1944 diary

1944 diary

Hand-written 1944 diary. Detailed entries of flying, camp life, the weather and letters to and from home. Many references to going to cinema. Last entry 17 July 1944.

1944

One printed diary with hand-written entries

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YWarrenHJ619608v1

Saturday, January 1, 1944
Snowed most of the day was going to Penfield Ridge but weather to [sic] bad for flying, had a good New Years dinner & tea & saw The Crystal Ball in camp cinema, also had a letter from darling wife & one from Auntie (Chevithorne)
Sunday, January 2, 1944
Nothing much happened today, wrote to Olive, Mam & Auntie, went to bed early no pictures tonight
[page break]
Monday, January 3, 1944
Went to Penfield Ridge to work on 507, didn’t think much of the place, not very good food went to station cinema & saw “Lost Souls at Sea” & got a sore be--- later watched ice skating & then turned in, good bed, only good thing about the place.
[page break]
Tuesday, January 4, 1944
Finished 507 in the morning & waited untill [sic] 4.30 for a pilot to fetch it. come back in 508 good trip. arrived back about 5.30. had tea & went to cinema & saw Laurel & Hardy in ‘air Raid Warden” & Finger at the Window. wrote to wife & went to bed
[page break]
Wednesday, January 5, 1944
Usual day, no pictures, no mail went to skating rink & watched Jock skating, couldnt [sic] pluck up enough courage to go on myself.
[page break]
Thursday, January 6, 1944
Nothing much to do today rather cold, went to pictures saw “Here we go again.” Received a Airgraph from Aunt Edie, wrote to wife & turned in.
[page break]
Friday, January 7, 1944
Usual day, very little work, very cold wind went to pictures & saw “Dangerous Blondes” made up small parcel for wife for Jock to post.
[page break]
Saturday, January 8, 1944
Not much work to do today chiefy in a good mood weather rather cold but cleared up after lunch. went to pictures & saw “Hi Buddy,” came back had a shower & went to bed, feeling browned off no mail from wife.
Sunday, January 9, 1944
Day off today, spent most day in bed sleeping & reading had chicken for dinner. Watched mixed skating at night but to [sic] cold to stay long, wrote to wife & turned in early
[page break]
Monday, January 10, 1944
Late shift this week, went to drill hall to practice football, had a letter from wife, one from Mum & Herbert played football but lost 7 – 2 enjoyed game came back had a shower & turned in.
[page break]
Tuesday, January 11, 1944
Had a good lay in, wrote to Olive & Mum, went to pictures & saw “Road to Moroco [sic]” which was very good & turned in early.
[page break]
Wednesday, January 12, 1944
Just the usual day, not much work, no pictures. wrote to Herbert & wife & turned in fairly early
[page break]
Thursday, January 13, 1944
Had a good surprise today, went to pay accounts & found it was over 5£ in credit so turned it over to wife as I couldnt [sic] draw it here, went to pictures in the evening & saw Betty Davis in “Old Aquiantances [sic]” good picture, also new serial started called “U,S Coastguards”.
[page break]
Friday, January 14, 1944
Work all day today & tv 5 one good thing pay day, went to cinema & saw “It aint Hay” with Abbot & Costello. had two Air Mails from dear wife & one from Mum.
[page break]
Saturday, January 15, 1944
Day off today, wrote to wife before dinner, had a sleep in the afternoon went to pictures & saw Walt Disneys film “Victory throught [sic] Air Power” also “Nasty Nuicance [sic] [deleted] to [/deleted] two good pictures.
Sunday, January 16, 1944
Day off today, had a good lay in, spent most of the day reading wrote to Olive & Mum, played football & lost dirty game
[page break]
Monday, January 17, 1944
Very nice day. Had to work late, just made second house pictures & saw “What a Woman.”
[page break]
Tuesday, January 18, 1944
Nice sunny day plenty of work. 506 crashed, killed 4 pilots. Went to cinema to see the play “The case of the Frightened Lady” by Edgar Wallace & played by the station Dramatics Society very good play & some good acting.
[page break]
Wednesday, January 19, 1944
Nice day today. plenty of work. Found all M/Ps loose on Oxfords no pictures, went to bed early
[page break]
Thursday, January 20, 1944
Very mild today, had second lecture, went to pictures & saw a Walt Disney Film also the second chapter of the serial US Coastguards wrote to wife & turned in early “(Saludos Amingos [sic]”) Hallo Friends.
