Continuing John Mathews' travel diary...........
THE DIARY - Glasgow to London
Friday, June 10th 1955
Glasgow
Jimmy woke me up about 7.40 and by 8.00 we had finished breakfast and were off to school. Andrew felt strange because we were early, so he did not catch the same bus as us but decided to wait for the next one. Jim and I eventually arrived at his school and we talked to some of the boys until Andrew arrived. Soon after that the bell rang. Jim took me up to ask the headmaster if he could show me round the school. The headmaster took us into his office and we had quite a chat.
When we left his office we were met by Mr. Blytheman, who took us into the canteen. Here he asked us (with about eight other boys of the Contingent) to sing our Australian "folk" songs. We obliged him, and then we had morning tea. The headmaster was there, and he gave permission for our hosts to go down the river with us.
So when we left they all came with us. Jim tried to find Andrew but was unable to do so, and we had to leave without him. On the way to the wharf near King George V Bridge where we were to catch the steamer I rushed into the post office to buy an aerogram, and then into an optician's to buy a film.
We had a bit of a wait in the wharf building before any of the teachers arrived, but when they did we asked if the hosts could come with us. Luckily, when we went on board the steamer, Queen Mary II, they all came with us.
About 11.00 a.m. the steamer left, and with gathering speed we started on our trip down the famous River Clyde. I was writing in my diary for quite a while, but I still tried to keep a weather eye on the passing scenes.
Soon after we left our berth we passed trading vessels from many parts of Europe and abroad. Then we gradually came upon the shipyards - the wealth of Glasgow. Among rearing masses of steel, ships were taking shape - ships which may go to Hong Kong or Antarctica, Coney Island or Venezuela - for Clyde-built ships are world famous.
We saw the gleaming white hull of the Empress of Britain and knew that very shortly the Queen was going to launch it. Along a bit the keel of a fat ship was laid. It may have been a ferry or a mother ship for whalers - we couldn't really tell. John Brown's shipyard, with its new Ivernia and the almost completed Stanvac Australia faded astern, and we had left the yards behind.
Queen Mary II knifed her way along the gradually widening River Clyde, and so the land on our quarters took on a more rural atmosphere. Soon the huge rock of Dumbarton appeared on our starboard bow. Jim told me that the old fortress on the rock was almost impregnable. He said that in the old days, as the capital of Strathclyde, Dumbarton was on the border where the English and Gaelic tongues met.
Port Glasgow went by, and then Greenock. At Greenock we pulled in and passengers were put ashore. Then across the river to Dunoon where we stopped once more. When we left there and were steaming towards the Isle of Bute, with Rothesay ahead of us, we saw a naval mother ship decked out in flags with three submarines about her.
After disembarking at Rothesay we went into a waiting hall where Mr. Hutchinson went over the arrangements for our free period bit by bit. Jimmy waited for me and he had a very long wait indeed. When at last I had my money we only had about half-an-hour left before we were due to embark aboard the ship once more. We went along the shops and I saw some cheap Scottish jewellery, and I went in and bought a brooch for Mrs, Hunter.
Rothesay was just the place for the tourist and holiday-maker. Round the hillside were dozens of hotels, while the shops were full of things to catch the eye. But the commercial prospects of the place were only a bad second to its scenery. A picturesque harbour of sparkling blue water, with the rolling Argyll Hills - oh for a camera which could do justice to that!
Jim and I wandered back to the wharf, and when the ship arrived we embarked once more. On the journey back I wrote my second letter, and we spent the rest of the time wandering about, watching the land on either side and the seagulls soaring effortlessly along behind.
We were late arriving back, and as the weather looked threatening Jim and I hurried home. I did quite a lot of writing and one report for the Young Sun, and of course I had another very late night.
Saturday, June 11th 1955
Glasgow
After a very god night's sleep I awoke and found that the time was 11.00 a.m. By the time I was up and ready for breakfast Jim and Andrew had arrived after doing a whole morning's work on a nearby market garden. As it turned out I didn't have any breakfast, but had some brunch with the boys. Then we all tidied ourselves up to go out.
