It was the 35th Annual Boy Scouts Rally at Handsworth Park today. I caught the 44 ’bus as usual to Baker Street, then went with the cubs on the charabanc to Handsworth. The Salute was taken by General Sir William J. Slim, G.B.E., K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C., who is an Old Edwardian. The Band of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment played.

   We went to the Mission as usual after dinner.

   I have been looking at the beautiful letter-card I got yesterday on the way back from the Rally. I got off the 44 in the village and happened to see a “Souvenir Letter Card of Acocks Green — Six Views in Photo-Colour” at Wells’ Newsagents (Warwick Road). I had to buy it as the pictures were all taken before the War and are in colour too. They are also available as postcards and I am going to treasure them. They show:—

(1) Shirley Road and Olton Boulevard — the big island just round the corner from where we live.

(2) Westley Road and Square, showing the island in the village but before it was developed.

(3) Sherbourne Road, Five Ways — the junction of Dudley Park Road, Station Road, Oxford Road, Yardley Road and Sherbourne Road (not the Five Ways at the end of Broad Street in town).

(4) Warwick Road — looking down to the village from Flint Green Road; there is a school crossing sign on the left with a black and white pole surmounted by a red triangle, and a “torch” sign with the word “School”.

(5) The Village Square — viewed from the bottom of Westley Road: it must have been taken from upstairs at the Warwick Cinema, and shows the No. 11 Outer Circle ’bus stop on the left (where we get off the Special Bus) and the New Inn on the right.

(6) Warwick Road — looking down towards Station Road and the village. It is taken from outside Bata, with Halford’s next door, and across the road Sam Leston’s, then William Daw’s the fish shop. [In 12 years’ time their son Michael Daw will marry Freda’s sister Rosemary and so become my brother-in-law.]

   I do not know why the captions refer to the village “square”. It is not square at all, nor ever could have been, and I have never heard anybody call it that.

   I went straight from school to the County Ground today to see the final day of Eric Hollies’ benefit match against Kent. It ended in a draw.

   Warwickshire scored 478 on Saturday. Fred Gardner scored 126, Tom Dollery 93, and Martin Donnelly 61. Gardner and Donnelly made a 3rd wicket stand of 113.

   Todd and Fagg opened for Kent, but after Todd was out for 49 the batting collapsed. Fagg was finally bowled by Hollies for 99 and Kent were all out for 198, giving Warwickshire a lead of 280.

   When I arrived Kent were following on and Todd and Fagg were batting. Fagg got his century, then was caught and bowled by Hollies for 106. L.E.G. Ames came in and scored 46 before being caught at the wicket by Spooner off Maudsley, at which point the match ended with Kent having scored 287 for 2 and Todd 127 not out. It was a frustrating end to the match.

   We had only two normal periods at school because of exams. taking place.

   I spent our free period today in the library.

   We had our Arithmetic, English, Latin and Art exams. today.

   Today we had Algebra, French and Geography exams.

   We had our Physics and Biology exams today.

   After school I went to town and bought a copy of The Observer’s Book of British Birds, which was 4/6d.

   I went to Cubs tonight.

   This new pen [with which I have written the previous line] is called a “Fisherbond Pen Pencil”. Some of the boys at school are now using “Biro”s which do not have a nib but write with a tiny ball-point at the end of a thin tube containing the ink. As I was keen to have one, Dad got me this one from Lewis’s.

   It is silver-coloured and 4½ inches long, including the piece at the end which measures half an inch and screws off to allow for the ink-tube to be inserted. There is also a clip to fasten it in one’s pocket. The pen has a bore of about a quarter of an inch, but the writing end is tapered so as to hold the ink-tube securely. [I still have this “ballpoint pen” 52 years — and many refills — later!]

n.d. 48 Observer’s Book of British Butterflies, 4/6d

   We had Geometry and History exams today.

   I went to the County Ground today to see Warwickshire play Glamorgan

   I went to Cubs as usual tonight. We played football for a few minutes then we did packwork.

   This morning in Big School we made a recording of the School Song and Jerusalem. It is to give to Mr. Morris, who is leaving.

   Later we had our [Rem. C] Form photograph taken in front of the School. [I have forgotten to record that Leek brought his camera to school one day. He has given me copies of the photographs he took of Mr. F.L. (Freddie) Kay with his feet on the desk, our form master Mr. J.D. (Coco) Copland in pensive mood, and Mr. C.J. (Codger) Power with a bag of sweets which he was wont to hand out.]

   We broke up for the summer holiday today. It was my last day in Rem. C. We had the King Edward’s School Chronicle for July 1948, and as I collect autographs I asked Mr. Copland, Mr. Quincey and Mr. Traynor to sign the back of my copy. Mr. S.E. Quincey left today after only a year; he has been teaching Classics. Mr. A.W. Street has also left; he has taught French at K.E.S. since 1912.

