Jessie Redgrave's 1938 diary

YRedgraveJM743047v1.pdf

Title

Jessie Redgrave's 1938 diary

Description

Diary kept by Jessie Redgrave with detailed daily entries on her life.

Creator

Date

1938

Temporal Coverage

Coverage

Language

Format

One diary with handwritten annotations

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

YRedgraveJM743047v10001

Transcription

KIA-ORA

DIARY

1938

[Page break]

[Patterned printed page]

[Page break]

THE

KIA-ORA

DESK DIARY

FOR 1938

WITH MONTHLY AND ALPHABETICAL INDEXES

[Page break]

[Page of General Information]

[Page break]

[Tables of information on Bridge Scoring and Wages]

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1937

THURSDAY 23
I seem to be having plenty of presents from everywhere wringer from Harry & record Paul Robson’s [sic] “Curly headed Baby” Box of chocolates & perhaps slippers. Compact & scent from his lad at the shop soap & salts (Bath) from Mum & chocolates from Vera a large bottle Lavender Water from Taylor Walkers through Harry 2 brass plates for Harry & I from his mum 2 bibs for baby from Milly

FRIDAY 24
Harry started work 6.45.AM. Finished at 12.45 AM. Having a record day at the shop. Harry bought me home a bottle of Advocaat 50 Gold Flake. I bought Harry a good green silk scarf & tie which he wanted & we both bought Stan a grey pullover. Stan bought Harry 2 good records and Harry had 150 players & black leather wallet Silver pencil and a number of Xmas boxes I went to the Astoria in the evening “Woman chases Man” Harry took me in the Vauxhall lovely.

SATURDAY 25
We spent today at Mums had a nice time. Vera had Bill her Scotch friend with her good programme on the Wireless “Aladin” [sic] and Rocks Christmas Party Dance Music Harry brought home a good bottle of sherry ‘Odds On’ cocktail

SUNDAY 26
Whiskey & Beer for mum Cider & port. Mum lit the Xmas Pudding as usual. Had turkey for dinner. Spent the day quietly.

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1937

27 MONDAY Spent the day quietly Had plenty of fruit & nuts to eat. Millie Mum Frank Harry & I played Knock-out Whist with cigarettes lost a few. good game. Ankles & feet swollen, otherwise feeling O.K.

28 TUESDAY
Harry had to work all day so we played care again Mum won 14 & I won 1. cigarettes.

29 WEDNESDAY
Joyce & Frank start work today Harry and & I went to Southend and did some shopping bought a new kind of clothes line for indoors and a grey enamel bucket.

DEC. – JAN. 1937-38

THURSDAY 30
Rather tired this morning, had breakfast in bed reading ‘German Spice’ good book

FRIDAY 31
Went to Southend in the morning to do some shopping probable the last time for a while saw quite a number of my old pals. my how shopping accumulates it was heavy

SATURDAY – JAN. 1
Rained a bit this after noon Harry bought a nice chocolate sponge for tea went & saw mum and Vera probably the last for some time good programme on the wireless

SUNDAY 2
Harry & Frank busy to day getting down the bed and other jobs that need doing before the event and Millies Wedding Had my hair cut short works [deleted] tyd [/deleted] tidy

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

3 MONDAY
Did my washing today instead of tomorrow just incase anything should happen
Bobbie has hurt his foot somehow poor thing

4 TUESDAY
Have been quite busy today with Mum getting my room ready all my things and baby’s. Harry bought me a tin of Scotch shortbreads how nice of him he is a dear does not deprive me of anything and I love him so. Padded my low chair and filled baby’s pillow

5 WEDNESDAY
Harry has gone over to lay Milly’s lino Sun shining this afternoon I keep getting a pain in my right side baby getting impatient It is getting nearer, I wonder how near.
Bobbie’s foot still hurts him I think he has pulled his claw it is troubling him
Filling in Insurance Forms Harry & Millie arrive home @ 8.30pm tired and dusty. Millie likes her little house

[Page break]

[Panel advertising Kia-Ora]

[Page break]

MEMORANDA

[Underlined] Pamela Weight. [/underlined]

When born Jan 13th – 7 1/2 lbs.