[page break]
Friday, January 21, 1944
Warm today but froze at night, saw Betty Grable in “Sweet Rosy O grady” good picture turned in fairly early but couldn’t sleep, thoughts miles & miles away.
Second Wedding Anniversary
[page break]
Saturday, January 22, 1944
A bit colder today with a spot or to [sic] of rain had a nice job today took rudder of off Oxford went to pictures & saw James Cagney in “Olkahoma [sic] Kid didn’t go much on it. Had aerograph from Mum & Herbert, none from Olive very disappointed.
Sunday, January 23, 1944
Chiefy in bad mood today all the boys cheesed off went to pictures & saw “Lost Angel” a good picture wrote to Olive & Mum & Herbert & turned in.
[page break]
Monday, January 24, 1944
Late shift this week, 2 feet of snow during night had an Aerograph from Mum but none from Olive went to pictures & saw Mae West in “The Heats On” not to [sic] bad feel fed up tonight, wish I was home.
[page break]
Tuesday, January 25, 1944
Lovely day but cold wind did an air test on 614 OK. No mail again, am getting really getting fed up with no mail every day.
Watched the boys play football & they won for a change. went to last house pictures & saw Barbara Stanwick [sic] in “Lady of Berlesk [sic].” not to [sic] bad plenty of leg.
[page break]
Wednesday, January 26, 1944
Nice day plenty of flying worked late had two air mails from dear wife no pictures in camp at there is an Airmans dance but I didn’t go, wrote to wife instead
[page break]
Thursday, January 27, 1944
Raining most of the day today very slippery to walk had an airmail from Mum went to pictures & saw Robert Young in “Claudia” a very nice picture came back & did the usual Thursday nights bull & turned in fairly early.
Mums Birthday.
[page break]
Friday, January 28, 1944
Rather cold today, worked all day today no mail today but I didn’t expect to get any really went to pictures & saw “Son of Dracula” not much good came back started to write to wife & turned in early
[page break]
Saturday, January 29, 1944
Frosty night this week-end, wrote to dear wife in morning & had a sleep in the afternoon went to last house pictures & saw Ginger Rogers in “The Major & the Minor” good picture.
Sunday, January 30, 1944
Fed up with today nothing to do wrote to dear wife & mum had a sleep & watched indoor football in evening.
[page break]
Monday, January 31, 1944
Early shift this week moved to NO1 hangar not much work finished at five had a Airmail from dear wife & from Mum went to pictures & saw “Flesh & Fantasy” good film came back wrote to dear wife & turned in.
pay day today.
[page break]
Tuesday, February 1, 1944
Very cold today not much flying had two Air Mails from Mum went to pictures & saw Bing Crosby & Dorothy Lamour in “Dixie” good film
[page break]
Wednesday, February 2, 1944
Very cold today, not much flying had a tool kit issued today not a bad kit no pictures today went & saw our team play football which [indecipherable word] sergents [sic] played dirty wrote to dear wife & turned in.
[page break]
Thursday, February 3, 1944
Still very cold & very fine snowing, no flying today, no mail either went to pictures & saw “Fired Wife” a jolly good film plenty of laughs, lot of the boys marking their kit bags tonight wished I was one of them, turned in early.
[page break]
Friday, February 4, 1944
Not so cold today had two Air Mails from dear wife went to pictures & saw “The Falcon” & “Cat girl” two long films so didn’t get to bed before 12 as I was working late so had to go second house
[page break]
Saturday, February 5, 1944
Plenty of work today other shift of week-end but finished work by 6 so went to first house show & saw “Whistling down Brooklyn” a good film plenty of laughs. Wrote to dear wife.
Sunday, February 6, 1944
Plenty of work today other shift of 48 no pictures watched the lads play football
[page break]
Monday, February 7, 1944
Not much to do today on fire watch this week so no pictures
[page break]
Tuesday, February 8, 1944
Very cold today chiefy in a bad mood. no mail today still on fire watch so slept in hangar.
[page break]
Wednesday, February 9, 1944
Plenty of work today. Massey Harris show in Cinema but couldn’t go on fire watch. the boys worked late tonight but I missed it.
[page break]
Thursday, February 10, 1944
Still plenty to do more snow today & very cold had a loving letter from dear wife so answered [sic] that while in hangar on fire watch.
[page break]
Friday, February 11, 1944
Plenty of work today still on fire watch no mail today miss wife & baby very much.
[page break]
Saturday, February 12, 1944
A real blizzard blowing today woke up with snow on my bed hard job to get to guard room. no mail again. went to pictures & saw “Mrs Miniver” very good film.
