SEPTEMBER 1919 – Camberley
2nd - Yesterday I made up my mind to keep a diary. I had been feeling pretty blue, because I haven’t long been back from a delightful holiday and I’m at a case where the baby is very slow in turning up. Them I came for a walk on this beautiful common. It’s glorious and my fit of blues quickly left me, as I gazed on the huge patches of purple heather, and a gorgeous sunset. I felt I wanted something to do and that’s how I made up my mind to write this diary. All the last year, whilst I’ve lived in Derby, I’ve often thought I would like to write down first impressions that so often strike me, for one meets with many incidents worth recording in my work of nursing, often amongst the poor. (That’s badly put, I’m afraid I’m not a good writer.) Tonight I’ve come to the same spot on the common, but there is a great change in the weather. It’s dull, and a misty rain is trying to fall. I’m sitting on a little hill, at least on a tree trunk at the top of it, and one can see miles of wooded country. Surrey is a beautiful place, I used to think Kent the most beautiful country I had been in, but I’ve changed my mind. Surrey is more dignified in its beauty I think, although I cannot explain why. I often wish I could explain thins better. It’s stupid to be able to realize things and yet not give voice to them. I love Kent, and it’s my nature place, but it has never soothed me as Surrey has. Perhaps it is only because I am older now, and more in mood to be soothed by the beauties of nature than I used to be. It’s getting dare, and I’ll have to go in. I hope “my” baby will be born tonight, I should say Mrs Dobson’s baby, and I hope it’s a girl, because she has already got two boys.
3rd - The baby arrived this morning at 6 o’clock. Another boy. Too tired to write more as I’ve been up since 1.30 a.m.
4th - This morning was nice and bright, but during the afternoon the sun went in and a nasty drizzly rain commenced to fall again. I hate dull days when one is confined within doors, as I have to be, just for a day or two. My patient and her baby are getting on nicely. I find plenty to do these days, for this is a big house, and I am cook-housekeeper-nursery maid, besides midwife. No time to get in a blue mood, but I wish I knew whether there were any letters for me at the Home.
5th - Still no letters have arrived for me, and I can’t get to the Nurses Home to see if there are any there. Nothing to write of today, alas. This is rather a dull diary so far.
6th - Managed to get to the home tonight, only to find that three letters had just been posted out to me. I think they might have put them in the letter box here, as it’s just as near as the post office. Now I have to wait for morning to see who they are from.
7th - I got down early this morning, to get my letters. One from Mother, one from Brother Ern, and the other from his chum George Keeler. They were written on Monday last, and Ern tells me in his, that he is leaving Dover on the 10th and going to London, where he is meeting a chum of mine, Nellie Ferrier, and they hope to spend a nice time together. In the postscript, he says George wants to know if can get to town on the 11th also. I can’t possibly manage it, much as I would like to, so have written to ask Ern if they cannot all come to Camberley to see me. I know he will come if he possibly can, and I feel so excited about it.
7th Sunday - Nothing interesting has happened, only the sun has shone all day, and it’s been glorious weather. I still feel bubbly on account of seeing Ern, George and Nellie on Thursday.
8th - Only three clear days to Thursday!!! Sent Jack a P.C.
9th - Jack’s birthday! He is fifteen. I forgot to say in Mother’s letter that I received a few days ago she sent photos’ of Ern, Jack and Millie. They have all come out awfully well, but Jack in particular. He seems such a man, and it seems only the other day I was nursing him. All the boys are growing up fast. I’ve had a little disappointment. Had two letters this morning, one from Ern and the other from George. They have not yet received my letter, asking them to come to Camberley on Thursday, and evidently conclude, as they haven’t received answers to their last letters that I cannot come. Ern says no more about me seeing him and George says they to London on Monday, that was yesterday, and they evidently have gone without knowing I could see them. I feel so disappointed I could cry. George mentions that he wishes he could have another day together, and says we must see what can be done on their next leave. Their next leave, mind you!! Why it may be ages before they get home again. Sailors are never sure from one day to another where they may get sent. I suppose its not use grousing, but, oh, dear!
10th - A glorious day - I’ve been hard at work as usual all day, Altho’ my patient and her baby are ever so well. Have come on the common to write this, by the light of the Harvest moon. There was an absolutely glorious sunset.
15th - I’m getting lazy. Not written in here for 5 days, but there’s really been nothing to write about I of course, didn’t see Nellie and the boys last Thursday, and I’m waiting to hear from them all, to know how they enjoyed themselves. My patient is up again, so I suppose I shall not be here much longer. I wonder where my next case will be.
