A 291 Nogent, 23 January 1945
Brian Butler • November 17, 2023
from Yvonne Bagland
[Letter was received 10th February (noted on the letter)]
My dear Nancy
I received your letter of 29th November on 18th January and I was so thrilled to feel a well stuffed envelope in my hands and to have five pages to read, giving me all the longawaited details of your life during these long years of separation. Many, many congratulations to your grandmother for being so robust and of sound mind at her great age. Old age is a wonderful time of life, when things are like that. We compliment you also, my dear Nancy, for being such a good nurse to your father, which was no easy thing. I know, more than most, how wearisome and tiring this can sometimes be. Your life is one of long devotion. It would have pleased me no end, if you had found a good husband. That is what I hoped for you in the past but, true enough, many men have disappeared – it’s exactly the same in France, with all the prisoners-ofwar and all the men working in Germany. The bomb dropped very close to your home!! For us, the nearest were in rue St Lazare and on the little bridge over the railway line to Courtalain…and the rest were aimed at the railway station. We were bombed about twenty times and we were frightened and went down to the cellar, where there was a vaulted ceiling. Once I even went down to Mrs Holman’s house, one Thursday with the children, when there was an air-raid alert. I knew you would do something for your country and I thought you had re-joined the Red Cross. All I do is go every Monday evening to the local Red Cross to make up parcels for sending to prisoners-of-war. I was happy to the best of my ability, to be able to do something by way of thanks for having the, sadly, rare happiness of having my husband close by us. He was in the East (of France) in 1940, but he managed to get to the south of France – what a sadness it was for us then to see our unfortunate country of France in such a state and to experience the coming of the Germans. It was then that I was more frightened than ever in my whole life. The first time was at the farm dairy in Evron, going for milk – I happened to be face to face with five Germans who wanted to come out. I felt frightened to death, but didn’t want to show it, so I waited outside the doorway for them to come out, when the farmer came and closed the door behind them. Imagine my absolute amazement when they walked towards me, saluted me smartly with a click of their heels and asked me for a little milk in the most correct French. I thought I would faint on the spot at such an unexpected greeting. I then went home and told them I was OK and that they had not gobbled me up. Because we were told that they cut off boys’ hands, I kept the boys in the house, but after a few days, when we noticed there was nothing out of the ordinary, we went on with our everyday lives, not without some nervousness in our beds at night, caused by the sound of their boots in lit doorways, or `at the sound of gunfire. Then, in July, I went back to Nogent, after six weeks without any news of Maurice, who came back home in September 1940. On several occasions, we have had Germans lodging on the top floors. An officer, whose aide-de camp had just washed his hands in the kitchen and who then clicked his heels, well we thought that we should not laugh outright in front of him. And a private, who cried when he saw the little boys in the garden (Ah! He was no member of the SS). That lot can’t have children and they must have no heart either. Finally we had six at one go with six bicycles – I persuaded them to carry their bicycles on their shoulders, when they came through the corridor. I was very pleased about that, I can tell you. Because from then on, we weren’t very scared at all and, since September 1940, I had never uttered a word to any of them. They did not pester women either, they understood our manner towards them, but unfortunately they had no shortage of women! Some of them have had their heads shaved – Marie-Louise Bourgery, Rolande Biet, Mrs Viac, whose husband was shot, and many others. They were in prison here for a long time and now they are in internment camps. And Liberation came and we can all breathe freely now, because the patrol marching in their hobnail boots used to depress us, and how many other countries were there that have had to endure their ferocity. I’ll admit that I was very fearful about the way that they might withdraw, but thanks be to God, everything happened in a good and orderly fashion, and, anyway, there were no SS here. You have heard what they did in Oradour-sur-Glane – they put the whole village in the church and burnt then all alive. I think that they’re in the process of being dealt some kind of just retribution. The Russian advance must be terrifying them, because they are being terrible to their Russian prisoners.* Here as well the short supplies of food and goods has been hard, but we have never been without potatoes, even though they were hard to come by in the end, but we haven’t been too deprived, nothing like the big towns and cities, and it’s still going on there. In our case, we have a little wood, we burn that as little as we can, but here agin we consider ourselves fortunate, compared with people in Paris who have no heating at all. Just a tiny supply of gas since June 1944. Dr F…is still the same as ever. He has been doing his rounds on foot for three weeks, the snow and ice means he can’t take his bicycle, because there’s little or no petrol, of course. It’s kept him young. Suzanne Coudray has been bombed out, I don’t think she lost any furniture, actually, but the house is in an indescribable state, good for nothing more than complete demolition and the distillery was also very damaged. I have no news of Estelle, I haven’t heard anything about the message for Jeannine (sic). Abbé Thibault came back in 1940 and since then he has been a teacher in the seminary, then the head of the Red Cross in the Nogent emergency team and an almoner at the prison. Also, he never stops working, either, and his life is one of total devotion and service. He is still a regular visitor at home and he’s a really good friend to me, and often a great support. We often talk about you. It seems that one day he passed you in the street in Le Mans without seeing you and he is very sorry about that. He asks me to send you his good wishes. I hope that your cold has gone. I have had one as well for weeks now and this cold spell doesn’t help at all. Fortunately I have my boots, because we don’t have shoes any more, I am devastated about that for my Christian. Did I tell you that Mummy had three bouts of pneumonia in 128 months? Now she is over them and she sends her best wishes. We had a wonderful, young American lodger from August to September. Unfortunately, he’s gone now, and it’s a pity, because, as he didn’t speak a word of French, I was forced to do my best in English and, if he had stayed, I would have made real progress. A very ‘nice’ boy, he was. Well, I’ll stop now, my dear Nancy, by sending you our most affectionate greetings and love to your parents.
