Diary of Edward Lloyd Fleming, January- September 1945 - Part 6

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.128
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

lasped bee sent of ther. At deten at Modingt de pictures & see Alahame tid whil war enluctan has lich at hysns in deferthen weced out to e ag of nothing sle t bedavivee at 22003 I got to Bridge Mt Pay + shid goedlye all ran pael other bet te Ray ten get bach to befar caught t b dountran 224 Thus Aguaid wor me at 05203 Hta bes at the sans Hold & had a bect o ta dyised get aut in an embulance to Habrough then went out to Kings thac to se Treas The bought beteam to letfors & the buste camp I seemed pleased but lass only left gustuda, io shanged a pacaded and ten we knacked off she was a little upst I natleed awhile ther I aid same sin bething Hlad lch & waihed cam eaught there so bees back to town The gase ona w then run bathed all t afternoon AW phott of herself & it was her buthda yutday letsenen siond my clottess nattered at great wrote a bet sack her I hav a wysed ron sught on 10 ile well mothe bod Ofter tex shada with detelletion its all said on Ttyle & winch ang jai to te butter and this natterer in t 25/ 45 (Tues) Octer brealefast sire Treas at the clan but for a long time Het the hay fairly late a she came to the statesn to se me off laquied 624 (2) went to Despatch 110 early and puncy tohdn e tere called f mad ty didit had my leave wevant ready to after shoes but the latte werat ready set the lean to leffere tunch trusagan and the foots made ce wes to bees then staking to all the rot under t see and a busout to canp just impacked and snt the about signatures it I managed to get station mgst a the Rut 745 (ee) Aperts to de vepateh beate and filled in transport to tawn and cought the 1515 to theflet a free forms & got my luggage sack to the hat yeuled to to see i fou wlt Away ha to bought a publace Iraught t ma Steaman, Lde afternson & tried to rend a telegram three sigs but n say and so litch liked to Relfaed & sent it form team &to deeds had a whole carrigge to myself for there then ketched on to Killlaghaline mut Aedson had a whole computeat so t plent on ay intersting farmr coloto m to Aleby of sleep the 10 eleck had gon to Eg so shad tea andwent to 225 6 urived a dleamae about see had
teusual trouble with the sustains Subackation foll but got tes on met two other Ausis & we had breakfest + a dink & mattered lots I teaveel as fee a Belfast with on other parts lang Pitty sls bought her a berthday present and en raught the turibly erwded Partruch trai me Cetty at the station &e looked for accomo sation together when all else failed, tis how offered to put meen with the boys so I puped as a chance Betty & I weat for a waet den has te spent the evening nattring out on th dimes 2[6. Cin). A weyard maning + I went for a swem before wistfast thoroughly exhilacaty we sat on the treataates of te halbour in t mit reading most of the tus Eafter dises went out on be dimes to enlatte spent a very enpyable aften and when wed had tee, we wld beck onr again thereed backs changes went to a mce sttle sevex casled the Ehilogue of the last vay sincer + uplepting then we had same supper and came beck tohe I botked Belteys semple ril tshing rothe anry at proset. wept t bedo bt earlia tongst &4 b Men) Iwnhadmb deoffie wid Citty bole themst morning on the w sast but down again in do gtenson & it somes sod maeched back to te house ther is quite a lt of styff de looks tke peatr decaed tres on t ws seach she pils came back a be eafterwards we played bugge I was taugst how we realy had a gadgnt Citty I went a wall to be white Ricks back 18245 (Tues) the photes they did in tewn tirned one stea good Bitty was off to work so I sat d mor on to stand & had an sevmm & gras long rond wrote a bet but it was hard going wolked doee tl office with betty again othe got into short Thert & senbarled same more trouble wasde cam came up so tact gieet away i ad to bunge & wiole & read hast mgst alass wt Douthy gave a most pattilie song vital offecte Eack Betty along to i A Canteey daled the we had supper same back & naterd for a lime then et withold sofa awtall bt the hay 1174 wes bett was it warl as usual ad ent out n the said hills ofte a se byfor buat fax. It was a piday I had we at before duma and a te afternoon went out so be dimes again resetit sele has anothe u &a yai wl an kel bed after to Buty Sustced Nollys Hille backing the wela in te rend for a ling time the came backs retide
lenge toa wee while 2246 (thers) Orange day on beg wead at Port. nest bly had be day off so are went along te sands ater Is peed up her sae After winch weweat back there again and didg but of sundalling as bod got all dissed up after to and weat for a vigard wall to but stwed taking the write tup terwese beg rad te to wening was prpect dering to day I saw a few lands had to tunl being played w caught to bes baed & had a bit of suffer 2o ds kitcher and the sata to uge for y ew ith is a s wyar b ase s tosbet me tet tshay ecatiale 1324 (tri It tel all my ti toat up for treae vc to morning hith & dweed tust oth th, as he was csed, we watted to be white heals & back again she preme Ofter diser kill weat t dos I had a caneit and i sat out ande terton forewhit ten a tes Ate te Ihad duith a migur tens with pan the duttes a teterber wets &t rames pest as time was ap se w hea & I shaved & wisled & we set in t beng & seng white then had supperst which I brought out any time s peaches billy & I want to t msglt metie to se leten o the soule timpinel but I wasa wisher shen we get sack dute ept if t bed iitent any dety M.2M (Bst) Cuty sept on this morning