The Second World War. Collapse of Belgium, Holland, Norway, Denmark and France....

The Second World War.

Collapse of Belgium, Holland, Norway, Denmark and France. Italy declares war on Britain. Withdrawl from Dunkirk. Bombing of London. Battle for Britain. Bomb fell at Pontrilas, and one in the Hopyard narrowly missing a Gypsy caravan. Czechs, Poles and French at Credenhill. Major Michael Henry Hamilton Bailey awarded the D.S.O. for bravery in Norway. Details of raids on Germany. Bombing of Buckingham Palace. Evacuation of London. Food Rationing and heavy taxes. Appeals to grow food. Size of rations and non-availability of fresh produce. AK22/81 contains graphic accounts of living conditions in Britain. Death of Edward on 21st Jan. 1941 after 56 years of marriage. Air raid on Bristol. Death of Chief Scout Lord Baden Powel in Kenya. Robin responsible for the special service as Commissioner for the County of Hereford. June 1941 food shortage acute. Dick promoted to Colonel (Home Guard). Explosion in the munitions factory. Japan declares war on U.S.A. long severe winter (1942) No balls to be bought "England without Cricket or Tennis is unthinkable". July 1942, bombing of Rotherwas Factory, many dead and wounded, after this attack, Hereford was equiped with a battery of Anti Aircraft guns. French warships scuttle themselves rather than give themselves to the Germans. Two bombs dropped at West Malvern. Italian prisoners of war at Canon Pyon. Arival of the American troops, people waiting for the great battle. 30th Jan 1944, R.A.F. plane crashed in the kitchen garden killing 2 occupants. Two laying hens stolen by American soldiers from the camp in the next field. Three bombs dropped on Kington. Princess Elizabeth comes of age. (18) Explosion at ordnance factory caused by lightning. Fire at Greenlands storage warehouse and furniture factory (15th June 44). Start of flying bombs. Hazlewood house and cottages badly damaged by a flying bomb. Small houses in great demand because of the lack of servants. Stand down of the Home Guard. 1945, let house and depart to Hinwick House. Allowance of petrol coupons because she is old. Death of Roosevelt. Revelation of German concentration camps. Surrender of Germany. V.E. celebrations. Ruth has operation. V.J. day. Engagement and Wedding of Princess Elizabeth. Rationing more severe than ever. Ruth's 80th birthday (1947). Nuremburg Trials. Labour party victory. The Knoll sold by auction, bought by Praill the motor man. First Oxford and Cambridge boat race for 7 years, Oxford won by 3 lengths in 19m 54sec. Rent Drumsell cottage for 6 months. India in a ferment. Floods in Hereford worst for 155 years. Move to permanent home at Little Wildshaw, Limpsfield Common, Surrey. These diaries give vivid accounts of events both at home and worldwide during the war years. Comprehensive accounts including extracts from newspapers and speeches from the radio, as well as family and personal events.