Saturday March 2nd
We seemed to get in rather a mess on States. Did not leave the office till 2pm. Got the 2.5. bus home. On the bus up from Tamworth I met Cameron from Wrekin who is doing his National Service at Whittington Barracks. We chatted. Went shooting with Dad & Fred Cole. Dad & Fred each got a pigeon but I had eight or nine shots & got nothing. Mrs Cole has fallen down and broken her wrist.
Sunday March 3rd
Went to see Billie & Nellie in the afternoon. A strange man (a Peeping Tom) has been seen in the wood. Mrs Cole is nervous about him. He went down Percy Holmes’ garden at 11.30 one night & when Percy came out he ran into Hopwas Wood. I gave Coles the pigeon that Dad shot yesterday. I am using the telescope that Grandpa gave me – it’s very powerful. I made a bonfire of dead leaves this afternoon in order to get some ashes to fertilise the garden. Wrote some letters.
Monday March 4th
At lunchtime in Littlewoods I was pestered by an old man who kept asking, “Do you think I’m in much trouble?” He was hankering after me lending him some money but I didn’t bite. I went down to the junk shop on Snow Hill & bought the records “Little Things Mean a Lot,” “High Noon” and “Under the Banner of Victory.” We had some trouble on States & I caught the 7 o/c ‘bus home. I got off at & walked up the Bodnets. I was home at 8 o/c. It’s an eerie walk in the dark – much different from waking from Tamworth.
Tuesday March 5th
I caught the ‘bus from Tamworth this morning. In the lunch hour I went to the junk shop again & bought “Cross Over the Bridge,” “I Get So Lonely,” “Beside the River Clyde,” “You’ve Got Someone on Your Mind,” “Stowaway” & “Open Up Your Heart.” We got in a bit of a mess on States over a bad figure on a B/A form from Weymouth. We had to tick them off & it was the last card but one. I came home on the 5.50 train with Don Stevenson. I had a quiet evening playing records & watched “Gun Law.” Mr Edwards says I can leave at 4.35 tomorrow for the Masonic Ladies Evening.
Wednesday March 6th
I played cards with Graham Austin in the lunch hour – lost 3d. Marmion Ladies Evening at night. Uncle Jimmy was there – he says I can shoot on the island when I like. Mr Lockhart invited me to their next fox-shoot. I sat next to Charlie Bray at the meal. We came away about a quarter to twelve. Dad saw Aston Villa beat Burnley this afternoon.
Thursday March 7th
Played cards again with Graham Austin in the lunch hour – won 2d. I got the 5.5 bus home. I saw the lorry that crashed into the river at Kingsbury. I walked back from Tamworth tonight. Another 6d for my record fund. Dad is going into hospital on Sunday and is being operated on, on Monday. I have told Barbara Hles to ask her sister to go out with me!!!
Friday March 8th
I came home on the 5.15 train with Don Stevenson. I have bought some loose shot & tonight I took the pellets oout of six No. 6 cartridges & made myself three No.4 cartridges and three BB cartridges. I shall take them tomorrow. I have got a strong liking for Gillian Evans & I’m not sure that she isn’t a bit keen on me!!!
Saturday March 9th
We did fairly well on States today and I got the five-to-one train home. I rained consistently. I had the gramophone out in the shed for an hour then I went round to see Coles. Fred didn’t think he would come with me so I went into Hopwas Wood on my own. I went over the three hills and along by Pearce’s. I saw some partridges in one of Pearce’s fields. I also saw some cock pheasant. I did not get a shot. They have cleared most of the rhododendrons in Rookery Nook. Played subbuteo with Lance. I won 5-4.
Sunday March 10th
Went round to see Billy & Nellie. He told me the story about the little boy who wanted to watch Pauline Trimby kiss Tony goodbye. Dale’s air raid shelter roof fell in & Billy & Nellie are quite sure that I splodged it in with a fork. We took Daddy down to the hospital at 5 0/c today. We met one of the sisters & the matron. In the evening I wrote for various free specimens as advertised in the “National Weekly.”