21st Sunday - I am still here at my first case in Camberley and have been here a whole month if I stay until Tuesday. I’ve had lovely long letters from the boys and Nellie, telling me of all their doings in town, etc. which made me wish very much that I had been with them. I have also written to Ern and asked him to lend me enough money so that I can leave Camberley next year. I would rather work nearer home and earn more than its possible to do here. I’m tied so much here too, and I feel shut off from everybody. Also there is no possibility of advancement and I hate standing still. I hope Ern can lend me the money. I know he will if possible, but he helps mother a lot and he may not be able to afford it. I must wait with patience and see.
OCTOBER
3rd - I guess it’s about time I made another entry here. I am nearly at the end of another case, where all has gone well. There is a big railway strike in progress at present, so I, in company with everyone else, have to wait for letters, and there is a great lack of news in consequence. I received one letter this week from George, the only one.
(Later on that year, I went to Lydden and met George’s mother and younger sister, who was still at school (Dover County School for Girls) I think. If not, it was the Grammar School. Anyway, I had a most enjoyable stay at Lydden and probably during Xmas leave. George’s elder sister, Eva, has already married and living in Gillingham, and expecting her first baby. Their parents have separated. Their father lived in Leicester, and was a building contractor – but terribly crippled by rheumatoid arthritis. Grandfather Keeler was still alive – a widower aged just over 80, I think, and lived at Eythorne, near Dover, in a huge house called “St Albans”. He had a housekeeper, and of course, was retired, but had been a master builder in the older part of Dover.)
JANUARY 1921 – SAXLEY FARM, HORLEY
2nd - I think I’ll try once more to write a diary. I didn’t make much of it last time.
3rd - It’s been a glorious day. I had breakfast in a room where the French windows were wide open and the sun shone and the birds sang just as they do in springtime. I am looking after a small boy aged six weeks. His not really ill, but needs attention and his anxious parents sent for me on Boxing Day in a panic. Small Peter had been fretful all day and they thought he was seriously ill. Anyway, I’m here and rather enjoy it. It’s rather different to the work I’ve been doing until lately and pays better, which is the main thin, when one is thinking of being married. I heard from the one and only today. Me thinks he is none too happy on his new ship, and I’ll be glad to know when his settled again. I expect he’s like me, feeling “after Xmasy”. I’d love to see him for 2 minutes. I must leave off. I ought to write letters but am afraid they’ll have to wait.
4th - Today has been very wild and rough as regards the elements. And I should think this house was built in five minutes. All the doors are too small for their fittings and won’t keep shut unless they are locked and none of the windows will close because their frames are swollen, so there are plenty of “gentle” breezes knocking around on a day like this. I went out with my baby for an hour this afternoon. Found plenty of mud.
7th - Another very wet day as yesterday and the day before were, only today has been worse. I went home this afternoon, and found mother looking rather worried, I think because Wallie’s leave is so near its end, and he thinks he is going to India for 6 years. As mother says he will go away a boy and come back a man and I think she likes to watch the growing stage. I had a letter from George this morning and he says he may come up for the week-end, and if he comes he’ll be on the way now, and I’m here in bed at Saxley Farm when I’m longing to go and meet him. Oh! Dear.
8th - George arrived at home at 9 pm last evening, and today I’ve been home with him since 1 o’clock. Took mother to the Pictures in the evening, and thought we would walk back here, but it came on the rain hard, after being beautifully sunshiny all day, so we bussed it and tomorrow I’ll be home again nearly all day!! Hurrah.
9th - Feel downhearted because George has just left (after weekend leave) early in the morning. So I shall not see him again this time. We’ve had a good time together, but it was very difficult to get alone. I made a collection of coppers from all and sundry today, to help us get married, got seven shillings too, so I’m getting on. Didn’t like saying good-bye to George!
11th - Woke up and found another glorious day, sunshine and birds singing. Had two letters, one from George and one from a prospective patient, and I’ve answered both. Went for a walk with baby Peter this afternoon. I am having a very enjoyable stay at this case. Captain and Mrs Barry are such nice people, but quite irresponsible and do the maddest things, and they have a funny maid who doesn’t like work, only when she feels like it. (They are her own words). When Mrs B gets on to her about her laziness, she says she’s ill, and does nothing at all. And yet this is the happiest household one could imagine.
12th - Very showery weather, but I went home this afternoon. It seemed dull after being all of us there so recently to find only mother and Jack at home.
