got my haircut before I went to work.

Home 1.45

Tried a few tunes over on the piano.

Bert Len & I left for the dance at 3.50. Ron came about 4.20.  the piano at the school was terrible, about 4 notes wouldn’t play when we got there, & all through the evening more & more notes went on strike but we were on top of our form & we will get more jobs from this.  Before the dance a concert party was on.  They were very good for amateurs & the skits they gave were specially good.  There was a darkie there who imitated Al Jolson in “There’s a Rainbow round my shoulder”.  & Sonny Boy” and as a solo act he was the high spot of the show.  We were taken home by car & I went to bed at 12.15.

Sunday 26^th October 1941

Up at 8.30.

Mum & dad went to Laindon.  I went to school at 10.  I played the piano all the afternoon.  At 6.15 I went to Plaistow station to meet mum as Dad had to get out at Upton Park to go firewatching.  I sorted out a load of wastepaper from my desk in the evening.

Monday 27^th October 1941

Gerald won’t be coming up again till the 16^th & am I glad.

I sorted out some stamps in the evening.

I saw Bert in the evening.  He & Ron had been discussing the fact that we should have a leader.  I said that I through Bert should have the job although Arthur knew more chaps in the dance line than we did.

Tuesday 28^th October 1941

I brought home the rest of my music from Park Crescent today and spent the evening sorting it out.  Bert came in & we decided we would take a walk round to see Ron & discuss Bert being leader but as we went out we heard the guns firing so we stayed outside in case anything happened.  Went to library & got “Escapers All” being a book of escapes from prisoner of war camps, very good book.

Wednesday 29^th October 1941

Went to the dance in the evening.  We were jolly good.  Len wasn’t too keen about Bert being leader but he agreed in the end.

We will have to keep Len in his place a bit he is getting ideas too big for himself lately.

Mark said that we could have the hall for a practice Thursday as Len had asked for it.  Going home Len said he wouldn’t be able to come as he was going to the pictures with his ma.

I bought “No orchids for Miss Blandish “ by J H Chase.

Thursday 30^th October 1941

Miss Joseph brought a very nice music case from Park Crescent for me.

Len Bert & I have a practice round the school.

Friday 31^st October 1941

Went to music.

Bought “Jealousy” & “Kiss Boys goodbye” backed with, “I’ll never let a day pass by.”

Took Ron’s music to him.

Ron’s father said that there is going to be an invasion practice tomorrow.

Saturday 1^st November 1941

Bought “Hearts don’t lie” backed with “Thanks to love” & “All alone with my shadow”.

Went to pictures in afternoon went round Odeon & saw George Formby in “Keep Fit” & “Manhunt”.

I came out with a lousy headache & my eyes felt hot & big.

We went to the dance round the Black Lion & I don’t think we’ve ever been so bad.  My headache was worse & my bad playing seemed to infect the others & we were all darn glad when we finished.  We had an ARW while we were there & we heard guns very loud, we thought at first it was a part of the invasion practice but we found later it was a real raid.  Times 10.9 to 11.15pm

Sunday 2^nd November 1941

Stopped in all day except for an hour in the afternoon when I saw Len.

Monday 3^rd November 1941

Bert & I went out in the evening to see if Syd had got any jobs for us then we walked to East Ham & went in the Burrell to hear their band it was a 4 piece. Trumpet Sax Drums & piano.  The piano & Sax were experts, the trumpet was average & the drums might have been good in his own way but he was too much show. 

I bought today “The greatest mistake of my life”.

Tuesday 4^th November 1941

I had a good practice in the evening & I fixed up a programme for tomorrow night.

I saw Bert when he came back from Arthurs place. Arthur is now up the Bridge House every Friday Saturday Sunday afternoon & evening so we will have to go up and see him soon.

Bought “St Marys in the twilight” backed with “27 Babies”.

Wednesday 5^th November 1941

Had a good time at the dance.

Thursday 6^th November 1941 

I ordered 100 cards for the band.  We went round the post for a practice. Bert didn’t come till late as he went to see Eddie Sinclair about a job for Saturday. Eddie hadn’t a job for him but we will see him again on Monday.  we had a good practice.

