Ralph’s Diary:  June 1938

Wednesday 1 June 1938

My Derby bet goes down.  Bouis Roussell wins and I am out altogether although I am in Harold’s sweep and Geo. Cordingley’s as well. 
Busy running around printers and shops for roll of labels in morning.  Telling them all at home that I have fell for the young lady in the National Cash Register shop.  Anyhow, she was nice. 
Mrs. Fulljames comes to tea with mother and goes back to school with her.  Dad goes in Mr. Bishop’s and learn that he has been at home all day with a badly swollen throat.  Ray goes in after supper.  Olive to choir practise. 
Still more rain and very heavy at night.  Shall soon be fed up of this wet weather. 
Bed 10.45

Thursday 2 June 1938

Have decided that further entries may as well be in pencil.  Did study in morning and also in afternoon which, by the way, was rather windy and wet.  Ray sat about whilst Dad messed about.  Mother and Olive went to “Westlands” to tea, Olive getting our tea ready before she went. 
Had some games of snooker and billiards with dad at night.  Did a bit of study but Olive and mother came home before I had done very much.  Brought some big jig-saw puzzles home with them. 
Went in to see Mr. Bishop at night who has a bad back and a bad face caused through Ray hitting under the chin with a billiard cue on Tuesday night.  Off work and not much better. 

Friday 3 June 1938

Not a bad day but still cold.  Ron coming from Leeds to-morrow morning.  Did study at office and more at home at night.  Busy typing labels in afternoon. 
At night ran to Norman’s in car with Harold (borrowed car; ours in being re-bored, took it in on Tuesday) to take a Mac back which I sent to be cleaned with my flannels. 
Olive & Ray walk to Strand. 
About 8 o’clock, Harold and I go looking for the “Biggest Ever” Procession.  Called at Moss’s to see car then walked up Freeman St and down Albion St & Oxford St where saw procession.  Home 9-45
Had a bath. 

Saturday 4 June 1938

Resting studies. 
Left Office at 11 o’clock and met Ron on the 11.20 train at Town.  Found him very fit and well.  Went up to Barretts and booked a court for the afternoon. 
Played couple of hours singles in afternoon and came off very tired at 2 sets each. 
Mr B. had game of snooker with Ron whilst I slipped back to Christys to do result sheets.  Ron and I then went to Palace and saw the Ritz Bros. in a picture which was far from good.  Get fed up of the Ritz Bros after about ten minutes. 
Ron & I sleeping together in front bedroom. 
Got car back to-day. 

Sunday 5 June 1938

Up about ten o’clock and at 10.45 Ron, Harold and I walk round to Denis’s who is home for the week.  Walk with Dennis round boating lake and had coffee at Bird’s Nest.  Home by bus at 1 o’clock. 
After dinner Mother, Dad, Olive & Ray go to Sutton in the car.  Ron and I walk to Old Clee, via “Fishhouse Lane” and then come home, get tea ready and have game of snooker until family arrive home. 
Dennis comes round after and Ron, Dennis, Mr. Watson and I go to Louth in car.  Looking for Manby but could not find it.  Left car on front at Cleethorpes and had walk along front.  Home before tea. 
Geo. Lilly been in and just see him before he goes. 

Monday 6 June 1938

Windy rather, but important tennis match at Baretts matures.  Harold & Dennis v Ron and self.  Losers pay and won by odd set in five after losing 2–1.  Very good game.  Challenge Ron & I to snooker etc. and win again 2–1 after being one down and same thing at darts at night.  Dennis stays tea after which Ron, Dennis & I walk to Cleethorpes.  Mother, Dad, Amy & Harold out in car.  Nothing much at Cleethorpes so went to Royal to see Jasper Maskelyne.  Not bad but rest of show very poor and smutty.  Olive & Ray thought it a good show.  So did Mr. & Mrs. Walker who were also there.  Walked home with Ron from Old Clee over the fields.  Home 11.20.  Harold in bed. 
Bed about 12 o’clock. 

Tuesday 7 June 1938

Saw Ron off with Harold at Docks station.  Went up in car.  Harold ran me to Christys and I walked back home and there and back again after dinner.  Think I shall keep it up.  Slipped up on bike to Wakelins for haircut after tea.  Did study at office and home. 
Dad & Mr. Bishop to Regal.  Picture was good.  Mother to Mrs. Lister’s.  Olive & Ray at home. 
Played piano, studied, pressed grey suit, entered diary etc. at night.  Nothing else to report. 

