A student’s account of university life and the end of World War II in Europe
Early May 1945
Peter thinks the present committee is a good one and JG is an excellent man but he has not quite enough initiative. Apparently some people have been saying that Peter wanted all the power in the Club and have not appreciated all his work. Too bad! Peter really has been splendid giving everything for nothing. He is a marvelous organizer. He has been reading Shakespeare and appears particularly struck by Hamlet in which he sees himself and by Othello which he says has a marvelous plot. Sed satis de hoc: reliquos ordiamur in the immortal words of Cornelius Nepos.
Mr. Ahrnt now gives the Monday lecture. I was late waiting for Prof. Hicks to go in first. They do not always remember to ring bells and kept talking until 3 when Ahrnt was made by the stamping to stop.
John Houghton had left a note for me to go to the Madrigal Society. We went and sang four. There were not many people there so it was hard work except when I shared a copy with Betty Handcock who is a great lead.
Then I went to the Chaplaincy which has been miraculously transformed—painted, new lino, new cupboards, stove cleaned. A telephone has been installed which works. There is a new floor in the lecture room. Everything works more smoothly since Mr. Wright became chairman of the house committee. T. Coady was playing the harmonium. He played part of “In Dulce Jubilo” and asked about my “Ave Verum.” We ate toast with Joan and Shirley… it snowed back to Sedgley again and so to bed.
Tuesday May 1
Started the month badly by not going to Mass. Egg for breakfast.
Mussolini dead?
Rumours of Hitler’s death.
Four lectures, one on the Crusades from Miss Wrong—good.
French Practical dictation. Went home to do essay. Saw Mrs. Halsall on way home. What a miserable thing it is to find what a poor opinion other people have of you. Oh dear!
Wednesday
Lecture from Mrs. Atkinson. Who is lecturing this time Donald or Katie?
Prof. Cheney’s essay class. Fortunately he did not ask me to read mine this time. Spent two hours in Christie doing Latin and French.
Tea at chaplaincy with Frank, Shirley and Joan. Played Bach on the Harmonium. Ate bread and jam.
Thursday 3
Shirley and Joan in caf. all day. Talked to Sybil Dawson for the first time. She seems very nice. (My name sake was taking combined honours English and History.)
Justin sent in a rhyme about Bernice which greatly annoyed her.
“Bernice McAndry
will blandly
contrive a smile snooty
should you speak of her beauty.”
He apparently did it just to annoy her.
Choral: We sang one of the Cathedral hymns and a new Vaughan Williams piece “To the Unknown Region” which seems good but hard.
Friday 5 May
Some French and Latin prep.
I attended two lectures, one very good on Maupassant from Dr. Whitehead. Found I only had 3 shillings and had to go home. On the way I called at Adelphi House, my old school, saw Mother Raphael the Head. She told me now that I had left she often told the VI form she had no one left with any gumption. Apparently among other things she cannot get her records found which I used to keep straight. Miss Rosbottom, the Latin teacher went over my prose and promised me an unseen book.
(In those days to get into the Honours History School one had to have a credit in Latin. I had gone up on the non-Latin side of the school so I had no Latin on entering the VI form. I had to get this School Cert. credit plus doing 4 A level subjects in the VI form and kind Miss Rosbottom took me on from scratch.)
Mother Raphael gave me a letter from Miss Herrick to read. She had taught us English and had taken the unusual and brave step to leave her post and join the British Council. She had gone to Istanbul to teach in the Council there.
Miss Deady the art teacher invited me to give my talk on the French Impressionists to the VI at Adelphi with lantern. Miss Mainfroy gave me lots of pictures and promised me an epidiascope at the University.
I went home, had some tea and got 10 shillings and a warning from my mother.
Saturday May 5
I spent the solid morning doing my talk for the international club on “Culture and Civilization”—will they survive if the world continues to be industrial? Have based it on my reading of F. Leavis “Culture and Environment” and Enquiries by Christopher Dawson.
At dinner Joan Graham announced she had a ticket for sale for Richard III. I literally jumped on it. I was on dinner charge duty. It was a rainy afternoon.
Laurence Olivier was absolutely marvelous as Richard. He made Richard seem amusing in his utter contemptibleness and then did not portray the whole character quite as well as Donald Wolfitt last year.
Nevertheless his portrayal of Richard’s last hours and death lacked nothing. He squirmed in midnight, then suddenly relaxed and flopped flat on the stage.
Sybil Thorndike was good as Queen Margaret and Ralph Richardson as Richmond.
Back to Sedgley. Had a milk shake in Alfs. Egg for supper. Charge again! University students had to volunteer—you! you! you!
