Vera Longden - 1942 Diary
Title
Vera Longden - 1942 Diary
Description
Entries detailing daily activity including shift work at AV Roe, friends, entertainment, health, weather and family news. Mentions letters from Ken, and his arrival back in October.
Creator
Date
1942
Temporal Coverage
Coverage
Language
Format
Multi-page printed booklet with handwritten entries
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
SGillK1438901v10015
Transcription
WALKERS' DIARY FOR 1942.
Printed & Published by
HERBERT WALKER,
Well Croft Works,
Shipley – Yorks.
[page break]
PERSONAL MEMO.
Nat. Registration No.
Season Ticket No.
Motor No.
Bank Pass Book No.
Tel. No. (Private)
Tel. No. (Business)
Telegraphic Address
Size in Gloves
Size in Collars
Size in Hats
Size in Boots
Weight . . st. . . lbs. . . Date . .
Height . . ft. . . ins. . . Date . .
Name [inserted] Vera Longden [/inserted]
Address [inserted] 23, Sycamore Ave., Halton, Leeds.
[page break]
CASH SUMMARY
Paid
Balance from last year £. s. d.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
December
£
[page break]
TELEPHONE NUMBERS.
Name. Exchange No.
Kannellys
[page break]
TELEPHONE NUMBERS.
Name. Exchange No.
[page break]
ADDRESSES.
L (Lewis)
Mrs Sykes, 139, Eden [deleted] Drive [/deleted] Crescent, Eden Drive, Leeds 4. Drv. D. Longden. 1893201.
M B. Mitton, 44, Hollin Park Crescent, Leeds, 8.
N
O
P
Q
[page break]
ADDRESSES
R
S W. Spofford, 12, Howorth Terr. Clay Pit Lane, Leeds. 7.
T
U – V
W M. Wright, 57, Kyffin Ave.
X – Y – Z
[page break]
1941
[table]
[page break]
1942 JANUARY
1 Thu.
Morning shift 7 – 2
Wrote a letter to Ken.
2 Fri.
Helped mother after dinner. Went down to Panto rehearsal. Dorothy & I took some kiddies home. Came home early. Had a chat with Mavis.
3 Sat a.m.
Finished work at 11.30 a.m. Met mother at Stankeys, saw Betty. Dined Co-op. Ken phoned after I had gone to their house.
4 Sun.
New class at S. School. After service sat with Mavis for communion. Molly & Gladys came for tea [indecipherable word] 8.30 p.m. [indecipherable words]
[page break]
5 Mon.
Letter from Ken at Manchester, suppose he will have moved now. Started work at 9.30 p.m. Had a test. Very tiring. Everything O.K.
6 Tue.
Finished 6.30 a.m. Went to bed 8.30 a.m. got up 5 p.m. Too late for pictures wrote to [deleted] bed [/deleted] Betty. Another Test.
7 Wed.
Went to bed 10 a.m. Got up 7.30 p.m. Wish I knew where Ken was.
[page break
8 Thu.
Went to bed 10 a.m. got up 4.30 p.m. Arrived work 9.10 p.m. Passed my test. Last nights work at Kirk. G.T.C.
9 Fri.
Home early missed Margery. Went to bed. Got up at 4 p.m. Punched in at K.T.S. 9 p.m. came home started a good book. Went to bed 11.30 approx.
10 Sat.
Down at K.T.S. for 9 a.m. saw Betty on the bus. Got my wages and cards. Went down to S. School after Regal good picture Pimpernel Smith
11 Sun.
After church went to Gill's, walked down with Mavis. Gladys came down, we went home at 9 o'clock.
[page break]
12 Mon.
Got up at 5.30 a.m. Started A.V. Roe at 7.30 a.m. Finished 6.30 pm. Same room as Joyce. Alright so far.
13 Tue.
Work as usual.
Joan & I went up to Betty's for supper, had a grand time & a good talk with Mrs Hughes. Got home at 11.30 p.m. bed 12 pm.
14 Wed.
Laid in, it was 7.15 p.m. before mother woke up couldn't get a bus to go. Stayed in bed. Went down to see Joan stayed until 10.15 p.m.
[page break]
15 Thu.
No-one said a thing about me staying away.
16 Fri.
Nothing to report, finished work at 4.30 p.m. stayed in all night.
17 Sat.
Finished work at 5 p.m. Panto started at 7 p.m. good audience, went down well.
18 Sun.
Finished work at 5 p.m. After tea Gladys came & she went to church with us. Walked her home. Lovely night, snow.
[page break]
19 Mon.
Terrible cold, stayed in bed until 4 p.m. very cold. My day off from work.
20 Tue.
Good news, me & 4 others got our stamps. Joyce only got hers last week-end. [indecipherable word]
21 Wed.
Went straight from work to the Panto. Joan came & we had some fish & chips at half-time. Went down well again.
Sun 25.
The U,Manager praised me.
[page break]
22 Thu.
Nothing special. Stayed in all night.
23 Fri.
Received my first wage.
Too cold to go out. Reading all night.
24 Sat.
Gladys came from work & we went to the Panto. A huge success. Ronnie home, Leslie told me they had had a Cable from Ken. Went to bed at 12.30 & talked for ages.
25 Sun.
Gladys at home when I got [deleted] from [/deleted] back from work. Went to church and then walked Gladys home. She is booking for Varieties next week.
[page break]
26 Mon.
Still bad weather.
Work as usual. It was wonderful to see a letter with Kens hand-writing on but I couldn't get used to the idea that it was written weeks before.
27 Tue.
Nothing doing.
Days come & go, every days one nearer to seeing [deleted letter] my darling.
