A focus on family history
Tuesday, 20 April 1937
Very cold and wet, absolutely rotten weather. Went to Lady Lowther in Hill St to lunch, met Lady Churchhill. Both lovely, made Mrs David & self very welcome. Lovely lunch, cocktails & cigarettes. Promised to go to Lady Churchill’s to see her children. Lots of invitations coming in. Had a lovely time, very cold & wet, so took the bus back to 130 and stayed in for the night.
Monday, 19 April 1937
A little sun but very cold still. Went to get mail. Met Mrs Davidson in Australia House, asked me to go and visit them. Paid for my coronation seat, 10/-, then took bus to London Bridge, back again to Piccadilly. Had lunch at Lyons, then met the Davidsons again. Bought some wool to make knee pads, feel the cold in my knees. Arrived home at 5 feeling very tired. Spent about 2 hours in Swan and Edgar, a lovely shop. Took Mrs Roberts to supper.
Sunday, 18 April 1937
Went with Mrs David to Petticoat Lane. Had a guide, 8 of us. Were all nearly frozen with the cold & rain. Took us also to the dog markets and hirdo? [hair do?] also. Got back to lunch then went to Albert Hotel to hear Richard Tauber. Good crowd, but still plenty of seats. Paid 3/6 in gallery.? Saw all the N.Z. [people]. Got back to tea, very tired. Mrs Robertson took me out to supper, shandy & sandwiches, took bus back at 11 –
Saturday, 17 April 1937
Still wet & cold, receive several invitations this morning for different functions. Went into town and had lunch, wandered about for some time then took bus back. Too tired to run around.
Friday, 16 April 1937
Still wet and cold. Went with Mrs David & joined the Overseas Club; 15 / to join & 10/ sub. Had lunch at the Brassiere at Lyons, then went to a picture show. Back in time for dinner.
Thursday, 15 April 1937
Another wretched day. Went into Strand to N.Z. rooms to meet Miss Slattery, then to Marshall and Snelsons [most likely Marshall and Snelgrove in Oxford St], to a mannequin parade. Very nice show, had afternoon tea there also and a good look around. Back to 130 for dinner then out to meet Fay and her husband. Saw White Oaks, her husband, very good looking. Had coffee & biscuits in his office. Back by tube at 12.
Wednesday, 14 April 1937
Still very dull, damp; went out to see Edith at Palmers Green. Had a spot then she took me out to lunch, back again, raining very heavy. Had tea, stayed on to supper. The husband & boy came home, more spots, friends came in the evening, more spots, left about 10.45. Takes over an hour to Victoria station. Had a very enjoyable day. She has a very nice home, and is very happy.
Tuesday, 13 April 1937
Cold and dull. Feeling very tired. Stopped in and did a bit of washing & ironing. Had lunch and went out to Baker St, to Madame Tussauds waxworks; enjoyed it. Came back to Oxford St – to Evans and had afternoon tea. Back for dinner, then went for a walk with Mrs Moody along the embankment.
Monday, 12 April 1937
Cold and fine
Went to Australia House for letters then N.Z. House. Met Mrs Prentice, had lunch, then train to Buxton [sp? possibly Brixton and Brixton Markets]. Put me in mind of Colombo; men trying to drag you into the shops. In the markets bought a felt hat for 3/6. Had a good day, very tired.
Sunday, 11 April 1937
Went to Royal Military chapel to memorial service for an Australian soldier killed yesterday, very impressive, home for dinner. Met crowd at 6 at Lyons, Piccadilly. Had dinner there then Mrs Everett & I went to the arts theatre to a show. Had spot at interval with Col’s brother & sister. Good show, got home at midnight. Supper at Lyons at midnight.
[It would appear that the reference to the memorial service was for Arthur Sullivan, VC, who was in London to attend as a representative, the King’s Coronation and who was accidentally killed on 9 April, 1937.]