A bus took us to Clydebank, but we had to wait for four buses to Balloch before we could get on one. The fare was a penny ha'penny, but I was a fool because I had the chance of a half fare and didn't take it. The bus went through Old Kilpatrick and then through Dumbarton. We passed the large red brick building where Mr. Hunter works.
At last we arrived at Balloch, and after crossing a road we went into Loch Lomond Park. Along a tree-shaded path we walked, and just before we reached the water we turned off the path. In a small arm of the loch were dozens of small motor boats and a few house boats. Most of them were in several stages of disrepair. They all looked rather neglected.
We walked around the shore and I looked out upon what is the most famous loch in the world. Across an expanse of silver water were lovely hills surrounded by a halo of mist. A boat drifted quietly, its occupants intent on their fishing; and the lapping of the water on the shingles formed the background for the few incidental noises. Here and there we passed picnickers and people like us, just out for a stroll.
We all had a good old laugh at one seagull. It had caught a small eel in shallow water and was trying to eat it. Every time the bird threw back its head to swallow the eel wriggled out and the gull had to chase it again. Several times the eel was halfway down the bird's gullet and it would wriggle out once more. But at last the eel was caught for the last time and disappeared down the red lane. The bird took a couple of sips of water and then waded off.
After walking about the gardens we walked back along the shore past the wrecks of the boats, and by way of a wall with a hole in it we came to the road. We bought ourselves a drink at a stall, and then walked up the street to the bus park. Soon after hopping on to a Luss bus we were on our way to Arden round Loch Lomond's side.
It was delightful looking out of the bus to the loch far below, and when we saw four rowing crews they seemed to skim over the water like jet-propelled pencils. At one of the bus stops quite a few young people alighted for the Youth Hostel, which was hidden back among the trees.
When we got off the bus at Arden P.O. I left a sixpenny stick of rock in the bus. What a blunder!
The Glen Fruin road was for us, so we set out along it - at a pace which soon began to slacken. Jim tried to sing The T Model Ford, and after about twenty minutes of that Andrew and myself told him to keep quiet. The road was quite good for a back country one, and it wound pleasantly along beside a little town. When we came to a crossroads we took the road to Helensburgh. Soon afterwards it began to sprinkle rain and we stopped under a leafy tree to shelter and have a bite to eat.
On the road once more and Andrew picked up a hammer lying there, and after a brief discussion we put it on the stone wall and left it there.
A peculiar bird flying overhead attracted our attention and we wondered what type it was. I thought it was a stork. Andrew heard a cuckoo and of course we all stopped and listened to it for a moment.
By now we had left the wee burn far behind and the country had become more open, with the inevitable stone walls criss-crossing the hillsides. We had another discussion about how far we still had to go for Helensburgh, but we were interrupted by a man pulling up and giving us a lift. He took us near the entrance to the caravan where the twins' aunt and uncle lived. He was a County Commissioner and said he had been to Melbourne once. We thanked him very much for the lift, and then after a short walk we came to the caravan cum shack where we were welcomed by Jim's aunt and uncle.
The boys' uncle left for a walk down into town, and his wife set about making us some tea. While we were eating, quite a few Ayrshire cows blundered up near the caravan; but a dog scared them away.
While we were listening to Scottish dance music we looked out the open doorway towards the "Tail of the Bank", where all really large ships turn around and go back.
About 7.30 p.m. we said good-bye to the boys' Auntie Lizzie and walked down to the seafront. Although it was rather late a putting green attracted me, and I decided to have a go. After nine holes we had to leave, and on the way to the bus stop we passed a monument to Henry Bell who pioneered the steamboat. Helensburgh also produced John Logie Baird, the inventor of T.V.
The bus journey was quite thrilling because we were in a new bus, and the driver seemed more suited for Le Mans than Glasgow. We almost got our 1/6 worth.
When we arrived home we had a bit of supper, and just before I was going to bed the conversation turned to trout fishing. It was midnight, and Mr. Hunter started to show me how to tie flies. His fingers were surprisingly nimble for their size. I was very interested, but also glad to get to bed.
Sunday, June 12th 1955
Glasgow
When I was up and dressed Mrs. Hunter told me that I had beaten the boys to it. The only time! They were soon up, however, and about 11.00 a.m. we had a queer meal. My stomach has not yet decided whether it was breakfast or dinner.
