In Biology we are doing Respiration. Today, in J.T.C. I had to continue my instruction of the “Lying Load” and holding and aiming. I was to have taken shooting today but it was cancelled for some reason or another.

   I came home through town and called at the G.P.O. This afternoon I did prep. Mrs. Paige came.

   I have been getting my diary completely up to date this evening and listening to the radio too.

   I listened to a Coventry Hippodrome Variety in celebration of its Birthday Week then the first of a third series of “Ray’s A Laugh” followed by “Dear Sir” and “Life with the Lyons”. It is nearly 10.0pm now.

   This morning brought heavy rain and I had to go to school on the Special Bus. I had intended to cycle. weather

   In Biology we measured our pulse and breathing rates before and after exercise. My pulse increased only slightly from 77–86 per minute. My breathing went from 13–17 per minute after climbing on to a stool ten times.

   After school Dr. Willis Grant wanted to see me. I didn’t go to an Alto practice on Wednesday.

   Kipper and I walked to Priory Road since there was a long queue for the tram. I got home shortly before 1.30pm and did prep during the afternoon. I also watched the composite Newsreel.

   Mam and Dad are at the cinema — they have gone to the Warwick to see No Highway (U), about metal-fatigue causing plane crashes, with James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich and Glynis Johns; and The Man Who Cheated Himself (A).

   I got up at nine o’clock this morning. After breakfast I went shopping on my bicycle. After that I fetched my copy of The Listener (an Autumn Book number) and Meccano Magazine. Then I walked to the College Arms with Ginger and met Dad on his way home from work.

   Dad and I cycled to Blues’ home match v Barnsley. There was a special cheer for Merrick when the teams came out. He gave a brilliant display against Sheffield Utd. last week and saved a penalty, and again on Wednesday he saved a penalty when keeping goal for the English League v Scottish League. It is very likely that he will get his first cap v Wales on Nov 14th. Blues were behind within two minutes. Atkins passed back but Smith nipped in & passed to McCormack who scored easily. Then only Hough in the Barnsley goal prevented a rout. Stewart scored after 17 mins., and Briggs after 52 mins. Score 2–1. Blues’ record so far:— P16; W4; L4; Dr8; For 19; Agst.23; Pts 16; Posn.13th.

   This morning I took Ginger for a walk and did prep.

   After dinner I continued my work until 5.0pm when I watched the first part of “Show Me a Spy” in T.V. Children’s Hour.

   This evening I took Ginger for her evening walk. I have just seen “The Bridesman Danger” on T.V. This was a new play by Charles Lloyd Jones. This was fairly good but to my mind, it never really got into its stride. The acting was generally good.

Korean Diary for Oct 24th–30th

25th. UN and Communist delegations resume cease-fire negotiations at Panmunjon.

27th. UN delegates offer to withdraw from islands off N. Korea if Communists accept present line during cease=fire.

28th. No progress made in cease-fire talks.

30th. Sub-committee makes no progress.

   Today has perhaps been November 5th but it can hardly have been Guy Fawkes’ Day. It has rained all day long and washed out all this evening’s activities. I had arranged to play a match at Selly Oak too but this too had to be put off. I spent the morning getting my Biology note-book up to date. weather

   After dinner, Mam and I watched a Laurel and Hardy film Pack Up Your Troubles. I think it must have been at least twenty years old but it was quite enjoyable. [In fact it was made in 1931 by Hal Roach, who continued to direct Laurel & Hardy until 1940. In the next five years they made eight films for 20th Century-Fox. Their last film together was Robinson Crusoeland (1950). I shall actually see Laurel & Hardy when they come to the Hippodrome next year.]

   Tonight’s T.V. included a thirty minute play, “Death of Uncle George”, the Open International Skating Competition from Richmond, and “What’s My Line?”

   We’ve had more rain today. After prayers, we went to form rooms for first period.

   In Chemistry I completed my analysis of a mixture. I found it contained Manganese, Magnesium & Sulphate radicals.

   I came home on the 1A ’bus and went to the Library. I did prep all afternoon.

   Ginger had to come into the house this evening. She was very scared of the fireworks which have been going off since about 5.30pm.

   I listened to “P.C. 49” this evening and to the first episode of “Danger Money”, a new Edward J. Mason thriller. Later, after taking Ginger out I heard “Oliver Again” and “Argument”.

   I cycled to school this morning. Nothing much happened. In Physics I did a Vibration Magnetometer experiment. After school I went to an Alto Practice and then raced home so that I could go to the theatre.