Home 11.15.

Friday 7^th November 1941

Freddie rang up today to say that a land mine dropped at the bottom of 4^th Avenue last night he hasn’t seen our place yet but he is going over there tonight & he is coming to see me tomorrow afternoon.

Mark rang me up to say that he had a job for us tonight at the ILP Hut for the police, The Blitz Boys who did it for them have found out what mugs they were, 6 of them doing it for 30/-, they advertised in the Stratford Express & I suppose they have got better offers now. 

We got there at 7.30 the dance was lousy, they wanted everything fast & we couldn’t find their tempo.  Everything we played according to them was too slow, even our quicksteps & we were darned glad when it finished.  The 4 of us got 35/- to split.

I tried to get our cards today but I was told they won’t be ready till tomorrow & as Miss Ashton & I are having alternate Saturdays off & mine is tomorrow I won’t be able to get them.

Saturday 8^th November 1941

Stayed in bed till 11.45.

After dinner I went to the library & got “Modern Stamp Collecting” & “Stamps of the Empire”. Then I went to the Odeon & saw “In the Navy” and “The Man Who Lost Himself”. I bathed in the evening.

Freddy called, he said our place is o.k.

Sunday 9^th November 1941

Mum & dad went to Laindon, I went to school in the morning.  I met Ron as I was going home he came in & we were talking about music for a couple of hours.  Then I had dinner.  Len came down in the afternoon, he Ron & I are going to see Arthur at the Bridge Hse this evening.  Bert is going to see his pal at Lewisham.

When Mum & Dad came home they said that one of the walls of the kitchenette shifted an inch or so but otherwise it is o.k.

Ron Mrs Eades Len & I went to the Bridge House about 7.30.

They have a 4 piece – Arthur Drums, Don Frazer Guitar & Piano Accordion doubling Piano & a Pianist who also thinks he can sing.  The pianist is a lousy player for chords. & when they played Oasis it sounded awful compared to the way we play it.

Monday 10^th November 1941

I saw the Lord Mayors show today there were several bands & ARP & the Army Navy & RAF were there with all the foreign troops & the Women’s services.  It made a change from the procession that goes down the strand on ordinary days.

I got our Band Cards today.  

I bought a record of the RAF playing “Darktown Strutters Ball.

Ron Mrs Eades Len Bert & I went to St Georges Hall to see Eddie Sinclair & his boys. They are an absolutely super band & just as good as most of the bands that are heard on the wireless.  They just play straight through from beginning to end.  The pianist only took about 4 breaks during the whole of the evening & they sounded smashing.  

I saw him afterwards, he has been playing for 24 years.  

Bert saw the bloke who runs the joint & he said he will need us in the near future, I only hope they don’t get the same crowd as were there tonight because we will get slung out on our necks if they compare us with Eddy, but still I suppose Eddie is right when he says that so long as the times is right the dancers don’t care a damn about the rest.

Tuesday 11^th November 1941

I went round to Ron’s house in the evening & taught Ron a lot of theory of music.

Wednesday 12^th November 1941

Went to the dance in the evening.

Thursday 13^th November 1941

I went to the HAS clinic this afternoon for my final test & came to all arrangements about my glasses, I will get my glasses in 3 weeks or a month.  The form I got from the insurance co has to be signed by Dr Kyndt.

When I’m wearing my glasses I look an absolute twerp, – something like Carrol Gibbons.^XII

I didn’t go back to the office. I got home at 5 to 4.  I went round the post early for a practice & the rest turned up late, but we didn’t do an awful lot of practising because we were all mucking about.

When I got home Ern said that the cops had been round for us to do a dance for them tomorrow so I went & told Ron, he can get off in time for it.

Friday 14^th November 1941

I rang up Len & told him about tonight’s job.

I went to FDH during lunch & bought “While the music Plays on” while I was in FDH an NFS man came in for some of the reeds that FDH have got from America for the services only.  Although the assistant sympathised with the fireman he was unable to let him have any reeds as he was not in the Army Navy or Air Force although he agreed that the NFS & ARP was a 4^th service and if the chap hadn’t been in the NFS he would have been in one of the services.  He said he had had several blokes come in for reeds like him & all he could do was to tell him to get a serviceman to come in and buy the reeds for him.

