Snow. Visit John, Mrs. D & Almena Draycot. Leave Leicester for Sileby 7:15 PM, arr. 7:30 PM. Kathleen Knight meets me with pony trap. Go to Draycots @ 9 PM all in good health.
Friday 25 June 1915 – fair
Writing letters.
Had long sleep in afternoon.
Cyril goes to Sileby to see the girls. Edith and I walk around Stafford and then to Rly. Station to meet Cyril.
Tuesday 22 June 1915 – fine
To Sileby and Rothly. Called on Draycots there and left photo. Called at Cassington and took photos of effigy and Kitcheners tomb. Entertained by the Vicar. Took photos of Rectory Garden. Back to Seagrave at 1 pm.
To afternoon tea at the Knight family. Took photos.
Monday 21 June 1915 – fine
Left Seagrave at 9:30am. Went to Sileby, Cassington, Leicester to see Aunt Louise. Left Leicester at 12 noon for Thurnby Court. Went thro’ the grounds and the large mansion which was built by Stonewall Jackson’s brother but is now unoccupied. Left here for Lowesby and Tilton. Saw Parson and wife. Inspected interior Church Lowesby. Arrived at Seagrave at 5:30 pm. Passed thro’ Barsby, Saldesby, South Croyton, Rearsby and Thrussington.
*Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson was a confederate general in the American Civil war, famed for his tactical skills in many of the battles he commanded during the Civil War. The nickname Stonewall was given to Jackson at the First Battle of Bull Run where another General described him as “standing like a stone wall” during the battle.
Friday 28 May 1915
Leave Union Jack Club for St. Pancras Station. Leave my kit there and then take a bus for Hyde Park. Went to Zoo and Botanical Gardens and Madame Tussaud’s.
Boarded 2:30 train for Leicester and arrived at Sileby at 4:45. Maud as usual but others ___! Mr Looms proves himself to be a hypocrite and clot.
Monday 3 May 1915 – fair
Harry and I leave Sileby for Liverpool at 3:17 pm and arrive at Liverpool at 7 pm. Call at Yates and see the girls before leaving also at Aunt’s in Leicester and say good-byes. Call at Upton’s and stay till 11:30 pm.
Sunday 2 May 1915 – fine
Harry and I go to Rothly on bikes. Visit the Draycots there. I leave Harry at Rothly and go to Leicester to see Aunt Louise. Arrive in Leicester at 4:20 and return home at 8:30 pm. Calling at Syston Church at 6:30 pm to attend Divine Service. Have severe attack of nerves. Have to cycle to Looms at Sileby to say good-bye to Mr Looms.
Thursday 29 April 1915 – lovely
Borrow Harry Knight’s bike and leave Seagrave at 9:15 for Sileby. I catch the 9:38 train for Leicester. Left Leicester at 10:10, in Nuneaton 10:50. Left at 11:20 am for Stafford, arrived at 12:30 noon. To Meyrick and had lunch. At 3:30 to Dr Mitchell and got extension of leave. At 4 pm to swimming bath and had swim. Home at 5 pm.
Wednesday 28 April 1915 – fine
Rose at 4:30 am and had walk around until 5:30. Then to Joe Draycot, May and Maud just having breakfast. Get loan of bike from Harry Knight and go to Sileby. I have lunch with the Vice Rector of Sileby Church, Mr Burrow. Met Mrs Sharp mother of [Rifleman] Alf Sharp of Sileby and have tea with the family. Mind puncture and ride back to Seagrave with the two daughters on our bikes, arrive at 7:30 pm.
Tuesday 27 April 1915 – Drizzle in morning. Fine in afternoon
Went for walking parade at 7 am. Bitterly cold. Got pass from Orderly room and left in time to avoid getting quarantined for measles. Boarded 11:28 am for London. Arrive at 2 pm. Went to Westminster House regarding pay and to see Paymaster Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He will send on £10.00 to War Office. Fill up a pass and get an Army Form Mt 393. Left Euston for Leicester at 5:30, arrived at 8:40. To supper with a Mr Starmer (2) East Park Road Leicester. Entrain for Sileby 10:40 pm arrive in Seagrave at 11:45 pm. Slept in the Out House all night
*MT 393 was a military form used to apply for appointment to a temporary commission.
