Category Archives: Uncategorized

Diary Entry: A.T.S. Laundry etc. am. Went to see Dulcia & Ian in bed jaundice Diary notes: Dulcia & Ian McDiarmid were friends of KPD’s mother, and of KPD herself. They lived in Gerrards Cross, only about 15 miles north-west from Wembley. 

Diary Entry: Two visits Wealdstone. Men’s pay. Diary notes: This sounds like a fairly low key day – Wealdstone is only 5 or so miles from Wembley. 

Diary Entry: Took Miss Daley to Aldershot via Windsor & she drove a bit. Tea Kensington. Went to see “Louisa” Diary notes: Miss Daley’ seems to have been another  A.T.S. officer and friend of KPD at around this period. “Louisa” – if this refers to a film, it seems that the title is incorrect (the …

Continue reading “Diary Date: 18th January [1945]”

Diary Entry: A.T.S. pay etc. Spent evening Cosgroves. Diary notes: This is the first mention of KPD spending time, normally an evening, with the ‘Cosgroves’. Who they were is currently a mystery. 

Diary Entry: R.S.M. [‘Regimental Sergeant Major’] to Hendon a.m. Diary notes: The fact that KPD mentions that her work was taking an ‘R.S.M.’ that day shows how important the role of the Regimental Sergeant Major was at this time. In part 6 of KPD’s post-war memoirs she mentions being drilled by the ‘celebrity’ R.S.M. Ronald …

Continue reading “Diary Date: 16th January [1945]”

Diary Entry: Took Maj. Segal to Harpenden  Found José posted. Diary notes: Back to work at Wembley, but still no sign of her transfer.  José [McLelland] was a friend of KPD, and probably also in the A.T.S. KPD socialised with her, and even went on holidays with her over a number of years. 

Diary Entry: Mother, L [Lilian Richards] & went walk. Diary notes: KPD always liked to walk (when not cycling) and here she, and her friend Lilian Richards and KPD’s mother Nellie Dell all seem to have enjoyed a Sunday winter walk. 

Diary Entry: Met L.[Lilian] Richards, Piccadilly Had tea & went home Diary notes: Lilian Richards seems to have been a friend KPD saw quite regularly during the war years; she is first mentioned in KPD’s diaries in 1941.  Home was still, of course, 35 Broxbourne Road, Orpington. 

Diary Entry: Took Col. Munn to Stanmore  Went to M.O. More fuss over posting. Diary notes: ‘Col. Munn’ was driven by KPD several times whilst she was working at Wembley.  Was visiting the ‘M.O.’ (Medical Officer) part of KPD’s campaign to get a new posting? It seems likely. 

Diary Entry: Elstree a.m. Posting Gresford? Laundry, cleaners etc. pm. Went over to see Valerie. Diary notes: As well as more driving work, KPD was still trying to ‘manage’ her career in the A.T.S. She had, of course, worked at Gresford before.  A busy day. ‘Valerie’ may well be ‘Valerie Evans’, who was a friend KPD …

Continue reading “Diary Date: 11th January [1945]”