As we were off up the hills the boys and Mr. Hunter started to get ready. Jimmy packed a large rucksack, and I put my diary into it with a faint hope of being able to write something while we were up in the hills. Mrs. Hunter gave me an old pair of khaki trousers and a wind-proof jacket as she said I would need them to keep warm and dry.
At last, with our various bundles and rods to carry, Jim, Andrew, and myself were on our way. In the rather nippy air we tramped up Cochno Road. This was really enjoyable - being with such good companions, and having really no object but to spend a day having a good time.
We trudged through an estate which is used as a veterinary establishment by Glasgow University. Mr. Hunter picked up a few lengths of rope, and after collecting a bundle of wood he slung it over his shoulder. Jim said that there was no wood up there at all. Through several fields we went, climbing all the time. Jim and Andrew made a few sarcastic comments about the farming of the University land.
Just before we came to the last fence Mr. Hunter gave me his bundle and sat down to wait for the approach of two men who had been following in our tracks. He had no means of knowing whether they had permission to be there or not. At a tiny spring the three of us had a drink, and then we started to climb again. With the last hill in front of us we saw a silvery waterfall, known as "The Grey Mare's Tail" come pluming down to the burn below. At last, after climbing a steel fence by a style, we saw Loch Cochno right in front of us. It was extensive but not enormous, and but for a man-made wall it would not be there. We waited round a black hut until Mr. Hunter walked along with the two other men.
Mr. Hunter joined us and we started to walk around the loch. The ground was tussocky and spongy in places, so we made a detour outside the fences. Across a few more hills and we at last stopped (cheers from Jimmy, who was carrying the rucksack). Andrew and his father set up their rods, and I determined to watch them instead of going off hill climbing. From the little I knew of trout fishing I thought it might have been a good day for fishing. In the first few moments Mr. Hunter had a good rise but failed to sink his hook.
After that I had some time to look at my surroundings. The loch was placid, a faint breeze set a shimmer of ripples across the water occasionally. On an island, hundreds of gulls squawked raucously as they flew and fought. I had a bit of a fish, and then after helping prepare a meal I went back with the two-handed rod. Over the period of the whole day I managed to lose four flies.
Just before dinner a shout from Mr. Hunter had me flying along the shore of the loch, disregarding stones and bogs in my efforts to be there before the fish escaped, or something. I arrived just as the fish - a brown trout almost a foot long - was dragged from the water.
We had a meal of soup, stew, and potatoes and tea - all warmed over our fire. It was lovely to breathe a bit of fresh air and to see peaceful hills instead of rearing cranes and factories.
After that I fished quite a bit and, in between times, we had a walk around looking at the rocks and things. Andrew told me that all the ground was actually peat or petrified remains and roots of bygone grasses and plants, and that it is therefore not much use for agriculture. Only a few sheep are grazed. The loch itself supplies water for houses.
During the War the country was wired up, so that in the event of a raid the lights could be turned on to make the Germans think it was Glasgow. Even the surface of the water was wired to prevent seaplanes from landing.
I fished most of the afternoon and was unsuccessful, even in trying to get a rise. Towards evening the wind dropped and the sun peeped through. Mr. Hunter said it was no good fishing under those conditions, so we had some tea and then, just for the fun of it, we began to fish our way back down the loch before finding our way home. I improved my casting, but could find neither hide nor hair of a fish.
At the other end of the loch, just before we packed up, I took a photo of Mr. Hunter. I only wished I had had an orange filter for my lens to take a photo of the setting sun and its perfect mirror image in the now motionless water.
Back home we were very tired, but of course I was very glad to have had a satisfying day out in the open. I said good-bye to Mr. Hunter before going to bed because he said he would be gone when I got up in the morning.
Monday, June 13th 1955
Glasgow
After a leisurely breakfast Mrs. Hunter and myself went into Clydebank. While she did a bit of shopping I went to a barber and had my hair cut, for only 1/3. When we met afterwards we bought some postcards and a book of Scottish music.
After inquiring at her sister-in-law's shop, Mrs. Hunter took me around to the flat to meet Mrs. Pitbladder, the mother of Chris who works in Dad's office. She left me there and went off. I had a very nice talk with Mrs. Pitbladder and she showed me some photos. While she went out making a cup of coffee Mr. Pitbladder came in. When I left to go home for lunch I was forced to accept a gift of 5/-.