Sunday, February 13, 1944
A lovely day today snow very glaring still on fire watch finish tomorrow morning
[page break]
Monday, February 14, 1944
A nice day today not much work all kites grounded, had a letter from dear wife & one from Mum went to pictures & saw “Death of Adolf Hitler not much good.
[page break]
Tuesday, February 15, 1944
On 48 today, a windy & we day stayed in camp no pictures tonight had a letter from mother (Hinton) wrote to dear wife & Mum
[page break]
Wednesday, February 16, 1944
Started work today not much to do rather cold had a letter from dear wife & two from Mum went to Hentville & saw ice hockey between our team & Arm ours won 7 6 good game didn’t get back until 12.30.
[page break]
Thursday, February 17, 1944
Nice day today, not much work went to pictures & saw Betty Hutton in “Happy go Lucky” very good. wrote to dear wife & turned in.
Friday, February 18, 1944
Wet day today not much to do had a letter from dear wife & two from Mum, went to pictures & saw “The Lodger” not to bad came back & turned in, wrote to Mother (thirton [sic] )
[page break]
Saturday, February 19, 1944
coldest day we have had so far not much to do had letter from wife & from Mum I Herbert went to pictures & saw Olivr [sic] De Haviland in Goverment [sic] girl very good wrote to Mum & dear wife.
Sunday, February 20, 1944
Not so cold today & not much [inserted] to do [/inserted] today saw a play in the cinema “The case of the frightened Lady” very good play
[page break]
Monday, February 21, 1944
Went on leave today a job to travel, had to put chains on Taxi going up to Mr & Mrs Bints, very nice people quite a big family, plenty to eat & some lovely [deleted] weather [/deleted] apples sent parcel to wife
[page break]
Tuesday, February 22, 1944
Weather not to good got up at 10.30 went for a walk in the afternoon quite worn out saw the school where the family gvv [sic]
[page break]
Wednesday, February 23, 1944
Plenty of snow today couldnt [sic] go far did a little shooting with a .22 spentmot of day reading & eating
[page break]
Thursday, February 24, 1944
Still snowing & every rough roads blocked had a snow Light when kids come home from school & got a good posting
[page break]
Friday, February 25, 1944
Went to Halifax today went down to Kingsdon with Murry & his wife & had dinner there & caught a buss [sic] from there at 2.3 & arrived in Halifax at 6.30 & then we booked up some beds & did a little liqour [sic] trading had tea & Joe rang up his friends & we went up to see them had a very good evening
[page break]
Saturday, February 26, 1944
Did some shopping this morning, went to Joe friends place for dinner & hen did some mre shopping went & saw “Winter Time” with “drags” friend
Sunday, February 27, 1944
Had late breakfast went for walk & went to friend for dinner had a lovely evening in Navy club, best time of all
[page break]
Monday. February 28, 1944
Had a walk & went to Simsons & wished friends good-bye went to pictures in the afternoon & saw “The Uninvited not much good. went to Navy club for ten & caught buss [sic] at 7 for Kingsdon arrived back camp at 12 & had plenty of mail waiting for me
[page break]
Tuesday, February 29, 1944
Started work today but had afternoon off wrote to dear wife & Mum went to pictures & saw Bing in “Missiscippi [sic]” not to bad.
[page break]
Wednesday, March 1, 1944
a bit wet today, not much work to do, dance in camp tonight but didnt [sic] go, no pictures either, wrote to Herbert no mail today.
[page break]
Thursday, March 2, 1944
Not much to do today, pretty cold, had letter from dear wife went to pictures & saw Bob Hope in “Ghost Breakers” very good.
[page break]
Friday, March 3, 1944
Very cold, not much to do no mail today watched the boys play football which they lost went to pictures after & saw “Crash Dive” had seen it before but very good.
[page break]
Saturday, March 4, 1944
Very cold today not much work to do, no mail, feel a bit browned up with no mail.
Sunday, March 5. 1944
Still cold, not much flying, finished early saw “Good by Mr Chips” very good film
[page break]
Monday, March 6, 1944
My birthday today no mail either, had to work all night with svay [sic] gang or oil coolers finished at seven on Tuesday morning. went to see about my ribbon this morning
[page break]
Tuesday, March 7, 1944
I slept all day today woke up at tea time no mail wrote to wife, watched boy play football, lost again 4 – 1 went to pictures & saw Wallace Beary in “Rationing” very good
[page break]
Wednesday. March 8, 1944
Plenty of work today, lovely & warm in the sun no mail again today. no pictures tonight turned in early
[page break]
Thursday, March 9, 1944
Sow again today so no flying spent the time cleaning had a letter from dear wife & one from Mum feel a little better now. went to pictures & saw “Princess O Roque” very good, also saw a news reel of our Mossies [sic].
