No more "Ships In" and "Ships Out" rubber stamped for each daily entry. Just "Weather" "Visitors" and "Post" on every day date until the end of the year.
More and more of his time was spent on board ship - that meant less and less time at home with family.
Usually at least one weekly bioscope - a list of which is at the back of this diary.
There is also a list of special letters. Also a list of books read in this year.
Tuesday January 2nd:
Got paid by Navy in am. 3 pounds 0/9.
Lent Steward of "Zwartberg" 1 pound.
Sunday January 7th
Was relieved by Grosvenor at 11am.
Came up in Paul's car.
Went and reported at RNVR base and then came home.
Collected 1 pound from steward of "Zwartberg".
Pixie went down to measure Paul's cabin on Zwartberg in pm and then brought him home.
Pixie and Paul went to Fairmead in evening.
Monday January 8th
Went in to RNVR base at 8am and taught chap semaphore in am.
Came home to lunch.
Started getting Argus from CNA.
Paul came up in evening.
"Dunbar Castle" 10,002 tons) hit mine 3 hrs out of England.
Captain Caustan and 2 storemen killed.
Wednesday January 17th
Went to Cape Town docks at 9pm and slept night on "Africana".
Wednesday 31st January
Got up at 4.45am and went down to Cape Town docks by car.Went out at 6 in "Aristea" with Richard Bennet and Disa.
Got back at 2pm.
Called in at office for my ducks.
Paul came up from S'Town in pm and took Aunt Theresa back home.
Pixie, Betty, Paul and I went to Savoy in our car in evening to see "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havviland, Basil Rathbone, Claud S...) 2nd time.
Was discharged from active service with RNVR.
Friday February 2nd
Went back to work at Union Castle Co.
Bought a monthly train ticket 16/9.
Did not come home to lunch.
Paul got our 1940 car licence in am 7 pounds 10/-
Pixie and Paul went to Standfontein in pm.
Pixie, Betty, Paul and I went to see Pat Byrne and then went to the Savoy in evening to see "The Saint in London" (George Sanders, Sally Gray)
Monday February 5th
Copie said he wouldn't have me in the Navy.
Thursday February 8th
Smith and I went to Garlicks for books at lunch time.
Paul lifted me in by car in am and went to see Copie.
He took our car to Simonstown.
Went to RNVR base in evening but there was no parade so I went to Colosseum to see "Dust Be My Destiny" (John Garfields, Priscilla Lane, Alan Hale)
Bought 19 apples from Mr Green for 1/-
Tuesday February 13th
Went to RNVR Base at 8.30am and saw 1st Luitenant who said I was to join up on 1st March.
UC Co granted me leave from 15th to 29th.
Wednesday 14th February
Visitors: Aunt Joyce in evening. Mormons.
Got paid today 9 pounds 3/6
Bought a shirt (8/6) and 2 prs socks (1/11, 3/6) at lunch time from Ackermans.
Went to RNVR base at 8.15am and 1st Luitenant said it was OK about my leave.
Got my ticket to Johannesburg after work 4 pounds 5/9
Betty and I went and brought Aunt Joyce up to see Pixie and then went to Colosseum in evening to see "Over the Moon" (Merle Oberon, Rex Harrison)
Took Aunt Joyce home afterwards.
Friday 16th February
Pixie and I went to Boulders and had a swim.
Paul transferred from "Zwartberg" to "Moocolee"(spelling?)
Pixie Betty and Paul came to see me off on 7.40pm train to Johannesburg.
Travelled with Mr Lombard and Bloch (?).
Sunday 18th February
Arrived Johannesburg 8.40am and caught train to Florida.
Roddy met me and we went for a walk to lake etc.
Mr and Mrs Edwards, Mr Frank Edwards, Roddy and I went to Homestead Lake in pm for tea.
Roddy went to church in evening.
Monday February 19th
Roddy and I fixed up wireless aerial in pm.
Went to get insulators down town.
Went by car to lake and fetched a poplar for wireless pole.
Met Joan Roux and Hammie on way home.
Saturday February 24th
Rod and I did a bit of collecting in Dan Street for the Mayor's fund in am.
Mrs Edwards, Rod and I went by car to R'poort in am.
Got some cakes on way.
Rod and I went to Maraisburg and took Mr Edwards' golf clubs to course.
Drove their car a bit.
Wednesday February 28th
Mrs Edwards, Rod and I went and picked up Mr Edwards and we went to see about Rod's job at Rietfontein.
Arranged that he is to start tomorrow.
The car had a puncture at home, so Rod and I changed wheel at 2pm and took it to be fixed up.
Picked up Joan at 2.30pm and then Mrs Edwards and they came to see me off on 3.10pm train to Cape Town.
Travelled down with Messrs Schoeman (cop) Fraser, Steenkamp, Levy, Miller (3 from Potch)
Mrs Edwards was supposed to take Rod to his mine afterwards.
Friday March 1st
Reported to RNVR Base at 9am for service with Royal Navy.
Signed papers most of day.
Had a hair cut at 4pm 1/6
Pixie and I took Aunt Julia home by car in pm.
Betty and I went and fetched Aunt Joyce and Don and saw latter off on 7.40pm train for Jo'burg.
Trouble about luggage and John and Aunt Joyce stayed to see about it.
Thursday March 9th
Did telephone watch from 12 - 2pm.
Went to see Mr Kellow at Standard Bank and signed receipt in connection with Estate.
Went to Colosseum in pm to see "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" (Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Haveland, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale.)
Pixie and Betty went to see Pat Byrne at docks in evening and Betty went to Canteen.
RMS "Queen Mary" (85,000tons) world's largest ship, arrived in New York on maiden voyage.
Wednesday March 13th
Got up at 4.40am and went to docks by car.
Went out sweeping in "Africana" with Babiana, Bennett and Disa.
Came in about 3pm.
Pixie went by car and fetched Fish's goods and also Betty in pm.
Played Bagatelle in pm and evening.
Peace treaty signed by Fiunland and Russia and war stopped at 11am.
Wednesday March 27th
Went to Base in am and was paid 8 pounds 15/6.
Came home at 10am and packed kit.
Pixie and Betty took me in by car at 12.30pm and we caught 1.24pm train for Simonstown.
Got hammock etc and went to Froggy Pond Camp.
Came up by train at 5pm.
Went To Plaza in evening to see "Judge Hardy and Son" (Mickey Rooney, Leslie Stone etc)
Pixie and Paul went to see Dr in evening.
Sunday March 31st
Steward Wilson (Mooivlei) tried to cut his throat.
Went as church escort for defaulters and went to 10.30am service in Dock Church.
Saw Aunt Joyce and Aunt Theresa on way back.
Did nothing all pm.
'Jock' Pate, Bruin and I went on Canteen Patrol in evening to Dock Canteen.
Friday April 5th
Took watch from 4 - 8am.
Went down to Dockyard Surgery in am and was innoculated with last 75%
Was drafted to PWSS with Willis, Johnson and we went up at 2pm replacing Hallas and Ramsay.
Took watch from 9pm to 3am (6th).
Rapidol and Milford came in in am (Simonstown).
Tuesday April 9th
Went down town for post in am.
Had a bit of flashing in evening.
Germany marched in Denmark and Norway.
Wednesday April 10th
2 German cruisers sunk.
2 British destroyers (Hardy, Hunter) sunk.
Thursday April 11th
Went back to Simonstown by 10 o'clock train.
Took watch from 9pm to 3am (12th)
Norvik Fjord battle.
Warspite and Cossack sunk 7 German destroyers.
Monday April 15th
Went down town in am and got stores etc.
British troops land in Norway.
Whalers 1 & 2 in in pm for asdic fitting.
Rapidol out in am.
Sunday April 28th
Caught 8.31am train up.
Fixed up gramaphone onto wireless loudspeakers in am.
Went for a walk with Rex in evening.
Played bagatelle in pm and evening.
Tuesday April 30th
Got paid by Navy in am 9 pounds 11/-
Changed watches with Willis and came up with 12.20pm train.
Pixie and I went into town in pm by car (Austin).
Had a hair cut and I went to Union Castle for pay 2 pounds 16/11.
Went to Colosseum to see "Four Wives" (Priscilla, Rosemary, Lola Lane, Gale Page, Claud Rains, John Grafield, Jeffrey Lynn)
Played bagatelle in evening and I walked home with Philippa (his cousin, my mother) at 11pm.
Called for my films in pm. (1/10)
Friday May 10th
Took watch from 12.30 am to 5am.
Went down town in am for post etc.
Caught 12.18pm train up.
Pixie tried washing machine in pm. (Thor 41 pounds)
Took our car in to Stanley Porter's at 3pm.
Went down to dock gates to meet Paul.
Pixie followed me in Austin and had puncture at Woodstock.
She fetched our car, picked up Paul and I and we took wheel to Porter's for new tyre (Goodyear 3 pounds 7/-)
Went to Fish's, changed wheel at Woodstock, went back to Porters, dropped our car and then went home.
I took groceries over to Aunt Theresa's afterwards.
Played bagatelle in evening.
Mr Chamberlain resigns.
Winston Churchill Prime Minister.
Nazi's invade Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg at 3am.
Friday May 24th
Went down with 10am train.
General Smuts' 70th birthday.
Listened to King's broadcast in evening.
Wednesday May 29th
Took middle watch from 12.30 to 4.30 am.
Went down town for post etc in am.
Lost dog that we had at PWSS.
Used S/P for first time sending messages to "Blomvlei"
Norvick captured by Allies.
Periodic entries of the progress of the war...
Kign Leopold of Belgians capitulated to Germans, but decision not valid.
Paris bombed by Germans.
Italy declared war on the Allies.
SAAF bombed Abyssinia.
Germans occupy Paris which was not defended.
France negotiating for peace.
Mr Reynaud (premier) resigns. New cabinet.
Fighting stopped in France.
Peace signed between her and Italy.
