Diary 1941 - Age 19/20

At the begining of this diary there is a lot of swimming, going to the cinema, visiting, walking, dancing and driving.

Tuesday 28th January
Went over to Paul's ship and handed over keys.
Phoned Phil.
Left harbour at about 11.00 and swing compasses in bay.
Dropped Betty and Co and then sailed at 13:00 for Durban.
Was sick in pm.
Messdeck flooded so slept in wireless room.
SE gale all day.

Wednesday 29th January
SE gale all day.
Passed Agulhas.

Thursday 30th January
SE gale all day.
Cloudy.
Passed Mossel Bay.


Friday 31st January
SE gale all day.
Cloudy.
Passed Port St Johns and East London in evening.

Saturday 1st February
SE gale all day.
Cloudy.

Sunday 2nd February
Arrived Durban 06:00.
Went ashore about 13:00 with Van and we went to Vic for dinner.
Wrote letters to Betty and Phil.
Met Jack Davidson and had a game of ping pong.
Had supper and Van and I went for a walk and slept night at YMCA.

Monday 3rd February
Had breakfast at YM and came aboard about 0730.
Went ashore at 1700 and met Jack and Gerald Woodward at Vic.
The three of us had supper st Royal Hotel and then went to Metro to see "Third Finger Left Hand" (Myrna Loy (?) Melvyn (?) Dongles (?))
Came aboard at about 2330.

Tuesday 4th February
Went ashore at about 1700 and had supper at Vic with Van.
He and I went to Playhouse afterwards to see "His Girl Friday" (Cary grant, Rosalind Russel)
Went back to ship by ricksha and slept aboard.

Wednesday 5th February
Went ashore at 1700 and took photo of Phil to be coloured.
Van and I had supper at Vic and then went to Princess to see "The Outsider" (George Sanders, Mary Maguire)
Slept aboard.

Thursday 6th February
Went to Willard people at 1100 with Lewis to fetch batteries.
Went to Tribune House at 1200 to take list of med stores.
Had hair cut.
Stayed aborad in evening and Lewis and I fixed up Aldes leads.

Friday 7th February
Went out to sea in am for trials.
Painted bathroom in pm.
Went ashore at 1700 and had supper and wrote letters at Vic.
Went to Metro evening to see "Bussman's Honeymoon." (Robert Montgomery, Constance Cummings...)
Slept aboard.

Saturday 8th February
Went over to oil sites in K22 to sub for Webb.
Returned about 1400.
Went ashore about 1700 and had supper at Victoria Club.
Went to 20th Century in evening to see "The Great Dictator" (Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard.)
Slept aboard.

Sunday 9th February
Went over to oil sites 0000 and returned about 0900.
Went into bay to swing compasses in am.
Went ashore at about 1600 with Ernest and had supper at Vic.
Had a game of billiards and then wrote letters.
Slept aboard.

Monday 10th February
Left port at about 0800 and at sea all day - 4 on and 4 off.

Tuesday 11th February
At sea - fine day.

Wednesday 12th February
Passed tropic at about 1100.

Thursday 13th February
At Sea.
Fine Day.

Friday 14th February
At Sea - fine day.

Saturday 15th February
At sea - K23 engine trouble.
Hove to 0800 while repairs carried out.
Under way again at 1700.

Sunday 16th February
Cloudy with rain now and then.

Monday 17th February
At Sea.

Tuesday 18th February - Mombasa
Arrived (in code) about 0700.
Tied up alongside wall.
Ernest, Shorty and I went ashore at 1600 and wandered around town.
Went to Majestic at 2100 to see Ray Millard and Heather Angel in "Bulldog Drummond Escapes."
Went to docks by train.

Wednesday 19th February
Went ashore at 1600 with Ernest and met Jack.
Went to Canteen and had supper and played table tennis.
Went to Regal afterwards to see "The Jones Family Back to Nature."

Thursday 20th February
Anchored out in the stream in am.
Stayed aboard in evening and helped row picket(?) ashore and back.

Friday 21st February
Went ashore with Lewis at 1630 and met Jack at Canteen.
We three played table tennis most of evening and wandered around a bit.

Saturday 23rd February
All ships tied up alongside one another.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Sunday 23rd February
Sailed at 1430.
Cleaned up mess and stripped Hotchkiss in am.

Monday 24th February
At sea - rough and wet.

Tuesday 25th February
At sea - rough and wet.
Crossed Line.
Fired Hotchkiss.

Wednesday 26th February
At sea - rough and wet.

Thursday 27th February
At sea - rough and wet.
Sighted two ships at noon.
One Amc.

Friday 28th February
At sea - rough and wet.

Saturday 1st March
Investigated dhow in am.
Fine warm weather.
Islands seen.

Sunday 2nd March
Fine hot day.

Monday 3rd March - Aden
Arrived at about 0700.
Tied up alongside Lucia (in code) in stream.
Did not go ashore but went to pictures on L in evening "Ten Days in Paris" (Rex Harrison).
Rain most of day.

Tuesday 4th March
Rain all day.
Streak, Hektor and Townsend changed with 3 of Nodelac for part voyage.
Stayed aboard in evening.
Had hair cut on 19. (it looks like)

Wednesday 5th March
Sailed at 0630 aprox.
Convos (decoded code) noon.
Fine day.

Thursday 6th March
Fine day at sea.

Friday 7th March
Fine day at sea.

Saturday 8th March
Gale came up late in pm and seas flooded messdeck.

Sunday 9th March
Heavy seas all day - very et and cold.

Monday 10th March - Suez
Chilly day - finer weather.
Arrived Suez (in code) at about 1500.
No leave.
Tied up alongside 23 at anchor.

Tuesday 11th March
Stripped my Hotchkiss pm.
No leave.
22 joined us.

Wednesday 12th March
Kept middle watch.
Tried to moor but gave it up and tied up to 22 at anchor.
Shore leave granted but too late to go.

Friday 22nd March - Alexendria
Windy and rough seas on beam.
Arrived ELA at 1400 and tied up alongside bow with others.
Got letters from Phil and one newspaper.

Monday 14th April - Suda Bay, Crete
Arrived at... about 7am.
Anchored in bay.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Tuesday 15th April
Air raids in am.
Tied up alogside wall in pm.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Wednesday 16th April
Sailed at 1400.
Gale at sea in evening.

Thursday 17th April - Island of Kittera
Anchored in am No 1.
Bombed at 1700.
3 missed approx 100ft.
Up anchor 2000 p Patrol.

Friday 18th April
Anchored 0800 - No. 2. Island of Kittara.
Gale in pm.
up anchor 2000.
Patrol.

Wednesday 23rd April
Saw merchant ship dive bombed by Germans in am.
Arrived ARAGAM at 1700 and anchored.
Dive bombed by 6 Junkers 87.
Skipper stomach wound.
Stacy leg.
Lomas wrist.
Up anchor 1845 and away like hell.
(Megara Bay, Greece. W of (looks like) Paanheus.)

Thursday 24th April - Suda Bay
Arrived DUS 0900 and tied up to land...
Italian planes dropped few bombs in am.
Moved over to merchant ship.Dive bombers bombed ships in pm.
One direct hit, ship down in 5 min.
Tied up again.

Friday 25th - Monday 28th April
Greek Evacuation. Arrival of troops in Suda.
Wandered around all day. (each day's entry)

Tuesday 29th April
At anchor.
Approx 6 88's over at 1530 and dropped a few bombs.

Friday 2nd May
Van and I rowed ashore with mail in am and sent cables to Betty and Phil. 99dms each. 3/8 each.
Saturday 3rd May
Took a row over to 2 with Loft in am.
Air raid in pm (approx 1500 to 1530.)
Reported to be 16 over 5 shot down.

Sunday 4th May
Van and I went ashore at 1300 and wandered round the country.
Air raid approx 1730.
14 planes over, 3 down.

Tuesday 6th May
Gale during middle watch.
Tied up to wall about 0930.

Saturday 10th May
On patrol. Full Moon.

Sunday 11th May
Came in to anchor at 0800.
Bombed approx 2300.

Monday 12th May
Bombed 0115, 0305 and 0500.

Tuesday 13th May - Southern coast of Crete
Anchored Lt House 0800.
Saw plane pm but it left us alone.
Did the jobs pm and night.
Up anchor back to 2300.

Wednesday 14th May - Suda
Arrived back 8am.
Left about 9pm to begin search.
Raid pm (then shorthand characters.)