   We received the form photograph taken yesterday. [I am going to use my new “Fisherbond Pen-Pencil” to write the names on the back. The boys in the photograph are:—

(Back Row) A.W. Harris, C.F. Stormont, A.V. Bennett, P.W. Burton, D.R. Haworth, P.F. Bradley, P.R. Janney.

(Middle Row) M.F. Grayson, M.D. Cooper, J.D. Adams, R.K. Duggins, A. Derbyshire, D.G. Harmer, C. Gilbraith, O.C.W. Thomson.

(Front Row) G.T. Bruce, P.J. Riley, J.K. Maund, C.H. Martin, B.D. Williams, B.F. Leek, N.W.C. Gardner, J.E. Trayhern, L.S. West, R.C. Tongue.

   It was also Mr. Morris’s last day. I have not met him since I came to be interviewed last year. Mr. Street has left too.

   We are going on holiday to Blackpool tomorrow.

   We had to get up early this morning to catch the 7.15am train to Blackpool. [The map here shows the route.] We arrived at 11.50. It is the first time that we have been here and it was a thrill to see the famous Tower where Reginald Dixon plays the Theatre Organ. We have listened to him on the radio.

   We played cricket on the beach in the afternoon. The sea was fairly calm. The weather was cloudy but warm.

   This morning we played cricket. We went for a walk along the pier this afternoon. The sea was quite rough, the weather the same as yesterday.

   We played in the sea all morning and Dad went for a swim. We also went for a walk to Stanley Park. the sea was slightly rough today, the weather the same.

   It has been very hot today. We played all day in the sea, which was calm. Tonight we walked round the Pleasure Beach.

   The weather was very hot again today. We played in the sea this morning and afternoon. It was very calm.

   This evening we went to Blackpool Airport.

   The weather has been very hot again today. I played in the sea this morning; it was very calm.

   This afternoon we went to the Waxworks.

   We played cricket on the beach tonight.

   The new set of stamps for the Olympic Games came out today which I must get and stick on the special envelope. It will not be a “First Day Cover” though.

   I went in the sea this morning and again tonight. The sea was not so calm, but the weather was very hot.

.

   It is my 13th birthday today. Having packed our things we spent the morning on the beach. The sea was about the same, the weather cooler though.

   We left Blackpool at 2.7pm and arrived back in Birmingham at 6.40pm.

   My school report came while we were on holiday:—

Next term begins on September 16th.

   Today I went to see Warwickshire play the Australians at the County Ground. I had to wait in a long queue to get in, by which time Warwickshire had been put in to bat after Bradman won the toss. They were all out for 138. Martin Donnelly, the New Zealand left-hander, scored 28, Dick Spooner 20 and Vic Cannings 18 not out. Eric Hollies scored 5!

   Everybody wanted to see the great Don Bradman. He came in No. 3 and scored 31 before being bowled by Hollies.

   I stayed in most of the time reading.

   At the County Ground Australia were all out for 254, giving them a 1st innings lead of 116. Hollies took 8 for 107 — the best by any bowler against Australia this season.

   Australia beat Warwickshire by 9 wickets. Warwickshire were all out for 155 in their 2nd innings (Thompson 35, Ord 24, Dollery 24; Johnston 4 for 32, McCool 4 for 56), leaving Australia needing only 40 to win. They scored 41 for 1. The match was over by lunch time.

   I have had my tin of coins a long time. The pennies, halfpennies and farthings we use every day are mainly King George VI now, but there are almost as many of King George V (1910–1935). There are also lots of pennies and halfpennies of King Edward VII (1901–1910) and Queen Victoria (1837–1901).

   My favourite is a 1797 penny of George III which is 1 3/8 ins. across and weighs nearly an ounce. I have cleaned it with Chemico and it has come up quite well. I also have a George III halfpenny dated 1775 which is my oldest coin, and a George III farthing dated 1806 or 1807.

   I also have a medal 2 inches in diameter and weighing over 2 ounces, of King George V and Queen Mary, and on the other side a sailing boat, crown and trumpeters. The sail is the Royal Ensign. On the side of the boat is the name “A Toft”, and underneath, the date 1911. To the right of the King’s head I can see through my magnifying glass a monogram with A and T superimposed and below it M.B.LD. [The D is in small capitals]. I think it must have been made to celebrate the Coronation on June 22nd 1911.

