Leave Gosport for Farnboro at 2:32 PM. Arr. Farnboro 5:10 PM & met on station by Miss Alwyn Browne who has taxi cab waiting for me. We drive & after entertaining them also initiating them into the game of Rummy I take leave of the family Root. Alwyne & I go to north camp. Alwyne kisses me and I board train for London at 9:40, arrive London 11:30 PM go to Union Jack Club.
Monday 6 March 1916
I go to the store and say goodbye to all. Ada Southam is madly in love with me – we kiss. Miss Kidd gives me a royal send off at the station.
Arr. London at 12:15. To Waterloo to take 1:15 train for Gosport. Arr. at 4:30 PM in a snowstorm. Go straight to Ernests & find both at home. Zepps kill 12 people & 33 injured (5 Children 4 Women).
Thursday 15 April 1915 – fine
Ernest and I have walk around Alverstoke and Gosport in morning and in afternoon to Portsmouth.
Airship visits Tyne but does little damage. Three of Princess Pat’s Officers get Distinguished Service Order.
*Air Raid in Tyneside – On April 14 and 15th 1915 the German Navy attempted to raid Tyneside but the bombing was rendered, for the most part, ineffective due to inclement weather. These failed attempts led the Germans to wait until the new P-class Zeppelin was available to continue bombing raids of England
Tuesday 13 April 1915 – fine
Up at 8 am. Said goodbye to Cyril at 9 am. He leaves for Newcastle. I dig garden till 10:30 am. Leave Ede and said goodbye at 10:55. Took train for Wolverhampton at 11:20. Left Wolverhampton at 12:15 for Gosport. Arrive in Gosport at 5:15. Half an hour later found the [mater] still ill and lots of letters and newspapers.
Sunday 7 March 1915 – windy and rain
To Church with Mrs Charles Anthony Draycot at Christ’s Church Gosport.
Letters from Bessie and the Quirt family.
Saturday 20 February 1915 – fine
Writing letters all morning.
Shown round the art schools of Gosport with Ernest.
To a theatre with Ernest at 7:30 pm. Home at 10:30 pm
Thursday 18 February 1915 – rain
Aunt is no better. Have a cup of tea brought to me by Milly. Have a good time all together. I leave by the 4:30 pm train for Gosport on a ticket which is two days old and after much dodging I arrive at Gosport
Sunday 27 December 1914 – rain
Up at 7 am & breakfast 7:30 am. Parade at 8:45 am in full marching order. We go to Linde & dig trenches – in the rain
Get wet thro’ & return home at 1 pm
Receive mail from Ernest Draycot, Draycots of Blackpool, Hollinghursts
receive tobacco & pipe from Princess Mary also a scarf & mittens from the [Mater] at Gosport.
I send postcard to Ernest at Gosport.
In evening I go to the Chateau at Blaringham and (on Saturday) to the Roman Catholic Church which is very pretty inside. Abundance of crosses in Church and 4 lots of Effigies of Saints in the church with the offertory boxes at their feet. Some fine & delicate wood carving.
Saturday 12 December 1914 – Rain
Doing nothing all morning.
Leave Winchester at 3:30 pm for Gosport.
Where I arrive at 5 pm
Well received by Ernest & the [Neates]. Told my tale of woe and amused them generally.
To Bed at 10:30 pm. Had a good night’s rest. Raining heavily.
Tuesday 8 December 1914 – fine
No rest all night. Maud calls me at 8 am & gives me 10 shillings, also kisses.
Father lends me £1.00.
Left Seagrave at 8:50 am & walked into Sileby.
Called on Maud & May, Draycot & Miss Davenport. Maud comes to the station & sees me off
at 9:38 am.
Arrive at London 12:45. Took train to Winchester at 12:50 pm. Stayed on train at Winchester & went through to Gosport.
Arrive in Gosport at 4:30. Had bad cold. Met Mrs Draycot & Ernest. Made very welcome. Sent telegrams to Seagrave & Rifle Depot.