Thursday 15th May - Cape Spada
Arrived back at 8am.
Left 2pm.
Heavy seas.

Friday 16th May
Anchored "Sunny Cove" 8am.
Left 7pm (just W of (looks like) Sphakia side of Crete.

Sunday 18th May
Raids all day long. About 6 or 7.

Monday 19th May
One long raid from about 0630 to 2030.
At anchor.

Tuesday 20th May
Invasion of Crete started.
Went on patrol 0800.
Planes over all day.
(In code) INVASION STARTED

Wednesday 21st May - Entrance to Suda Bay
Pkanes over all day.
Machine gunned 1250 about six times.
Plane destroyed by ammo locker going up.
Andy killed.
Bullet grazed my arm.
WE HAD ONLY GOD TO THANK THAT WE CAME OFF WITH SUCH COMPARITIVE LUCK.
Dive bombed on way into harbour where we tied up alongside jetty.
Wounded, including myself, taken up to sick bay.
Lt Tilston, Carr and SLt Manns, Ernest, Royce and Bob to hospital.

Friday 23rd May
Raids all day.
Woken up 11:20pm and taken to ...(?) (Joe, Lofty, Rispin, Cookie, Cowen and myself)

Saturday 24th May HMS Jaguar
At sea.
Bombed at about 0700.
Arrived Ela 1900.
Slept night aboard Estuoser (?)
Alexandria again.
HMS Resource.

Sunday 25th May
Taken to Aliechked (?) Camp.
DEKHEILA.
Got some kit in pm.

Monday 26th May
Loafed around all day.
Moved to a tent.

Tuesday 27th May
Loafed around all day.

Wednesday 28th May - Cairo
Loft and I went ashore 1330 and caught 3:45pm train for Iac (?)
Stayed at Victory House PT 20 bed and breakfast.
Went to Metropole in evening to see Rebecca (Joan Fontaine, Laurence Olivier)

Thursday 29th May - Cairo
Guide took us around pyramids, Sphynx etc in am and mosques and bazaar in pm.
Bought kimono for Phil 465.
Went to Egbeikh (?) Garden Cinema in eveing to see The Man in the Iron Mask (Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett)

Friday 30th May - Cairo-Alex
Wandered around in am.
Caught 12:30 train back.
Arrived 4pm.
Took my spool tp be developed.
Played billiards and then went to Rio to see Turnabout (Carol Landes)

Saturday 31st May
Went ashore 1630.
Played billiards then went to see Barricade (Warner Baxter Alice Faye)
and Hard to Get (Olivia de Havilland, Dick Powell)
Raid at about 11pm.
Mail - 2 (Phil), 5 (P&B), Mrs Edwards, Bishop CT, Aunt Julia, 4 newspapers, 1 tuckbox.

Sunday 1st June
Loafed around all day.

Monday 2nd June
Went ashore at 1630.
Went to Strand in evening to see "Star for a Night" and "Safe Metropole" (Tyrone Power, Loretta Young)

Tuesday 3rd June
Went ashore 1330. Played billiards.
Met Ted and we went to Rio to see "Arizona" (Jean Arthur, William Holden)

Wednesday 4th June
Stayed aboard.
Raid in evening.
Bombs over town.

Thursday 5th June
Went up for request in am.
Went ashore 1330 with Lofty.
Played billiards in pm.
Went to Rialto in evening to see "South of Suez" (George Brent, Brenda Marshall)

Friday 6th June
Lofty and I went ashore 1300 and played billiards pm.
Met Ted 6pm and we went to see Congo Meuse (?) (Ann Southern)

Saturday 7th June
Raid in pm.
Stayed aboard in evening.
Heavy raid at about 11-1am.

Sunday 8th June
Heavy raid aprox 4am (bombs in town)
Recco raid pm. I Savoia (?) brought down.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Monday 9th June - Full moon
Went ashore at 1330 by myself.
Went to Rio in pm to see "This Thing Called Love" (Marilyn Douglas, Rosalind Russell)
Met Ted at 6pm and we went to Ritz to see "Tarnished Angel" and "The Girl and the Gambler" (Leo Carillio)

Tuesday 10th June - Betty's birthday
Did some work at joiners shop in am.
Went ashore 1330 and spent pm writing and a game of billiards at Fleet Club.
Went to Royal to see "The Invisible Woman" (John Barrymore, Virginia Bruce)

Wednesday 11th June
Cleared out AR shelter in am.
Stayed abord in evening and went for walk and had some figs.

Thursday 12th June
Went ashore with Lofty at 1330 and we had a game of billiards.
Met Ted and went to Majestic to see double feature (space) (George Roft(?), Ellen Drew) and "Torrid Zone" (Ann Sheridan, James Cagney, Pat O'Brien)
Saw Noel...

Friday 13th June
Wrote to Aunt Julia and Eric Macbain in am.
Stayed aborad in eveing.

Saturday 14th June
Airraid 0320. Mines dropped.
Went ashore by myself 1330 and wrote to Phil at the Fleep Club.
Went to Plaza in evening to see "Maisie" (Ann Southern, Robert Young, Ian Hunter, Ruth Hussey) and "Captain Fury" (Brian Oherne (?) Victor McLaughton)

Sunday 15th June
Duty watch - MWP Jock Watch 8 - 12 at RAF 2.

Monday 16th June
Peeled ships in am.
Got paid in pm 2 pounds.
Bought white duck hat PT 8 1/2.
Went ashore with Lofty at 1630 and met Ted at 6.
Went to Rialto to see "I want a Divorce" (Joan Blondell, Dick Powell)

Tuesday 17th June
Went to dockyard in am.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Wednesday 18th June
Air raid at about 0430.
Not much damage.
Went ashore with Lofty and Cookie.
Played Cookie at billiards and lost 10 + 4 akkers.
Lofty and I went to Royal in evening to see "The Phantom Raider" (Walter Pidgeon, Florence Rice)

Thursday 19th June Airraid warning 0200.
Nothing much.
Stayed aboard in evening and wrote letters.

Friday 20th June
Went ashore 1630 with Lofty and Stokes.
Went to Ritz to see "The Great Profile" (Jphn Barrymore)
Air raid warning while at Fleet Club - nothing.
Letters from Phil, Betty and Rod.

Saturday 21st June
Air raid for a couple of hours till dawn - 0530.
Bombs dropped.
C in C's working party all day.

Sunday 22nd June
Peaceful night.
Went ashore with Lofty 1330 and we had a game of billiards.
Met Ted and Eric and went to Majestic to see (space) and "The Castle on the Hudson" (John Garfield, Ann Sheridan, Pat O'Brien)

Monday 23rd June
Air raid - 0600.
Bomb dropped.
Carted stretchers in am.
Was in MWP but not needed for night.

Tuesday 24th June
Van arrived from hospital in pm.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Wednesday 25th June
Peaceful night.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Thursday 26th June SIDI BISHR (??)
Moved to SB camp at 1400.
Saw Ernie and Burt Hektor off for home at 2000 and gave him my photos.

Friday 27th June
Spent am waiting at sick bay.
Van and I went ashore 1630.
Had bath and eats at Fleet Club.
Went to Royal in evening to see "And One Was Beautiful" (Larona Day (?) Robert Cummings Jean Muir)

Saturday 28th June
Air raid 0300 - 0500. Pretty heavy.
3 planes down.
Got paid part kit money am 5 pounds.
Van, Lofty and I went to Camp Cinema in evening to see "Clouds over Europe" (Laurence Olivier, Valerie Hudson (?))

Sunday 29th June
Air raid early am. Pretty heavy.
Duty in dining hall all day.
Went to conema in evening with Van and Lofty to see "The Phantom Stage" (Bob Baker) and "A Spot of Bother" (Roberta Hare (?))

Monday 30th June
Went ashore with Van and had bath and eats.
Went to Rio afterwards to see "Too Many Girls" (Lucille Ball)

Tuesday 1st July
Air raid early am.
Lt Munro brought mail up for me.
2 Phil, 2 Betty, Joan, Aunt Theresa, Rod, Bernard Myers.
Went to cinema in eveing to see "Spy in Black" (Conrad Veidt (?) Valerie Hobson (?))

Wednesday 2nd July
Given special duty as Messenger at The House.

Thursday 3rd July
Forenoon watch.
Van and I went ashore at 1630.
I went to Royal to see "Sporting Blood" (Robert Young, Maureen O'Sullivan, Lewis Stone)

Friday 4th July
Afternoon watch.

