Ralph’s Diary:  May 1938

Sunday 1 May 1938

Up quarter to ten.  Have seen nothing of Jack Walker in the week about tennis court as don’t bother to go down and see him.  Did a couple of hours study instead.  Harold & Ray clean car. 
After dinner change and mooch about.  Amy to tea. 
Mother, Dad, Olive & Ray go for run in car in afternoon.  Get tea ready. 
After tea have few games of snooker with Harold & Dad and then went down docks and to Cleethorpes in car with Harold, Dad and Amy.  Tide very rough and washing over prom at Cleethorpes. 
Home about 7.30 and then go with Ray to Regal to hear concert with Reginald Dixon.  Very good.  Home 10-20 and heard bit of Spelling Bee on wireless.  B.B.C. v Listeners.  Latter won. 
Bed about 11.0

Monday 2 May 1938

Fairly busy but get above quota of study done at home and at office. 
Home at five at [sic] then studied until about seven and then mooch around and read paper.  Resume studies 7.30 to 9.30 when Ray, Dad and I have a game snooker.  Win all the games. 
Sent some snaps on to Ron which I forgot to send when I wrote yesterday. 
Had some rain in the night but bright, cold and windy. 
Olive keeping much better and walking about as usual now. 

Tuesday 3 May 1938

Quite a nice day but still rather windy.  About 2 hours study in morning and another hour at night. 
Mr. Solomon called in about 6 o’clock to see Olive.  Olive been waiting in all day for doctor who doesn’t turn up, however.  Australians win first match of tour against Worcester. 
About 6.30 ran Mr. & Mrs. Craze for a run with Olive and mother.  Went as far as Tetney.  Rather funny happening at Holton-le-Clay level crossing where woman & boy stand gaping up the lines for trains.  One turns up after 5 minutes wait. 
Mr. Bishop at home playing snooker, with Dad and Ray. 
Bought some fish & chips home for supper from Fox’s. 
Bed 10.30

Wednesday 4 May 1938

Another nice but windy day. 
To Bank etc.. in morning and fairly busy all day.  Manage an hour in afternoon and finish at home at night after tea. 
Well in front with the studies now. 
Run mother to School and to fetch medicine for Olive from doctors.  Have to go twice for this and on way home conk out of petrol in Carr Lane.  Call at Mr. Jackson’s and borrow his bike to come home for petrol can. 
Ray & I slip up to Mr. Craze’s about 9 o’clock.  Home 9-30.  Ray plays snooker then with Dad & Mr. Bishop. 
Finish at 10 o’clock. 
Olive been to see a friend this afternoon whom she met in hospital. 

Thursday 5 May 1938

Did quota of study at Office this morning as not very busy.  Dad gone to Hull to have his eyes tested. 
After dinner Ray goes up in car with Harold to Mr. Craze’s to mend his step.  Harold brings the car back and does not wait.  Olive gone up and staying tea.  Ray home soon after four. 
Cut Hedge in afternoon.  Started about 2 o’clock & finished at four.  Quick work.  Dad swept up.  Harold busy in aviaries. 
Have some games of snooker etc. with Harold after tea.  Ran Dad & Mr. Bishop to Tower [cinema].  Then mooch about, did bit of study. 
Took dog round square. 

Friday 6 May 1938

Not very busy.  Study at home and at night.  Olive out most of day.  At night played snooker with Dad, Harold and Mr. Bishop.  Had some good games.  Harold and I too good for the opposition. 
Left off about 9.30 to have a bath but water not hot enough. 
Mother goes on pier to listen to Don Twidale and his band.  Harold fetches her home in car at 9-30.  Amy in here at night. 
Took dog round the square. 

Saturday 7 May 1938

Cold and showery to-day. 
Town have to beat Chelsea to-day to avoid relegation.  Do this (at home) by two clear goals (Beattie & Glover) and outplayed Chelsea.  Say we should have had about 30 goals in this match.  Result of Town’s win is that West Brom and Manchester C. change places with Aston V and Manchester from division II. 
Do 2½ hours study over the day. 
Not many winners.  Home about seven.  Listen to Music-Hall.  Flotsam and Jetsam very good.  Also Georgie Wood.  Ran up in car to Mr. Allen’s about nine o’clock to see if should go up to-morrow night (yes). 
Came home and had bath.  Heard finish of 6-day cycle-race on wireless at 4 o’clock.  Very good. 
Bed about 11.30

