Friday 1st September 1939
Breakfast in bed at 10:15a.m. whilst I thoughtfully read the paper.
“Germany says she offered terms, received no answer”
“Polish Envoy told of plans at 8p.m. Berlin two hours later say they were rejected”
“Fleet fully mobilised: more army men called”
“Evacuation: over 3,000,000 to be evacuated from congested areas”
“Trek from the danger zones begins today – nine one-way routes out of London”
But I’m still in civvies and have a couple of special business calls to make today!
As I sat over my end-of-lunch cigarette and cup of tea a wireless quick-step finished. Then, special news bulletin:
“It is now learned from several sources, that general hostilities have broken out all along the German-Polish frontier. Warsaw has been bombed…”
I left a telephone number with Mr Allen and hurried out to make the aforesaid business calls! After two call in Leigh on Sea, I sat in the car on Western Esplanade, writing reports prior to going for a swim.
I never had that swim, dammit! A newspaperman came along crying, “Poland invaded! Britain orders mobilisation!”
I bought a copy. Yes, there it was in the stop-press; the King in Council had issued an order mobilising the whole Army, Navy and Air Force. I hurried back to Stock…
Towards the end, among other similar announcements from the BBC’s 6 o’clock news, were instructions for all Territorials to report to their place of joining at once – as I’d expected. My kit is now packed and I’m in semi-uniform. Shall shortly dash into Chelmsford, leaving Slinky B at a pub near the drill hall, from where Mrs Allen will have it collected.
Thus perhaps (unless after all, this crisis ends peaceably) begins a new chapter in my life. Thus also – somewhat dramatically – ends my Shimmering Haze 1939. And what a glorious Shimmering Haze it has been! So –
“Tenderly, day that I have loved, I close your eyes…
I bear you, a light burden, to the shrouded sands…
Faint hands will row you outward, out beyond our sight,
Us with stretched arms, and empty eyes on the far gleaming
And marble sand…”
“Germany says she offered terms, received no answer”
“Polish Envoy told of plans at 8p.m. Berlin two hours later say they were rejected”
“Fleet fully mobilised: more army men called”
“Evacuation: over 3,000,000 to be evacuated from congested areas”
“Trek from the danger zones begins today – nine one-way routes out of London”
But I’m still in civvies and have a couple of special business calls to make today!
As I sat over my end-of-lunch cigarette and cup of tea a wireless quick-step finished. Then, special news bulletin:
“It is now learned from several sources, that general hostilities have broken out all along the German-Polish frontier. Warsaw has been bombed…”
I left a telephone number with Mr Allen and hurried out to make the aforesaid business calls! After two call in Leigh on Sea, I sat in the car on Western Esplanade, writing reports prior to going for a swim.
I never had that swim, dammit! A newspaperman came along crying, “Poland invaded! Britain orders mobilisation!”
I bought a copy. Yes, there it was in the stop-press; the King in Council had issued an order mobilising the whole Army, Navy and Air Force. I hurried back to Stock…
Towards the end, among other similar announcements from the BBC’s 6 o’clock news, were instructions for all Territorials to report to their place of joining at once – as I’d expected. My kit is now packed and I’m in semi-uniform. Shall shortly dash into Chelmsford, leaving Slinky B at a pub near the drill hall, from where Mrs Allen will have it collected.
Thus perhaps (unless after all, this crisis ends peaceably) begins a new chapter in my life. Thus also – somewhat dramatically – ends my Shimmering Haze 1939. And what a glorious Shimmering Haze it has been! So –
“Tenderly, day that I have loved, I close your eyes…
I bear you, a light burden, to the shrouded sands…
Faint hands will row you outward, out beyond our sight,
Us with stretched arms, and empty eyes on the far gleaming
And marble sand…”
posted by Paul Wilson at 4:12 pm
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