French battleship "Dunkirque" 35,000 tons disabled by British Navy.
HMAS "Sydney" sunk Italian cruiser "Bartolmio" "Colleoni" in Med. No British casualties.
Concurrently "Philippa visited..." "visited Philippa" "Philippa taught me dancing" becoming more frequent in the daily entries.
The watches he took detailed from day to day with times.
Friday July 26th
Paul Dymond.
Went down town for post etc in am.
Came up with 12.18pm train.
Paul and Pixie's kid Gillian (girl) born at 1305.
Betty and I went down town by Austin in pm
Saw E about gram.
Went down and spent evening with Philippa.
Saw gram and decided to take it.
Friday August 16th
Went into town by car at 9am
Picked up Jock and wireless.
Picked up Jan at Wynberg and carried on to PWSS where I learnt that I was to go on draft.
Came up with Stan Atkins and fetched my kit and got back to S'town by 1330.
Went with Boyd in lorry and he went to "Queen of Bermuda" and I to Klaver Camp.
Got leave and went to PWSS to collect suit and binoculars.
Came home with 5.26pm train.
Stan brought car back in pm.
Walked home with Phil at 10.30pm.
Monday August 19th
Spent morning doing army maneouvres around Klaver Valley.
Went to range in pm and did some shooting.
45% rapid at 200.
Came up with 5.7pm train.
Now these type of entries after the details of the day...
Went for march in tin hats etc down hill.
Went to butts in pm and did some marking.
Did kit packing evolution in am.
Went down to West Yard to get tropical kit in am.
Took sentry from 6 - 8am
Went for route march round Redhill to Klaasjagersberg and then did maneouvres into Klaver Valley all day. Aprox 12 - 15 miles.
Did marking of range in am.
Had gunnery lecture in am and went for route march.
Put out bush fire at 1800.
All leave jammed at 1000 and then granted at 1240.
Sunday August 25th
Cloudy and drizzly am and fine pm.
Gillian's christening party - Aunt Theresa, Aunt Julia, Aunt Ethel, Phil, Peggy, Ruth and Ulick, Dorothy, Marjorie and William, Corrie v Tonder, Mrs Ethel Grant.
Evening - Phil, Peter, Auntie Winnie and Uncle Arthur,Peggy dinner and evening.
Went to Klaver by car at 7am and came back after divisions etc at 11am.
Betty and I went and fetched Christening cake, cups etc, at noon at Mrs Carter and Aunt Ethel's.
Betty and I went in our car with Aunt Ethel and Phil, picking up Aunt Julia at Seapoint to St Albans where Gillian Ann was christened.
Paul and Pixie took Peggy and Aunt Theresa etc and they all came to tea afterwards.
Took Marjorie and William and Aunt Ethel and Phil home at 6pm.
Took Phil and Peggy home by car at 10.30pm.
Tuesday August 27th
Had kit inspection in am.
Came up with 5.7 train.
Peter, Leslie and I came and picked up Phil and took Rex (dog) into station to go off to Durban.
Pixie, Paul and Peggy came on afterwards and Pixie Paul and Gillian left for Durban by 9am train with Rex. 1 pound.
Peter, Phil and I came and had tea at Aunt Ethel's and then went to fetch gear at Glencot.
Betty and Leslie went in Austin to take Pickles and Wally home and had puncture.
Betty and I came to sleep night at Aunt Ethel's.
Wednesday August 28th
Phil and I went to Glencot in evening where we met Betty and did packing.
Thursday August 29th
Phil and I went and met Betty up at Glencot in evening and did some packing.
Sunday September 1st
Took some stuff to Aunt Theresa's in evening.
Picked up Peggy and took cat to Miss Drury's place.
Dropped Peggy afterwards and took car back to house and walked down.
Went down with 6.22am train.
Had church in am and got off at 11.30am.
Went to PWSS to see Jan and Jock and also to drop photos.
Came up with 1.40pm train.
Betty, Phil and I went up to Glencot and brought some stuff down together with cat (black and white one).
And that is the abrupt final entry of this diary.
I feel sad not to read any more entries for this year... and also grateful to be spared what might well have been have been hard reading.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Diary 1939 - Age 17/18
This is the year the Second World War started, and also the year in which his mother died.
Solemn.
Their home address for part of this year was 35 Carsens Street, Tamboers Kloof, Cape Town.
They moved to "Stanmore" Wessels Rd, Greenpoint, then into a flat and finished the year in "Glencot" Grotto Road, Rondebosch. I remember on one family holiday driving past "Glencot" in Rondeboasch. With hindsight: I would have liked to be more sensitive to it's significance to my Dad...
There are lists of Table Tennis matches played, Money received and spent, Books read, Bioscopes - his best of which he detailed in another list:
Union Pacific
Mad About Music
Pygmalion
Midnight
That Certain Age
The Citadel
There is also, tucked into the front of this diary, an original Memorandum of Agreement dated September 1932 between H Polliack and Company Limited and his father KO Powrie for the lease with option to purchase of HMC Radio Model R7 and Transformer.
Also folded in the front of this diary: a Statement of Marks of his father Kenneth Oldham Powrie from the University of the Cape of Good Hope for the First Mining Examination, 1903.
Again rubber-stamped in each day entry: Weather, Visitors, Post, Ships In, Ships Out.
Every day has a record of what he did.
I am struck by how many times "changed my room around" occurs and "changed the furniture around" in other parts of the house - this was usually done by Pixie and Betty.
Some entries:
Sunday January 1st
Went to Church with Ma at 8am and took first communion.
Played cricket in pm.
The family, Paul and Ham went to Dorothy's (his cousin's, my mother's sister's) bungalow at Clifton in evening.
Saw mountain fire on way home.
Wednesday January 11th
Visitors: Dr Viljoen (Ma), Mrs Bletchley
Ma stayed in bed all day because the muscles of her heart were strained.
Went to cricket practice in pm.
Played chess in evening and beat Ham.
"Ma stayed in bed all day" in every day entry until January 21st when "Ma and Betty went to stay for a week or so at Fairmead. We all went there in evening" She was fetched back from Fairmead on Friday 3rd February. She was visited there every day in between.
They looked at a house "Stanmore" in Wessels Road Greenpoint and were successful in securing it for rent from 1st April for 11 pounds per month.
They went on a journey to Johannesburg in March:
Tuesday March 14th
Went shopping at lunch time and got flags, maps etc, went to P. Office.
Took wireless over to Mrs Aldrum's at 9pm.
Pixie and Paul took Kitty and Rex over to Capsticks. They also went to Steven's, Aunt Julia etc.Kriel moved out some furniture in pm.
Wednesday March 15th
Packed the car in am and left at 7.25 for Johannesburg.
Picked up Aunt Ethel (his mother's sister, my mother's mother).
Did 398 miles and arrived in Victoria West at 7.35pm and slept night 6/-
Pixie drove for about 50 miles.
Thursday March 16th
Started at 7.25am and had tea at Britstown.
Had puncture and changed whell just before Modder Rivier.
Arrived Bloemhof at 6.30pm and slept night 8/-
Friday March 17th
Started off at 7 am and sent off wires at Klerksdorp.
Called on Lucases and spent 1 hour there.
Dropped off Aunt Ethel at Dorian's at Norwood.
Arrived at Edwardes at 3pm and Mam, Pixie and Betty went on to Donovans.
Went to meet Roddy (life-long friend) in town but missed him.
They left again for Cape Town on Sunday 26th March.
He started work again on 29th March.
Friday April 7th - Good Friday
Started making number plate in pm.
Italy marched into Albania at dawn.
Tuesday April 18th
Came home to lunch.
Ma stayed in bed all day because she was not feeling too well.
Went down after work to see Uncle Walter in the Rotchester (ship).
Met Paul down there.
Thursday April 20th
Hitler's 50th birthday.
Thursday April 27th
Bough lunch and stayed in town.
Got paid today (in code 10 pounds 1/4)
Pixie took Ma to see Dr Marius in am and arranged for Mam to go to Groote Schuur on Saturday pm.
Presentation to Mr CR Burman in pm on the occasion of his wedding.
Friday April 28th
Came home to lunch and Paul took me back in Ian's car.
Got 33/- postal order and sent application form etc to H Laurance in pm.
Hitler's speech at 2pm.
His Ma was in hospital all the time until 18th May and visited every day.
Monday May 8th
Stayed and worked through lunch.
Went down to RNVR (Royal Naval Vonteer Reserve) Base in evening and met George Hogg and went for medical examinarion etc. Passed all right.
Mr EJ Green arrived from PE in Athlone Castle to be chief accountant here.
Wednesday May 10th
Bought lunch and stayed in town and booked seats for next Wednesday night.
Pixie, Betty and I went over to see Mam in evening.
Said she would be out next Wednesday.
Tuesday May 16th
Bought lunch and went and ate it at Pixie's office.
Went down to RNVR Base at 8pm and we had lecture etc to go again on 30th.
Betty worked until 10.30 in evening.
Thursday May 18th - Holiday - Ascension Day
Pixie and Betty went to communion at 7am
Pixie, Betty and I went and fetched Mam from hospital at 10am and she went to bed here.
He worked steadily on a model ship.
He mentioned periodic news items of the intensifying war.
Each Tuesday he went to the RNVR Base and learnt a little more.
The family drives and walks continue with those who were there.
Tuesday July 4th
Came home to lunch and had half day because of Mr Duff's death.
Went to the Alhambra in evening to see "Stand In".
Also 1st African Mirror in sound.
Pixie and I drove Aunt Joyce to the station and she left for Johannesburg at 7.15pm with Philippa (my mother, his cousin)
Brought Paul back here and he and I went to RNVR Base.
Had instruction about compass.
Saturday July 15th
(In code "Sat next to girl friend in bus coming home")
Started on the book about the System of the Accounts Department.
Monday July 24th - RODDY'S BIRTHDAY
Pixie, Betty and I took Mam to Volk's Hospital at 10am and then left car on Parade.