afterrptor me to some to breaffect 3o I did all my wasking & at to wal on Billys cobendery Also read a litle before ile get up then we went for a waek dcat an to pass near the Arcadia awhile After dinnes we are out to the sends & by the slghing meeking bame beck to the en we went to the animent acades Barys, thits itts inopposite to Peture tem Sent penty bushad a good time then are came beck, after beuying someclps which weall in m e tlla Wllie, Billy had suppe payes bridge for a little while then pet off F2YE (u) I was up santime as mual after washing, I did a litte writing and readay Before Rety was ready Iwent dow to te harbour to watte sime topede tombong and the to homor Poths dlay for a while in the si on Kamor Hd aher ca t dne In destei we staged uens as itas reiing, Iread wae of tint Da fai hady to Citty He enjoynd it sul got in be odd rcking hour Atter te in knd and went to church then we went to to bucader to supper & band rtal they did aat of Io it Came back + I read am me and nked ab
and thenwget off to bed I remed almasall to evening & te dase in our outhouise kept taying the whole ture 164 t Mon) It was a say will sorny day and for the pird part of the day I sat in de dlawing rason ten Betty and Sool a short walk on to lamoalld the waves y beg beaking t babo w ham lept up all after dume so when it stopped Cetty d wont fore moit delighful wall to the while lacks & got will truly wind blown After to w got up t e deav rom+ placed eards or hatteres. With bought some in eram which was most acceptable and Iapened a ten of segbiny jam for supper + I masa hit w it Ae geared a bet tonfer & I read some beck to bett 12245 (Fue) A much ealmer day and we get out to sese as possible, doing a few messages of the dinner we went down the bast steans and I read Ritly a bit & de book Inte of wening we went to the Acladiun when Retly had wae back from the doctor & sipes evening and I danced adives of a lt the hall is one of the best Los heea in lapt outs land simply wlyaid We m him, had a bet of supper got off to bed 1 d) Ad art o morning ae went tor will before dune spent te afterase on the dimes treeds bt of the took a dity and also went in fora nown It was glences out on the sands but in te cosume we felt very sittes. nettered in the deawing uon tll supper t Sfelt undermurished so we went to the Hlympis bass had a bit moreto eat Read alst y ol a generally ancled about in the evening I pided my stuff pror oleaving for Deffast 1 Ipt pat o7 laste shavingile, & cay the outan a lefest Cantero about pay the suggetd a place easled ltas at Demonn & pliciman tol mean the rem to town & puide oe emostown atle bus stif. His lost onr brothes who was on 1 on a rair on Obemity the busticl me to Demoiny lane & shad to well about 1snt the lat &a notrouble to getting paid5 warked agrad but of de way saed then pt o oees I tuld lots of places for peten & sationary for Joan but sulaut for Ihad quitt anie much of firt pudding while out hear a Ianet an Eesso w shop whose aunt own the seabent Hold o here oters ut of waiting I raugst te 1rotic but it as held up becous of te mastien coming dran from Dery allalong te time were plicmen, anned will this cutnary rle odatans the royal casches passed us at Negfis
butad dasw was a flact of colour there were tots of people along the lailioay line wasing plags son a curent factoy, a gigante Ow save ove nise had been charled yp Jaruoed about nos recore lem has to they wes a bet surpries Id came back so won Bill + I went to be dand, calling in wutt at the Majestie when Hela & fear wver selling leplsal afpeks ductous Qitl Egrad hape but seve writehing td so put on o had shea Jack li lay soffet Joars thologual buother werether as t had supperwhen is ra in csidal ba let off a bes pronts then 20 x45 (Pre) I was up to brakfest but it was a very nierable day so Oslayed in de drawing room sid seme writing end alot of endrsider and thn was tie for diner Io te efteman I wathe & it Netupel aid but and then stayed in ou belrom de rest of tho time writing a reading ofter te Rettys sweas to the Piters Huse Ese wete appreaches which are absiuttly lliant ofter supper ue radd a whit & Iread a attle of the bosk ther e got off t 28245 (at) oe buckfut I desides to tels a wait a struck off into the sounty at the back of hee, thrtafe all sepest boces were sall marked vl and on the say prety wventy to Haylin wher a pisdt illes sond one nime Enquired at the a wher it went t lady from teegse origually, produed Icolate busu when caled for Emonade mad off toward Clleam teber stopped to all me his two brothers work for syle in mll howing peid a most elabouate fle wull on the way where I had to take shetter while it remed and presently darsives in Coluam It was a faih tay n met an duse & to whon I ha autt nath Boobed wel de buses by citching anod Bilatewart inslead & direct but te dure was ver pretty allng de l bai Tarrives & in time fordune In the ofternson Betty & I went out to de dunes to read swece cought in a very leavy sloase &had to shillee under my cost but it passesor w hada dis ther came home After the we spen the pird part of the we ning a the bunge after supper went fora walk allng the seach toming back at the Areadia, for people will walching an object in the watte ras it was paite dul it we inpossible to mae ald its frm It started swnnning out twwards te sterces going just on kich & leavelling fairly fast the puple all thought it be a seal It tured + wer in again and whe t hes recked sels wates, a man pt this feet wout to got thoae use went straight to bed