28 Wed.
Nothing doing. Stayed in at night too cold to move from the fire
[page break]
1942 JANUARY & FEBRUARY
29 Thu.
Bill Langdale came on leave. Duke of Kent visited Avroe [sic]. Joan made me feel blue & when I got home there was a telegram for me, it cheered me up no end.
30 Fri.
Went to work with Phyllis. Ted took me round to see the Planes & I took Joan with me. The usual arrived.
31 Sat.
Finished work at 12. Went in town afternoon, bought Joan's 21st. present. Night saw films at Sunday Sch. sat with Harry & John.
1 Sun.
Got up at 11 a.m. Did the usual went to Ken's at night first time for 3 weeks. Snowed all day Mr Gill poorly
[page break]
2 Mon.
Still with Phyllis.
Nothing doing at night.
3 Tue.
Had a day off work. Uncle Bill died at 5.30 p.m. approx.
Went to the Doctor's.
4 Wed.
Nothing said at work. Had a party for the concert party.
Bed at 12.15 a.m. Snow still about and very cold. Joan at work.
[page break]
5 Thu.
Joan away. Bill [deleted] goes [/deleted] went back at 6 p.m.
6 Fri.
Uncle Bill's funeral. Finished at 4.30 p.m. Went to the Ritz by myself made me melancoly [sic].
7 Sat.
Finished work at 5 p.m. Went to a Social. Had some fun with Harry etc. Helps to pass the time away.
8 Sun.
To the church at night. Wrote some letters.
[page break]
9 Mon.
Concert at dinner time got 3 white overalls, went in an Anson Plane with Ted. He gets worse. Still passing screws.
10 Tue.
Got up at 10.30 p.m. Went to the Majestic two good pictures. Trying to snow again.
Stayed in at night, altered my overalls and ironed.
11 Wed.
After work I had dinner took Joan's present, she was thrilled with it. Went to Ken's, dad a little better, listened to an Opera and I went to sleep. Left at 11.50 was home for 11 p.m.
[page break]
12 Thu.
Still doing "hinge bolts". Stayed in at night.
13 Fri.
Usual at work. Finished at 4.30 p.m. Went to the choir practise. Trial for new choir [deleted] practise [/deleted] master.
14 Sat.
St. Valentines Day. Got a lovely one for Ken but nowhere to send it. Went to Shaftsbury [sic] with Gladys. Lovely picture.
15 Sun.
Work as usual. Young P.F. stayed in all night.
[page break]
16 Mon.
Work as usual.
Dennis arrived at 2 a.m. morning.
17 Tue.
Work as usual.
Terrible cold.
18 Wed.
Work as usual. Went down to S. School to practise some solo's but couldn't sing for cold. Dennis & Molly came for supper.
[page break]
19 Thu.
Nothing special.
20 Fri.
Finished 4 p.m.
Didn't go to choir practise. Feeling blue, wrote to Ken.
21 Sat.
Finished at 12 noon. Went to Football Match with D. L & G. Dad. Freezing cold, went to [indecipherable word] for tea. To Ken's, mother in bed poorly.
22 Sun.
Morning church. Sunday School & stayed in all night. too cold to go out.
[page break]
23 Mon.
Took my ring to be altered our Dennis went with me. Didn't go to bed caught bus at 6.30 p.m. Made charge-hand over some new girls, on nights. Don't like the girls on nights.
24 Tue.
Went to bed, slept all day. work at nights. George came yesterday for 48 hrs. Jack came for tea. D.G.J had a merry time
25 Wed.
Work at night.
[page break]
1942 FEB. – MAR.
26 Thus. +
Went to bed. Work again at 6.30 p.m. Bored stiff.
27 Fri.
Stayed up until after dinner & helped mum. [deleted] Went to [/deleted] had a bath went to bed for 1 1/2 hrs. Tired all night.
28 Sat.
[symbol] Went to bed until 3 p.m. Had tea early. Mr Gill brought me Kens address he'd had a cable for his birthday. Went to see Richard Tauber in Blossom Time.
1 Sun.
Didn't go to work. Farrows & all from Barwick came for their tea. Had a good sing song as our Dennis calls it.
[page break]
2 Mon.
Got up at 11 a.m. After dinner went to SS saw Albert stayed to tea. [indecipherable word] Dennis leaving by the 7.30 p.m. train, couldn't see him off for the first time as I had to go to work
3 Tue.
Washing Day. I went to bed, didn't get up until 5 p.m. Work as usual at 6.30 p.m.
4 Wed.
Started to snow again. Snowed heavily during the night.
[page break]
5 Thu.
Wonderful, I got a letter from Ken. Stayed up for my dinner. Work as usual. Snow.
6 Fri.
Work as usual at night.
7 Sat.
Stayed in bed until 6 p.m. Had a scramble to get ready for the concert which was at the S. School.
8 Sun.
Got up 12 oclock. Went to S. School & church. Didn't go to Ken's as I had to go to work at night. Snowing.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
21 Sat.
Working all day.
Went to the pictures to see Charles Boyer in "Hold Back the Dawn".
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
27 Fri.
Got another increase
[symbol] 28 Sat.
29 Sun.
Went to church straight from work. Had my tea & went to Ken's Uncle John & Aunt Lily came. Dad brought me home.
[page break]
MARCH & APRIL 1942
30 Mon.
Took our Jean down to Joan's to practise her dance, got home at 10.15 p.m. Mother not too good
31 Tue.
Work as usual Gladys & Ronnie came home for 10 days.
1 Wed.
Went to practise at Sunday School.
[page break]
2 Thu.
Nothing special.