Pixie and I came home to lunch in it.
Servant girl Freada left us in evening.
Tuesday July 25th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Pixie Betty and I went to see Mam in evening and then they dropped me at RNVR Base where I received Web equipment and Rifle No. C271.
Wednesday July 26th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Took periodicals to Pixie for Mam in am.
Wen to jewellers after work about my watch.
Pixie, Betty and I went to see Mam in evening.
Thursday July 27th
Mam went in for operation and 8.30am and passed away peacefully under anaesthetic owing to the heart being too weak.
Pixie and Betty went up to Volks Hospital in am and sent for me.
Father Thompson and Mrs Hardwick (undertaker) came up too.
Pixie and Paul went to Standard Bank and we all had lunch here.
Took Rex and Kitty to Capsticks and then went to Fairmead to stay.
Got paid today (In code 10 pounds 6/3)
Friday July 28th
Took the car to Stanley Porter's Garage with Johnston in am and he put two new Goodyear tyres on and overhauled car.
Went to fetch it after work and had to wait late for it.
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Got a new Union Castle Sports Club badge in pm (13/6)
Saturday July 29th
Got up at 1am and Pixie, Betty, Paul and I left for Johannesburg by car at 1.27am.
Had breakfast near Prince Albert Road at 7am.
Had a sleep outside Bloemhof at 11pm because we were too early.
Sunday July 30th
Had a sleep on Potch/Jbg road from about 5 to 6am and then carried on arriving K'dorp at 7am where Paul and I had a bath at Varley's Hotel.
Arrived at Donovan's farm at about 8.15am.
Went into town by car and spent day with Edwardses.
Went for a drive around suburbs and Roddy and I went rowing on Zoo Lake.
Paul and I went over to Aunt Millie's and slept the night there.
Monday July 31st
Paul; and I went over to Donovan's in am and he and Pixie went to K'dorp and then J'bg to see Dudley Maynard etc.
We all went to Mam's funeral at 3pm from Mortons.
Pall bearers Uncle Tim, Uncle Bobbie, Raymond, Owen Dorian.
Uncle Tim and Auntie Millie came to tea at Donovans and then took Paul and I over for night.
Uncle Tim showed Paul and I over Reduction Works at West Rand and also Sports Club.
Tuesday August 1st
Left Ransoms at 9.20am for Cape Town.
Said goodbye to Owen at Rftn.
Took over at 6pm and drove through night.
Had our left hand front windscreen shattered by a stone thrown up by a passing car 15 miles this side of Wolmaransstad at 1.45pm.
Lost a hubcap near Britstown.
Wednesday August 2nd
Handed over at Matjiesfontein at 6am.
Arrived Cape Town 11.20am and went to Fairmead where we dropped Paul and brought bedding over.
Thursday August 3rd
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Went to see Aunie Winnie after work about flat.
Pixie Betty, Paul and I went to RNVR Base in evening and I got all my uniform except 1 pr boots.
Pixie, Betty and I then went to "Fairmead" in evening and picked Paul up on way back.
Friday August 4th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Went to see Stanley Porter about window on way home.
Saturday August 5th
Hamilton and I tried on RNVR uniforms in pm and had photo taken.
Lent him a suit.
We all took Aunt Julia home by car at 8pm.
Sunday August 6th
We all went to Communion at 8am.
We all went over to "Fairmead" for pm dinner and evening.
Pixie and Paul went up and fetched Kitty and Rex 17/6.
Tuesday August 8th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Went to RNVR Base for 1st Parade in uniform,
Changed cap and also got pair of heavy boots.
Sunday August 20th
Pixie and Betty dropped me at RNVR Base and I did some .22 shooting 89%.
Finished at 3.30 and went to Forum too see James Cagney and Margaret Lindsay in "Frisco Kid"
We all went to Auntie Winnie's for evening.
Pixie went to Church in am.Cleaned car in am.
We all went down and visited the Saby's at "Craae", Fish Hoek in pm.
Went and had dinner and spent evening at "Fairmead".
Saw decorations in town on way home.
Tuesday 29th August
Bought lunch and walked around town at lunch time.
Went down by car in am and gave Phil and Joyce a lift.
Took car to Plate Glass and Bevelling Co and had left windscreen put in (30/-)
Went to RNVR in eveing and learnt how to sling a hammock.
Wednesday August 30th
Came home to lunch.
Went and paid Stanley Porter 6 pounds after work.
Played table tennis after work. Beat Marshall.
We all went and dropped Miss Sicker by car in town in evening.
Picked up Paul. Fetched packing cases from his office.
Betty and I went to see "Love Affair" at Colosseum (Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer)
Friday September 1st
Bought lunch and walked around town at lunch hour.
Kriel moved rest of furniture in to flat in am.
Pixie got day off.
Came home to new flat.
Germany invaded Poland in am.
Sunday September 3rd
BRITAIN DECLARED WAR AGAINST GERMANY AT 1PM (SA TIME)
Went to Communion service at 8am.
Fixed up my room in am.
Marked my uniform in pm.
Pixie Betty and I went for a drive round Sea Point, Kloof Nek, top to Signal Hill in pm.
Tuesday September 5th
Went down to RNVR Base at 9am with Hogg and thence to docks, where we boarded Minesweeping gear on "Africana" and "Disa".
Hogg had to go on sentry duty.
Finished at about 6pm.
Went to parade in evening and staerted learning semaphore.
Hertzog resigns. Smuts new Prime Minister.
Monday October 2nd
PAUL AND PIXIE'S WEDDING DAY
Went to Newland etc and fetched Miss Malard, Aunt Theresa, Aunt Joyce, Peggy and Mrs Grant (Cake)
Went to Church with Pixie in Miss Carnegie's La Salle.
Was the one to give Pixie away at wedding.
Everyone came here for tea afterwards.
Pixie and Paul left for honeymoon by car about 12.30pm.
Hamilton and I went to Plaza in pm to see "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever" (Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden, Ann Rutherford)
Miss Duffet, Betty, John and I went to Colliseum in evening to see "The Sun Never Sets" (Basil Rathbone,Doug Fairbanks Jnr)
People who came to tea after wedding: Aunt Theresa, Aunt Joyce, Aunt Ethel, Peggy, John, Philippa, Marjorie, William, Ulick, Don, Dorothy, Aunt Julia, Miss Malard, Mrs Grant, Leslie, Hamilton, Auntie Winnie, Uncle Arthur,, Mr and Mrs Wiegel.
Thursday October 5th
Pixie and Paul arrived back in pm from Mossel Bay etc.
Went To RNVR Parade in evening and did flashing.
Friday October 6th
Came home to lunch.
Pixie and Paul went down to see about buying a car in pm.
Paul cleaned car in am.
Fixed up electric clocks in evening.
96% for general signalling test.
Friday October 13th
Came home to lunch and Paul and I went down to Docks to see Shropshire.
Paul got 1936 Austin 10 from Stanley Porter for (in code 90 pounds). 15,000 miles.
Pixie, Betty, Paul and I went to Colosseum to see "Dodge Sity" in evening (Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sheridan)
General signalling test 96 1/5%
Sunday November 5th
MY BIRTHDAY
Pixie took me up to Kloof Nek by car and I walked along to PWSS at 8am.
Regualr watches all day.
Thursday November 30th
Laid up in port all day for repairs.
Fixed up dodger.
Came into town at about 3pm with L/S Horn (1/-) who dropped me at Woodstock.
Betty and I went in Paul's car to Colosseum to see "Batchelor Mother" in evening (Ginger Rogers, David Niven)
Pixie wrote first aid exam.
Paul took some things over to "Fairmead" in evening.
Russian troops invaded Finland.
Thursday December 14th
Went out for DEMS ... test. (Can't read - maybe gunlaying? guhlaying?)
Zwartberg towing ship.
We fired 91 rounds in 70 minutes.
Pixie Paul and I went to see a house in Grotto Road at 7pm and then went to Parow to see landlord after supper.
Betty went to Canteen in evening.
Naval action off S America between Graf Spee (German Ship) and Achilles, Ajax and Exeter.
Damaged and went to Montevideo.
Thursday December 21st
Cooke and I came up by car at noon.
Went into town by car with Pixie, Peggy and Phoebe in pm.
Dropped me and I called in office and got 2 pound advance.
Went to Colosseum afterwards to see "The Four Just Men" (Hugh Sinclair, Griffith Jones, Francis L Sullivan, Frank Lawton, Anna Lee.)
Changed wheel and took Barrie's car to his house in evening.
Commander of Graf Spee shot himself.
Monday December 25th
CHRISTMAS DAY
Pixie and Betty went to Church in am sand also picked up Aunt Julia.
Went and had tea at Barrie's and then we went down to Simonstown at 11am.
Spent afternoon on board.
Mace was drunk.
Went over to Canteen in evening.
Friday December 29th
Went down with Walter at 6am.
Went out sweeping with Bluff at 8am and came back about 3.30pm.
Paul came out with us.
Moored to buoy in bay for night.
Moved into new house "Glencot" Grotto Road, Rondebosch.
Our car's differential went wrong.
When I think of my seventeen year old father losing his mother I feel shocked.
When I see no record whatever of how he felt I feel very sad.
When I think of him preparing for war I feel appalled.
When I see how he and his sisters stuck together I am grateful.
When I am reminded over and over of the extended family network I am touched.
When I realise Dad never talked about his challenges and hardships I am respectful.
When I read of the solidness of his young life I feel indebted to him and those who went before him - I have a steadfast foundation on which to build my life.
I feel strengthened in my determination to bless my family by "going and doing likewise."
Solemn.
Their home address for part of this year was 35 Carsens Street, Tamboers Kloof, Cape Town.
They moved to "Stanmore" Wessels Rd, Greenpoint, then into a flat and finished the year in "Glencot" Grotto Road, Rondebosch. I remember on one family holiday driving past "Glencot" in Rondeboasch. With hindsight: I would have liked to be more sensitive to it's significance to my Dad...