Fortnight Later Jan 26th – 8 lbs.

Monday 31.1 38 8 – 6 1/2 ozs.
7.2.38 8 12
21.2.38 9 - 5
28 2 38 9 - 13
7 3 38 10-5
14.3.38 – 10-5
21 3 38 11 2 1/2
4 4 38 11 9

19 – 5.

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

THURSDAY 6
Weather not to bad today
Micky had his bath early and took it Millie getting her curtain material today
Help Millie with her curtains they are done. Had a bath and washed my clothes all ready for the event.

FRIDAY 7
Millie & all her things went to Tilbury [deleted] to [/deleted] She will have a busy day straitening things up. She so exited
The sun is shining lovely this morning I think I’ll go out. The lady next door gave me a woolly ball for baby it is sweet.
Pouring with rain at 4.45p.m.

SATURDAY 8
Milly’s wedding day everything went off fine Harry bought home a good bottle of champagne & mum bought a bottle of port.

SUNDAY 9
Got up at 10.30 A.M. Goblined the place up covered with confettie
Sun is shining altogether it is a lovely day.

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

10 MONDAY
Mum and I did our washing Nurse Leadbeatter came to see me wondering how long [deleted] t [/deleted] I would be gave me a dose of Castol oil gave me the tummy ache, didn’t work so she came again at 7 o’clock and also saw Harry for the first time she said it might be Wednesday.

11 TUESDAY
Did mum’s ironing this morning Pouring with rain outside Harry’s cold is pretty rotten He bought home a lot of very nice oranges.

12 WEDNESDAY
Made the baby a dress this afternoon Started my pains Harry phoned for Nurse Leadbeater at 9 o’clock that evening she came and said yes it would arrive tomorrow Could not sleep all night pains getting worse poor Harry he lost his sleep too.

SUN 16. Vera came to see me bought some grapes bovril chocolate & hot water bottle It was nice of mum & Vera.

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

THURSDAY 13
What a day to remember Pamela Joyce arrived at 12.30P.M. 7 1/2 lbs she weighed and she looks lovely. Harry is ever so pleased he loves her the darling Nurse Leadbeatter is a dear Doctor Clapham gave me Chloroform at the birth it helped I feel tired now but when you see the baby it is worth it.

FRIDAY 14
Doctor Longthorne came in the morning he was pleased with me and how I felt said I could sit up strait & feed baby. Temp & pulse O.K. Little Pamela looks wonderful & Harry is so happy He’s bought me some biscuits and shortbread all my meals have been very nice and my mother came up to see me must be nice to be grandma. Harry’s Mum thinks she beautiful. Nurse L comes to see [inserted] me [/inserted] twice a day as bathes baby & washes me.

SATURDAY 15
Doctor L came to day still pleased with me. Said I must lay on my stomach 2 hrs in the afternoon each day with do me a world of good. Milk coming in had a dose of castor oil. Harry bought me a lovely bunch of grapes. Fire went out Harry tried to make it. Pamela hand was crossed with silver by Mrs S. .||. Pamela woke in the night again. Harry thinks she a little B. so sweet Nurse came at 10 oclock to bath baby and wash me. Mr Robinson crossed her hand with silver Pamela getting rich Millie & Frank came over. It poured with rain nearly all day.

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

17 MONDAY
Doctor & Nurse came as usual quite O.K. Pamela has been quite good so far. Heard monoply night at seven
The weather has been lovely today Mums washing has dried nicely.