Wednesday 8 June 1938

Did study as usual during day.  Nothing particular to report.  Busy typing labels all afternoon. 
Dennis slipped to Office in afternoon and arranged game of tennis for night. 
Had two hours on Barretts from 7 to 9 and enjoyed very much.  We won 3 sets although Dennis held the 3–2 advantage and therefore won the match. 
Went to Blackburn’s as I came home to see if Eddie was home to make a 4th to-morrow afternoon but he was’nt.  Pedal dropped off of byke and fixed this when I got home.  Then took dog round square and then had a bath (tepid). 

Thursday 9 June 1938

Did quota of study in morning so did not have to bother in afternoon when Harold & I went to Barretts with Dennis for tennis.  Been unable to get a fourth so we mix up at singles and have some good games. 
After tea went round to see Dennis and walked up the Prom. to Bathing Pool.  Tossed a coin to see whether we should go up to boating lake or turn back to pictures.  Came down wrong and trapsed round the boating lake back up the Prom to nearly far end and back again to Ash’s where Dennis showed me how to play snooker. 
Trolley bus to Park St.  Home eleven o’clock.  Very tired. 
Received letters from Arthur and Harold. 
Ray & Dad completed covering billiard table in afternoon. 

Friday 10 June 1938

Received letter from Ron who arrived home safely and apparently had a good time at Grimsby. 
Did plenty of study and typed more labels. 
England make good start at Nottingham in the Test Match. 
Studied bit at night and had game of snooker with Dad, Harold and Mr. B.  Dennis came round about 8 o’clock and joined in.  Been to see his mother who is no better.  Playing snooker I could do nothing right at all. 
Amy had a bath. 
Bed about 11 o’clock.  Olive & Ray been to Savoy. 
Bed 11 o’clock. 

Saturday 11 June 1938

Did study in morning and after tea.  England break many records in Test Match and dec. at 658 for 8. 
Home about one.  Listened to test match reports in afternoon and Australia close at 138 for 3. 
Had a bath in afternoon as well. 
After tea did bit of study then walked to “Perrits” [music shop] in Freeman St and bought two 6D bits of music.  Walked up to Riby Square and walked home down Victor St.. 
Tried music out when I came home: Not much. 
Had a game or two on the billiard table at night. 

Sunday 12 June 1938

Up about ten.  Did not feel like swotting so helped Ray clean the car.  Ray busy mending fault in ball race of back wheel with the assistance of Mr. Bishop.  Dad gets a new washer from Moss. 
Did half-an-hours study after dinner then time to get tea ready.  Just completed as Mother, Dad, Harold & Amy get home from run in car. 
Go for run in car after tea with Harold, Amy and Mother, round Louth and about.  Games of snooker before and after.  Dad down docks with Mr. Bishop but home 7.30
Sat in car on prom. for about quarter-hour eating ice cream watching folk go by. 
Bed 10.30

Monday 13 June 1938

Study over day as usual. 
After tea ran mother & dad to the Tivoli to see the Repertory Co.  Not up to much (the play) but company not so bad. 
Olive washed her hair. 
Mr. Bishop came in soon after Dad had gone and played a few games of snooker with Harold. 
Had talk with Ray & Mr. Bishop & then go for a few games of snooker. 
Bed about 10.30

Tuesday 14 June 1938

Mother off to-day on bus excursion to Ilkley Moor with Adult School.  Set off at 7 o’clock. 
Nothing particular to report.  Dad & Mr. Bishop went to Ritz.  Picture not much and come home early. 
Had few games of snooker with Harold and then changed and went on pier.  Had a couple of dances and came home at 9-30 (arrived 10 o’clock) to get supper ready etc.. 
Mother home 11.20.  Dad & Mr. Bishop came from pictures early and played snooker at home. 
Bed about eleven. 
Wrote to Arthur. 

Wednesday 15 June 1938

Usual sort of day. 
Mother to Adult School. 
Olive to choir-practise but found there was’nt one when she got there.  Home soon after. 
Wrote to Ron. 
Dad and Ray played snooker at night. 
Nothing else to report. 

