Sept 26th
I got here safely and the trains were very good the 9.40 arrived in London just after 25 to 2. I found my trunk and got a porter after some time and I caught the train, to Radley,, which was very crowded but I got a seat from Reading onwards. The sandwiches and cake were very good and I ate them on the train not in the lavatory!!!!!
I got here safely. Pa gave me the pen in Bridgend and I am using it now. I like it very much. I am looking after a new boy, I hope I am doing it allright.
We started work on Thursday. I am about 6 forms from the bottom now. I have got one striped rugger vest and one white one. I am trying to make do with one striped one but I may have to get another. I believe I have lost the rest of my year’s sweet ration but don’t worry. It may be allright and I am not sure. We can always get another as you did with Pa’s, I hope.
The ticket from Paddington to Radley cost 8/11, could you please send me some or all of it back because that only leaves me with just over a pound also Pa owes me 7/6 so if you could send me a P.O. it would be very nice.
I am the private fag of the same person as last time who is now the head of the school.
We had to do the five-mile-walk on Saturday, for the Physical Efficiency tests for the J.T.C. 1 I managed to do it in the senior (17-18) time in 48 minutes I think. We do these Physical Efficiency tests for the first three weeks. I am longing to play rugger.
Oct 2
Most of this week we have been doing physical efficiency tests. Some College efficiency tests or standard. Some army or J.T.C. efficiency tests or standards.
Last Saturday I told you we had the 5 mile walk which I did in 48 minutes. This week for the Army standards I have vaulted about 3 feet. Climbed up 15 feet of rope. Jumped 6 feet from a standing position. For the college standards in which I got 5 points for the social which is the most we are allowed to get, each standard counts 1 point. I have run half a mile in 2 mins 45 secs. 220 yards in 31 secs. 100 yards in 14 secs. High jumped 3ft 9 ins and the last is we have to throw a weight a certain way and a certain distance which I did.
I went into Abingdon to-day. I bought two pounds of Coxes apples which ARE (not were!!!) very good.
I had my first game of rugger to-day and I scored one try.
One day when you go Rhys Williams sweet shop could you ask them if they have my sweet ration book because I may have left it in there. I probably haven’t left it there but I may have done.
I don’t think I need any warm pants. Anyhow not yet. Do you know if my coat is ready yet? It should be by now.
The Sports start to-morrow. Has Michael got any Fives gloves at home? I should like to try and play it.
October 9th
I expect I will start rugger properly on Monday, I have only played the one game so far. I am glad to hear Pa’s cold is better. I had one but I used my Benzedrine inhaler and put tons of Vapex on my handkerchief and it was allright in about two days.
I got my J.T.C. uniform the Wednesday before last and last Monday I had to wear it, all cleaned up and shining. The corps boots were much too small, and I got some more, I hope you didn’t mind. I didn’t have to pay coupons and they are lovely boots size 9 (they hadn’t any 81/2s so I got 9s).
Sports lasted all this week. I went in for the Junior, 100 and 220 yds and ½ mile. I came in about 6th or 7th in the half-mile out of about 12 or 14 and 5th or 6th out of about 9 in the 220 yds. I don’t know where I came in the 100 yds. To-day also there was the Relay race. There are three different ones, Junior, middle and senior. 4 are wanted from each Social for each group. One of our people was sick or something and I was put in his place. In the junior our Social was 2nd which counts some points. but in the middle and seniors we did no good.
We are going to get our jam ration in 1 pound pots, but we have to return the pots, but that is allright, but it does mean we will get quite a lot and I may be able to bring 1 or even two pounds home.
I think I told you we break up on 17th December. When does Dennis?
Sunday
I had a very good tea, (I ate a bit too much I have decided).
October 17th
We started rugger on Tuesday. I am in Junior Colts 1. So I should be able to get into Junior Colts. I scored about 2 tries in Games.
In Rugger the Social is divided into two pieces, Junior Social and Senior Social. There was a Junior Social rugger match on Friday, against another social. I managed to get into the Junior Social Team. I also managed to score 2 tries. We won 34-0 nil. When you get 30 you retire which we did. We had 29 then got a try and a convert.
