Sunday 15th October 1939

Left home just after nightfall. Mother and Father walked with me to Ealing Common Station, through a drizzle of autumn rain. (I saw the trees this morning, leaves yellowing or gone.) I left them hurriedly on the dark platform, as my train came in.

Lots of things I might have said to Father but actually I only said, “Well, I’ll be seeing you, Father!” with great fatuity. “Cheerio, Stephen,” came from the vague shape. The train didn’t move for a moment. They both stood just above me but there was nothing more to be said. “Rupert Brooke!” I cried suddenly, “The dazed last minutes click…”

With a rumble the doors rolled forward and the train jerked away.