Saturday 5th July
Dog watches.
Went to Camp Cinema in evening with Lofty and saw "A Fight to the Finish" and "It Happened in Hollywood" (Fay Wray, Richard Dix)

Monday 14th July
Moved from 76 to 61 tent.
Dog watches.
Went to Camp Cinema in evening and saw "Paid to Dance" and "City Streets" Leo Carrillio)

Wednesday 23rd July HMS ARPHA
Drafted to Arpha.
Left SB at 0800 and sent to Canopus (?) to await ship.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Sunday 3rd August
Did corrections all am.
Went ashore at 1330 and met Lofty and Ted.
Played billiards and walked around.
Went to Rialto to see "Arise My Love" (Roy Millard, Claudette Colbert) in evening.
False air raid alarm 2200.

Tuesday 5th August
4 raid alarms early am.
Stayed abord in evening.

Thursday 7th August
Air raid alarm 0130.
Heavy raid 2230 - 2345.
Stayed aboard.
Sig Smith came from hospital.

Friday 8th August EX ARPHA
Left Arpha at 1400 and went via Cairo to SB camp - 39 tent.
Went to Camp Cinema in evening to see "Jonnie" but air raid evening stopped half of it.
Air letter from Phil.

Monday 11th August
Mucked around all day.
Went to Camp Cinema evening to see "The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt" (Warren William, Joan Perry)

Tusday 12th August
Air raid about 0300.
Request about book in am.
Went ashore with Briggs in pm and went swimming.
Went to Club for supper and wrote to Phil.
Went to Camp Cinema in evening to see "Last Train from Madrid" (Lew Eyers, Dorothy Lamour, Robert Cummings)

Sunday 17th August
Took afternoon watch.
Went ashore with Stripey Pask at 1630 and we went to Ritz to see "My Son, My Son" (Madeline Carrol, Brian Aherne, Louis Hayward)
Had my photo taken.

Tusday 19th August
Went to BAO in am. Got 2 pounds back pay and then to 46 shed ...
Called in at ARPHA
Air raid warning 0300.
Went ashore at 1630 and went to Rialto to see "Saturday's Children" (Ann Shirley, John Garfield (?) and "Tugboat Annie Bails Again" (?? can't read easily - too small)
Wednesday 20th August
Air raid 0345 - 0515.
Took dog watches.
Didn't fall in for diversions and had to double for 30 minutes.
Was supposed to go on draft at 1100 but missed train.

Tuesday 26th August
Air raid 0345 to 0515.
Took forenoon watch.
Bountiful Cdrs' (?) Brilliancy at Requestman. (Don't know what that might mean)
Stayed aboard in evening and wrote to Phil 30.

Thursday 28th August
Air raid alarm 0250. Phoney.
Told to pack kit and leave at 1400 but it was also phoney - cancelled.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Saturday 30th August
Told to pack kit and move off but once again a phoney.
Got paid casual 1 pound.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Sunday 31st August
Took forenoon watch.
Got shoes resoled in pm 20PT.
Stayed aboard and wrote to Phil 31.
Air raid 2130 to 2300.

Tuesday 2nd September
Forenoon watch - Mail galore.
Phil 4, Pixie 2, Betty 1, Rod 1, Pixie 1 Air Mail LC, 1 parcel from Pixie, Betty, Paul and Gill, and 1 from Edwards family. (Canned fruit, cream, Players fags, film, mags) (1 sweater, 50 fags, sweets) 50 max as well from Phil.
Stayed aboard and wrote to P & B in evening.

Wednesday 3rd September
Bugs nearly kidnapped me 0140 - 0600.
Forenoon watch.
Air raid 2015 - 2130.
Phoney warning 2200 to 2245.
Bugs not so bad after successful am's bug hunt.
2 destroyed.

Friday 5th September
Forenoon watch.
Court Martia SB am.
Stayed aboard and wrote to Phil in evening beginning 32.
Phoney warning 2130 to 2200.

Monday 8th September
Forenoon watch.
Went to Concert at barraks in evening (Hello Happiness)
Two warning 2300 and 2315 - 0000.

Tuesday 9th September
Afternoon watch.
Paul's ship arrived 1355.
Took afternoon watch.
Wrote to P & B in evening.

Wednesday 10th September
Forenoon watch.
Went ashore at 1630 to see Paul on his ship.
Went ashore afterwards an went to Rialto to see "Honeymoon for Three" (Ann Sheridan, George Brent (?), Charles Ruggles)
Walked back with RAF chap.

Thursday 11th September HMS HARROW
Buoght blue suit PT 30.
Left camp at 1000 and went aboard Harrow.
Letters Phil 1, Rod 1. Mail off 1.
Went to see Paul in pm but he was not there.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Friday 12th September
Duty pm and evening.
Met Paul, John and Colin Peters on quay in pm.

Saturday 13th September
Raid 0445 very short.
Went ashore to BAO in am and I got some pay 5 pounds.
Went ashore at 1300 and went over to spend pm with Paul.
We both went to town at 1800.
Had eats, then went to see "Gone With The Wind" at Royal.
Aboard at 0030.

Sunday 14th September
Went along to Paul's ship at 1700 and he and John and I chappted till 1930.
Finished letter to Phil - 33.

Monday 15th September
Air raid 0445.
Duty pm onwards.
Clocks back 1 hr at 2359.

Tuesday 6th September
Air raid 0215.
Went and called on Paul and then went to Rio to see "Tin Pan Alley" (Alice Faye (?) Betty Grable, John Payne, Jack Oakie)
Bought khaki shorts 21 PT.

Tuesday 18th September
Duty pm onwards.
Stayed aboard and played a bit of bridge in evening.

Wednesday 19th September
Went to Paul's ship 1600 and met John and Colin there.
Left early as Paul had to go (in shorthand)
John and I went to Fleet Club and had supper there.
Lofty, John and I went to Majestic to see "21 Days Together" (Vivian Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Leslie Banks) and "He Stayed fro Breakfast" (Loretta Young, Melvyn Douglas.)

Saturday 20th September
Duty pm sub for Yeo. Foster.
Stayed abord in evening.
One old (shorthand) from Phil.

Sunday 21st September
Stayed aboard.
Letter from Phil - Airmail.

Monday 22nd September
Went ashore with Dock, Ginger and Lofty.
Had a game of billiards and went to New Metropole to see stage show (Camp Caesar)

Tuesday 23rd September
Letter from Pixie (Air)
Duty for Foster.

Wednesday 24th September
Letter from Betty.
(Sea 23 days)
Went to spend pm with Paul.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Saturday 4th October
Schick razor from Pixie.
(Shorthand) in evening. Cooled pm.
Raid warning 1920 - phoney.

Sunday 5th October
Sweep am.
Anchored (Same shorthand as on 4th) right away.
Stayed aboard in evening.

Friday 17th October
In harbour.
Scrubbed and cleaned in am.
Went ashore with Harry and Somerset.
Fleet Club (snooker) then to Rialto to see "Road to Zanzibar" (Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour)

Friday 24th October
In harbour all day.
Went ashore with Doc and Ginger.
Went to Rialto to see "I Wanted Wings" Roy Millard, Constance Moore, Veronica Lake)
Letters Phil 1, Pix 1, Rod 1, Joan 2.

Sunday 2nd November
Paul in am.
Went ashore 1300 and he and I went into town and had tea.
Dropped him and met Ginger, played billiards.
Went to Rio to see "Great American Broadcast" (Alice Taylor, Jack Oakie, (something) Ramero)

Wednesday 5th November - My Birthday (20th)
D Dockyard 1700.
Went ashore with Ginger at 1800.
Played billiards.
Went to Ritz to see "Kitty (something)" (Ginger Rogers)
On board 0030.

Sunday 9th November
Diversions am.
Duty felt lousy.

Saturday 6th December
Alongside.
Went ashore with Ginger 1300.
Went to dkyd to see Paul but not there.
Played billiards at Fleet Club and then went to Ritz to see "Play Girl" (Roy Frances)

Wednesday 24th December
Sweep forenoon.
Went asore with Red and Ginger at 1600.
Got soaked there and back.
Bought shoes.
Went to Rialto to see "Navy Blues" (Ann Sheridan, Jack Oakie)

Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day)
Sweep forenoon.
AM noon.
Duty aboard.

Friday 26th December
Moved to 40.
Am boiler clean.
Went ashore 1700.
Went to Rio to see "Blood and Sand" Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Rita Hayworth)
Met Bigney (?) and aboard 2230.