I was nearby this chap outside the shop when he got a soldier to get his reeds so when he had the reeds I went up to him and asked him what the reeds were like.  He said that the reeds were 1/9 each (Tenor Sax Reeds) & that he asked for soft ones, if the ones he had were soft, I certainly wouldn’t like to get a medium one.  They weren’t seasoned enough & they weren’t cut exactly right, out of the ½ dozen he had he said that about 1 was any good at all.  

I bought “I was Hitlers Prisoner” by W Lorant & “Vile Bodies” by E Waugh.  We did well at the dance got 8/9 each.

Saturday 15^th November 1941

Had haircut.  Freddie called in the afternoon.

In the evening Bert & I went up the Bridge Hse, & Bert bought a Tom Tom off Arthur.  Went to library & got “Mr Mulliner Speaking” & “Uncle Fred in the Springtime” by P.G. Wodehouse.

Sunday 16^th November 1941 

Went to school.

Bert & I tried over a few numbers for time in the afternoon & we had his gramophone going.  Stopped in in the evening.

Monday 17^th November 1941

Stopped in in the evening.  Bert went to St Georges Hall to see the dance.

I heard the Kadia Rhythm Club.

Tuesday 18^th November 1941

Gerald is up for 3 days.

The sale at Park Crescent started today & Joseph sent me up to mark the catalogue.  It was very interesting. I’m sure I bid twice for lots because the auctioneer happened to catch my eye twice & immediately put up the bids by 5/- each time.  I was quacking in my boots in case nobody bid higher but I was lucky each time.   There were only a few lots not bid for, we raised on the first days sale £806.17.0d, although I’m not sure that I got down 1 or 2 prices correctly.  Gerald came up to the sale after a while, He bought 3 things, a fine screen, a small round occasional table & he made the biggest bid of the day and got the biggest bargain of the day, he bought the Grand Piano for £54.

I went out to lunch before the end of the sale & Gerald Continued making the catalogue.  Mrs Spyer came.  When I got back from lunch the sale was over & Miss Joseph was there.  When Gerald had finished marking the catalogue he lost the damn thing & I was going to make up another from the auctioneers clerks book, but luckily Gerald found it again.

They are expecting to get double what they got today, tomorrow, when the wines, cigars, & silver comes up, with the rest of the furniture.

Bert answered an ad in the Stratford Express for a band & our band has been chosen.  We have got a regular Saturday night job at 12/6d per man at St Peters Hall Forest Gate & on top of that the bloke who runs the dances at St Georges Hall called for Bert when he was out & when Bert & I saw him he has engaged us at a fee of 10/- a man at least for probably every Friday, so that we have now got an almost certain standing wage of 30/- per week each & on Sunday we have a wedding job at 7/6 per man.

Then Bert & I saw the rest of the boys & got out a list of music to buy this week.

I wonder what Arthur will say about our luck when he sees us tomorrow night.

Wednesday 19^th November 1941

I bought today

“Getting Sentimental over you”

“South American Joe”

“World is waiting for the Sunrise”

“I don’t want to set the world on fire”

“Orchids you wore” & The Band Played On”

“Pals” & “Wonderful thing is here”

While I was going home I crashed into a post outside the Corner House & I’ve got a lovely bruise on my cheek .

Went to the dance.

Thursday 20^th November 1941

I bought today “Veleta” “It’s time to say goodnight” & “Vienna City of my dreams”.

I didn’t leave the office till 6.30

We went round the post & had a good practice.

Friday 21^st November 1941

Bert & Len went on to the dance & got set up & I went with Ron later.

We were nervous in the first half & didn’t do ourselves justice but in the 2^nd half we were as good as we have ever been.  I don’t know whether we will get the job any more or not thought.

I saw Miss Elson this evening & I am going Tuesdays in future.

Saturday 22^nd November 1941

I didn’t have to go in today so I spent till nearly 12 in bed.