18 TUESDAY
Nurse came as usual Pamela getting along nicely
Joyce & Tom have bought her a lovely eiderdown and pillow to match in pink taffetta it looks lovely Have written two letters so now feel a bit weary.
Joyce brought her friend [deleted] Eolen [/deleted] Eileen in to see the baby

19 WEDNESDAY
The sun is shining lovely today. Nurse L. has hurt her foot today. Pamela is getting on beautifully. Have been writing two more letters. Harry has gone to London to buy the pram. Harry came back at 5.30pm. with the pram which looks smart a set of Atlas saucepans Book ends for Nurse & a mattress to come for the pram Mum came up to see me again

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

THURSDAY 20
Pamela is progressing lovely The weather keeps fine
Harry bought me some Cadbury’s Mum has bought in a pair of Organdie pillow slips they are very sweet

FRIDAY 21
Weather still nice & Pamela quite well Pamela had a good turn out today
Receive a letter from Aunt Nell. They will try to come down that will be nice.
Got out of bed today a bit wobbly
Doctor came asked when I could get up next Monday.

SATURDAY 22
Sun has been shining
Pamela was going out but the sun has gone in Trying my wart cure.

SUNDAY 23
Pamela first day out Sun was shining lovely. Got up for a little while got rather tired in the evening played cards.

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

24 MONDAY
Harry’s Mum birthday gave her 10/- Put Pamela in the pram in the front of the House Doctor coming to day might be able to get up.
Doctor came said I can go about the house but cannot go out till Sat. or Sun. He has given me a tonic. Harry bought home some more chocs

25 TUESDAY
Got up & dressed today feel a bit funny in the head. Bath the baby. Nurse came. Quite O.K.

On Wed., Nurse weighed Pamela She gained 1/2 lb now weighs 8lb.

26 WEDNESDAY
Mum went to Milly’s Harry & I spent the day on our own. Nurse came for the last time gave her a present pr. book Ends. Took the bed down and took my things upstairs what a treat to sleep in our own bed again
Took baby up and down the road what a lovely pram to wheel. A lovely eiderdown from Agnes & Gwenny blue. It fits her cot a treat

[Page break]

JANUARY, 1938

THURSDAY 27
Sun shining but wind is cold Doctor came and saw me for the last visit sending me another bottle of medicine as a tonic to help me.

FRIDAY 28
Still feeling O.K.
bath the baby sleeps well
Went to bed early.

SATURDAY 29
Went out up the road. What a gale nearly blew me over.
Pamela been very good.

SUNDAY 30
Still windy. Joyce took Pamela out in the morning too cold for me to go out.
Went to bed early

[Page break]

JAN.-FEB., 1938

31 MONDAY
Did a lot of washing today Mum cut the top of her finger badly.
Took Pamela to the clinic she has gained 6 1/2 ozs. since last Wed. and she is so good.
Listened to “Monday night at 7”pm

1 FEB.-TUESDAY
Made Pamela a bonnet manage to finish it for tomorrow
Harry, bought her a pair of leggings

2 WEDNESDAY
Harry & I took Pamela over to see Milly & Frank saw their house and new furniture all very nice Bobby looked well Baby was good.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY, 1938

THURSDAY 3
Harry’s birthday 26 years old

Went for a long walk with mum and the baby pop in and saw mother had tea and biscuits
Did some ironing in the evening

FRIDAY 4
Read a good book “The Evil Shepherd”

SATURDAY 5

SUNDAY 6
Milly & Frank came over last night and are staying till tonight Bobbie is getting on lovely

[Page break]

7 MONDAY
Helped mum with her washing her finger is still bad.
Took Pamela to the clinic she has gained 5 1/2 ozs Doctor Shields wants to see her again
Heard “Count of Monte Christo” very good serial

8 TUESDAY
Did my washing today what a lot of [deleted] nappages [/deleted] nappys I have got making a green satin pillow slip to match a pram cover Aunt Nellie sent me today it is a lovely pram cover

9 WEDNESDAY
Harry is thoroughly over hauling his motor byke – it goes jolly fine
Mrs Monk came over to see the baby thinks she is lovely.
Listening to “Band Wagon”

[Page break]

FEBRUARY, 1938

THURSDAY 10

FRIDAY 11
Agnes birthday

[Between SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY to SUNDAY 6 MARCH there are no entries]

MARCH, 1938

7 MONDAY
Pamela 10lbs 5oz.
She has a nasty cold.

8 TUESDAY

9 WEDNESDAY
Terrible accident outside Woolworths just missed it Luckily.

[Page break]

MARCH, 1938

THURSDAY 10
Went for a walk with Mum Gwen & I and the pram.
Saw Mrs Jacombes.