There are lists of Table Tennis matches played, Money received and spent, Books read, Bioscopes - his best of which he detailed in another list:
Union Pacific
Mad About Music
Pygmalion
Midnight
That Certain Age
The Citadel
There is also, tucked into the front of this diary, an original Memorandum of Agreement dated September 1932 between H Polliack and Company Limited and his father KO Powrie for the lease with option to purchase of HMC Radio Model R7 and Transformer.
Also folded in the front of this diary: a Statement of Marks of his father Kenneth Oldham Powrie from the University of the Cape of Good Hope for the First Mining Examination, 1903.
Again rubber-stamped in each day entry: Weather, Visitors, Post, Ships In, Ships Out.
Every day has a record of what he did.
I am struck by how many times "changed my room around" occurs and "changed the furniture around" in other parts of the house - this was usually done by Pixie and Betty.
Some entries:
Sunday January 1st
Went to Church with Ma at 8am and took first communion.
Played cricket in pm.
The family, Paul and Ham went to Dorothy's (his cousin's, my mother's sister's) bungalow at Clifton in evening.
Saw mountain fire on way home.
Wednesday January 11th
Visitors: Dr Viljoen (Ma), Mrs Bletchley
Ma stayed in bed all day because the muscles of her heart were strained.
Went to cricket practice in pm.
Played chess in evening and beat Ham.
"Ma stayed in bed all day" in every day entry until January 21st when "Ma and Betty went to stay for a week or so at Fairmead. We all went there in evening" She was fetched back from Fairmead on Friday 3rd February. She was visited there every day in between.
They looked at a house "Stanmore" in Wessels Road Greenpoint and were successful in securing it for rent from 1st April for 11 pounds per month.
They went on a journey to Johannesburg in March:
Tuesday March 14th
Went shopping at lunch time and got flags, maps etc, went to P. Office.
Took wireless over to Mrs Aldrum's at 9pm.
Pixie and Paul took Kitty and Rex over to Capsticks. They also went to Steven's, Aunt Julia etc.Kriel moved out some furniture in pm.
Wednesday March 15th
Packed the car in am and left at 7.25 for Johannesburg.
Picked up Aunt Ethel (his mother's sister, my mother's mother).
Did 398 miles and arrived in Victoria West at 7.35pm and slept night 6/-
Pixie drove for about 50 miles.
Thursday March 16th
Started at 7.25am and had tea at Britstown.
Had puncture and changed whell just before Modder Rivier.
Arrived Bloemhof at 6.30pm and slept night 8/-
Friday March 17th
Started off at 7 am and sent off wires at Klerksdorp.
Called on Lucases and spent 1 hour there.
Dropped off Aunt Ethel at Dorian's at Norwood.
Arrived at Edwardes at 3pm and Mam, Pixie and Betty went on to Donovans.
Went to meet Roddy (life-long friend) in town but missed him.
They left again for Cape Town on Sunday 26th March.
He started work again on 29th March.
Friday April 7th - Good Friday
Started making number plate in pm.
Italy marched into Albania at dawn.
Tuesday April 18th
Came home to lunch.
Ma stayed in bed all day because she was not feeling too well.
Went down after work to see Uncle Walter in the Rotchester (ship).
Met Paul down there.
Thursday April 20th
Hitler's 50th birthday.
Thursday April 27th
Bough lunch and stayed in town.
Got paid today (in code 10 pounds 1/4)
Pixie took Ma to see Dr Marius in am and arranged for Mam to go to Groote Schuur on Saturday pm.
Presentation to Mr CR Burman in pm on the occasion of his wedding.
Friday April 28th
Came home to lunch and Paul took me back in Ian's car.
Got 33/- postal order and sent application form etc to H Laurance in pm.
Hitler's speech at 2pm.
His Ma was in hospital all the time until 18th May and visited every day.
Monday May 8th
Stayed and worked through lunch.
Went down to RNVR (Royal Naval Vonteer Reserve) Base in evening and met George Hogg and went for medical examinarion etc. Passed all right.
Mr EJ Green arrived from PE in Athlone Castle to be chief accountant here.
Wednesday May 10th
Bought lunch and stayed in town and booked seats for next Wednesday night.
Pixie, Betty and I went over to see Mam in evening.
Said she would be out next Wednesday.
Tuesday May 16th
Bought lunch and went and ate it at Pixie's office.
Went down to RNVR Base at 8pm and we had lecture etc to go again on 30th.
Betty worked until 10.30 in evening.
Thursday May 18th - Holiday - Ascension Day
Pixie and Betty went to communion at 7am
Pixie, Betty and I went and fetched Mam from hospital at 10am and she went to bed here.
He worked steadily on a model ship.
He mentioned periodic news items of the intensifying war.
Each Tuesday he went to the RNVR Base and learnt a little more.
The family drives and walks continue with those who were there.
Tuesday July 4th
Came home to lunch and had half day because of Mr Duff's death.
Went to the Alhambra in evening to see "Stand In".
Also 1st African Mirror in sound.
Pixie and I drove Aunt Joyce to the station and she left for Johannesburg at 7.15pm with Philippa (my mother, his cousin)
Brought Paul back here and he and I went to RNVR Base.
Had instruction about compass.
Saturday July 15th
(In code "Sat next to girl friend in bus coming home")
Started on the book about the System of the Accounts Department.
Monday July 24th - RODDY'S BIRTHDAY
Pixie, Betty and I took Mam to Volk's Hospital at 10am and then left car on Parade.
Pixie and I came home to lunch in it.
Servant girl Freada left us in evening.
Tuesday July 25th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Pixie Betty and I went to see Mam in evening and then they dropped me at RNVR Base where I received Web equipment and Rifle No. C271.
Wednesday July 26th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Took periodicals to Pixie for Mam in am.
Wen to jewellers after work about my watch.
Pixie, Betty and I went to see Mam in evening.
Thursday July 27th
Mam went in for operation and 8.30am and passed away peacefully under anaesthetic owing to the heart being too weak.
Pixie and Betty went up to Volks Hospital in am and sent for me.
Father Thompson and Mrs Hardwick (undertaker) came up too.
Pixie and Paul went to Standard Bank and we all had lunch here.
Took Rex and Kitty to Capsticks and then went to Fairmead to stay.
Got paid today (In code 10 pounds 6/3)
Friday July 28th
Took the car to Stanley Porter's Garage with Johnston in am and he put two new Goodyear tyres on and overhauled car.
Went to fetch it after work and had to wait late for it.
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Got a new Union Castle Sports Club badge in pm (13/6)
Saturday July 29th
Got up at 1am and Pixie, Betty, Paul and I left for Johannesburg by car at 1.27am.
Had breakfast near Prince Albert Road at 7am.
Had a sleep outside Bloemhof at 11pm because we were too early.
Sunday July 30th
Had a sleep on Potch/Jbg road from about 5 to 6am and then carried on arriving K'dorp at 7am where Paul and I had a bath at Varley's Hotel.
Arrived at Donovan's farm at about 8.15am.
Went into town by car and spent day with Edwardses.
Went for a drive around suburbs and Roddy and I went rowing on Zoo Lake.
Paul and I went over to Aunt Millie's and slept the night there.
Monday July 31st
Paul; and I went over to Donovan's in am and he and Pixie went to K'dorp and then J'bg to see Dudley Maynard etc.
We all went to Mam's funeral at 3pm from Mortons.
Pall bearers Uncle Tim, Uncle Bobbie, Raymond, Owen Dorian.
Uncle Tim and Auntie Millie came to tea at Donovans and then took Paul and I over for night.
Uncle Tim showed Paul and I over Reduction Works at West Rand and also Sports Club.
Tuesday August 1st
Left Ransoms at 9.20am for Cape Town.
Said goodbye to Owen at Rftn.
Took over at 6pm and drove through night.
Had our left hand front windscreen shattered by a stone thrown up by a passing car 15 miles this side of Wolmaransstad at 1.45pm.
Lost a hubcap near Britstown.
Wednesday August 2nd
Handed over at Matjiesfontein at 6am.
Arrived Cape Town 11.20am and went to Fairmead where we dropped Paul and brought bedding over.
Thursday August 3rd
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Went to see Aunie Winnie after work about flat.
Pixie Betty, Paul and I went to RNVR Base in evening and I got all my uniform except 1 pr boots.
Pixie, Betty and I then went to "Fairmead" in evening and picked Paul up on way back.
Friday August 4th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Went to see Stanley Porter about window on way home.
Saturday August 5th
Hamilton and I tried on RNVR uniforms in pm and had photo taken.
Lent him a suit.
We all took Aunt Julia home by car at 8pm.
Sunday August 6th
We all went to Communion at 8am.
We all went over to "Fairmead" for pm dinner and evening.
Pixie and Paul went up and fetched Kitty and Rex 17/6.
Tuesday August 8th
Stayed and worked through lunch hour.
Went to RNVR Base for 1st Parade in uniform,
Changed cap and also got pair of heavy boots.
Sunday August 20th
Pixie and Betty dropped me at RNVR Base and I did some .22 shooting 89%.
Finished at 3.30 and went to Forum too see James Cagney and Margaret Lindsay in "Frisco Kid"
We all went to Auntie Winnie's for evening.
Pixie went to Church in am.Cleaned car in am.
We all went down and visited the Saby's at "Craae", Fish Hoek in pm.
Went and had dinner and spent evening at "Fairmead".
Saw decorations in town on way home.
Tuesday 29th August
Bought lunch and walked around town at lunch time.
Went down by car in am and gave Phil and Joyce a lift.
Took car to Plate Glass and Bevelling Co and had left windscreen put in (30/-)
Went to RNVR in eveing and learnt how to sling a hammock.
Wednesday August 30th
Came home to lunch.
Went and paid Stanley Porter 6 pounds after work.
Played table tennis after work. Beat Marshall.
