Hedley Madgett diary 1940
Title
Hedley Madgett diary 1940
Description
A few general entries for January 1940. Entries for October/November 1941 include two attempts to volunteer for pilot, successful at the second attempt in November. Entries on general events and other concerning activities involved in joining Royal Air Force.
Creator
Date
1940
Language
Type
Format
Nineteen double page pocket diary
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
YMadgettHR1330340v1
Transcription
WALKER’S DIARY FOR 1940
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
Friday 12
Saw George Formby at flics [sic] with marshall.
Cold.
Saturday 13
Saw B. Snelgrove on Sidcup station.
Obviously now goes to work. [deleted] Saw [/deleted]
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
Sunday 14
Cold & foggy. Short practise drive.
Monday 15
Saw B. Snelgrove again on station
Tuesday 16
Passed driving test. (11.5.)
Drove home from Lee.
Wednesday 17
Perishing cold today.
Drove home from Lee.
Trains very late this morning.
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
Memo.
I.M. at 5.35 p.m.
[page break]
OCTOBER 1940
Monday 28
Volunteered into R.A.F. this afternoon. at the “yorkshire Grey”, Eltham. B. Wright had medical in morning
Tuesday 29
Had medical. Easy A.1.
Go to Uxbridge on 7th.
[page break]
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Sunday 3
Rained whole day long.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Thursday 7
To Uxbridge. Bombs dropped nearby while in R.A.F. cinema. Had all medical. Passed O.K.
Friday 8
Not passed Pilot at * interview. Turned down AG/W.O. Am going to try later on.
Saturday 9
Did not go to work.
Odeon with Ernie at night. Wrotten [sic] show.
Memo.
*Reckon Geography failed me – what are states of Australia plugged me.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Sunday 10
John round in morning. Had tea with him & stayed till late.
Monday 11
In morning, bus to [inserted] New [/inserted] Eltham & train to B’friars. O.K. in evening, but pouring with rain.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Saturday 23
Volunteered again this p.m. for R.A.F. at “Yorkshire Grey” Medical next Sat. morning. Pictures in evening with John.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Sunday 24
Church this morning.
Fine day. Stayed John’s for tea & evening.
Monday 25
Very busy at work. John round in evening & played monopoly.
Wednesday 27
Stayed in. did nothing. Busy at work.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Friday 29
Up with Monty Sims alone
Talks all about his stamps. treats me to tea when get to London. At night here a few bombs.
Saturday 30
In morning had Medical. Very cold. Go Uxbridge next Friday. Went pictures with John early evening. After played Monop. At John’s with him & Ernie.
Very good evening. Bed late.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 1
Cold. Church in morning. Walk in afternoon with John & Ernie. Monopoly till late at John’s again.
Monday 2
Train service mucked up. lee Bridge hit. Bused [sic] to Well Hall. In evening went straight to library. No Maths Books that I wanted.
Tuesday 3
Same train route in morning. O.K. again in evening.
Wednesday 4
Up with Betty Skinner. Mr. Snowball, from Horsham in our office now. Mr Bates called up. Goes tomorrow.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 5
Gave Leslie Bates rousing send off. Had letter from Stapp.
Friday 6
To Uxbridge. Only had intelligence test.
Pictures in evening.
Saturday 7
Selection Board officer very decent chap. Passed me for PILOT 4 mths before 19. Medical & sworn in 1330340. Kit locked up in Selection Board Would not give us key. So home with no coat. Arrived 8.30. No blitz. Chap going on Monday for his own kit & mine to collect on Monday at Croydon
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 8
Cold. Walk in afternoon.
Had John & Ernie to tea.
Played snooker. Sims going a long time.
Monday 9
London had worst night. P.L.A. Buildings hit. Fire near Canon St. Stn Chap from Croydon did not ring.
Up with Betty Sk. to New Cross.
Mine on Ldn. Bridge signal box.
Tuesday 10
Went to Croydon to collect kit. Home at 8.30 p.m.
No blitz. Very cold.
Wednesday 11
Cold. Betty could not come with me to Plaza. Cold in eyes. Saw “Convoy” with Clive Brooks. Very, very good.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 12
Ernie & John round in evening. Played snooker.
Still cold.
Friday 13
Met John & went round to Ernie’s. went out & John went home. I went back & met Mary Isabell Ritchings.