Yvone (sic)
Haven’t you got a photo of you I could have. I am writing to Herbert Darty (an American ‘soldier’) in English. I would really need you to make corrections…he must laugh at my terrible mistakes…but who cares. [* just to the N-W of Limoges, on 10th June 1944 the 22nd SS-Panzer division murdered the whole population – 642 people, most of them as described in the letter. Therefore, an accurate piece of anti-Nazi propaganda and not a garbled one]
30 Wednesday In eve had a game of cards at the “Rose & Crown” & won 2/6. 1 Thursday In aft. I went over to Colchester with Blyth for a football practice, had a very jolly game, got home about six. In eve I wrote home to Arthur & Aunt Jane. 2 Friday In evening Purkis & I had Mr Nunn, Bartlett, Burton & Blyth in to spend the evening. We played cards from 8 till 2 o’clock. I lost 6/- at Loo. 3 Saturday I wrote to Will Allen in morning. Purkis & I went over to Wivenhoe in aft. In eve I went out with very pretty girl. Very jolly. 4 Sunday Went for a long walk in morning. 5 Monday Had a jolly letter from Milne. Went & saw Miss Shave & arranged to go there for 12/- a week for 3 rooms & attendance. In aft. Mr Daniell senior asked me over to his house to dinner. He drove me over & we went to some waxworks at the Drill Hall with his sons & daughters. Drove back with Mr & Mrs Daniell & Blyth. 6 Tuesday Paid Mrs Tye £1 for week’s lodging. Mrs Daniells sent us an awfully jolly rabbit pie. Had a letter from Aunt Jane. Finished reading “Myths” by Ovid. Did not think much of it. 7 Wednesday In evening Purkis & I went up to the Heath to dinner & had a lolly game of cards afterwards. I won 2/6. 8 Thursday I drove to Clacton-on-Sea with Mr Robert Daniell. It rained a little but I very much enjoyed it. 15 miles from here. We had dinner at the Osbourne Hotel, at the governor’s expense & went for a stroll along the esplanade. Got back to Heath House at 7. Stopped there to dinner & played billiards with Blyth after. 9 Friday I got up to mash, but there was no water in the boiler & could not mash till 9 o’clock. In evening we went in to Bartlett’s to have a game of cards, played cards till one o’clock. I won 2/-. 10 Saturday Went into Colchester, went to the market to the governor’s stall. Went to an art exhibition with Pearl Allen & Miss Scott & stopped to Pearl’s to tea (sic) then went to the “Cups” & met Blyth & his brother & came home by the 7 o’clock & went for a walk “avec une petite”. 11 Sunday Went to church in morning. For walk in aft & eve. 12 Monday Not brewing today. Boiled some chestnuts. In the eve. went for stroll avec (then follows a tiny drawing of a woman’s head). Walked up to the Heath in aft., introduced to Mr Lufkin. Rev H E Lufkin was Rector of East Donyland 1863-1898 13 Tuesday Got up to mash with Purkis this week. In aft. I went in to Colchester to get our grocery (sic) etc. for Thursday. Bought about 16/- worth. 14 Wednesday Ordered ¼ ton coal 5/6 & 4 1/2 gals of beer to be sent to Miss Shave’s. Went up to Heath House & played billiards with Oc. Blyth & Mr Daniell. Ordered ½ sack (1 ½ bush) of potatoes from Havens, 3/-. Pa sent Mr Daniell £105 premium for my 1st year pupilship. £100 of which was paid by the legacy which Mr J Bristow left me. 15 Thursday Moved lodgings from Mrs Tye’s to Miss Shave. Paid Mrs Tye 30/- for the 1 ½ weeks & gave her 5/- extra. Miss Shave got our bread and anything we did not think of. Bought a ledger 6d to keep our accounts in & put down a £1 for the common purse each. 16 Friday Much more comfortable than Mrs Tye’s: the bedrooms are very good & the sitting room. Had a letter from Uncle William. Wrote to Fred Paice. 17 Saturday Had a letter from Arthur to say that Pa had signed the agreement & sent 100 guineas – premium for the 1st year, on Wednesday - & sent me a cheque for £2. Went into Colchester with Purkis & went to an awful lot of hotels & pubs, got back to tea at 7.15. Stayed in the rest of evening. 18 Sunday Went to the Brewery in morn. In aft went up to Mr Daniell’s to tea & spent evening. 19 Monday Helped Purkis analyse some malt. In aft. went over to Wyvenhoe (sic) with Purkis. I bought some scent 2s/9d “pour une petite”. In eve went in to Mr Bartlett’s & had a jolly game of whist with Nunn & Purkis. I & Purkis won 1s/6d each. Finished reading “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage” by Byron; enjoyed it immensely. 20 Tuesday Got up to mash with Blyth at 7 o’clock. The governor told me yesterday not to pay for any beer I have at the Brewery. Hard frost last night; stayed in this evening. 22 Thursday Settled up our accounts for the 1st week. Paid Miss Shave 12/- for the three rooms. It came to £1.1. each altogether. Drove to Heath House with Blyth & had aft. tea there. Blyth came in to tea with us after we had finished brewing at six. 23 Friday Came home today. Started at 9 o’clock from Wivenhoe, got to Liverpool St at 10.30. Went to Waterloo & left my bag. Walked up to Uncle William’s, had dinner there & walked back to Waterloo. Got home at 4.30. Papa about the same, all the others very well. This entry confirms my suspicion that James Moody was an invalid and rarely went out. JBM’s uncles in Basingstoke and London seem to have acted as surrogate fathers to him. JBM’s records his father’s death (at the age of 62) in the following year’s diary. 