   I was rather unfortunate in that I was too late to obtain a seat so, instead, I decided to join a five thousand crowd outside the Odeon cinema to watch the film stars arriving for the Replica Royal Film Performance. The film was Where No Vultures Fly directed by Sir Michael Balcon who was present this evening. Leslie Mitchell interviewed the stars as they arrived. First came Harold Warrender followed by Anthony Steel, Jack Warner, Phyllis Calvert, Googie Withers, Fred MacMurray, Dan Duryea, Geraldo, John McCallum, Jane Hylton, Veronica Hurst, Dawn Addams, Van Johnson and Dinah Sheridan.

   I got home again for 8 o’clock.

   I think the rain stopped during today for about half an hour. There was no parade this morning. We took the Platoon into a classroom, instructed them on platoon organisation and various crawls. Then we gave them a quiz.

   Our House match v Leeds was postponed of course. Phil came in the car and brought me back home right to the doorstep before 1.30. I was very grateful for the lift. rugby

   During the afternoon I did most of my homework and listened to the radio this evening. I took Ginger for a short evening walk. It is still raining ...

   I went into the Library during the dinner hour and did half of what Mr. Mathews calls “The Week’s Good Cause”.

   Mr. Cotter had us all racing round in Gym. I never thought that running backwards on all fours could be so difficult! In Practical Chemistry I completed an analysis of a mixture and got halfway through a second one.

   I came home on the S.B. Mam and Dad went this evening to the Hippodrome where this week’s bill is headed by Al Read. Unfortunately Mam lost a pair of gloves.

   I did some prep and then watched “Kaleidoscope”. John Winrow came round and watched the programme with me. Mam and Dad got home at 9.15 and we all saw “In the News” after which I took Ginger for her evening walk.

   I cycled to school today and managed not to get wet on either journey though we’ve had a fair share of rain again.

   During the afternoon I finished fixing some plates and charts in the six volumes of Harmsworth’s Home Doctor [I had compiled the six volumes from the weekly issues and bound them up; I think they were given me by Mr. Harvey, the scoutmaster].

   At 5.0 I went to the Hippodrome. I waited inside the theatre to see if I could get Mam’s gloves back and so missed the show. I discovered that one glove had been found. I don’t know what’s happened to the other. I came home and watched T.V. for the rest of the evening.

   I got up a little later than usual this morning. After making the tea I took Ginger out.

   After breakfast I washed up and then did prep during the morning and afternoon.

   Tonight’s T.V. play was “The Unknown Warrior” by Paul Raynal. There were only three characters in this emotional play. They did well enough but I myself do not think that viewers like this sort of stuff. I found it altogether harrowing.

Korean Diary for Oct 31st–Nov 13th

31st. Truce sub-committee hears new proposals from Communists for fixing a cease-fire line.

8th. UN delegates refuse to accept latest Communist proposals for cease-fire line.

10th. War Office publishes statement about British losses in Korea.

   I did not go to school this morning. I had a bilious turn but made up for my absence by doing homework.

   I had an early dinner and then went off to school going via town and calling at the Hippodrome. Mam’s glove has not been found.

   The rain fell heavily nearly all day. At 12.30 it was more like midnight — it was so dark. weather

   I was back at school in time for Choir Practice in Big School. We are learning several carols.

   When I got home I listened to “The Guinea Pig” in Monday Matinee. Tonight at 8.15 we watched “World Survey” in which Christopher Mayhew gave a study of the U.S.A. and its power.

   Approximately nothing happened at school today.

   I did homework all afternoon.

   This evening I did more work and then heard “P.C. 49” and the second instalment of “Danger Money”. After taking Ginger for a walk, I listened to “Oliver Again” and “Argument”.

   Then I went to bed.

   My half term averages were:— English 59%, Maths 90%, French 55%, Biology 24%, Chemistry 67%, Physics 54%. weather

   Now for some further interesting details about this month’s rainfall:—

   I cycled to school today.

   In Biology we finished excretion.

   After dinner, Plimbley and I went for a walk in the field and also went into Edgbaston Park. The duck were all on the far side of the lake but I could see that most of them were either Mallard or Tufted Duck.

   In Physics I did an experiment to show that 4.2 Joules  1 calorie. My results showed that about 12 Joules  1 calorie.

   This evening on T.V. I have watched “How Do You View?” Terry-Thomas changed his show somewhat and his programme wasn’t quite as good as usual.

   After watching this I took Ginger for her evening walk.

   Gil Merrick got his first cap for England v Ireland at Villa Park this afternoon. England won 2–nil a very poor game. Merrick had little to do.

   In J.T.C. this morning we marched past the University rehearsing the “Eyes Left” for Sunday’s Church Parade.