Saturday 27th December
Alongside all day.
Duty.

Sunday 28th December
Stayed aboard in evening.

Monday 29th December
Duty aboard.
Caught cold.
Letters from Phil and Pixie.

Tuesday 30 December
Rainy, cloudy and cold all day.
Went ashore with Steve at 1700.
Went to second house "Lady Hamilton" (Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier" at Royal.
Aboard at 1230.

Wednesday 31st December
Drew new 10" (something) Paid 3 pounds.
Aboard evening - duty.
A big change in his life from the beginning of this diary to the end...

Diary 1938 - He aged 16/17

This is the year he started work full time - First at Commercial Union Assce Co., and then Union Castle Mail SS Co.

The family moved to another home in Tamboers Kloof during this year.

In the beginning of the diary there is a list of dates and how far he drove with a running total of miles driven to date.

This diary has rubber stamped on each date WEATHER, VISITORS, POST (sent and received), SHIPS IN, SHIPS OUT.

Details for every day. All entries neatly written with a fined nibbed, blue inked fountain pen.

In each diary there is a selection of his signatures - I remember "trying out" my signature 'till I found the one that felt right and then it stayed fairly constant. His handwriting also is sometimes straight up and sometimes slanted. I only ever knew his handwriting to be slanted - this earlier handwriting is interesting to see.

On some of the days next to the date, with no pattern that makes sense to me, is a little circle with a dot in the middle of it. eg: January - Sat 1st, Monday 3rd, Friday 7th, Sunday 9th, Wednesday 12th, Friday 14th, Sunday 16th, Tuesday 18th, Thursday 20th, Sunday 23rd, Tuesday 25th, Thursday 27th, Sunday 30th. If anyone has any idea... please let me know?

At the end of the diary is a dated list of Books read, Bioscopes seen and Ping-Pong played, including scores. A more detailed list of income and expenditures in this diary than before.

Here are some of the entries (apart from the Weather, Visitors, Post Ships in and Ships out:

Tuesday 4th January
Wrote application to Commercial Union Assurance Company in evening.

Thursday 6th January
Went down to Commercial Union Assce Co in pm and saw Mr Boddy and Mr Arnold and was told to start on Monday 10th.

Friday 7th January
Paid rent and got my learners licence in am.
Fred, Mam and I went for a drive round Fish Hoek and Chapman's Peak in pm. Drove 42 miles. Called in at "Fairmead" on way.

Sunday 9th January
First Cape Argus comic coloured section.
Heard about comet on October 30th 1937 that nearly hit us.
Made shelf for car in am and put it in.
The Aldunes went for picnic to Stellenbosch with German sailors and v. Rynevelds.
We all went to the dock in pm and had dinner at Moullie Point.

Monday 10th January
STARTED WORK AT THE COMMERCIAL UNION ASSCE CO LTD.

Monday 17th January
Senior Certificate results in Cape Times. Saw that I passed 1st class.
Eric was supposed to come in Winchester.
Helped Mr Woodhead all day at work.

Tuesday 18th January
Mr Boddy away looking at wrecked houseboat on Palmiet River all day. Helped Mr Woodhead.

Wednesday 19th January
Helped Mr Woodhead all afternoon.
Mr Evans came and congratulated me in am.
Made board for ships etc. in evening.

Monday 24th January
Ma and I met Eric in Dunnotar Castle from Coast at 8am and brought him up.
Got this diary at Galvin and Sales in pm for 3/-
Eric went down town in pm and came home with me 5:30.
Mickey went to first Tech class in evening.
The family, Eric and Paul went to Muizenberg beach in evening and came back via de Waal drive.
Took night photo of town.
Drove 24 miles.

Tuesday 8th February
Got a new spool. 1/9
Made desk light in evening.
Probation officer phoned in am.
Constantia fire burnt down to Hout Bay and Dr Schaiff's house burnt.

Thursday 24th February
Union Castle Company phoned about job in am and I went in pm and am to start on April 1st. Talked to Mr Boddy about it.
Changed my room around in pm.
Pixie took Aunt Joyce down to post a letter in evening.
Got paid today. (His pay is in code - I can't work out the amount.)

Wednesday March 2nd
Mr Woodhead was away for his holiday.
Helped Mr Griffiths all day.
Pixie got me soap (in code 1/6d)
Fixed up my ships timing apparatus very accurately.
Ma and Aunt Joyce went to see "No Limit" at Alhambra in evening.
Pawnbroker was shot in town at noon - Long St.

Saturday March 5th
MY SATURDAY OFF
Went down town in am and Ma got wool and I met Pixie and went to be tested for my driving licence (Passed) went back to Paul's office brought electric train home. Played with it in evening.

Thursday March 10th
Started learning shorthand in evening.
Caught the 5:5pm bus in pm.
Row in the house (Quiet) (in code AJ)
Pawnbroker murderer caught.

Sunday March 13th
Took photos of train in am and played with it most of the day.
Paul and I walked down to cafe for cigs. and then Ma, Betty, Aunt Joyce and I went for walk along Ocean View Drive.
Row with His Lordship.

Monday March 21st
New driver and conductor on Springbok bus.
Apples arrived for Mickey.
First whalers from Antartica in.

Saturday March 26th
Paul came back from Port Elizabeth in pm.
Rigged up the train in my room in pm.

Sunday March 27th
Played with the train quite a lot.
Cleaned the car in am.
The family and Paul went to the docks in pm and then to "Fairmead" and dropped him.
Drove 19 miles.
Ma and I walked down to cafe in evening.

Thursday March 31st
Aunt Joyce moved out of our room in am to Aunt Ethel's.
Finished up at the Commercial Union and got testimonial from Mr Evans.

Friday April 1st
SE Gale all day.
STARTED WORK AT THE UNION CASTLE MAIL SS Co.
Paul came to supper and then he and Pixie went to see "The Perfect Specimen" in evening. Paul slept night.

Monday April 4th
Betty hired "royal" typewriter from work and Ma and I drove down in pm and fetched it.
She also got ink and inked my pad.
Practiced typing in evening.

Tuesday April 26th
Got paid today (in code 9 pounds 7/-)

Thursday April 28th
Did a lot of typing.
Pixie and Ma went to see Colin off for Pietermaritzburg at 9pm.

Tuesday 17th May
(in code - Bad luck all afternoon)

Friday May 27th
Got paid today and cashed my cheque (in code 9 pounds 7/-)
Tried to get Nautical magazine ticket books.

Saturday May 28th
Carved bows of model ship in pm.
Betty worked all pm.

Friday June 24th
Polliack's man came in am.
Pilot man came in pm and left wireless for us to try.
Pixie got me some new soap.
Got a book out of library at work.

Monday June 27th
They took away the HMV away in pm.
Worked late on commissions in evening and had dinner at work.
Got paid (in code 9 pounds 3/6)

Tuesday July 12th
Hamilton went up the mountain in am.
Ma went to see Hamilton off on Dunnotar (ship) in pm.
Listened to 26th and last episode of The Three Musketeers on wireless in evening.

Thursday July 14th
Stayed to lunch at work and played table tennis. Beat Campbell. Earp beat me.
Ma went to Mrs Bells in pm.
Listened to broadcast from America of round-the-world flyers 2.37pm = 8.37pm NY.
Hughes 3 3/4 days around world.

Wednesday July 27th
"Dominican Monarch" launched in pm
Got paid today (in code 8 pounds 19/6)

Thursday July 28th
Stayed to lunch at work and played table tennis. Beat Leslie 2. Lost to C Smith 2.
Played Mr Bailey after work and won 21 - 18 (8)
Lost to Hunter and Haupt (1) Beat Haupt, Rowan and Stock.
Ma finished my grey pair of socks.

Saturday July 30th
Bought a bottle of Watermans Royal Blue Ink 6d.
Pixie and Paul went to see "The Three Comerades" at the Plaza in evening.
Ma and Betty went house hunting down Green Point way.
Betty and I fetched coal etc at Fish's in pm.

Monday August 8th
Stayed to lunch at work and weighed out tea.
Saw Voortrekker business.
Played a set of table tennis after work and lost to Rowan.
Heard that I have to go to Confirmation on Tuesdays at 8pm.

Tuesday August 9th
Went to first confirmation class at St Albans in evening. Ma and Betty walked down with me.
(Every Tuesday after that for a long while he went to confirmation)
Drove the car down to Stevens before work and fetched it in pm. He drove me there and back.

