1946

Birmingham City football

   Blues beat Portsmouth 1–nil in the F.A. Cup 3rd round 1st leg. Flewin put through his own goal. The ball just flew in.

bIrmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   2nd leg. Blues drew 0–0 at Portsmouth

   Went to Villa Park 2–2. Dearson, Dougall.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Dearson, Bodle, Edwards.

   We went to St. Andrews to see Blues beat Villa 3–1. Jones 2, Mulraney.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Hughes; Harris, Turner, Dearson; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   We went to see Blues play Watford in the 4th round 2nd leg. They won 5–nil. Mulraney scored a hat-trick, Jones and Bodle scored the others.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   Blues drew 1–1 at Watford.

   Blues won 3–nil away to Arsenal. Jones, Edwards 2.

   Blues lost 1–nil away to Sunderland in the F.A. Cup 5th Round.

   Blues beat Sunderland 3–1 at St. Andrews. Jones 2, Mulraney. 40,000.

Birmingham City:— King; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   We went to see Blues play Charlton Athletic. They won 1–nil (Jones). Charlton were awarded a penalty at the Railway End and their goalkeeper Sam Bartram ran all the way up the pitch to take it. The ball hit the crossbar with a tremendous thud and Blues tried furiously to get the ball into the empty net while Bartram was running back. It was very funny.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dearson, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   We went to St. Andrews to see Blues play Fulham. They won 2–nil. Laing, White.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; White, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Laing.

   Blues drew 2–2 at Bradford in their 6th Round match. Dougall and Jones scored.

   Blues beat Bradford 6–nil. Dougall, Bodle, Mulraney each scored 2. 49,858 were there.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   Blues lost at home 1–nil to Arsenal. I could not go.

   Blues lost 1–nil at home to Plymouth Argyle, who are bottom of the League. I cannot believe it.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Dearson; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   Dad and I went on the train to Sheffield to see Blues play Derby County in the F.A. Cup semi-final. They drew 1–1. 65,013

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   Blues lost the replay at Maine Road, Manchester, 4–nil. Ted Duckhouse was carried off on a stretcher with a broken leg. The team was the same as on Saturday. 80,407 were there, so the total attendance for the two matches is 125,420.

   Blues beat Portsmouth away 4–3 after being 0–3 down!

   It was April Fools Day today and on the wireless there was a programme called Ignorance is Bliss.

   Blues beat Plymouth Argyle 3–2 away.

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I sit for the High School

   Today I went to King Edward’s High School in Edgbaston Park Road to take the Entrance Examination. In the morning I did the Intelligence Test, then we did Arithmetic and English in the afternoon. I had a school lunch in the dining hall.

   I went to the High School again today to take the History and Geography exams but they were not as easy as yesterday. I told Mam and Dad that I did not want them to put me in for the High School as I have already passed for Camp Hill and shall be going there in September. The High School is a beautiful school though. It is very modern, with lawns and fields all around.

King Edward’s Grammar School, Camp Hill, as it was, in Stratford Road. The school relocated in 1956 and is known since then as King Edward’s Camp Hill Grammar School for Boys, Kings Heath.

   Blues lost 0–1 away to Nottingham Forest.

   Blues beat Portsmouth 1–nil at St. Andrews. Wilson Jones scored.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   Today was Good Friday.

   Blues drew 3–3 at Molineux.

   Today is Easter Monday. Blues won 1–nil at Newport County. Massart scored.

   We went to St. Andrews to see Blues play their last home game of the season against Wolves, but they lost 0–1.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   Blues drew 0–0 at Charlton. They have won the League South.

Birmingham City champions

   We listened to the Football Results. Blues beat Luton Town away 3–nil and have won the League South Championship! They are the best team in the country and would also have won the F.A. Cup if Ted Duckhouse had not broken his leg. I see from the Sports Argus that Bodle, Mitchell (penalty) and Mulraney scored the goals. In the Cup Final Derby County beat Charlton Athletic 4–1 after extra time. Blues have beaten Derby County twice this season and have won and drawn against Charlton Athletic, and I expect them to win the Cup and the League next season.

Rationing

   We are celebrating the War ending a year ago, but everything is still rationed.

   Today is Whit Monday.

Victory stamps

   I walked down the village and went to the Post Office to buy the new Victory stamps. Dad gave me the money and I spent 1/10d on a block of four 2½d blue stamps and four 3d violet stamps. They look beautiful and I have stuck them on a special page in my stamp album. The 2½d stamps are for ordinary letters and letters to anywhere in the British Empire, and the 3d stamps are for letters to the rest of the World.

   I went to Cubs as usual.

