In Maths today Mr. Craig was absent and so J.R. Charlesworth [who is a prefect] took us. After school Mr. Hurn showed me some super paintings of his.

   I went [on the tram] to town from school and then had a haircut. I was home for 2.15pm.

   After dinner I did some homework and took Ginger for a walk (?) later. Ginger escaped from the lead and ran off down the road but I managed to catch her alright.

   Tonight I did Geography prep. I am going to bed soon.

   Mr. Craig was still absent today, with ’flu, it is said. In Art I continued my oil-painting. In the dinner hour the form had to stay in for Mr. Whalley.

   I came home on the special bus. I did some prep after I had had tea at 5.0pm.

   I did not go to school this morning. I seemed to have caught a cold so I stayed in bed — the warmest place because today had been the coldest this year.

   I got up at 2.45pm. I felt giddy when I came down. Tonight I did a lot of prep, including an English essay.

   My cold does not seem any better today so I stayed in bed until nearly dinner time reading. Mam had gone to [the Midland Nerve] Hospital but the dinner was ready. I wrote up six pages of Chemistry notes.

   This afternoon I did two ink paintings which took about two hours.

   This evening I started another picture and I also took two photographs of Ginger. I don’t expect they’ll be much good.

   I wrote yesterday that it had been the coldest day of the year but it has been colder today.

   This morning my cold seemed somewhat better when I got up at 8.30am, so I played outside for some time. I went down to the Library to take my two books back as well.

   This afternoon I went to St Andrews where B’ham City drew 0–0 with Burnley. It was not a good game by any means. [Boyd and Evans were playing in their first home game for Blues — they paid Plymouth Argyle £17,500 for Boyd last week — but Bodle was playing out-of-position. They never looked like scoring. Birmingham City:— Merrick; Trigg, Green; Boyd, Duckhouse, Harris; Berry, Bodle, Dougall, Evans, Roberts. The gate was 35,000.]

   Dad took Ginger (“Esor”) to Hinckley for a trial. She ran the 500 yards in 31.50 secs, — her fastest to date [which means she will be able to race there now, but as Hinckley is an unofficial track — not registered with the National Greyhound Racing Association — we have to call her “Esor”, which is Mam’s name spelt backwards].

   Nothing other than usual happened today. We took Ginger for a run as usual. It was lovely outside, the sun has shone all day.

   After dinner I prepared some Variety Show programmes. Tonight I played “Crib” with Dad.

   This morning the special bus had not turned up at 9.0am so we went on the 1A bus and arrived at school at 9.30. [The picture shows No. 1631, one of the new A.E.C. RT-type buses operating on this route.] Some boys at the College Arms waited for a long time then went to Moseley, — waited there & where the special eventually arrived. We did not have to sign the Late Book.

   Nothing particular happened at school. [In Scripture I collected 2/8 Cot-Fund but] I got an essay impot [imposition] for forgetting my Bible.

   Tonight it has been raining since 4.30pm. I have been listening just, to “The Man in Black” telling a nice quiet tale [of horror].

   Nothing happened at school this morning, though Dr. Willis Grant gave me a lift to town. [I was walking along Bristol Road when he stopped the car. It has a Birmingham registration with an “O” in the middle, DOX, and when I got in he told me the car’s name was Arthur.]

   This afternoon I finished another picture. I did very little prep: Geography I did yesterday, and Art and History I couldn’t do because I was absent — that left just French.

   Tonight I went to Scouts. From eight till 8.20pm we had map-reading, then we were split up into two patrols — Beavers (my patrol) and Lions. Then we did patrol work — signalling. I got home at 9.30pm.

   At school today I scored perhaps my best goal ever (at school). It was a super long range shot.

   I missed the special home. I played outside for an hour until 6.0pm.

   The day has been rather unsettled. It has rained, been cloudy, and the sun has been shining at times. There is a strong wind blowing still and it is very cold.

   This morning I was a little late (or so I thought) so I went [up Olton Boulevard East] to Shaftmoor Lane. I thought the special had gone. Don Tipper and I went by 1A bus to Bristol Road and then we walked the rest of the way. We just managed to get in for 2nd bell.

   In J.T.C. we had arms drill and a map-reading test. Afterwards I scored two goals in two minutes.

   At 1.30pm Don and I went to Voluntary Art where I did some more of my oil painting.