Monday August 29th
Stayed and had lunch at work.
Ma went and fetched Aunt Julia after the Aunt's had moved out.
Listened to Murdo MacDonald in evening and he mentioned Uncle Walter as being the first South African to command a Mail liner.

Thursday September 1st
Stayed and played Table Tennis with Impey at lunch time. Beat him 9 out of 10.
Had a hair cut after work.
Ma and Betty and I went and looked at house on Main Rd after supper.
Pixie and I went to see Errol Flynn and Olivia de Haviland in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" at the Colosseum in evening by car.
Heard that we are starting at 8:30 and finishing at 4:30 as from Oct 1st.

Friday September 9th
Stayed and had lunch at work.
JH Hofmeyer resifned from Parliament (Fourie)

Saturday August 10th
Britian issued ultimatum to Germany.
Paul got new coat etc.
Britian 21 South Africa 16. Rugby.Friday September 16th

Friday September 16th
Came home to lunch.
Auntie went out in pm.
Blew the fuse with the toaster.
Pixie and Paul went to see "Lord Jeff" at Plaza in evening.
Shorthand 11wpm
Typing 16 wpm

Friday September 23rd
DADDY'S BIRTHDAY
Stayed and had lunch at work.
Stayed and played ping-pong after work. Beat Rowan 2. Lost to Rowan 2, Haupt 2.
Don came in evening and we played ping-pong.
Ma and Pixie went to see house in Tamboers Kloof in evening.

Saturday September 24th
Ma and Pixie went to Lily's in pm
Pixie and Betty went with Paul by car to Philippa's (my mother) 21st birthday pary at Dorothy's Studio.

Monday September 26th
AUNT ETHEL'S BIRTHDAY (his aunt, my mother's mother)
Stayed and had lunch at work.
Pixie had holiday.
Ma went to Aunt Ethel's (her sister) birthday and saw house into which we are moving on Saturday.
Ma Pixie and Paul went to Kowolsky's party in evening.
Hitler spoke in evening.

Saturday October 1st
Packed everything up and Betty, Pixie and I came over to new house and Pixie went back.
L Kriel moved us over to 35 Carstens Street and finished about 9pm.

Tuesday October 4th
Had a hair cut at lunch time.
Saw Bezarius.
Got out at 4:30 and went to cricket meeting at 4:45
Did not have to go to Confirmation and listened to "The Saint"
Rex was lost and Pixie and I went to look for him and found him at "Landford Lawn" with Robbs.

Saturday October 8th
Mr Coke left on Arundel for his holiday.
Philippa, Betty and I went to see "The Mercury" (flying boat) in the new basin at 5pm.
Betty did jig-saw puzzle in evening.

Monday October 17th
WILLIAM'S WEDDING DAY (my mother's sister Marjorie, my father's cousin, was William's bride)
Ma Pixie and Betty went to Bronta for Marjorie's wedding reception at 11am.
Stayed at work and had lunch at work.
Wrote for missing vouchers.

Tuesday October 18th
Bought lunch and wwalked around town.
Hogg came and helped all day.
Went to confirmation class in evening.
Saw first new trolley bus.

Tuesday November 1st
Came home to lunch
Aunt Ethel and family moved out of Bronta to Blamey by Kriel.
Went to confirmation class in evening.

Saturday November 5th
MY BIRTHDAY (17th)
Wore my new suit for first time.
Hamilton and I went by car to cricket and he went and had a swim.
Scored 0. Took 2 for 5. UC 2nd 129 Jaggers 34 won by 134 runs.
Played table tennis in evening.
Hamilton gave me mouth organ. Aunt Julia gave me 5/-

Friday November 25th
Stayed and had lunch at work.
Went and got my cricket boots at Jaggers in pm and took them to Oaksoles for hob nails to be put in.
Hamilton went out in evening.

Sunday December 11th
Ham, Paul and I played cricket in am.
Had shooting competition.
We all went for swim at Strandfontein and dropped Paul on way home.
The Thorlunds arrived at 6pm from Johannesburg.
Went to Church in evening and was confirmed by Bishop Lavis. The family, Thorlunds, and Ham came to service. We all went for drive to Camps Bay, Kloof Nek etc afterwards.

Sunday December 25th
Presents: Shaving set (family) Scarf (Ham) Wallet (Eric) Handkerchiefs (Aunt Julia and Joan) Pitman's Journal (Mrs Thorlund.)
Joan and I went in their car to play at Jewish wedding at Alphen in pm.
Mrs Thorlund, Joan and I went for drive in their car to Constantia Nek, Hout Bay, Marine Drive and picked up Hamilton at Sea Point at 6pm. Drove 30 miles.
Played cricket in pm and Paul nearly broke window.
Pixie felt sick in pm and evening.
Ma Betty, Mrs T and I went for drive to Sea Point in evening.

At the end of the entry of Saturday December 31st...
THE END. underlined.

Best Shows 1938
Test Pilot
A Slight Case of Murder
A Yank at Oxford
One Hundred Men and a Girl
Three Loves his Nancy
Too Hot to Handle
The Adventures of Robin Hood
26 movies seen in 1938

Best Books Read in 1938
The Freak of St Freda's
The Man in the Stone House
The Double
28 books read in 1938

The end of the first year of his working life of many years.

Diary 1937 - Age 15/16

Dad would have been 15/16 years old this year of 1937.

A bigger diary - Letts Quickref South African Union Rough Diary for 1936 altered every day to fit 1937. Part way through Dad acquired day-name rubber stamps which made the changes a little easier.

His address after moving in the early part of the year from Florida to Cape Town and a couple of moves there:

"Ballyhye"
Off Springbok Rd.,
Green Point,
Cape.

Listed in the front:
Kar key - 8154
Luggage - 8382

BOOKS READ DURING 1937
The Night Express Murder - LA Knight
The Second Form Master of St. Cyrils - H Escott-Inman
The Street of Adventure - Philip Gibbs
Black Boxer Tales - HE Bates
Pepper's Crack Eleven - Rowland Walker
Captains Courageous - Rudyard Kipling
Poo Lom of the Elephants - Reginald Campbell
Death in Tiger Valley - Reginald Campbell
Fear in the Forest - Reginald Campbell
Swart Slang - EB Grosskopf
The Day's Work - Rudyard Kipling (read twice)
Seuns van die Wolke - August van Oordt
Mof en sy Mense - PJ Langenhoefen
The Banner of the Bull - Rafael Sabatini
Die Swart Hand - Hendrik Brand
Hans die Skipper - DF Malherbe
Green Hell - Julian Duguid (read twice)
Bande - AH Jonker
Dir Rooihuide - Henty
The Sword of Monsieur Blackshirt - David Graeme
Die Wandelende Gevaarte - CJ Langenhoeven
Mooi Annie - d'Arbez (I think)
A Great Sea Mystery - JG Lockhart
Big Foot (I think) - Edgar Wallace
Kort Verhale - E Serfontein
Die Diamant Halssnoer - Beeba
Donker Spore - CJ Langenhoeven
Kees - GC & SB Holson
Die Moord van Boontjiekloof - Dirk Terblank
Skankwan van die Duine - GC & SB Holson
Kenya Mist - Florence Riddell
Champion Annual 1938
Storm Music Dornford Yates
Good Gestes (I think) PC Wren
The Snake and the Sword - PC Wren
The Whistlers' Room - Paul Alverdes
The Viper of Milan - Marjorie Bowen

BIOSCOPE PICTURES SEEN IN 1937 with dates seen (once or twice a month), graded by him, and where seen.
The Devil Squadron (Very Good) - Plaza Johannesburg
The Crime Doctor (Good) - Elstree Cape Town
Diplomaniacs (Rotten) - Elstree CT)
Stand and Deliver (Very Good) - S.A.C.S. Cape Town
The Midshipmaid (Medium) - SACS CT
Roberta (VG) - Elstree CT
The 39 Steps (G) - Elstree
Dark Journey (G) - Plaza CT
Captains Courageous (G) - Plaza
Brown on Resolution (G) - Elstree
Top Hat (G) - Elstree
King Solomon's Mines (G) - Alhambra CT
FPI (G) - Apollo CT
The Invisible Man (G) - Apollo
Marie Gelante (G) - Elstree
The Lises of a Bengal Lancer (I think) (VG) - Apollo
The Three Muskateers (G) - Ritz CT
Paddy, the Next Best Thing (G) - Apollo

A list of books lent and to whom and when returned.

