1 Sept 1939 - Gemany invades Poland. General Mobilisation declared. BBC curtails programme, lighting restriction starts. Parliament meets, note asking Germany to retire.
2 Sept 1939 - Tunnel Yard filling sand bags and making ARP shelter 7:30AM to 8:00M. Complete black out in operation. Red rear light for cycles ordered.
3 Sept 1939 - Conscription for above passed through Parliament. 11:00AM England declares state of War with Germany, France does same at 5:00PM. King broadcasts 6:00PM.
4 Sept 1939 - Filling sand bags and odd jobs relating to ARP. First liner Athenia torpedoed this morning. Orders given to take gas masks to work in future.
In 1940 the bombing begins...
20th June 1940 - First Air Raid in South Wales. 15 bombs dropped in Cardiff.
22nd June 1940 - Report of France signing Armistice with Germany.
23rd June 1940 - Coles and I, about 12:20AM assist in carrying out of Newport Tunnel and RAF Officer name of Jackson.
(The search was launched after a carriage door was found swinging open on a train's arrival in Cardiff)
24th June 1940 - RAF Officer dies in hospital. We have our first Air Raid warning in Newport 12:51AM to 2:20AM Tuesday morning.
25th June 1940 - Two Air Raid warnings to-night. One plane drops his bombs near Channel Dry Dock - oil tank on fire - about 3 hours out of bed Wednesday morning.
12th July 1940 - Air raid warning last night. Jerry over Newport at 4:40AM. A.A. (anti-aircraft) fire drives him away, drops bomb end Corporation Road.
13th July 1940 - Bombs dropped in Newport last night, houses damaged Mendalgief etc. one L.D.V. (Local Defence Volunteer) killed. Over again about 10:00AM nothing dropped.
14th July 1940 - Air Raid during night.
15th July 1940 - Two Air Radi warnings during night - two picked up in searchlights - A.A. fire both got away - two more raid warning during day.
12th September 1940 - Stray planes pass over again, couple of bombs dropped near Machen.
13th September 1940 - Night alarm as usual. Night Bomber crashes at Stow Park Ave. caused by Barrage Balloon. Sets fire to house - 2 dead, 3 dead and pilot injured of crew. Buckingham Palace and Downing Street bombed during day.
14th September 1940 - On Air Raid shelter in afternoon, early alarm tonight 7:35PM. All clear again 9:00PM.
30th-31st May 1941 - Out of bed 1:30AM till 3:45AM. Jerry busy dropping flares and bombs.
31st May 1941 - Raid on Newport last night, Ridgeway area and Western Avenue have it. Many killed and injured, houses down etc. Mother-in-Law's house has windows broken (Penllyn Avenue).
2nd June 1941 - Have a walk to High Cross to see bomb damage. Plane crashes down Malpas Road - Balloon Barrage - about 100 houses affected with Friday bombing about 30 casualties.
30th June 1941 - Damage locally (Maesglas), shop windows, slates, windows, ceilings, Eveswell badly hit - most deaths out there - suspected unexploded mine in mud near Docks.
1st July 1941 - Awakened early this morning by Jerry 1:00AM. He dropped several land mines one near Park Mile Box? Belle Vue Park, Maindee, Christchurch. Heavy casualties Maindee and damage to houses etc.
2nd July 1941 - Fire Watching last night, have an alarm but no bombs dropped. People evacuated from Pill during day owing to suspected mine.
3rd July 1941 - No alarm last night. Find that one bedroom door cannot shut, shifted out of position by blast.
In 1943 the Home Guard is created...
6th February 1943 - Receive calling up papers for Home Guard.
10th February 1943 - Report I am enrolled for Home Guard at Dock Street Drill Hall - posted to A Company Stow Hill.
15th February 1943 - Son receives his calling up papers for Home Guard.
16th February 1943 - Warning 10:35PM all Clear 11:05PM. Plane goes under Balloon Barrage. Report for Home Guard, Stow Hill. Have to join Railway lot, Platform 3.
20th February 1943 - Receive papers for Fire Guard.
23rd February 1943 - Start Home Guard training, Stow Hill, 7:00PM.
18th May 1943 - Jerry stars bombing again Alert 2:30PM, all Clear 4:00PM. Part of Station out of action time bombs near being dug out.
19th May 1943 - Quiet night last night. No Home Guard tonight.
20th May 1943 - Cardiff. Saw 1,000 bombs on platform dug out of Riverside Station, one still being dug out. Small attendance at Dance in aid of Fighting Fund.
21st May 1943 - Cardiff - Time Bomb on 2 platform, hole now being filled in.
26th May 1943 - HAA tonight H.Q. Notice in Yard thanking staff for their work etc. at Cardiff.
By 1944 the Nazis are in retreat across Europe...
6th September 1944 - BBC reports Home Guard Compulsory Services to be cut.
7th September 1944 - Paper reports refer to Fire Watching and Civil defence duty to stop.
11th September 1944 - Attend Home Guard Operational Duty for, I hope, last time.
12th September 1944 - Yanks fighting in Germany, Le Havre captured.
18th September 1944 - Lights in town last night.
19th September 1944 - We manage to hold on in Holland after Air Landing.
24th September 1944 - Lights on in corners in Maesglas.
19th November 1944 - British now fighting in Siegfrid Line.
3rd December 1944 - Official Stand Down - Home Guard.
8th May 1945 - V.E. Day 3:00PM - Jerry agrees to unconditional surrender.
9th May 1945 - Parade V.E. and Bonfires. Dancing in streets.
11th May 1945 - Tea and Supper for children and adults.
22nd May 1945 - Talk of break up of Government.
23rd May 1945 - Churchill resigns - Election July 5th.
27th July 1945 - Labour get a big majority and are now in Power. Attlee Premier.
10th August 1945 - Report of Japanese surrender.
11th August 1945 - Report re Japanese not confirmed.
14th August 1945 - 11:00PM News - statement to be made at midnight. Atlee speaks.
15th August 1945 - War finishes. V.J. Day. Everybody awake and bonfire lit last night during celebrations.
6th September 1945 - Victory Social and Supper, Maesglas.
Thanks to Fred's daughter Rosemary Prior for permission to publish these diary extracts