Good Friday. 3 Fri.
Working until 4.30 as usual, got home at 5.45 p.m. Went down to 55.
4 Sat.
Finished work at 12 p.m. Afternoon went in town. Anniversary concert at night. Gladys 21st birthday
5 Sun.
Morning 8 oclock communion 11 oclock church. Tea at 55 Leslie & I went to church afterwards went to Mrs Hughes
[page break]
6 Mon. Easter Monday
Walked to Garforth & Barwick. Got drenched in a shower went to see Grandma. Home for 10.15 p.m.
7 Tue.
Working. Jack starts on nights rather quiet without him. Only Joan & I on days Joyce on nights.
8 Wed.
Our George came home for 48 hrs. to see Jim. Practise at night.
Lovely & warm but windy
[page break]
9 Thu.
Laid in so stayed at home. Went to see chemist for something for my cataarh [sic]. Practise at night. Letter from Ken
10 Fri.
Lovely weather.
Had a good practise (choir) miss Ken when I have to come home by myself. Our George went back.
11 Sat.
Worked until 5 p.m. [inserted] 1921-2 Registered. [/inserted]
Joan & I had tea in town went to see Desert Song walked home from [indecipherable word].
12 Sun.
Anniversary day. After church went down to Ken's. My rota day. Dennis Smith there.
[page break]
13 Mon.
Princess Mary had a tour round [indecipherable word]. Lovely spring day. Concert practise at night went down terrible.
14 Tue.
Travelled to work by myself Joan's day off.
Teachers meeting.
15 Wed.
Nothing special.
Went to church afterwards to Ken’s
[page break]
16 Thu.
Lovely weather. Practise at night
17 Fri.
Another lovely day. Finished work at 4.30 pm. Final practise
18 Sat.
Concert went down O.K. our Jean a huge success.
19 Sun.
Should have gone to work stayed in bed until 11.30 p.m.
[page break]
20 Mon.
Went to doctors’ & to Aunt Ria's. Went with Dot to dressmakers. Dull weather
21 Tue.
Jeans birthday. Letter from Ken. Dull again haven't been able to go out. Washed my hair.
22 Wed.
Went shopping in the morning, got a new hat & some shoes. Went to Dr. & pictures (Blossoms in the Dust).
[page break]
23 Thu.
Went to work. Joan didn't go as Bill was home for 48 hrs. Have to go on nights.
24 Fri.
[symbol] Went to a social to be formally introduced to Mr & Mrs Davy (new choir master)
In bed late.
25 Sat.
Finished work at 12 noon. Went in town to have photo taken, hadn't time to wait Pictures with Lucy & Geo. (The Great Lie)
26 Sun.
[symbol] Went to church morning & afternoon. Saw Ronnie went to 55 for tea. Church with Leslie.
[page break]
27 Mon.
Stayed in bed until 11.30. Afternoon in town.
Work at night, not too bad as I am with Sue, nice crowd of men on.
28 Tue.
Feeling tired from 2 a.m. Bed until 5.30. Bus 6.30 p.m. At work early.
29 Wed.
Sirens 3 am went on working all clear soon after.
see me home changed my hat & coat, went home to (55) for tea left Gladys, caught bus at 6.30.
[page break]
1942 APRIL & MAY
30 Thu.
A lovely letter & B Card from Ken. To go to Dressmakers. Went to Dressmakers at 5.30 p.m. for try on. Caught bus at Shafts Lovely weather.
1 Fri.
Went to bed at 11 a.m. Received cable from Ken & some lovely birthday cards. Letter from Gladys. Had a feast at 12 midnight with Sue.
2 Sat.
Stayed up all day. Went in town got present for Gladys. Lucy bought me one. Went to sleep at 9 p.m. had supper & went to bed.
3 Sun.
Up at 11.15 had bath afternoon took David a walk, Leslie went also met Gladys J as she was coming to
[page break]
4 Mon.
Lovely sunny day I was in bed. Work as usual at night. Knox brought Mr Marks to see me. Sue likes Bishop.
5 Tue.
Wrote to Milton & Gladys. Bed in the afternoon. 6.30 Work. Eddy firewatching.
6 Wed.
Have some fun with Stan & Freddie.
[page break]
7 Thu.
Sue away, bored stiff nearly all night. Wilson had to keep me awake. 4.30 to 5 a.m. had a sleep.
8 Fri.
Sue came back. Stan wants us to stay on nights.
9 Sat.
Lovely morning but rather chilly. Awful day, slept afternoon stayed in all night.
Letter from Ken.
[page break]
11 Mon.
Bed in the morning until 5.30 p.m. work as usual for the last week
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
25. Mon. Whit-Monday
Went to see "Underground" at Ritz by myself.
[page break]
29 Fri. On another
30 Sat.
Work until 5 pm. Got my photo pictures Ritz "Sun Valley Serenade" finished altering blue frock Bed 1 am.
[page break]
22 Mon.
Concert in the Canteen for Russia week. Lovely hot day. Sat in the garden at night.
23 Tue.
Awful day at work, wish I could hear from Ken. Jimmie Crawley home on leave.
24 Wed.
Nothing Special.
[page break]
25 Thu.
Started in Router House I'm the only inspector. Not too bad can please myself what I do. Dinner-time went out into the sunshine.
26 Fri.
Another lovely day, had our dinner outside. Went to have my hair permed.
27 Sat. (26)
Work at 9 a.m. missed 6.30 a.m bus. Finished at 12. Went to Star with Joan walked home had fish & chips outside. Home 12 oclock
28 Sun.
Tea at Kens. Took David to church round Temple with Mum, Dad David Leslie.