And then the diary entries I selected from the daily meticulous entries:

Sunday January 3rd:
Owen took us for picnick with a whole lot of others to King's Kloof.

Monday January 4th:
Pixie (sister) worked 'till 8pm.
Train 20 mins late in morning.

Monday January 11th:
Ma and Pixie went with Murdochs to fortune teller in afternoon.

Wednesday January 13th:
Worked late and caught 7.56pm train.

Tuesday January 19th:
Worked late and caught 7.54 train which was late.
Ma and I covered in back verandah in evening.

Thursday January 21st - MAMMY's BIRTHDAY:
Lambert and I weren't allowed to do envelopes.
Had party in evening (fifteen named people) came.

Friday January 22nd - PIXIE's BIRTHDAY:
Pixie received news that she was going to Cape Town on Monday.
Worked late and caught 7.56pm.

Saturday January 23rd:
Went down to Mr Penny's farm at Parys with Owen. Took 3hrs 29 mins for 88.1 miles.
Had dinner out in the open in evening.

Tuesday January 26th:
Worked late and caught 7o.clock.
Rained a bit in the afternoon.
Got two new people into the office today.
Bought "Pepper's Crack XI" for 6d.
Marked towels etc in evening.
Ma and Betty packed in evening.
Betty (sister) took my spool in.

Wednesday January 27th:
Worked late and caught 7 o'clock train.
Mr Burnett warned Lambert and I.
Pixie arrived in Cape Town at 9.30am and wired us.
Betty brough my films home.

Thursday January 28th:
Worked late and caught 7 o'clock train.
The Murdoch's took us over to Crofts and we had our fortunes told.
Rained a bit in morning and afternoon.
Mrs Hitchins' girl was killed in pm.
Betty left Dickinsons and got travelling case.

Saturday January 30th:
Fred lifted me into work in morning.
Betty left for Cape Town at 6.10pm & Ronnie Kilmartin took us in.
Raymond had accident with Fred while he was taking us home.
Roddy and I played cricket in pm.
Mam and I went to Kilmartin's for a bit in evening.
Got paid today and got a month's notice.
Grand Prix 1. Larsfield 2. Earl Howe 3. MacNichol.

Sunday January 31st:
Roddy and I played cricket in morning and afternoon.
Ma and I packed in evening.
The Keenan Smith's and Mrs Penny came in afternoon.
Mrs Murdoch and Raymond came for a while.
Eric phoned in evening.

Sunday February 7th:
Mr Andrews took us to tea at Mulders' Drift with Mrs Simmonds and Mrs Clapperton.
Raymond and Wishaw came in evening.
Own was supposed to come.
Sold my bicycle to Que-Que.

Monday February 8th:
Mrs and Miss Austin, Mrs Kilmartin and Mrs Murdoch came in evening.
Started collection of number plates.
Vacuum cleaner man came in morning.
Got letter from Betty.

Tusday February 9th:
Ma and I mowed lawn with Mrs Austin's mower.
Lights went out in evening.
Mrs Murdoch, Ma and I went to Butchers in afternoon.
Rained now and then during the day.

Wednesday February 10th:
Mrs Smith, Own and Valerie came in evening.
Also Mrs Murdoch and Betty.
Ma and I had dinner with Murdochs in evening.
Rained all day.
Got letter from Pixie about Paul and her. (Pixie and Paul (her cousin) got serious about each other I guess)
Jolly cold in evening.

Friday February 12th:
Ma 'phoned up Sam Zidel and he came in evening and looked at house.
Mrs Murdoch and Betty came in evening.
Got letter from Pixie in pm.
Took photos of house in pm.
Rained a bit.
Went to PO in morning and sent 2 pounds to Pixie and Betty.
Cold night.

Saturday February 13th:
Took flowers and library ticket to Mrs Dealy in morning.
Went down to Roddy too.
Sam Zidel came again in morning.
Mr Franck brought people along and put notice on gate.
Took "Ken-Wyn" (name of house) off the gate.

Tuesday February 16th:
Went over to Kilmartins in evening.
Mrs Murdoch stayed for 2 1/2 hrs in afternoon.
Went and watched them dig up road for a bit.

Sunday February 21st:
Owen called in on way to town.
Mr Stanton came out again with his mother and other two.
Ma and I went to Mrs Carter's in evening and we all went for walk to lake (Florida Lake)

Tuesday February 25th:
MR STANTON SAID HE WOULD BUY THE HOUSE.
Walked down to PO and sent wire.
Did lid for packing case.
Ma phoned Polliacks for 3rd time.
Got letter from Pixie.

Monday March 1st:
Started making road in our block.
Ma and I walked to Mrs Carter's for a bit in the evening.
Walked down to dorp in morning and sent wire to Auntie Julia.
Got letters from Mrs Penny, Pixie, Betty, and Auntie Julia.
Made viewfinder for camera.
Australia 604. England 184 for 4.

Wednesday March 10th:
Ma and I went to Roodepoort & post office in morning. Missed trains and lost gloves.
Went to Austins for lunch.
Roddy came up and played cricket in pm. Broke bat.
Got letter from Betty in pm.
Ma went to Kil's in evening for a bit.

Saturday March 13th:
Had letters from Pixie and Betty.
Roddy came up and said goodbye in am.
Ma took luggage to station in Murdoch's car.
Had lunch at Murdoch's and they took us to station. Mrs Simmonds, Mrs Haggerty and Eric came to see us off as well.
Went to feed Rex (dog) and Kittly (cat) at 11.15 pm Kimberley and fed them.

Sunday March 14th:
Went to see Rex and Kitty at Beaufort West and found them both gone.
Went to fetch Kitty at Prince Albert Road and found her gone.
Went to fetch Kitty at Touws River and brought her into compartment.
Arrived at Cape Town at 8.15pm. Pixie, Betty and Paul were there o meet us. Went to see about Rex and took taxi up to Bronta (the house where her sister Ethel {my mother's mother}lived)

Monday March 15th:
Mam, Paul and I went house-hunting to Kenilworth etc.
Found a hours in Tamboers Kloof and decided to live in it.
Went down to see Mr Esterhuizen in evening.
Heard news that Rex was on train arriving 3.12pm Tuesday.

Tuesday March 16th:
Heard that Rex was only coming tomorrow at 9.30am
Auntie Theresa and Paul came in evening.
Wired Stuttafords in pm and bought "Champion".

Wednesday March 17th:
Mam and Auntie Joyce, Paul and I went to meet Rex and took him to Capsticks.
Bob and Don had a scrap in evening.
Dorothy {my mother's sister} came in evening.
Pixie, Betty, Philippa {my mother}, Don and Bob went to dancing in evening.
Auntie Ethel, Betty, Mam and I went for a walk near gun in evening.

Thursday March 18th:
Auntie Joyce, Mam and I went shopping and bought beds.
Auntie Ethel, Mam and I went ot Dorothy's bungalow for afternoon tea.
Auntie Joyce, Mam and I walked up to our house in evening to see about light.
Philippa had party here in evening and we all played games.

Saturday March 20th:
Philippa and I went and fetched plant at parade in morning.
Moved into new house "Kilima" in afternoon. (Poyser Road, Tamboerskloof.)
Pixie fetched Rex at Capsticks in pm.
Carted luggage up all afternoon.
Auntie Ethel, Marjorie (my mother's sister) and William came in evening.

Sunday March 21st:
Paul came for day.
Helped Ma make rockery in morning.
Paul, Pixie, Philippa, Roy and I walked up Signal Hill in pm.
Auntie Joyce came in evening.
Started on "Fear in the Forest"

Monday March 23rd:
Ma and Aunti Joyce went to town in morning and bought chairs and wardrobe.
Finished "Fear in the Forest"
Walked down to grocers in morning.
Auntie Joyce came in evening.
Black South Easter blowing in evening.

Tuesday March 23rd:
South Easter blowing all day.
Philippa came up in morning and I walked back with her to phone Auntie.
Mammie had a row with Miss Reissman.
Philippa brought Auntie up in afternoon.
Stuttafords stuff arrived in pm.
Paul, Aunti Joyce and Bob came in evening.
Made my clock with a big dial.

Friday March 26th (Good Friday):
Ma and I walked down to "Bronta" in am and I got book list and Ma got curios from Auntie Joyce.
Ma, Aunt Ethel, Pixie, Betty and I rode up to Kloof Nek and walked along Signal Hill and watched Carnarvon and Guilia Lesare(I think) go out.
Don, Bob and Auntie Joyce came in evening. Lent "Death in Tiger Valley" and "Fear in the Forest" to Don.