I had a bath in the afternoon. Doris called with the baby just after & stopped till about 6.15.

Len Bert & I went to the dance about the same time.  Ron was coming later.  We got to what we thought was St Peters Hall & we were waiting there for some time & then someone came up & asked if this was where the dance was being held & then I saw it was Mum & Dad, they had come along because they had found my wallet on the floor & had thought they had better let me have it because I would have been worried if I had missed it.

Then they asked us why we hadn’t enquired about the hall as the time was getting on so we went to a house & asked & we were told it was a little further along on the same side of the road, we had been waiting outside a chapel.

We eventually got set up & started, everything was absolutely super.

The club is run by a young chap who enjoyed us & we had an interesting talk with him during the interval, & we offered to do the job for 10/- tonight as he didn’t seem to have a good crowed, he explained that he used to hold dances with a gramophone & the gram broke & he announced there would be no more dances for a couple of weeks & so not all the members had been for a few days & not all of them knew about tonight but it was finally arranged that if he cleared himself we would get 12/6 otherwise it would be 10/-.  We got our 12/6.

We had another talk after it was over & Bob (the organiser) has promised us 10/- a week to buy music, I think he did this because all the requests we got & which we had not got the music for we said we would get.  But we like the people & the place & they all like us.  Several remarks were made about how good Ron was on the guitar.

Home 12.

Sunday 23^rd November 1941

Up at 9.  Went to school.

Ern had called a meeting of firewatchers for the afternoon to announce that he wanted to form two committees one to deal with the Rota & the other to deal with the money as he has to do business firewatching 4 or 5 nights a week & he is going after a job in Henley’s Cable works at Woolwich so we spent about an hour & a half at least this afternoon.  Then we had tea, & then Mum & Ern went to Ilford to see Uncle Rob & Liz, as Queenie died last Wednesday afternoon.

We all went to the wedding, near West Ham Park we had a very good time & all came home half cut.  I don’t think we have ever played so may tunes in a night.

Monday 24^th November 1941

I bought some records today. I got the Andrew Sisters in “Bougie Woogie Bugle Boy” & “Bounce me Brother with a Solid 4” George Shearing In “Beat me daddy 8 to the bar” & “Scrub me mamma with a boogie beat” & McKinney’s Cotton Pickers in “”Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble” & “Millenberg Joys“ This record is No 1 of the HMV Collectors series & Sid Phillips Quintet in “Royal Garden Blues” & Man about town.

I spent the evening writing out music & I spent most of my firewatching doing that as well.  & I also started my 17^th birthday by firewatching.

Tuesday 25^th November 1941

My 17^th Birthday.

I bought myself 10 certificates today.

I also bought a record of Ambrose playing “Boogie Woogie Piggy “ Home Sweet Home again”.

I also heard Glen Millers record of Booglie Wooglie Piggy & although it has more swing it has no boogie woogie while Ambrose’s record has.

I bought “Rock a bye baby at Twilight”.

I spent about 2 hrs alone in Park Crescent today going through every room & collecting all electric light bulbs etc.  Most of the house was in darkness & the electricity is cut off, so it was a good job I had a torch.

Went to music & afterwards I went & saw Len & took my records & we had a record swing programme.

Wednesday 26^th November 1981

Went up Park crescent & went over the house with the salvage collectors who nearly stripped the place.  

Went to the dance with the boys.

Thursday 27^th November 1941

Went to Park Crescent to let in the phone people & the men from the Red Cross who would look at the coal.

A woman called to collect the phones & as she wouldn’t carry all of them & I didn’t want to mess about up there another time when they could collect them I got on the phone & arranged for a van to call & collect the stuff.

About 12 the red cross man hadn’t come, & I had to go to Marylebone town hall & the van driver wanted to go to Kilburn on private business, so we left the dame there disconnecting the phones & we first went to Kilburn & then to Marylebone town hall so that we were both pleased.  But when we got back the dame said that a coalman had called & said the Red X wanted him to shift the stuff & he had seen it, but that was alright even though I hadn’t been there because she told him I had gone to the town hall, & he had to go elsewhere but he didn’t know how long he would be but that he would look in again on the chance of seeing me, but not to wait for him as he would be some time.  So when I got back to the office I told them that about 12 I didn’t think the Red X man was coming & I thought I would save time by going to the Town Hall while the dame was in Park Crescent but while I was gone he had called & left a message so that everything was ok in the end.