We all went and dropped Miss Sicker by car in town in evening.
Picked up Paul. Fetched packing cases from his office.
Betty and I went to see "Love Affair" at Colosseum (Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer)
Friday September 1st
Bought lunch and walked around town at lunch hour.
Kriel moved rest of furniture in to flat in am.
Pixie got day off.
Came home to new flat.
Germany invaded Poland in am.
Sunday September 3rd
BRITAIN DECLARED WAR AGAINST GERMANY AT 1PM (SA TIME)
Went to Communion service at 8am.
Fixed up my room in am.
Marked my uniform in pm.
Pixie Betty and I went for a drive round Sea Point, Kloof Nek, top to Signal Hill in pm.
Tuesday September 5th
Went down to RNVR Base at 9am with Hogg and thence to docks, where we boarded Minesweeping gear on "Africana" and "Disa".
Hogg had to go on sentry duty.
Finished at about 6pm.
Went to parade in evening and staerted learning semaphore.
Hertzog resigns. Smuts new Prime Minister.
Monday October 2nd
PAUL AND PIXIE'S WEDDING DAY
Went to Newland etc and fetched Miss Malard, Aunt Theresa, Aunt Joyce, Peggy and Mrs Grant (Cake)
Went to Church with Pixie in Miss Carnegie's La Salle.
Was the one to give Pixie away at wedding.
Everyone came here for tea afterwards.
Pixie and Paul left for honeymoon by car about 12.30pm.
Hamilton and I went to Plaza in pm to see "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever" (Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden, Ann Rutherford)
Miss Duffet, Betty, John and I went to Colliseum in evening to see "The Sun Never Sets" (Basil Rathbone,Doug Fairbanks Jnr)
People who came to tea after wedding: Aunt Theresa, Aunt Joyce, Aunt Ethel, Peggy, John, Philippa, Marjorie, William, Ulick, Don, Dorothy, Aunt Julia, Miss Malard, Mrs Grant, Leslie, Hamilton, Auntie Winnie, Uncle Arthur,, Mr and Mrs Wiegel.
Thursday October 5th
Pixie and Paul arrived back in pm from Mossel Bay etc.
Went To RNVR Parade in evening and did flashing.
Friday October 6th
Came home to lunch.
Pixie and Paul went down to see about buying a car in pm.
Paul cleaned car in am.
Fixed up electric clocks in evening.
96% for general signalling test.
Friday October 13th
Came home to lunch and Paul and I went down to Docks to see Shropshire.
Paul got 1936 Austin 10 from Stanley Porter for (in code 90 pounds). 15,000 miles.
Pixie, Betty, Paul and I went to Colosseum to see "Dodge Sity" in evening (Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sheridan)
General signalling test 96 1/5%
Sunday November 5th
MY BIRTHDAY
Pixie took me up to Kloof Nek by car and I walked along to PWSS at 8am.
Regualr watches all day.
Thursday November 30th
Laid up in port all day for repairs.
Fixed up dodger.
Came into town at about 3pm with L/S Horn (1/-) who dropped me at Woodstock.
Betty and I went in Paul's car to Colosseum to see "Batchelor Mother" in evening (Ginger Rogers, David Niven)
Pixie wrote first aid exam.
Paul took some things over to "Fairmead" in evening.
Russian troops invaded Finland.
Thursday December 14th
Went out for DEMS ... test. (Can't read - maybe gunlaying? guhlaying?)
Zwartberg towing ship.
We fired 91 rounds in 70 minutes.
Pixie Paul and I went to see a house in Grotto Road at 7pm and then went to Parow to see landlord after supper.
Betty went to Canteen in evening.
Naval action off S America between Graf Spee (German Ship) and Achilles, Ajax and Exeter.
Damaged and went to Montevideo.
Thursday December 21st
Cooke and I came up by car at noon.
Went into town by car with Pixie, Peggy and Phoebe in pm.
Dropped me and I called in office and got 2 pound advance.
Went to Colosseum afterwards to see "The Four Just Men" (Hugh Sinclair, Griffith Jones, Francis L Sullivan, Frank Lawton, Anna Lee.)
Changed wheel and took Barrie's car to his house in evening.
Commander of Graf Spee shot himself.
Monday December 25th
CHRISTMAS DAY
Pixie and Betty went to Church in am sand also picked up Aunt Julia.
Went and had tea at Barrie's and then we went down to Simonstown at 11am.
Spent afternoon on board.
Mace was drunk.
Went over to Canteen in evening.
Friday December 29th
Went down with Walter at 6am.
Went out sweeping with Bluff at 8am and came back about 3.30pm.
Paul came out with us.
Moored to buoy in bay for night.
Moved into new house "Glencot" Grotto Road, Rondebosch.
Our car's differential went wrong.
When I think of my seventeen year old father losing his mother I feel shocked.
When I see no record whatever of how he felt I feel very sad.
When I think of him preparing for war I feel appalled.
When I see how he and his sisters stuck together I am grateful.
When I am reminded over and over of the extended family network I am touched.
When I realise Dad never talked about his challenges and hardships I am respectful.
When I read of the solidness of his young life I feel indebted to him and those who went before him - I have a steadfast foundation on which to build my life.
I feel strengthened in my determination to bless my family by "going and doing likewise."
Sunday, November 1, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, October 19, 2009
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...
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...
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Diary 1936 - Age 14/15
In 1936 Dad would have been 14 and 15 years old.
I have chosen some interesting excerpts.
Another editor might have chosen very differently!
Enjoy! I did...
K Powrie
68, Goldman St.,
FLORIDA.
2nd January 1936.
Personal Memoranda:
Lists details of Watch No., Season Ticket No., Bicycle No., Telephone No. (135 by the way!)
Size in Gloves, Hats, Boots; Weight, Height; and Train times.
There is a list of dates and cinema visits to M (Metro) and P (Plaza) and FTH (Florida Town Hall) B (Bijou) with the films seen on each occasion.
Films seen:
Mutiny on the Bounty
Passing of the Third Floor Back
The Tunnel
High Jinks
Fancy and Clow
King of the Damned
Rhodes of Africa
The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes
The Perfect Gentleman
Trouble for 2
The Werewolf of London
Romeo and Juliet
There are schedules of cash accounts:
January totalling 8/9d
February totalling 13/1d
March 13/4d
and no financial records for the rest of the year...
Excerpts from the diary itself:
Thursday 2nd January:
Cyril, Duggie and Porkie came up.
Went down to sideshows at lake (Florida Lake).
Got this diary from Miss Donovan.
Sunday 5th January:
Eric (little twerp) pinched 2/- from us.
The boys went down to the lake for a swim.
Terence and Eric left at 5:40pm
Memo for that week:
Never had such a hopeless weekend in my life.
"Mutiny on the Bounty" a good picture.
Wednesday 8th January:
My free gift did not come in Triumph (Magazine I gather)
Eclipse of the moon.
Did some more cricketers.
Eric stayed late at work.
Sunday 12th January:
Played cricket in pm and scored 40.
Those boys came.
Roy and I made cocanut ice.
Played Lexicon with aunt Millie.
Made motor car.
Memo for that week:
Had a jolly nice time at Roy's!
Wednesday 12th February:
New teacher came - Mrs Hattingh.
Was changed to IVc.
Started learning shorthand.
Saturday 21st March:
Went to school sports with Eric.
Many records broken.
Bought that awful hair oil.
Eric came for weekend.
Audrey and Helen came in evening.
Thursday 9th April:
Just read all day.
Cat ate 1 lb. of fish.
Tuesday 14th April:
Started school again (late hours).
New master Bosman came.
Did experiments in lab.
Saturday 18th April:
Went down to Roddy's in morning and we lost ball.
Went again in the afternoon and we played Hell Driving.
Took back the books I borrowed.
Sunday 19th April:
Finished "My Best Animal Story" for one.
Lay on lawn most of the day.
Tuesday 21st April:
Rode round the house a lot on my bike.
Saturday 25th April:
Broke window.
Played Tests at Roddy in am and pm.
Sunday 26th April:
Counted cars on verandah in afternoon.
Raymond and Pixie (sister) and Ma had row.
Wore my longs all day.
Tuesday 5th May:
Mrs Eicenhofer came.
Census taken today.
Eric phoned in evening.
Betty (sister) brought home all that paper.
Got my hair cut.
Friday 8th May:
Had a hang of a lot of rain at about 5pm.
Monday 11th May:
Jolly cold all day. Had a fire in evening.
John came up in evening.
Wore my jersey to school (2nd time)
Raymond got job on Durban Roodepoort.
Got new hair oil 2/- (Cobril)
Saturday 23rd May:
Had a miserable day because it rained all day and I couldn't go out.
Pixie and Betty (sisters) went to "Merry Widow"
" " " " " Lily's 21st.
Monday 8th June:
Had to do punishment for Fair. (teacher)
Roddy came up in pm and played golf.
I went rould in 84-84.
Fair gave me book "Roland Ross"
Tuesday 9th June:
Put new tins in golf course and went round 77-84.
Helped Ma fix up back gate posts.
Pixie did Betty's (sisters) birthday cake in evening.
Sunday 14th June:
Played golf in morning.
Pixie played in tournament in Maraisburg.
Betty went to picknick with Mrs Simmonds.
Ma and I went for walk over veld.
Put up new post box.
Friday 7th August:
Played tennis at school with Roddy.
Went down dorp at 7am for cigarettes.
Promoted from 2 - 1 platoon.
Ma made bread for first time.
Monday 24th August:
Roddy came up in pm for a bit.
All went up to Murdoch's in evening.
Hang of a cold night.
Sharpened the axe and knives.
New girl Mary came.
Wednesday 2nd September:
Went down to Roddy's in pm.
Harold came in evening and played bridge.
Roddy lent me "Popular SE"
Had my brown shoes dyed black.
Monday 7th September:
Used Card table for 1st time.
Started getting "Star" (newspaper)
My "Champion" came because of Stirling breaking record.