   Tonight we went to the Olton to see Heart of Virginia and The Fallen Idol — both very good.

   This morning Don and I went by 1A [to Bristol Road] and then walked the rest.

   During the dinner hour I played football for only 5 mins. but scored another goal. Afterwards [in the Armoury] I cleaned my rifle.

   I came home on the Special Bus, and played out until 5.30pm.

   I am writing this diary at 8.30 and Mam and Dad have gone to the cinema. [Springtime in the Rockies (U) and The Three Weird Sisters (A) are on at the Warwick, and The Fallen Idol (A) and Heart of Virginia (U) at the Olton.] I am playing some gramophone records. I have finished my prep.

   This morning it was pouring with rain when I set out for school. I went on the special bus.

   I went to St Andrews to see the B’ham City v Everton match. The result was 0–0. Dailey was making his debut for the Blues. [Birmingham City:— Merrick; Trigg, Green; Boyd, Duckhouse, Harris; Stewart, Dougall, Dailey, Bodle, Roberts. The attendance was 35,000.]

   I went to Grandad’s on the way home [walking along Garrison Lane and Bordesley Green, then turning down Pretoria Road where Grandad lives at No. 23] but he was out.

   It has been cold all day long. While I was at the match Ginger was 3rd in her first ever race at Hinckley. Time approx 31.10 secs.   

   This morning, after Dad and I had taken Ginger for a run in the park, I did some prep including an English essay.

   I did not go to church with Mam and Dad or I would have been doing prep most of the evening.

   Tonight I played Crib for three quarters of an hour.

   At school this morning everyone pelted full speed down to the Milk Bar for some certain “sweets off the ration”. It was quite a false alarm (unfortunately!)

   There was the usual Choir Practice during the Dinner Hour. After school I had a House Choir Practice [with Fred Oxley to conduct us].

   I had a sick headache when I got home but I managed to do Physics, Maths and Latin homework.

   I am listening as usual to “The Man in Black”. It is 8.45pm. In a minute I shall go to bed.

   Nothing happened at school today. I came straight home at 12.40pm and played outside just before dinner. Afterwards I spent the afternoon doing prep, including a revision of 80 pages of History. I don’t expect I shall do any better in the test tomorrow though I ought to [considering] the time I’ve spent over it.

   I paid my J.T.C. subs at break this morning. During the Dinner hour I had a House Choir Practice at 12.30pm, and at 1.0 o’clock I cleaned my rifle. The rest of the time I lay on the bank in the sun with Don, both of us swotting History.

   I came home on the special bus and was home for 4.30pm. Mrs. Harris came this afternoon. I played out until 6.30.

   This evening I blancoed gaiters, etc.

   In J.T.C. this morning we had searching ground and judging distance on the [Edgbaston Park] Golf Course. It was a glorious day, I really enjoyed everything, but the time went too quickly.

   After J.T.C. I played football [in my uniform] until 3.0pm. I was ravenously hungry.

   After I had had dinner/tea Dad and I took Ginger for a run. Afterwards, having done my prep, we played Crib.

   It was unfortunate that Mr. Moore came into the gym today just as I nearly shattered the clock with a “shot at goal”, because now we (?) can’t play with a ball in the gym.

   Nothing else worth recording happened at school. I scored a goal playing football. I did not come home on the special because I had to go to New Street Station to find out the times of the Hinckley trains tomorrow.

   Tonight I finished my National Handwriting Test Entry and did prep. I also prepared a talk I may give tomorrow.

   This morning I started out rather late. I decided to catch the special bus at Shaftmoor Lane but I missed two 31A’s. Even so, though I walked, I caught the bus much to my surprise.

   I did not have to give my talk [first period] in English. Later on [after break] we had Chemistry and Maths tests. I was home for 1.0pm.

   Dad took “Esor” to Hinckley again this afternoon. She ran 3rd in 30.78 secs, faster than her previous race and trials.

   Grandad came at 4.45pm. I had been listening to the Leicester City v Luton Town F.A. Cup 5th Round Replay (5–3) on the radio.

   This morning I got up at just after 8.30am. I took Ginger out and then made a pot of tea. After breakfast I played out and Dad and I took Ginger for a run.

   I spent the afternoon doing prep.