I bought today 

“Charmain”

“I love the Moon”

“Wood Choppers Ball”

“Twelfth St Rag”

We went to the club in the evening but we didn’t have a very good practice because we were continually interrupted to play requests.

Home at 11.15

Friday 28^th November 1941

Went to the Odeon in the evening & saw “49^th Parallel” & a musical short.

Home 10.15

Saturday 29^th November 1941

Left the office at 1.20.

Messed about in the afternoon.  We went up the club in the evening.

Sunday 30^th November 1941

Went to school.

In the evening we went up the club for a talk.  We had a decent time but I recon there will be a row when Bob sees the place because Ray & Squibs went out & got drunk & nearly wrecked the place.

Chairs were broken & the big rope was left laying about, the gas fires were on & the door wasn’t locked.

Monday 1^st December 1941

Stayed in in evening.

Tuesday 2^nd December 1941

Went to music 

Bathed after.

Wednesday 3^rd December 1941

Went to the dance in the evening.  Mary says she is coming up to our club one Saturday.

Thursday 4^th December 1941

Went for a practice at the club.  While we were there Bob gave them a good ticking off for the way that some of them carry on at the club, & their laziness.  He was quite right in all he said, they pay 2d a week & look at the benefits they get for it, but only about ½ a dozen of them ever do any work, the rest just come when they think they will & never help the club at all.  Bob said that unless they got a good attendance next Saturday he would reorganize the club.

The police came for us today to see if we could do their job tomorrow.  We decided to try & get 10/- per man.

Friday 5^th December 1941

I bought some music I got “Starlight Serenade”

“Love in a misty Lane”

“Blue Champagne” backed with “Land of Begin Again” & “The Sun will Shine Tomorrow” backed with “While the Music Plays On”.

Went to library in afternoon got a stamp catalogue & “Nya” by Stephen Haggard.

Went to the dance we didn’t get a good crowd & true to his word Bob has reorganised the club all except the 10 that work have been thrown out & have to pay every night they come.  Some of them if they re-apply may become members again though.

Next week we are running a carnival up there. 

Home at 12.

I was firewatching 2-6 with Reddin so I did from 2-4 then called Reddin to do the rest & turned in.  I read part of “Nya” while I was firewatching.  It is one of the most poignant books I’ve ever read.

Sunday 7^th December 1941

Up at 9. Went to school.  

Went round Johnny’s house in the afternoon. Johnny is one of the club’s 10 members still.

When I got back Wal & Doris were home.  Walter suddenly remembered as I got in that he had left his car in the road with no lights on & after they had all gone dashing off mum told me that Walter had said that someone from London Transport had spoken to him about a band they wanted & Walter told him about us the “Melody Makers” & this chap said “You’re sure you don’t mean the “Merry Makers” who play at a club in Neville Rd.  So Walter who knew nothing about our new job, said “No of course not it’s the “Melody Makers” I’m talking about”.  So the L.T. bloke said that’s o.k. then only I don’t want the Merry Makers they are a lousy band that can’t keep time. & of course the “Merry Makers” are us.  Ray had some bills printed and the silly so and so put on them “Merry Makers” instead of “Melody Makers” but we came to the conclusion that he must have heard us when we were messing about or when we were swinging on “Oasis” or something hot.  However I’ll have to get in touch with Walter & find out the true facts and see if we are still wanted or not.

We went up the club to play tonight.

Home at 12.

Monday 8^th December 1941

I managed to get Len 3 reeds today & I got 3 Clarry reeds.

 I bought a couple of records today.  I got “Clementine” & “My Pretty Girl” which is the 2^nd collectors series disc & “Ja Da” & “Kealy the Blues”.

 I stayed in in evening.  Len came down & said the reeds were o.k. & I’m getting him more.

Tuesday 9^th December 1941

I got 3 more reeds for Len.  

Went to music.