FRIDAY 11
Bought Harry new wool pants.

SATURDAY 12
Harry is buying me a

SUNDAY 13

[Page break]

[Between MONDAY 14 March and THURSDAY 8 APRIL there are no entries]

FRIDAY 8
My mother’s Birthday
And Aunty Jessie.

Between SATURDAY 9 APRIL and SUNDAY 5 JUNE there are no entries]

[Page break]

JUNE, 1938

6 MONDAY
A whole crowd of us went swimming in the bath early in the morning
Spent the day on the beach a bit cold & windy

7 TUESDAY

8 WEDNESDAY

[Page break]

JUNE, 1938

THURSDAY 9

Second time swimming went with Joyce to the swimming bath.

FRIDAY 10 JUNE – SUNDAY 19 JUNE [No entries]

[Page break]

JUNE, 1938

20 MONDAY
We went to the [deleted] Mascot [/deleted] Corona before that I had a double tooth out [underlined] “OOW” [/underlined]

21 TUESDAY
Washing day.

22 WEDNESDAY
Harry & I popped over to Millie & Frank

[Page break]

JUNE, 1938

THURSDAY 23
Measured mum for her best dress.

FRIDAY 24
Had my Perm today [deleted] at [/deleted] it only cost 7/6 I hope it keeps nice

SATURDAY 25
Pamela cut her first tooth today two bottom ones together

SUNDAY 26

[Page break]

MONDAY 27 JUNE – MONDAY 4 JULY [No entries]

5 TUESDAY
Harry & I went to Margate with Taylor Walkers on the “Royal Eagle”. Had a jolly fine time Plenty of free beer and a bottle of whisky cigarettes & cigars It rained a bit the scenery down the Thames was very interesting.

6 WEDNESDAY

[Page break]

Kia-Ora advertising

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THURSDAY 7 JULY – TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER [No entries]

28 WEDNESDAY
Milly’s birthday 25 years.

[Page break]

THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER - SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER [No entries]

SUNDAY 27
I took G & P for a stroll in Priory Park a bit cold – still it was nice

[Page break]

NOVEMBER, 1938

28 MONDAY

29 TUESDAY

30 WEDNESDAY
Harry & I took Pamela over to see Millie & Frank we have a nice time Pam [deleted] thou [/deleted] enjoyed herself with Bobbie

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

THURSDAY 1

FRIDAY 2

SATURDAY 3
Mum & I went Southend in the evening shopping bought Gwen’s doll.

SUNDAY 4
Mum took G & P for a stroll while I cooled the dinner Harry and went to Elsie’s to tea she makes lovely cakes.

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

5 MONDAY
Harry & I went Xmas shopping and took Pamela We bought a few presents and Pamela a gee-gee and paid Abbey Rd Society [underlined] 1st [/underlined]

6 TUESDAY
Washing day not bad had rather a lot to do
Mum went to the pictures

7 WEDNESDAY
Harry and I had the long room lino up and levelled the boards up.

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

THURSDAY 8
Agnes bought Harry and I a lovely pair of glass vases in green. Pamela a pr of white kid gloves.

FRIDAY 9
Mum is going over to Milly’s for the day it’s a beautiful day too the sun is shining
Aunty Nellie sent Pamela a lovely woollen rig-out in yellow she does look sweet

SATURDAY 10
It has been raining all night it came through our back door
We bought Gwen’s cot I bought Stan present at Southend this evening it had been raining it was a mucky night Stan bought Pamela [underlined] a lovely [/underlined] little dog

SUNDAY 11
Took Gwen & Pamela out for a walk saw Joan and her new Home. Vera came round Mum and Vera had been to London Sat morn, Vera bought Pamela a lovely dog pink & white
We spent a quiet evening at home.