Sunday 8 May 1938

Up 9.30.  Tennis all blued in now, as club has started in the court.  Busied about all morning (washed hair, etc.).  Decided would not do any study to-day.  Harold & Ray busy on car.  Dad has walk down docks and sees 50 odd trawlers come in. 
In afternoon Ray, Dad, Mother & Olive go for run in car.  Harold to Amy’s.  I stay and get tea ready. 
After tea beat dad several times at billiards and snooker.  About 7.15 go to Normans.  Dad and others to Craze’s in car and drop me at Manchester Street end. 
Walk home, arrive soon after ten and to bed half-hour later. 

Monday 9 May 1938

Fairly busy and only do about an hours study & at night finish off other hour and a half. 
Nothing particular to report.  After ten run Dad to hospital match, Town v Hull C.  Town win 7–3.  Go to meet him at 8.10 as arranged but he must have come home at 8.9 and missed.  Sat and waited about 20 minutes in car and took dog and then came home and found dad home before I was.  Played dad a few games of billiards and snooker and won them all. 
Ray takes dog for run to fish shop and then gives him a bath. 
Nothing else to report. 
Received letter from Ron. 

Tuesday 10 May 1938

Fairly busy.  Did 1½ hours in morning and same again at night.  Nice day but still very cold. 
Get paper today for middle room and when Ray comes home at eight o’clock, put a new frieze up. 
After tea did study and then played Harold a game or two of snooker.  Ran up to Norman’s in car to deliver pair of slippers.  Did not stop but just had run up to Cleethorpes in car and then home and helped Ray as above. 
Dad & Mr. Bishop went to Savoy to see “Return of Bulldog Drummond”.  Say not very good. 
Watch stopped on Sunday and won’t go.  Have to have this repaired I expect. 

Wednesday 11 May 1938

Not a particularly exciting day and nothing particular to report. 
Study as usual over day and night. 
When Ray comes home begin papering middle-room and get quite a lot done. 
Have one game of snooker with Mr. Bishop.  Olive been at Mrs. Partons for the day. 
At night Dad goes with Mr. Kiddle and Mr. Elliott to see Mr. Elliott’s father at Louth.  Home about 8.30
Bed 10.30

Thursday 12 May 1938

Very busy somehow this morning.  No time for study.  All want goods with end of football season. 
Home soon after one o’clock and after dinner finish papering room with Ray and then begin taking some floorboards up that Ray was going to replace.  Pa began showing me how to do it so packed up and left him to it.  Changed before tea. 
After tea went to Strand with Norman to see Deanna Durbin in “100 Men and a Girl”.  Very good picture. 
Statute fair opens to-night at the top of street & mother & dad go up at night. 
Try to do some study when I come home from pictures. 
Received letter from Arthur. 

Friday 13 May 1938

Not so busy to-day and did some study which continued at home at night. 
Had a few games of snooker and then went to fair with Harold and Amy about nine o’clock.  Was surprised at the size of it and did not get home until 10.30 although I anticipated having a bath.  Had to go without and Ray had had one. 
Dad busy beating Mr. Bishop at snooker. 
Mother learns to-day that Mr. Fulljames died at 3.30 this morning.  Dad had taken Mrs. Fulljames for run in car last night.  Died in hospital from blood-poisoning. 
Bed 10.45
Mrs. Craze back from Manchester with Aunt (and furniture). 

Saturday 14 May 1938

Fairly busy but do study.  Money for last Saturday of football season comes in very badly. 
Weather very warm but showery towards night.  Finished to-day at half-past-four.  Played Harold a game of snooker after tea and then did some study until 8 o’clock. 
Sent my fourth lot of papers away to-day. 
Nothing else to report.  Went to bed at 10.30 but no rest until after 12 on account of the fair and lots of buses knocking about. 

Sunday 15 May 1938

Busy on billiard-table all morning.  (Up 9.30) Ironed the board, washed the balls, etc. 
Harold, Amy, mother & dad went for run in afternoon whilst I did study. 
Get tea ready. 
Could not make up my mind after tea whether to go for run in car or go up to Norman’s.  Went in car at finish and had good time at Grimsby Park.  Home 8.45
Ran up to Norman’s in car but no reply. 
Olive at Mrs. Partons to tea. 
Bed about 10.30.  Wrote to Ron in afternoon. 