   The other coins are:

• Australia, One Shilling, George V, 1918, it has a kangaroo and emu supporting a shield with a star above it, and the motto “Advance Australia”

• Australia, ½d, George V, 1922

• Australia, 1d, George V, 1924

• Belgium, 10 Centimes, Leopold I, “L’Union Fait La Force” 1861

• Belgium, 5 Cents, design on back, 1916

• Belgium, 25c, of inferior metal with a design on the back and a small hole in the middle, 1939

• Belgium, 25c, of inferior metal, 1944

• Belgium, 5 Francs, with a hole in the middle, Leopold III Roi Des Belges, 1945

• Ceylon, 1 cent, George V King and Emperor of India, 1926

• Denmark, 2 Kroner, 1926

• ? Egypt, — Piastres, 1916

• France, 5c (very worn), Republique Francaise, 1809

• France, 10 Centimes, Napoleon III, Empereur, 1856

• France, 10 Centimes, Napoleon III, Empereur, the date worn off

• France, 5 Centimes, Napoleon III, Empereur, 1856

• France, 10 Centimes, Republique Francaise, with the words “Égalité, Fraternité, Libérté”, 1884

• France, 5 Centimes, “RF” with a hole in the middle, 1939

• Germany, 50 Pfennig, an eagle and shield on the back, 1876

• Germany, 10 Pfennig, Crown, eagle and shield, 1900

• Germany, 2 Pfennig, 1912

• Germany, 5 Pfennig, 1916

• Germany, 5 Pfennig, 1918

• Germany, 1 Pfennig, Eagle and swastika, 1941

• ? Greece, Basileiou Tes Ellados, 10 Lepta, a crown above the date, and between them in very tiny letters “A BOPPEA” and “A”, 1894.

• ? Greece, Basileiou Tes Ellados, 10 Lepta, has an owl and hole in the centre, 1912

• Holland, 10 Cents, very tiny, smaller than our silver 3d piece, Queen Wilhelmina, 1901

• Hu-Feh Province, Ten Cash, no English date

• India, ½ Anna, a square coin with rounded corners, 1944

• India, 1 Pice, with a squiggly design on the back and a hole in the middle, 1945

• Ireland, 1d, 1937, (which I got in some change as it is the same size as our penny but is not legal tender)

• Italy, 5 Centesimi, Vittorio Emanuele II, Re D’Italia, 1861

• Italy, 10 Centesimi, Vittorio Emanuele II, Re D’Italia, 1866

• New Zealand, silver 3d, George V King Emperor, 1936

• Palestine, 5 Mils, has a hole in the middle, 1939

• Palestine, 1 Mil, 1942

• Sarawak, 1 Cent, Brooke Rajah, 1886

• South Africa, 1d, George VI Rex Imperator, 1941

• ? Spain, Doscientas Piezas En Kilog, Cinco Centimos, 1870

• Switzerland (Confoederatio Helvetica), 5 — (not stated), 1900

• Switzerland (Confoederatio Helvetica), 5 — (not stated), 1901

• Switzerland (Confoederatio Helvetica), 10 — (not stated), 1906

• ? Turkey, date in Arabic which I can’t read

   There are also three coins which I cannot identify:—

• A silver coin, the size of a sixpence, with a leaf and flower pattern round the edge. It feels Arabic and has a design resembling the shape of India, with the date 177V, except that the 7s face the opposite way, and H underneath.

• Another silver coin, with squiggles, and the head of a young king facing left and wearing a fez. Could it be the young King Farouk of Egypt?

• A worn copper disc, the size of a penny, perhaps not a coin at all, but there is evidence of what might be oriental design.

   Excluding British coins, I have some 45 coins from about 25 countries. They have been handled by millions of people and now I am handling them. What history they tell! The tin they are kept in is also interesting. It measures a little under 3¼ x 2¼ x ¾, made by Glaxo Laboratories Ltd., Greenford, Middlesex. It has the number SG226 in the corner, and originally contained 100 Cod Liver Oil capsules.

   I went to Scouts tonight.

   It rained quite a lot today. I managed to finish cutting the lawn.

   We went to town and to the News Theatre this morning. Ginger came back this afternoon.

   I went to St. Andrews to see Birmingham City’s practice match this afternoon.

   I went to Scouts.

   Rained most of the day.

   A bit brighter today.

   Raining again.

   A little sunshine today.

   It has been rather dull today with rain at times. Birmingham City were playing at Molineux this afternoon, their first 1st Division match since before the War. Result:— Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Birmingham City 2 (Bodle, Trigg).

   I took Clarice and Julia to the woods this morning.

   I went to St. Andrews to see Blues play Middlesborough — the first time I have seen them play in the First Division, but they could only draw 0–0.

   Birmingham City:— Merrick; Green, Jennings; Harris, Duckhouse, Badham; Stewart, Dougall, Trigg, Bodle, Edwards.

   This morning I went to town and bought my Scout hat at the Scout Shop in Dale End.