Very rude

   I always go to school with Margaret Hibberd [who lives next door but one at 157 Circular Road]. One of the children said she is my sweetheart but she isn’t. Stanley Draper said to me, hasn’t she got big - - - s, and I had never noticed, but now I see that she has. John Mills asked me and another boy if we would like to see a girl’s - - - - and squeezed the back of his hand to show us. It was very rude, but they come from the rough end of the Road.

Scouts Rally

   I went with the Cubs to the 33rd Annual Rally at Handsworth Park. The new Chief Scout Lord Rowallan took the salute.

   I left Hartfield Crescent Junior School today. I have got my report. [jpg]. I have come 1st out of 51, with 477 out of 500. [I was absent on the day of the handwriting exam but Mrs. Wright gave me full marks anyway. However, I submitted a sample of my handwriting — done at home the day I was ill — to Mr. Olarenshaw who gave me only 48 marks for it. Disappointed but not wanting to be dishonest, I corrected the Report but in the wrong place, giving myself only 48 marks for Comprehension and retaining the 50 given me in my absence for Handwriting. If I had not been so honest I would have got 479 out of 500.]

   I am now 11. I have had birthday cards from Mam and Dad, Clarice and Julia, Granma Williams, Alan Hiley and Brian Holliday.

A card from Granma Williams for my 11th birthday today

My school reports for the term ending January and for the year ending 28th July 1946

   I am now 11. I have had birthday cards from Mam and Dad, Clarice and Julia, Granma Williams, Alan Hiley and Brian Holliday. [jpg]

Lowestoft

   We are getting ready to go on holiday to Lowestoft. We are going there because that is where Richie lives [the student who lodges with us. See my entry for 1 August 1947].

   A man took our photograph on the sea-front and it is terrible.

   We arrived home from holiday today

Blue Mail, pink Argus

   The new football season started today and we listened to the Football Results on the wireless. Blues won 2–1 away against Tottenham Hotspur and Villa lost 1–nil at home to Middlesbrough.

   After tea I went to Dorling’s and we waited in a big queue for the sports papers to arrive. Everyone was very excited as it was the first time of having them since before the War. The Sports Final was the first to arrive and some people bought that and then went home, but we waited for the Sports Argus to arrive as Dad says it is better.

   The Sports Argus has the heading IT”S BEEN A LONG, LONG TIME and a cartoon by Norman Edwards. Underneath is an article which explains how the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Alderman W.T. Wiggins Davies, pressed a button and set the presses rolling to produce several thousand copies an hour. I have been reading it tonight and it is excellent. There are full reports of the Blues’ and Villa matches, also of Albion, Coventry, Wolves and Walsall, and even an action photograph from Villa Park. On the back page I read that Sydney Wooderson failed in his attack on the two-miles record.

Blues in Division II

   Blues played their first match of the season at St. Andrews this evening. It was their first home match in the 2nd Division, and they won 4–nil. Wilson Jones scored 2 goals, Mulraney and Dougall the others.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Owen, Duckhouse, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Jones, Bodle, Edwards. 35,000 were there.

   Dad says Blues wouldn’t be in the Second Division if they hadn’t missed a penalty in the last match before the War

   Dad and I went to St. Andrews this afternoon to see Blues play Burnley but they lost 2–nil. It was the first League Division 2 match I have been to. I stand at the top now with Dad and Grandad.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Owen, Duckhouse, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Massart, Bodle, Edwards

   I went to get the Sports Argus after tea. It was a big crowd at the match, 53,000.

   Dad has bought me the Birmingham City F.C. Official Handbook 1946-47, and it is super, with lots of pictures and information about the players. There is a photo of Arthur Turner leading the Blues onto the pitch between “a bevy of beauties” when they played Malmo in their tour of Sweden this summer.

First day at Camp Hill

   I started at Camp Hill today. I am in Form 1B. My form master, Mr. R.L. Howe, wears a black gown. The Head Master is Mr. T.F. Rogers.

   I am going to learn French, Science and Mathematics as well as English, Geography, History and Arithmetic which I have been doing at Hartfield Crescent. I shall also be doing Art, Handicraft (woodwork), Scripture and P.T.

   There are 4 periods in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. I am in Seymour House. The other three Houses are Beaufort, Tudor and Howard,

   Mr. Howe took us for the first two periods. After the milk break we had a double period of Art with Mr. H.F. Warnes. After dinner we had English, Mathematics with Mr. R.W. Espley and P.T. with Mr. S. Hill.

   Today we had Mathematics with Mr. R.W. Espley, History with Mr. P.W. Bates, and French and English with Mr. Howe. The School Dinner was horrible. After dinner we had Geography with Mr. A.J. Mole, English with Mr. Howe, and Scripture with Mr. E.J. Titt.

   Today we had Mathematics, Geography, English, Music and French. In Music we did singing with Mr. Howe and learned the School Song.