Thursday 16 June 1938

Studied in morning and before tea.  In afternoon did a few odd jobs and trimmed hedge up a bit. 
Harold & Ray sorted birds up.  Mother to Gilliatt’s with Alice. 
After tea had run in car with mother & dad.  Got a bit lost but landed home soon after nine.  Had a few games of snooker etc. with Dad. 
Olive & Ray home about 9-30.  Been looking at some houses.  Ray then has game of snooker with dad. 
Bed 11—

Friday 17 June 1938

Continuing nice weather we have been having lately, still very fine to-day. 
Nothing exciting happens.  Studied as usual.  Had a game or two of snooker at night and then messed about playing “cricket” in yard with Harold. 
Dad took dog for a walk and he forsook dad in favour of another dog.  Went out on my bike looking for him round Pasture St., Convamore Road etc. and eventually located him in the fields.  Came home without him as had a job to catch him.  When I hooked my handkerchief through his collar he slipped out of it very neatly leaving me with the collar hanging on the handkerchief.  Harold & I walked up street and met him coming home.  Very dirty and smelly.  Harold had to bath him.  I bathed myself.  Olive & Ray to pictures. 

Saturday 18 June 1938

Did some study in morning and finished after dinner.  Got a new pair of swimming trunks and tried them on.  Quite nice. 
Listened, as usual, to Mr. Clinton-Baddeley’s readings from Barchester Towers.  Always very good. 
After tea changed into Flannels and walked up Freeman St. to Riby Square looking at shops.  Back up to Pasture St. where had to shelter from heavy rain.  Bus got held up at Railway crossing so jumped on this and landed home soon after 7.30.  Rain soon over & dry. 
Had few games with Harold. 
Sneaked to bed about 10-30

Sunday 19 June 1938

Up before ten.  Dad gone fishing for the day with Mr. Bishop (in Mr. Bishop’s car) to South Somercotes.  Ray and I clean car in morning and Harold goes to see Harry Pearson’s pigs.  Evidently got about 50.  Uncle Bob came round to see dad soon after he had gone. 
About 2-15 set off in car with Ray, Olive & Mother to Skegness.  Land at Butlins Camp and have a look round.  Hear Leslie Woodgate conducting choirs (at the camp) Some musical rally.  Nice place but too big.  Prefer W.T.A. [Workers’ Travel Association]
Home about 8.30.  Dad gone to Cleethorpes.  Ran up in car but didn’t find him.  Had bit of tea in Skeg. but ready for supper which have about 9 o’clock. 
Played dad several games of crib and won them all before go to bed at 11 o’clock. 
Took dog round square.  Big fire on Blackpool pier. 

Monday 20 June 1938

Quite a nice day.  Study over day.  Fairly busy in morning. 
Dad ran Mother & Olive up to Musical Festival at Church Hall (St. Peters).  Dad then took dog for run, collected chickweed, etc. 
Mr. Bishop in for some time but went home at 9 o’clock. 
Dad & Ray had game or two of snooker then I played dad few games of crib and he was able to avenge his defeats of last night. 
Did not go to bed until after eleven.  Harold home as I went to bed. 

Tuesday 21 June 1938

Busy writing posters in morning.  Study in afternoon and after tea.  Dad and Mr. Bishop to Strand to see “Count of Monte Cristo”, very good. 
Mother to Mrs Listers and Olive to Ray’s mother’s. 
Waited until Dad came home in car (9 o’clock) and then went on the pier.  Had a good time.  Home about 11. 
Bed soon after. 

Wednesday 22 June 1938

Study over day as usual.  Started another poster.  Like writing posters in spare time. 
Mr. Bishop came in at dinner-time and arranged to go fishing. 
Raining hard at five o’clock but we set off about six when the rain has eased off.  Ran mother to Mrs. Fulljames first and went together to musical festival at Mill Road. 
Got fishing about seven o’clock.  Home 10.20.  Fishing was particularly enjoyed because I caught a couple of big fish (10″ long each and weight 9/10 oz).  Brought them home to show Harold and for Mr. Solomon to eat. 
Bed 11-15

Thursday 23 June 1938

Dull to-day with showers.  Sent another completed set of studies away and did not bother to do any more. 
Cut stencil for Ray at home in afternoon after I had run mother to Musical Festival on the Pier.  Received letter from Arthur who is arriving 6-10 on Saturday. 
Harold got new silencer for car from second-hand place in Columbia Road which Harold and Ray fitted.  Dad busy painting garage. 
Played a game of two of snooker at night.  Was going to the Strand and went to get my suit out of the wardrobe but changed my mind instead. 

