These are the September entries for Sheilah Doherty’s diary, from 1918. You can learn more about how I came to have this diary here.
| 1st September, 1918 |
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| I went to Sunday School & Church. Aline came down & I told her about Harold. After dinner I wrote to Elaine Croudace. Also Stanley. Then I took the goat down to the field. Went to Church. Miss Hampshire is bad. |
| Note: Elaine Croudace (1891-1987) is the youngest sister of Harold (with whom she’s now in love!!!), so first cousin. Elaine and Sheilah were both baptised by Sheilah’s father, Rev. Edward John Doherty, at St John the Baptist, Plumstead on 2 Jun 1901. |
| 2nd September, 1918 |
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| Bill’s birthday. I hope he got my parcel in time. This morning I drove Tag down to the station. After dinner I wrote to Peggy & went to see Miss Dalby. After tea I went up to see Aline but she was out(?). Then I drove to the station. |
| 3rd September, 1918 |
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| Daddy’s birthday to day. He is 64. I had a letter from Terence this morning. He is sending me a bangle. This morning I was busy. After dinner I read. After tea I went out for a ride on Tag. I went up to see Adeline. |
| 4th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I was partly busy & partly not. Daddy had a letter from Auntie Fanny. Harold had to stand in the train going north. This afternoon I went for a ride on Tag then I went to tea at the Vaizy’s. Julian is a queer kid?. I dropped a halfpenny down his back. |
| Note: Auntie Fannie is Frances Susanna Croudace née Doherty, the mother of Harold and Elaine. |
| 5th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I had a very grateful & affectionate letter from Bill. I am afraid he is well on the high road to loving me, curse him (?) I met a very nice officer this afternoon, in fact he was charming. I went for a ride on Tag with Kathleen. I got thrown off to day. The other horse bit Tag & frightened him. |
| 6th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I had a letter from Gladys. She sent some photos of Barbara and her husband. I went out for a ride on Tag & got soaked. Sheltered at the station. Kathleen came to tea. Uncle Willie came this evening. Jake cut his foot badly. |
| Note: Gladys is her half-sister, Gladys Mary Scouler née Doherty (1883-1936), then living in Canada with her husband James Gavin Stephen Scouler, originally from Scotland. They were married in Canada but later returned to England. Barbara Gladys (1915-1989) was their eldest daughter. |
| 7th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I was busy. After dinner I went over to the Bury to see the things for the sale. Then I went to tea at the McCombie’s & then drove into Dunmow & saw the Haslers. I was too sore to ride. Julian(?) told David so. |
| 8th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I went to Early Service then to Sunday School & Church. I had 3 classes put together. After dinner I went for a walk with Aline. After tea I wrote letters & then went to Church. Mr Vaizey came to supper. Quite a good congregation. |
| 9th September, 1918 |
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| It was the sale at the Bury to day. I spent all the morning there & the afternoon too. After tea I went for a ride on Tag with Kathleen. We went to the station. Mr & Mrs Hodges & Mr Bayliss have come back. There were a lot of Jews at the sale |
| 10th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I was very busy. I tidied out my room. After dinner I helped mother get tea & then Tommy & Aline & Julian & Eric (?) & Kathleen all came to tea. We played dragon in the garden. After they had gone I went for a ride on Tag. Bob Ardly has split his foot up with an axe. |
| Note: 10 Sept was her brother Terence’s birthday, but she doesn’t mention it. |
| 11th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I rode Tag into Braintree market. He didn’t go very well. Scotty took off his hat to me. I didn’t get home till nearly half past three. Terence’s parcel came to day. He sent me a broad silver bangle & a little cross that shines with Jerusalem on it. |
| 12th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I tidied my drawers. After dinner I started to ride in Dunmow but got caught in a storm & got soaked. I have started knitting Bill a muffler. Mother gave me 1lb of wool. Sent my coat to be dyed. |
| 13th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I was busy. I dreamt about Makinder last night. After dinner I played the piano & then went to Scriveners with Dad. After tea I went up for butter & then went up to the Burnes. We had a fire to day. It was fairly cold. |
| Note: Note: First thought that Makinder could be Sir Halford John Mackinder but later it seems like it is a man/boy that lives nearby (possibly at school?). Could they be related? E.G. Mackinder played cricket at Felsted School in 1916-1918. |
| 14th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I was partly busy & partly not. After dinner I rode up & fetched Aline & Tommy back to tea with me. We had great sport. I went back with them. I went into Danby’s pub with Tommy & had some lemonade. |
| Note: Danby’s pub is likely the Yew Tree, where he was the proprietor. |
