R. E. Jones Wartime diary: View pages

Dull & a little warmer.

Cookhouse.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

((G.))

Police beat Hosp. in softball 12-8.

Walk with Steve.

((G.))

8 yrs. £290.

((The '1940 list of Prison officers' gives Jones' start date as a Prison Officer as "Mar 2, '35", so that explains his note "8 yrs". Not sure what the "£290" refers to though, probably his cash balance?
Stuart Braga: After 8 years his salary would probably have been £290 per annum. The incremental steps are in the Blue Book. ))

Windy & wet am.

((G.))

27 planes flew E–W 3.30 pm.

Walk with Steve pm.

Good news around.

((G.))

Dreamt of being hanged by Plumb & Steve, watching machine gun fire & being at school & of Rosen & me having a turn to do at Hall’s wedding with guitar & mandoline.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Eve called.

((Comments on Jones' vivid dream:

• I've seen it noted that Jones was a hangman at the prison.
• Jones had prison-officer colleagues named Plumb, Stevens and Rosen, so I've assumed they're the people mentioned here.
• Hall was about to be married - see tomorrow's entry in Jones' diary. But there's no mention if Jones did play any music at or after the wedding ceremony.))

Cookhouse.

Muggy.

Hall & Bliss married.

Much conjecture re Canadians going.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Dull.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm. He & Mary at loggerheads again.

((G.))

Play “White Cliffs of Dover” at St Stephens

Lousy day. Blast most women anyway.

((G.))

Colder today.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Received letter & snap of Rae from Marj bless her posted Red + last July. All was well with them then.

Good news re sinking of Jap convoy off Bismark Arch. ((see: Battle of the Bismarck Sea, 2–4 March 1943)) & of 8th Army in Tunisia confirmed. Russian news OK too.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Eve called.

New moon.

Wet & cold.

Cookhouse all day.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

Zindel came.

Much good news about. US to bomb Japan & Burma campaign developing in our favour.

Better day.

Zindel’s visit revealed little of use to us.

No more allowances yet.

Plenty of rumours re repatriation.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Canteen, buyer.

Many conflicting yarns re repatriation.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Lovely day.

Staff meeting in B.C.Chambers. ((Barbara Anslow: I think 'B.C. Chambers' is 'British Council Chambers', which I imagine would be Mr Gimson's office in Block 2, Married Quarters))

Steve acquired ‘Cello.

((G.))

Cookhouse.

All fish again.

Lovely day.

((G.))

Fine day mostly. A few spots of rain fall. Didn’t go out all day.

Majima came to camp.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

With Steve nearly all day making music stand. Walk with him pm.

((G.))

Fine day somewhat humid.

B.C.C. meeting. Repatriation discussed but no particulars have come out yet.

((G.))

St Pat’s Day.

Concert pm but not very good.

Fine.

((G.))

A few tunes with Norwegian accordion player.

Misty & damp.

Cookhouse all day.

1st night of “Esther” performed.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Misty & damp. Plenty mosquitoes around.

Repatriation negotiations OK?

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Damp & muggy.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

repay Y10.

((G.))

Damp & misty.

Walk with Steve pm.