Saturday 19th December:
Started work at JJ Bisset at Stock Exchange.
There were several windows broken by the boys and lots broken in a hail storm. All were replaced by themselves.
At the end of the diary a list of
BOOKS READ with their Authors:
My best Animal Story
William's Crowded Hours - Richard Crompton
Ship's Company - WW Jacobs
Twice Lost - HG Kingston
Four-Square Jane - Edgar Wallace
The Young Revolutionist - Pearl S Buck
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - A Conan Doyle
Mystery Mansion - Herman London
The Thirty Nine Steps - John Buchan
The Twister - Edgar Wallace
The Man who bought London
The New Arabian Nights - RL Stevenson
Blackshirt - Bruce Graeme
The Mystery at Tudor Arches - Leonard R Cribble
The Yellow Arrow Murders - van Wyk Mason
The Return of Blackshirt - Bruce Graeme
Night Drums - Achmet Abdullah
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A Conan Doyle
The Picaroon in Pursuit - Herman London (I'm not sure of the correctness of the title)
William's Happy Days - Pichmal Crompton (Doesn't sound right...)
Tropical Waters
The Man from Bar 20
I was interested about how relatively simple life was for him then.
By this time his father had been dead for four years or so.
I was reminded of how many things they learnt to do themselves - fix windows, build fences, mend their bikes, scrape their cricket bats. They walked where they wanted to go, or went by train.
I was struck by the several times "Counted cars from the verandah" was an entry, as well as probably every hairdut noted on the day.
I enjoyed entering into a little of the life of my father at aged 15 and 16.
I wondered where he went to high school - no record in this diary.
I have chosen some interesting excerpts.
Another editor might have chosen very differently!
Enjoy! I did...
K Powrie
68, Goldman St.,
FLORIDA.
2nd January 1936.
Personal Memoranda:
Lists details of Watch No., Season Ticket No., Bicycle No., Telephone No. (135 by the way!)
Size in Gloves, Hats, Boots; Weight, Height; and Train times.
There is a list of dates and cinema visits to M (Metro) and P (Plaza) and FTH (Florida Town Hall) B (Bijou) with the films seen on each occasion.
Films seen:
Mutiny on the Bounty
Passing of the Third Floor Back
The Tunnel
High Jinks
Fancy and Clow
King of the Damned
Rhodes of Africa
The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes
The Perfect Gentleman
Trouble for 2
The Werewolf of London
Romeo and Juliet
There are schedules of cash accounts:
January totalling 8/9d
February totalling 13/1d
March 13/4d
and no financial records for the rest of the year...
Excerpts from the diary itself:
Thursday 2nd January:
Cyril, Duggie and Porkie came up.
Went down to sideshows at lake (Florida Lake).
Got this diary from Miss Donovan.
Sunday 5th January:
Eric (little twerp) pinched 2/- from us.
The boys went down to the lake for a swim.
Terence and Eric left at 5:40pm
Memo for that week:
Never had such a hopeless weekend in my life.
"Mutiny on the Bounty" a good picture.
Wednesday 8th January:
My free gift did not come in Triumph (Magazine I gather)
Eclipse of the moon.
Did some more cricketers.
Eric stayed late at work.
Sunday 12th January:
Played cricket in pm and scored 40.
Those boys came.
Roy and I made cocanut ice.
Played Lexicon with aunt Millie.
Made motor car.
Memo for that week:
Had a jolly nice time at Roy's!
Wednesday 12th February:
New teacher came - Mrs Hattingh.
Was changed to IVc.
Started learning shorthand.
Saturday 21st March:
Went to school sports with Eric.
Many records broken.
Bought that awful hair oil.
Eric came for weekend.
Audrey and Helen came in evening.
Thursday 9th April:
Just read all day.
Cat ate 1 lb. of fish.
Tuesday 14th April:
Started school again (late hours).
New master Bosman came.
Did experiments in lab.
Saturday 18th April:
Went down to Roddy's in morning and we lost ball.
Went again in the afternoon and we played Hell Driving.
Took back the books I borrowed.
Sunday 19th April:
Finished "My Best Animal Story" for one.
Lay on lawn most of the day.
Tuesday 21st April:
Rode round the house a lot on my bike.
Saturday 25th April:
Broke window.
Played Tests at Roddy in am and pm.
Sunday 26th April:
Counted cars on verandah in afternoon.
Raymond and Pixie (sister) and Ma had row.
Wore my longs all day.
Tuesday 5th May:
Mrs Eicenhofer came.
Census taken today.
Eric phoned in evening.
Betty (sister) brought home all that paper.
Got my hair cut.
Friday 8th May:
Had a hang of a lot of rain at about 5pm.
Monday 11th May:
Jolly cold all day. Had a fire in evening.
John came up in evening.
Wore my jersey to school (2nd time)
Raymond got job on Durban Roodepoort.
Got new hair oil 2/- (Cobril)
Saturday 23rd May:
Had a miserable day because it rained all day and I couldn't go out.
Pixie and Betty (sisters) went to "Merry Widow"
" " " " " Lily's 21st.
Monday 8th June:
Had to do punishment for Fair. (teacher)
Roddy came up in pm and played golf.
I went rould in 84-84.
Fair gave me book "Roland Ross"
Tuesday 9th June:
Put new tins in golf course and went round 77-84.
Helped Ma fix up back gate posts.
Pixie did Betty's (sisters) birthday cake in evening.
Sunday 14th June:
Played golf in morning.
Pixie played in tournament in Maraisburg.
Betty went to picknick with Mrs Simmonds.
Ma and I went for walk over veld.
Put up new post box.
Friday 7th August:
Played tennis at school with Roddy.
Went down dorp at 7am for cigarettes.
Promoted from 2 - 1 platoon.
Ma made bread for first time.
Monday 24th August:
Roddy came up in pm for a bit.
All went up to Murdoch's in evening.
Hang of a cold night.
Sharpened the axe and knives.
New girl Mary came.
Wednesday 2nd September:
Went down to Roddy's in pm.
Harold came in evening and played bridge.
Roddy lent me "Popular SE"
Had my brown shoes dyed black.
Monday 7th September:
Used Card table for 1st time.
Started getting "Star" (newspaper)
My "Champion" came because of Stirling breaking record.
Saturday 19th December:
Started work at JJ Bisset at Stock Exchange.
There were several windows broken by the boys and lots broken in a hail storm. All were replaced by themselves.
At the end of the diary a list of
BOOKS READ with their Authors:
My best Animal Story
William's Crowded Hours - Richard Crompton
Ship's Company - WW Jacobs
Twice Lost - HG Kingston
Four-Square Jane - Edgar Wallace
The Young Revolutionist - Pearl S Buck
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - A Conan Doyle
Mystery Mansion - Herman London
The Thirty Nine Steps - John Buchan
The Twister - Edgar Wallace
The Man who bought London
The New Arabian Nights - RL Stevenson
Blackshirt - Bruce Graeme
The Mystery at Tudor Arches - Leonard R Cribble
The Yellow Arrow Murders - van Wyk Mason
The Return of Blackshirt - Bruce Graeme
Night Drums - Achmet Abdullah
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A Conan Doyle
The Picaroon in Pursuit - Herman London (I'm not sure of the correctness of the title)
William's Happy Days - Pichmal Crompton (Doesn't sound right...)
Tropical Waters
The Man from Bar 20
I was interested about how relatively simple life was for him then.
By this time his father had been dead for four years or so.
I was reminded of how many things they learnt to do themselves - fix windows, build fences, mend their bikes, scrape their cricket bats. They walked where they wanted to go, or went by train.
I was struck by the several times "Counted cars from the verandah" was an entry, as well as probably every hairdut noted on the day.
I enjoyed entering into a little of the life of my father at aged 15 and 16.
I wondered where he went to high school - no record in this diary.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Condolences for Philippa
My mother died 16th April 1992.
Here is a taste of the outpouring of heartwarming reaching out to my father from all over:
Cards from
George Lesley and Tamsyn Binedell
Eleanor Badger
Mary Thornton
Carl and Sue Turley
The Campher family
Paul and Pat Marsh
Fiona Gray and Montana Bosman
Juanita, Desiree, Kenneth (Hall) and Children
Dennis and Joy Rob
Kenny, Carolin, Samantha, Gregory, Jonathan and Caitlin Copeland
Syd and Inez (Spear)
Joyce and Bernard (Levy)
Brother Moolman and family
Marius and Sheraden
Sonja and Tanya
Bill and Barbara (Wrench)
Christine du Plessis
Gerry Clark and Ruth Shumway
Maurice and Arlene Bateman
Sister Amy (Swanepoel)
Joan (Gorrie)
Valery (Hollis that was)
Bill and Mollie Grobler and family
Vivienne Timoney (Earp-Jones)
Barbaba Theron
Topsy Moller
Anette and Neville van Rooyen and family
Bill, Lee, Graham, Paul and Kathryn Morrissey
Tony and Sherin Hollis
Nick Antoun and family
Sister Albertina van der Linden
Rob and Lynne Dickey and family
Mom (Cole-Edwards)
Dennis and Vi (Bray)
Mary Thornton
Trevor and Valda M'Crystal
Jim and Lillian Cerff and Pam
Sheena and Rian Basson and Jean Gray
Graham, Barbara and children (Hall)
Roux Renate and children
Blanche
Steve, Ronell and children (Wrench)
John, Brenda and Craig Holmes
Shorty Hugo
Gisela (Butcher)
Billy, Irene, Kurt, Heidi and Dieter Smook
Sister Elizabeth Balmer
Sheralynne, Duncan and Joseph MacMillen
Selina Mthimkulu
Maysie Dinnie
and letters from
Harold and Winnie Kendall
Yolande Lausade
Paul (Dymond)
Marion Braithwaite
Gisela Butcher
Blaine and Clarice Jenson
Muriel and Harry Greer
Isobel and Alan Salzwedel
Helen and George van Pletzen
Louis (Hefer)
Lesley and Donald Tenner and Austin Edgson
Tony and Sherin Hollis
Deryck and Ria Vice
Sister Mien (van Brandwijk)
Signe and James Thomson
Joan Watson and family
Valery and Alton (Doller)
Maysie (Dinnie)
Carl and Sue Turley
Hilda Aldredge
Sister Gillene Christensen
Telegrams from
Colin and Jenny Bricknell and family
Durban Stake Presidency and all the members
This peom from Deryck Vice
"Till We Meet Again"
As the faint dawn crept, upwards, grey, grey and dim,
He saw her move across the past to him -
Her eyes as they had looked in long-gone years,
Tender with live, and soft with thoughts of tears,
Her hands, outstretched as if in wonderment,
Nestled in his, and rested there, content.
