John Lee’s Diary: 30 June 1944

A day in the office clearing up back correspondence & dealing with back disciplinary cases.

The Diamond Ts arrived safely & we arranged a programme of training to commence tomorrow. 

John Lee’s Diary: 29 June 1944 – ‘Bumble bombs’

Set off early for Putney. Saw a good deal of damage from bumble-bombs (as these new pilotless planes are now called*). Arrived at HQ at about 1030 & had a long chat with the CO who said he had no news but had merely sent for me in order to commiserate over the shortage of transporters. It certainly looks as though we shall not get any transport at all for a while. If there is to be any delay I must say I am quite happy for it to be in Luton. 

Stayed for lunch & saw damage sustained by Mess when bumble-bomb landed a hundred yards away a few days ago. 

Called in town on the way back & combed Bond Street for a present for Zoe – some suitable reward for presenting me with my bonny son. Had a lot of difficulty but finally got a bar brooch with a small cluster of diamonds around a sapphire. I hope she’ll like it. I shan’t be able to collect it till next week as I had to pay by cheque & they wouldn’t let me have the brooch until the cheque was cleared. I also managed to get a dispatch box, after all the months of search, but had to pay the ridiculous price of 45/=

One result of my visit to the CO was the promise of 3 Diamond T Tank Transporters on loan. Even that is better than nothing. They are to come from Daddy Wells company. I don’t think he will be very happy about the idea. 

Saw Zoe again in the evening & the babe too. 

*I have never heard this expression before! They became known as ‘buzz-bombs’ or ‘doodlebugs’. 

John Lee’s Diary: 28 June 1944

A day if settling in. I was to go to Putney to see the CO but Rex Lee phoned last night to say the Colonel wouldn’t be in & would I go tomorrow instead. 

Went over to Bedford to contact Sub District Headquarters in the afternoon- quite an amiable crowd. 

Went down to Harpenden again in the evening. Zoe was a little distressed as Robert is being stubborn & stupid about feeding. The matron does not seem to be worrying however, so presumably he is expected to grow more sensible. 

Called in at Woodlands afterwards & then went down to the Cock, where I was joined by Moggie & Spencer. Took Pop down & we all had the odd glass of beer. The Cock was full as usual – the Radio Doctor in evidence, consuming pints with great fervour. 

The Radio Doctor was a chap called Charles Hill, who used to broadcast health advice to the country. He subsequently became MP for Luton, and served in various cabinet posts in the McMillan government in the 1950/60s before being ennobled and becoming Chairman of the BBC. I remember him from my youth, but knew nothing of his propensity for downing pints! 

The Old Cock Inn in Harpenden High Street still serves glasses of beer. 

John Lee’s Diary: 27 June 1944 – To Luton and a first sight of me!

Arose about 6 am to find it a cold & dismal day. Discovered that final parking last night was delayed due to vehicles not getting back from Luton in time. Hence when the convoy moved off at 7 am it was about 15 minutes late. A very bad performance really. Next time I shall insist on a minimum of three hours between reveille & passing a S.P. Stayed to see the train party off at 10 o’clock & then moved off independently by road., with Wills, Lister, Wren (his English setter!) & all my luggage. 

Overtook the road party at about noon & had a chat to Moggie, then went ahead & arrived at Luton about 3 pm. Met Laurie, who had had a pretty rough time on the advance party. Under the circumstances, he had done pretty well though. The location is very scattered throughout the town. Not too good for tank transporters if we should get them. 

I met the road parry coming in& then, while they were settling in, I nipped down to Harpenden to meet my young son. I found Zoe, after being a little tearful at first, to be looking far better than I expected. She seemed very comfortable, all things considered, & she was greatly cheered by seeing something iof me. She looked a real picture & ever so happy. 

I was only allowed to see Robert Erskine (I had a name at last!) through a pane of glass (for fear I might carry some infection*) but even viewed thus he looked very sweet. It was a great moment & I was very proud of seeing my own son for the first time. What I look forward to is seeing Zoe with him & to holding him myself. 

I stayed for the full hour (7-8) & arranged to visit the hospital every evening at the same time. Zoe gave me a huge bundle of letters which she had received & I took them home to read in bed. 

It’s quite an exciting business, seeing your first born son for the first time. It only happens once in a lifetime, so today is quite a Red Letter Day. 

*Shades of 2020! 

Jane Lennox (‘Lennie’) Higgins born 26 June 1891

Here is a nice photo I discovered recently of ‘Auntie Lennie’ who would have been 130 today!

John Lee’s Diary: 26 June 1944 – Preparing to move

A day of preparations & of course just to help matters it rained incessantly the whole day. The camp took on the usual end-of-term look, with cases & boxes piled high awaiting vehicles on which to be loaded & offices stripped bare of the usual furnishings – colourful maps & so on. 

Had letters from the aunts – Mims & Isabel; & from Ma Nicoll, giving me a summary of events in Harpenden. 