[page break]
Friday, March 10, 1944
Snowing again today no flying had a letter from dear one & one from Mum answered bouth [sic] went to pictures & saw “Casablanca” very good film.
[page break]
Saturday, March 11, 1944
On fourty [sic] eight this week-end, spent most of the day on my pit no mail, went to pictures & saw “Betty Grable & Bob Hope in “Lets Face it” very good entertainment also some very good shorts.
Sunday, March 12, 1944
Woke up frozen this morning went to breakfast & back in the pit again. wrote to dear one & spent most of afternoon reading saw The Bridge of St Lous Ray
[page break]
Monday, March 13, 1944
A little warmer today had a letter from Mum went to pictures & saw “In Old Oaklahoma” very good film. came back & wrote to dearest & Mum & turned in, getting fed up with no mail from wife. Two Mossies belly landed this morning.
[page break]
Tuesday, March 14, 1944
Nice & warm today plenty of work to do still no mail from wife went to pictures & saw Hedy Lamar in “Hevenly Body” very good film wrote an Airgraph to darling wife & turned in but couldnt [sic] sleep kept thinking of home & dear one.
[page break]
[newspaper cutting]
KILLED IN CRASH – Flt. – Lt. larry J. “Moon” O’Connell, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. O’Connell, 109 Chestnut street, Halifax, was killed yesterday afternoon when an airplane piloted by a student and in which he was instructor crashed at Greenwood, Kings county. Four occupants of the plane were killed in the crash. (Story
[page break]
Wednesday, March 15, 1944
A lovely day today not much doing though still no ail went to pictures & saw three short films of Canada & English Architect went to Y for a snack come back & wrote to dearest wife. Pay day today.
[page break]
Thursday, March 16, 1944
Lovely day today but still no mail from dearest wife, fed up went to pictures & saw Spencer Tracey in “Just a Guy Maned [sic] Joe” ver [sic] good film
[page break]
Friday, March 17, 1944
Very nice day today plenty of flying. had a record bag of mail four from my sunshine – seven from Mum & was I glad to get them went to pictures & saw Judy Garland in “Little Nellie Kelly” a very good film enjoyed it come back & wrote an airmail to dear wife.
[page break]
Saturday, March 18, 144
Nice day again quite warm not much flying no mail today but I must have had my ration yesterday went to pictures & saw “Is everybody Happy not to bad.
Sunday, March 19, 1944
Very cold today plenty to do, in six hangar all day went to show & saw “Life of a Bengal Lover” very good
[page break]
Monday, March 20, 1944
Bitter cold wind plenty of work to do, am not feeling to good this afternoon had a letter from darling wife which I answered turned in early
[page break]
Tuesday, March 21, 1944
Nice day today did a bit of flying [deleted] at [/deleted] over the bay. had no mail today
[page break]
Wednesday, March 22, 1944
Very nice today worked late tonight wrote to dear wife & Mum
[page break]
Thursday, March 23, 1944
Usual day today had a letter from wife which I answered
[page break]
Friday, March 24, 1944
Very nice today on fourty [sic] eight this week end went up the four this evening [deleted] it [/deleted] had to wak [sic] most of way but had a good feed when we got there.
[page break]
Saturday, March 25, 1944
lovely day today in bed until diner [sic] time went to Moryetsville [sic] for a walk had a [undecipherable word] time.
Sunday, March 26, 1944
Layed [sic] in today until dinner time had some home made ice cream for tea arrived back in camp at 11.30.
[page break]
Monday, March 27, 1944
Lovely day today had a letter from wife which I answered went to pictures & saw Bing in Wedding no good.
[page break]
Tuesday, March 28, 1944
Snowing most of day so not much to do, no mail either went to show & saw John Garfield in “Destination Tokio [sic]” a very good film
[page break]
Wednesday, March 29, 1944
Nice day today plenty of flying no mail today & no show tonight so spent a quiet night in the billet after going for a short walk
[page break]
Thursday, March 30, 1944
Nice day, had a new Flight not a bad guy no mail went to first house & saw “Hostages” good film come back & did Thursday nights bull wrote to druling [sic] wife & turned in.