"Dear wife, he whispered, "What glad dream is this?
I feel your clasp - your long remembered kiss
Touches my lips, as when you used to creep
Into my heart; and yet, this is not sleep -
Is it some vision, that with night will fly?"
"Nay, dear." she answered, "It is really I."
"Dear heart, it is you I know,
But I knew not the dead could meet us so -
Bodies as we are - see, how like we stand."
"Like," she replied "In form, and face, and hand."
Silent a while, he held her to his breast,
As if afraid to try the further test -
Then speaking quickly - "Must you go away?"
"Husband," she murmured, "Neither night nor day."
Close to her then she drew his head,
Trembling, "I do not understand" he said -
"I thought the Spirit World was far apart..."
"Nay" she replied, "It is not now, dear heart -
Quick - Hold fast my hand, lean on me... so...
Cling to me, dear, "tis but a step to go."
The white-faced watchers rose beside the bed -
"Shut out the day" they sighed - "Our friend is dead."
Anon
Thanks all those who reached out to my Dad in written and spoken words and actions.
Here is a taste of the outpouring of heartwarming reaching out to my father from all over:
Cards from
George Lesley and Tamsyn Binedell
Eleanor Badger
Mary Thornton
Carl and Sue Turley
The Campher family
Paul and Pat Marsh
Fiona Gray and Montana Bosman
Juanita, Desiree, Kenneth (Hall) and Children
Dennis and Joy Rob
Kenny, Carolin, Samantha, Gregory, Jonathan and Caitlin Copeland
Syd and Inez (Spear)
Joyce and Bernard (Levy)
Brother Moolman and family
Marius and Sheraden
Sonja and Tanya
Bill and Barbara (Wrench)
Christine du Plessis
Gerry Clark and Ruth Shumway
Maurice and Arlene Bateman
Sister Amy (Swanepoel)
Joan (Gorrie)
Valery (Hollis that was)
Bill and Mollie Grobler and family
Vivienne Timoney (Earp-Jones)
Barbaba Theron
Topsy Moller
Anette and Neville van Rooyen and family
Bill, Lee, Graham, Paul and Kathryn Morrissey
Tony and Sherin Hollis
Nick Antoun and family
Sister Albertina van der Linden
Rob and Lynne Dickey and family
Mom (Cole-Edwards)
Dennis and Vi (Bray)
Mary Thornton
Trevor and Valda M'Crystal
Jim and Lillian Cerff and Pam
Sheena and Rian Basson and Jean Gray
Graham, Barbara and children (Hall)
Roux Renate and children
Blanche
Steve, Ronell and children (Wrench)
John, Brenda and Craig Holmes
Shorty Hugo
Gisela (Butcher)
Billy, Irene, Kurt, Heidi and Dieter Smook
Sister Elizabeth Balmer
Sheralynne, Duncan and Joseph MacMillen
Selina Mthimkulu
Maysie Dinnie
and letters from
Harold and Winnie Kendall
Yolande Lausade
Paul (Dymond)
Marion Braithwaite
Gisela Butcher
Blaine and Clarice Jenson
Muriel and Harry Greer
Isobel and Alan Salzwedel
Helen and George van Pletzen
Louis (Hefer)
Lesley and Donald Tenner and Austin Edgson
Tony and Sherin Hollis
Deryck and Ria Vice
Sister Mien (van Brandwijk)
Signe and James Thomson
Joan Watson and family
Valery and Alton (Doller)
Maysie (Dinnie)
Carl and Sue Turley
Hilda Aldredge
Sister Gillene Christensen
Telegrams from
Colin and Jenny Bricknell and family
Durban Stake Presidency and all the members
This peom from Deryck Vice
"Till We Meet Again"
As the faint dawn crept, upwards, grey, grey and dim,
He saw her move across the past to him -
Her eyes as they had looked in long-gone years,
Tender with live, and soft with thoughts of tears,
Her hands, outstretched as if in wonderment,
Nestled in his, and rested there, content.
"Dear wife, he whispered, "What glad dream is this?
I feel your clasp - your long remembered kiss
Touches my lips, as when you used to creep
Into my heart; and yet, this is not sleep -
Is it some vision, that with night will fly?"
"Nay, dear." she answered, "It is really I."
"Dear heart, it is you I know,
But I knew not the dead could meet us so -
Bodies as we are - see, how like we stand."
"Like," she replied "In form, and face, and hand."
Silent a while, he held her to his breast,
As if afraid to try the further test -
Then speaking quickly - "Must you go away?"
"Husband," she murmured, "Neither night nor day."
Close to her then she drew his head,
Trembling, "I do not understand" he said -
"I thought the Spirit World was far apart..."
"Nay" she replied, "It is not now, dear heart -
Quick - Hold fast my hand, lean on me... so...
Cling to me, dear, "tis but a step to go."
The white-faced watchers rose beside the bed -
"Shut out the day" they sighed - "Our friend is dead."
Anon
Thanks all those who reached out to my Dad in written and spoken words and actions.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Kept For So Many Years
Ship Sleeping Quarters Card
HMS Cleopatra Canteen Ration Cards 1943
Government Railway Passenger Warrant 1944
Home Service Roster Card 1941
Springbok Club card 1944
Letter from the Chief Forest Officer 1944 "I regret to inform you that there are no vacancies in the City Lands and Forests Branch."
Stanley Motors Limited Place setting card 1955
Hudson Menu from the Wanderers Club 30th March 1955
Austin Golden Jubilee "Visit to England" Diary of Events 1955
HMS Cleopatra Canteen Ration Cards 1943
Government Railway Passenger Warrant 1944
Home Service Roster Card 1941
Springbok Club card 1944
Letter from the Chief Forest Officer 1944 "I regret to inform you that there are no vacancies in the City Lands and Forests Branch."
Stanley Motors Limited Place setting card 1955
Hudson Menu from the Wanderers Club 30th March 1955
Austin Golden Jubilee "Visit to England" Diary of Events 1955
Sunday, May 24, 2009
He "Clothed" Me
I was thinking about my Dad this past week.
I realised that, whilst some people make me feel "naked" and vulnerable in their presence, I am aware that many times my Dad "clothed" me. I knew good things about myself that he made me aware of. Thanks Dad.
I realised that, whilst some people make me feel "naked" and vulnerable in their presence, I am aware that many times my Dad "clothed" me. I knew good things about myself that he made me aware of. Thanks Dad.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Two Different Sides of the Earth
Three more booklets kept all these years.
My Dad had the capacity to Be where he was. He enjoyed his living in Cape Town and his visiting in Salt Lake City.
My Dad had the capacity to Be where he was. He enjoyed his living in Cape Town and his visiting in Salt Lake City.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Badges of Commitment
I found these three badges Dad used to wear at one time or another. I knew about the top two, I was reminded of his time as a stake missionary by the bottom one.Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Expressions of Sympathy for Little David
David Stephen Powrie, twenty month old third beloved child and first son of Tim and Shirley Powrie died on Christmas day in 1978. The whole family was gathered for earlier Christmas day before dispersing to other Christmas engagements. In the joy and busy-ness of the gathering, someone left the gate to the swimming pool open. David wandered in, fell in and drowned before he was found by his mother. He was rushed to the hospital and declared dead after they tried to revive him.
Some precious words of condolence from some loved ones - kept all these years:
May the love that still surrounds you be a source of comfort at this time. Our sincere sympathy at a seemingly untimely passing of a loved one. Denise, Malcolm(Young) and children.
I have not written because I have not known what or how to tell you how Bernie and I really feel about your baby grandson... we are constantly thinking of you all and remembering you in our prayers... May you be comforted and sustained and please give our love to Shirley and Tim, Inez and Syd. Muriel and Bernie (Hubert).
In my thoughts and prayers. Mabel Donly.
My dear Ken
Philippa's news on the loss of your first Powrie grandson shocked us terribly - more so as we were all talking at Christmas Eve about your grandchildren, David in particular.
I suppose there is a reason for everything that happens, but I wonder why a little innocent child should be taken when for the last year we have had constant trouble and worry from a 50 year old man (Wally's brother) since his coma on Dec 16th 1977 - a chronic diabetic and alcoholic (with brain damage as a result of the coma). This has broken up all the happy family relationship - each laying blame on the other for his (Cecil's) state of mind - which is why we had such a quiet Christmas. Sorry - I'm just letting off steam Ken, but why should Cecil have been saved last December, and David lost this year? Please don't mention this to Wally (or in front of him) as it would just worry him even more than he has been for the past 12 months.
Pixie (my father's sister) phoned last night - she was very shaken and upset, and has advised Ruth and Margery (two of my mothers sisters) - the latter has been in hospital since 2nd Dec with a very bad case of Shingles. I think she said Phil did not want her to phone you people but can't be sure.
We have seen no notices in the newspaper regarding the funeral arrangements but would not attend as think you would prefer it very private with only close family.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers, and let us hope that 1979 will be happier and more peaceful all round. 1978 has not been a good year.
Love from us all to you all.
Betty (Hall - my father's other sister)
We were so saddened when we heard about your small grandson's going. Please know that we think of you and your beloved children in our prayers.