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

12 MONDAY
Its a rotten day for washing Its miserable as hell.

We all made Xmas pudding tonight had my bath

13 TUESDAY
I got the rest of my washing out today
Started again at the A for a few weeks to help out took Pamela to my mother she thoroughly enjoyed herself. Did a little ironing then went to bed early.
Harry gave me a lovely week-end case & this beautiful fountain pen.

14 WEDNESDAY
I went to work all day yesterday. Harry boiled the Xmas puddings 6 1/2 hrs. We all played Monoply a darn good play still playing till 11.30p.m.

Weather – very foggy

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

THURSDAY 15
Cleaning the Long room
Working in the afternoon

FRIDAY 16
Pouring with rain today
Working in the afternoon

Still raining finished working at 8-O clock
Joyce bought Pamela a lovely pair a slippers.

SATURDAY 17
Turned very cold today
Took Gwen & Pamela to Southend
Bought Pamela some brown shoes.

SUNDAY 18
Mum’s morning off. I cook the dinner It Has turned rather cold

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

19 MONDAY
Mum did a bit of washing But it is the coldest day known the water pipe has frozen I hope it does not burst. Wrote some Xmas cards
Harry bought a record of Bing Crosby “Mother Nature sing her lulaby

20 TUESDAY
Still very cold.
I went to work this afternoon lots of work finished at 7-30pm finished my Xmas cards.

21 WEDNESDAY
I went to work all day today
Pamela has been good
Turned a bit warmer this evening The water thawed

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

THURSDAY 22
Went to work in the afternoon

FRIDAY 23
Going to work in the afternoon

Had a few drinks up in the canteen.
Milly and Frank arrived More presents Nightdress case Dolly for Pamela & sponge gee-gee
Bath cubes

SATURDAY 24
Went to Southend this morning it did not stop snowing

SUNDAY 25
Harry spent the day at my mother’s had a lovely time

[Page break]

DECEMBER, 1938

26 MONDAY
Harry and I went to Aggies still snowing Pamela enjoyed it

27 TUESDAY
Slept at Aggies place all night Pamela was good Had a game Monoply Harry won once mum the other
Milly and Frank left us the dog to mind while they went to the pictures it did not matter about our company at home I was annoyed
Tom’s father dies to day with asthma trouble

28 WEDNESDAY
We did our washing
cooker fused what a stew near 1 – O clock
Pretty good on the wireless this evening

Harry bought my favourite record Donkey’s Serenade with Alan Jones singing

[Page break]

DEC., 1938-JAN., 1939

THURSDAY 29
Sun shone today for a change
It poured with rain in the afternoon.
Harry bought home another record of Bing Crosby. “Swing low sweet Chariot”
Aggie, Gwen, mum & I played Monoply all the evening.
Pam is not feeling so good.

FRIDAY 30
Mum & I got a lot of work done this morning and I went to work in the afternoon till 9-O clock
Pam has got a temperature this afternoon 101 degrees

SATURDAY 31
Tom’s father was buried today
lit the fire in the long room this afternoon. Mum has gone over to Milly’s this week end
Elsie her husband & sister came and listen to the old year out and the new year. We play monopoly till 1-45am jolly good.

SUNDAY – JAN. 1
Pam seems a lot better today
Had rather an enjoyable evening at Elsie’s Pamela seems to be worse.
Cont – in next diary

[Page break]

MEMORANDA

My Insurance Number is 4807904
Harry’s is

[Page break]

MEMORANDA

[Page break]

MEMORANDA

We they

[Scores]

[Page break]

Mrs Bough

26 Queens’ Rd

Teddington

Middlx

Bentalls

Kingston-on-Thames

Phone Kingston 1001.

[Page break]

[Blank Page]

[Page break]

Mrs Care

173 Leyland Rd

Staines

Middlx.