After B. B. and I ate oranges in the Rockery.
Sunday 6 May – Rev. Mother’s feast. St. John of Beverley
We gave her a Mass, spiritual bouquet and 2 sets of tumblers.
We had lashings of ham for breakfast and jam and oranges and flowers on the tables, super! We did breakfast charge.
I did some of my French impressionist talk, then dinner.
We had rhubarb pie and choc. biscuits for tea. Went for a little walk. Gave up on the talk in despair.
Then marvelous meal salad and spam, cakes with almond paste and icing. It was Barbara’s birthday. Her cake as well.
Then to the International. I was late for the committee meeting. A very bad thing! After a few minutes gave my talk on Culture. We had an interesting discussion on it. Unfortunately neither Peter nor John were there. I had hoped they would be as they would have supported my view admirably, and I must shamefully confess I wished to make Peter think I was intelligent. What a nasty motive!
We played some silly games later such as doing some ridiculous things with a straight face… also one where Harry asked everyone what they thought he was thinking about and afterwards they had to reconcile what they suggested with what he had actually thought.
It was Charlie Chaplin. I suggested eggs. Back to College for 9.30.
Monday 7 May
I went to the French seminar to do my talk on Impressionism.
At 11:20 I had coffee. Continued work in the Christie—skipping Latin set books. First lecture I have missed since the Xmas term. (I missed three then, one Latin at half term and two French to attend to talks of John McCabe.)
Had dinner in Caf. at 12:30. Went to Ahrnt’s boring money lecture. I tried hard to concentrate. I then went to Christie and after to the Chaplaincy with Mary Kay.
A GIRL TOLD US A RUMOUR WAS GOING AROUND THAT THE WAR WAS OVER.
I then went to the Madrigal society. Proctor Gregg told us if VD day was proclaimed on the morrow we would not have to do the Cathedral Service as Bradford is broadcasting in that event.
We did the Nightingale again and I went back to singing first soprano again which I find easier than second. We also sang the Bach Chorale “Jesu the very thought of thee” and P.G. asked for something cheerful to end with so all shouted page 62 which was Palestrina’s Sanctus. We enjoyed singing it. Went to the Chaplaincy after.
While on the subject of chorus I must mention how I came to join it.
Since I was about 13 I have enjoyed music immensely and even before that but I had never met any choral music to speak of. But at school I had gained tremendous enjoyment from singing Elgar’s “Snow” and Lullaby and Fly, singing bird, fly etc. When I left school I felt that would be one of my keenest losses.
In the first few weeks I saw notices about the Choral Society wanting tenors and basses for the Christmas Oratorio. I wanted to join but felt it would be too hard and moreover it was late to join. I had never heard of Bach’s Christmas oratorio. How strange to think I was once so ignorant. But I placed a good deal of reliance on Bach. Marie Borland had been to Chorus but stopped because sight reading was too hard but one day I heard Brenda Martin went and she promised to take me. I feel that was one of the turning points in my life. Certainly it introduced me to some of the greatest joys I have experienced. We sang “Jesus who did ever guide us” and “Let us even now go to Bethlehem” in my first week. I found the sight reading very difficult, but the joy of singing Bach! I have never missed a rehearsal since that first time.
At the end of term we performed the Oratorio in the Whitworth Hall with an organ and Orchestra. I don’t think I have been so happy or excited since I was 9 years old. Then I was in a ballet class and we gave a performance in a theatre in a town in Berkshire. That started my reading lots of books about Theater such as Karsavina’s Life and James Agate 9 books of criticism called Ego 1 etc. Noel Coward “Present Indicative.” Everything went well except the Gloria chorus always a weak spot.
Later Accrington asked us to perform there and so we had more rehearsals and by a stroke of luck it was decided the performance would be on Friday March 3rd which was half term. But I thought I would not be able to go as PG was taking only a small specially selected chorus. What chance had I, a first year, not a music student, without a brilliant voice? However PG said he had 2 vacancies and asked if anyone was “Dying to go.” I promptly shot up my hand and he told me to give my name to John and go to the dress rehearsal. Yes, I went. It was even more marvelous than at Christmas. We now knew the Oratorio as ourselves and were very good, even the Gloria went like a shout to Heaven. Everything was marvelous, wonderful. I almost cried with happiness afterwards. Nothing has ever given me greater pleasure than being included in that performance. Perhaps the most wonderful part was that I was not alone in my enthusiasm as at school, but only one of many and we all felt the same about it. When it was over we all wanted just to start again. We just grinned and laughed at each other, afterwards I sat in the train with Nancy Sutton, an awfully nice dark haired girl, John Haughton, John Parry, a medico-theolog, Pam McGilivray and others. We had an uproarious time. We sang several chorales to the astonishment of an airman there, then we told silly stories and jokes. What a jolly lot the music students are. I got the 11:40 bus, home at midnight. But heavens what a wonderful night.