Monday March 11th
A fairly peaceful day. I got the 5.5 bus home. I went into the wood at dusk with the gun. It was moonlight. A carrion crow passed fairly near but not near enough for a shot. Dr Raybould rang up to say Daddy had had two hernias done, his piles & his appendix taken out. We rang up the hospital at 10 o/c and they said he was sleeping peacefully. I went down to Grandma’s this evening. Also rang up Mrs Cole to tell her the news about Dad.
Tuesday March 12th
I went up to Mrs Wiinfield’s with Sam Loughead tonight. He liked it very much. I like a girl with a “ponytail” hairstyle very much indeed. Next week I shall offer her a lift back to Tamworth with us afterwards. Sam is getting to know the steps. Daddy is progressing well and the hospital is very pleased with him. I shall see him tomorrow.
Wednesday March 13th
We balanced nice & early & I was getting ready to go at 4.45 when old Tovey came & told me I’d got to take the registered letters up at 4.45. I just got the 5.15 train. I went out with the gun but didn’t get a shot. I walked down to the hospital & saw Dad. He looked very much better than I had expected. I got the 9.15 bus up. Auntie Daisy rang.
Thursday March 14th
We balanced O.K. today & I got the 4.42 train home. I received a letter today telling me I was on the permanent staff. That’s a relief!!! I had a 2/6d P/O from Stockwells!!! I went in the wood with the gun but didn’t see anything. Helen came to teach me book-keeping & I walked down the road with her to meet her friend outside the Chequers. Dad is progressing well. Mr Outhwaite rang up.
Friday March 15th
Caught the 4.42 train home. I missed the bus up home but Mum was in town & she gave me a lift up. I got a record of Gerry Grant singing “Moonlight Gambler.” I went in the wood with the gun but didn’t get a shot. Went down to see Dad tonight. He is looking very much better. I am looking forward to the weekend.
Saturday March 16th
Mr Brewster drove the ‘bus into B’ham today. I had a chat to him. I came home on the 1.5 ‘bus. The 2.15 was just moving out as I ran up. He saw me but wouldn’t stop. I walked home & rang up the Midland Red and reported him. I did some digging in the garden. Went shooting up Hopwas Wood with Fred Cole. Had 4 shots at crows but got nothing. Went down with Grandma to see Dad. He is going along nicely.
Sunday March 17th
Did some gardening in the morning. Put in 1 row of peas, 3 of lettuce, 2 of radishes & 4 of parsnips. Saw Billy & Nellie in the afternoon. Stayed there till 4.30pm then I came home. I didn’t feel too well then, but I took no notice. Went down to the hospital to see Daddy at night. Saw the play on T.V. “The Cask of Amontillado.” Felt lousy. Went to bed early.
Monday March 18th
Had a rotten night & in the morning I had a temperature of 99°. I stopped in bed for the day. Mum rang up the office & spoke to Ray Maskell. As the day went on I began to feel better. I shall go to work tomorrow. I am looking forward to going dancing tomorrow evening & seeing that girl again.
Tuesday March 19th
Felt much better. Went to work. Got back on the 4.42 train. I went up to Mrs Winfield’s with Sam Loughead. The usual crowd of girls were working ‘afternoons’ at de Hamill’s factory & there were only about eight couples up there. I had to rely mainly on “excuse me” dances. Next week should be better – then I’ll see that girl again!
Wednesday March 20th
Feeling much better today. In the lunch hour I went after a record – tried 8 shops but couldn’t get it. I had to take the registered letters again tonight. I got the 5.5 bus home. Did not go down to the hospital tonight. Just had a quiet evening – did a bit of study & played some records.
Thursday March 21st
Best day yet on States. I got the 4.42 train home. Today I got a record of Billy Thorburn’s “Ricochet.” I got home & went in the wood with the gun. I had a couple of shots at jays but got nothing. Helen Brewster came and taught me book-keeping. She is suffering from rheumatism in her back. She went at 9pm then I played records & went to bed.