    Mrs. Harris came this afternoon. She gave me a copy of Sacred Songs & Solos I & II, 441 pieces. She has also given me The Birthday Scripture Text Book.

   It has been very hot today. I went to St. Andrews this afternoon to see Birmingham City play Chelsea. They won 1–nil. Stewart scored. The team was the same as Wednesday. The attendance was 48,000.

   We took Ginger with us to Cannon Hill Park this afternoon.

   I went to Scouts tonight.

   We went to town this morning to see Arthur Askey and Anthea at Lewis’s. I took my autograph book with a newspaper photo of Arthur which I stuck in specially. I showed it to him and he said, “That’s a funny one!” and signed it for me. Anthea gave me her autograph too.

   Went to the Olton Cinema to see Dick Barton (U), Bandits of Sherwood Forest.

   Birmingham City were away to Middlesbrough and drew 1–1. Garrett scored on his first appearance for Blues.

   Rained a lot today. We went to town.

   Rained nearly all day long.

   This afternoon at Goodison Park, Birmingham City beat Everton 5–nil. Cyril Trigg scored twice, as did Jackie Stewart. Archie Garrett scored the other.

   Went to town. Went to Scouts tonight.

   Raining but very warm.

   Yardley Swifts 4 Circular Road 3

   Manchester City beat Birmingham City 1–nil at Maine Road today. Blues had not lost a league match away from home for the previous 15 games, a record.

   Warm today. Went to Hartfield Crescent

   I went to St. Andrews this afternoon to see Blues play Preston North End. They won 1–nil. Birmingham City:— Merrick; Green, Jennings; Harris, Duckhouse, McKee; Stewart, Dougall, Trigg, Garrett, Hughes. It was the first time we have seen McKee, Garrett and Hughes who are all new signings. Garrett scored again.

   It rained a little.

   I went to St. Andrews this afternoon. Birmingham City beat Manchester City 4–nil. Jackie Stewart scored all four goals! Birmingham City:— Merrick; Green, Jennings; Harris, Duckhouse, McKee; Stewart, Dougall, Trigg, Garrett, Laing. The attendance was 40,000. It was Laing’s first game for Blues.

   We returned to school today. It is a year since I started at K.E.S. I am now in Upper Middle D. Mr. T.R. Parry, M.A., is my Form master. Our form room is No. 148 which is next door to my last year’s form room, Mr. Copland’s, No. 149. [form list]

   It is Julia’s 7th birthday today but we are all missing Clarice, who is in Selly Oak Hospital, and praying for her to get better from the appendicitis. She has had an operation.

   Burnley 2 Birmingham City 2

   Dick Barton started again tonight. Adventure Unlimited finished on Friday.

   There are 23 boys in U.M.D. Nine of them are new to K.E.S. They are:— Birch, R.J., Clare, M., Fisk, P.R., Mendelssohn, R.G., Rainbow, M.J., Sanders, C.R., Summerton, J.M., Tipper, D.J., and Trafford-Willey, P.C.

   I know John Adams, Harris and Trayhern from our being in Rem. C together last year. There are three boys from Rem. A:— Davies, J.A., Jennens, P.A., and Roberts, W.R. The others are all from Rem. D:— Dale, J.S.F., Hollingworth, D.C., Hopkins, T.M.T., Morant, J.A.T., Morris, D., Pressdee, J.T., and Smith, R.V.B., whose father, Mr. E. V. Smith, is Second Master.

   It has been warm today.

   This afternoon I went to St. Andrews and saw Birmingham City beat Stoke City 2–1. Neil Dougall and Fred Harris scored. Team:— Merrick; Green, Jennings; Harris, Duckhouse, McKee; Stewart, Dougall, Trigg, Garrett, Edwards. Almost 50,000 were there.

   Blues have scored 15 goals this month and have so far won 5 and drawn 4 of their first 10 matches in the 1st Division. They have lost only once!

   I have been volunteered to be in charge of the Cot-Fund and have to collect money from all the boys in the form. I collected 4/9d in Scripture last period this afternoon. At Hartfield Crescent I used to collect the Milk Money for Mrs. Wright. [One Monday morning I counted the money, pennies and halfpennies and the odd threepenny bit — about 200 coins — and arranged them in shilling piles, 12 pennies to each, then pennies and halfpennies, then stacks of 24 halfpennies, until I had 11 piles of shillings and 11 halfpennies (11s 5½d). Dividing this by 2½d I discovered that only 55 boys had paid but there were 56 children in the class. Mrs. Wright asked who had not paid, but no one owned up. There was some further delay while I checked the money again, then, very red-faced, I had to admit that the missing 2½d was still in my pocket.] [C2 maths set list]

   I went to Scouts tonight and collected the subs as usual.

   Warm again.