[page break]
JUNE & JULY 1942
29 Mon.
Lovely weather.
[page break]
[blank page]
4 Sat. (27)
[page break]
[symbol] 7 Tue.
Went to dinner at Lonsdale with Joan & Aunt Ria. Tower pictures Confirm or Deny Lonsdale tea Empire. Fair at Harehills supper at Aunty's.
8 Wed.
Work.
[page break]
9 Thu.
10 Fri.
[symbol] After work went with Joan & Aunt Ria to Stanley & shopping. Lonsdale for tea. To Kens to see mum & dad before they went to Whitby.
11 Sat. (28)
After work went to Grand to see "The Barber of Seville" quite nice for Opera.
12 Sun.
Went with Dad & Joan to 2 pubs & a nice walk.
[page break]
13 Mon.
Poorly all day but stayed at work
14 Tue.
Stayed in bed, had a wonderful letter, snaps & stockings from Ken. Mum & Dad went to Scarborough.
15 Wed.
Went to work. Clara started as a nurse
[page break]
16 Thu.
17 Fri.
Finished work until Monday. Choir practise
18 Sat. (29)
Got up at 11 a.m. Went to meet Joan & to Tower ((Smilin [sic] Through) Aunt Ria's for supper 12.30 went home.
19 Sun.
[deleted] Giving Parish [/deleted] cancelled Ronnies 21st. Went to Kens & a walk with Leslie.
[page break]
10 Mon.
Letter from Ken & some snaps.
[page break]
15 Sat. (33)
Dream't that I had a baby girl to Ken. If only it was true my loneliness would disappear
[page break]
AUGUST & SEPT. 1942
31 Mon.
1 Tue.
Roy Rich starts again with Record Time.
[page break]
[blank page]
5 Sat. (36)
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
1942 OCTOBER
2 Fri.
Went with T for tea & to the Odeon to see Bing Crosby in Holiday Inn
3 Sat. (40)
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
9 Fri.
Went to the Empire with Joan to see Billy button.
10 Sat. (41)
West with a party to Stone Craft. Had a marvellous time.
[page break]
[symbol] 21 Wed.
I couldn't believe that Ken had arrived, at last, my heaven was complete. He's still my darling, he's broader & does he look grand.
[page break]
22 Thu.
Ken & I went to Leeds. Afternoon with mum & David to Aunty Lils until 7.30. The night in our room.
23 Fri.
Went to [indecipherable word], got well through [indecipherable word] for tea Barwick & Hughes, home 12.30 a.m.
24 Sat.
Grandma Day's, have dinner, stayed in all day. Had a marvellous evening by ourselves at home.
25 Sun.
Walk in the morning. Ken mum rather unpleasant but we can take it.
[page break]
26 Mon.
Ken's mum never spoke to me all morning. Went to Wine Lodge for a sherry, dinner at Co-op. Empire, Ken packed went up home.
27 Tue.
Ken went back on the 7.50 a.m. train. It was awful loosing [sic] him after such a short time of heaven. The rest of the day dragged [indecipherable word].
28 Wed.
Ronnie made such a fuss of me at work, all over Ken. Another airgraph from Ronnie.
[page break]
29 Thu.
Received some flowers from (they were beautiful) Compact from our George.
[page break]
23 Mon.
Board & [indecipherable word] 1-15-0
Insurance 2-8
1-17-8
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
[underlined] Birthdays [/underlined]
23 Jan. G. Inkpin
16 Feb. S. Lewis.
Mr Gill 27. Feb.
4 April G. Burrows.
26 April Jean.
16 June George.
16 June Mrs Gill.
19 July R. Gill
30 July. David G.
25 Aug Clifford.
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
Birthdays
1 Sept. Dennis. L
26 Sept. Kenneth L.
16 Oct. M. Wright.
9 Nov. B. Millon
19 Nov. Ken [deleted] Leslie [/deleted] Gill.
4 Dec Dot
14 Dec Molly
26 Nov [deleted] Luc [/deleted] Mother
24 Nov Lucy
2 Jan Betty Hughes
23 Dec. Joan.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
13-12-43 / 5-0-0
Presents. / 1-2-0
3.18.0
17-12-43
Board 1-15-0
2-3-0
18-12-43 [indecipherable word] 6-0-0
8-3-0
27-12-43 All 6-0-0
Bank 1-0-0
5-0-0
Board etc. 2-0-0
3-0-0 BANK £1
All 5-0-0
8-0-0
Board 2-10-0
6-10-0
Board etc. 3-10-0
3-0-0
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
29-1-44
Board 2-0-0
30-1-44 1-0-0
All 5-0-0 £1 B.
6-0-0
10.0
5-10-0
11.2.24 2-0-0
3-10-0
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
Letters posted March 2/6 + 6-3 (6)
Cable 14th April. 6-3
5th June £3-2-6
12 June 2-3-11
19 June 2-19-3
26
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
30th Jan. [deleted] £1-10-6 [/deleted] [inserted] £2-11-0. [/inserted] (ONE DAY OFF.)
6th Feb. £3-4-3 (7 days)
13th Feb. £1-13-9 (2 1/2 days off)
20th Feb. £2-14-4. (1 day off)
27th Feb. £3-8-6 (Full Week)
6th Mar. £2-16-6 (1 1/2 days off)
13th Mar. £2-15-6 (1 day off)
20th Mar. £3-7-11 (Full Week)
27th Mar. £1-9-11
3rd Apl. £2-10-6 (Sun. off)
1st May. 2-17-1
8th May. 3-12-10
15th May. 3-5-10
22 2-3-5
[deleted] 10-6-41 £3-14-3 – 11/9 (7 days)
29 May 2-3-3
[page break]
[blank page]
Printed & Published by
HERBERT WALKER,
Well Croft Works,
Shipley – Yorks.
