18th January 1941

On 9th January I went to bed with a feverish chill, having over 102 for first week. During this week planes roared overhead every night and sirens sounded. Night before last at 11 p.m. I heard 3 bombs drop. It appears they fell near Exeter Hospital. Last night 3 more crashed down in Exmouth, these shook our bungalow at 1 p.m. About a dozen people were killed, including 2 sisters of our butcher and a family of 4, evacuees from London. Marion slept through it all, she had to go to bed on 16th January herself, with a chill. This forced me to get help and I was lucky to engage a London evacuee who has been here for 3 months with her little boy of 5. Before she came, the windows of her flat had been blown out and boarded up. Nevertheless, she intends returning there in February, to spend her husband's leave with him. She merely says, as to the danger, "Well, if it is our turn, then we must go!"

24th December 1940

Over Xmas the sirens were silent, there was an air truce on both sides. Such a relief. I slept quietly in my own bed for 5 nights, although poor London got it again day after Boxing Day. Marion wanted to celebrate Xmas Eve so we did so, starting early, as we did not know there would be a truce, we lit the tree at 5.30. As usual Marion was wildly excited, especially over completing her "Alcott" collection with the book "Jack and Jill." Ann came in on Xmas morning and in the afternoon we had the Trumans to tea, while on Boxing Day we went to them. Both times we had great fun playing a card game called "Castles." Not hearing sirens is almost uncanny. I heard Gladys Carter had left her flat, as all windows had been blown out.

22nd December 1940

We had Dicky and Peter to tea this afternoon. At 6.45 sirens wailed, they waited until 9 p.m. with us, in the hopes of an all clear coming. Finally they left during a lull and just as they reached home, the next wave of planes came over and continued intermittently all night. Marion calls our new big sirens "Mariah", says it means like a big cat. The all clear Daddy christened "Xmas Bells".

21st December 1940

At 8.30p.m. sirens, 9.00p.m. all clear. 1 o'clock sirens again, 7a.m. all clear, this time I went to bed with Marion and fell asleep after first wave droned over. Liverpool again.
Recently we had a week free of alerts. After the big attack on Liverpool, people went about asking each other if they had had a pleasant night! One ARP warden, just started a Xmas pudding at 6 p.m., then sirens went, off she went to her post. At 7 with the all clear she started pudding again, at 8 more sirens and off she had to go again.

20th December 1940

We had an alert from 6-7, then again from 8-9.30. Marion and I went to bed, at 12 p.m. the sirens wailed again. I woke Daddy, then curled up on Marion's bed and counted 17 waves of bombers that went over. At 5 the all clear went. Poor Liverpool was the sufferer.

29th November 1940

At 9 p.m. Jerrys started to buzz overhead, Daddy saw them flashing a red light, then came 2 terrific bangs. At second explosion, Marion who was in bed with a cold, fairly leapt into the hall shelter and poor Wiggles dived under the buffet and stayed there almost an hour, panic stricken. After brandy and biscuits, milk for cat and hot water bottles, we returned to bed, half dressed. At 2.15 sirens sounded, then at 3 a.m. came the all clear. Next morning we heard two rows. Marion was very brave, after second bang she merely went as white as a sheet. Her chief concern was for Wiggy. When it was all over, she said "Mummy, cuddle me a bit". The noise must have been appalling for those near the explosion, it was bad enough here and we are nearly 3 miles from the spot.

25th November 1940

Last night we heard pop-pop of machine gunfire. It was 6 miles away, but sounded like right here.

21st November 1940

We both had colds and I had to turn my face to the wall, while Marion arranged the bridge table as a birthday table for me, while we were both in bed. Wiggy is 6 months old and has gained his freedom, returns very frequently to the house to Marion's great relief. We still keep him on a lead a little every day, so that he will not forget that quaint trick. He looks so cute, with his red lead, collar and bell. Anthea and Marion are making preparations for Xmas, a play is being rehearsed and Marion is to sing "When Knights were Bold".

9th November 1940

Marion got her first grown up dress, as she calls it. Dark navy blue tight-fitting bodice, sleeves and flared skirt, with lace collar and bolero. One day when I was trying it on I said: "Is this your front (meaning middle of waist)"? Promptly came her reply: "Well, can't you tell by by my face!"

8th November 1940

Read in Daily Mail that ship from USA to repatriate Americans was not being sent over, as Germany had refused it a safe conduct. Thank goodness, as now Bertie cannot sail to USA.

19th October 1940

Marion had a Halloween party with Jack-o-Lantern made from 25 lb pumpkin Daddy grew. Peter and Ann came. Marion dressed up as a ghost and we hung apples in air-raid shelter and scared the children. Had fishing for gifts and balloon fight afterwards.

11th October 1940

We went into Exeter, and had lunch, with music at Dellers. Every time we go into Exeter I wonder if we shall return, and should we return, if we will find bungalow and cat blown up by a bomb. Awful times to be living in.

20th September 1940

Had a letter from Rita saying Swan Court was blown up 10 days ago and nearly everything in her flat destroyed. She and her maid had a lucky escape, they had just left it and were downstairs. She is running a Red Cross Department in London, so is remaining. Anthea and family left for Bow London on 17th. On 16th had 2 air warnings, heard bombs at 2 p.m. Poor Wiggy [cat] is scared of aeroplanes.

17th September 1940

Had tea with Mitchells and played tricks on Daddy.
10 p.m. Heard bombs dropping on Exeter where 4 people were killed. We are busy collecting seeds from our garden for next year, in spite of the fact we may not be in existence any day... funny feeling that. No news from friends in London.