24 Saturday Jamie & Grandma staying at home. Grandma gave me a beautiful dressing case, fitted with razors, brushes etc. 25 Sunday Went to Church in morn & eve. Had a jolly day. 26 Monday In the morning Arthur & I walked to Mr Clift’s in Sherbourne. Minnie drove in in the aft. & went with us to Loe’s in the evening, we had a jolly dance to the Mechanics’ band & got home at 12 o’clock. Minnie sent me a pair of silk socks & her photograph for a Christmas present. 27 Tuesday In the morning we went skating on the fishpond. I went in half way up my legs as usual, & sat in (sic), in the aft, while my things were drying. In eve. we went to Allen’s to tea & supper and had a jolly dance. Got home at 12. 28 Wednesday In morn went down to see Mr Val Adams at the brewery & had a chat with him. Bought his dress suit & had it altered at Mr Evans’s. Minnie went home in evening. 29 Thursday In aft Blanche & I went down to the Basin with Ada Allen skating. The ice was splendid & Ada Allen came back to tea with us. I went down to Uncle Richard’s to supper. Purkis settled up for our 2nd week & there was 10s/- each balance out of the £1 each. 30 Friday Arthur gave me £16.6s to take with me. Railway fare £1. Board & lodging for last week ending 29th £1. And £1.6 for 13 weeks p. money & £13 for 13 weeks or 1st quarter’s board & lodging. I am to pay my washing out of this if possible. I also received £1.3.4 Int due on £100 up to Dec 14th. Invested in this business. 31 Saturday Came back to Rowhedge. Started from B’stoke at 10 o’clock, went from Waterloo to Liverpool St by ‘bus. Bought an alarum clock at the Great Eastern Bazaar, Liverpool St. for 6/6. I bought a wooden box beside my bag with some mince pies etc. Got down here at 2.30. Went to the Brewery, had dinner & did not go out again, as I was rather tired. Went to bed at 11 o’clock At the end of the diary on Memoranda sheets JBM has written: Addresses G Dunn 1 Woods Villa, Swanley Junction Kent (above entry crossed out) M. Canon Angelsmith Queen’s Parade Brandon Hill Bristol G. Dunn c/o Mr Colgate 1, Kent Villa Swanley Junction Kent Rev R. A. Hamilton Holmesdale Villa Sunningdale Ascot. R. Povey 17 Montpelier St. Knightsbridge London Where I got my celluloid collar & cuffs W.J. Bull 12 New Inn Strand London S Gammon (corn merchant) 22 London St Reading H. Herbert Horton 14 Burlington St Bath W.C. Beaumont Milne Esq Grammar School Masham Yorks Rev. E, Nelson Williams Hunstanton Norfolk n
1 Tuesday A wet day. Went for a walk in the aft. Miss Pauline Sergel came to tea. 2 Wednesday Charles & I went for a long walk to Barnes in morning. In aft we went to the Hippodrome at Olympia. It was very good, better than last year. I came back to Bloomsbury St after supper. 3 Thursday Uncle William & I went down to Wyvenhoe (sic) at 10 o’clock from Liverpool St. & got there about ½ past eleven. It rained in the morning but cleared off (sic) afterwards, Mr Daniell showed us over the Brewery & then drove us to his house to lunch. Then we were driven to Colchester where we stayed about 2 hours & got back here at 9 o’clock. I arranged about my lodgings at £1 per week. 4 Friday In the morning I went up to the City with Aunt Polly to choose a dressing case at Southgate’s (Watling St.) for Arthur & me to give Blanche. In the aft. Aunt & I went through Trafalgar Sq. To the Temple to see a Chrysanthemum show. In the eve Uncle W. & I went to “The Old Guard” at the Avenue Theatre. It was very good, I enjoyed it immensely. Comic opera starring Miss Henrietta Polak, actress and singer. 5 Saturday In morn. I went down to Trafalgar Sq. & saw a great row with the “unemployed”. Bought a tobacco pouch in the shape of a skull, 1/6. In the aft I came home to Basingstoke. Uncle William walked to Waterloo with me. New pair of boots from Wyeth’s £1.1.6, clump soles. 7 Monday Ordered 3 Oxford shirts from Mr Hewett’s, 6/6 each. In the evening Arthur, Blanche, Minnie Rush & I went to a concert at the Drill Hall given by Major May. Mr Winterbottom’s military band performed, it was very good. 8 Tuesday Busy getting ready for next Monday. Received my £4.1.2 interest due Nov. 1st . 9 Wednesday Began clearing up my 3 cornered room. Mended my cigarette case. 10 Thursday Blanche’s 21st Birthday. She had a lot of presents, brooches, bracelets etc. Arthur & I gave her a dressing case, 36/6 cost price. Pa & Ma gave her a 2 guinea muff. In the evening we had the Allens, Loes & Powells in to tea. Champagne for supper & a small dance in the drawing room after. 11 Friday Bought a cap 2/-, 2 ties 2/6, & 1 pair of gloves 3/6 at Hewett’s yesterday. Went down & said good bye to Mr Longley & gave him some cigars. Grandma gave me 5/-. In the evening I went over to Powell’s to supper. 12 Saturday Met Morton Lear & went up to School to say goodbye to Chadwick. Went up to station to meet Uncle William who came down to spend Sunday with us. Arthur gave me £5.17 to come away with for 1 month. £1 per week for board & lodging, 1/- (not clear) for washing, 5/- (not clear) for jacket, 2/- (not clear) for P. money. 13 Sunday Said goodbye to the Allens, Loes, Cannons & Caldecotts. Went to Youngman’s to supper. 14 Monday Went down & said goodbye to Uncle & Aunt Jane. Started from Basingstoke by the 9.52. All the house was in tears. I felt rather uncomfortable. However it went off, as I went up to Waterloo with John Portsmouth. Had a cab from Waterloo to Liverpool St, 2/-. Arrived at Wivenhoe at 2.35. Purkis came up to the station to meet me. Had tea, went up to the brewery, unpacked my things & slept well. 15 Tuesday Started my pupilship at Mr Daniell’s Brewery, East Donyland, for a month on trial. Wrote home to Ma to say I had arrived all right. Went to the Brewery at ½ past 9 o’clock. It was snowing hard. Had boiled rabbit & pork for dinner. In the aft. walked over to the stores at Wivenhoe with Purkis, the brewer. Stayed in & read in the evening. 