Saturday March 27th:
Betty and I went shopping in morning.
Went to Babas and Bronta in morning.
We all went to Auntie Julia's in pm and walked along High Level Rd and looked at house 126.
Paul wa supposed to come in evening.
Marjorie and William came in evening and delivered Auntie's message.

Friday April 2nd:
Went down to "Bronta" for post in am.
Ma and I went and got school uniform in pm and went to Rondebosch and Claremont with Auntie Joyce to see houses. Pixie locked herself out.
Ma and I went to see about house at 14 Milner road and also fetched wireless at "Bronta"

Monday April 5th:
STARTED SCHOOL AT SACS (south African College School) TODAY.
Went down town in afternoon and bought books.
Went and fetched post at "Bronta" in evening.
Bertie Sheldon came with Paul and took Pixie and Mam to look at houses in evening.
Found bungalow at Clifton.

Wednesday April 7th:
Auntie B died on our front steps at about 12 noon.
We all moved to "Fairmead" in pm. Bertie Sheldon brought Rex, Betty and I.
Ma came at about 11pm.

Thursday April 8th:
Rained in morning.
Chamowitz took Mammy around in pm.
Stayed at school and got cadet uniform, also bought lock.
Met Jeffrey Trollop in evening.
Lost Kitty in morning.
Went to shoemaker at playtime.

Saturday April 10th:
Rained in am.
Ma and I went to see house at Green Point and want to take it. Must wait 'till Monday.
Auntie came to see us in pm.
Pixie and Paul went to bio in evening.
Ma started my jersey in pm.

Sunday April 11th:
Paul stayed to supper with us.
Don and I played combination of cricket, baseball and kennetjie in afternoon.
(And then the beginning of several entries in code - "Auntie Joyce told me to get out + was offended")

Monday April 12th:
Ma and I walked to Butchers in pm.
Heard nothing about house.
(In code - "Was offended again")

Wednesday April 14th:
Stayed and got another cadet shirt in pm.
Ma and Pixie went to see about Bell's house in evening.
Ma nearly finished with jersey.
Ma finished my jersey.

Thursday April 15th:
Caught the 3.20pm with Schofield.
Ma went to Ethel Grant in afternoon.
Ma took new house at Green Point for 10 pounds.

Saturday April 17th:
Moved into new house "Ballyhye" at about 2pm and I travelled in lorry.
Rex went gadding in am.
Stuttafords stuff arrived at 3pm.
Paul came in pm and slept night.
He and I walked down and got Argus in evening.

Sunday April 18th:
Paul stayed for day and left at about 5pm.
Watched ships go in and out.
Ceramic (Ship?) left at 5pm.
Made bookcase in am.
NW gale blowing in night.
Wrote to Roddy in evening.

Tuesday April 27th:
Very clear day.
Learnt about presenting arms at cadets.
Ma and I watched Winchester go out in pm.

Thursday May 6th:
Auntie Theresa and Paul came in pm.
Learnt like hang for History test.
Made post box in am.

Friday May 7th:
Airship disaster (Hindenberg).
Pixie brought home field glasses.
Cloudy all day.
Was supposed to have gone in cadet uniform.
Betty and I went to see "Roberta" at Elstree in evening.
Betty's machine came in pm.
Miss Surridge was supposed to come in evening.
My Nestle's stamps came.
Put up post box in evening.

Wednesday May 12th:
CORONATION DAY GEORGE VI.
Had to go and parade at Green Point Common in am. and King George VI was crowned at 11am. Had to march there and back and got back at 1.35pm.
Don and Bob came in evening.
Auntie Joyce and Julia came for day.
Pixie went to lunch at "Maseru" and came home with Paul at 8.45pm.
Cloudy and cold all day.
King broadcasted at 9pm.

Monday May 17th:
Jewish holiday today.
Watched "Windhuk" go out in evening.
(In code - "Heard about Pixie and Paul")

Tuesday May 18th:
Went to dentist (Leslie Gray) and made appointment for Friday 28th.
Got my "Champion".
Pixie went and chose her ring in pm.
(In code - "Heard that Paul wanted to borrow 50 pounds")

Wednesday May 19th:
Paul came in evening and slept night.
Had phone put in at about 10am. No. 45018.
Cloudy all day.

Friday May 28th:
Went to dentist at 3.30 and he put in two proper fillings.
Nice warm day.
Got letter from Roddy.
Williams Hunt man came in am. and we went there in evening and bought a fawn 1936 Chevrolet Super de Luxe Master for (can't read the pound number)

Saturday May 29th:
Ma and I went garage hunting in am.
Mr Dorrington brought up car at noon.
Paul came to lunch and we all went for drive in pm to Camps Bay.
Paul took Pixie to Admiral's party in evening.
Cars number CA45905.Fixed up other rolling blinds on stoep.

Thursday 3rd June:
Fine day.
Had to go to DT for Science.
Had other Maths test.
Auntie Julia and Harry came in pm.
Ex-King Edward marries Mrs Simpson.

Monday June 14th:
My final mark 47%.
We all went in evening to Plaza to see Conrad Veidt in "Dark Journey."
Had letters from Eric and Roddy.
Had a lot of rain in pm.

Wednesday June 16th:
Rained all morning.
Dulio came in afternoon.
Fixed up sitting-room curtain to draw automatically.
Got new ticket in pm.
Heard that I came 14th 47%.
Rugby SA 63 Combined W Australia 0.

Saturday June 19th:
Pixie and I fetched car at about 2pm.
Peter came at 3pm and we all went for a drive to Milnerton and dropped Pixie and Peter at Rondebosch on way home.
Peter left for Clocolan in evening at 9.00.
Nice day and very clear in night.
Could hear waves distinctly.
Watched Pretoria and Athelone go out at noon.
Pixie slept night at Fairmead.
Ma, Betty and I played Bridge in evening.

Sunday June 20th:
North West gale blowing all day with a bit of rain.
"Jock" Allan left for England in Anchises at about 6pm.
Bertie Sheldon brought Pixie home at about 7pm.
Big sea running on breakwater.

Monday June 21st:
Went to dentist in morning and got Champion.
Hang of a North-West gale blowing and (62mph) waves breaking about 100ft over breakwater. Warwick 9 hours late from coast.
Paul came at 8pm and slept night.
Rain now and then during day.

Monday June 28th:
Jolly fine clear day.
Ma and I went down town in am and got mirror, dress, printing set etc. (Bank)
Got letter from Roddy in am.
Ma and I went for drive to Tiger Valley in pm and I drove 25 miles.
Pixie got engaged to Paul im pm and he came here in evening and they went for drive.
Edinburgh was 9hours late from coast.

Thursday July 1st:
New postage rate from today (Air Mail)
Nice am but NW wind and rain in pm.
Cleaned car in am.
Went to dentist at 4pm and had gold filling put in.
Fixed up front curtain again in evening.

Friday July 2nd:
NW gusts blowing all day with showers of hail now and then.
Paul came home to lunch with Pixie.
Walked down to main road at noon to get cigarettes.
Ma and I went for drive to Hout Bay in pm and I drove about 15 miles.

Friday July 9th:
Nice day.
Ma and I went down town in am and got money and photographs. Went to dentist afterwards.
Mended scales with Metallic - X.
Ma and I painted book case and stool.
Practiced gunnery while I was away.
Watched Athlone go out in pm.
Paul came in evening. Experimented with lead.

Sunday July 25th:
Cloudy and sunny all day with slight NW gale with rain in pm.
Paul fixed car hooter in pm. and I disconnected clock.
Ma and Betty went for walk up hill and got Bobbejaantjies. (wild flower bulbs.)
(In code - "Row in evening. Paul")

Saturday August 28th:
Nice day.
Photo of our school printed in Cape Times.
We all went to docks in pm and saw Giulio Cesare. Watched Tudor come in.
Also saw French scientists' sailing boat.
Paul and Pixie went to dance at Queen's in evening and Paul slept night.
Pixie gave Rex a bath in am.
SA 43 South Cantebury 6.

Wednesday September 1st:
Cloudy in am but cleared up in pm.
Ma and I went to Probation Office in pm.
Ma and Pixie went to Dorian and Rosie's in evening. to see about Magistrate for Micky.
Had Maths test. (Did well)
Heard that Paul has septic throat.
Yorkshire won country cricket championship 2. Middlesex 3. Derby.
Sir M Campbell broke water speed record in "Bleubird" 126.3 mph.
Previous record Gar Wood Miss America 124.86 mph.