Friday 24 June 1938

Second Test Match starts to-day.  England bat first but make a poor start but recover very well over the day.  Nothing particular to report.  Wrote to Harold & Arthur at dinner time.  Mr. Rea came in and sold us some raffle Tickets for the Toch H. 
Mother goes to Musical Festival on the pier.  Does not come home to tea but arrives at 10.30.  Did study after tea then had game of snooker, rolled garden, etc..  Had couple of games of doubles at snooker with Dad, Harold and Mr. Bishop.  Amy gets supper ready. 
Olive & Ray to pictures in the car. 
Had a bath. 

Saturday 25 June 1938

Fairly busy in morning but did some study. 
In afternoon listened to Test match which was broadcast all afternoon and also did some study.  Also listened to Mr. Clinton-Baddeley. 
After tea, changed at [sic] went in car with Harold to meet Harold & Arthur who arrived at 6-10 prompt.  Both look very well and just the same. 
After tea walk with Harold & Arthur up Fish-House Lane, via Old Clee to Cleethorpes where Harold meets us in the car at 8.30 at fountain.  Had a lot of fun watching a cricket match on the sands and also two dirty little lads who were playing ‘cricket’ with a spade and ball. 
Fish & chips for supper.  All busy talking at night. 
Bed about 11.30

Sunday 26 June 1938

Up about 9.30.  Went for long walk in morning with Harold, Arthur and Harold.  Up Fish House Lane, Peaks Fields, out at top of Hainton Ave., and back by Peoples Park. 
After dinner had game of “bowls” in garden with tennis balls & old golf ball.  Alice came to tea.  At about 3.30 went as far as Bathing Pool in car with Amy and boys and walked on to sands and had game with ball.  All got our shoes very muddy with going across the golden sands.  After tea finished our bowling match and whilst playing a taxi and car had a collision on the corner.  No one hurt.  Dad went to Mens Association Rally in afternoon. 
At night Harold, Amy, Mother & Alice went for run in car.  About 8 o’clock had game of solo with Dad, Harold and Arthur.  Enjoyed this very much.  Arthur gave us tune on piano whilst they were getting supper ready.  Altogether a very good day. 
Bed about 12. 

Monday 27 June 1938

Fairly busy to-day.  Did about an hours study.  Went to book a court at dinner time for to-night although weather very dull and windy. 
However, wind drops a bit and we have a very good game (Harold, Harold, Arthur and self) and only interrupted by one shower. 
Home 9 o’clock.  Harold goes to Amys.  Run mother & Olive to Cleethorpes & back while dad, Ray & others played snooker.  Arthur and I had tune in middle room for about half-hour whilst getting supper ready. 
Harold home 11.30 and begin game of solo with self, Harold, Dad and Arthur.  Finished at quarter to one after very good game. 

Tuesday 28 June 1938

Still showery and windy.  Harold & Arthur go up to Cleethorpes in morning.  Did bit of study in morning.  Harold fetched me home in car at 3.45 and went together to see Harold and Arthur off on the 4.15.  Hope they enjoyed their stay as much as we did. 
Did study after tea and then went to see Tom Walls and my own Jane Baxter in Second Best Bed at the Palace.  Very good and Jane as nice as ever. 
Ran to Cleethorpes in car with mother but raining. 
Bed about 10.30
Received letter from Ron. 

Wednesday 29 June 1938

Did some study over day and more at home at night until 6.30 then went to Wakelins on Bike for haircut.  Still windy.  Did bit more study when I came home and then fixed bike up with new chain wheel and crank.  Managed this quite well.  Finished 10 o’clock.  Ray & Mr. Bishop & Dad had some games of snooker. 
Harold to Amy’s in car.  Mother to School. 
Bed 10.45

Thursday 30 June 1938

Did couple of hours study in morning.  Not a bad sort of day.  Home soon after one.  Had dinner mooched around and looked at paper.  Tried to get sunburnt sitting in the window in the kitchen after putting some sun-tan oil on my face but it did not work. 
Harold did work in shed and had few games of snooker before tea with him.  Ray went to Smith’s in car and Dad then ran mother in car to Gilliatts to see Alice. 
Did hours study after tea and then had run down to Cleethorpes in car with Dad.  Saw Mr. [and] Mrs. Craze on the front and took them for a run.  Home about 8.30
Wrote to Dennis while Dad had games of snooker with Mr. Bishop.  Olive & Ray went to Johnny’s to supper.