16 Wednesday Got up to mash at ½ past six. It was freezing hard. Had a good many glasses of beer during the day. In evening I stayed in & read. The steamer which takes beer up to Chelsea ran into the bank & could not get off. Mashing: combining a mix of milled grain with supplementary grains and water and heating. 17 Thursday Got up to mash at ½ past six. After breakfast went out for a walk with Purkis & Mr Bartlett shooting. The steamer got off the bank & was loaded with 120 barrels of beer for Chelsea. In evening went down to the “Crown” with Purkis, Mr Bartlett & Nunn. 18 Friday Got up at 7 o’clock, rather late. Added up some accounts for Mr Daniell. Brewed 50 barrels of P.A., beginning to see how the machine works. Blyth takes the brewing this week after 9 am. In eve wrote to Mr Angelsmith to tell him what I was doing. 19 Saturday Got up to mash at 6.45. In the aft. at 3 o’clock Blyth & I walked over to Colchester. Had a look over the town. I bought a bell for the table 1/- & a tin of Cocoatina (price unclear). We drove back to Heath House with Mr & Mrs Daniell & Miss F Blyth & I stopped there to dinner, had a jolly evening & got home about ten & went to bed. Purkis & some fellows played cards till 4 o’clock. 20 Sunday Went for a walk in morn & aft. In evening went to Wivenhoe church with Purkis & Bartlett. Wrote to Blanche. 21 Monday Not brewing today. Got down at the Brewery at ½ past 7 to weigh the gyles etc. Did chemistry all day with Blyth, analysed some malt & went through the maltings. In eve went up to Heath House with Blyth & had a little dinner as I had had sprats for tea. Got home at ½ past 9. 22 Tuesday Got up to mash at 6.45. Blyth is mashing this week. Paid Mrs Tye £1 for the week. After breakfast I distilled a lot of water for chemistry & did some more malt analysis. Began reading Loftus’ work on brewing. Went to see about some fresh lodgings. Wrote to Uncle William in the evening. 23 Wednesday I got up at ½ past six every morn. this week. I wrote to Mr Milne & Mrs Hamilton. 24 Thursday Mr Daniell asked me to take the part of “Mr Walk ‘em fast” in some waxworks in the schoolroom Rowhedge on Friday which I decided to do. We had a rehearsal of the waxworks at 5 o’clock. At 8 o’clock Purkis & I went to Mr Bartlett’s to a small card party. Burton & Nunn were there. We played Loo, 1/- a doz till 10.30. Very jolly eve. 25 Friday In aft. I helped get the room ready & in the eve there was a concert & waxworks. I took the part of “Mr Walking Fast”, Mr Daniell was “Artemus Ward” the showman, Miss F Blyth was “Mrs Pear’s Soap”, Oct. Blyth was “Knave of Hearts”, Miss Coar was “Jubilee” & many others. It went off splendidly. The room was crammed & we had to turn away a lot from the doors. Octavius Blyth 26 Saturday In the aft. I went over to Colchester with Blyth & took my football things; but did not play as they had the team made up. I went in to Allen’s & saw Pearl Allen, she walked down to St Botolph’s station with me. We had a concert again in the ever. I acted in the waxworks. The room was full again. Had a letter from Arthur. 27 Sunday Went to Rowhedge Church in morn, for walk in aft. 28 Monday Not brewing today, got down to the brewing at ½ past seven. We took £10.0.1. at the concerts on Friday & Saturday, which was very good for the small room. In aft. picked out a lot of barrels of beer to go up to London by the steamer. Paid Mrs Tye £1 for board & lodging for the week. 29 Tuesday I make cocoa now every morn when I get up to mash, which is 4 times a week now.
2 Tuesday Arthur sent me cheque for £15.12.6 for quarter. £13 Board & Lodge. £1.6.0 P. Money. £-.16.6 boots. 10/- for week he stayed with me. 3 Wednesday Went to Bartlett’s in eve. Brewing 5 times this week. I am Brewing. Nowell repaid me the 30/- I lent him. I paid Mrs Pitt 11/-. 4 Thursday Went in to Colchester to Football Practice. Saw Ada Allen. 7 Sunday Had an invitation from Miss Godden to Elmstead Harvest Thanksgiving & to tea. Blyth & I went. Very nice. Walked back with Blyth. 8 Monday Went in to Colchester Theatre to see the “Mikado”, D’Oyly Carte’s Company. Very Good. Drove back with Guv’nor. 13 Saturday I went in to Colchester & went on the market with Mr Robert. Bought several lots barley. I drove Guv’nor’s mare home & slept at Heath House as he was out. Bought football boots 12/6. 14 Sunday Went for long walk in morning. Did not go out (sic) Blyth had bad cold. 17 Wednesday Took the brewing & mashed all this week. Brewed 5 times. Blyth was away all the week with bad cold. So I had enough to do. 20 Saturday My Father died this morning in bed. I am glad to say without any suffering. 21 Sunday I went to Dan Green’s. 22 Monday Went home. 23 Tuesday Had new black suit. 26 Friday The Funeral. I went with Arthur & Frank By his will Pa left £200 to ...(name not clear, Janie?), £100 to Alice & his entire business & property to Mother, to be divided among us children at her death or marriage. Mr Bayley & Uncle William Trustees. Aged 62 years. 28 Sunday Went to St. Michael’s in morning. Went to the school in afternoon & had a talk with Mr Chadwick. 30 Tuesday Came back to Donyland & hard work. Brewed 5 times this week.
