The War years diary of a single woman.
With the break in KPD’s diary entries from mid-May to 7th June, I thought it might be interesting to look back at one aspect of her life: travelling. Looking at her diaries from the start of 1932 until they run out of steam towards the end of the 1990s, she mentions around 80 holidays, 13 …
Continue reading “27th May – Aunt Pamela’s first overseas holiday”
Diary Entry: Went to “For Freedom” Diary notes: ”For Freedom” was a 1940 British film, perhaps not surprisingly made primarily for propaganda purposes. Playing a small role in it was a young Terry-Thomas. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Freedom
Diary Entry: Started epidemic of measles. Diary notes: KPD’s diaries are full of references to illnesses in the various schools she worked in, and measles in the years before a vaccine, was a really serious illness. [NB I wrote the above comments re: the dangers posed by illnesses for which there is no vaccine in …
Diary Entry: Went to see “Nurse Cavell”. Germany invaded Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg. One of the first actual mention of the war in KPD’s diaries – which reflects the was the first 8 months or so were nicknamed ‘The Phoney War’. That period had now decisively changed. Coincidentally the film KPD saw is about a …
Diary Date: Went to see “French without tears”. Diary notes: “French without tears” is a 1939 British film, based on the play by Terence Rattigan, directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Ray Milland. For further information, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Without_Tears_(film) By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41898844
Aunt Pamela’s War – More Memories (Part 10) [KPD left – as well as her diaries – an old exercise book, falling apart, and not by any means full, but containing some family history information. Inside the front cover she has written: ‘I meant to rewrite this book…I hope I have not repeated myself too …
Diary Entry: Saw over San.[‘Sanatorium’] Diary notes: The ‘San’, or ‘Sanatorium’, was a vital part of any boarding school in the pre-antibiotic and pre-vaccination age.
Diary Entry: Rest of boys came. Was sick. Diary notes: Although KPD was generally very healthy and robust, she does mention her own illnesses from time to time. Being the first ‘proper’ day of term in a new school, she really couldn’t afford to take time off here. As Alan Harper remembered, Wellingborough did occasionally …
Diary Entry: Lynfield boys & two from Weymouth arrived. Diary notes: Interesting that different pupils arrived on different days – this was a Monday, so perhaps the parents wanted them away for a full week! Although Wellingborough, being in Northamptonshire, was not a prime target for German bombing, it did not escape entirely. This accout, …
Diary Entry: Went walk with Nanny & Alan. Diary notes: Presumably two of KPD’s new colleagues. KPD was always keen on walking (and cycling), one reason why she remained slim until the end of her life.
Aunt Pamela's War