[page break]
PERSONAL MEMO.
Nat. Registration No.
Season Ticket No.
Motor No.
Bank Pass Book No.
Tel. No. (Private)
Tel. No. (Business)
Telegraphic Address
Size in Gloves
Size in Collars
Size in Hats
Size in Boots
Weight . . st. . . lbs. . . Date . .
Height . . ft. . . ins. . . Date . .
Name [inserted] Vera Longden [/inserted]
Address [inserted] 23, Sycamore Ave., Halton, Leeds.
[page break]
CASH SUMMARY
Paid
Balance from last year £. s. d.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
December
£
[page break]
TELEPHONE NUMBERS.
Name. Exchange No.
Kannellys
[page break]
TELEPHONE NUMBERS.
Name. Exchange No.
[page break]
ADDRESSES.
L (Lewis)
Mrs Sykes, 139, Eden [deleted] Drive [/deleted] Crescent, Eden Drive, Leeds 4. Drv. D. Longden. 1893201.
M B. Mitton, 44, Hollin Park Crescent, Leeds, 8.
N
O
P
Q
[page break]
ADDRESSES
R
S W. Spofford, 12, Howorth Terr. Clay Pit Lane, Leeds. 7.
T
U – V
W M. Wright, 57, Kyffin Ave.
X – Y – Z
[page break]
1941
[table]
[page break]
1942 JANUARY
1 Thu.
Morning shift 7 – 2
Wrote a letter to Ken.
2 Fri.
Helped mother after dinner. Went down to Panto rehearsal. Dorothy & I took some kiddies home. Came home early. Had a chat with Mavis.
3 Sat a.m.
Finished work at 11.30 a.m. Met mother at Stankeys, saw Betty. Dined Co-op. Ken phoned after I had gone to their house.
4 Sun.
New class at S. School. After service sat with Mavis for communion. Molly & Gladys came for tea [indecipherable word] 8.30 p.m. [indecipherable words]
[page break]
5 Mon.
Letter from Ken at Manchester, suppose he will have moved now. Started work at 9.30 p.m. Had a test. Very tiring. Everything O.K.
6 Tue.
Finished 6.30 a.m. Went to bed 8.30 a.m. got up 5 p.m. Too late for pictures wrote to [deleted] bed [/deleted] Betty. Another Test.
7 Wed.
Went to bed 10 a.m. Got up 7.30 p.m. Wish I knew where Ken was.
[page break
8 Thu.
Went to bed 10 a.m. got up 4.30 p.m. Arrived work 9.10 p.m. Passed my test. Last nights work at Kirk. G.T.C.
9 Fri.
Home early missed Margery. Went to bed. Got up at 4 p.m. Punched in at K.T.S. 9 p.m. came home started a good book. Went to bed 11.30 approx.
10 Sat.
Down at K.T.S. for 9 a.m. saw Betty on the bus. Got my wages and cards. Went down to S. School after Regal good picture Pimpernel Smith
11 Sun.
After church went to Gill's, walked down with Mavis. Gladys came down, we went home at 9 o'clock.
[page break]
12 Mon.
Got up at 5.30 a.m. Started A.V. Roe at 7.30 a.m. Finished 6.30 pm. Same room as Joyce. Alright so far.
13 Tue.
Work as usual.
Joan & I went up to Betty's for supper, had a grand time & a good talk with Mrs Hughes. Got home at 11.30 p.m. bed 12 pm.
14 Wed.
Laid in, it was 7.15 p.m. before mother woke up couldn't get a bus to go. Stayed in bed. Went down to see Joan stayed until 10.15 p.m.
[page break]
15 Thu.
No-one said a thing about me staying away.
16 Fri.
Nothing to report, finished work at 4.30 p.m. stayed in all night.
17 Sat.
Finished work at 5 p.m. Panto started at 7 p.m. good audience, went down well.
18 Sun.
Finished work at 5 p.m. After tea Gladys came & she went to church with us. Walked her home. Lovely night, snow.
[page break]
19 Mon.
Terrible cold, stayed in bed until 4 p.m. very cold. My day off from work.
20 Tue.
Good news, me & 4 others got our stamps. Joyce only got hers last week-end. [indecipherable word]
21 Wed.
Went straight from work to the Panto. Joan came & we had some fish & chips at half-time. Went down well again.
Sun 25.
The U,Manager praised me.
[page break]
22 Thu.
Nothing special. Stayed in all night.
23 Fri.
Received my first wage.
Too cold to go out. Reading all night.
24 Sat.
Gladys came from work & we went to the Panto. A huge success. Ronnie home, Leslie told me they had had a Cable from Ken. Went to bed at 12.30 & talked for ages.
25 Sun.
Gladys at home when I got [deleted] from [/deleted] back from work. Went to church and then walked Gladys home. She is booking for Varieties next week.
[page break]
26 Mon.
Still bad weather.
Work as usual. It was wonderful to see a letter with Kens hand-writing on but I couldn't get used to the idea that it was written weeks before.
27 Tue.
Nothing doing.
Days come & go, every days one nearer to seeing [deleted letter] my darling.
28 Wed.
Nothing doing. Stayed in at night too cold to move from the fire
[page break]
1942 JANUARY & FEBRUARY
29 Thu.
Bill Langdale came on leave. Duke of Kent visited Avroe [sic]. Joan made me feel blue & when I got home there was a telegram for me, it cheered me up no end.