3 Saturday Took down one side of the pigeons’ house & cut down the almond tree & a lot of branches off the oak tree. Heard of Edith’s engagement to Dr Pearce of Salcombe. Arthur gave me the £2 interest on my £100 in the business & paid it into the Savings Bank for me. Cousin Edith Paice, a daughter of Uncle William, married Dr Arthur Pearce MRCSE. 4 Sunday Had a letter from Isleworth Brewery to say the premium was.....(not clear: £300?) 5 Monday The alterations were begun today to make a shed for the new furniture van & to make house for storing furniture. 6 Tuesday Tricycle was finished mending by Watson. 7 Wednesday Mr Adams had a letter Mr Daniel at Colchester Brewery to say his premium was £150, board & lodging extra. Finished the first 100 rows in my tennis net. 8 Thursday Went to Allen’s to supper. 9 Friday Sold 4 pairs of my pigeons. 1 pair Jacobins 2/- to a builder. 1 pair Fantails 2/- to a builder. 1 pair Jacobins 2/6 to Will. Cannon. 1 pair Jacobins 2/6 to Mr Pike. Picked 28 lbs of plums for jam, 14 lbs red plum, 14 lbs black. 10 Saturday Cut down the May tree. Took some plums & grapes down to Aunt Jane. We had a tremendous lot of grapes in the greenhouse this year. 12 Monday Sold 3 pairs of carrier pigeons to Doubleday for 3/6. Wrote to Mr Daniell at Colchester to meet him in London on Wednesday. 13 Tuesday Sold 3 pairs of Jacobins & old pair of Fantails to a builder for 5/-. This was the last of my pigeons. In aft & eve took down the wire aviary & tied it up & took it to the top of the garden. 14 Wednesday Went up to London with Aunt Mary. We went to Uncle William’s & I met Mr Daniell there at 12 0’clock & arranged to go there in November as a pupil for a month first to see how I liked it. Uncle George & Uncle William were there & were both satisfied with the arrangements, he is a nice gentleman. I went up to Camomile Street to order a block for printing of the new furniture van. Went to Hammersmith to sleep. Thomas Daniell & Sons, West Bergholt Brewery (founded about 1815) merged with Daniell Brothers & Co of Colchester in 1887 to form Daniell & Son’s Brewery Ltd. Acquired by Truman Hanbury and Buxton in 1958. Brewing ceased 1959. 15 Thursday In the morning walked to Putney with Charles. In aft. went to St James’s Palace with Edith, Julia & Winnie to see the Queen’s Jubilee presents. They were very handsome. Great talk about Edith’s engagement. 16 Friday Went for a long walk with Charles in the morning. In the evening Fred went up to Waterloo with me & came back home at about 9 o’clock. My bantam hen hatched 7 young ones out of 7 eggs. 17 Saturday In morning went up to the station to meet Uncle W & Aunt Polly. They were going for their holiday to Jersey. I gave bantams to Frank & he is to keep them now. 18 Sunday Went for a walk with the Allens. 19 Monday Sold the 3 young bantams to Charles the gardener for 1/-. Blanche went to Miss Hart’s school as morning governess. 20 Tuesday Sold the 3 old bantams & 7 young ones to Mr Jacob for 5/-. Took down the pigeons’ house & packed up the wire & put it at the top of the garden. 21 Wednesday Laid the foundation stone in the new building. JBM 1887. I cut it out before. I laid the brick & filled it in with white mortar & stood the bricklayers a gallon of beer. Arthur laid one & Frank too. 22 Thursday Went out for a ride on the tricycle to Herriard & got some nuts. Harry Powell let us put our tricycle in his shed until our alterations were finished. 23 Friday Drove Mr Longley to a sale at Hurst – 20 miles. Started at 8.30. He bought several things & I had a good dinner at the house free of charge. Got back at 7 o’clock. Blanche had a telegram from Uncle William to go to Southsea till Tuesday: she went. 24 Saturday I drove Ma & the children out nutting to Herriard, we did not get many nuts. I put a back on a plush frame of Mrs Allen’s & took it down. 25 Sunday Went to Uncle Richard’s to supper; he was bad. 26 Monday Helped make some tomato sauce from our own tomatoes & bottled it. Wrote to Loftus & Co for a list of works on Brewing. Cousin Ada went back home with Nora. 27 Tuesday Blanche came home from Southsea. In aft I went up to a football practice at the School. In the morning I went out to Sherfield & got some blackberries & a fine caterpillar. 28 Wednesday In the aft I went blackberrying out to Bramley & got 2 baskets full on the tricycle. Mr & Mrs Clift came in in the evening. 29 Tuesday I mended Grandma’s travelling box, for which she gave me a shilling. I went out & got some wild berries & ferns for Blanche to decorate the church. Went up to School to a football practice. 30 Friday I made a lot of blackberry jam. In the aft I drove out Blanche & Nellie Loe to get some berries etc for harvest Thanksgiving. Finished reading Voltaire’s “Candide” – did not much care for it, very overdrawn.
1 Monday In the morning I drove Pa & the others to the Duke of Wellington’s monument. In the afternoon we all went to Hackwood to see a cricket match & Fred Bird & Ada & Willie Paice. Came home to tea at 7 o’clock & played tennis after. 2 Tuesday Went up to Station with Uncle to see him off. Picked a lot of apples. Went to the baths. In aft. painted the posts on the lawn for wire netting. Played tennis in evening. Answered some advertisements. 3 Wednesday Went to the Baths. Wrote to Arthur at Bath. There was a fire at Sherborne in the evening, we drove out to see it & took Minnie & Miss Clift home. Saw George Dunn & had a talk. Advertised my pigeons in the Exchange & Mart. 4 Thursday Wrote to The Brewery at Herne Bay to decline it. Had a lot of prospectus (sic) from an adv. for engineering I had answered. Bottled some ginger beer. Drove Ma, Blanche, Aunts Polly & Jane to the Vyne House. There was a missionary meeting first. Mr Lloyd spoke & then Mr Chute showed us over the house. 