[page break]
Friday, March 31, 1944
Rained most of day did plenty of work in hangar no mail again to day getting fed up went to pictures & saw “The Wizard of Ozz [sic] “a dead loss film
[page break]
Saturday, April 1, 1944
Nice day today plenty of flying no mail again getting fed up not hearing from wife went to pictures & saw Al Aba & the Fourty [sic] thieves not to bad.
Sunday, April 2, 1944
Lovely day today not much flying 2 Bolies went or search for a Hudson had to work late.
[page break]
Monday, April 3, 1944
Lovely day today plenty of flying had a letter from dear wife & one from Mum. went to pictures & saw Swing Fever pretty good came back – wrote to dear wife.
[page break]
Tuesday, April 4, 1944
Lovely day today plenty of work to do working late this week
[page break]
Wednesday, April 5, 1944
Nice day again plenty of flying no mail today & no pictures tonight so had a qui [inserted] e [/inserted] t night in the billet. wrote to dear wife.
[page break]
Thursday, April 6, 1944
Lovely day today plenty of flying had to work late. didnt [sic] go to pictures had to work late & had to do the usual bull tonight so I was tired.
[page break]
Monday, April 10, 1944
Started work today & very glad to not much to do though as the weather is bad no mail today went to show & saw Jack London not to bad. wrote to wife
[page break]
Tuesday, April 11, 1944
Not much of a day no mail & not much to do fed up went to show & saw Flight for Freedom good show, come back & wrote to wife
[page break]
Wednesday, April 12, 1944
Still dull weather no mail again went to see free film show of travel very good come back & wrote to Herbert & dear wife.
[page break]
Thursday, April 13, 1944
Weather a bit better today no mail went to see R.C.A F show very good best show I have seen for a long time really enjoyed it.
[page break]
Friday, April 14, 1944
A little better today had a letter from wife no pictures tonight so wrote to wife & turned in
[page break]
Saturday, April 15, 1944
Nice day today plenty of flying had a Boly up or trestles, had a letter from Mum went to cinema & saw “Covette 225” good film
Sunday, April 16, 1944
Raning [sic] today, had half day wrote to dear wife & Mum went to cinema & saw Charlie Chaplin in “The Gold Past” a de[inserted] a [inserted] d loss.
[page break]
Monday, April 17, 1944
Lovely weather today had to work until 10.30 & no time off next morning either, no mail & didnt [sic] have time to write to wife.
[page break]
Tuesday, April 18, 1944
Nice day again plenty to do did Air test on 84. OK worked late but managed to make second house show & saw “Three Russian Girls” no much good. Mossie [unreadable word] or night flying lulter [sic] berth [sic] crew
[page break]
Wednesday, April 19, 1944
Nice day again plenty of flying had a letter from dearest which I answered went to show & saw “Tender Cornwall [sic] not much good Felt like crying another mossie crashed
[page break]
Thursday, April 20, 1944
Lovely day again plenty of flying late work [unreadable word] had a Airmail from dearest which I answered didnt [sic] go to pictures
[page break]
Friday, April 21, 1944
Lovely day today but not much flying finished at Line went to pictures & saw “Up in Arms” a good picture plenty of laughs wrote to wife & Mum & turned in.
[page break]
Saturday, April 22, 1944
On fouty [sic] eight, went up the farm this morning went fishing in the afternoon & caught four trout had them for tea very nice.
Sunday, April 23, 1944
Had a lay in until dinner time went to church in afternoon come back to camp with Murray had a burst tyre.
[page break]
Monday, April 24, 1944
Nice day today not much to do, another Mossie crashed went to show & saw “Come now Private Musgrove good laugh come back & wrote to dearest & turned in.
[page break]
Tuesday, April 25, 1944
Wet day no flying had an Airmail from dear wife & one from Mum went to pictures & saw the rity [sic] brothers in good film enjoyed it wrote to wife & turned in.
[page break]
Wednesday, April 26, 1944
Cold today, on funeral party one at Kingsdon & one at Muddleton got back at dinner time AVM here dishing out B.E.M.s but no on the parade went to cinema – saw Action in Arabia not tr [sic] bad wrote to wife & Mum. most of the lads gone to dance in Drill Hall.
[page break]
Thursday, April 27, 1944
Still bad weather not much flying no mail went to pictures & saw Frank Sinatra in Higher & Higher very good. went to wet canteen for a drink with the boys that went away. Bert Joe & Tinker a Big Durow [sic] didnt [sic] get tr [sic] bed until 12.30
[page break]
Friday, April 28, 1944
Still bad weather pay day today went to pictures & saw “Pitctary [sic]” not to bad come back & [deleted] some [/deleted] wrote to dear wife
[page break]
Saturday, April 29, 1944
A little better today not much to do worked a little late didnt [sic] get any mail & no pictures cheesed off did a few odd jobs in the room 7 turned in.