Back home I had a trout salad lunch, and then did my packing. By about 3.00 p.m. we were ready and left. When we met the boys at Charing Cross I said good-bye to Mrs. Hunter. At Overseas House I thanked the boys and they wished me good luck and left.
After a fine tea the coach for London left about 5.45 with 34 passengers and tons of luggage. It was very crowded and I could not get much sleep. We stopped several times on the way.
Tuesday, June 14th 1955
Glasgow to London
At one roadhouse it cost us 1/5 for one sandwich. Everybody was feeling pretty awful when we arrived at Victoria Coach Station about 7.30 a.m. Bob Woodrow and myself did not wait after we had eaten a bite of breakfast, and left in a taxi for Churchill Gardens. I arrived with Mrs. Harris just getting ready to leave for work. She made me very welcome before going off.
When I had tidied up I went to Victoria by bus and walked along Victoria Street looking in all the bookshops. Then I had a turn about Westminster Abbey before going to Whitehall.
By way of Trafalgar Square I reached Overseas House to see if there was any mail. As Mr. Hutchinson was said to still have it I set out with Dick Barton, Pip Burfield and Harvey Arnold to go to the Mount Royal Hotel in Marble Arch to find him. We went along Piccadilly and Park Lane but could not find him at the hotel. So I caught a train from Marble Arch to Victoria, and walked the half mile back to the flat.
After a bite to eat I wrote up my diary. When Mrs. Harris came home she fed me again, and I was so tired that I went straight to bed.
Wednesday, June 15th 1955
24 Gilbert House, Churchill Gardens, Westminster SW1
Mrs. Harris woke me for breakfast just before she left, and I ate slowly; and after washing up I went out and caught a bus to Victoria.
Among the hundreds of tombs and memorials were those of Beatty, Billy Hughes, and dozens of other statesmen and soldiers. Those of Nelson and Wellington of course were the most imposing.
After that I was lost in the bombed out blocks near St. Paul's. At last, by way of Smithfield meat market I reached the Old Bailey. Just for a lark I went into a courtroom and listened to a man being charged with eloping with 1,435 pounds.
When I arrived at Overseas House there were five letters for me. Down to The Mall, and along to the Palace. On my way to Victoria I called in at Overseas House (?) to thank Peter Cook for the tickets.
After tea I went to the Royal Tournament at Earl's Court. It was very exciting and I went to the stables afterwards.
Thursday, June 16th 1955
London
After Mrs. Harris woke me she left for work, and I ate breakfast. I tidied up and left by 10.00 a.m.
By a 24 bus I went to Oxford Street, and following Mr. Harris's advice I went to Selfridges. I eventually reached the export department and, after a few inquiries, I went round the store. When I went back to the export department I had a rough idea of what I wanted, so I obtained a card and went off to choose my things. In the toy department I picked a guardsmen for Alan. I also got a Scottish doll for my sister. At the jewellery department and the cosmetics I shopped for Mum, Nana, etc. When I went back to the office I paid 5 pounds 18/6 for my goods, including 12/6 freight etc. down to the Otranto.
I had to get my passport, but when I went to the Mount Royal Hotel at Marble Arch Mr. Hutchinson could only give me the number. I went back and gave the man the number to settle the business. Down in the basement I bought a tea-set for Mr. and Mrs. Harris for 14/11.
I walked back to Charing Cross Road and caught a 24 bus home. Then I walked down the street to telephone Mr. Thurman at Gilwell Park.
When I went home I decided to go to Battersea Park Athletic Ground; when I reached there I found that I was decidedly out of nick, and could only manage about 65 or 66 seconds for the 440.
Back home I had a leisurely time writing and reading.
Friday, June 17th 1955
London
I had intended to go to the Science Museum at South Kensington, but when I went to see Mr. Buchanan, the resident engineer of the Churchill Gardens housing estate, he asked me if I could come back about 2.00 p.m. So after a trip to the P.O. to get aerogrammes I did all my washing and then wrote two letters home. Then when I had done all the little jobs it was 2.00 p.m. so off I went once more.