On Tuesday I got 3 letters. One from Michael. One from Dennis. And one From Auntie Marjorie. She said that she was coming down to Abingdon for a week and would it be possible for me to see her. So I wrote back to her and said I could see her. I got a telegram on Saturday night asking me to ring her up which after getting permission I did. So I rang her up and after getting the wrong number I got through to her. She said she had engaged a table at the ‘Crown and Thistle’ in Abingdon. I met her there at 12.00 and we went for a walk along the river for about ¾ an hour. Auntie Marj went up and stroked a big, black, cart-horse. Just nearby was a huge white cart-horse. Which just as we came near rolled on its back and snorted just like Simon. I could hardly stop laughing. We then went on and I told her all about our holidays etc. and gave her our new address, but I didn’t give her our telephone number as I wasn’t sure of it. Is it 65?
We then went back and had lunch which though small was very good. We had pork, Brussel sprouts, Potatoes (baked) and Gravy. soup and Apple and custard. There wasn’t much but it was very good. We also had Ginger beer (even though Mr Seed said they weren’t making it!) and coffee afterwards.
We then went for another bicycle ride out of Abingdon to a very pretty little village called Clifton Hampden. We crossed over a toll bridge and paid for our bikes 2d return.
We went for another walk by the river and back into the village where auntie Marjorie dropped her hat but we found it again. We went on bicycling for some time and turned back again and had tea at a Place called ‘the Barley Mow’.
We cycled back to Abingdon and I said good-bye and Auntie Marjorie gave me 10/- which was very kind. I went back here and arrived just in time for Chapel.
After Chapel I went to some films which were for the spotter’s club which I have joined2. They were very good. They were mostly M. of I. (Ministry of Information) films. One about the Lofoten Isles, another about Lancasters another about Stalking and a proper short film about guarding your talking, which was amusing.
When I was out with Aunt Marj. I saw a pheasant. Uncle Alec was very sorry he couldn’t come out from where they were staying as he had a cold.
October 23rd
There was a junior social match last week but we had a bye i.e. there was no-one to play against so we had a practice game.
I went into Oxford on Wednesday and managed to get Vol II of the count of Monte Cristo but I couldn’t see vol I. If you see it in Marlow, could you get it please. It is an Everyman’s library book.
Junior Colts is the team, Junior Colts I and Junior Colts II are games.
There was a Spotters Club meeting yesterday. There is a new third class test out and we are being shown the planes enlarged on a screen.
Undated but must fit here
I have decided to write this letter in diary from I hope you don’t mind.
Monday
It was field (day) to-day. At breakfast we got our lunch in sandwich form. The J.T.C. was divided into two parts: 2/5 defence and 3/5 attack. I am in the defence. We paraded at 9 o-clock. We set off at about 20 to 10. I was a bren-gunner, the bren gun was, I think, an ordinary rifle with a handle for carrying it. We marched for about 2 ½ hours or so and we got to a hill. By the way there was a thick fog which lasted till about midday. When we got there we ate our lunch and got down in positions to defend the hill-top. Once we got nicely settled down, to move to another place. Then in about ½ an hour it was ‘zero hour’. We went on a patrol but we didn’t see any ‘enemy’. Then after being place and taken away again, we had to go on patrol, but just as the battle begun I got ‘killed’. There were a lot of bangs and then the enemy came and we had to stop firing.
Then we had, after a fairly long wait, to start marching back again. By this time it was very hot. We got back in about 2 hours and changed and rushed over to supper. I had a good supper with a pudding which we don’t usually have. Then I lounged about and read till chapel and did the same till bed-time. I went to bed feeling quite nice and tired.
Tuesday
I had a good night. There was a thick fog that lasted all day. In the afternoon we had a practice and game of rugger for a Junior Colts match to-morrow. The sides were J.Colts V the rest. I have managed to get into junior colts in the front row of the scrum. We have a match to-morrow against St Edwards. We will have to bicycle there.
Wednesday
I had a nice hot bath last night but I couldn’t stay in long. We had a parade instead of P.T. as we do every Wednesday.