Monday 16 May 1938

Busy in morning but manage study which continue at home after tea. 
Mother & Olive go up to the fair and Dad walks down later on.  Hear Gracie Fields in Monday Night at Seven – quite good. 
About 8.20 went for run in car to Cleethorpes leaving Ray at home playing snooker with Mr. Bishop.  Took the dog with me and walked him from pier to bathing Pool and back.  Very nice night.  Home about nine and had a few games of snooker with Dad, Ray and Mr. Bishop (now plain ‘George’ at the moment). 
Bed about 11. 

Tuesday 17 May 1938

Another nice day.  Plenty of study to-day.  More at home at night.  After dad came home ran him and Mr. Bishop to the Ritz and then on to Wakelin’s for a haircut.  Home about 7.30 and ran mother to Mrs. Listers.  Bit more study and then wrote to Arthur. 
Six killed and 50 injured to-day in accident on the London Underground. 
Ran up to Cleethorpes in car but beginning to rain.  Went up about 9.30 to meet dad out of pictures but do not see him and he does not get home till 10.20.  Seen two good pictures and stay to see some twice. 
Cut more cuttings from papers for my scrapbook which has been rather neglected of late. 
Bed 11.15

Wednesday 18 May 1938

Nothing particular to report.  Did some study at Office and more at home at night. 
Very wet and cold but Olive, Dad, Harry Fairbanks and Gertie went to York in car, to races, of course.  Dad wins a shilling. 
Tried my pantograph out at night, a gadget recently purchased for enlarging pictures, photographs, etc.. 
Dad home about 9 o’clock. 
Stuck the cuttings in my scrapbook which I cut out last night. 

Thursday 19 May 1938

Finished work about ten and then came home to go to York in car with Harold and Geo. Cordingley.  Set off about 10.30 but had some trouble on the way with a slipping clutch.  Harold tried to adjust it several times but an R.A.C. chap finally fixed us up.  Arrived at York at 1.30 & left car at Gertie’s and just in time for first race.  Had a good day and won just enough to cover all expenses.  Had tea at Gertie’s and home about 8.30.  Very cold, dull and showery and had a nice warm and rest when got home. 
Had read and bed about 10 o’clock.  Very tired. 

Friday 20 May 1938

Nice day but rather windy.  Plenty of study and quite made up for yesterday’s which, of course, did not get done.  When Dad & Harold come home had game of snooker with Ray, Dad, & Mr. Bishop.  Harold came in after first game and I played a few duets with Olive (tried to, that is). 
Was going to have a bath but water not hot enough. 
Amy in at night. 
Bed 10.30

Saturday 21 May 1938

Did some study in morning and Mr. C. said there was no need to go back in afternoon.  Home 1 o’clock, enjoyed ham eggs and chips for dinner.  Had dad a couple of games of billiards and then painted the ceiling in the place opposite the door.  Rotten job.  Also had bath before tea. 
Mrs. Fulljames came to tea, after which I had couple of games snooker with Harold.  Studied after that until 8 o’clock and then finished and just talked rest of night until I had a bath. 

Sunday 22 May 1938

Up 9.30.  Dad, Harold & Mr. Solomon go to Mr. Hackford’s at New Holland about suit.  Home bit before one. 
Studied most of morning.  Ray messed about in aviaries.  Both changed before dinner. 
After dinner Mother, Dad, Olive & Ray went for run in car to see “Minnie” at Caibourne who Olive met in hospital.  Did not get home until 5.30.  I messed about on piano, took dog to Old Clee via Fish House Lane & then got tea ready.  Heard “Ghost Spelling Bee” on wireless, not much. 
Went to Norman’s at night.  Mother (Mrs. A.) not very well.  Home 10.30.  Ray been on own to hear Henry Croudson at the Queens. 

Monday 23 May 1938

Study over day as usual.  Tried “Ghost Spelling” between ourselves at dinner-time but not very successful.  Argue too much. 
At night Dad begins doing back kitchen ceiling with Compo which Ray & I finish when he goes in Bishop’s.  Daff Bishop home until Sunday.  At 9 o’clock took dog on sands in the car.  Quite a nice evening.  Dog enjoyed a good scamper.  After supper had a few “general knowledge” questions from the Sunday papers. 
Bed at 11 o’clock. 