5 Friday Cleaned up a picture frame for the photograph of school teams. Turned out the paper room. Ball came in to say good-bye to me as he is going tomorrow. Mort Lear told me he had passed his exam & was going away to work with Chadwick on Monday. At Westward Ho! 6 Saturday Turned out the place under the machine room. In aft went up to the station to meet Uncle William who came down for Sunday. Harry Loe brought me 5/- for helping at the Jubilee. We went out for a drive in eve. Arthur came home from Bath, the treadle of tricycle broke when he had got half way so he came by train. Mr Whiteley’s (department store) at Westbourne Grove (London) burnt down. ½ million pounds damage. 7 Sunday Played tennis with Uncle William. 8 Monday Uncle Richard had a letter from a gentleman to say the brewery at Herne Bay was very respectable etc. Went up to the station with Uncle Richard. Bought pair of pliers 2/3 at Wagstaff’s. Put some birdlime on sticks to catch flies. Went up to station see Aunt Polly off. Miss Fencott came in to tennis. 9 Tuesday Played tennis in evening. 10 Wednesday Made some ginger beer from a recipe of Grandpa’s. Minnie & Mrs Clift came to tea. 11 Thursday Bottled the ginger beer, 13 bottles. Drove Pa, Blanche & the children out for a drive to get wild flowers for the Show. Mr Lear was married to Miss Poulter at 8.30 in the morning. 12 Friday Hatched 4 young bantams. Finished reading “Monte Cristo” by Alex. Dumas. It is the best of Dumas that I have read, but very unrealistic at points. 13 Saturday Ma & Frank, Ethel & Mabel went to Bournemouth to stay & Aunt Mary with them. Grandma came to Aunt Jane’s to stay. 14 Sunday Went down to Will Allen’s to tea & sup. 15 Monday Jessie Palmer came to stay with us. Tricycled over to Sherbourne with some cherries from Aunt Mary to Mrs Clift. Drove out in the morning to get some wild flowers for Blanche for the Show. 16 Tuesday Flower Show at Eastlands. We got 1st prize for apples, 1st for pears & 2 nd for peas. Blanche showed some wild flowers, did not get a prize. I tricycle over to Mr Clift’s in the morn. with £5 I cashed for him at the Bank. 17 Wednesday Went down to the Baths & had a swim with the Caldicotts. Mended my sailing boat & took it up to the station for Mr Cannon to take to Bournemouth for Frank. Nellie Loe and Miss Fencott came in to tennis. Nellie stayed to supper. Mr Clift got in all his harvest today. We have not had rain for 9 weeks till today. 18 Thursday Answered some advertisements in the Brewer’s Journal. In eve. Will Allen & I castrated the black kitten which he gave me. Wrote to Ma. 19 Friday Went to the Baths. Painted the posts for wire netting on the lawn. Ordered ½ bushel of food for pigeons off Gammon, Reading. 20 Saturday Painted the posts on lawn. Pigeons’ food came from Reading – 2/6. In eve we played tennis. Miss Fencott came in & Dick Knight came from Isleworth. Grandma came up & Jessie Palmer sang after supper. 21 Sunday Went for a long walk with Dick Knight in morn. Went to Wote St to tea & supper. 22 Monday Painting posts on lawn. In aft. drove Pa, Grandma, Aunt Jane, Blanche & Jessie out for a long drive. In eve. went down to Miss Fencott’s & put up some flycatchers for her father. Miss Fencott taught me to net. I learnt in about ten minutes. 23 Tuesday Wrote to Mr Knight to ask him to go to the Isleworth Brewery & see if there was a vacancy. Made a mesh and began making a tennis net; did 37 stitches for the depth & did 6 rows today. Went down to Allen’s to tennis in evening with Arthur. 24 Wednesday Made two mahogany meshes for my netting an inch wide before breakfast. Painting on the lawn all morning. In aft, Jessie Palmer & I went out for a row in Allen’s boat with Ada & Alice Hine, very jolly. Played tennis in evening. 25 Thursday Had a letter from Mr Knight to say the premium at Isleworth Brewery was 150 guins. per annum. In the morning drove Grandma over to Sherbourne. In aft. Jessie Palmer, Jessie Knight, Blanche & I drove out to Silchester for a picnic, saw all over the old Roman camp, made our tea out there & called for Grandma coming back at 9 o’clock. 26 Friday Went down to see Mr Val. Adams about the Colchester Brewery. Went to the Baths. Made a bracket for trays, stained it & varnished it & put it up in Aunt Jane’s kitchen. Stopped there to supper. Valentine Adams worked at the Victoria Brewery, Basingstoke 27 Saturday Finished painting the posts on lawn. Ma & the children came home from Bournemouth in the evening, they enjoyed it very much. I went up to station to meet them. 28 Sunday Went to church in morning. 29 Monday Arthur & I went up to Uncle William’s by an excursion to Waterloo, 4/- there and back. Had dinner at Uncle’s, went to the American Exhibition in afternoon, back to tea at 6 & had a chat with Uncle about the Breweries. Started at 9 & got back at ½ past 10 o’clock in eve, not at all crowded
1 Saturday A coded sentence, followed by: Came home from Loe’s dance at 1 o’clock this morning. We heard the church bells ring. Went for a jolly skate up the canal with the Loes, met Lynch & had a talk with him, he was staying here for a few days. 2 Sunday. Went for a jolly skate up the canal. 3 Monday Went skating up the canal. 4 Tuesday Had a small dance in the evening, the Allens, Loes & their cousins & Minnie came. We took down the gas in the front room down stairs; left off about ½ past 12. Went off very well. 5 Wednesday Met Leslie Angelsmith down in the town, he had come with his wife & child & company to act at the Drill Hall next week. Had a long talk with him. 6 Thursday Went skating. 7 Friday Went skating in the morning. Went on putting up the wirework in the pigeons’ place which was broken down by the snow on Bank Holiday. There was 17 ins of snow on level ground up our garden. 8 Saturday Finished putting up the pigeons’ house and let them all out. Leslie Angelsmith came in to tea & stayed for an hour or two. 10 Monday Arthur & Papa went to Stanlake Park to take an inventory & stayed there till Friday. Arthur came home for Wednesday night. (A short coded entry follows). 