30 Fri.
Went to work with Phyllis. Ted took me round to see the Planes & I took Joan with me. The usual arrived.
31 Sat.
Finished work at 12. Went in town afternoon, bought Joan's 21st. present. Night saw films at Sunday Sch. sat with Harry & John.
1 Sun.
Got up at 11 a.m. Did the usual went to Ken's at night first time for 3 weeks. Snowed all day Mr Gill poorly
[page break]
2 Mon.
Still with Phyllis.
Nothing doing at night.
3 Tue.
Had a day off work. Uncle Bill died at 5.30 p.m. approx.
Went to the Doctor's.
4 Wed.
Nothing said at work. Had a party for the concert party.
Bed at 12.15 a.m. Snow still about and very cold. Joan at work.
[page break]
5 Thu.
Joan away. Bill [deleted] goes [/deleted] went back at 6 p.m.
6 Fri.
Uncle Bill's funeral. Finished at 4.30 p.m. Went to the Ritz by myself made me melancoly [sic].
7 Sat.
Finished work at 5 p.m. Went to a Social. Had some fun with Harry etc. Helps to pass the time away.
8 Sun.
To the church at night. Wrote some letters.
[page break]
9 Mon.
Concert at dinner time got 3 white overalls, went in an Anson Plane with Ted. He gets worse. Still passing screws.
10 Tue.
Got up at 10.30 p.m. Went to the Majestic two good pictures. Trying to snow again.
Stayed in at night, altered my overalls and ironed.
11 Wed.
After work I had dinner took Joan's present, she was thrilled with it. Went to Ken's, dad a little better, listened to an Opera and I went to sleep. Left at 11.50 was home for 11 p.m.
[page break]
12 Thu.
Still doing "hinge bolts". Stayed in at night.
13 Fri.
Usual at work. Finished at 4.30 p.m. Went to the choir practise. Trial for new choir [deleted] practise [/deleted] master.
14 Sat.
St. Valentines Day. Got a lovely one for Ken but nowhere to send it. Went to Shaftsbury [sic] with Gladys. Lovely picture.
15 Sun.
Work as usual. Young P.F. stayed in all night.
[page break]
16 Mon.
Work as usual.
Dennis arrived at 2 a.m. morning.
17 Tue.
Work as usual.
Terrible cold.
18 Wed.
Work as usual. Went down to S. School to practise some solo's but couldn't sing for cold. Dennis & Molly came for supper.
[page break]
19 Thu.
Nothing special.
20 Fri.
Finished 4 p.m.
Didn't go to choir practise. Feeling blue, wrote to Ken.
21 Sat.
Finished at 12 noon. Went to Football Match with D. L & G. Dad. Freezing cold, went to [indecipherable word] for tea. To Ken's, mother in bed poorly.
22 Sun.
Morning church. Sunday School & stayed in all night. too cold to go out.
[page break]
23 Mon.
Took my ring to be altered our Dennis went with me. Didn't go to bed caught bus at 6.30 p.m. Made charge-hand over some new girls, on nights. Don't like the girls on nights.
24 Tue.
Went to bed, slept all day. work at nights. George came yesterday for 48 hrs. Jack came for tea. D.G.J had a merry time
25 Wed.
Work at night.
[page break]
1942 FEB. – MAR.
26 Thus. +
Went to bed. Work again at 6.30 p.m. Bored stiff.
27 Fri.
Stayed up until after dinner & helped mum. [deleted] Went to [/deleted] had a bath went to bed for 1 1/2 hrs. Tired all night.
28 Sat.
[symbol] Went to bed until 3 p.m. Had tea early. Mr Gill brought me Kens address he'd had a cable for his birthday. Went to see Richard Tauber in Blossom Time.
1 Sun.
Didn't go to work. Farrows & all from Barwick came for their tea. Had a good sing song as our Dennis calls it.
[page break]
2 Mon.
Got up at 11 a.m. After dinner went to SS saw Albert stayed to tea. [indecipherable word] Dennis leaving by the 7.30 p.m. train, couldn't see him off for the first time as I had to go to work
3 Tue.
Washing Day. I went to bed, didn't get up until 5 p.m. Work as usual at 6.30 p.m.
4 Wed.
Started to snow again. Snowed heavily during the night.
[page break]
5 Thu.
Wonderful, I got a letter from Ken. Stayed up for my dinner. Work as usual. Snow.
6 Fri.
Work as usual at night.
7 Sat.
Stayed in bed until 6 p.m. Had a scramble to get ready for the concert which was at the S. School.
8 Sun.
Got up 12 oclock. Went to S. School & church. Didn't go to Ken's as I had to go to work at night. Snowing.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
21 Sat.
Working all day.
Went to the pictures to see Charles Boyer in "Hold Back the Dawn".
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
27 Fri.
Got another increase
[symbol] 28 Sat.
29 Sun.
Went to church straight from work. Had my tea & went to Ken's Uncle John & Aunt Lily came. Dad brought me home.
[page break]
MARCH & APRIL 1942
30 Mon.
Took our Jean down to Joan's to practise her dance, got home at 10.15 p.m. Mother not too good
31 Tue.
Work as usual Gladys & Ronnie came home for 10 days.
1 Wed.
Went to practise at Sunday School.
[page break]
2 Thu.
Nothing special.
Good Friday. 3 Fri.
Working until 4.30 as usual, got home at 5.45 p.m. Went down to 55.