Mr. Buchanan was quite courteous. He told me all I wanted to know about the estate and quite a lot more. He suggested I should go to see Mr. Carter at the pump house. When I arrived there Mr. Carter showed me all over the plant and the accumulator, and explained it all to me. I could not understand some of it, but I nodded and said "yes" just the same. Then he took me over to Dolphin Square where I saw their heating calorifiers and then the shopping centre. By the swimming pool we stopped for a cup of coffee and had quite a chat.
I arrived home about 4.30, put on my scout uniform, and after a hurried visit to Overseas House I met Kerry Rogers and Bob Martin at Victoria Station. We met Eric Spry and Harvey Arnold at the show Boy Scout. It was very good, and warmed up as it went on, finishing up on a splendid note.
Saturday, June 18th 1955
London
After breakfast I sat down to wait for Harvey Arnold, who had said he would call for me at 10.30. He never arrived, however. I spent my time writing two reports for the Young Sun, and reading. Mrs. Harris was home by about noon and she soon had a lovely dinner prepared. I really enjoyed eating it.
I left by about 2.15 and caught a 24 bus to Trafalgar Square. Then I walked along Pall Mall to St. James's Street, and then up to Overseas House. There was no mail for me but I left my reports for Mr. Hutchinson with the hall porter.
Back I went to Trafalgar Square. Outside the National Gallery were several street artists. One of them had chalked some scathing comments of the London businessman on the pavement. In the art gallery I walked around for an hour or so.
When I left I walked about the cinemas, but those in Leicester Square were too expensive, so I ended up going to Victoria and seeing two really gangster films. I was home soon after 9.00 p.m.
Sunday, June 19th 1955
London (Gilwell Park)
After breakfast I was into my scout uniform, and by 9.00 a.m. I had caught a bus at Victoria for Chingford. The journey was uneventful. When I arrived at Chingford there was a one-and-a-half mile walk to Gilwell, but I had a lift part of the way. The Scouts' Own was just finishing when I arrived. I was nabbed by boys from an East Ham troop to swap badges, and they stripped me bare.
After a bit of walking about in the rain I found John Thurman and gave him the letter from my Uncle Will. We went into the providore and had a short conversation before I was turned over to Peter Groom. He showed me round after it had stopped raining. I was a bit disappointed with the size of the place. It seemed very small.
I was very interested in "Eales", the caravan which was presented to B-P in 1929 with "Jam Roll" and a pair of braces. We also saw the troop room and the training ground.
Over lunch in the refectory I met Michael Cooke and Mr. Clough, and after I had had my belt braided I went to the providore and talked to them for a while. They suggested I go back to London with them, and we went up to Gilwellbury to collect their luggage. The man there took us into Chingford Station and the train was already in.
We put our luggage in the compartment and I left my camera on the seat. While we were chatting on the station platform four "Teddy" boys came along, jumped into our carriage, and then went further up the train. After we got back into our carriage I found that my camera was missing. Michael suspected the "Teddy" boys and we watched them at each station. At Clapton they alighted and started to run. Michael caught two of them at the barrier and one eventually produced my camera from his pocket.
We called the police - two PCs arrived. We all went off to Stoke-Newington Police Station. Michael and I had our statements taken by two detectives of the C.I.B. Everybody was very kind and courteous to us.
Then we caught a trolley bus to Liverpool Street Station where we met Mr. Clough. In a cafe at Charing Cross we had a meal, and when I left for home I thanked Mr. Clough and said good-bye, because he was off to Yorkshire at 11.00 p.m. Michael, who had contacted R.N. Barracks at Chatham, went to Rowland House for the night.
Monday, June 20th 1955
London
I was late for my rendezvous with Michael for 9.00 a.m. at Liverpool Street Station because my watch was slow. After a dirty ride in a train I ran to Chingford Police Station to be there at 10.00 a.m. Michael was there already. At 10.15 a cheerful detective took us over to Waltham Abbey Juvenile Court. Our two P.C. friends of the previous day were already there.
The trial was tame, really. I was called in - took the oath - and told my story over again. The trial was adjourned until July 4th. We were taken back to the police station and Michael was given a "doctored" chit by an obliging detective to say he had left at 12.30. We were thus able to have a lunch when we arrived back in London. We went to Scout I.H.Q., and it cost me 3/-. I said good-bye to Michael when he caught the 2.18 train for Chatham from Victoria.
