Get awa'!

From the diary of a medical student in Edinburgh:

"Held a conversation with Mrs J.G (no fixed abode, age “God, I’m far too old”), who greeted me with “Get awa’, ye cock-eyed bastard’…” (2/9/39)

(Note to self: new greeting for door-knockers??)

On the Razzle!

From Jimmy, age 6:

"While Dad was overseas in the RAF, my mother was enjoying herself so much that she went out on the razzle at nights, whilst I was left alone at home"
Later on, still during the war, his parents divorced and his father "took up" with a WREN while his mother started seeing a GI. No wonder the Kirk was concerned about the breakdown in traditional family structures!

The Hat.

A universal truth??

"It is our sense of patriotism alone which has restrained us during the last few months from spending. Sternly we resolve that not one penny-piece of ours shall be spent on unnecessary items until the war is won.This, however, was before I saw the hat."

- Women's column, Glasgow Herald 5/6/41

Questionable Taste

From my schoolboy diarist:

"Today I tasted my first Brussel Sprout of the season. Three cheers for this the most beautiful of vegetables!" (23/10/41)

I am finding it hard to agree with him... How could the Brussels Sprout be anyone's favourite vegetable?!

A Finger

Today's wartime information, from the memoir of a lady who was in the women's naval service: 

"We had to get the boats ready for the invasion down at Chichester, and then get them to a spot near Portsmouth where the fleet was assembled.The most unpleasant part was cleaning out the boats on their return when we had to remove all the blood and bullets and on one occasion, a finger."