B1(n) I was up at the usust sundy time, haa breaffest wrote quite a bit Bitty and Iweat t the Coft t arade and iat servlee but it was quite good enough we had die for shat while ofter natter with some of te guists in the desiving reson n Auty t went a wil & lem & saw an open ai Days Rugrd mating continued on to te lansdown wit whes we sat to a wais sem & placked as Has a meat in laighersn's cope ther t at heme. Pyda set of suly gao fack while tea Retty & dwent t tiscaller Hills & Matle came latee the band played an ition for awsalt Drean and the as ales qute good we came back and were enterained by to two blys staying here both exaident phulatelets about 22 wt bith tuned in 22.212 (Mn) After beasfect I wish for a white and den went out on to reamon Eld to rad coiteled tho Bausude dive-Combing and placed widh a day for awhile then same in to denner In the optenson I went out on to de times but the sen wasntony strong nt 1020 Ican selto beth shavl on te sands was a stey haply house partys this Egians who sa sured of ttures ofte to Bty went to te dictor again other as tell were aleng to a Rospitaldty Leagus Davce at te lean tal tt aset to good do affair but wanned upat the alth the band cosent too byelt Soet Dorstly trances a fe other girls after supper ie afte rtaok Dorothy a to Mithill oten stislled back oucselves & sla very at whill in the lnge then lact got off to bea 247 45 (u) was up to braffact and te Iget the sos bus to beliave changed & set off for Londendery be r to Lenavady was beautful ont to beack on the rest and decess of Damnhill and Magelligan & t yt Exparsed near to Cersaragh to and ataling the green are deffend rich tt grass & te awfully health sal to chause at Remavady and we alrias Den about 1200 intetaround the walls lat it is say much an inductio th Sawbe wether Monuent we memorid, the forl fe to James as the aditiary bigtd monarch bulfes but plain bridge acrous te L Layle te tep hem to be seeut falther that out Bitty ise it the destees when sarrives I has tee and reas te bakt Bittyf it the we had supper clacked at the lays stanks again in evening Idrewed retler bail for her the ine at Dery met be quite deep a there are alst of by doats t3 sted along t rios fora while saw on Cl scordland stret call te slops had clothing esliff bng yt in from te open he as many diss alaling o wa to 3 (W) Aaty wut feeling too good so efter my besfoct I tosk her out some to the I tak her her wast
wite and fired ter tad up He didnt go to work so I see at he besiide all the ture wrote a litteto bad After deer litt setured to the office and I wrote a bet more Hee went out on to the Limes & gol guitt a nex suming but dedet go sothing fte the e st acound for but in the sen & sgot a litter from or Depatch plt to segou parting lae night be delayed a late as tt td of September, and gedusto get rnsere cnllegement Ailtyan I went to be pitues to see tendee Cameade which was fair maugh ote soppe we set in the bunge a litte and the Idessed rett b and wrote guit a bit was goo before I let to hay 2 24 ther Druded caty to make the rem aton begistle reought the bes at 1000 lased Cunbia bastle sitles at bet Ballentree, Buchmills & lents Causurg t ndustept arcomnary for us of what we were peaing weathr was beautful itts gueny te feeld blis of sky& see wase a supe coaties we passed on the Dinverick and Ballentoy ront at wort could o belay to white part bey was very petty and after passing a number of peat bap, we san doe into Ballycaske at the fast of Rnnblayd Iwal has a lock at honamany Albey, built, roe dmed deuied b Ia lt t te beate of membres frir Deale who sonedes off storater the bast sank welled ter th town parte steep mattet ast off with decuntry hadlen o sked scautiful poputatio 400 and th chee occupate is fich drying Ritioren Callycas and the istand ar differecucents its doubfe of te shp as wes be able to return for a few days I walked seck to Teants bousinay (13 miles) Ieadled to in the hope bridge of baush a hede had bend the the sea solouring was requiite& the flex a beautify green oble Twaked name to clifs a wils way don remed te read at Bathintey and present on to the Eeray from there draught the Erain hame in timets lased balt shave before ta & th wvening billy) I went for a strelt along the dimes + stan for supper I nattred aher in our som dsted in 100 latee lost is returned with a swubing masuty in England 2274 (n) Afterbrakfed said te was sell cacal of writing eought a bus to Bluan & another to Bllianne cemp Iwalked part a by istall a ten stinc off if the mountein the first part was very rah over dak growd, bu as Egst up things wer casee Beneragh 41260/ and after sig regging quits a bet I arrived at the tep from which got a most marvillous view
aeres to uetrary of the bys and we bhangal the saraty of great and a beautiful sond levered shy was a perfect mature I followed on arsind t cliff and wes alone sccipt for the mountain shep &olly strong wind was blewing and I flong pieces of manus off pust 4 s t effects of t killard curest a sa plal stone plated in air for quite som time From Anwenagh thi wa a long desreat rasient to get to the redu stative on te next outeros pust on sltary for hece the a po plantation I dea did a simites discent chib to te cs above Lawabill & just fortewed dim alsus A pouall get on the step s declff in Dakitl thad senwcle t late an wted prison reced to sega min h been found on th bead &to blake reng to septhe ealle & ccp Had a ack at i o enough it was put plesting out there aboatoft fo the edge of te water dranges t bus ha a Coleram then sack a Brtrust wher Hhat abee + cliased up my very duty sothing After to Bitty Oset out to go for a wall but get as far as depate hoe rae wher is see for about 2 hess the we returned fir he have owe had guite an iy nxt the