Leave Stafford by 10.30 am train for L’pool. Harry is home, discharged from Hospt. & on a pension for 6 months. We have long chat together.
Sunday 24 February 1918
My Birthday.
I go to Sedsall near Rochester by cycle with Norman Leighton. Return to Stafford @ 5.30 pm after doing 40 miles. Am entertained by 3 gifted musicians from Brocton. Mr. & Mrs. Waugh, Mrs. Philips & the Leighton family. It rains hard during night.
Saturday 23 February 1918
– fair
Up @ 8 am. Left Mapperley @ 3.15 for West Hallam Stn in company with Kitsie (Mrs. Draycot). Take leave of Lilian. Arr. Lichfield after changing @ Burton 6 pm. On to Stafford 6.15 arr. 7.50. Bracken & Sallie up town, so I go home with Mr. & Mrs. Waugh.
Friday 22 February 1918
– dull
Contract a cold thru working in garden. I tied up the raspberry canes etc. for Kitsie. Tour the village of Mapperley with Kitsie during day to register people re margarine, sugar & tea cards. Play cards (Rummy) at night. My cold is cured by brandy & hot water, sugar etc.
*The impact of the German U-boat campaign made food shortages a serious problem by 1918. Malnutrition was seen in poor communities and as a result the government introduced rationing in 1918. Food products were added to the list as the year progressed. In January 1918, sugar was rationed and by the end of April meat, butter, cheese and margarine were added to the list of rationed food. Ration cards were issued and everyone had to register with a butcher and grocer.
Thursday 21 February 1918
Up @ 8 am, breakfast & chat with Mrs. Flowers till 10 am. Back to Aunt Louise’s @ 11 am. Have dinner @ 1 pm @ catch train for Derby & West Hallam @ 3.30 pm. By Great Northern for Hallam @ 4.55 pm arr 5.8 pm. Kitsie there to meet me & we walk to Mapperley. 2 ½ miles. Play cards till 11 pm with Kitsie & Lilian.
Wednesday 20 February 1918
Up @ 8 am. To Fludes 29 Friar Lane Leicester to search thru Bishops Transcripts from 10 am to 5.20. Mrs. Draycot has company in Mr. & Mrs. —
To Mrs. Flowers @ 6.30 pm & have chat. She is sister of Mrs. Draycot @ Rothley. I stay night.
*Ingram, Moore, Flude & Frearson was a firm of solicitors at 29 Friar Lane in Leicester in 1918.
Tuesday 19 February 1918
– fair
Stay @ the County Hotel. At the Probate Registry Office again from 10 am to 4 pm. Go to see Aunt Louise Draycot & stay night.
Monday 18 February 1918
– fair
Up @ 7.30. To Probate Registry Office Leicester & search wills. Have a special room & attendance – from 10 am to 4.30 pm. Go to Food Controller & get my weeks ration of tea, sugar & butter.
Sunday 17 February 1918
– fair
To East End sightseeing & later to Aunt Rhia Draycot’s in Baron’s Court, West London & stay till 5 pm then to Cousin May’s place in Paddington. Leave London @ 8 pm for Leicester.
Saturday 16 February 1918
– fair
Have a little difficulty in getting my leave. Catch the 11.25 from Egham to London. To Manuscript Room British Museum. Later to Aunt Rhia’s. Leave @ 8 pm for Central London. In bed at my hotel when Air Raid alarm is sounded. I go upstairs & witness it.