Friday September 10th:
Fog over in am and cloudy and cold in pm.
Watched Athlone, Guilio Cesare and Thermopylea. go out in pm.
Took fish-tail off car's exhaust in pm.
Ma went to Aunt Joyce's and Aunt Ethel in am.
Were going to see "Baboona" in evening vut Pixie and Betty did not want to go.
Took my film to Heynes Matthew and got it developed. Made cricket score board and play in evening.

Thursday September 16th:
(in code - "Newlin and I had scrap about duster and chalk")

Wednesday September 29th:
Warm in pm but very thick fog over in am up to 2pm.
Made crossword puzzle in pm.
Got letter to say that Mickey was coming on Friday.
Heard that I got 58% and came 9th.
Paul came up with Pixie and brought dresses in pm.
Got school magazine 1/2d.
Durban coaster "Nahoon" ran ashore at Llandudno.
Tug LS McEvan fetched her in.

Sunday September 26th:
Cloudy all day.
Tried Bagatelle board in am and played in evening.
Some people came to look at house in pm.
Peggy, Paul and Pixie came in pm and we all went to Dorothy's for Aunt Ethel's birthday party.
Put flag on car.
Peggy and Paul stayed to supper and left at 10pm.

Thursday October 10th:
Quite a nice day but windy in pm
(In code - "Heard about Pixie's reduction in salary.")

Monday October 18th:
Cloudy now and then with a shower in pm. N Wester.
Heard about Union Castle Co. (in code - "job")
Balmoral and Edinburgh in. Ubena went out in pm.
Ma painted stained bookcase.
Oiled my bat.

Tuesday October 19th:
Cloudy now and then with cold South Easter.
Had cadets in uniform and were inspected by Colonel Armstrong.
Ma phoned up Mr Hutton in am about UCC J.
Brought Careers book home.
Betty got maize notepaper for me 1/-
Wrote to Roddy and Eric in evening.
Harry Jeffries came in evening.
Dandaff in. Edinburgh went out in pm.

Wednesday October 20th:
S East gale all day.
Asked Mr Hutton about UCC J.
Stayed to cricket practice in pm and took 15 wickets.
Micky picked up 2/6 at pier and brought 2ft ride 1/-, gimlet 6d, and spokeshave 1/-.

Monday November 1st:
Nice hot day with S Easter.
Micky got camera.
The grandfather clock stopped in pm.
Esterhuizen trouble again. Aunt Ethel and Dorothy came in am.
Pixie started at Coleman's today.
Edinburgh and Winchester in.

Friday November 5th MY BIRTHDAY:
Cloudy in am with rain but quite clear in pm.
Auntie came in pm and gave me 5/-
Aunt Joyce, Bob, Don, Harry and Paul and Dorothy came in evening.
The family gave me 10/-
Eric sent me telegram and Harry phoned at 7am.
Bob, Don, Mickey and I walked down to Cafe in evening and they played on gambling machines.
Ulysses, Guilio Cesare, Endinburgh and Vaalaren went out in pm.

Saturday 4th December:
Fine warm day with s easter in bay.
Ma and I went down town in am and paid rent etc. Got watch strip and drill, and two shirts and pair of socks.
Washed car in pm.
Pixie and Betty were supposed to go to dance but Paul had 'flu.
Ma and Pixie went to Aunt Ethel in evening.
Pretoria out at 12. (Can't read the name) in and out.
Umtali in and out.City of London in.
Made shipping game.

Sunday 5th December:
Fine warm day with S easter in bay.
Played docking game all day.
Ma, Aunt Joyce, Don, Micky and I went for walk along Ocean View Drive in evening.
Clan Macdougall come in in am. City of London left in pm.

Sunday December 12th:
Cloudy in am but clear in pm.
Pixie and Paul went for picnic at Seaforth for day and Paul came in evening.
Phoned up Joe and with Aunt Joyce we all went for a drive to Chapman's Peak. Drove 22 miles.
Bob and Don went out with their friend.
Bob printed photos in evening.
City of New York left in am.
Worked on ships' speeds and made graph.

Thursday December 23rd:
Fine hot day.
Aunt Joyce and Mrs Mason went out in am.
Wrote to Roddy and Eric and walked down to post letters in am.
Windhoek in. Calumet out.
Florida in. Troilies in.
Cleaned car in pm.
Practiced oing-pomg.
Rev Thompson came in pm.
Did decorations in evening.
Fred Kilmartin came in evening.
Got letter from UCC.
Got cards from Peggy and parcel from Eric.

Saturday December 25th CHRISTMAS DAY:
Fine warm day with South Easter in evening.
Presents:
10/- (family)
Dressing gown (Eric)
Handkerchiefs (aunt Julia)
Tie and Handkerchief (Micky)
Fred came to breakfast. Pixie, Betty and Micky went to church.
Paul came for a while at about noon.
We all went over to Fairmead to dinner and evening.
Got letter from Eric and card from Roy. Pixie got wire to do with job.

Sunday December 26th:
Fine warm day.
Paul came in am and stayed the day and evening.
Played ping-pong in pm and won 6d.
Auntie Julia came in pm and stayed in evening.
Gave epidioscope show in evening.
Aunt Joyce and Mrs Mason came in pm and latter went to Paarl in evening.
Warwick and Algorab in.

Thursday December 30th:
Fine hot day with S Easter in evening.
Walked down to docks with Rex in am.
Sent of application ofr shipping job in am.
Paul came to dinner and stayed evening and we played ping-pong.
Talisman out. Idonereus (I think) out.

Details of the trip to Mr Penny's farm 23/1/37 with distances, place names, and odometer readings as well as exact time details of each stop. Left at 12 noon exactly with odometer reading 0.0. Arrived 3.29 with odometer reading 88.1.
And then exact details again of the journey home which was 95.3 miles and took 3 hrs 25 min.

January and February cash account details and then October, November and December again.
January salary 6 pound 10/-
Fares (Train I guess) 7d, 8d, or 11d.
Sports Coat 1 pound 1/-
Hair cut 1/6d
Shoes 19/6d
Socks 2/6d
3 Shirts 11/9d
Pants 3/11d
Case 3/11d

A list of dates and the number of miles driven with a running total column. 237 miles driven in 1937.

A list of schools played against, where games played, Batting and Bowling details and averages.

A list of "Ping-Pong in Cape Town" with dates and scores.

Sports participated in in 1937: Cricket, tennis, ping-pong.

There seemed to be a couple of "drama's" developing and subsiding during this year. No details - just periodic references: One involved Micky and the other Mr Esterhuizen who seemed to stay at Aunt Ethel.

He and his mother made a table, a kitchen table, dressing table, and a new couch during this year.

Periodically he would record his current weight.

These are the quotes kept on slips of paper cut off a calendar which he slipped into this diary:
"Some people adhere so closely to the truth that you can't get it from them"
"When a person lets the cat out of the bag, somebody comes up to the scratch"
"Repartee is the retort you think of on the way home"
"Lazy men are as worthless as dead ones, and take up more room"
"When a woman says she won't be a minute, she's usually right."

I was surprised at his interest in various sports.
I was amazed at the detail of the ships in and out of the harbour once they moved to where they could see this daily.
I was interested to see his close relationship with his mother whom he called Ma, Mam or Mammie. I wonder how that name started? I wonder what his relations thought of this name for his mother - it feels strange to me. I was only vaguely aware he called her that.
I look very much like his mother. I have enjoyed "seeing" more of her through his diary.
I am interested in his intense attention to detail. I wonder if the various people realised they were so closely observed?!
I would love to have been able to ask what it was like moving from Florida where there was not any extended family around to Cape town where there was extensive extended family.
My mother was four years older than he. She would have beren about 21 at this time. He still at school, she living her young adult life. Not many references to her in this diary. I look forward to reading further diaries.
I noted the references daily to the weather. I was slightly nonplussed when speaking to my Dad on the phone after he and my Mother moved back to Cape Town after he retired, and I still here in Gauteng. He would ask at the beginning of every conversation how the weather was... I guess his awareness of the weather started early!
When I read this diary I am very glad he and my Mother were able to move back to Cape Town and live there a while.
I look forward to reading the next diary. Sometime soon he is going to write about his mother's death. I wondered if it would be in this diary...