These are the April entries for Sheilah Doherty’s diary, from 1918. You can learn more about how I came to have this diary here.
| 1st April, 1918 |
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| There are four cases of scarlet fever at the school, so I did not go the concert at the prep. I saw Mr Evans today. The pony is coming tomorrow. I’m going away to train for farm work. Mr McCombie will not have me till I’m trained. I’m going into Chelmsford to see the Organizing Secretary. |
| 2nd April, 1918 |
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| This morning I went up to Gibbons & fetched the pony. He is quite at home already. Gyp Young was married to day. We rang the bells at 3, 4 & 7. She was the last to have the reception instead of the first. She was all in white. I saw Mr Evans twice to day. I (sic) great many of the prep boys have gone home. |
| 3rd April, 1918 |
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| Kathleen has gone. I took her bag down to the station. Just as I began going up the steps Mr Evans & a lady came down. I drove Tag down this afternoon I tried riding him. He was as good as gold! A boy named Hopewell died at the school this morning. The sports are tomorrow. This evening I went to an entertainment with Aleen |
| Note: Philip Grove Hopewell is listed in various places on the Felsted School’s archive pages with a number of ages, but the newsletter lists his obituary thus: Philip Grove Hopewell. Last term ended under a grievous cloud. We have to record with great regret the death of P.H (sic). Hopewell in the early morning of Wednesday, April 3rd. He felt unwell on the preceding Saturday, and on the Sunday went to the Infirmary. Next day his illness was pronounced to be meningitis, and in spite of the services of a specialist from London he passed away two days later. He had just turned 16 and entered Mr Armitstead’s house in January, 1916. See also his plaque here. |
| 4th April, 1918 |
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| This afternoon I went to the sports, Mr Evans stood near me. Aleen came to tea. After tea I rode Tag up & down the roads. I overtook Mr Evans & Mr Bayliss. Mr Cooper wanted to make him run. He nearly kicked me off once. Mummy has been in bed with neuralgia to day. There is a whist drive to night. |
| Note: A whist drive is a social gathering where the game of whist is played. |
| 5th April, 1918 |
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| I rode Tag after dinner & tried to make him go up the Chelmsford Rd, one of the boys took him up for me, it was the boy who got a chill (?) at the end of last term. Then I went to the sports. After tea I rode Tag again. The boys go home tomorrow. Mr Evans & the prep boys went to day. Mummy fell down the cellar steps today |
| 6th April, 1918 |
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| The boys have gone home to day. It has been pouring with rain. I had the application form to day for the farm work. I don’t want to do it now. Nell has been stealing eggs again so she will have to be destroyed. Went out on Tag this evening. He was very obstinate but went better on the whole. Pat went 3 weeks ago to day |
| 7th April, 1918 |
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| I went to Sunday school & Church this morning & for a short walk this afternoon. Poor Nell has got to be destroyed as she has been stealing eggs again at Glanfields. I’m not going to do farming. I’m going to work up at the school. I love my curly boy after all I didn’t realise it till to day |
| 8th April, 1918 |
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| Worked this morning. This afternoon Mummy went parishing in the pony trap. After tea I went up to Aline on Tag. He has got to have his feed reshod as he stumbles so. Frank ???’s is dying & Sergeant Swells regiment 2nd Wiltshires has been cut up. I’m going to be fitted for my dresses tomorrow |
| 9th April, 1918 |
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| Worked this morning. Mummy went out with Tag. Aline came to tea. After tea I went up to her place on Tag. We managed to get a little jam & marmalade from Harrods this week. Goodness knows when we shall get any more. Tag has got to be reshod on Thursday morning. I wish it was term time. |
| 10th April, 1918 |
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| I washed my hair this morning. Cloughies the postman is a prisoner of war. This afternoon I went out on Tag then Aline came & I went home with her. Cyril sold a fat hen in the market for 26/. After tea I took Aline & drove up to Burroughs for the butter. Then I took Tommy half way home with me. Nasty (?) day. |
| 11th April, 1918 |
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| I took Tag up to be reshod before breakfast this morning. When I fetched him, he simply raced all the way home. Mrs Thacker came back to day. I took my second doe up to the Burns this afternoon. After tea I rode Tag. Mummy drove into Dunmow this morning. Terence did not come home. |
| Note: I suspect that Sheilah is hoping to get the female rabbit pregnant. See next entry. |
| 12th April, 1918 |
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| Turned out my room for spring cleaning this morning. This afternoon I started making another rabbit hutch. Aline came down. After tea I rode up to Aline’s on Tag. After I put him in the cart I went to Burroughs for the butter then called for my rabbit at the Burnes on the way back. Tommy & Aline came back with me. |
| 13th April, 1918 |
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| I was busy this morning. Nearly finished my rabbit hutch. There was a Zepp raid last night. I heard the bombs after I was in bed. This afternoon Aline & I went to Dunmow in the pony trap. Tommy came too. He cycled I went home with Aline after tea. I am learning to speak German. |
| 14th April, 1918 |
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| It is bitterly cold to day. I went to Sunday School & Church this morning. This afternoon I muddled about in the stable yard. My wretched P is due tomorrow. Unfortunately Miss Yates also comes back tomorrow, so my fate will be decided. Someone who I don’t know, sent me a picture postcard this morning with the stamp put on like a kiss. |
| 15th April, 1918 |
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| P not come. Pouring wet day. I finished putting my bedroom in order this morning. I hope my book will come tomorrow. Mummy has put new curtains in my room. Mrs Smallpeice insulted me this morning, hateful woman. We have the intercession service at 7 on the evening now. |
| 16th April, 1918 |
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| P not come. Snowed last night. Been pouring with rain all day. I washed the pictures (?) & ornaments this morning. Read by the fire this afternoon. After tea took Tag out. He was very naughty. Nearly threw me off. My book I sent for hasn’t come yet. I went up to the Burnes after tea on Tag to see Aline. |
| 17th April, 1918 |
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| P not come. Been pouring again to day. The floods die all out. The sweep can’t get through the water. I got the dinner this morning & this afternoon I rode up to Burnes on Tag & again after tea I went out on him. He goes quite well now. Mrs Thacker came to tea and stayed to supper too. She brought us a pot of apple jelly |
| 18th April, 1918 |
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| P not come. Been snowing again to day. This morning I helped Mr Steward dust the books in the study. After dinner I went out on Tag. Then I cleaned my rabbits out & after tea I went out on Tag again. Mr & Mrs Holmes came in to see us. The sky is clear & there is a moon to night. We shall have to look out for raids. |
| 19th April, 1918 |
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| P not come. Been brutally cold to day & snowing again. Busy this morning. This afternoon went for the butter at Pulfords on Tag. I saw the German prisoners. Tag went badly. Cyril has lost his big buck. It was poisoned. I went up there after tea. My book hasn’t come yet. It is really too bad of them. |
| 20th April, 1918 |
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| P not come. I was busy this morning. This afternoon I went up to Bannister Green with Tag. The German prisoners told Tommy I rode well. I didn’t know I did. Aline came to tea. The rabbit I thought was a buck has turned out a doe so I shall have three families soon. It has been stormy today. |
| 21st April, 1918 |
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| P has not come. I hope it will tomorrow. England has declared war on Ireland. It was so wet there was no Sunday School this morning so I rang morning & evening. Mrs Thacker came to supper. My first bunny family is due next week. I’m worrying how many I shall have |
| Note: She is probably referring to ringing the church bells when she says she “rang”. |
| 22nd April, 1918 |
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| P not come. It has been a very lovely day & is now a perfect moonlight night, expecting a raid. Concert at the chappel schoolroom to night I didn’t go. I went up to the Burns this afternoon but Cyril was out so I had to bring bunny back. I went up to Bannister Green on Tag after Tea. He does go so very badliy (sic). |
| 23rd April, 1918 |
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| P come. I’ve at last got something which cures the pain. I’ve been fairly all night to day. After tea I took Tag out in the cart. He went fairly well. I also went to see Miss Dalby. My bunny family is due on Thursday after all. It has been a very damp day. The wind is northeast. |
| 24th April, 1918 |
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| I rested most of the morning because I didn’t feel very well. After dinner I cleaned out my bunnies & Adeline & Bobby came down. After tea I drove up for the butter & also to Cloughies about my doe. Mr Chancellor came in to see us this evening. Mrs Thacker came to supper. Lionel is to have the M.C. |
| Note: Unsure which Lionel is being referred to here. No Lionel Thacker received an MC in 1918 but several other Lionels did. The rank of this particular Lionel must have been that of a commissioned officer, however. |
| 25th April, 1918 |
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| I went to 10 o’clock service this morning. Also I worked after dinner I went out with Mummy in the trap. We met Kenneth Tench & his mother. I am going to Dunmow tomorrow. I hope I shall see him. After tea I took my third doe up to Cloughies. Mr Thacker came to dinner. Aline ??? ??? me like to go to Braintree ] |
| 26th April, 1918 |
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| This morning I was busy in the house. After dinner I went to Dunmow in the pony trap. I saw Kenneth when I came home. I went to tea at Miss Vaizy. After tea Julian came to see my rabbits. My doe is a buck. Cloighten (?) brought it back this morning. Going to be a raid to night. I can hear Gothas buzzing |
| 27th April, 1918 |
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| The Gothas were turned back last night. This morning I was busy. This afternoon Aline came down & stopped to tea. I went out on Tag. He went much better. I think my family of bunnies will be born to night. I went up to Bannister Green on Tag & scampered about the grass. |
| 28th April, 1918 |
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| I went to Early Service this morning. Then I went to Sunday School & Church. Mr Sawener (?) came in to see Tag. He is not be clipped. This afternoon I read by the fire. After tea I went to bell ringing. The two Labour Corps soldiers were in Church. I wonder if they know Bill. Mrs Thacker came to supper. She goes tomorrow |
| 29th April, 1918 |
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| (doe family due) My bunnies are not born yet. This morning I went out for a ride on Tag. After dinner Mum Dad & I went to Ford End. After tea I rode down to Holloway. I’m going to have a kitten. I’m going to call it Bill. Aline brought back my bicycle. I bought mum a bottle of Wincarnis to day. |
| Note: 1. Ford End, a village about 3 miles from Felsted. There is a church there. 2. Wincarnis is a tonic wine with herbs and spices, rich in vitamins. |
| 30th April, 1918 |
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| Worked & messed about this morning. This afternoon Adeline & Bobby came down. After tea I went for a ride on Tag. I went up to Alines first & then down to the river. I met Mr McCombie down there. He has not got a kitten for me. The boys come back tomorrow. I’m going to Market also. |
Ready for some more? Read May’s Diary Entries or go back to March’s Diary Entries.
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