Battle of Britain Diary Part 7

This is the final part of my aunt's diaries which ended abruptly on 16th November 1940.

October 19th
Very much bombed last night. Yew Tree Gardens wrecked, had narrow escape.

Babe, me, Nell there in the dining room. All ceilings fell in upstairs. Two people dead on road side. One injured. 3 people killed in shelter in Sunnybank. Mrs Clarke's house wrecked. Woodcote Hurst 2 houses.

Mrs Clark left for Scotland on Monday. I'm finishing off up there.

The infants' school was bombed Wednesday. Naval successes, terrible London bombing.

Monday October 28th
Italy and Greece at war!! Started at 6 o'clock this morning. Tom leaves on Wednesday for Lancashire for Army duties.
We get siren after siren all day long and raids nearly non stop all night. Often hear bombs which fall in Ewell, Ashtead or Hook Road. The little Infants' school was destroyed and the alms houses along the Epsom Road the other week. Nell is trying to let house. Eric on leave Saturday last. Think he is going abroad. Sid hopes to hear his LHC complete with leave this week. Hope so.

Empress of Britain sunk.

November 2nd
Hear that Diddy is going abroad. Very sad about it. 5 night raiders down. Bombed Naples. Tom gone to Lancashire, no word yet. Bill's work bombed. £30 worth of damage. Fairly quiet around here lately. Touch wood. Jack gets his calling up papers for November 14th. Eric is also on embarkation leave today. Things are moving fast.

November 3rd
British troops land in Greece.

November 8th
British have RAF headquarters in Greece. Last night bombs dropped in Links Road killed 6-7 people. Carters Road where Tom Edwards lives. Stew pond, and talk about noise!!! Old Mrs Walker went to hospital. Diddy going back today, Eric tomorrow, Nell coming to live with us.

Large attacks on us by air today.

November 11th
Chamberlain died last night, a good and fine soul. I think he died of a broken heart after his fight for peace, I wonder if any of us realise how much he did for us when he went to Hitler to put off the war for a year. What a lot we owe that good soul. I hope he enjoys the peace and happiness of the next world if there is one. I suppose there is one for those who believe. He has surely earned a place.

Have had a sweet letter from Evelene. She must feel lonely and out of it up there. Good job she has little Ann.

Eric has just left. I wonder when we shall see him again. Nell coming to stay with us here. The employer who employed the man who was to have her house was killed in the house under the bridge by bombs. Man lost his job. Nell hopes to let it to somebody else.

Mrs Woods had a baby girl yesterday so glad it was all over quickly. Mr Sax, Nell's lodger left on Friday. He was a nice fine man.

November 13th
Ground attack on Italian fleet. Battleships, cruisers, supply ships etc. Churchill told news in House, loudly cheered. Italian planes shot down over here 15 first time.

News of Jervis Bay, a ship in a 98 ship convoy was attacked by German battleship. JB sailed towadds it to keep off battleship from rest of convoy. 6 ships were sunk including JB. Captain not seen after fight.

November 16th
Terrible raids on Coventry. Many hundreds killed. Last night was almost worst raid on London.

The first VC was given to the dead Captain Warburton Lee who died in action at Narvik when he was told by the Admiralty to please himself whether he attacked or not. He attacked and was successful but died for his country with greatest honour.

NOTE: The diaries end here. Dora and her 8 brothers and sisters all survived the war as did their partners. Her brother Jack was taken prisoner. Diddy White who was engaged to Babe was reported dead when the troops left Singapore. His belongings had been found on the beach there. 3 months later the family had a postcard from him in Australia. He was safe and well and had escaped on the last troop ship leaving. Babe went on to marry him when the war ended.

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