Very nice & all that. Home 10.25. p.m.
Saturday 14
Very cold. Up to John’s. met Ernie in High St. doing bit of shopping. I had tea with John & after went home. Intended to go round to Mary but foul weather.
In morning met Mr. James in train.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 15
Church in morning with John.
We had tea at Ernie’s place & after playing Monopoly for short while went round to his sisters place.
Monday 16
Mild. Fairly busy at work.
Round at John’s with Ernie playing Monopoly again.
Short warning.
Tuesday 17
John & Ernie round in evening playing snooker
Got record “Joy Trumpet.
[deleted] Sent off Xmas Car [/deleted]
Wednesday 18
Busy day. Sent off Xmas cards to Mrs Arnold & Edith.
Pictures with Mary in evening. Got on very well. [inserted] in fact in land of clover [/inserted]
“Black Friday at Odeon.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 19
In evening went round to Ernie’s but found he was on duty. So went to Mary’s. annoyed cause she won’t go to dance. Pictures instead.
Friday 20
Cold. Met Monty Sims going home & he & Miss Wheeler made me promise to go to dance. So found Ernie at John’s & [deleted] to [/deleted] told him to break date with mary for me. John & Ernie having great fun over this.
Saturday 21
Work in morning. Decided to go to dance instead of flics [sic]. So told Marys Grandmother to tell Mary
Shopping with John in afternoon.
Met Mary in High St. at 7 p.m. & waited in case the Wheelers turned up. Heavy blitz on.
Good dance. Monty Sims. M.C. Won spot prize of 20 fags & chocs.
Home at 11.45 p.m. Ernie has gone to R.A. dance.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 22
No church. Find John still in bed with cold. Walk with Mary in afternoon, but icy cold wind. John [deleted] & Ernie [/deleted] to tea, & Ernie called later.
[inserted line]
Monday 23
Up with Monty & Betty. Had tea. Met John in lunch time & got me a record! Also saw him in library. Did not go out in evening.
[inserted line]
Tuesday 24
Up with Monty & Betty. Knocked off only 1/2 hour earlier. Pictures with Mary in evening to Regal. Saw Tommy Trinder in “Sailors Three”, & Walter Pidgeon in “Phantom Raiders”
Wednesday 25
Church in morning with John. We had row with Ernie over our records.
[inserted line]
Had big dinner. John comes round. We hear the King’s speech. Then call for Mary. Nellie also arrives. Have a few games, dancing – try to - & eats & drinks. Took Mary home. No warning. bed. 12.30 a.m. Nell sleeps in with us
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 26
In morning call for Mary & go by car with Nellie to Nora’s house in Chislehurst. Had more drinks & went to “Bull’s Head”. Left Nell at Nora’s
[inserted line]
Family went to pictures in p.m. I strolled round to John’s & waited for him from work. We both go to Ernie’s party. Very good & plenty of drinks. Ernie not there.
Friday 27
Had a jolly good time. Mary there.
[inserted line]
Work again. In evening go round to John’s. blitz very heavy, when I went home.
[inserted line]
Had to train to St. John’s Stat. & bus the rest. Saturday 28 Up with B. Skinner
In p.m. went to Chislehurst & met Miss Wheeler & took coat to be dyed. Had walk round Chislehurst. After tea played Monopoly with John & Ernie at John’s place. No warning at all.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 29
No church. Called on John and had him to tea. Nellie here also. Very heavy blitz – fire in sky. John took Nell home.
Monday 30
Lot of [deleted] cla [/deleted] damage in city. London Bridge terminus in flames, & all round St. Pauls.
Not out in evening.
Tuesday 31
New Year’s dance at 8 o’clock. Went with Mary. Miss Wheeler there. Had jolly good time. finished 1 a.m. Very tired. At interval over to Black Horse. Bed just before 2 a.m.
No warning.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
LETTER REGISTER
[table of letters received and sent]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
ADDRESSES
[table of addresses]
[page break]
ADDRESSES
Barbara
Martin.
[deleted] Irene [/deleted] Riley [deleted] ? [/deleted]
Joyce
[page break]
Name Address
L.R. Madgett Co Ltd 43 Tooley St
[page break]
Telephone No. Exchange
0081 Hop
[page break]
ENGAGEMENTS FOR 1941
JANUARY
[blank page]
[page break]
ENGAGEMENTS FOR 1941
JANUARY
FRIDAY 17 Ch. 108
[page break]
2 p.m.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
Friday 12
Saw George Formby at flics [sic] with marshall.