I then went to the Social and changed into a suit so as to be prepared to go to Oxford, for the match. We then bicycled into Oxford, changed and went out onto the pitch. Their team was a little bigger on the whole, but in the scrum we seemed to push them off the ball quite often. But they beat us easily 30-0nil. They had a big right wing who scored most of the tries. We had tea and came back slowly.
Thursday
Please could you send me another tin of that ‘COBRA DARK TAN’ boot polish. I have used about 1 ½ tins so far this term. There is hardly anything in them. I saw a grey squirrel during P.T. this morning. There was a junior social this afternoon. We easily beat the other team 36 nil. They had not got a good team, also they had their best person missing. The game hardly lasted 20 minutes.
Friday
I did Manual Labour to-day. I think I told you what that was. We did work instead of Games. To-day I did some tree-cutting which I enjoyed very much for a change. This evening there were the ‘Dons’ (Masters) plays. They were very, very good indeed. Almost all the masters took part. There is another performance to-morrow (Saturday) night. The first Perform. was for Eastbourne and the lower forms. To-morrow’s Perform is the upper forms and the O.R.s (Old Radleians). To-night there was the film ‘Old Bones of the River’ with Will Hay for the Upper forms and To-morrow night for the Lower forms.
Saturday
It is O.R.s (old Radleians) day to-day. Many O.R.s come down and stay the week-end. It is a whole holiday to-day. there was a Junior Social match this Morning. We beat the social we were playing 36 nil. When we finished it was nearly time. There was a Rugger Match O.R.s v. the 1st XV. The 1st XV won but not by much. We had to watch it; but it was worth watching. There is nothing much to do till Chapel but after Chapel there is the film.
There is another thing I don’t think I have told you about which happens here. I expect you remember at St Pirans we used to have industry marks. Well here we have pluses (+) and minuses (-). If you do well in a subject you get a + if you do badly you get a -. The person (or persons) who get the most +‘s take the form list of pluses and minuses to the Warden and the last two weeks I took the list to the Warden. I saw the film to-night and it was very good and I enjoyed it very much.
November 1st
Monday
You are much too hopeful about my getting into Colts. I haven’t a hope. I expect you remember Soames. Well he was in J. Colts last year and he isn’t in Colts, so I haven’t much hope of being in it.
Tuesday
For Manual labour to-day, I had to brush out some class-rooms which was very easy. There weren’t any pluses or minuses last week.
Wednesday
I don’t know how but somehow I got into Junior Colts II. We had a home match against St Edwards which we lost 38 nil.
Thursday
There was another Junior Social this afternoon which we won 30 nil, it was a hard game and I enjoyed it very much. I didn’t score a try. There are only two more matches to play.
Friday
I have got a cold today and am off games. But don’t worry I think it will soon be allright.
I haven’t found my sweet ration book yet. I don’t know what to do about.
Could you send me a tin of Brown boot polish please as I am running out and the polish here is awful.
Saturday
I was feeling absolutely rotten yesterday so I got leave off prep last night and went to bed about half past seven. I am in bed to-day, but do not feel very ill. Don’t worry, I shall probably get up to-morrow. I think I have just got a chill. I have read most of to-day. As there isn’t much else to do. I only got off four periods to-day, worst luck!!!!!
Sunday
I got up to-day, But I am still considered sick. I was only allowed out for meals. I enjoyed myself very much. I read pretty well all day.
Monday
I have enjoyed myself to-day and am almost myself again. But my cold is much worse but don’t worry it will soon clear up. I missed all the periods to-day and all the preps.
November 14th
I have decide not to write in diary form this week. The parcel arrive on Saturday afternoon. It was very nice of you to send the sweets. Thank you very much indeed. Also for the boot polish.
Junior Social was cancelled last week. I don’t know why. We had a game of rugger instead. I scored one try. I was off games till Thursday. I had my haircut on Wednesday.
I have started reading ‘Lorna Doone’. This will be the second time I have read it. I like it very much.
I got five pluses last week but didn’t take the list to the Warden because of my being ill.
I felt rotten again to-day and of course I had to go to bed. I am not in bed yet but will be soon. You may get this a bit late if I can’t get it posted. Don’t worry, I think I will be allright again soon. It is chiefly a head-ache, but I think I have a chill. I must have overeaten! Although I have hardly eaten to-day. DON’T WORRY.