11 Tuesday Charles Paice came down from Hammersmith in the afternoon. Went to the Down Grange in the morning with Will Allen. John P wrote in to say they were going to thresh but they did not. 12 Wednesday Went to the Basin at Hackwood skating in the morning. Took Venus with me. Out to Portsmouth’s in the afternoon, went out shooting. I shot several small birds. Mort Lear fell in the duck pond up to his neck Went to Leslie Norman Angelsmith’s performance ”The New Magdalene” at the Drill Hall. He sent us tickets for this night. 13 Thursday Minnie, Blanche, Charles & I went to the Drill Hall in the evening to “Naval Engagements”, Leslie’s wife acted. It was awfully good. 14 Friday Went to the Broadwater skating in the morning. As I was coming away Leslie Angelsmith came down. I lent him my skates, which he brought back in the afternoon. His daughter’s name is “Ivy”. Went to the canal skating again. Went to “Naval Engagements” again at the Drill Hall. 15 Saturday In the morning went to Portsmouth’s to see a rick threshed, took Venus & killed a heap of rats. I had dinner at Portsmouth’s & went home soon after & took Blanche & Minnie skating up the canal. We had a splendid skate. An awfully cold day. 16 Sunday Went for a fine skate up the canal in the afternoon. 17 Monday Went to Winchfield by train & walked to Dogmersfield Park. Had a splendid skate. The ice was like glass & over a foot thick. Walked on to Odiham, had tea at the “George”, walked to Hook station & back by train. 18 Tuesday It thawed dreadfully & the ice was not fit to skate on; we went to the canal to see & then went over Basing ruins. 19 Wednesday Charles & I drove over to Mr Clift’s at Sherborne for a dress for Minnie & stayed there to dinner & drove Mr Clift in. In the afternoon cleaned out pigeons’ house & found the fantails had laid & killed two young carriers. Took my watch to be cleaned for the 1st time to Mr Porter’s. Sherborne: JBM is inconsistent with his spelling. It is usually appears as Sherbourne 20 Thursday Went to Reading with Charles Paice. Saw the new statue of a lion in the Forbury Gardens, the museum & went over Huntley & Palmer’s biscuit factory; ordered a bushel of pigeons’ food at Gammon’s & paid for it 5/-. We went on up to Hammersmith. The Maiwand Lion war memorial erected in 1886. 21 Friday Went to Olympia, the new Agricultural Hall at S Kensington (the largest hall in England, opened the day after Christmas Day) & saw the “Hippodrome”. It was very good. Edith, Julia & Charles went with me. Edith and Julia: Charles’ sisters 22 Saturday Went to the “Forty Thieves” at Drury Lane in the afternoon, enjoyed it immensely. The 1st time I had been to Drury Lane. 23 Sunday Went to Chiswick Church in the morning. 24 Monday Charles & I walked across Barnes Common & through Richmond Park to Richmond & came back by train. Went to the Zoological Gardens in the afternoon & into Uncle William’s to tea & back by ‘bus. Finished reading the “The King’s Own” by Marryat. Very good tale. 25 Tuesday Went to Whiteleys in the morning & saw Jamie. In the afternoon went to Richmond Park to see “George’s v University College” rugby match for the cup. Univ Coll won by 2 goals to 0. Met Percy Johnson there. 26 Wednesday Bought this book for 10d. Went to the Japanese village in the afternoon & saw the performance there. It was very good. Went from there to Bloomsbury to tea & back from Charing +. Edith Paice’s 25th birthday. This book: Pettitt’s Scribbling Octavo Diary for 1887. Interleaved Blotting 27 Thursday Went for a long walk out by the Willesden canal with Charles. In the evening went to a concert at the Vestry Hall at Turnham Green with Edith, Julia & Charlie & Mr Duggin. 28 Friday Came up to Uncle William’s at Bloomsbury in the afternoon to stay. Went with Uncle & Aunt to “Harbour Lights” at the Adelphi Theatre in the evening. Enjoyed it immensely. 29 Saturday Went to the British Museum & saw the Egyptian Mummies. In the aft. went to Barnes by train with Uncle & walked thro’ Richmond Park to Richmond; went to Mr Esse’s to tea & supper. 30 Sunday Went to Mr Bird’s at Wimbledon to spend the day. 31 Monday Went over the library in the British Museum with Charles Paice. Wonderful. Walked up to the city & went into St Paul’s Cathedral, heard part of the service in the afternoon. In the eve. went to “Faust” & saw Irving act. It was splendid. Was weighed at the Distillery: 10 stone. FEBRUARY
1 Wednesday Analysed some more beer to find original gravity. 2 Thursday Went skating in morning with Blyth, Purkis & Miss Daniell. In the aft walked over to Mr Cuddon’s with Purkis, went over his malting & took a sample of some. 3 Friday Analysed some malt. Went to Heath House to tea & played billiards all the evening. 4 Saturday In aft went in to Colchester. Had a game of billiards & tea at the Conservative Club. Ordered a new coat. 5 Sunday Went to Church in morning. 11 Saturday Went in to Colchester to get some gloves etc. Helped get the room ready for the dance. Had game of billiards, drove back at 10 o’clock. 12 Sunday Went in to Colchester to Mr Daniell’s to dinner with Blyth. In evening took Miss Annie Blyth & Ada Blyth to church & drove back at 10, went to Mr Blyth’s at East Hill to supper. 13 Monday In evening went to a dance at St Martin’s Club given by Mrs Daniell. A very jolly dance, all waltzes except 4. Had some very good partners & drove to Heath House & walked down here in the snow, home at 5 o’clock. 14 Tuesday Got in to the brewery by 9 o’clock & took the brewing this week. Not very tired. 17 Friday Went up to Heath House to tea & billiards. 18 Saturday Purkis away. I went in to Colchester with Blyth. Got a new small overcoat at Allen’s, £2.5. Brown. Had tea at Conservative Club & played billiards at the Fleece. Drove back at 11 o’clock 19 Sunday Blyth came down & spent the day with me. Went to Wivenhoe in evening. 21 Tuesday Mashed this week with Blyth. In aft. walked in to Colchester with Mr Bartlett & bought a banjo at Aggio’s for 15/-. Had tea at Conservative Club & I signed my name for a member, not because I am a Conservative but to play billiards there. Bartlett said it did not matter so long as I did not run them down. 25 Saturday Got some new pants, 2 prs at 8/- each & two vests at Brown’s, these were woollen as it is awfully cold. Drove home with Mr Daniell & had supper at Heath House. Had tea at Welton’s with Blyth. 27 Monday I took the brewing this week. 29 Wednesday Had letter from Caldecott who is going in for Matric, Dublin University little go (sic) & 1 or 2 more exams. A school friend from Basingstoke (see 1887 diary)