Cold.
Saturday 13
Saw B. Snelgrove on Sidcup station.
Obviously now goes to work. [deleted] Saw [/deleted]
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
Sunday 14
Cold & foggy. Short practise drive.
Monday 15
Saw B. Snelgrove again on station
Tuesday 16
Passed driving test. (11.5.)
Drove home from Lee.
Wednesday 17
Perishing cold today.
Drove home from Lee.
Trains very late this morning.
[page break]
JANUARY 1940
Memo.
I.M. at 5.35 p.m.
[page break]
OCTOBER 1940
Monday 28
Volunteered into R.A.F. this afternoon. at the “yorkshire Grey”, Eltham. B. Wright had medical in morning
Tuesday 29
Had medical. Easy A.1.
Go to Uxbridge on 7th.
[page break]
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Sunday 3
Rained whole day long.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Thursday 7
To Uxbridge. Bombs dropped nearby while in R.A.F. cinema. Had all medical. Passed O.K.
Friday 8
Not passed Pilot at * interview. Turned down AG/W.O. Am going to try later on.
Saturday 9
Did not go to work.
Odeon with Ernie at night. Wrotten [sic] show.
Memo.
*Reckon Geography failed me – what are states of Australia plugged me.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Sunday 10
John round in morning. Had tea with him & stayed till late.
Monday 11
In morning, bus to [inserted] New [/inserted] Eltham & train to B’friars. O.K. in evening, but pouring with rain.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
[blank page]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Saturday 23
Volunteered again this p.m. for R.A.F. at “Yorkshire Grey” Medical next Sat. morning. Pictures in evening with John.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Sunday 24
Church this morning.
Fine day. Stayed John’s for tea & evening.
Monday 25
Very busy at work. John round in evening & played monopoly.
Wednesday 27
Stayed in. did nothing. Busy at work.
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1940
Friday 29
Up with Monty Sims alone
Talks all about his stamps. treats me to tea when get to London. At night here a few bombs.
Saturday 30
In morning had Medical. Very cold. Go Uxbridge next Friday. Went pictures with John early evening. After played Monop. At John’s with him & Ernie.
Very good evening. Bed late.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 1
Cold. Church in morning. Walk in afternoon with John & Ernie. Monopoly till late at John’s again.
Monday 2
Train service mucked up. lee Bridge hit. Bused [sic] to Well Hall. In evening went straight to library. No Maths Books that I wanted.
Tuesday 3
Same train route in morning. O.K. again in evening.
Wednesday 4
Up with Betty Skinner. Mr. Snowball, from Horsham in our office now. Mr Bates called up. Goes tomorrow.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 5
Gave Leslie Bates rousing send off. Had letter from Stapp.
Friday 6
To Uxbridge. Only had intelligence test.
Pictures in evening.
Saturday 7
Selection Board officer very decent chap. Passed me for PILOT 4 mths before 19. Medical & sworn in 1330340. Kit locked up in Selection Board Would not give us key. So home with no coat. Arrived 8.30. No blitz. Chap going on Monday for his own kit & mine to collect on Monday at Croydon
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 8
Cold. Walk in afternoon.
Had John & Ernie to tea.
Played snooker. Sims going a long time.
Monday 9
London had worst night. P.L.A. Buildings hit. Fire near Canon St. Stn Chap from Croydon did not ring.
Up with Betty Sk. to New Cross.
Mine on Ldn. Bridge signal box.
Tuesday 10
Went to Croydon to collect kit. Home at 8.30 p.m.
No blitz. Very cold.
Wednesday 11
Cold. Betty could not come with me to Plaza. Cold in eyes. Saw “Convoy” with Clive Brooks. Very, very good.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 12
Ernie & John round in evening. Played snooker.
Still cold.
Friday 13
Met John & went round to Ernie’s. went out & John went home. I went back & met Mary Isabell Ritchings.
Very nice & all that. Home 10.25. p.m.
Saturday 14
Very cold. Up to John’s. met Ernie in High St. doing bit of shopping. I had tea with John & after went home. Intended to go round to Mary but foul weather.
In morning met Mr. James in train.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 15
Church in morning with John.