achange sted do gul plates in 2211() Hes inta de moring ao I sad were for stitt de went dosen the strat to do som shoppings boys a medel of a laneacte, trouph it back starkst habe it yo In beafterson Betty was off we went out late for a wail pt a seaut blewing Ofter ae we decised ago to beliamed Deape Sur Euitt gas with a neel & a ut ret visit to beliav trwase bas dresed as a con by bey repesus a beg neas paying to see him free himself his mett was saching a whot to we cauget the last be ham + lest return getting to the next 47 (Sin) Hctes bau in bed was anfully welsme and after breakled I did a bit more of the septine we went for a short wall before dinnce ten in the afternoon went out to the dimes. Ibought the Cheaniels wtand rt out te Iwas amaze at the mumber of perats about have an col, ona nwo io han five feet abou the head, stood by te just wateling Cusire advver the Auk Aftert defent indose and we weal along to the Cpilagee o suppe vey good such a naad that t stan b came home and Ireas to bett for a whll then turned in Dwe ben) It was a wet day and get sted it myt and spart the whole moning at it ten shad dine & do onr egain alleke afteron the watter beak about 1000 but came in again sed s Istad d m ap
In the cay t hed etered affeanty to prasthing so we went dewn the wed strand accind t rels I read a t more the bak is becoming very ather ty after sip Dreas sime more to beilly then turned in ) after sraffest I wrot a bit and a telegram came setending my leave undl the 17thly Palcogot a latle about to non cwice employment & le lanch went to boleraing to se what Job Deous get, but in use as the bleks was completly shiks a I mad my way back apain & did a bet of my medel Outh was workin beck tonight Iwest to ft bs y at 202 we same back had weas apo in erem and after sffer treas to bee the we terned in 845 (ted) Iest of early a guitt ety a dould eatch the oges to Deffait At there arrwent tte retore orchange seen t manage Rdisited it t eppointennts offices in Adilaide steal a levent round but t had nothing to suit me and sugge det Itry a England sod reight the next team back to Catust and did sime war of my nold b Re & whol last o bea tisking on today too te lay ep of 20 mae of tuppence to tt Oett at so rxcan him who Qraxto te befre s eftr appen sedam mor of my make before tan in thes wese res lad dana tanget o which mode of the younge follwet Iws in IRas cos schal appeal to u particularly 2245 thens) Iwas up as usual and after breatfast did my writing then I spent the rest of the morning working on my nadd ater with he usual usid of Res about After dimer I was taking to ths tis fairll organized a bes at the 4cs place for their daughter fraed when he arrives thinted the Hea bet sur the went out to the dimes where I spent a deghfi aftenson in the sumg read & slght I came back had a bath & shave then sent out & changes Me sitt ras decided to geto the dance so while the pst ready a played the peai bedance was absolutely seper Po seldom rupt one so much before te warker back via Aicadia &s be night was so still the say was a blage of stars no daud no wind she water sapping on the foreshore heper to make an alsuod perfect setting 4Br) ses up caly and after befest write up my dary and then made a be texe for the said du It was a beautiful day end bulliant simshin and sdald and had a delightful sa Ofter donne I paints my ofe ten went back to be dures. Once more He sim was very hot and I got meet buat thre was a
any lage mrd alletong de Cshand and te sete betting hours ix rternes for the and then Ipt all was super for swemning dectual sed a ut spriced up and weal to shurk at the mish Strsant to I came sect just in time for te and Bith had manythat I collected Citty and we set on bet get any as fae as to Siscadus cap wher we beteed to the msie & all we aget off work sowe went out along te C bead a getter ? eet duan & watted a bealitfu simat then ae in the bun for a loishls had sett a grain or came back to the liter Hous caft and has t ten oct off to bis 6 (Mos) Kotknns tat prting was dffeces supper thes ten dreed to sutty hase bit you the morning we sneasfully fidee time by on the deairing isom after wid said gradought I recking + I did my parking It was too blusly ar de wal pete out of my cames & putin a new to go out doses gave t 4o 4 Bet Ofter dimes one In bed by 0020 paid this hose f3 and said gredllye to as man 4.245 (sat) Aidey was not patiety nuce a swull a as I could fine ther Betty & Drauglt the uast but in do maning bad ter went af te that ggot cam Beffort e pust has about com to getten byon paint for my Rite + pust about fincated of Oftee die th slat tran went at 1720 Bitt kept her chlrup day ite clot streatening a I stayed in & imbroidued& well 88i demed if it wonnt I who subleas tn ofter to we went to a dane at the Calladum ful and as we san along towards hame & was tuibly ereades but most enjoyable & puitea sunber fo tifoll from the house & Atys office r thi filt the saddest may in the raugte leat bll same Ihad dand will havely wwhen it became to bet re about Five owe e tocks with acund the water front lad rrough passage tes put put t tas be last couph of dinces tenlame back home lights or] the spay was constantly buthing regst 5845 (s) ae were up guit late and wend fora derenth bas & am foll got sy will there are wall arcund be landown when I saxt olt of wne to en bigit spack raching we City for a little while bet it ramed a we hast amw a the cte pauning oal him Iouly jest managed the afternaon was delightful so is weat oaon the sai to get to steaman without felling to s0 whies din I finised t bost sals get in dodd s s the Ivr blyclett pav by Adeo beagoging