Tuesday 24 May 1938

Nothing particular happens to-day.  Studied in morning and at home at night until 8 o’clock with a game or two of snooker with Harold in between.  Dad & Mr. Bishop to Regal to see “Life of Emille Zola” very good picture.  Olive been to Savoy in afternoon also seen good picture. 
Listened to Carroll Levis Discoveries but not very good.  Then had a bath.  Mother to Mrs Listers & Mrs Fulljames. 
Very wet today.  Ray takes dog round square at 10.15
Listened to some of Royal Command Concert on wireless. 

Wednesday 25 May 1938

Did about an hour’s study at office and finished at home at night.  Typing labels most of day.  About 8 o’clock ran Mr. Solomon up to Haycroft St and Cromwell Road.  Home just before nine.  Had game of snooker with Dad, Ray and Mr. Bishop. 
Mother been to Broughton lily woods but did not find even one lily.  Home 9.30
Dad to Scunthorpe in morning with Harold Kiddle & Mr. Solomon.  Home before dinner. 
Hear to-day that Olive & Ray to be married in September. 
Received letter from Ron. 

Thursday 26 May 1938

Did bit of study in morning (1½ hours) and no more. 
After dinner Harold & I had a game of tennis at Barretts (2.30).  Was not much of a game.  A Draw.  My sets 6–0, 2–6
Home before 4.  Mother to Gilliatts to Alice Snelson.  I get tea ready. 
Ray took Olive out to Caibourne this morning in car to “Minnies” where Olive stops for day.  Dad, Mother and I go and fetch her home soon after tea.  Home 8 o’clock.  Fetch Pa Bishop for game of snooker and Daff comes as well.  Have a few games before supper. 
Dad took dog on fields and dog rolled in some dirt and had to be bathed. 
Received letter from Arthur. 

Friday 27 May 1938

Study over day as usual and more at home at night.  When Dad and Harold came home had game of snooker with them and Mr. Bishop. 
Olive goes to doctor’s to-night and gets taken off the club after ten weeks on it. 
Nothing else to report of any importance. 
Amy in at night.  Olive & Mother go to Craze’s from the doctor’s and Ray fetches them home in car. 
So to bed. 

Saturday 28 May 1938

Very wet day to-day.  Not very busy.  Home about 1 o’clock and in afternoon did study until about four o’clock.  Then had a bath and got down just in time to hear Clinton-Baddeley do his readings.  Very good. 
After ten had a game of snooker with Harold and then walked back to Christys and took dog with us.  Went back to fetch catalogue for billiard cloth as having table recovered. 
At night listened to wireless and fetched Mother home in car from Mrs Allen’s.  Mr. Bishop comes in. 

Sunday 29 May 1938

Up at 10 o’clock.  Others not up until an hour later except, of course, mother and dad.  Dad up first by the way.  Ray cleaned car, Harold the aviaries and I studied and then wrote re billiard cloth and blazer. 
Harold & Amy with Mother & Dad go for run in car.  I change, play piano a bit, and then cut bread (3.30) and get tea on.  May Armstrong comes to tea with two girls.  George Lilly also turns up tea-time from Scunthorpe.  Have few games of snooker with Harold, Dad, & Geo. and Harold then runs me up in car to Norman’s shop.  Walk home with him and have to borrow his mac to come home in over my overcoat as it tipples down with rain from 10 o’clock on. 
Bed about 11. 

Monday 30 May 1938

Another wettish day.  Fairly busy but get plenty of study done. 
Mr. Bishop and Dad go to Strand and come home disgusted. 
Harold to Amy’s. 
That’s all. 
Wrote to Harold (at Bolton)
Wrote to Ron as well. 

Tuesday 31 May 1938

Still more rain.  Put 6D each way on Portmarnock for Derby to-morrow.  Busy all day typing list out of goods in the Xmas Catalogue. 
Home soon after five.  Studied until seven.  Rather cold and Olive lit fire in room for us to have a game of snooker.  Ray and Mr. Bishop have a few games and Dad and I join in at 9 o’clock after I had been in Bishop’s about half-hour and then came home and wrote to Arthur. 
Ray pokes Mr. Bishop on his throat with his billiard cue and Mr. Bishop turns very bad but sticks the game out. 
Very gusty at night.  Bed 11 o’clock.