Went down Lens after & took my discs. We had some fun down there.

Bert was talking to Ern when I got home &  showing him a pair of maracas he has bought off Arthur.

Wednesday 10^th December 1941

We went to the dance in the evening.  A couple of roughs got in who wouldn’t leave when requested & Charlie had to throw them out.  We heard later that they were waiting outside for him with a gang & we were looking forward to a scrap but when we left with Charlie there was no one there.

I was firewatching from 10-2.

Thursday 11^th December 1941

We went to the club & played till 10.30

Friday 12^th December 1941

Bert & I arranged to go up the other end tomorrow morning & I went & saw Ron & told him when we were going so that he could call for us.

Saturday 13^th December 1941

Up at 8.15.  Ron was supposed to call for Bert and I at 8.50 but he didn’t turn up so Bert & I at 9.10 went & got our hair cut.  Then we went & saw Ron, he said he didn’t get up till 9 & then he thought we would have gone so he didn’t bother.

Bert & I went by train to Piccadilly & then we went to Premiers but they had no drums in stock so we went to Len Woods they had some stuff but Bert didn’t want what they had except one side drum which she didn’t know the price of, as it had just come in so she arranged to ring Bert when she knew the price of the drum & when she had some stuff in that he wanted.

Then we went to Selfridges but they had nothing, at all that was decent so we came home, on our way back we looked round the RAF advice bureau in Oxford St & saw the exhibition of saving life at sea at Charing X Stn.

Home at 3.

We went to the dance about 7.  It was carnival night & we had a smashing time.

One of the chaps there provisionally booked us for 12/6 per man on the 23^rd at Drury Lane for a dance his firm is having & Bert will hear from them on Monday.  Home 12.

Sunday 14^th December 1941

Up at 9.30.  went to school for the last time in 3 weeks.  Stayed in all afternoon.

At 6.24pm Dad was at the shop alone firewatching we heard the ARW go so I dashed round there but I was only about ½ way there when the A.C. went at 6.26 but I carried on there & stayed with Dad till he left at 7.30 we heard on the 9 pm news that it was a test.  Bed 11.15.

Monday 15^th December 1941

On Saturday the HAS rang up to say my glasses were ready.  Miss B told me.

While at lunch I bought a record of the Duke & his band playing Harlem Air Shaft & Sepia Panorama.  I got some music.  “ Ma Ma Maria” back “Imagine the Duchesses’ feelings”

“I’d never fall in love again” backed “Who are you a Shoving of”

“You & I “ backed “We both told a lie” & Home Sweet Home Again” backed “You’re my Arms”.

In the afternoon I went & got my glasses they cost £2.10.6.

Opinion was divided as to how I looked some said o.k. Mrs Eases said “awful” I took down Lens music & also gave Ron his.  

Bed 11.

Tuesday 16^th December 1941

Went to music.  Stayed in during evening & painted a poster for St Peters Hall dance.

Wednesday 17^th December 1941

Went to the dance in the evening.  Last one till 31^st Dec.

We have the job at Drury Lane for next Tuesday at 12/6d per man.  The boys will meet me at Grand Bldgs & I am taking Bert’s drum with me to the office.

Thursday 18^th December 1941

This evening I met 2 old friends & made 1 new one.

On Charring X Stn, I met David Randall.  He lives at Hornchurch now & he was saying that they used to have quite a good amateur RAF band there during the summer, & when I asked him some of their names he said “well there was Joe Daniels^XIII drums & Joe Loss’s pianist^XIV & some other chaps from big bands”, !!!!!! ………”Quite a good amateur band”.

We went to the club in the evening. 