Sunday, April 30, 1944
Nice day, not much to do had a fire outside camp but the boys put it out went to pictures & saw Thousands Cheer a good picture [inserted] wrote [/inserted] to wife
[page break]
Monday. May 1, 1944
Nice day not much flying had no mail again went to pictures & saw Yin old Chisorya [sic] not to bad come back & got ready for 00s parade [sic]
[page break]
Tuesday, May 2, 1944
A lovely day, COs parade not much to do though still no mail from dear wife went to pictures & saw The Spawn of the North not to bad come back & wrote to dearest & Mum & turned in
[page break]
Wednesday, May 3, 1944
Lovely day again not much to do had 3 letters from dearest & one from Mum, late work wrote to dearest & turned in fed up.
[page break]
Thursday, May 4, 1944
Lovely day today not much to do or mal – no pictures. cheesed off
[page break]
Friday, May 5, 1944
Still nice weather on fourty [sic] eight this week end had letter from Mum but none from dearest wife went fishing after tea but didnt [sic] catch much.
[page break]
Saturday, May 6. 1944
Had a lay in went to Kingston but couldnt [sic] get any Fish hooks anywhere went fishing in afternoon but didnt [sic] catch much got tired out.
Sunday, May 7, 1944
Had a lay in went fishing in afternoon but didnt [sic] catch much again glad to get back
[page break]
Monday, May 8, 1944
Not a bad day not much to do had a letter from wife & Mum went to pictures & saw Return to Destiny not much cop come back & wrote to dearest & got ready frr[sic] CO’ private
[page break]
Tuesday, May 9, 1944
Not to bad today not much to do no mail went fishing after tea & caught a trout wrote to wife & turned in
[page break]
Weather not to good today so not much to do no mail & didnt [sic] go to pictures
[page break]
Thursday, May 11, 1944
Usual day not much to do no mail again turned in early after watching the boys play football
[page break]
Friday, May 12, 1944
Just another day got up, go to work & go to bed no mail wrote to dearest & turned in
[page break]
Saturday, May 13, 1944
Not a bad day not much to do though had a letter from Mum but none from dearest went to concert in the evening & saw Pontia White Ernesto Vince & Joy Redder some of the Bint family came down & it was very good.
Sunday, May 14, 1944
Rathr [sic] bussy [sic] this morning A/C search Finished at line went for a wek [sic] in evening & wrote to darling wif [sic] & turned in.
[page break]
Monday, May 15, 1944
Rather cold today not much doing went to pictures & wrote to darling wife
[page break]
Same weather again not much flying C/Os inspection started doing our own inspections no mail again
[page break]
Wednesday, May 17, 1944
Cold wind again plenty to do on the inspections no ail again wrote to wife
[page break]
Thursday, May 18, 1944
A little better today still plenty to do no mail wrote to Mum & wife.
[page break]
Friday, May 19, 1944
Cold wind finished at dinner time on fourty [sic] eight this week end posted a parcel to dear wife & had a ride up to the farm from Kingsdon with Aldon. went to young peoples after supper.
[page break]
Saturday, May 20, 1944
Cold wind got up at 10.30 had breakfast & helped Haldon with apple barrels, after dinner went to Kingsdon & fetched Gladys.
Sunday, May 21, 1944
Went to church at Margetast [sic] had dinner in tryed [sic] to sleep, come back with Haldon to Middletr [sic] & caught the buss [sic] good fourty [sic] eight.
[page break]
Monday, May 22, 1944
Lovely day today plenty to do went to pictures & saw Tunisian Victory very good, come back & wrote to dearest, had the good news about going home.
[page break]
Tuesday, May 23, 1944
Lovely day today, plenty to do, wrote to Mum didnt [sic] have any mail from wife, went fishing with Freddy but I didnt [sic] catch anything but Fred caught a lovely trout.
[page break]
Wednesday, May 24, 1944
Very nice day still plenty to do wrote to wife also had a letter from darling wife & one from Mum & Herbert
[page break]
Thursday, May 25, 1944
Still lovely weather & plenty to do went to U.S.O. show in camp not too bad come back & did my washing & turned in
[page break]
Friday, May 26, 1944
Lovely day again plenty to do had & paper from wife, wrote to dearest & Herbert & turned in.
