Diary of Phyllis Bethel of Topsham Devon

An account of her travels with her husband and her daughter Marion from Wiesbaden in Germany and the Second World war in Topsham Devon as written in her diaries between 1929 and 1953.

27th April 1941

Churchill speaks tonight, sirens sounded at 10pm were over by 11pm.

26th April 1941 Planes roaring

Planes roaring woke me at 2am, shortly after came the sirens. I rang bell to daddy's room, Marion also woke up and crept into bed with me. Half and hour later all clear sounded and I returned to my bed and hot water bottle, as it is very cold again. What a climate. There has been a procession of people from Plymouth to neighbouring villages since the blitz, many are on foot and many have to sleep under hedges. Pray for the people of Plymouth the papers say.

25th April 1941 No alerts

No alerts last night, slept like a top. Our fire brigade got back safely. Plymouth had three nights in succession of savage blitzes, Exeter fire chief was killed there.
Marion said today: "Mummy do finish that chapter, I want to know the end, it is just like a story. So if that is not a compliment I should like to know, I only hope the publisher is as enthusiastic as my daughter!

24th April 1941

Sirens at 10 all clear 2 o'clock, but I did not hear it.

23rd April 1941 Flashes over Plymouth again

Sirens last night from 10-3am Flashes could be seen over Plymouth again and the night was so still, distant thuds could be heard. Ann's father Reg Pyne has gone down there with Topsham Fire Brigade and they have not yet heard how he fared in the two and a half hours blitz last night. Marion's cold getting better.