Wartime diary of a customs officer: Ch 34 - Jul 1944

JULY 1944

1 SAT
‘Fly-bombs’ on and off in the night. Went to work in the ‘alert’ as usual, risking whether a ‘fly-bomb’ should hit the spot I was waiting for a bus or blast the bus itself. After day’s work, away a little early to call in at Luffs florist, Wimbledon to write card for inclusion in bunch of roses to be delivered from me to Kay at Blackpool on her birthday. Thence to Raynes Park — ‘alert’ meanwhile and saw the ‘fly-bomb in locality. Called at Co-op and delivered £5 in checks to Co-op manager who will kindly count out and enter in Share Book. Home to cut back lawn, recent warm, humid atmosphere made grow quickly.

2 SUN
On duty 8/4. Some pretty close explosions from ‘fly-bombs’ whilst rummaging ship. “Prefer to be at sea” say sailors! Day warm but dull with low clouds. Bombing ceased from 3.30 to mid-night. Went down to Mum’s: says Dad’s place been blasted: at work nearly all day and night now.

3 MON
One particularly heavy explosion in night: opened shelter door expecting to see windows cracked perhaps. The ‘doodle-bugs’ (popular name for them) came intermittently all day, far and near, with short ‘all clears’ now and again. Did some weeding in garden, pouring rain had softened ground. Tried to study, but nerves bad. At my best in garden.

4 TUE
Kay’s 36th birthday. Not here to wish many happy returns, but hope she will be home by 21st Jul. Plenty of ‘fly-bombs’, one or two in evening, had to come downstairs very rapidly to shelter. Finally did some study there (Health Regs.) till it turned chilly. Did some weeding and on way home from work, my weekly shopping. Noisy at night.

5 WED
We all carry on as usual, ‘alert’ or otherwise. Same collection of workers around bus-stop every morning. The day was a repeat of yesterday: ‘fly-bombs’ at intervals. New issue of Code Pt 1 — 9 Addendum required perusal in evening. Aired some bedding: finish off study papers for tomorrow.

6 THU
Saw whole street of houses blasted in Martin Way: incredible damage! Similar scenes all over London. Premier made speech during day saying may go on for weeks yet! 2,754 flying bombs on London so far. ‘Alerts’ during day and rushes for shelter. To Custom House at 5 pm for study class and then fire watch. After supper, aired bedding and all retired early.

7 FRI
All voted one of best night’s sleep on fire watch; 4 of us sleeping in basement, ARP room. To Surrey Dock for duty at 8: ‘alerts’ less frequent. In evening, alternated gardening (back lawn) with letter writing. Wrote to evacuation officer re billeting money for Kay and children. Loudspeaker van announced evacuation of children under 5 and expectant mothers. Wrote part letter to Kay.

8 SAT
One terrific explosion in night. I jumped in my sleep. “All-clear” at 5.30, and then great flights of our bombers went out to pound ‘flying-bomb’ bases. This must have been effective, for we did not have another ‘alert’ until 9.30 in evening. Had a ½ day, but wasted most of it by treating myself to a sleep in bed: first time for a fortnight; and then calling on an amateur nursery-man for some plants, made such good friends with his family as to spend another hour there . Finally decided I had passed away such a lot of time that I would make the rest of the time pleasurable by reading and writing.

9 SUN
A “spare” Sunday, myself the only volunteer to do 8/4 duty, the others losing so much income tax, costs, etc. Had a fright when a gliding flying-bomb came down not far from us: but no damage in immediate neighbourhood. Home for “Dhobey”, and took to Mum’s where I bathed and swapped for clean. Left at about 9.30 during an “alert”, but saw no “bugs”.

10 MON
Many “alerts” and alarms as ‘fly-bombs’ flew over. The weather was dull and cloudy: which are not conditions best for shooting them down. Sent a letter to Kay warning her I did not think she could return home yet, asking her if she can arrange to stay. Very busy evening. Cleaned hall and kitchenette; planted some leeks and visited the house in Grand Drive for cabbages.

11 TUE
2 near misses by flying bombs today, one at work and the other at home in the evening. More correct to say, two times of “imminent danger”: the bombs that glide are the danger — their approach is noiseless. Shopping homeward bound (still well looked after) and spent evening digging and putting in cabbage plants. Dad came up for meat, and gave a hand with some digging

12 WED
Quite a good day at work: did some writing and study (now doing DK cargoes) Learned we are to lose our present PO as chief of the rummage crew, which is regrettable. In the evening did my personal laundry: wrote to Kay re billeting allowances, and mowed front lawn.

13 THU
A raid free night which I could have enjoyed better if elsewhere than in the shelter. The day was dull and rainy, when a sunny day would have saved us from “buzz-bombs”. New Purchase Tax order caused much discussion: complicates duty taking. To study class at "Harpy". Had a good wash-up: first for a week or two.

14 FRI
A hard day’s rummage with small success. ½ day, home 2 pm, but neither of 2 visitors came — meter-tester and milk roundsman, both of whom I had arranged for. Spent many hours at housework, Gave dining room a good turn out and the shelter floor covering an airing. Wrote to electricity supply company.

15 SAT
Another quiet night. Spent morning rummaging. Re commencement of Purchase Tax adds much work to the department. The composition of penalties is an involved business. We had our first case today. The arrival of “buzz-bombs” barely gave us time to cross the road to the P.L.A. shelter. In 15 seconds, they can be overhead. One or 2 scares today, but all we could hear passed beyond us and exploded elsewhere (usually on houses, flats or on a hospital). To Mum’s in evening, had a good tea (kipper) and bath, returning home 9.15. Broke one of Kay’s ornaments breaking into house, left key at work.