   Birmingham City lost 1–2 away to Leicester City earlier this week, and 1–3 away to Barnsley this afternoon. That is three games in a row they have lost.

Tuberculosis

   Reggie is now on his way to Switzerland to help him to get better from the TB. He went with a party of other children from New Street Station this morning. I am going to write to him when he sends me the address.

   Blues lost 3–nil to West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns this afternoon. In Art I got 7/10 again.

   At school today Mr. Howe gave us an Exercise Book to do our work in. We did Lesson V on page 16. I wrote:—

   There are thirty one boys in form 1B.

   There are 12 double sheets of paper in this book.

   Lord Rowallan is the present Chief Scout.

   The G.W.R. are converting their engines to oil burnings.

   This is the fifth sentence. [GIF]

   In Music we are learning The Blacksmith (Brahms for the Grammar Schools Music Festival next year at the Town Hall.

   I went with Dad to St. Andrews to see Blues play Newport County but they only drew 1–1. After winning their first two games of the season in the 2nd Division they have lost the last four, so they have got only 5 points out of 14. Only 20,000 were there, I have never seen St. Andrews look so empty. Harold Bodle scored. [It was Syd Owen’s last game for Blues before being transferred to Luton Town.]

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Owen, Devey, Mitchell; Mulraney, Goodwin, Jones, Bodle, Edwards.

   Blues beat West Bromwich Albion 1–nil this afternoon. I couldn’t go because of school. We had French and History and double Art this morning (I only got 6/10) and this afternoon English, Mathematics and P.T.

   Birmingham City were away to Southampton this afternoon and lost 1–nil.

   I got 7/10 for Art today, making 27/40 for my first four weeks.

   In Music we are now learning The Owl by Dunhill and The Vagabond by Cope.

   We went to St. Andrews and saw Blues beat Nottingham Forest 4–nil. Bodle, Trigg and Edwards (2) scored.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Shaw, Turner, Mitchell; Goodwin, Mulraney, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards. Attendance 35,000.

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   A children’s serial has started on the Light Programme at 6.45pm called Dick Barton — Special Agent.

   I got 8/10 for Art today, my best mark so far.

   I got 8/10 for Art today

   A new serial has started on the wireless called Paul Temple and the Gregory Affair. It was very exciting.

   All the boys at school are listening to Dick Barton and I am too. It is very exciting. [The signature tune is The Devil’s Gallop by Charles Williams. Dick Barton is played by Noel Johnson, Snowey White by John Mann, and Jock Anderson by Alex McCrindle. The announcer is Hamilton Humphries, the script-writers are Geoffrey Webb and Edward J. Mason. The producer is Neil Tuson.]

   I got 8 out of 10 for Art again today, but only 5 out of 10 for English as I got mixed up with the predicate.

   Neville Heath was executed today.

   I went to St. Andrews with Dad and saw Blues beat Millwall 4–nil (Bodle, Trigg 2, Dougall).

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Shaw, Turner, Mitchell; Goodwin, Mulraney, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards. It was the same team as last time. 25,000 were there.

    It is half-term holiday all this week.

   Blues lost 2–nil away to Bradford.

   We returned to school today. I had a letter from Reggie, who is convalescing in Switzerland. I am going to put the stamps in my stamp album. [jpg]

   I got 7/10 for Art.

   Blues were playing Manchester City this afternoon and Dad and I went as usual. They won 3–1. Dougall, Mulraney and Trigg scored. 30,000 were there.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Goodwin, Mulraney, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards.

   I got 6/10 for Art.

   Dad and I listened to the Football Results on the wireless as usual. Blues won 4–nil away to West Ham United. I went to Dorling’s as usual and waited for the Sports Argus to arrive. Harold Bodle, George Edwards (2) and Cyril Trigg scored Blues’ goals

   I got 7/10 for Art.

   Dad took me to St. Andrews as usual. It was a very good match. Blues beat Sheffield Wednesday 3–1, their third win in a row. Cyril Trigg scored 2 and Neil Dougall the other. The attendance was 32,425.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards.

   After the match we walked back to see Granma, Grandad and Fred as usual [at 23 Pretoria Road, Bordesley Green], then came home on the 15A and Outer Circle.

Death of Granma

   Dear Granma died today and we can hardly bear it. A man came to our house to take photographs of us this morning. He took one of all five of us on the settee, with me sitting on the arm near the hearth, and then one of Clarice, Julia and me on the settee. [jpg]

   After dinner Dad took me to see Granma. She wasn’t very well yesterday and when we got there today she was still in bed in the front room. I went to see her and she said, “Go and cut yourself a bit of cake, son,” but I didn’t feel like any with her being so ill. Then Dad sent me to Blake Lane running up the hill to ask for Dr. Lloyd to come. The lady said yes, but when I got back and he didn’t come Dad asked me to go back and say it was urgent. Then when I got back I had to go yet again. This time when I got back I went into the front room and the clothes had been pulled over the back of the bed and Granma was just lying there. Dad was crying and I knew she must be dead. Also I saw her glass eye lying on a table by the bed.