[page break]
Saturday, May 27, 1944
Warm again today plenty to do had to no mail so went to bed early
Sunday, May 28, 1944
On church parade today not much to do wrote to darling wife & turned in.
[page break]
Monday, May 29, 1944
Still warm plenty to do still no mail wrote to dearest & turned in. saw Gilderslene or Broadway not to bad
[page break]
Tuesday, May 30, 1944
Still warm plenty to do did or Ariston in 9187 & 1947 did a few loops & noalls [sic] but didnt [sic] upset me
[page break]
Wednesday, May 31, 1944
Still warm not much to do had two Airmails from wife & two from Mum. went for walk & wrote to wife & got my shirts ready.
[page break]
Thursday, June 1, 1944
Rotten weather, just as we are starting to wear shorts, not much doing no mail again wrote to dear wife
[page break]
Friday, June 2, 1944
Still cold & wet had in letter from wife which I answered did an Airtest in a Horward did some loops & roolls [sic] enjoyed it finished early & went to Form for week-end went to Maryetsville [sic] to yarry [sic] peoples & went to Enids for supper nice evening
[page break]
Saturday, June 3, 1944
Wet day so not much to do although it cleared up in the afternoon picked a 100 chicken in the evening
Sunday, June 4, 1944
Better weather today, went to Maryetsvill [sic] church in the morning had som [sic] photos taken in the afternoon & come back to camp in the evening. no mail waiting
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Monday, June 5, 1944
Nice weather plenty of flying now as we have two Yindsons [sic] now had a letter from Mum & but none from wife finished work early & went to pictures come back & wrote to wife & turned in.
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Tuesday, June 6, 1944
Nice weather again had a letter from wife which I answered went fishing & caught 4 trout & an eel.
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Wednesday, June 7, 1944
Wifes Birthday.
Still nice weather no mail went to pictures & saw Two gi [inserted] r [/inserted] ls & a boy a good film wrote to Mum.
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Thursday, June 8, 1944
Nice day a letter from dearest which I answered [deleted] went to pictures [/deleted] turned in early nothing much doing
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Friday. June 9, 1944
Still nice weather no mail again had the C/O’ Lonemill parade, went to pictures & saw Betty Grable in Bin UP Girl very good.
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Saturday, June 10, 1944
Min bay but looks like rain bought a wrist watch from Freddine [sic] no mail wrote to dearest went to pictures & saw The Phantom Lady not to bad.
Sunday, June 11, 1944
Rained all day today not much to do wrote to wife & Mum & did a few odd jobs & turned in.
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Monday, June 12, 1944
Foggy this morning but cleared up & was very nice afternoon no mail went to pictures with Freddy & saw “this thing called Love” very good wrote to dearest & turned in
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Tuesday, June 13, 1944
Still not very nice weather not much to do no mail wrote to dearest & turned in
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Wednesday, June 14, 1944
A little better today not much doing no mail again getting a bit fed up no mail every day.
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Thursday, June 15, 1944
Weather still ch evens had an Airmail from dearest which I was very glad to get went to pictures & saw “Untold glory very good wrote to wife & turned in.
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Friday, June 16, 1944
Wet again today finished at dinner time & went up to the farm, went to young peoples after supper, after young peoples had a tuck in of ice cream & came back.
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Saturday, June 17, 1944
Up at 9.30 went to Middleton & fetched Gladys with Aldron then went to Kentville in the truck, got back in time for supper did a bit of gardening.
Sunday, June 18, 1944
Didnt [sic] get up until 11.30 had breakfast & dinner at same time went to church in the afternoon had supper & left for camp with Aldron got back to camp at 10.00
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Monday, June 19, 1944
Started shift work this week or didnt [sic] go in till 10.00 had a letter from dearest 2 & one from Mum finished at 8.00 went to pictures & saw the Ritzy Brothers in Never a Dull Moment very good had supper & turned in
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Tuesday, June 20, 1944
Rotten weather again started work at 1.0 & finished at 5.0 went to pictures & saw “Home comes Mr Hopper very good film enjoyed it come back & wrote to dearest & turned in
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Wednesday, June 21, 1944
Still miserable weather finished early no pictures wrote to wife & messed about in generall [sic] & turned in early.
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Thursday, June 22, 1944
Still lousy weather finished fuvnly [sic] early wentto pictures & saw Ingrid Bergman & Charles Boyer in “Gaslight” very good wrote to Mum & wife & turned in.
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Friday, June 23, 1944
A little better today started work at 1.0 & finished at 7.30 went to pictures & saw Voices in the Wind a rotten picture come back & turned in.