2 Friday Had rather a bad cold on my chest for a day or two; but I got a bottle of Elliman’s Embrocation which apparently cured it 5 Monday I mashed this week with Purkis & did some Chemistry. 6 Tuesday Had game of billiards at Heath House. 7 Wednesday Purkis scalded his eyes over the top sparge back, so I mashed quite alone the rest of the week. 8 Thursday In aft. went in to football practice. Had a good game, the last of this season. Called on Sydney Davies about some Banjo lessons. Paid for my new coat at Allen’s £2.5 & 1/- off for discount. 10 Saturday In the morning drove in to Colchester with Mr Robert D. to hear a case against Mrs Doyland. Mrs Doyland of the “Greyhound” was prosecuted by Supt. Akers for selling whiskey with 28 % of water, 25 % being the allowed quantity; but witnesses were called to show that there were notices in the bar that all spirits were sold diluted & the case was dismissed. (3s/3d for witnesses each, £1 guinea [not clear] for solicitor) with costs. In aft had my first banjo lesson at Mr Sydney Davies’s, he charges me 1 1/2 guineas for 13 lessons. Had dinner at the old guvnor’s, back by the (not clear). 11 Sunday Went to Church in morning. Went to Nunn’s to spend the afternoon. 12 Monday I mashed with Blyth this week & did some Chemistry Beer analysis. 13 Tuesday Had Dan Green in to tea, & Nunn, Bartlett & Havens in afterwards. Played cards till 3 o’clock. Did not loose or win. 17 Saturday Went in to Colchester. Did not have a banjo lesson as I forgot my book. 18 Sunday Purkiss & I went up to Heath House & had dinner with Welton & Blyth, came down here in evening. 19 Monday Welton & Blyth came in to tea with us. We had oysters, 2 dozen for 2/-. I went in to Colchester with Welton. Mr Daniell went to our house in Basingstoke & slept the night. 20 Tuesday He came back this morning & enjoyed his visit. I went up to Heath House in evening. 23 Friday Went up to Heath House in evening & had a game of bezique with Mrs Blyth. In aft. went to Brightlingsea with Mr Robert D. – had a game of billiards. 24 Saturday In aft drove in with Mrs Blyth, had my 2nd banjo lesson. Boat race Cambridge won by 7 lengths. 26 Monday Had a letter from Uncle Richard. I mashed this week. Richard Knight was married to Jane, JBM’s mother’s sister. They lived in Basingstoke. 27 Tuesday Had a letter from Blanche. Arthur sent a cheque for 2nd quarter for £15.6. £1 for vests & pants. £1.6 for P.money. £13 for board & lodging. 28 Wednesday Walked in to Colchester to see Welton. Had tea with him & brought back his banjo on approval for a few weeks. Came back by train. 29 Thursday Went in to Colchester in aft with Purkis. Had a game of billiards at the Club. Cashed my cheque. Ordered some grocery & walked back by 6.0. Purkis went home for Easter. Miss Shave bought my 1st banjo for 15/-, the same price I gave for it at Aggio’s. 30 Friday Went up to Heath House to tea & went to the Fête on the Heath. 31 Saturday In aft went in to Colchester & had my 3rd banjo lesson. Had tea at old Mr Daniell’s & went to the theatre after & Blyth & I walked home. Paid my bill at Brown’s for vests etc. A
1 Sunday Went up to Heath House to dinner & then drove over to Barn Hall with Blyth, stopped to tea & supper, got home at 12.30. 2 Monday Had a game of billiards at Heath House in aft & drove in to Colchester to Mr Daniell’s to tea & went to the Theatre with Basil & Blyth. 7 Saturday Went in to Colchester, had my banjo lesson. Went to Allen’s & met Willie. Had tea there. Came back by the 7 o’clock train. Went in to Dr Nowell’s for 2 or 3 hrs. 9 Monday Walked in to Colchester with Blyth. Had a game of billiards. Bought ½ doz ties, 1/2 at Brown’s & a trousers’ stretcher 3/6. Walked back to Heath House & had dinner there & played bezique. 10 Tuesday I brewed this week 5 days. 11 Wednesday Went over the “Phiona”, a splendid yacht. 14 Saturday Had a banjo lesson. Had tea at the Conservative Club & went to the theatre with Blyth & Dr Nowell. “My Sweetheart” was acted very well. Drove home at 11 o’clock. 15 Sunday Spent the day up at Heath House. Purkis went away till Monday. 16 Monday Mashed this week. Marked a lot of casks on the pasture. Had a letter from G. Powell. Gerald Powell: husband to be of JBM’s sister, Blanche. See jamesmoodyandsons.co.uk 17 Tuesday Blyth went to Graham’s to learn chemistry for 2 or 3 months. 21 Saturday I mashed at 6.30. Had a banjo lesson. Ordered pair of flannel trousers at Allen’s. 15/-. 23 Monday Analysed some malt. Brewed 3 days this week. 29 Sunday Went up to Heath House to tea. Took Flo. Spooner out. Oh Bliss! Oh Rapture unforeseen!
1 Tuesday Interest £4.2 on New Zealand Inscribed. Arthur paid me at the end of this month. For details of investments see 25 March 1887. 5 May Had banjo lesson. 12 Saturday Went out with Purkiss in Jones’s boat in aft. 19 Saturday Had banjo lesson. 26 Saturday Went up to Twickenham to stay for the wedding; called at Hammersmith & went for a row down past Richmond in aft with Blanche & Fred. Wedding of cousin Edith Sophia Paice to Dr Arthur Pearce. Fred Paice was one of Edith’s brothers. 27 Sunday Went for walk in the Terrace Gardens, Richmond. 28 May Went up to London to see Blyth at University College. Had dinner with him at the “Horseshoe”. Went to Uncle William’s & met Mr Alfred Pearce there. 29 Tuesday Went to Edith’s wedding at St Peter’s Church, Ham’smith. I was one of the groomsmen. Splendid breakfast. Dance in evening. 30 Wednesday Went to the Academy in the aft. with Arthur. Very good. Went back to Basingstoke in evening with Blanche & Ethel. Ayrshire won the Derby. Ethel, another sister, aged 14: my paternal grandmother. 31 Thursday In aft went to Mrs Clift’s, Sherborne, to tea & tennis.