When we were finishing I saw a chap I thought I knew & I thought – shall I speak to him or not.  However I went up to him – & boy oh boy am I glad I did.  I asked him if he was at Lister Institute just before war started, he was, & he remembered me once I spoke to him, we were soon talking away furiously & I got from him the information that Doris Stainsby came back from evacuation about 3 months ago & he said that they still hold a club on Thursday night & that he thinks she goes. He said that quite a lot of the chaps & girls are home now, Staveley is a messenger in the ARP now.
Anyway I’m going up to Lister next chance I get which is on the 8 th Jan to meet Doris if possible.
Some other chap also spoke to us as he wants to take up some instrument but he didn’t know what to take up, he said that whatever he takes up his father will teach him as he can play almost any instrument & he was in the army band when he was in the army, he taught Eric Tann of the Blue Rockets to play the trombone.
We said the best thing he could take up would be tenor Sax & told him that if we were to enlarge our band that would be the next instrument we would have.
I also found that he was interested in Jazz & has a small collection of discs & I said we will have to get together sometime.

---

I: The Battle of Britain: An Air Ministry Account of the Great Days from 8 August – 31 October 1940.
Air Ministry.  Published by HMSO 1941

II: Their mothers name was Florence Elizabeth.

III: Wikipedia
Stars and stripes. ([Les Mousquetaires d’Ellis Island.] The Musketeers of Ellis Island.) Tales.
Maurice Dekobra (May 26, 1885 Paris – June 1, 1973 Paris) was a French writer. His real name was Maurice Tessier. Seen as a subversive writer in the 1920s and 1930s, he became one of the best-known French writers between the First and the Second World Wars. His books have been translated into 77 languages.

IV: Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production, released in a radio broadcast that a Radiolocator was an important part of the country’s defence & called for volunteers with radio skills.  Interestingly despite his protests that he would not try to “work out what it is” when called up to the RAF he was trained in Radar.

V: Wikipedia
Hyman Kaplan
Hyman Kaplan, or H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N as he habitually signs himself, is a fictional character in a series of well-received, humorous stories by Leo Rosten, published under the pseudonym “Leonard Q. Ross” in The New Yorker in the 1930s and later collected in two books, The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N and The Return of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N. Rosten noted that he was frequently asked if Mr Kaplan was his alter ego, and that he often felt it was the other way around.
The first collection (Education, 1937) was a “close second” for one U.S. National Book Award in 1938. The second collection (Return, 1959) was one of eighteen National Book Award for Fiction finalists in 1960.
The books were adapted as a musical play produced in 1968, namely The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N.

VI: Wikipedia
The Hut-Sut Song (a Swedish Serenade) is a novelty song from the 1940s with nonsense lyrics. The song was written in 1941 by Leo V. Killion, Ted McMichael and Jack Owens. The first and most popular recording was by Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights. A 1941 Time Magazine entry suggests the song was probably a creative adaptation of an unpublished Missouri River song called “Hot Shot Dawson.

VII: Pinterest
Boa Noite (Good-Night). 1941. Lyrics by Mack Gordon, music by Harry Warren. From the movie “That Night in Rio” starring Alice Faye, Don Ameche and Carmen Miranda.

VIII: http://www.firefightersmemorial.org.uk/index.php/in-memoriam/fire-watchers-fire-guards
Further information at The Firefighters Memorial Trust, Firewatchers and Fire Guards during World War 2.

IX: Wikipedia
Rudolph Cornelius Wiedoeft (January 3, 1893 – February 18, 1940) was a U.S. saxophonist.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of German immigrants, at a young age Wiedoeft started playing with his family orchestra, first using a violin, then a clarinet. He relocated to New York City and switched to saxophone, then still an unusual instrument. He became known as a virtuoso saxophonist during the 1910s, made more than 300 recordings for many different record companies, and did much to popularize the saxophone as an instrument in both the U.S. and overseas. His main instrument was the C melody saxophone, a variety which was immensely popular from the 1910s until about 1930. He also played and recorded sometimes using E-flat alto and B-flat soprano saxophones as well.
His style was noted for very rapid runs of well-articulated notes in between long legato phrases in a ragtime influenced style. The rapidly articulated notes were made possible by the advanced techniques of double-tonguing and triple-tonguing, similar to those used by brass (trumpet, trombone, etc.) players and flutists. He was also known for his style of vibrato, which was very wide during the later years of his playing. 
He remained a very popular entertainer into the 1920s and performed regularly by radio, but his style started to sound more and more dated to the public as his career continued into the 1930s. He worked for a while in Rudy Vallee’s band, then for a while in France. From the mid-1930s on, he essentially stopped playing and was involved in several mining investments that were not successful.
Rudy and his wife Mary Wiedoeft had a difficult relationship partially due to difficulties of maintaining their rather flamboyant lifestyle and alcohol abuse. During 1937, he was nearly killed when he was stabbed by his wife. The couple reconciled, however, and during the same year, Rudy made his last radio performance.
He died in Flushing, New York, on February 18, 1940, from cirrhosis of the liver.