had just been sent up there. Got the train at Paddington

& had lunch at Lyons in Oxford then raced out to the 

Bridges. Met Kay & said goodbye all round
then got back to Oxford & caught the B'ham train.
Got a bed at the Grand Hotel & had a bath & tea
then went out to King's Heath to see Irene. She

seemed pleased but Lass only left yesterday so

she was a little upset. I nattered awhile then
caught the 2230 bus back to town. She gave me a
photo of herself & it was her birthday yesterday.

Wrote a bit back here. I have a wizard room
with the telephone etc all laid on! "Style & Winch."
3.7.45 (Tues) After breakfast I met Irene at the 'Ilana"
& she came to the station to see me off Had a quick
journey to London 2½hrs & when there called for mail &
shoes but the latter weren't ready. Got the train to Retford
and a bus out to camp. Just unpacked and spent the 

night in the hut.

4.7.45 (Wed) Reported to the Despatch Centre and filled in
a few forms & got my luggage back to the hut. Reported
in the afternoon & tried to send a telegram three sigs

but no joy and so I hitch hiked to Retford & sent it from
there. Then I hitched on to Nth Killingholme & met
one very interesting farmer who took me to Welby.

The P.O. clerk had gone to Fg. so I had tea and went to 

the pictures & saw "Oklahoma Kid" which was entertaining 
if nothing else. The bod arrived at 2300 & I got the 
parcel & then hit the hay.
5.8.45 (Thurs) A guard woke me at 0530 & I 

dressed & got a lift in an ambulance to Habrough.
Caught the train to Retford & the bus to camp. I

changed & paraded and then we knocked off &
I did some sun bathing. Had lunch & washed some
clothes then sun bathed all the afternoon A W.AA.F.
batwoman ironed my clothes & nattered at great
length on V.D. etc! with another bod. After tea I had a

long yarn to Ken Butler and then nattered in the
hut for a long time. Hit the hay fairly late.
6.7.45 (Fri) Went to Despatch H.Q. early and 
they didn't have my leave warrant ready so after
lunch I tried again and the fools made me miss
the bus thru sticking to all the rot under the sun
about signatures etc. I managed to get station
transport to town and caught the 15.15 to Sheffield
went to see "Since You Went Away" & had tea &
bought a necklace. I caught the 2000 Streamer
train & to Leeds had a whole carriage to myself & from
Leeds on, had a whole compartment so I got plenty 
of sleep.
7.7.45  (Sat) Arrived in Stanrear  about 0430 & had 
 

 

the usual trouble with the customs/embarkation
folk but got thru o.k. Met two other Aussies & we
had breakfast & a drink & nattered lots. I travelled
as far as Belfast with one & then parted. Rang
Betty & also bought her a birthday present and
then caught the terribly crowded Portrush train.
Met Betty at the station & we looked for accommodation 
together. When all else failed, Mrs [[Ronor?]]
offered to put me in with the boys so I jumped at the 
chance. Betty & I went for a walk then had tea & 
spent the evening nattering out on the dunes.
8.7.45 (Sun). A wizard morning & I went for 
a swim before breakfast. Thoroughly exhilarating.

We sat on the breakwater of the harbour in the [[morntime?]] 

reading most of the time & after dinner went out in
the dunes to sunbathe. Spent a very enjoyable afternoon 
and when we'd had tea, we went back once
again. Hurried back & changed & went to a nice
little service called the Epilogue at the CofE. very

sincere & uplifting. Then we had some supper and
came back home. I bathed Betty's pimple & it's
looking rather angry at present. We got to bed a bit
earlier tonight.

9.7.45 . (Mon.) I walked down to the office with Betty &

bade her farewell then spent the morning on the W.

beach. Went down again in the afternoon & it rained so I

mooched back to the house. There is quite a lot of stuff that
looks like peat & decayed trees on the w. beach. The girls
came back a tea & afterwards, we played bridge. I
was taught how! We really had a good game tho & then

Betty & I went a walk to the white Rocks & back.
10.7.45 (Tues) The photos they did in town turned out

xtra good. Betty was off to work so I sat the morning 

on the Strand & had one swim & a good long run. I
wrote a bit but it was hard going. Walked down to the
office with Betty again & then got into shorts &

shirt & sunbathed some more. Trouble was the
rain came up so I had to give it away & I sat in 
the lounge & wrote & read. Last night a lass called
Dorothy gave a most pathetic song recital. After tea
I took Betty along to see 'A Canterbury Tale'  & then we

had supper. Came back & nattered for a time then
sat on the old sofa awhile & hit the hay.
11.7.45 (Wed) Betty was at work as usual so I
went out on the sand hills after a swim before breakfast. 
It was a glorious day & I had another dip before
dinner and in the afternoon went out on the dunes again &

read a bit. I also had another dip & yarn with an Irish lad.
After tea Betty & I watched Molly & Nella bathing then we lay
in the sand for a long time then came back & sat in the 

 

lounge for a "wee while".
12.7.45 (Thursday) '

"Orange' day & a big crowd at Portrush. 
Betty had the day off so we went along the sands

after I'd fixed up her boil. After lunch we went back  

there again and did a bit of sunbathing. We both got all
dressed up after tea and went for a wizard walk to Port

stewart taking 3hrs over the trip. There was a big crowd there &

the evening was perfect. During the day I saw a few bands
& heard the "Limbeg" being played. We caught the bus back
& had a bit of supper in the kitchen and then sat in the 
lounge for some time - & how. Betty is a simply wizard
kid & has been a real cobber to me. Hit the hay eventually
13.7.45 (Fri). It took me all my time to get up for
breakfast & in the morning Betty & I went first to the Dr.
then, as he was closed, we walked to the white Rocks &
back- again a 3hr journey. After dinner Betty went to
the doc & I had a haircut and we sat out on the
harbour for a while then came to tea. After tea I had

quite a nice game of tennis with Joan & her brothers at
the Urban courts. It rained just as time was up
so we came home & I shaved & washed & we sat
in the lounge & sang awhile & then had supper at
which I brought out my tinned peaches. Betty & I went to
the midnight matinee to see 'Return of the Scarlet
Pimpernel' but it was a wicked show we got back about 0200

& got off to bed without any delay.
14.7.45 (Sat) Betty slept in this morning after imploring
me to come to breakfast. So I did all my washing &
set to work on Betty's embroidery. Also read a little
before she got up. Then we went for a walk & sat on the
grass near the Arcadia awhile. After dinner we went
out to the sands & lay there sleeping & necking. Came
back to tea & then we went to the amusement
arcades - Barry's, Phil's & the one opposite the Picture House.
Spent plenty but had a good time. Then we came
back, after buying some chips which we ate in my
bedroom (Nella, Mollie, Betty & I) we had supper &
played bridge for a little while then got off to
bed.
15.7.45 (Sun) I was up same time as usual & after
washing, I did a little writing and reading. Before
Betty was ready I went down to the harbour to watch
some torpedo bombing and then to Ramore. Betty & I lay
for a while in the sun, on Ramore Hd. and then came in 
to dinner. In the afternoon we stayed indoors as it was
raining & I read some of "Faint Heart, Fair Lady" to
Betty. She enjoyed it & we got in the odd necking hour.
After tea we dressed and went to church. Then we went to 
the Trocadero to supper & a band recital. They did a lot of
G & S etc. Came back & I read some more and necked a bit
 

 

and then we got off to bed. It rained almost all the 
evening & the door in our outhouse kept banging the 

whole time.
16.7.45 (Mon) It was a very wild, stormy day and
for the first part of the day I sat in the drawing room
then Betty and I took a short walk on to Ramore Hd. The
waves were very big & were breaking over the harbour wall.