4 Sat.
Finished work at 12 p.m. Afternoon went in town. Anniversary concert at night. Gladys 21st birthday
5 Sun.
Morning 8 oclock communion 11 oclock church. Tea at 55 Leslie & I went to church afterwards went to Mrs Hughes
[page break]
6 Mon. Easter Monday
Walked to Garforth & Barwick. Got drenched in a shower went to see Grandma. Home for 10.15 p.m.
7 Tue.
Working. Jack starts on nights rather quiet without him. Only Joan & I on days Joyce on nights.
8 Wed.
Our George came home for 48 hrs. to see Jim. Practise at night.
Lovely & warm but windy
[page break]
9 Thu.
Laid in so stayed at home. Went to see chemist for something for my cataarh [sic]. Practise at night. Letter from Ken
10 Fri.
Lovely weather.
Had a good practise (choir) miss Ken when I have to come home by myself. Our George went back.
11 Sat.
Worked until 5 p.m. [inserted] 1921-2 Registered. [/inserted]
Joan & I had tea in town went to see Desert Song walked home from [indecipherable word].
12 Sun.
Anniversary day. After church went down to Ken's. My rota day. Dennis Smith there.
[page break]
13 Mon.
Princess Mary had a tour round [indecipherable word]. Lovely spring day. Concert practise at night went down terrible.
14 Tue.
Travelled to work by myself Joan's day off.
Teachers meeting.
15 Wed.
Nothing special.
Went to church afterwards to Ken’s
[page break]
16 Thu.
Lovely weather. Practise at night
17 Fri.
Another lovely day. Finished work at 4.30 pm. Final practise
18 Sat.
Concert went down O.K. our Jean a huge success.
19 Sun.
Should have gone to work stayed in bed until 11.30 p.m.
[page break]
20 Mon.
Went to doctors’ & to Aunt Ria's. Went with Dot to dressmakers. Dull weather
21 Tue.
Jeans birthday. Letter from Ken. Dull again haven't been able to go out. Washed my hair.
22 Wed.
Went shopping in the morning, got a new hat & some shoes. Went to Dr. & pictures (Blossoms in the Dust).
[page break]
23 Thu.
Went to work. Joan didn't go as Bill was home for 48 hrs. Have to go on nights.
24 Fri.
[symbol] Went to a social to be formally introduced to Mr & Mrs Davy (new choir master)
In bed late.
25 Sat.
Finished work at 12 noon. Went in town to have photo taken, hadn't time to wait Pictures with Lucy & Geo. (The Great Lie)
26 Sun.
[symbol] Went to church morning & afternoon. Saw Ronnie went to 55 for tea. Church with Leslie.
[page break]
27 Mon.
Stayed in bed until 11.30. Afternoon in town.
Work at night, not too bad as I am with Sue, nice crowd of men on.
28 Tue.
Feeling tired from 2 a.m. Bed until 5.30. Bus 6.30 p.m. At work early.
29 Wed.
Sirens 3 am went on working all clear soon after.
see me home changed my hat & coat, went home to (55) for tea left Gladys, caught bus at 6.30.
[page break]
1942 APRIL & MAY
30 Thu.
A lovely letter & B Card from Ken. To go to Dressmakers. Went to Dressmakers at 5.30 p.m. for try on. Caught bus at Shafts Lovely weather.
1 Fri.
Went to bed at 11 a.m. Received cable from Ken & some lovely birthday cards. Letter from Gladys. Had a feast at 12 midnight with Sue.
2 Sat.
Stayed up all day. Went in town got present for Gladys. Lucy bought me one. Went to sleep at 9 p.m. had supper & went to bed.
3 Sun.
Up at 11.15 had bath afternoon took David a walk, Leslie went also met Gladys J as she was coming to
[page break]
4 Mon.
Lovely sunny day I was in bed. Work as usual at night. Knox brought Mr Marks to see me. Sue likes Bishop.
5 Tue.
Wrote to Milton & Gladys. Bed in the afternoon. 6.30 Work. Eddy firewatching.
6 Wed.
Have some fun with Stan & Freddie.
[page break]
7 Thu.
Sue away, bored stiff nearly all night. Wilson had to keep me awake. 4.30 to 5 a.m. had a sleep.
8 Fri.
Sue came back. Stan wants us to stay on nights.
9 Sat.
Lovely morning but rather chilly. Awful day, slept afternoon stayed in all night.
Letter from Ken.
[page break]
11 Mon.
Bed in the morning until 5.30 p.m. work as usual for the last week
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
25. Mon. Whit-Monday
Went to see "Underground" at Ritz by myself.
[page break]
29 Fri. On another
30 Sat.
Work until 5 pm. Got my photo pictures Ritz "Sun Valley Serenade" finished altering blue frock Bed 1 am.
[page break]
22 Mon.
Concert in the Canteen for Russia week. Lovely hot day. Sat in the garden at night.
23 Tue.
Awful day at work, wish I could hear from Ken. Jimmie Crawley home on leave.
24 Wed.
Nothing Special.
[page break]
25 Thu.
Started in Router House I'm the only inspector. Not too bad can please myself what I do. Dinner-time went out into the sunshine.
26 Fri.
Another lovely day, had our dinner outside. Went to have my hair permed.
27 Sat. (26)
Work at 9 a.m. missed 6.30 a.m bus. Finished at 12. Went to Star with Joan walked home had fish & chips outside. Home 12 oclock
28 Sun.
Tea at Kens. Took David to church round Temple with Mum, Dad David Leslie.
[page break]
JUNE & JULY 1942
29 Mon.
Lovely weather.
[page break]
[blank page]
4 Sat. (27)
[page break]
[symbol] 7 Tue.
Went to dinner at Lonsdale with Joan & Aunt Ria. Tower pictures Confirm or Deny Lonsdale tea Empire. Fair at Harehills supper at Aunty's.