16 SUN
8/4 rummage. Before staff all arrived at the office, I managed to complete a letter to Kay. Had also hoped to do part of a study paper, but a couple of PO’s so ‘gabbed’ all afternoon that I could not concentrate. Straight on to fire watch. A good supper spoilt by an ‘alert’ and the imminent danger bell. Aired bedding in First Aid Post (F.A.P.) and studied First Aid handbook.

17 MON
A satisfactory night. Air raid ‘alerts’ at 5 and 8 am. Normally I leave about 7.30 for 8 am duty at Surrey Docks, and might have been caught in the terrible melee when a ‘flying bomb’ in centre of the dock. Our office was completely wrecked, a colleague having narrow escape. Morning spent salvaging goods and removing them to the nearest Customs Office. Rummaging pm. Home = study paper and lawn.

18 TUE
There was an ‘alert’ at about the same time as yesterday, and I must have been travelling between London Bridge and Surrey Docks as they ‘buzzed’ around. The great removal day; we transferred to No 4 Customs from No 7. Hard work setting office in order, but the main task was over by 4 pm. Weather turned out mild and sunny, lessening ‘alerts’. Shopped on way home. Much home work.

19 WED
A night of constant buzzings, and bumps. Never knew but that I would be involved in the next. Except for this, I could sleep well in the Shelter. Learnt by my exam postponed till September, prolonging the agony. I am not doing well at my studies in these times. Glorious day, gardening and writing.

20 THU
Same sort of night. 8/4 duties, weather being fine, raids not so frequent, and the study class from 5 — 7 pm on the "Harpy" was not subject to much interruption. Straight to Mum’s from there, to wish her happy returns — her 56th. She is hale and hearty except for occasional rheumatism. Back home by 10.

21 FRI
So far, the worst night of ‘buzz bombing’ we’ve had. Matters seem to get worse, not better. A bomb in Sheldon Drive did terrible damage and broke pane in back door: Mum, Dad and Jack went to Lou’s, who is away, and house is blasted. Scenes of disruption in Germany. Hope end of war this year. Tried to study between ‘alerts’.

22 SAT
Another trying night, but went to bed earlier and thereby benefited. The morning was dull and rainy, and ‘Jerry’ took advantage to bombard us as we went to work at 8, and a number of times during the day. Off duty at noon to a new canteen situated in centre of dockside modern flats: food very good, dinner 10d and sweet 3d. Homeward bound at 1 pm. Usual Saturday difficulty in getting bus home. Had a good sleep in shelter, 2.30 — 5 pm — a real pleasure. Fish and salad tea. After, letter to Kay, enclosing letter received from Roy, evacuated at Nottingham. Gets dark soon after 10 if sky is cloudy. Have to pack up writing then.

23 SUN
Nearest ‘buzz-bomb’ yet at 5.45 am: broken window pane broken still further but no other damage! Back to shelter bed till 9. In morning, put bedding out to air, cleaned up kitchenette. To Mum’s for dinner and tea — excellent. Had bath and changed all clothes. Had a good read there and was treated well. Home about 9. Made up parcel.

24 MON
Had a broken sleep in night. Awake for nearby ‘buzzers’ and one loud explosion in particular. There was work to do at the office, but took it easy. To the same canteen as last Saturday: standard stock notable for the scarcity in the stew, otherwise good. Spent nearly all evening writing re billeting and re travel permits. Sent Kay a parcel.

25 TUE
The night time interruptions from flying bombs were not so many, but nevertheless, did not sleep well. Fortunately, 8/4 was not too busy. Funeral of Mr S.F.Bennetts took place today, many of our officers attended (Worcester Park). Homeward bound: did some shopping, and bought 10d’s worth of ham, and wolfed the lot for my tea. Clipped front hedge, watered garden.

26 WED
There was an ‘alert’ during breakfast and toilet time, which meant I had to keep looking out of back door for drifting flying bombs. 8/4 not very busy. On fire watch duties, Custom House. Aired the bedding, had a good supper, and with 4 others retired to bed in First Aid Post.

27 THU
A night in complete comfort and safety was spoilt by the long walk after dressing, to relieve oneself, and one particular colleague snoring. He was much bullied about it. Had day rummaging, and the study class at "Harpy" followed. Therefore, not very bright there. At home by 8 pm. Had meal, watered garden, read a good magazine article.

28 FRI
Quite a good night, an ‘alert’, but heard nothing. Continuation of yesterday’s rummaging with results this time. It resulted in curtailing my ½ day by half. Home in time to admit the electric inspectors, who checked meter and found registering correct. Another very near flying bomb at 10 pm.

29 SAT
Not a good night, there appeared to be many buzz-bombs, and I do not think I slept for more than 2 hours at a time. Work, fortunately, was not exacting, but by 5 pm, I was tired and hungry, and waiting about for 118 bus was not at all pleasing. I have commented on the bad Saturday afternoon service before. A cheerful, although short letter from Kay bucked me up: all are well: Pauline crawling, John growing up nicely, and I had evidence of Betty’s improvement in a snap shot enclosed. Wrote Kay a long letter in reply.

30 SUN
A very bad night. Had to get up once to make sure all doors and windows were secure as a buzz-bomb fell in Aragon Road area again as Friday night. Then again, my alarm clock stopped, so I worried about the time. Rummage just about tired me out. To Mum’s: good dinner and bath. Met 2 of Jack’s friends.

31 MON
Had to attend T.B. police court, but was not required to give evidence: after disposing of seizure. Pay day disposed of £7/3/2d rent to agent at Raynes Park. Back to Grand Drive Co-op, ordered coal (6 cwt). Busy evening, made enquiries re Mum’s journey to Notts on Saturday: did part test paper, planted chives given to me by Mum yesterday, cleaned out shelter. Bed 11 pm.

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