We had tea at Ernie’s place & after playing Monopoly for short while went round to his sisters place.
Monday 16
Mild. Fairly busy at work.
Round at John’s with Ernie playing Monopoly again.
Short warning.
Tuesday 17
John & Ernie round in evening playing snooker
Got record “Joy Trumpet.
[deleted] Sent off Xmas Car [/deleted]
Wednesday 18
Busy day. Sent off Xmas cards to Mrs Arnold & Edith.
Pictures with Mary in evening. Got on very well. [inserted] in fact in land of clover [/inserted]
“Black Friday at Odeon.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 19
In evening went round to Ernie’s but found he was on duty. So went to Mary’s. annoyed cause she won’t go to dance. Pictures instead.
Friday 20
Cold. Met Monty Sims going home & he & Miss Wheeler made me promise to go to dance. So found Ernie at John’s & [deleted] to [/deleted] told him to break date with mary for me. John & Ernie having great fun over this.
Saturday 21
Work in morning. Decided to go to dance instead of flics [sic]. So told Marys Grandmother to tell Mary
Shopping with John in afternoon.
Met Mary in High St. at 7 p.m. & waited in case the Wheelers turned up. Heavy blitz on.
Good dance. Monty Sims. M.C. Won spot prize of 20 fags & chocs.
Home at 11.45 p.m. Ernie has gone to R.A. dance.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 22
No church. Find John still in bed with cold. Walk with Mary in afternoon, but icy cold wind. John [deleted] & Ernie [/deleted] to tea, & Ernie called later.
[inserted line]
Monday 23
Up with Monty & Betty. Had tea. Met John in lunch time & got me a record! Also saw him in library. Did not go out in evening.
[inserted line]
Tuesday 24
Up with Monty & Betty. Knocked off only 1/2 hour earlier. Pictures with Mary in evening to Regal. Saw Tommy Trinder in “Sailors Three”, & Walter Pidgeon in “Phantom Raiders”
Wednesday 25
Church in morning with John. We had row with Ernie over our records.
[inserted line]
Had big dinner. John comes round. We hear the King’s speech. Then call for Mary. Nellie also arrives. Have a few games, dancing – try to - & eats & drinks. Took Mary home. No warning. bed. 12.30 a.m. Nell sleeps in with us
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Thursday 26
In morning call for Mary & go by car with Nellie to Nora’s house in Chislehurst. Had more drinks & went to “Bull’s Head”. Left Nell at Nora’s
[inserted line]
Family went to pictures in p.m. I strolled round to John’s & waited for him from work. We both go to Ernie’s party. Very good & plenty of drinks. Ernie not there.
Friday 27
Had a jolly good time. Mary there.
[inserted line]
Work again. In evening go round to John’s. blitz very heavy, when I went home.
[inserted line]
Had to train to St. John’s Stat. & bus the rest. Saturday 28 Up with B. Skinner
In p.m. went to Chislehurst & met Miss Wheeler & took coat to be dyed. Had walk round Chislehurst. After tea played Monopoly with John & Ernie at John’s place. No warning at all.
[page break]
DECEMBER 1940
Sunday 29
No church. Called on John and had him to tea. Nellie here also. Very heavy blitz – fire in sky. John took Nell home.
Monday 30
Lot of [deleted] cla [/deleted] damage in city. London Bridge terminus in flames, & all round St. Pauls.
Not out in evening.
Tuesday 31
New Year’s dance at 8 o’clock. Went with Mary. Miss Wheeler there. Had jolly good time. finished 1 a.m. Very tired. At interval over to Black Horse. Bed just before 2 a.m.
No warning.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
LETTER REGISTER
[table of letters received and sent]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
ADDRESSES
[table of addresses]
[page break]
ADDRESSES
Barbara
Martin.
[deleted] Irene [/deleted] Riley [deleted] ? [/deleted]
Joyce
[page break]
Name Address
L.R. Madgett Co Ltd 43 Tooley St
[page break]
Telephone No. Exchange
0081 Hop
[page break]
ENGAGEMENTS FOR 1941
JANUARY
[blank page]
[page break]
ENGAGEMENTS FOR 1941
JANUARY
FRIDAY 17 Ch. 108
[page break]
2 p.m.
[page break]
[blank page]
Collection
Citation
Hedley Robert Madgett, “Hedley Madgett diary 1940,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed June 18, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/11263.
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