8 Wed.
Work.
[page break]
9 Thu.
10 Fri.
[symbol] After work went with Joan & Aunt Ria to Stanley & shopping. Lonsdale for tea. To Kens to see mum & dad before they went to Whitby.
11 Sat. (28)
After work went to Grand to see "The Barber of Seville" quite nice for Opera.
12 Sun.
Went with Dad & Joan to 2 pubs & a nice walk.
[page break]
13 Mon.
Poorly all day but stayed at work
14 Tue.
Stayed in bed, had a wonderful letter, snaps & stockings from Ken. Mum & Dad went to Scarborough.
15 Wed.
Went to work. Clara started as a nurse
[page break]
16 Thu.
17 Fri.
Finished work until Monday. Choir practise
18 Sat. (29)
Got up at 11 a.m. Went to meet Joan & to Tower ((Smilin [sic] Through) Aunt Ria's for supper 12.30 went home.
19 Sun.
[deleted] Giving Parish [/deleted] cancelled Ronnies 21st. Went to Kens & a walk with Leslie.
[page break]
10 Mon.
Letter from Ken & some snaps.
[page break]
15 Sat. (33)
Dream't that I had a baby girl to Ken. If only it was true my loneliness would disappear
[page break]
AUGUST & SEPT. 1942
31 Mon.
1 Tue.
Roy Rich starts again with Record Time.
[page break]
[blank page]
5 Sat. (36)
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
1942 OCTOBER
2 Fri.
Went with T for tea & to the Odeon to see Bing Crosby in Holiday Inn
3 Sat. (40)
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
9 Fri.
Went to the Empire with Joan to see Billy button.
10 Sat. (41)
West with a party to Stone Craft. Had a marvellous time.
[page break]
[symbol] 21 Wed.
I couldn't believe that Ken had arrived, at last, my heaven was complete. He's still my darling, he's broader & does he look grand.
[page break]
22 Thu.
Ken & I went to Leeds. Afternoon with mum & David to Aunty Lils until 7.30. The night in our room.
23 Fri.
Went to [indecipherable word], got well through [indecipherable word] for tea Barwick & Hughes, home 12.30 a.m.
24 Sat.
Grandma Day's, have dinner, stayed in all day. Had a marvellous evening by ourselves at home.
25 Sun.
Walk in the morning. Ken mum rather unpleasant but we can take it.
[page break]
26 Mon.
Ken's mum never spoke to me all morning. Went to Wine Lodge for a sherry, dinner at Co-op. Empire, Ken packed went up home.
27 Tue.
Ken went back on the 7.50 a.m. train. It was awful loosing [sic] him after such a short time of heaven. The rest of the day dragged [indecipherable word].
28 Wed.
Ronnie made such a fuss of me at work, all over Ken. Another airgraph from Ronnie.
[page break]
29 Thu.
Received some flowers from (they were beautiful) Compact from our George.
[page break]
23 Mon.
Board & [indecipherable word] 1-15-0
Insurance 2-8
1-17-8
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
[underlined] Birthdays [/underlined]
23 Jan. G. Inkpin
16 Feb. S. Lewis.
Mr Gill 27. Feb.
4 April G. Burrows.
26 April Jean.
16 June George.
16 June Mrs Gill.
19 July R. Gill
30 July. David G.
25 Aug Clifford.
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
Birthdays
1 Sept. Dennis. L
26 Sept. Kenneth L.
16 Oct. M. Wright.
9 Nov. B. Millon
19 Nov. Ken [deleted] Leslie [/deleted] Gill.
4 Dec Dot
14 Dec Molly
26 Nov [deleted] Luc [/deleted] Mother
24 Nov Lucy
2 Jan Betty Hughes
23 Dec. Joan.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
13-12-43 / 5-0-0
Presents. / 1-2-0
3.18.0
17-12-43
Board 1-15-0
2-3-0
18-12-43 [indecipherable word] 6-0-0
8-3-0
27-12-43 All 6-0-0
Bank 1-0-0
5-0-0
Board etc. 2-0-0
3-0-0 BANK £1
All 5-0-0
8-0-0
Board 2-10-0
6-10-0
Board etc. 3-10-0
3-0-0
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
29-1-44
Board 2-0-0
30-1-44 1-0-0
All 5-0-0 £1 B.
6-0-0
10.0
5-10-0
11.2.24 2-0-0
3-10-0
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
Letters posted March 2/6 + 6-3 (6)
Cable 14th April. 6-3
5th June £3-2-6
12 June 2-3-11
19 June 2-19-3
26
[page break]
MEMORANDA.
30th Jan. [deleted] £1-10-6 [/deleted] [inserted] £2-11-0. [/inserted] (ONE DAY OFF.)
6th Feb. £3-4-3 (7 days)
13th Feb. £1-13-9 (2 1/2 days off)
20th Feb. £2-14-4. (1 day off)
27th Feb. £3-8-6 (Full Week)
6th Mar. £2-16-6 (1 1/2 days off)
13th Mar. £2-15-6 (1 day off)
20th Mar. £3-7-11 (Full Week)
27th Mar. £1-9-11
3rd Apl. £2-10-6 (Sun. off)
1st May. 2-17-1
8th May. 3-12-10
15th May. 3-5-10
22 2-3-5
[deleted] 10-6-41 £3-14-3 – 11/9 (7 days)
29 May 2-3-3
[page break]
[blank page]
Collection
Citation
V Gill, “Vera Longden - 1942 Diary,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed June 2, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/35563.
Item Relations
This item has no relations.