I set off down Vauxhall Bridge Road, crossed the Thames, and after going along the Embankment I spent two hours in the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road. A quick call at the Royal Festival Hall, up Southall and Southwark Streets to London Bridge, and then I crossed back. Pausing to read an inscription on the Monument I found my way home again via the Embankment, Trafalgar Square and Victoria.
Tuesday, June 21st 1955
London
Soon after I had finished breakfast in walked Bill Moore, complete with cavalry sword by his side. He was comparatively early - only 24 hours late.
I left about 10.30 and set off for the Science Museum at South Kensington. On the way I passed Chelsea Barracks where a battalion of Coldstream Guards was stationed. I came to the Museum by the subway from South Kensington Station.
When I arrived I saw that a lecture on "heat" was advertised for 11.15. I raced up to the gallery shown, and found that I was the only one who had turned up. The lecturer took me about and told me a bit. A lady arrived later.
The Museum was very interesting but so terribly vast one could not hope to see it all in detail. There was a television display with the tennis at Wimbledon. I particularly enjoyed all the working models, and the displays in their Children's Gallery were very good indeed. I left about 6.00 p.m.
When I arrived home I found that Bill wanted to go to the pictures, so off we went to the Victoria Cinema.
Wednesday, June 22nd 1955
London
Bill stayed home and I left to go to Overseas House. Here I picked up a parcel for Bill, and when I went to see Mr. Hutchinson about the four pounds trust money I had applied for I happened to mention my adventure with the Teddy Boys. He said he thought it would make a good story, and took down the details of the incident.
When I arrived back at the flat no one was there. Thinking Bill may have left the key with Mrs. Mackie I went to see, but he had not. Mrs. Mackie very kindly gave me a cup of coffee, and then I went off to do my shopping.
I went to Selfridges and bought a book on "Athletics", and then down to Bond Street where I bought a developing tank. When I arrived home I had to sit on the doorstep until Mr. Harris arrived home.
After tea I developed three films. I was most surprised when the first one turned out. Bill arrived home just as I was going to bed. He had been to see his brother-in-law's brother.
Here is Tour Manager, Stan Hutchinson's, Sun report of John's encounter with the Teddy Boys. Teddy Boys, incidentally, were the 1950s version of disaffected youth, distinguished - apart from their mildly delinquent behavior - by their black dress code, comprising long jackets, and stovepipe trousers usually short and exposing their socks. They were spawned by the "rock and roll" music of the era. The name "Teddy" is a throwback to the similar angry youth of the Edwardian era.
"Sun boy in brush with Teddy Boys
An Australian boy had a brush with a gang of Teddy Boys this week - and came out on top.
John Mathews of Heidelberg West, touring Britain with The Sun Youth Travel contingent, will return home with first-hand experience of one of Britain's current social problems.
Mathews was returning from Gilwell scout camp with an English friend, Michael Cooke, 19, a National Service naval trainee, whom he had met at Gilwell.
They left their baggage in the train to get a cup of tea.
On return, Mathews found his camera missing.
Mathews and Cooke suspected four Teddy Boys seen leaving the carriage. All were 15 or 16.
Mathews and Cooke accosted the Teddies when they tried to leave Chingford station.
Two escaped, but Cooke slammed the station gate and held the two others. Under his questioning one produced Mathews' camera.
Police arrested the Teddy Boys, and when Mathews gave evidence at Waltham Abbey Juvenile Court, the magistrate apologised for the incident having marred his stay in Britain.
The Teddy Boys were remanded until July 4.
The contingent has been dispersed while boys visit friends and relatives throughout Britain.
It reassembles at Kensington today for a final few days in London before sailing on the Otranto from Tilbury on June 28.
Thursday, June 23rd 1955
London
I left about 9.15 a.m. with the object of getting a good spot for taking photographs of the Changing of the Guard at the Palace. The Scots Guards were taking over from the Coldstreams. Of course, most of the fellows who had movie cameras seemed to think that they had an indisputable right to shove their way to the front of the crowd and stay there. When we were able to move in to the railings I took quite a few nice shots of the Guards before it was all over.
