1st - 10th March 1953

Sunday 1^st March

Visited Aunt May and Uncle Arthur at 12 o’clock and stayed the day.

Wandered around Beckenham Park with Mavis during the afternoon.

Played cards all together in the evening and around arrived back at Brixton 11.30.  Gilbert slightly vexed

 

Monday 2^nd

Had my photo taken at Tieromen, Brixton during the day.  Collected same at 5.30, results: excellent.

During the afternoon Guy and I wandered over the exhibition site and also around Downing Street and Home Guard Parade etc.

Arrived back home- Thorpe Bay, about 7.30

 

Tuesday 3^rd

Cycled over to Malcolm in the morning, but we unanimously decided that it was far too cold and dismal for our intended ‘day of cycling’ in South Essex.

We went ot the Odeon after lunch to see “The Black Castle” and “Top of the Form”.

 

At seven I met Chloe at Southend Victoria and had supper at her home.

Wednesday 4^th

Supper at Chloe’s.

Thursday 5^th

Saw Aunt Agnes during the afternoon – still suffering from Bee poison.

Met Chloe at 7 o’clock and spent the evening at her home.

Friday 6^th

Finished leave, worst luck. A two year holiday lays ahead – I sincerely hope.

Saturday 7^th

Completed my “Officers Mess Duty” by 8p.m., and then hitch hiked into Newbury to catch 9.7.

Arrived home 1 o’clock – all abed.

Sunday 8^th

Met Robert and Malcolm during the morning.

Robert is at present waiting for his porting.

Visited Chloe after lunch – fond farewell.

Farewell to all – left 7.55 and managed to get back to the school before midnight. (quite a relief to get great coat with all contents back).

Monday 9^th

An extremely busy day – rushing round getting our clearance chit completed.

Collected Tropical Kit during afternoon.

S.Q.M.S. extremely helpful over the ground sheet I lost.

Tomorrow we move to Barton Stacey with an escort (corporal).

 

Tuesday 10^th

Left for Barton Stacey at 11 o’clock, escorted by Corporal Clark.

Alas, out hut (19) is absolutely useless. There is no lighting, no heating, no furniture and several windows broken.

Consequently after 6p.m. one either goes out of goes to bed.

I write this by candle light at 9 o’clock.

In our draft there are 6 drivers, 2 d’man, 1 railway bod, and 1 other. But all are very pleasant.