Here is a lovely prayer which brings great comfort -
CHILDHOOD
"I'll lend you for a little while a child of Mine" he said
For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years or twenty two or three,
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charm to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You'll have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return;
But there are lessons taught down there, I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in search for teachers true -
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call him back again,
I fancy that I heard them say "Dear Lord thy will be done
For all the joy Thy child shall bring the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, We'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay;
For should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."
(by Hope Minne I later discovered)
With love to you all and Tim and Shirley.
Osburn Family.
So sorry to be late in sending your our feelings of sympathy in your recent sad loss. I only heard the news yesterday. Having lost my firstborn son at the age of nine years, I can assure you, I understand and feel your loss.
Our Father plucked that little choice spirit for Himself, full knowing his value, for don't we select only the best of the crop when we pick?
The family joins me in sending you our sincere sympathy.
The Collins Family.
Dear Philippa and Kenneth
As you wrote to tell us of your sad news, we presume you do not want to be telephoned.
We can only tell you that we are deeply sorry for you all and hope that somehow you will be comforted.
With much love Paul and Pixie (Dymond - Brother-in-law and sister)
Dear Philippa and Ken and Family
Just a little note to tell you that we think about you in your sorrow.
How blessed you are to know that you will again see your beloved little grandson.
We pray and know that you will find consolatrion in the Gospel.
With love, yours sincerely, Amy and Jan (Swanepoel)
I know that dozens of people must have written to you to say how sorry and shocked they were to hear of the tragic death of your grandson David. So I will not add to your sadness and grief by repeating how sad and shocked I was, but instead I am sending you a poem (which I know you heard me read some years ago at Ramah at a Cultural Evening, but you will not remember it) because I have sent it to a few mothers and fathers who have lost little ones both in and out of the Church and they have derived comfort from it. In fact Barbara Gordon-Carroll asked me to send it to Timothy because she had been so comforted by it.
I do not know Timothy and so I am sending it to your two dear friends and I send it in all sincerity and with my love and heatfelt sympathy.
Yours very sincerely, Hope Minne
There are two poems on one page so I am sending them both rather than separate them, and I think they both are relevant don't you? The second one you may know as it comes from a book called "The Prophet" . HM
(Unfortunately no poem with this letter.)
(I found the page with the two poems later... The poem above from the Osburn family was written by Hope Minne and the other by Kahlil Gibran is below)
"SPEAK TO US OF CHILDREN...
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backwards nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon upon path of the infinite and
He bends you with his might that the arrow might go swift and far.
Let not your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so also he loves the bow that is stable. "
My dear, dear Ken and Philippa,
Words are quite inadequate to express my sorrow on hearing today the news of your sad loss, incurred in such tragic circumstances. No one can be blamed for this.
All I can say is that time is a great healer, as we ourselves have discovered after the loss of our little grandson Clark,at the age of two.
May I also add that we derived great comfprt in the explanation given by Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith of the exaltation of little children in the Celestial Kingdom. Answers to Gospel Questions Volume 1, Chapter 15.
May your family members, especially the parents and grandparents, be so comforted.
Barbara joins me in expressing these sentiments.
Lots of love, Brian (Chater)
Dear Ken
I was shocked when you told me of the tragedy of your grandson. If we believe, we say he was born again as an angel in heaven.
I lost two, a girl and a boy, and I know how Tim feels about his loss - it is too hard a knock for a father to face and it is harder still for a grandfather to resist (I think) (that I know from my father).
Although I m not good in praying, I pray God to give Tim and his wife courage and patience. In the long run there will be compensation.
Sincerely, Nick (Antoun)
Also cards lovingly kept from
Johann, Lilian (Brummer) and family
Marie Kruger, Dickey and family
Roy and Judy (van Wesel)
A truly life-changing event for Tim, Shirley, Nicky and Jen, as well as Jay and Sue who were born after David drowned. Life changing too for the four grandparents as well as extended family - some of whom were there, as well as those who heard afterwards about the events of that day.
Some friends of ours STILL recall the day periodically.
This single life, this single event affected many people, in many ways - forever.
Some precious words of condolence from some loved ones - kept all these years:
May the love that still surrounds you be a source of comfort at this time. Our sincere sympathy at a seemingly untimely passing of a loved one. Denise, Malcolm(Young) and children.
I have not written because I have not known what or how to tell you how Bernie and I really feel about your baby grandson... we are constantly thinking of you all and remembering you in our prayers... May you be comforted and sustained and please give our love to Shirley and Tim, Inez and Syd. Muriel and Bernie (Hubert).
In my thoughts and prayers. Mabel Donly.
My dear Ken
Philippa's news on the loss of your first Powrie grandson shocked us terribly - more so as we were all talking at Christmas Eve about your grandchildren, David in particular.
I suppose there is a reason for everything that happens, but I wonder why a little innocent child should be taken when for the last year we have had constant trouble and worry from a 50 year old man (Wally's brother) since his coma on Dec 16th 1977 - a chronic diabetic and alcoholic (with brain damage as a result of the coma). This has broken up all the happy family relationship - each laying blame on the other for his (Cecil's) state of mind - which is why we had such a quiet Christmas. Sorry - I'm just letting off steam Ken, but why should Cecil have been saved last December, and David lost this year? Please don't mention this to Wally (or in front of him) as it would just worry him even more than he has been for the past 12 months.
Pixie (my father's sister) phoned last night - she was very shaken and upset, and has advised Ruth and Margery (two of my mothers sisters) - the latter has been in hospital since 2nd Dec with a very bad case of Shingles. I think she said Phil did not want her to phone you people but can't be sure.
We have seen no notices in the newspaper regarding the funeral arrangements but would not attend as think you would prefer it very private with only close family.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers, and let us hope that 1979 will be happier and more peaceful all round. 1978 has not been a good year.
Love from us all to you all.
Betty (Hall - my father's other sister)
We were so saddened when we heard about your small grandson's going. Please know that we think of you and your beloved children in our prayers.
Here is a lovely prayer which brings great comfort -
CHILDHOOD
"I'll lend you for a little while a child of Mine" he said
For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years or twenty two or three,
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charm to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You'll have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return;
But there are lessons taught down there, I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in search for teachers true -
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call him back again,
I fancy that I heard them say "Dear Lord thy will be done
For all the joy Thy child shall bring the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, We'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay;
For should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."
(by Hope Minne I later discovered)
With love to you all and Tim and Shirley.
Osburn Family.
So sorry to be late in sending your our feelings of sympathy in your recent sad loss. I only heard the news yesterday. Having lost my firstborn son at the age of nine years, I can assure you, I understand and feel your loss.
Our Father plucked that little choice spirit for Himself, full knowing his value, for don't we select only the best of the crop when we pick?
The family joins me in sending you our sincere sympathy.
The Collins Family.
Dear Philippa and Kenneth
As you wrote to tell us of your sad news, we presume you do not want to be telephoned.
We can only tell you that we are deeply sorry for you all and hope that somehow you will be comforted.
With much love Paul and Pixie (Dymond - Brother-in-law and sister)
Dear Philippa and Ken and Family
Just a little note to tell you that we think about you in your sorrow.
How blessed you are to know that you will again see your beloved little grandson.
We pray and know that you will find consolatrion in the Gospel.
With love, yours sincerely, Amy and Jan (Swanepoel)
I know that dozens of people must have written to you to say how sorry and shocked they were to hear of the tragic death of your grandson David. So I will not add to your sadness and grief by repeating how sad and shocked I was, but instead I am sending you a poem (which I know you heard me read some years ago at Ramah at a Cultural Evening, but you will not remember it) because I have sent it to a few mothers and fathers who have lost little ones both in and out of the Church and they have derived comfort from it. In fact Barbara Gordon-Carroll asked me to send it to Timothy because she had been so comforted by it.
I do not know Timothy and so I am sending it to your two dear friends and I send it in all sincerity and with my love and heatfelt sympathy.
Yours very sincerely, Hope Minne
There are two poems on one page so I am sending them both rather than separate them, and I think they both are relevant don't you? The second one you may know as it comes from a book called "The Prophet" . HM
(Unfortunately no poem with this letter.)
(I found the page with the two poems later... The poem above from the Osburn family was written by Hope Minne and the other by Kahlil Gibran is below)
"SPEAK TO US OF CHILDREN...
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backwards nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon upon path of the infinite and
He bends you with his might that the arrow might go swift and far.
Let not your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so also he loves the bow that is stable. "
My dear, dear Ken and Philippa,
Words are quite inadequate to express my sorrow on hearing today the news of your sad loss, incurred in such tragic circumstances. No one can be blamed for this.
All I can say is that time is a great healer, as we ourselves have discovered after the loss of our little grandson Clark,at the age of two.
May I also add that we derived great comfprt in the explanation given by Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith of the exaltation of little children in the Celestial Kingdom. Answers to Gospel Questions Volume 1, Chapter 15.
May your family members, especially the parents and grandparents, be so comforted.
Barbara joins me in expressing these sentiments.
Lots of love, Brian (Chater)
Dear Ken
I was shocked when you told me of the tragedy of your grandson. If we believe, we say he was born again as an angel in heaven.
I lost two, a girl and a boy, and I know how Tim feels about his loss - it is too hard a knock for a father to face and it is harder still for a grandfather to resist (I think) (that I know from my father).
Although I m not good in praying, I pray God to give Tim and his wife courage and patience. In the long run there will be compensation.
Sincerely, Nick (Antoun)
Also cards lovingly kept from
Johann, Lilian (Brummer) and family
Marie Kruger, Dickey and family
Roy and Judy (van Wesel)
A truly life-changing event for Tim, Shirley, Nicky and Jen, as well as Jay and Sue who were born after David drowned. Life changing too for the four grandparents as well as extended family - some of whom were there, as well as those who heard afterwards about the events of that day.
Some friends of ours STILL recall the day periodically.
This single life, this single event affected many people, in many ways - forever.
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