Dr Clapham

15 Southbourne Grove

Westcliff

Tel: Leigh 76383

Miss A Day

6 Uplands Pk Rd

Enfield,

Middlx

Miss G. Day

c/o Mrs Morris

Carisbrook

22 Lavender Rd

Enfield

Middx

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Mrs Ethel Franklin

“Ramoso”

61 Macdonald Av

Westcliff

Mr G.W. Fereday

4 Seaforth Rd.

Westcliff.

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Mrs Holmes

“Ralimars”

Byne Dr.

Bentalls Estate

Prittlewell

Mrs Haynes

Mrs Hird

35 Colonial Av

Whitton

Twickenham

Middlx

Mrs F & M Hantsman

17 Bata Av.

East Tilbury

Essex.

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Mrs Joel.

“The Brambles”

Richmond

Prittlewell

Southend

Mrs Jacob

2 Carisbrook Av

Thundersley.

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Nurse Leadbeatter – Phone 3826

Beechmont House

Beechmont [deleted] Crescent [/deleted] Gdns

Bentalls Estate

Prittlewell.

Doctor Longthorne

4 Western Rd

Leigh

Tel Leigh 7148

Port of London Cabinet Works

Proprietors:

S. Lesser & Sons 1928 Lntd.

9-21 Cutler Street,

London, E.1.

Number Quoted FN 35138

Phone – AVEnue 3515 (3 lines

Leslie’s Stores

5 Southchurch Ave

Phone. – 67560

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Mr & Mrs Marshall

38 Manson Rd

Redhill

Surrey

The Manager

Local Office of the Ministry of Labour.

Southend.

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Mrs Peck

Hampton Rd

Hampton Court

Middlx

Public Health Offices (Pugh)

Clarence Street

Southend

The Parker Pen Co. Ltd.,

Bush House,

London, W.C.2.

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Mr & Mrs H.C. Redgrave

St Lucia

15 Cockethurst Av

Prittlewell Southend

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Mrs Sherwood

459 Fairfax Dr

Westcliff Essex

Southend Machine Co.

7, Talza Arcade

Southend

Phone 6481 receipt 0558

Taylor Walker.

[Page break]

[Scores]

[Page break]

Mrs White

“Brightlea”

[Deleted] Bouth [/deleted] Bournemouth PK.Rd.

Southend.

Mrs Want

35 Surrey Av

Leigh

Mrs. A. Willis

32 Guildford Rd,

Worthing

Sussex.

[Page break]

Short of Whiteways Cider pt Grape fruit
Gaymer
Martini and Dry
Stones Ginger
Taylor W Brown
Manns Bitter
Odds On
Tarragona Ovals
Booth Bot
Xxx Brown Sherry

To many 1/2 Johnnies
Bot Egg Flip
VP Red Bots
Pt Wht L St
pt Mannys
pt [indecipherable] Guinness
Good Sherries
Gilbey White
Seager Martini Cocktail

7 .7-4

[Page break]

[Calculations]

[Page break]

Mum Aff?
Mrs Jacombe
[Deleted] Milly Frank [/deleted]
Joyce Tom
Maisie Harry – child
Vera
Agnes Bill & Elsie
Young baby Stan Ernie & Lily
Mrs Souster Mr Souster
Dolly Syd? & child
Miriam Leslie? & child
Laurel Cyril? & child
Gwen

If Leslie and Syd come 7 qt Beers

Mum Mrs Jacombe Joyce Tom Vera Agnes Jessie Harry Syd Dolly
Stan Gwen

[Page break]

[Blank page]

[Page break]

Aunt Nellie
Nellie & H
Elsie & J
Mrs Jacomb
Mrs Scourrer
Mrs Hayns
Aunt Jessie
Aunt Rose
Aunt Flossie
Mum & Vera
Harry Mum
Aggie
Millie & Frank
Joyce & Tom
Gwen
Mrs Franklin
Harry
Uncle Ernie.

[Page break]

[Blank page]

Citation

Jessie Redgrave, “Jessie Redgrave's 1938 diary,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed March 19, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/16001.

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