   Our 1st XV played Dunt’s at Eastern Road this afternoon. The pitch was waterlogged in places. We lost the match by three tries and a goal (14 pts) to one try and a goal (8 pts). Generally speaking we played quite well, better than we have done all the season. I had my best game this season. We were rather unfortunate to be eleven points down at half time. Dunt’s got one more try but tired towards the end and we scored two tries, one of them converted, in a minute. I had a hand in both. The match was played with six balls. Five of them went over the fence. rugby

   On today’s showing, Porters who have lost all their matches so far, will be beaten again when we play them next Tuesday.

   Tonight we watched a mystery thriller “A Tomb with a View”.

   This morning I went to school on my bicycle which reminds me that I missed the S.B. yesterday and was late for the first time.

   There is nothing much to record. I listened to “Any Questions?” and “Educating Archie” on the radio tonight.

   I cycled to school again today. Nothing much happened.

   After dinner Dad and I cycled to Grandad’s and then went on to Blues’ home match v Blackburn Rovers. Blues lost 1–nil, Quigley, signed only yesterday, scored within four minutes. Blues were very disappointing in attack and couldn’t do a thing right though they had most of the play. Merrick, Birmingham’s third successive England goalkeeper, made some brilliant saves.

   We watched, amongst other things, part of an Ice Hockey match between Harringay Racers and Nottingham Panthers. T.V. will do much to popularise this sport.

   I had to get up early this morning to go to Church Parade [at Edgbaston Old Church]. Mr. Maund took me to school in his car with John. The Sermon was preached by the Chaplain-General [of the Cadet Force] who afterwards took the Salute as we marched past.

   John & I came home together via town. I did prep. After dinner Mam and Dad went to visit one of Dad’s work-mates who is ill in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

   Tonight we watched “Apples in Eden” a play by Frances Agnew. This comedy was well acted throughout and it was quite amusing in parts. We quite enjoyed it.

   I caught the ’bus this morning just as it was moving off.

   We are starting on Mechanics this week in Physics. In Chemistry we started talking about the Electronic Theory of Valency.

   I did not go to Choir Practice as at the last moment I was able to go shooting. I haven’t fully classified yet. Somehow, I find I can’t keep a steady arm after a time.

   I didn’t do too badly in a Biology test this afternoon. Nothing else happened at school.

   When I got home I wrote a couple of letters.

   We continued Analysis in Practical Chemistry today.

   Our 1st XV match v Porter’s was postponed until Thursday to allow the pitches to dry out. More rain this afternoon won’t help. rugby

   I came home through town. Nothing happened all day.

   Today was Field Day. I went to school on the Special Bus and then changed into Khaki Drill. J.T.C.

   First, the platoon went into the field with rifles and the N.C.O.s demonstrated “creeps and crawls”! We then had the whole Company crawling about. After putting away rifles we went into Edgbaston Park this time to do stalking until 12.30pm. Then all the boys had a bath. We ate our sandwiches in classrooms and then cleaned rifles.

   During the afternoon all the boys were shown a film called “Dangerous Journey” telling how two soldiers carried out a particularly dangerous mission. It was an admirable illustration of the various points of fieldcraft.

   At 3.45 we had tea in the Dining Hall. There was sausage and mash, bread and jam, tea and ice-cream.

   I took a section of boys shooting in J.T.C. today. I didn’t shoot (I was going to say “shoot myself” but that seems a little too ambiguous).

   Our 1st XV is still without a win after five games. We lost 29–nil this afternoon against Porter’s yet had seventy five percent of the play. We did better in the scrum and the three-quarters with Davies instead of Mercer played better than in any other match this season. What we do need is a strong tackler in defence. All too often the opposing team’s forwards in one of their occasional breakaways were allowed to go through with no one as much as lifting a finger. rugby

   Sunday’s Television play was censored for tonight’s performance though there was nothing indecent about this bedroom farce. When we saw it tonight, we found a negligée scene had been changed, a bathroom silhouette [of a girl’s breast] omitted.

   In Biology we are still studying Reproduction. Our exam is on Monday. In Divinity we are discussing “Does Christianity make sense?” and in English we discussed Conscription.

   I am writing this on Sunday since I sprained my right wrist badly when playing Rugby yesterday. I went to see the School Doctor [R.C.L’E. Burges] at 1.30. [Dr. R.C.L’E. Burges, with his strange 3rd initial, is an Old Edwardian and Chairman of Edgbaston Lawn Tennis Club. He is a naturalist and very interested in botany.] I had to miss Gym.

   This evening I watched “Kaleidoscope”. This is the ideal programme of its kind. First there is a “Cover Girl”, then “Come Along With Us” in which one has to find the clue to some crime or other, “Dancing Time”, a Puzzle Corner and deliberate mistake conducted by Ronnie Waldman, as well as a short comic scene “Our Neighbours”. The programme is really most enjoyable.