Moggie took my surplus furniture & kit home yesterday, so my room is reasonably empty now. In fact, everything will go in my black tin trunk, which I shall ultimately send home. I shall move tomorrow with everything on my car & see how it works. 

I shall try & get to bed reasonably  this evening as we have to get up at half past five for an early start in the morning. 

John Lee’s Diary: 25 June 1944 – Farewell to his parents

A busy morning. Saw Laurie & the advance party off at 9 o’clock. Held a conference which lasted an hour and a half. All instructions for the move were issued and all loose ends tied up. As usual it is a difficult move due to the shortage of transport; in fact this time I’m arranging for 20 tons to go by rail as we can’t work a double shuttle service as we did last time.

Sly, one of the new officers, said to Spencer after the conference that he had never seen a company take a move so calmly & without any flap.We seem to impress our recruits! Of course the truth is that we have invaluable experience at this sort of thing. Everyone know just what to do, so why should there be any flap.

There is a strong indication that, owing to tank transporters still being in short supply – as I discovered at Chilwell on Wednesday – we shall be temporarily equipped with ten ton lorries. Shall we ever get these transporters? 

Everything was under control by lunchtime & at 4 o’clock I decided to nip over to see the family. (This involved a 70 mile trip to Didsbury.). I knew this might be my last chance before going overseas. Arrived at The Gables & found Dad hard at work as usual. They certainly have made big strides since I was last there. Most of the plumbing is complete and they are nearly ready for the decorators. In the garden too there is a big change. It makes me wish I were living at home as I should be in my element doing all the odd jobs that are to be done. 

Went back and had some supper with Mum & Dad & Robin. It was very quiet and peaceful – but all too short, as I felt I must not be away long & I had to leave after the 9 o’clock news. There was a strangeness about our farewell, Mum & Dad looking at me as though it might be the last time they would see me. (An understandable concern, given that Nancy’s first husband – my dad’s father – had been killed in WW1.)  I felt that i should have said something appropriate for the occasion but words failed me & we parted midst idle chatter & with a warm handshake. I’ll see them again alright – Mum probably quite soon. 

John Lee’s Diary: 24 June 1944 – A Lucky Move

The move is definitely to take place and the advance party leaves tomorrow. Somebody must have been doing some pretty hard praying for me, because the company moves to Luton. I couldn’t have been moved to a better place in all England. I don’t suppose we shall be there very long but at least I shall be able to see Zoe and my young son fairly often for a little while. His early arrival may have been a blessing in disguise. 

I had a word with Ma this evening & everything seems to be progressing quite favourably. They seem to be having some trouble with the feeding but that will probably improve in a few days when Zoe is able to feed him herself.

Issued all Advance Party Orders. 

John Lee’s Diary: 23 June 1944

Awoke with a slight hangover, but boy – it was worth it! Am still glowing with pride at being a father. 

Went down to the water-proofing training this afternoon. It is going extremely well. I would have waded myself if I’d had my shorts & towel with me. 

The Sergeants Mess held a free dance but I wasn’t keen on going., so I stayed in. Actually I had to stay in for a telephone call from Harpenden as there was a long delay. 

News from Harpenden was quite satisfactory & Zoe is doing as well as can be expected. Ma says she’s written to me, so I should get a letter from her in the morning. I’m dying to get all the latest news. What I want s all the details. 

While I was waiting for my call to Harpenden, the Staff Captain from Sub District rang up & hinted at a move. We don’t get much peace nowadays. Still there’s a very reasonable chance that the move will take me much nearer Harpenden so I should be able to see my son quite soon. 

John Lee’s Diary: 22 June 1944 – A Father!

All the day’s events were overshadowed by stupendopus news. At about 10.15 am Streatfield came into the office with a telegram which he handed to me saying ‘is this for you sir?’ It read ‘Congratulations on little son at Red House. All well.’ (The Red House was a private nursing home in Harpenden, where my mother was staying with her parents.)

Naturally I was taken completely by surprise as we weren’t expecting the child before the middle of July. I was momentarily stunned & my immediate thoughts were – was everything all right? Then it dawned on me. Me! A daddy! And a son, above all things. What excitement! 

I rushed off to wire Zoe & to wire Ma some money to buy lots of flowers & then tried to phone Harpenden. When I did ultimately get through I was only able to speak to Nancy. However she assured me everything was in order. Later in the day I spoke to Ma  & also to the family in Didsbury. Everyone, of course, is is wildly excited. 

In the evening there was a certain amount of celebration in the mess, & all the officers were determined that I should be got tight & then dipped in the static water tank. I promised that I would nit be dipped without at least one other person being dragged in with me. The evening ended with my being both sober & dry!

It’s been a great day & my mind has been wandering down to Harpenden all day long – down to where Zoe is fighting her great battle all alone. How I wish I could be with her. Today, above all days, is one of the days when we ought to be together. But I’ll manage to get down somehow in the near future. If I’m able to see her once or twice before I go I suppose it is really best that I wait until she’s a bit fitter.

My son (still unnamed! RL) was actually born yesterday, though of course I didn’t know it till this morning.