| 15th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I had three classes put together again in Sunday School. Aline came to Church twice to day. This afternoon I read & knitted Bill’s scarf. I’ve done a 1/2 a foot already. I went to Church this evening. The Hambley’s (?) were in the choir again. |
| 16th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I drove Tag into Dunmow. I saw that officer in the ASC who was commandeering hay. After dinner I went & paid calls with father. After tea I went up to the Burnes & then drove Cogman up to Frenches Green to get stuff for the Harvest Thanksgiving. |
| Note: ASC is the Army Service Corps. |
| 17th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I had a long letter from Terence he has sent me another bracelet. After dinner I went black berrying with Aline & Tommy. I lost my gold bangle but Tommy found it again for me. I left Jacob there & when we were having prayers Tommy brought him back. |
| 18th September, 1918 |
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| I went to Braintree this morning & had a tooth out & sold a rabbit for 5/-. The boys have come back. There is a writer & an artist staying here. He is a really curious man & told me he didn’t belong to any Church because so many were rotten. |
| 19th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I was busy. The boys are all over the place again. Mackinder is back again. After dinner I ran errands & then went to tea at the Burnes. I had quite a nice time. I saw the writer this morning. He wanted me to go to Dunmow with him. Of course I didn’t. |
| 20th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I was busy, also I drove up to the Burnes for some marrows for decorating the Church. After dinner I played with Jake in the loft & then helped Daddy pick apples. My new frock has come, it is lovely. I’m going to Folkestone on Monday. |
| 21st September, 1918 |
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| P. This morning I got things ready for the decorations. The writers name is John Mansell-Phayne. Two aeroplanes have come down in the Bury Mead. One is Mr Young’s brother. I went down after tea to seem them & there I saw Mackinder & Dodd & talked to them. I decorated the screen. |
| 22nd September, 1918 |
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| Today we had our Harvest Festival. We had lots of people in Church. I went to early service. Then Sunday School. After dinner I went up to Aline & met Mant & Mackinder & Dodal & Edwards. After tea I went down & watched the men mending the aeroplane. The poor fellow in charge was frozen with cold. |
| 23rd September, 1918 |
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| Am at Folkestone. Went by 10.3 train. Arrived here 1/2 past 3. We had tea when we got here & then we went out. This place is cram full of soldiers. I am going to skate on the rink tomorrow. I’m going to enjoy myself thoughly (sic) while I’m here. This is quite a decent house. |
| 24th September, 1918 |
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| This morning Dad & I went & had a walk round the harbour. Then we sat on the beach & I wrote to Mum. Then we went on the pier where I met George. After dinner I went to the rink. I got on beautifully. The enslinater(?) is ripping? Only a boy poor fellow he fell on the rink and sprained his wrist. After dinner George & Dad & I went to a cinema. |
| 25th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I spent on the rink. After dinner I went on again. I’m getting on fine. After dinner Dad & I went to a show on the front. We had to stand so we came out & went to hear the band play. It is under the cliff. I’m enjoying myself. |
| 26th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I went on the rink. There is an Australian here called Jim. He came & took me round the rink. After lunch I went on again but he didn’t come. After dinner Dad & I went & listened to the band under the front. |
| 27th September, 1918 |
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| This morning I went on the rink. Jim came and took me round. He is a darling. The Instructor was showing me how to skate backwards when he fell & hurt his arm again. Poor boy. After lunch I skated again. A Scotchman, a New Zealander & my darling Jim took me round the rink. I love Jim. |
| 28th September, 1918 |
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| My beloved’s name is not Jim after all. It is Percy Hart & he comes from Victoria. This afternoon on the rink he held me in his arms & took me round. He has been gassed & it effected (sic) his eyes. Oh my darling, my darling. He has black eyes & such beautiful curling lashes & black curly hair. |
| 29th September, 1918 |
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| I’ve not seen Perce [sic] today. I went to early service at Christchurch. Then I sat on the front & went to the Parish Church. After lunch I went to the pictures on the pier. Then I went to Trinity Church in the evening. There was a Motor Smash this morning at the corner (?) |
| 30th September, 1918 |
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| Rained this morning so no skating but I did this afternoon, skated with wounded tommies, after tea I went down again at 6. A wounded Canadian took me round ? & then another one did. He walked home with me holding my arm he kissed my hand twice. Not seen Perce today. |
Ready for some more? Read October’s Diary Entries or go back to August’s Diary Entries.
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