Tuesday
I’m afraid I went down to the Infirmary yesterday (i.e. the san). All I did was read or listen to the wireless. I heard a tune from the ‘Vagabond King’ which I expect you remember seeing. Also I heard Monday Night at Eight. I quite enjoyed myself. I got up to-day and am now back in the Social so I’m O.K.
21 November
As you probably know by now I am in the infirmary with Jaundice.
I don’t feel many ill effects from it yet. I had all the usual symptoms last week. I hadn’t got any appetite and truthfully last week I lost 7 pounds (weight). I know this because I had to weigh myself last week for the social boxing competition is coming off this week. Also I had to weigh myself again to-day. When I first weighed myself I was 10 stone 1 pound and when I weighed myself to-day I was 9 stone 8 lbs. I don’t feel any ill-effects from this yet. I don’t feel being ill yet and neither am I very yellow. I have company of another person in my social who has it. One person in our social had jaundice at the beginning of the term and I have caught it off him. I am glad I have it now or I might have got it at Christmas time. I was off games all last week.
The worst about having Jaundice is the diet which is no fats allowed. So I’ll get very thin and skinny!!! I’ll have to have a chicken for myself when I get back home. I have just seen a tree-creeper (A bird) creeping up a tree.
November 30th
I was discharged from the Infirmary at 11 o-clock to-day. Although I haven’t properly recovered yet I was because I am in the way as they are quite full up. The 2nd chill I had I think was definitely a ‘Jaundice’ chill. I felt really rotten the week that I was up. I didn’t feel at all bad once I was in bed. I had quite a lot of eggs and one orange once but all the same I didn’t enjoy my diet. The week that I was up and was off my food I lost 7 lbs but you needn’t believe me but it’s true. I had quite a good time in bed. I read ‘The Count of Monte Christo’ which I enjoyed very much. I also looked at a lot of ‘Punch’ annuals they had in the infirmary which were very good. The time went quite quickly. We came off our diet on Monday even then we didn’t have any meat. So now I haven’t had any meat for 9 days now. quite a time. I feel very much better now.
Any news of the sweet ration.
December 5th
The real reason why I came out of the infirmary so early was because they had scarlet fever down there and they didn’t want us to come into contact any more with it. Anyhow I haven’t got it yet. thank goodness. You could send me a little chocolate if you don’t mind, but don’t send the ration book. You could send me a few peppermint lumps as well if you want.
Monday
I am going to be head of Social Hall3 next term. Tutor told me last term.
Could you send me some travelling money. The ticket last time cost £1 I think. it was a half single. This time I will need a whole-return so could you send what you think is necessary. I am not certain but it may have cost 10/-. I don’t know yet but I was thinking of going to St Pirans unless they have broken up when I break up. When I leave here I could get out at Maidenhead and stay for lunch and catch the 1-37 from Maidenhead and 2-45 from Reading.
I am on work again today. We have won the Junior Social Comp. which is quite good. I played in four out of the six.
P.S. Only 10 more days till I go HOME.
December 11th
I had a letter from Mrs Tippet saying they were breaking up early on the 14th due to ‘flu’ so I won’t see them. The trains aren’t all that good. But still I think it will work allright. Anyhow if I don’t arrive on Saturday at lunch, I’ll arrive at 6-o-clock (I hope). I also had a short letter from Granny saying she would put me up for the night. I am going to try and do some shopping in Maidenhead and Marlow. I won’t need a return ticket. I’ll get one from Radley home and one Reading to Maidenhead return. I sending you a recipe for a Christmas cake and some Almond biscuits which I saw in the Sunday paper. Hope they work. I have got a bottle of lime juice at shop. I have tasted some of it and am taking the rest home.
There are only five more days.
We had the social ‘shout’ last night also the social choir. The ‘shout’ is that each social sings two songs which they have practiced. The best gets a cup. The social choir is almost the same. Except it is the best singers in the social and not the whole social.
There was also the final of Senior Social yesterday.. We got into the final but were beaten. (As we knew we would be).
Head of Social Hall means you are in charge of Social Hall. It is quite good to be it.