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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SCHOOL TEACHER : 1940 - 1941 ORIGINAL JOURNAL AND LOGBOOK HANDWRITTEN BY A PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER DETAILING HER EFFORTS TO KEEP THE CHILDREN SAFE AND IN SCHOOL DURING THE GERMAN AIR RAIDS THAT TERRORIZED ENGLAND

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is an exceptional document of World War 2 history. This is a diary and log book of a teacher at a school in Dorset, in Southwest England. Beginning in July 1940, the book details what the author endures while the terror and destruction of the German Blitzkrieg and attempts to continue on with life and with the teaching of the children at the St. Mary’s Primary School in the town of Bridport. The diary recounts the letters sent and received, the concerned parents who visited their children, the outings to doctor, dentists, and more for the students all alongside entries that speak of emergency preparations, Air Raids and people killed and wounded in the Blitzkrieg. The war keeps the author’s life in significant disarray, and the entries reflect the many ways in which the children and their parents coped with War. The book is also filled with reports of the actions of the children, eg. lying, hitting each other, the meting out of punishments, etc. The Blitz ends on May 11, 1941. The author writes the next day of the the “Return of Evacuees” along with a count of the official and unofficial evacuees from towns such as Portsmouth, Westham, Bristol, Sussex, Cornwall, and Essex. The following days consist of efforts and logistics to get the returning evacuees back into school. As the school year ends and the summer begins, the diary focuses on the author’s normal logistics (letters sent and received, people visited, children coming and going, meetings of teachers, etc.). The diary is in good + condition. The cover reads “London County Council,” “Name,” and “School” but none are filled out with any information. Cover is in good condition, showing a bit of creasing in the front and back and a small bit of tearing on the spine. The pages are in good condition, showing little discoloration or wear. About 20 pages in the middle are slightly or fully detached and show evidence of burn holes in a few spots in the middle of the page, possibly from a cigarette or fire ember. The handwriting is clear and legible throughout, in a combination of blue and black ink. The ink is faded at points, but this does not affect the legibility of the words. Overall: G+. Sample Text: “July 19th. Air Raid warmup 2:45 - 3:30pm. Sheltered in ground floor corridor - Nursery class in corner of nursery. Worked on emergency time-table.”; Aug 13th: “Air Raid 12.0 - 12.50pm; 1.45 - 2.25; 3.30 - 5.30pm” ; “Aug 23rd. Visit from Mr. Kay to discuss return of teachers to London. It was decided that Miss Darnell should report in London on September 30th and that Miss Burditt and Miss Sentles should report in London on Sept. 9th, 1940. W. Watson to be assistant in charge at the Wesleyan after Sept 30th.”; “October 24th. Mr. and Mrs. Osmond on day trip to see children- chdrn. allowed to leave school for short time. Phone to Dorchester re: Half Term.”; “Mr. Evans visited. re Fred Dobson - who has been dishonest. is accused of begging in streets - and confesses to stealing. Has been suspected before - but this is second time proven. Has been punished in school.”; January 28, 1941. Mrs. Berry called - wishes for two girl evacuees. Officer is willing to make arrangements re: evacuations lists completed.”; “Mon. March 3rd,. One day closure (also local schools). No communal Dinners.”; “May 23rd. Commonwealth Day celebrations, open day. Collection for War Weapons Week. Visit of His Worship, the Mayor of Bridport, accompanied by Mr. Andrew Spiller. Distribution of National Savings Stamps (1/- each) to children. Letter to The Mayor, acknowledging gift, and sending process (12/6) for War Weapons Week. Miss Haustrom visited with news of Ron. Kent who is expected to entered Bridport on Saturday.”. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good +

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