   Dad sent me out of the room to wait for him and said he wouldn’t be long. Eventually we left Grandad and Fred there, we walked up Pretoria Road and Third Avenue and waited for the ’bus. On the ’bus I could see Dad was crying and to take his mind off it I asked him something about the Blues. We got off at the Yew Tree and waited for the Outer Circle ’bus, and then walked home from the village as usual. When we got home I went in first through the back door into the kitchen and then opened the door into the living room, and Mammy said, “Is your Granma all right?” and I didn’t know what to say, but Dad said, “She’s gone,” and we all cried.

   I went to school as usual this morning and told the boys that Granma died yesterday. Dad has made the arrangements for the funeral and I have written an announcement to be in the deaths column in the Birmingham Mail. [jpg]

   I got 7/10 for Art. Granma’s death announcement was in the Mail tonight.

Tripe and onions

   It was Granma’s funeral today. I had the day off school and we all went to Granma and Grandad’s. The house was full of people I have never seen before. The funeral was at Yardley Cemetery at 11.20am. I wanted to go but Mam and Dad wouldn’t let me as I had to look after Clarice and Julia. I have never been to a funeral. When they got back we all had tripe and onions but I didn’t like it very much. Mammy always says “it’s tripe” when she doesn’t like anything.

A small fortune unclaimed

   A very strange thing has happened. Uncle Elijah’s son Percy, Granma’s nephew, who came to the funeral yesterday, received a letter the day before she died to say that there is “a sum of unclaimed money amounting to Several Hundred Pounds which we consider can be recovered by the descendants of the late William Bower” who was Granma’s father. So Granma was due to receive some money but has died before she even knew about it.

The letter was from Pallot & Co., 2 New Court, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2, and dated 22nd November 1946. It says that Uncle Percy, Aunt Ada and Aunt Mabel (Granma’s brother and sisters), and Frederick Bower (her nephew) “have already approved our terms and signed our agreement.” Unfortunately, Granma was one of about 23 children of William Bower — he died on Sunday 14th August 1910 without making a will.

   The advert I wrote for the Public Notices is in the Birmingham Mail. It says:—

   WILLIAMS. — ERNEST & FAMILY wish to Thank all relatives, neighbours and friends from the Fordrough Lane G.P.O., also Floodgate Street Fellowship, for floral tributes in their sad bereavement.

   I got 7/10 for Art.

   We went to St. Andrews to see Blues play Bury. They won 3–nil. Duckhouse, Dougall and Edwards scored.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Hughes; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Duckhouse, Bodle, Edwards. The attendance was 20,000.

   I got 7/10 for Art.

   Today was Speech Day and we all went on the bus to the Friends Institute, Moseley Road. We sang the School Song and then Mr. Rogers made a speech. He said 52 boys had gained the School Certificate and 5 their Higher School Certificate. He also said that architects have been appointed for a new school to be built at Kings Heath. Mr. Victor F. Yates M.P. presented some prizes and Canon S. Blofeld presented the certificates. In the concert I sang in the Choir in The Blacksmith (Brahms), The Owl (Dunhill) and The Vagabond (Cope), and J.F. Brayne (Form IIA) sang the Faery Song from The Immortal Hour (Rutland Boughton) and Art Thou Troubled? (Handel). He was very good.

   Birmingham City won 3–1 away to Luton Town this afternoon and Cyril Trigg scored a hat-trick!

   I got 8/10 for Art.

   We broke up today for the Christmas holiday. Tonight I went carol-singing with John Adams. I have had my Report from school. [GIF}

   This afternoon I went with Dad to see Blues play Plymouth Argyle. It was a great match — they won 6–1. Bodle scored a hat-trick, Mulraney scored 2 and Edwards the other. It makes up for the dreadful day last season when Blues lost to them 1–nil.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Dearson; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards Attendance 26,000.

   Christmas Day. We opened our presents this morning. I have had The School Bible illustrated.

   Dad and I went to St. Andrews to see Blues play Swansea Town. They won 3–1. Dougall and Bodle scored, and Feeney put through his own goal.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Duckhouse, Dearson; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards. Attendance 33,000.

   We listened to the King this afternoon.

   Boxing Day. Blues lost 1–nil at Swansea.

   Dad and I went to the match as usual to see Blues play Tottenham Hotspur. There was a big crowd and Blues won 1–nil with a goal by Mulraney.

Birmingham City:— Merrick; Dearson, Jennings; Harris, Turner, Mitchell; Mulraney, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards. Attendance 44,171.