Rain kept up till after dinner so when it stopped Betty & I
went for a most delightful walk to the White Rocks & got
well & truly wind blown. After tea we got up to the Drawing 
room & played cards or nattered. Betty bought some
ice cream which was most acceptable and I opened
a tin of raspberry jam for supper & I made a hit with

it. We yammed a bit longer & I read some book to Betty.
17.7.45 (Tues) A much calmer day and we got out as
soon as possible, doing a few messages. After dinner
we went down to the East Strand and I read Betty a
bit of the book. In the af evening we went to the

Palladium when Betty had come back from the 
doctor. A super evening and I danced a deuce of a
lot. The hall is one of the best I've been in & Ralph Sylvester's
band simply wizard. We came home, had a bit of 
supper & got off to bed.
18.7.45 (Wed) Usual sort of morning & we went for a 
walk before dinner. Spent afternoon on the dunes & 

I read a bit of the book to Betty and also went in for a
swim. It was glorious out on the sands but in the evening
we felt very restless. Nattered in the drawing room till
supper time. I felt "undernourished' so we went to the
Olympia Cafe & had a bit more to eat. Read a lot of
book & generally mucked about in the evening. I packed 

my stuff prior to leaving for Belfast.

19.7.45  (Thurs). I got up at 0700 & after shaving etc, I caught
the 0800 train to Belfast. Saw the R.T.O. about pay & he
suggested a place called RAFNI at Dunmurry. A
policeman took me on a tram to town & guided
me across town to the bus stop. He'd lost one brother
who was an F/E. on a raid on Chemnitz. The bus took

me to Dunmurry Lane & I had to walk about 1½ miles
then to the N.I. R.A.F. H.Q. No trouble in getting paid & I 

walked a good bit of the way back then got a bus. I
tried lots of places for [[fiten?]] & stationary for Joan

but without joy. I had quite a nice lunch of fish

& pudding. While out near R.A.F.N.I. I met an Aussie

UN. chap whose aunt owns the Seabank Hotel up

here. After a lot of waiting I caught the 1550 train
but it was held up because of the royal train

coming down from Derry. All along the line were
policemen, armed with their customary revolvers
& batons. The royal coaches passed us at Tharfin
 

 

but all I saw was a flash of colour. There were lots of
people along the railway line waving flags & on
a cement factory, a gigantic GOD SAVE OUR KING
had been chalked up. I arrived about 1830 & came
home & had tea. They were a bit surprised I'd come
back so soon. Betty & I went to the dance, calling en
route at the Majestic where Nella & Joan were selling
lifeboat appeal buttons. Quite a good hope but I was
wretchedly tired so put on a bad show. Jack Kecoe

& Roy Moffat (Joan's theological brother) were there too

& we all had supper when we came in - chocolate biscuits

Got off to bed pronto then.
20.7.45 (Fri). I was up to breakfast but it was a
very miserable day so I stayed in the drawing room.
Did some writing and a lot of embroidery and then it 
was time for dinner. In the afternoon I walked to the 
Metropole with Betty and then stayed in our bedroom the 
rest of the time writing & reading. After tea Betty & I went
to the Picture House to see "Western Approaches" which
was absolutely brilliant. After supper we nattered for
a while & I read a little of the book, then we got off to bed.
21.7.45 (Sat). After breakfast I decided to take a walk & so
struck off into the country at the back of here, thru Ballywilliam
where the post boxes were still marked V.R. and on thru

very pretty country to Cloyfin where a first class road cut

mine. Enquired at the P.O. where it went & the lady, from 
Glasgow originally, produced chocolate biscuits when I

asked for lemonade. Made off towards Coleraine & a 

baker stopped to tell me his two brothers work for Sleights
in Melbourne. & Poowang! I passed a most elaborate flax 

mill on the way where I had to take shelter while it
rained and presently I arrived at Coleraine. It was a 

fairly large town & I met an Aussie f/t to whom I had
a little natter. Boobed with the buses by catching one via
Portstewart instead of direct but drive was very
pretty along the R. Bann. I arrived bk.  in time  for dinner.
In the afternoon Betty & I went out to the dunes to read
& were caught in a very heavy shower & had to shelter

under my coat but it passed o.k. & we had a dip then
came home. After tea we spent the first part of the evening 
in the lounge & after supper went for a walk
along the beach. Coming back, at the Arcadia, few people 
were watching an object in the water & as it was quite

dark, it was impossible to make out its' form. It started
swimming out towards the skerries giving just one
kick & travelling fairly fast. The people all thought it to
be a seal. It turned & swam in again and when it had
reached shallow water, - a man got to his feet & ran out!
We got home soon & went straight to bed.

 

22.7.45 (Sun) I was up at the usual Sunday time & had

breakfast & wrote quite a bit. Betty and I went to the 

C of I to a rather 2nd rate service but it was quite

good enough. We had dinner & for a short while after I

nattered with some of the guests in the drawing room then

Betty & I went to walk on Ramore & saw and open air Boys

Brigade marching & continued on to the Lansdowne rocks

where we sat till a wave came & splashed us. Had a 

meal in Farghaison’s  cafe then tea at home. Played a

sort of quiz game for a while then Betty & I went to

the Trocadero & Nella &  Mollie came later. The band

played an item for me "A Waltz Dream" and their music

was quite good. We came back and were entertained by

the two boys staying here. Both are ardent philatelists

About 2345 we both turned in. 