   After tea I made a combined volume of The ABC of British Railways Parts I-IV which took me just over an hour. [I cut two pieces of grey cardboard for the front and back, the same size as the ABCs, and made a piece for the spine, fastening them together with a piece of red cloth; then made two end-papers which I stuck to the cover with brown sticky paper.

   On the inside front cover I stuck the picture, from an old ABC of GWR, of an 0–6–0ST of the former Cardiff Railway, and facing it a newspaper picture of No. 6000 King George V. On the back of this are pictures of ex-LMS No. 5538 Giggleswick and No. 5530 Sir Frank Ree which I cut out of a Meccano Magazine.

   The next thing I had to do was to take the staples out of the four volumes and remove the covers. Using a pin, I made holes in the spine to match those in the four books, then stuck the staples through and re-fastened the books, without their covers, to make a presentable “combined volume”.]

   I am going to bed soon as it is now 10 past 8.

   I was early down the village this morning. At school I had as usual Choir practice at 12.30pm and House Choir at 4.0pm. [In Divinity, last period, I collected Cot-Fund, 2/6.]

   I came home with John [Maund] who had been caught T.I.P. [Talking in Prayers] this morning.

   Tonight I did prep. It is 8.30 now and as I write the wind is blowing and the rain is beating against the window panes.

   I managed to get the Wizard this morning. There was no Hymn Practice this morning so consequently school ended at 12.25 instead of 12.40pm. We had Physics and Latin tests. I came straight home via 1A bus.

   This afternoon I played with Don and did homework. Tonight I stuck a lot of pictures [cut out of the newspaper] into my football album.

   This morning I set out at 8.15am because I had to go to town [on the 31A bus] to post some letters at the Mail offices. [Mam has advertised for a lodger.] I arrived at the School Gate just as the Special Bus arrived.

   At school we had House meetings at 12.10pm.

   Coming home on the Special [along Bristol Road] we had just reached Priory Road when a car JF 5853 almost stopped in the middle of the road and our bus GOE 1638 crashed into the back of it. 4 Ambulances arrived 2 Police Cars a fire engine (???). We were held up for 30 mins until another bus turned up. The back of the car was somewhat damaged.

   This morning Don and I went by 1A to Cannon Hill Park. We walked through the park which was deserted apart from the many birds. I was astounded to see about ten Canada Geese swimming on the pond [lake], as they are, I believe, quite rare. They are only winter visitors to England, more often seen near the sea.

   In J.T.C. we had arms drill revision and map-reading. I came straight home.

   This afternoon I designed an athletics poster.

   We took Ginger for a run at 4.30pm.

   Tonight I have been doing prep. It is now just after 8.30pm. I am listening to “Twenty Questions”.

   Went on the Special Bus this morning. In Gym Mr. King took us all down the Eastern Road Ground where we practised for athletics standards. First of all we had the 100 yards which I won (15 were in the race) in 13 seconds — 1 second to spare. It was my fastest time for that distance. Then I did nearly 13 feet in the long jump. The standard is 12ft 6 inches.

   I took a Cot-Fund collection in fourth period — English. [It amounted to 2/10½.]

   I played outside after tea.

   It is 8.30pm. I am listening to “Hi Gang — 1949” (Ben Lyon, Vic Oliver and Bebe Daniels).

   Hooray! I thought this morning, “Half Term Holiday”. At 8.45am I went to town and I bought the British Railways Holiday Guide for the East and the North East Regions. I thought it was a good shilling’s-worth with many fine pictures.

   After dinner I went to the Birmingham C. v Charlton Athletic match. Result 1–nil. Stewart scored. [Birmingham City:— Merrick; Trigg, Green; Badham, Duckhouse, Boyd; Berry, Stewart, Dailey, Harris, Roberts. The attendance today was 36,000.]

   The sun was shining when I awoke but it started to rain later. After breakfast I played outside for an hour then came a shower of hail and rain. We took Ginger for a run when the shower stopped, however.

   After dinner I played football in the park until 5.30pm.

   It was Dad’s [42nd] birthday today and tonight we played “Crib”.

   I went to town this morning to do a little shopping. The Hill Street bridge built in 1853 was closed today for the next two years as it is being rebuilt. Our bus used the temporary bridge.

   This afternoon I did prep all the time and packed my books ready for tomorrow.