{"id":744,"date":"2024-05-30T15:38:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T15:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/?page_id=744"},"modified":"2025-07-31T22:42:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T22:42:18","slug":"mystery-man-diary-march-1957","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/?page_id=744","title":{"rendered":"\u201cMystery Man\u201d Diary March 1957"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Saturday March 2nd<\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday March 3rd<\/strong>
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\u2019 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 \u2013 it\u2019s very powerful. I made a bonfire of dead leaves this afternoon in order to get some ashes to fertilise the garden. Wrote some letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday March 4th<\/strong>
At lunchtime in Littlewoods I was pestered by an old man who kept asking, \u201cDo you think I\u2019m in much trouble?\u201d He was hankering after me lending him some money but I didn\u2019t bite. I went down to the junk shop on Snow Hill & bought the records \u201cLittle Things Mean a Lot,\u201d \u201cHigh Noon\u201d and \u201cUnder the Banner of Victory.\u201d We had some trouble on States & I caught the 7 o\/c \u2018bus home. I got off at & walked up the Bodnets. I was home at 8 o\/c. It\u2019s an eerie walk in the dark \u2013 much different from waking from Tamworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday March 5th<\/strong>
I caught the \u2018bus from Tamworth this morning. In the lunch hour I went to the junk shop again & bought \u201cCross Over the Bridge,\u201d \u201cI Get So Lonely,\u201d \u201cBeside the River Clyde,\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve Got Someone on Your Mind,\u201d \u201cStowaway\u201d & \u201cOpen Up Your Heart.\u201d 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 \u201cGun Law.\u201d Mr Edwards says I can leave at 4.35 tomorrow for the Masonic Ladies Evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday March 6th<\/strong>
I played cards with Graham Austin in the lunch hour \u2013 lost 3d. Marmion Ladies Evening at night. Uncle Jimmy was there \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday March 7th<\/strong>
Played cards again with Graham Austin in the lunch hour \u2013 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!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday March 8th<\/strong>
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\u2019m not sure that she isn\u2019t a bit keen on me!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday March 9th<\/strong>
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\u2019t 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\u2019s. I saw some partridges in one of Pearce\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday March 10th<\/strong>
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\u2019s 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 \u201cNational Weekly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday March 11th<\/strong>
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\u2019s this evening. Also rang up Mrs Cole to tell her the news about Dad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday March 12th<\/strong>
I went up to Mrs Wiinfield\u2019s with Sam Loughead tonight. He liked it very much. I like a girl with a \u201cponytail\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday March 13th<\/strong>
We balanced nice & early & I was getting ready to go at 4.45 when old Tovey came & told me I\u2019d 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday March 14th<\/strong>
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\u2019s a relief!!! I had a 2\/6d P\/O from Stockwells!!! I went in the wood with the gun but didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday March 15th<\/strong>
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 \u201cMoonlight Gambler.\u201d I went in the wood with the gun but didn\u2019t get a shot. Went down to see Dad tonight. He is looking very much better. I am looking forward to the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday March 16th<\/strong>
Mr Brewster drove the \u2018bus into B\u2019ham today. I had a chat to him. I came home on the 1.5 \u2018bus. The 2.15 was just moving out as I ran up. He saw me but wouldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday March 17th<\/strong>
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\u2019t 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. \u201cThe Cask of Amontillado.\u201d Felt lousy. Went to bed early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday March 18th<\/strong>
Had a rotten night & in the morning I had a temperature of 99\u00b0. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday March 19th<\/strong>
Felt much better. Went to work. Got back on the 4.42 train. I went up to Mrs Winfield\u2019s with Sam Loughead. The usual crowd of girls were working \u2018afternoons\u2019 at de Hamill\u2019s factory & there were only about eight couples up there. I had to rely mainly on \u201cexcuse me\u201d dances. Next week should be better \u2013 then I\u2019ll see that girl again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday March 20th<\/strong>
Feeling much better today. In the lunch hour I went after a record – tried 8 shops but couldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday March 21st<\/strong>
Best day yet on States. I got the 4.42 train home. Today I got a record of Billy Thorburn\u2019s \u201cRicochet.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday March 22nd<\/strong>
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\u2019t get a shot. I watched \u2018Dragnet\u2019 & then played some records. I then wrote an article on records for the \u2018Tettenhall Observer.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday March 23rd<\/strong>
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 \u2018tower\u2019 over Swinnerton\u2019s. I didn\u2019t pick it up. Mum took me down to Watson\u2019s to fetch a football paper tonight. I amused myself this evening by wrapping up an April Fool parcel. I don\u2019t know who I\u2019m going to send it to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday March 24th<\/strong>
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\u2019s job to climb up the T.V. mast & light the lamp at night & Kitely believed him. I came back from Billy\u2019s and dug both banks by the wood hedge & set seeds in them & mowed the lawn. I went down to Grandma\u2019s in the evening to exchange the Sunday papers. Quite a good day\u2019s work all round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday March 25th<\/strong>
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 \u2018ill\u2019 all day & Mum had put him in my room & he\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday March 26th<\/strong>
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\u2019s 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\u2019ll get off with someone somehow!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday March 27th<\/strong>
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday March 28th<\/strong>
Just a normal routine day today. I got a couple of records, \u201cFeet Up\u201d and \u201cQuicksilver\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday March 29th<\/strong>
A normal day. I went to Batt\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday March 30th<\/strong>
The batches wouldn\u2019t 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\u2019s to get a football paper and a card for Billy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday March 31st<\/strong>
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\u2019s house so as the Coles were out this afternoon, I tipped my rubbish in front of their gate!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Saturday March 2ndWe seemed to get in rather a mess on States. Did not leave the office till 2pm. Got<\/p>\n

Continue reading\u201cMystery Man\u201d Diary March 1957<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":894,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-744","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=744"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1164,"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/744\/revisions\/1164"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guynsmith.com\/1\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}