23.7.45 (Mon). After breakfast I went for a walk and then 
went out on to Ramore Hd to read. Watched the Barracudes
dive-bombing and played with a dog for a while then
came in to dinner. In the afternoon I went out on to 
the dunes but the sun wasn’t very strong so at 1630 I came 
back to bath & shave. On the sands was a very happy house
party & three Belgians who sang several of their tunes. After
tea Betty went to the doctor again & then we both went
along to a Hospitality League Dance at the Town Hall.
It wasn't to good an affair but warmed up at the end
altho the band wasn't too bright. I met Dorothy Frances &
a few other girls. After supper we left & took Dorothy to
the Metropole & then strolled back ourselves & sat a very short
while in the lounge then both got off to bed.
24.7.45 (Tues). was up to breakfast and then I got the
1030 bus to Coleraine, changed & set off for Londonderry. 
The run to Limavady was beautiful with the beach on the
right and the cliffs of Downhill and Magilligan on the left.
We passed near to Benwanagh too and all along the green was
deep and rich & the grass & trees awfully healthy. Had to
change at Limavady and we arrived Derry about 1300. I
walked around the walls but it is very much an industrial

town. Saw the Walker Monument & War memorial, the formals
refer to James ? as the "arbitrary & bigoted monarch." There is
a beautiful but plain bridge across the R. Foyle. The trip home
was no less beautiful than that out. Betty was at the doctors
when I arrived so I had tea and read the Book to Betty & finished
it then we had supper & looked at the boy's stamps again in the
evening. I dressed Betty's boil for her. The river at Derry
must be quite deep as there are a lot of big boats there & I
looked along the river for a while. saw an R.C. secondhand
street & all the shops had clothing & stuff hung up in front
in the open. There are many dronies all along the road too.
25.7.45 (Wed.) Betty wasn't feeling too good so after my
breakfast, I took her out some tea. Then I took her her washing

y got a let

water and fixed up her boil. She didn’t go to work so I sat

at her bedside all the time wrote a letter to Dad. After
dinner Betty returned to the office and I wrote a bit more
then went out on the dunes & got quite a nice sunning
but didn’t go in bathing. After tea we sat around  for a 
bit in the sun & I got a letter from O.C. Despatch flt. to
say our posting home might be delayed as late as the

end of September, and urged us to get some non-service 
employment. Betty and I went to the pictures to see
"Tender Comrade" which was fair enough. After supper,

we sat in the louinge a little and then I dressed Betty's
boil and wrote quite a bit, so it was 0100 before I hit

the hay.
26.7.45. (Thursday) Decided early to make the run down to
Ballycastle & caught the bus at 1000. Passed Dunkell Castle &
called at Port Ballintrae, Bushmills & Giants' Causeway. The
conductor kept up a running commentary for us of what
we were passing. Weather was beautiful & the green of the 
fields & blue of the sky & sea was a super contrast. We

passed on thru Dunseverick and Ballintoy & out to the

north could see Islay Is. White Park bay was very pretty

and after passing a number of peat bogs, we ran down

into Ballycastle at the foot of Knocklayd. I went & had
a look at Bonamargy Abbey, built 1500, [[?]] 1584

& disused 1642. In it lie the bodies of members of M.M.S.

Drake who were drowned off shore when the boat sank. I
walked thru the town past the sheep market & set off into

the country. Rathlin Is. looked beautiful - population 400

and the chief occupation is fish drying. Between Ballycastle

and the island are 10 different currents & it's doubtful
if the ship will even be able to return for a few days. I
walked back to Giants Causeway (13 miles). I called to

see the Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-Rede & had lunch there
The sea colouring was exquisite & the flax a beautiful

green & blue. I walked around the cliffs a little way then

rejoined the road at Ballintoy and pressed on to the
Causeway. From there I caught the tram home in time to
have a bath & shave before tea. In the evening Betty & I

went for a stroll along the dunes & returned for supper
then I nattered to her in our room & she tuned in [[?]]
Labour Govt. is returned with a sweeping majority in

England!
27.7.45 (Fri) After breakfast I did the usual small

amount of writing then caught the bus to Coleraine &

another to Bellarina camp. I walked past a big estate to 
the R.       then struck off up the mountain. The
first part was very rough, over thick u/growth, but

as I got up things were easier. Benevenagh is 1260ft

and after zig-zagging quite a bit. I arrived at the 
top from which I got a most marvellous view 

 

across the estuary of the Foyle and over to Donegal. The
variety of grass and a beautiful cloud covered sky
was a perfect mixture. I followed on around the
cliff and was alone except for the mountain sheep.

A very strong wind was blowing and I flung 
pieces of manure off, just to see the effects of the
hillside currents. A small flat stone floated in
air for quite some time. From Benevenagh there was
a long descent & ascent to get to the radio station

on the next outcrop past one solitary farm house &
thru a pine plantation. I then did a similiar 
descent & climb to the cliffs above Dowahill & just

followed them along to finally get on the steep sand
down the cliff & in Dowahill I had some sandwiches. As
I ate, an excited person raced in to say a mine had
been found on the beach & the bloke rang to stop the 

train & called the coastguard. I had a look at it & sure 
enough it was just floating out there about 10ft
from the edge of the water. I caught the bus back

to Coleraine then back to Portrush where I had a bath

& cleaned up my very dirty clothing. After tea Betty & 
I set out to go for a walk but got as far as the picture

house café where we sat for about 2½hrs! When

we returned I fixed her boil & we had quite an

early night for a change. I took the girls' photos too,

28.7.45  (Sat). It was wet in the morning so I just wrote for a

while then went down the street to do some shopping & bought
a model of a Lancaster, brought it back & started to make it up.