   Owing to my sprained wrist I was unable to cycle to school this morning. All my notes were made with my left hand, my French prep too [Mr. Leeds said that the writing with my left hand was better than many people’s with their right].

   This afternoon we all went to the Guild’s 25th Anniversary Party at St. Andrews Street at 5.0pm. There were over eighty people present and after a really fine tea Mr. Moore spoke, after which some presentations were made including one each to Mr. and Mrs. Moore.

   Then we all gathered at one end of the room for a couple of photographs. After this we were entertained by a Welsh elocutionist and two young accordionists. The party finished at 9.30pm.

   We walked to Camp Hill, caught the 31A ’bus and arrived home just over half an hour after leaving St. Andrews Street.

   I got up early this morning but Mam and Dad got up rather late so it was decided to make breakfast be the dinner as well.

   I spent the day writing up notes and doing some revision for tomorrow’s Biology examination. Mam and Dad went to the Mission.

   I had finished my work by eight o’clock this evening so we watched La Belle Hélène, the operetta by Offenbach. I must say I was rather sceptical when I saw the title in the Radio Times. As it turned out, Offen’s bach was much worse than his bite and it was a most enjoyable performance, Terry-Thomas adding a touch of modernity with his introduction. He also intervened with a version of “Twenty Questions” and read a Spartan News Bulletin in the best American Style.

   In English we finished reading The Doctor’s Dilemma. During last period this morning, Mr. Leeds gave us the first part of our French examination. It was a piece of French into English and then there were seven questions to be answered on a second piece of French.

   We had our Biology exam all afternoon but I only got about 20%. I could have written pages on Histology of Tissues, Digestion, the Skeleton and Respiration but these topics were not included or sometimes only a special part of them.

   I came home on the Special Bus. In Children’s Hour T.V. I watched a film “Mystery of the Hooded Horsemen”.

   I then did all my homework and tonight we have watched “World Survey”, a short play “The Angel who Pawned Her Harp” and “What’s My Line?”

   This morning the Head told us that it has been decided to give the eight houses [permanent] names. Most of them will be the names of famous Headmasters of K.E.S. Mr. Copland’s House will become Vardy House from next term.

   In French we had the second part of our exam. Our Chemistry started at the beginning of school and lasted until 12.55. I got about 30% but could have got at least 50% if I’d had more time.

   This afternoon I did all my homework and went to Cubs this evening. We have about a dozen cubs now but the Scouts have touched rock-bottom again, only two or three regulars.

   When I got home I found that David and Marjorie had come. Grace has become engaged to Arthur [Williams — no relation: they will be married on 6th June 1953].

   I cycled to school this morning and met Mr. Monkcom. As I expected I got just 20% in the Biology exam. It is most remarkable that I can’t get good marks in exams!

   I had a B.B.C. audition this afternoon and since I had to be there early I had the afternoon off, the Physics exam too!

   I have a poem to read on December 15th in “Midland Magazine” and also a chief part in a play in which I am a sort of schoolboy “Sherlock Holmes”. It should be fun.

   I had been looking forward to seeing “How Do You View?” this evening but Terry-Thomas has been taken ill with Pleurisy and the show could not take place. The other members did put on a show though with the aid of Jimmy Edwards, and we were taken behind the scenes to see how the T.V. cameras work. [Mr. Monkcom told me that he and Jimmy Edwards had been in the same form at school but Jimmy was much funnier then than now!]

   We did drill all through the morning in J.T.C.

   I played for the 1st XV v Kay’s this afternoon. We lost our sixth match in succession by 28 pts to 14. It was hardly a true representation of the game. We had easily as much of the play as Kay’s. In fact, our opponents hardly left their half of the field in the second half but when they did break away they inevitably scored tries. Our 14 pts came during a long period of sustained pressure. We got a goal and three penalties. rugby

   I came home through town as I had to call at Jas. Woodhouse’s in New Street. Mam bought a table three weeks ago and it has yet to be delivered.

   When I got home I had a bath. I listened to the radio tonight and took Ginger for a walk.

   [I went down the village and paid £1 5s 0d into my Bank account.] I didn’t go to school until this afternoon, when I cycled.

   I went to town with Mam and called at Woodhouse’s. The table, we were told, would arrive today and it did, at 12.30pm.

   We came home on the 44 ’bus as I had an appointment with Mr. Parker, the dentist. After examining my teeth, he said he would extract three and re-fill two teeth. The extractions will be next Tuesday at 9.30. What a horrible thought. However, the sooner my teeth are attended to, the better.

   I was late for school this afternoon and so missed Gym. We continued analysis in Chemistry.

   I watched the Newsreel & “I Made News” this evening then switched off. As it happened, the Sutton Coldfield transmitter broke down for 90 mins at 9.5.