Category Archives: Uncategorized

Diary Entry: Putney afternoon. Very hot. Diary notes: Weather records for London show that, yes it was very hot around this time: http://www.london-weather.eu/article.85.html 

Diary Entry: Lunch Lewis’ Returned Wembley. Diary notes: The Lewis’ were a family KPD worked for as a nanny, who became friends in Crofton, near Farnborough, living at Orchard Cottage. Apparently KPD got to drive their Bentley!

Diary Entry: Fritz for day. A [Anthony?] tea & supper, lots of doodle bugs. Diary notes: ‘Fritz’ was ‘Fritz Hopkins’ and was related to Henry Dell, and often visited 35 Broxbourne Road.  Given that KPD was home, ‘A’ is almost certainly her closest brother, Anthony Dell. 

Diary Entry: Took Capt Battey (sic) & Lt Phillips to Reigate & Oxted. Home late afterwards. Diary notes: Probably the Captain mentioned twice before, but KPD spells the name differently here. Whilst generally very accurate, her spelling does occasionally waver! 

Diary Entry: London pm. Saw “Random Harvest” Diary notes: ‘Random Harvest’ is a 1942 US film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Greer Garson and Ronald Coleman. Although something of a melodrama, it was a well received film, nominated for 7 Oscars. Further information on this film can be found here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_Harvest_(film)#Academy_Award_nominations 

Diary Entry: London am. Earlsfield, Putney pm Diary notes: A fairly typical working day, but little detail given.

Diary Entry: Went Berk.[hamsted] Betty Caster & C for night Diary notes: Berkhamsted, where KPD had grown up (the Dells lived there 1914-26), still held happy memories and a number of friends for her. ‘Betty’ was presumably one of those. Other entries suggest that ‘C’ was ‘Christopher’ (but not KPD’s younger brother, who was in …

Continue reading “Diary Date: 29th July [1944]”

Diary Entry: Met Anthony Ruislip, went “Hotel Reserve” Diary notes:   As Anthony, KPD’s closest brother, had volunteered (for the Territorials) before war was declared, he had already been called up. He served in the Royal Artillery (anti-Aircraft guns), and ended the war as an Acting Major. ‘Hotel Reserve’ is a 1944 spy film based …

Continue reading “Diary Date: 28th July [1944]”

Diary Entry: Took over Standard Utility 188 Diary notes: Although it is impossible to be 100% certain, it seems that this vehicle KPD mentions was one of the ‘Tillys’ (from ‘Utility’) a ‘make do & mend’ military vehicle created by adapting pre-existing civilian car designs. For further information see:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilly_(vehicle)  and http://standard.tillyregister.com/index.html 

Diary Entry: London, Balham etc. afternoon. Diary notes: A fairly typical working day, but little detail given.