page 113 — July 1941

Thursday 10^th

… We drew veronica flowers in Biology. I had shooting and I shot 50 rounds. My first score (the first in my life) was 20; I managed to get a second try and got 31 which was better—quite fun. I found it difficult to close the right (i.e. left) eye at first. zsa zwl zct zwp

Sunday 13^th

… A good sermon, chiefly about the need for doctors and education in India—very well put across. zrl zbe zpn zhp zey

[See note (a)]

Sunday 20^th

… There was the NHS exhibition. I showed the grasshoppers and my young herring gull photo. The exhibition was very good. A gave an interesting lecture on bees. Daddies ‘Fears may be Liars’ has been put in the Biology Lab. … zwl zcb zph zlu zfl zby zmw

Donald Soper [leading Methodist minister and socialist] was preaching—the best I’ve ever heard, he seemed very sure but didn’t convince me about anything new—I still don’t believe in a God who guides, and I still certainly don’t think Prayer works—and I am convinced that I’ll not change my opinions. I’m also convinced that if people were real Christians the world would be better. zrl zpn

[See note]

Saturday 26^th

A hot day. Also a field day. We started off and crossed the Gannel under fire from a perfectly visible sniper, who fired a three round burst, and then roared along with people other sides of walls and things. … eventually we had a wizard battle all being killed and killing all the enemy… zwr zct zma

The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall came to give prizes, he made the speech prophesied by Max— i.e. he was honoured, he had been a dud at school (he looked it!), he advised us to work and play hard, and (UGH!) zcl zsw zop zlu