13th - Weather the same as yesterday. I did not go out. Did a good bit of knitting, and read a part of M Materlincks book Wisdom & Destiny. I like it and must try and read more of it. Have neglected my old friends, books, of late, and I think it’s a mistake. Had a letter this morning from my “little mother”. I should like our two mothers to meet, George’s and mine.
15th - Went to the photographers with baby Barry this morning and then home. I was at home yesterday, too. Millie and I went out to choose a biscuit barrel for Joe Bicknell’s wedding present, and she was delighted when we gave it to her. She gets married today week.
16th Sunday - Went home again for the afternoon. Inspected Joey’s trousseau, and viewed the presents – Joey offered to lend me her silk petticoat for my wedding when it comes off, but I have one of my own. When I got back to Saxley Farm, I made an effort to answer some long owed letter, managed three only.
17th - After two days of sunshine and frost, we have rain and mild weather once more. Went for a walk with baby, wrote two more letters, thought lots of Georgie and went to bed early.
18th - Had a letter from George and answered it. Dreadfully windy day, but went for a walk with baby.
19th - Have not been out today, stayed in and did sewing. This evening I helped Mrs Barrey mend a leak in the bathroom pipe. It was rather a bad leakage at a joint in a big pipe and we thought we’d be flooded out if we left it, and Captain Barry was in town and there’s no other man to help, so we started. Mrs Barry found some red lead and thought that would do, but it was soft and neither of us knew how to harden it. Mrs B thought paraffin oil would do it. I didn’t, but said nothing, so she tried that and then jammed the lead all round the pipe. It looked and made a mess, but didn’t stop the leak. Then we tied it up with string, but that didn’t do, then we wrapped it up with rage, and that wouldn’t do. The Mrs B found a long piece of rubber tubing, and we tried to tie that on to conduct the water to the bath, but couldn’t manage because the pipe was too small to collect the water, so then Mrs B had a brilliant inspiration and fetched a funnel, which we tied to the pipe with string then tied the tubing on to that, and lo and behold, the leak was mended. Anyhow the water went down the bath instead of on the floor.
21st Friday - Everything went wrong today. Baby had another relapse and then I hurt his head with the studs of my belt, then I got some soap in his eye, poor little darling.
22nd - Joe Bicknell’s wedding day. I wanted to go and see here married, but couldn’t get away, but will be able to see her tomorrow, as she is not going away for a honeymoon. Nice day, but not very bright.
23rd - Have seen the newly wedding pair, and hear that everything went off alright, though why it should do otherwise, puzzles me, but after a wedding everyone wants to know “how it went off”, as if it’s a most difficult undertaking. It’s all the preliminaries that are difficult in my opinion. They enjoyed some fun over George’s naughty little present. I didn’t think much of Joe’s ma-in-law. Terribly spoilt woman, I imagine, and likely to want to boss Jo and her hubby too, as they are all going to live with her. Still, I fancy Jo can hold her own.
24th - Nothing doing. Dam dull day.
25th - Same as yesterday, only I went home, which made a break. The newly-weds had gone to town so I didn’t see them. Want a letter from George.
26th - Made some cakes and pastry, as the maid here cannot do that, and Mrs B likes homemade things. Went for a walk with baby.
27th - Heard from George. He is at Villaprecia, and says they are having glorious weather. Different to what we’re getting now.
28th - Stayed in all day and sewed.
29th - Heard from G. Major Barry arrived from Ireland on a months leave. He’s fed up with the war over there and glad to get away.
30th - Went home to dinner and tea and read a book. When I came back, Captain Barry had bathed the baby and was very proud of himself in consequence. I think he has reason to be. He is a brave man!
31st - Nothing in particular to report. Heard from George.
FEBRUARY
1st - Remembered the date and said “white Rabbits” first thing. Heard from George and got two bob for the copper collection I’m making to buy us some stainless knives. We now have 13/-. Went home this afternoon and did lots of shopping from Mrs Barry.
2nd - Went home again today, as I was making a waterproof cover for baby’s pram and wanted to stitch it and they haven’t a machine here. Mother has just posted a fat letter on to me, from George, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow morning. I’ve been wishing this house wasn’t so small. I’m always getting in the way, although I try hard to keep out of it. There’s only one sitting room, and I don’t care to go in there with Captain and Major Barry, and Mrs Barry’s bedroom is the only place I can sit in besides that, as my room is too cold and the kitchen is hardly big enough for the maid. Of course Mrs Barry tells me I’m to sit in her room to sew, etc, but three times tonight have I gone in and interrupted husband and wife when they were talking and I believe “making love”. The last time it happened Capt Barry went out of one door as I came in the other, and I’m sure he said “Damn”- but what am I to do. I just said “Oh, I’ve only come to fetch my sewing” and made as if to go out again, but Mrs B said “You won’t interrupt me, nurse, come and sit down”. I did so, but felt like running away.