Friday March 22nd
Quite a good day. I had a surprise. I was told I was wanted down in Securities & who should be there but Hugh Montgomery. We went out together in the lunch hour. I shall see him again next week. Got the 4.42 train home. Put in two more rows of parsnips, and another row of peas. I did some more digging. I went out with the gun in Hopwas wood but didn’t get a shot. I watched ‘Dragnet’ & then played some records. I then wrote an article on records for the ‘Tettenhall Observer.’
Saturday March 23rd
I went early this morning so I could get away early. I got home and finished off digging the centre patch. Dad came home from hospital today. He looks O.K. again now. I went shooting with Fred Cole on our own shoot. The hunt had been across & things were rather tame. I had a shot at a pigeon which began to ‘tower’ over Swinnerton’s. I didn’t pick it up. Mum took me down to Watson’s to fetch a football paper tonight. I amused myself this evening by wrapping up an April Fool parcel. I don’t know who I’m going to send it to.
Sunday March 24th
Went to church in the morning. Came back and did some gardening. I went round to see Billy and Nellie. He told me the story of how he told Kitely that it was Fred Cole’s job to climb up the T.V. mast & light the lamp at night & Kitely believed him. I came back from Billy’s and dug both banks by the wood hedge & set seeds in them & mowed the lawn. I went down to Grandma’s in the evening to exchange the Sunday papers. Quite a good day’s work all round.
Monday March 25th
A disappointing day. I am back on Remittance. We had a bit of trouble balancing & I got the 5.40 bus home. I was annoyed because I was unable to get to do any gardening. Lance has been ‘ill’ all day & Mum had put him in my room & he’d turned it into a bear garden. The old man was a bit grumpy too, on about this & that. When I took the dog for his last walk down the road I met a fellow who said he was booking appointments for the 11 plus exam. We rang the police but he was genuine.
Tuesday March 26th
Went on the bus to Longbridge this morning to fetch the Austin credit. Quite a good day. I was the only one to fly balance. I got the 5.5 bus. Walked up from Tamworth. I went up to Mrs Winfield’s tonight. A very good night apart from the fact that that girl was not there. Sam Loughead enjoyed it too. We gave the fat lady a lift home. I’ll get off with someone somehow!!!
Wednesday March 27th
Today I was given the job of helping to clear the stationery room. It was filthy! I had to take the registered letters to post. I got the 5.25pm train home & got home at 6.20pm. I did some gardening. I tidied up the steps into the wood, put in a row of spring onions, set the rest of the wood bank & put some fertiliser on the garden. I did some studying also.
Thursday March 28th
Just a normal routine day today. I got a couple of records, “Feet Up” and “Quicksilver” from the secondhand shop on Snow Hill. I got the 5.15 train & got home at 6.20. I gardened until 7.20pm. I put in 2 rows of turnips & my marrows. I dug the flowerbed beneath the rustic work. I also did some studying.
Friday March 29th
A normal day. I went to Batt’s for a haircut. I fly-balanced today. Mr Price the head messenger is retiring and at 4.30 today a presentation was made to him. Mr Iley made a speech. They gave him a spade and a fork, and electric razor & a pipe & a pouch of tobacco. I got the 5.15 train home. Home at 6.20. I finished planting the woodbank & dug the bed in front of the kitchen.
Saturday March 30th
The batches wouldn’t balance at the office today. I got the 1.35 bus home. Home at 3 0/c. I dug the flowerbed under the kitchen window and put the potatoes (ninety folds) in. Went shooting in Hopwas Wood with Fred Cole. Had one shot – got nothing. I came back and dug half that patch by the shelter. Mum ran me down to Watson’s to get a football paper and a card for Billy.
Sunday March 31st
Gardened practically all day, except for a 2 hour break in the afternoon which I spent with Bill and Nellie. I have now got practically everything done except the paths. Bill complained about Fred tipping his rubbish in front of Bill’s house so as the Coles were out this afternoon, I tipped my rubbish in front of their gate!!