From GDP/8 John Leeson John Leeson (1803-1865) owned and rented out property in London. In his diaries, he regularly recorded a mixture of his business dealings, family news, and politics. The regular arrivals and departures of servants pepper these diaries. 4 December 1847 Monday – Jane Plours left Mother’s service + she was without a servant on Tuesday + Wednesday and had to do all the work of the house. Wednesday evening – Ann Brown, Uncle Day’s old servant came to live with us. Thursday – Mother taken ill with a cough + cold – kept her bed on Friday, [...]

From GDP/59 - CW CW (1903-1989) was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. We also hold the diaries of his parents, ref. GDP/57 and GDP/58 respectively. W  later wrote a memoir of his wartime experiences, a part of which, dealing with the presentation of a medal, is reproduced here. On my return I found I had been awarded a BEM for services on the Hermione and was sent to Buckingham Palace to receive it from King George VI. I had rather an embarrassing experience, as I arrived at the gates with my wife and young son, a [...]

17 November (to Post 15 November) From GDP/8 JL JL (1803-1865) owned and rented out property in London. In his diaries, he regularly recorded a mixture of his business dealings, family news, and politics. In this entry, he shows particular interest in Italian Unification (although confusing King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia with the novelist Victor Hugo) and the progress of the Second Opium War in China. He also notes the burial of the Earl of Dundonald – better known during his naval service in the Napoleonic Wars as Lord Cochrane. 17 November 1860 Mrs. L dined with Mrs. Gordon [...]

From GDP/27 DDB DB (1903-1987) was curate at Saffron Walden, Essex, when this entry was made in his diary. Here, he describes the service held marking the tenth anniversary of the armistice at the end of the First World War. 15 November 1928 Armistice Day seems to be as popular as ever. It was rather wet here but kept fine for the morning ceremony. There was the usual open air service at the Cenotaph, which this year was broadcast. Most of churches by request of the Abp.[Archbishop of Canterbury] (who resigned the foll. day) amended their times to allow for [...]

3-5 May  From GDP/58 - Mary Ann Williams (née Prout) Mary Ann Prout (1861-1923) grew up in Cornwall. Here, she records illness and death among the children in the family of her future husband, James Bennetts Williams (whose diaries we also hold ref. GDP/57), as well as her feelings when her offer of help did not meet with the results she had expected. Wednesday 3rd May 1882 Father went to Perran today. Mother went down to Post Office to send a Telegram to Mr Bunt and J.B.W. told her that he received a Telegram from Bristol saying that Laura is [...]

21 August  From GDP/52 GF GF (1901-1982) was a young barrister in London at the time this diary was written. Here, he records a session with a session of ‘table-turning’ similar to a Ouija board when he was on holiday in Axminster. 21 August 1926 I came over here this afternoon to stay for a few days with the C [family]. Bathed in the morning with the V [family] and P who is with them. The sea was roughish & the bathing good. Lazed all the afternoon and then took a bus here. Mrs L is here, but Major L [...]

3 October  From GDP/30 WK WK (born 1932) was a reporter on the ‘Times’ in the 1950s. He was on the proving flight of the De Haviland Comet 4 airliner, which marked the first regular jet-powered trans-Atlantic passenger air service. Here, he gives his impressions of New York the day after his flight. 3 October 1958 Visited very briefly UN bldg., and met EB, our N.Y. corr. Heard a few words of a debate. Then we (i.e. Comet party) were entertained to lunch in Overseas Press Club. P.M. 2 of us (who hadn’t seen NY) were taken round on a [...]

8 September From GDP/30 WK WK (born 1932) grew up in Hampshire. He kept a diary from the age of nine, in which he recorded the daily happenings in his life. Here, he describes his sister’s stay in hospital with appendicitis, and a trip to the cinema. 8 September 1948 P [the diarist’s sister] had her appendix out today. Doctor B came round this evening and told us she was alright. Dad, Mother and I went for a walk in the afternoon. Cinema in evening to see a stupid Noël Coward film “Brief Encounter” and film of the new forest [...]

Undated (To post 13 Sep) This is a very pretty poem - we found it in a worn leather case; the paper it was written on was brown and brittle and the ink it was written in, faded. Despite the frailty of its substance the strength of the text's sentiment is potent - 'she clung to me with woman's love'..... . From GDP/57 James Bennetts Williams James Bennetts Williams (1856-1924) worked in the Cornish tin mines. During the latter decades of the nineteenth century, the tin-mining industry in Cornwall went into decline. Looking for work, Williams emigrated to Bolivia. He [...]

From GDP/57 James Bennetts Williams James Bennetts Williams (1856-1924) worked in the Cornish tin mines. During the latter decades of the nineteenth century, the tin-mining industry in Cornwall went into decline. Looking for work, Williams emigrated to Bolivia. In this entry, he describes his departure from England. September 26 1883 Got up just before 7 A.M. I took a walk up the street & bought a card to send home to my wife then came back and had a good breakfast. I went up to see the Museum &c. & bought a cup to take with me. Finished my letter [...]