X: The Independent  Aubrey Frank, saxophonist born London 3 June 1921; died London 3 June 1993.
AUBREY FRANK was a prominent member of the generation of British jazz and dance-band musicians that prepared the way for the advent of bebop. Younger instrumentalists such as Ronnie Scott brought the post-war African-American innovations to the wider attention of the jazz-loving public, but the saxophonist Frank was one of the local heroes who can claim considerable responsibility too. Steeped in the professional mores of the dance-band era, he was a world- class player admired by his peers.
Born into a Jewish family in the East End of London, he was forced into a position of early responsibility by his father’s death. He was 11, but his elder brother had married and left home. By the age of 14 ½  he was playing alto saxophone with a junior band at Collins’ Music Hall – a job that lasted a week. A year later, switching to tenor saxophone, he joined the Savoy Junior Band where, in the saxophone section, he met his lifelong friend Harry Conn.
For two decades Frank worked with London’s ‘name’ bands, beginning in 1940 with Jack Harris at the London Casino. He valued the virtues of the great black American swing ensembles of Count Basie and Jimmy Lunceford, and established friendships with black British musicians as well, arranging employment for them when a black face was a rare sight on bandstands. At Hammersmith Palais, where he worked with Eddie Carroll, he found work for the superlative Jamaican saxophonist Bertie King, then joined Geraldo who, as a BBC staffer, made up to nine broadcasts a week.
Gigs overlapped frequently in the early war years and he often dashed between bandstands. For over a year, while in steady employment with Ambrose, he participated in all Ken ‘Snakehips’ Johnson’s broadcasts and recordings, often sitting in with Johnson’s West Indians at their Sunday tea-dances which attracted a more ‘rhythm-oriented’ public and gave him a chance to improvise. When Johnson was killed in the Blitz, Frank introduced several of his musicians to Ambrose who, having lived in the segregated United States, had never visualised employing black musicians.
In November 1941, on the eve of his conscription, Frank took part in EMI’s epochal First English Public Jam Session recording. He temporarily escaped his RAF duties to continue playing for, among others, the musically revolutionary bandleader Lew Stone and the Belgian trumpeter and racing driver Johnny Claes, and was also a member of the early Ted Heath Orchestra.

XI: Bomber Command – The Air Ministry Account of Bomber Command’s Offensive Against the Axis. September 1939 – July 1941  HMSO.  Found with his war memorabilia

XII: 1 Carroll Richard Gibbons (January 4, 1903 – May 10, 1954) was an American-born pianist, bandleader and popular composer who made his career primarily in England during the British dance band era.

XIII: Wikipedia
Joe Daniels (jazz drummer)
Joe Daniels (1908–2003), born in Zeerust, South Africa, was a British drummer and performer whose career began in the early 1920s. Daniels played with Sid Roy (brother of Harry Roy), and formed his own band with Max Goldberg. Around 1930, he started recording as “Joe Daniel’s Hot Shots” (with Billy Mason), and they became a popular recording band Other members in 1937 were; Bill Jones trumpet, Albert Harris clarinet & saxophone, Les Osbourne Trombone, Verne Lewis Piano and John LeBor on Bass. The band performed on BBC radio shows many times. They recorded on Parlophone Records. Bobby King was often the groups vocalist.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Daniels joined the Royal Air Force where he organised an air force band and produced shows for the troops. After the war and throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, he played in both small and in big bands, including recording under the name “Washboard Joe and the Scrubbers”.

XIV: Wikipedia
Joshua Alexander “Joe” Loss LVO OBE (22 June 1909 – 6 June 1990) was a British musician popular during the British dance band era and was founder of the Joe Loss Orchestra.