3rd – Brother Reggie’s 13th birthday. Answered G’s letter, which was particularly nice, the letter, I mean.
4th - Went home, heard of and went to see another prospective patient, a Mrs Miles. Booked for June 28th, to follow Mrs Frerlong. I’m getting on better than I expected, thanks chiefly to Dr Baker.
5th - Went home again, Saw Millie who informs me she has sent the lace of her petticoat to George, as he tore a small piece at Xmas and so she thinks he can have the rest. Cheeky kid.
6th - Brother Ern’s 20th birthday. Wrote him a p.c. tho’ he doesn’t deserve it not having written to me since Sept last.
7th - Did lots of sewing, nothing else doing.
8th - Stayed in all day. Conversation at supper time was somewhat amusing. Capt and Major Barry got talking of mascots. Capt Barry informed us that his, during the war, was a gold tooth, taken from the mouth of a dead Boche, who had laid outside his tent for about 12 days!! Didn’t want any supper after, but he only laughs at such things.
9th - Answered the two long letters I received from George yesterday. We’re getting engaged in March.
10th - Just sewing nothing else.
11th – Went home – otherwise same as yesterday.
12th - Dull day, wanted a letter from George. Didn’t get it.
13th - Went home, as usual. Didn’t have a letter, either. Whilst I was out, the maid took the baby out. Complained to me that people looked as her so, she passed quite a lot going to church, (as its Sunday).
I don’t wonder they looked at her, as on these occasions she doesn’t bother to dress up as usually few people are to be seen in the road, and her attire consists of a dirty blue cotton dress, apron, also dirty and probably torn, cap awry and red bedroom slippers. Her figure is short and fat, and she has only two teeth in upper jaw. Not exactly the picture of a baby’s nanny.
? Still no letter and I do want one. ‘Spects he’s on the way to Det. and I’ve got to wait.
15th - Went home and found the umbrella I thought I’d lost. Left it in a shop last week. No letter.
?16th - No letter, but I wrote one.
?17th - Two letters - beautiful ones. I want to be married. Can’t write more hear as I must write to him.
18th - Finished the all important letter today, and posted it. He’ll probably think I’ve taken leave of my senses. I wish I had.
I tore some pages out from here, evidently.
APRIL
10th - The expected baby her, was born at 6.30 p.m., at last. He’s five weeks overdue but I suppose I mustn’t grumble as George’s leave finishes tomorrow evening. At least he leaves here and has to be aboard by 8.30 the next day. I’m sorry I shall not be able to go to Gillingham as they’ll be leaving Sheerness by the time I finish my case.
12th - There’s been nothing much to write about of late. George was recalled to his ship 24hours before his leave was finished and the rest of the boys on his ship have not yet got leave, as the coat strike still continues. I may yet get down there to see him.
21st - I finished my case at Mrs Ware’s and left her and baby doing well. I’m going to Gillingham tomorrow, as George is still at Sheerness and I’ll be able to see quite a lot of him. Made Eva’s small daughter a sweet set of woollies, Millie and I between us.
MAY
14th - It’s a long time since I wrote anything here again, but I’ve been spending such a happy time as I was, seeing my dear most nights, that I’ve not thought of my poor old diary. We had one nice weekend at Lydden too, and fixed our wedding day for August 2nd, all being well. Coal strike continues. It does seem dreadful. Now I must return home as I’ve a new case on Thursday next and must go back in case the trains stop, tho’ I’d like to spend Whitsun down here.
19th - At Mrs Furlong’s my new case. Hope the baby wont be as late as my last case. These are very nice people. Mr Furlong is organist at the Congregational Church here, and knows my brothers well.
24th - Baby Furlong was born at 7.30 a.m. yesterday, after keeping us up all night. A nice little boy but very ugly.
30th - Nothing much to write these days. My patient is doing well but cannot feed her baby. So I have to bottle feed him. Hope he goes on alright now. In between whiles I’m working hard at my trousseau, and getting on with it well, too. My wedding dress is almost complete. Have had some nice letters of congratulations from different people on my approaching marriage, though all the time I’m wondering if we’ll be able to get married then, for this awful coal strike continues and there’s no sign of it finishing yet. All the while it lasts the boys get no leave.
JUNE
- 10th - Received my first wedding present today, a most beautiful afternoon tablecloth. Still sewing a lot. My patient is up again and getting on nicely.