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Saturday, June 24, 1944
Weather not to bad finished at 8 went to pictures & saw “Four Gills in a Jeep” very good film come back Ricn [sic] supper & turned in no mail again.
Sunday, June 25, 1944
Still rotten weather finished work at five went to church twice had a chat with the Padre very nice chap wrote to wife & turned in.
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Monday, June 26, 1944
Early work this week start at 7 & finish at one had in letter from dear wife & two from Mum which I answered went to pictures & saw Four jills in a jeep very good enjoyed it.
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Tuesday, June 27, 1944
Very hot today can sweat doing nothing 90o in the shade. Finished at one & stretched out on the pit until tea time wrote to Mum went to cinema & saw ‘Lady by Good’ very good film.
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Wednesday, June 28, 1944
Still very hot finished at one went for a walk & did a bit of fishing no mail wrote to wife & spent the evening on my bed
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Thursday, June 29, 1944
Still very hot 92o in the shade finished at one did my bullshit did a bit of washing & mucked around in general watched the boys swimming & playing cricket
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Friday, June 30, 1944
Still hot finished work at dinner time went up the farm went to Maryetsville to Young peoples had come ice cream & come back with Murray in the truck.
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Saturday, July 1, 1944
Up at 9 lovely day went to Middleton Dominion day very hot watched the parade & auitor[sic] with Enid come back to tea & went down again & went to pictures & saw “Princess O Roque with Enid very good come back in the truck.
Sunday, July 2, 1944
Went to church at Maryetal [sic] in the morning, had a ot of visitors in the afternoon so cancelled visit to Enids went back to camp viv [sic] Middleton until Glnn & Enid.
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Monday. July 3, 1944
Not so warm today no mail again went to pictures & saw “Show Business very good film wrote to dearest.
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Tuesday, July 4, 1944
Not to warm this morning but warmer after had the gen today posted to Moose juv [sic] had this letter from wife & one form Mum went to pictures & saw “Women Curvvyeous [sic]” very good wrote to Mum & turned in
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Wednesday, July 5, 1944
Very hot today dashing around camp with Lawrence shil [sic]went to Middleton to say good bye to Glad went to pictures at the L again – got back to camp at 11 had no mail today
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Thursday, July 6, 1944
Lovely day finished getting cleared went to farm this afternoon after supper went to Maryetsville for ice cream then went to Enids for another supper said good bye & went back to farm had some tea & said good by to all the family caught midnight buss [sic] & got in at 12.30 tur [sic] carnt [sic] farm with 1 one Ln Mum made the pit & got in
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Friday, July 7, 1944
Still very hot on baggage party this morning took [indecipherable word] station got payed [sic] & left [indecipherable word] at 11.00. on the [indecipherable word] of 12 & arrived at Digby at 4 00 on the boat at 4300 & arrived St John at 6.30 nice trip left at 5 00 for Montreal no sleepers so not so good.
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Saturday, July 8, 1944
Arrived Montreal 10.30 [three indecipherable words] at 11.30 very good went to [indecipherable word] & had a few drinks [two indecipherable words] at 6.20 & on the train at 7.30 for the west had sleepers so OK good trip.
Sunday, July 9, 1944
Still on the train not so warm today not much to see but this evening we saw Lake Superior nice sight.
good food & turned in early slept well
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Monday, July 10, 1944
Still on the train. left the lake [indecipherable word] so not much to do or see, arrived at Regina at 3.30 & left again at 4 for Moose Jaw arrived Moose Jaw at 8.30 & got back to camp at 9.0 had supper & turned in
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Tuesday, July 11, 1944
Not much to do today working in [indecipherable word] gang fetched baggage from station, wrote to wife & turned in.
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Wednesday, July 12, 1944
Didn’t get up very early started work at 12.30 wrote to Mum, quite a few snags finished at 11.00 & had late supper & turned in
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Thursday, July 13, 1944
Stormy today started at 12.30 & finished fairly early no mail but cant expect it yet I suppose.
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Friday, July 14, 1944
Very hot today plenty of work finished at 11.30 no mail. wrote to dear wife.
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Saturday, July 15, 1944
Nice day plenty of work other shift on week-end had three letters from wife one from Mother & three from Mum wrote to dear wife & turned in
Sunday, July 16, 1944
Had a lay in started work at 12.30 wrote to Mum. Finished at 11 & turned in
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Monday, July 17, 1944
Lovely weather today plenty to do
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Tuesday, July 18, 1944
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