page 27 — February 1940

Wednesday 28^th

The latest craze is stilts, I expect I will make some … zgn

[See note (a)]

March

Saturday 2^nd

My birthday! I woke up at about 4 o’clock and opened the parcel – – A watch! a beautiful Mappin and Webb watch with a second hand … and a lovely velvet case to keep it in. After breakfast Martin’s present came, a wizard geometry set, all shiny. … zcl zpv

I had to teach in Maths today—the headmaster said ‘Professor Ryle junior is going to show the class how to do compound interest’. He played Boston’s part of not attending and drawing pictures with heelball. ztc

[See note (b)]

Sunday 3^rd

I stilt-walked a little in the evening, but the craze is definitely wearing out. …J has gone to the San, and I’ve got the filthy job of looking after the Junior Dorm. F, S and B have all got German measles … zgn zil zsu

Monday 4^th

… I made a shove-halfpenny board in M.T. It works quite well. zgn zcf

Thursday 7^th

… I saw in the BOP [Boy’s Own Paper] an article by Patrick Halnan [an ex-schoolmate]. He was in a boat when it was torpedoed and had seen a British plane shot down by the submarine. znb znw zfr