Z1606/3

Personal diary labelled 'vol. 1'

6 January 1943 - 16th July 1943

From: 1943 To: 1943

Volume focuses primarily on domestic life during the Second World War in Bedford at 66 Marlborough Road, with her father and brother Jim. The volume is addressed 'to Winnie in Canada', and explains that Leah is keeping this diary to tell her friend things without worrying about censors, intending to send them to her after the war. The volume includes: -blackouts (including her brother being injured during one -American airmen in Bedford (8/1/43 and 29/1/43) -gardening at an alotment, including flowers and vegetables -modern art (11/1/43) -firewatching -Jim being signed up -her work at Igranic Electric Company, and the effects of the war on her work environment and colleagues -dance classes and visits to lectures and concerts -rationing and its impact -bombing in both the UK (with particular references to Sunderland), and in Germany -rheumatism -the military in Bedford -her Father's illness and 'senility' -American literature (22/3/43) -blockhouses in Bedford Streets (4/5/43) -a trip to Bromham Mill (17/5/43) -air raid shelters (11/6/43) -Royal Ordnance Factory (23/2/43 and 7/4/43) -Milk distribution scheme (29/3/43) -planes colliding at Wellingborough (31/3/43) -reflections on her own aging (22/4/43) -hiking at Barton Hills (27/4/43) -Home Guard parade in Bedford (17/5/43) There is also an insert providing advice for actions should an enemy invasion occur.

Published in Bedfordshire Historical Record Society volume 96 edited by Ptricia and Robert Malcolmson

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