In the afternoon Betty was off & we went out late for a walk
& got a beaut blowing. After tea we decided to go to Coleraine to

see "Deapon Sur". Quite good with a newsreel of the Ulster

royal visit. In Coleraine there was a bod dressed as a cow-boy

being roped up & a big crowd paying to see him free
himself. His mate was cracking a whip too. We caught the
last bus home & lost no time getting to the nest.
29.7.45 (Sun) The extra hour in bed was awfully welcome

and after breakfast I did a bit more of the aeroplane.
We went for a short walk before dinner then in the 
afternoon went out to the dunes. I bought the "Chronicle"

& "News of the World" and we read them out there. I was amazed
at the number of perverts about. Above one couple, on a 

rise no more than five feet above their heads, stood 6 of 

them just watching & likewise all over the links. After tea

I spent indoors and we went along to the Epilogue after

supper. Very good & such a crowd I had to stand! We

came home and I read to Betty for a while then turned in.

30.7.45 (Mon) it was a wet day so I got stuck into my A/C

and spent the whole morning at it. Then I had dinner & did
once again all the afternoon. The weather broke about
1500 but came in again bad so I stayed doing my areoplane

 

In the evening it had cleared sufficiently to go walking so we

went down the West Strand around the rocks and read a bit

more. The book is becoming very bloodthirsty. After supper

I read some more to Betty then turned in.

31.7.45 (Tues) After breakfast I wrote a bit and a

telegram came extending my leave until the 17th Aug.

I also got a little about the non-service employment

& after lunch went to Coleraine to see what job I could 

get, but no use as the bloke was completely useless

so I made my way back again & did a bit of my

model. Betty was worklng back tonight & I went to

pick her up at 2030. We came back & had some chips &

ice cream and after supper I read to her then we

turned in.

1.8.45 (Wed) I got up early & in quite a hurry so I would

catch the 0900 to Belfast. Got there 1045 & went to the

labour exchange & saw the manager. He directed me to

the appointments officer in Adelaide Street so I went

round but he had nothing to suit me and suggested

that I try in England. So I caught the next train back

to Portrush and did some more of my model kite. I had

a whole host of kid looking on today too & the boy

spoke of 2D instead of tuppence etc. Met Betty at 2030

& we came home where I read to her before & after 

supper. I did some more of my model before turning

in. There was a Sea Cadet dance tonight to which most

of the younger folk went. It was in T.R. WATTS coal

store & didn't appeal to us particularly

2.8.45 (Thurs) I was up as usual and after breakfast

did my writing. Then I spent the rest of the morning

working on my model A/Ca with the usual crowd of

kids about. After dinner I was talking to Mr & Mrs Farrell

& organised a bed at the M.C.S. place for their daughters'

friend when he arrives. Painted the A/ca bit more

then went out to the dunes where I spent a delightful

afternoon in the sun & read & slept. I came back &

had a bath & shave then went out & changed. Met

Betty  we  decided to go to the dance so while she got

ready I played the piano. The dance was absolutely

super & I've seldom enjoyed one so much before. We

walked back via Arcadia as the night was so 

still. The sky was a blaze of stars, no cloud, no

wind & the water lapping on the foreshore helped  to

make an almost perfect setting.

3.8.45 (Fri) I was up early and after breakfast wrote

up my diary and then made a bee-line for the sand-dunes

It was a beautiful day and brilliant sunshine and I 

read a lot and had a delightful swim. After dinner I

painted my a/c then went back to the dunes once more

the sun was very hot and I got nicely burnt There was a

 

very large crowd all along the E. Strand and the water

was super for swimming. I actually surfed a little

I came back just in time for tea and Betty had managed 

to get off work so we went out along the E  beach together 
& sat down & watched a beautiful sunset. Then

we came back to the Picture House cafe and had

supper there then I read to Betty & had a bit of a rest

in the drawing room. After we'd said goodnight, I

took the used film out of my camera & put in a new

one. In bed by 0030.

4.8.45 (Sat) The day was not particularly nice so I wrote a

bit in the morning and then went up the street & got some 

paint for my kite & just about finished it. After dinner the

day was still threatening so I stayed in & embroidered &

then after tea we went to the dance at the Palladium.

It was terribly crowded but most enjoyable & quite a

number of folk from the house & Betty's office were there.

I had a dance with Dorothy & when it became too hot &

crowded, we took a walk around the water-front.

Had the last couple of dances and then came back home.

5.8.45 (Sun) We were up quite late and went for a 

walk around the Lansdowne rocks where I read to

Betty for a little while but it rained so we had to come in.

The afternoon was delightful so we went out on the sand

dunes & I finished the book & also got in the odd sun

bathing  hours. We returned for tea and then I got all

spruced up and went to church at the Meth. It wasn't too

hot. I collected Betty and we set out but got only as far as

the Trocadero cafe where listened to the music & all. We

sat in the lounge for a long while & had rather a grand

time then got off to bed.

6.8.45 (Mon) Lord knows that parting was difficult.

In the morning we succesfully filled in time by

necking & I did my packing. It was too blustery

to go out-doors. Gave the A/c to Betty. After dinner I 

paid Mrs Kisk £3 and said goodbye to as many

as I could find, then Betty & I caught the 1445 to

Belfast. We just had about 20 min together before the

Boat train went at 1720. Betty kept her chin up

well & I darned if it wasn't I who felt tearful

and on we ran along towards Rarne I

felt the saddest man in the country. The

boat left Rarne to time about 1800 & we
 had a very rough passage (They’ve just put the

lights on). The spray was constantly washing right

across the bows & some folk got very wet. There was

a lot of sickness too, one bright spark reaching with

all the water pouring over him. I only just managed

to get to Stranrear without falling to sea-sickness!

Saw the “Queen Elizabeth” passing by Ailsa Crag & going

 


 

Last edited by:
Sam scottSam scott
Last edited on:

Last updated: