These are the June entries for Sheilah Doherty’s diary, from 1918. You can learn more about how I came to have this diary here.
| 1st June, 1918 |
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| Terence has gone. I took him down to the station in the cart. I was busy the rest of the morning. This afternoon I read & knitted. After tea Mother went to Mrs Cox’s & after she came back I went to meet Mr Balding a missing Ay ble 13 A Cor of boys went to Cambridge this morning to a cricket match. |
| 2nd June, 1918 |
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| This morning I went to Sunday School & Church. This afternoon I drove Mr Balding to Black Chappell. This evening I rang the bells. I have been appointed secretary to the bell ringers team. There was a thunderstorm while we wer in Church. Mummy is going for a holiday tomorrow. Mr Balding going tomorrow. |
| 3rd June, 1918 |
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| This morning Mummy went away. I took Mr Balding down to the 10.3. I was busy this morning. This afternoon I went out on Tag. I also had a conversation with Mant & Macintyre at the gate. After tea I went out on Tag again up to Aline’s. I hope I shall hear from Kenneth tomorrow. Rabbit 13 weeks old to day |
| 4th June, 1918 |
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| I had my birthday present from Mummy this morning & a lovely letter from Ken. This afternoon I cleaned pony’s harness & took my rabbit up to the Burns to be sold tomorrow. I went for a ride on Tag up to Burroughs to see an aeroplane which came down. Ken calles me ‘dearest’ now. |
| 5th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I was very busy cooking. After dinner I went up to fetch Lily Brewa down. Then I messed about & cleaned out the rabbits. After tea I went out on Tag with Aline. I got 7/- for my rabbit. The band came down the village this evening. Ken has got my letter by now. |
| 6th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I was very busy cooking. I made some sisocoles? & then upset them in the gradle? I picked them up & had them for dinner. They tasked all right. I went to Dunmow this afternoon on the back of Dads bike. I took Tag out this evening. I hope Ken will write to me soon. Mr Wans? lives in Warwickshire. |
| 7th June, 1918 |
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| This morning was very busy as usual. After dinner I took Tag out. It rained so I came in. After tea I wrote to Mummy & sent her her sugar & registered it. Then I took Tag out again & went for a top hold ride round the fields & lanes. Curly boys name is Inix? I do hope I’ll hear from Ken tomorrow. |
| 8th June, 1918 |
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| Very busy this morning. I had a long letter from Ken. Also I wrote to him. This afternoon I went out on Tag. After tea I went up to Aline on Tag. He got loose among a lot of horses & stampeded. Aline came off. It was some time before I could catch him. I registered for tea to day. |
| 9th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I went to the early service & then to Sunday School & Church. This afternoon I read my book. After tea I went to bellringing & then Church again. I had a letter from Mummy this morning. Ken has written to me to day but I shan’t get it till Tuesday I’m afraid. |
| 10th June, 1918 |
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| I made hay in the Church yard this morning. This afternoon I went for a ride on Tag. Then I went to be fitted for my frock. After tea I went out for a ride again & when I came in I made hay again. There is an Indian Army Colonel’s grave there which I’m going to look after. |
| 11th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I was busy, also went to Church. After dinner I rested & read my book. After tea I went up to Danby on Tag. Then I messed about. An officer called Adolphus came in this evening & stayed to supper. He is going to give me a Flemish Giant rabbit. He wants me to go & stay at his home in Bournemouth. |
| 12th June, 1918 |
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| Mr Adolphus went this morning. I went down to the station with him. He is going to get me a Flemish Giant. He also wants to take me to a theatre like Ken. I had a lovely letter from Ken this morning. Terence & Mummy are coming home tomorrow. He is sailing for Egypt on Saturday. This evening I took my doe up to the Cloughtens. Another lot of young ones. |
| 13th June, 1918 |
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| Terence & Mummy came home. Tonight I’m going to London to stay the night & I’m going to 2 theatres. This morning I was busy. After dinner I filled the house with flowers & went to meet them after tea. Came up behind T on motor bike. T & I danced on the lawn to the gramaphone this evening. |
| 14th June, 1918 |
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| Have had a glorious day. Came up to town this morning. Lunch at Strand Palace. This afternoon went to Garrick Theatre & saw By Pigeon Post. Then had tea in strand then dinner at Terence’s club. Had a taxi to His Majesty’s Theatre & saw Chu Chin Chow. Then came back to hotel where we are staying the night. Hope I find letter from Ken tomorrow. |
| Note: 1. By Pigeon Post is a “spy play, better written than most, and with a novel setting. 2. Chu Chin Chow “a version of the old Arabian Nights legend of the Forty Thieves.” |
| 15th June, 1918 |
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| Saw T. off this morning. I’ve got my hearts desire. I’ve joined up in the Flying Corps as a despatch rider. Going up to town on Tuesday to be tested. I messed about town to day. Came home by the 6 train. I had a photo from Mr Adolphus he is sending me a Flemish Giant rabbit. I didn’t hear from Ken. I shall be in khaki at last. Had my hair up in town. |
| 16th June, 1918 |
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| I went to Sunday School & Church this morning. This afternoon I went for a walk with Aline & then I went up to her place. I wrote to Ken, Mr Adolphus & Audrey to day. Bell ringing this evening. Then Church. I’m going to sell all my rabbits soon. |
| 17th June, 1918 |
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| Had a telegram from Colonel Jarott. Going to town tomorrow. I messed about this morning. This afternoon I went out with Mummy in the pony trap. He went very well. After tea I sent my photo to Ken. I can’t think why I haven’t heard from him. I hope I do tomorrow. I also hope it will be fine tomorrow. |
| 18th June, 1918 |
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| 7th heaven of bliss. Went to town to day. Was accepted for RFC. Am in khaki at last. I had a letter from Ken this morning. I have to report next Tuesday morning. Going to market tomorrow to sell my rabbits. Shall soon see Ken I’m glad to say. I’m going to live in a big Latle? I had my test took out a man called Mappin. Got on all right. |
| 19th June, 1918 |
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| Had extraordinary letter from Mr Adolphus to day. He wants to be my lover. I wrote & told him I’d already got one. But I’m going to be friends with him. I call him Ted. I also heard from Peggy. She is jolly nice. I went to market this morning & sold my rabbits for 30/- I bought a luminous??? watch & attaché case. Wrote to Ted. |
| 20th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I had a letter from Uncle Charlie. I also went to Dunmow this morning. This afternoon I went out in the pony trap with Mummy. Tag went very well. After tea I went up to Aline. It was choir practice tonight. Len Williams has divorced his wife. |
| 21st June, 1918 |
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| This morning Mumm is not well & has been in bed all day. This morning I was busy. This afternoon I went up to the school & watched the match. Went to tea at Stephensons. Had simply loads of congrats. I do hope to hear from Ken tomorrow & I’m afraid I’ll hear from Ted. Mummy is better this evening. |
| 22nd June, 1918 |
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| Ken sent me a beautiful little brooch. I also had a letter from him. I also heard from Mr Adolphus. He has climbed down so fast. Mother does not trust him. I’m not to write any more. I was busy today. Mummy is better. Not much laughs at home unfortunately. |
| 23rd June, 1918 |
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| Went to early service this morning. Then Sunday School & Church. Mummy stayed in to day. Mr Philpot played the organ. I went for a walk with Aline this afternoon. This evening I went to bell ringing & Farrow was home. Arthur Willis is too fond of me unfortunately. I go tomorrow worse luck. |
| 24th June, 1918 |
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| Came home this afternoon. Daddy brought me up & I shall see him tomorrow. I can go home every week end. This a quite a nice place & my bedroom is not so bad either. I found a letter from Kenneth awaiting me when I got here. I hope I shall be happy. |
| 25th June, 1918 |
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| Given it up & come home. I went to the Garage this morning & told Miss Grate I was not going to sign on for duration. Came home this evening & met Aline went home with her. I wrote to Ken this evening. I am thankful to be home at last. |
| 26th June, 1918 |
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| I went to market this morning & bought 2 does one Black Flemish Giant 11/- & one Belgian Hare 17/- I got home about 4 o’clock. I have got a nice lot of rabbits now. Cyril is going to buy my wrist watch from me. I met A Willis in Braintree? had is teeth out. |
| 27th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I was busy. Also I cut down 2 branches off the cedar tree. This afternoon I went to Rayne with Mummy. After tea I rode Tag up to Aline’s. Daddy went to Sudbury to day on his motor bike. My black doe is due to kindle on July 17th. It was choir practice to night. Been truly cannonading? to day. |
| 28th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I cleaned the windows & then shelled our first dish of peas to day. I had 2 letters forwarded on to day. Cousin G & Mummy. I do hope I shall hear from Ken tomorrow. Terence has sent me a cameo from Italy to day. He went to Terranto & I expect saw Percy |
| 29th June, 1918 |
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| I had a beautiful letter from Ken this morning. He hopes for a weeks leavve. I hope he’ll get it. A photo of Bill came for Terence this morning. I was busy this afternoon. I went to Aline. Miss Vaizy & Mrs Dye came to tea. After tea I cleaned out my hutches & then went to Aline again. |
| 30th June, 1918 |
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| This morning I went to Sunday School & Church. After dinner I went down to the Smallpieces & sat in the garden with Lucky (Lucy?). I asked her to come to tea but she couldn’t. I went to Church in the evening & bellringing. Ken wrote to me to day. |
Ready for some more? Read July’s Diary Entries or go back to May’s Diary Entries.
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