8th May 1944

Monday
Brilliant icy morning.  Another terrible frost during the night - 7° at Fingringhoe and 8° at Olivers.  Very serious damage.  Potatoes cut right off.

Many ‘planes went out early, and then quiet for an hour or two.  Saw three pairs of Army horses go by the office, full trot.  Glorious sight.  The street was full of milk carts and coal carts at the time.  Fine, just like old times.

On the radio at lunch heard a talk by Fox-Talbot’s grand-daughter, who actually remembers him.  Extraordinary to think of a person still alive being able to remember the inventor of photography.

This afternoon a new Royal Proclamation appeared on the Town Hall, with regard to calling up men of 18-41.  This seems to be done to prevent men from escaping who are over 41 now and who had just missed previous proclamations.  It was all printed out at great length, in very small print, and a crowd soon gathered to read it.

Sent a letter to Hervey Benham this morning, definitely refusing the “Essex Review”.  He ‘phoned this afternoon, and said he had offered it to Jerry Rickwood.  Told him he had done right. 

To Holly Trees this evening.  Poulter suddenly began to give me “good advice” – on no account to leave the Museum whatever happens.  Wondered what he knew of my intentions.  Heard him out, but did not altogether agree.

Can't understand why I have heard nothing further from the Observer Corps.

Lovely moonlight night, absolutely clear.  Curious how safe we feel now on these nights, so very different from two or three years ago.

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