Said goodbyes all round and left at 10 am for Sileby on Harry Knights bicycle. Arrived at Sileby at 10:10 and left bike at Loom’s. Called at Yates and said goodbye to the girls and Hilda. Left Sileby by 10:50 for Leicester. Called on Draycots my aunt and cousin. Met Mrs Chamberlain and Mr Chamberlain at Draycots. Left Leicester at 11:45 for Stafford and arrived at 1:30 pm. Met Ede at home and had lunch. Cyril home at 6 pm. Played cards till 10:45. To bed at 11:30 pm.
Sunday 11 April 1915 – fine
Left Seagrave for Rothley to say goodbye to Draycots. Arrive at Rothley at 11:30. Met William and Richard. Walked over the farm and returned for dinner with William and wife. Called at the girls and had tea with them. Left Rothley at 5 pm. Arrived in Sileby at 5:30. Called at Loom’s and Inglesant’s. Arrived in Seagrave at 5:50 pm. To P.M. church at 6:20 pm with Maud. After Church called on Davenports, Gert’s, Lynn’s, and Ede and Ada Draycot.
Friday 9 April 1915 – fine
To Sileby and brought wreath from station. Mr Draycot’s funeral 3:30 pm (aet. 83 years). Offer from Canon Blakenby of Melton Mowbray to search the parish registers. Stayed at Gert’s from 6 to 8:45 pm.
*aetatis, Latin, ‘at the age of’
Thursday 8 April 1915 – fine and showery
Wrote letters in morning to Cyril and Ede, Ernest Draycot.
In afternoon to Leicester via Rearsby (to which place I walked from Seagrave). Ordered wreath from Aunt’s. Had tea with Aunt Louise and Fred. Had another tea at Loom’s in Sileby.
Tuesday 6 April 1915 – showery
Received letter from Shorncliffe purporting “Need a Military Officer’s Certificate and not a civil practitioner”.
Left Stafford at 1:47 for Leicester. Changed at Nuneaton. Arrived Leicester at 4 pm. To Aunt Louise’s and had tea then on to Military Base Hospital for Extension of Leave. Have to go tomorrow at 10:30 am. Leave Leicester for Sileby. At 7:54 pm arrive
Monday 22 March 1915 – fine
Left Sileby for Derby at 10:55am and arrive at 12 noon.
Went to my uncle Tom MacKay
Met Agnes (my aunt)
To Reference Library at 3 pm and stayed till 6 pm.
Sunday 21 March 1915 – fair, sunny
Up at 8:30 am.
To P M Chapel with the family
Mr Francis of Sileby (a schoolmaster) preached.
Thursday 18 March 1915 – snow
Slept at Mr and Mrs Fox’s House last night.
To Mayes for breakfast and left Kettering at 9:15 for Leicester.
Arrive at Syston at 11 am and go to Matthew Pearson’s. Stay for dinner and get some information regarding Draycot family.
On to Sileby and Seagrave in a snowstorm
Arrive at Seagrave at 4:30 pm. Maud at home. To bed at 12 midnight
Monday 15 February 1915 – fine
Left Seagrave at 8:30 for Sileby in the pony and trap of Miss Kathleen Knight. Arrive Leicester at 9:30 and said good bye to Fred Draycot and Nancy. Boarded the 10:55 train for Birmingham.
Arrived at Doctor White’s at 1 pm and have chat all afternoon with Mrs White.
*Pony and Trap – A small horse drawn carriage
Thursday 4 February 1915
Up at 8:30 am. I make morning visits and after lunch go with Fred to visit Uncle George of Barkley (The Elms). Met young Harry there. George has 3 acres and a fine large house all his own and paid for. Fred makes his machine do 45 miles an hour on return journey. Have tea at Aunt’s and leave for Seagrave at 6 pm. Call at Sileby and walk to Seagrave with the girls. I find them very upset. Jealousy of Humberstone Family is the cause. Have long talk with Maud till 1 am (attend Mrs Draycot funeral in Khaki