Then I went home. Mrs. Harris had guests for dinner and I kept out of the way and did my packing. Bill arrived home about 3.00 p.m. and I went off to get a taxi which would take us and all our junk to Kensington Town Hall. We said a fond farewell to Mrs. Harris and waved as our taxi sped off.
After the usual speeches we were introduced to our hostesses. I was with Bruce Dixon, and we went off with Mrs. Kitson to her lovely home in Redcliffe Road. Later we met Mr. Kitson (Lt. Col.), and they told us that they had two children, George and Joanne, off at boarding school.
Friday, June 24th 1955
London - 33 Redcliffe Road, Chelsea SW10
Bruce and myself went to Fulham Road after breakfast and caught a bus to South Kensington Station. We were off on a photographing trip.
Our first stop was at the Monument. We climbed up the 300-odd steps to the top and had quite a view across London. Then we walked down Cannon Street to St. Paul's Cathedral. Once again I could not afford to climb up into the dome.
Up Cheapside we saw Bow Bells, then we went to Selfridges for Bruce to see what he was going to buy. After a quick walk up to Marble Arch we went down Bond Street, Piccadilly to the Circus, then on to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Down Whitehall to Westminster Abbey we walked, and then on to Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace.
We were due at Overseas House at 3.45. We all went to St. James's Palace and shook hands with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
When we reached home I developed films and played table tennis, but I could not beat Mr. Kitson.
Saturday, June 25th 1955
London
Bruce went off in the morning to Selfridges while I stayed home and developed a film for him. He arrived home soon after 10.00 a.m., and at 11.30 we left with Mr. and Mrs. Kitson to go to Haileybury College where their son George was boarding. We ran into crowds going to the cricket at Lord's and we were late getting out of the London traffic.
George met us at the School and we went off to have a picnic together. We had a very jolly time, although George and his father went and hid under a tree because they said the sun was too hot. Bruce and myself really enjoyed our serves of strawberry mousse.
Back at the College George showed us round the school. Then we watched a cricket match for a bit before having our tea. After we had looked at some squash racquets with George we said farewell and were on our way home.
Although I tried very hard I still could not beat Mr. Kitson at table tennis. I read The Big Fisherman in bed.
Sunday, June 26th 1955
London
We were very late rising and there was only an hour or two between our breakfast and an early lunch. We left in the MG Magnette, and after a pleasant drive we came to the Runnymede Memorial for airmen with no known graves. It was very beautiful, overlooking the River Thames. Windsor Castle could be seen on our left and London Airport on our right.
When we left there, a short run in the car brought us to Windsor. After a great deal of trouble to park the car, we went up to the famous old castle. The Grenadiers were doing guard duty. Unfortunately we could not go into either St. George's Chapel or the State Apartments. St. George's Chapel was a very good example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. I got a glimpse in through an open door and marvelled at the flat vaulting of the roof.
On the way home we drove through the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. A little while later we had tea at a tiny tea shop.
I didn't at all feel like the supper we had after we reached home. I typed two reports for the Young Sun. I read until very late.
Monday, June 27th 1955
London
Before the time we were due to be at Overseas House - 12.15 p.m. - Bruce and myself caught the Underground to Holborn and had a look at the British Museum. Unluckily, they were displaying the same part as I had seen on my previous visit. We left with Robin Storer, and at a camera shop I bought developer and films.
At Overseas House it was a great waste of time. All we really did was pick up our food parcels after having our farewell dinner. I decided that Mr. Hutchinson's speeches were definitely improving.
Bruce and I decided that the weather was too bad to go to Wimbledon for the tennis, so we went to the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square to see The Dam Busters. It was a very good film, and it portrayed the tension very well.
When we arrived home we found that a man Bruce knew had phoned for us to meet him at Wimbledon, but we had missed the message. I spent most of the evening packing my cases.
Illustrations:
# John Mathews' drawing "Bonnie Scotland"
# "A Quick Look Round Westminster Abbey" booklet
# London Transport Diagram of Lines, and Station Index
# London Transport Central Buses Map, and List of Routes
# St. Paul's Cathedral
# Australia House, in The Strand
# The Strand
# Trafalgar Square
# The National Gallery, at Trafalgar Square
To be continued..........
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