We also did another concert for the Music Club anniversary. We sang “Falmouth” by Woodman. “Draw on sweet night” by John Wilbye and “Haste ye nymphs” by Handel. Sa’ad Harrar was in the Orchestra.
It is such a great experience to sing in a chorus like ours. One lets off a great deal of ‘steam’ and you can do really difficult works as you have four voices and really intelligent people who can sight read well. Contrasted with school. There is no holding back to learn separate parts. We plunge into the work straight away and doing this gives a wonderful feeling of power and achievement. You get the joy of hearing the music well performed and of having been an integral part of the body which achieved it. The chorus develops a wonderful corporate spirit. Everyone is friendly, PG calls his students by their first names and this is done in no other university department.
Saw Mother Raphael on the way back. She said that the war was over but V day not declared. All the shops and houses were draped with flags including Sedgley.
M.M. Placida announced that we could go home after supper until Thursday. I got home for 9 o’clock, listened to the News. V Day tomorrow. I mended two pairs of stockings, wrote out a Latin prose and went to bed about midnight to start my Maupassant.
TUESDAY MAY 8 – V-Day
Got up 7:20. Breakfast. Went into the Union for lectures. Prof Hicks did not turn up and soon the Faculty of Arts closed and it was said no more lectures. Bells were ringing. I went to Mass and came back to the Union for coffee. Margaret made Justin and Bernice make up their quarrel. It is V Day unconditional surrender. It was raining torrents and I went home. Chops for dinner. In the afternoon I did a little French, heard Churchill announce the end of the War, also had a bath and washed my hair. Tea, then met Bernice in Town. Then the weather had turned fine. We went to a lecture by M. Paul Vercours on “La conscience francaise.” I understood it better than any French lecture hitherto. Then we went to the Union to the V dance. Met Margaret, Joan & Shirley. We soon saw Harry and then a boy in a red pullover and green trousers, apparently a Pole drinking alcohol.
People were letting off fireworks everywhere. It was dreadful until I got used to it.
I danced for 3 hours with a man who had been educated in Russia, gone to France, and fought in the Spanish Civil War then did a degree at Manchester.
We talked of Atheism, Catholicism, Sedgley, T.S. Eliot, Auden Spender, Diaries, Wine, French Impressionists, human conduct and happiness, Spanish, French, Latin, even History and practically every subject under the sun.
At about 10:30 we went down. We had heard the King’s broadcast at 9 in WDH. We waited for ages in the hall and at last a party assembled, as it appeared that half the Union was going to Albert Square. Joan, Bernice Shirley and I were with Sydney and another boy and eventually reached Albert Square, after seeing the Palace Theatre, the Tatler etc. floodlit in green, red and white, there we danced the Hokey Kokey, heard music, shouted for the mayor and for speeches from little men who appeared on the balcony of the Town Hall.
We also gave the college yell:
“We are the ‘Varsity
first in War, first in Peace
first in the hands of the local police
M-A-N-C-H-E-S-T-E-R! Manchester!”
At 12 o’clock when the war officially ended the whole of Albert Square gave roaring cheers, then sang “God save the King.” The floodlights went out and we all went home.
When I got home about 1:30 my feet were so tired I could hardly stagger upstairs and I was dying with thirst. I drank some milk, ate an orange and some rhubarb and read the paper in bed. Then went to sleep about 2. Stayed in bed until about 10.
Wednesday May 9th – V+1 day
Read a novel all day. Mummy and I went to Town, walked around, saw the decorations, also Ivo near the International Club. Then went to the Opera House to see Ralph Richardson in “Arms and the Man.”
It was very funny and most enjoyable. Afterwards we saw a lighted tramcar, like Blackpool illuminations. Went home and had a victory supper: Salmon and Peas. Heard programme about Churchill. Did some Maupassant until 12. Bed.
Ascension Thursday
Got up at 6:10 for Mass and H.C. Egg and bacon breakfast. Stripped bed, packed case. Arrived at the Union about 9. Messed about until 9:30.
Latin got syntax note. Half way through the lecture the Holy Name bells started ringing. Whycherley said he was doing his best against unequal competition.
At the next Lecture Max Beloff called the Register. As he sent round the paper he said “We seem to have several undesirable people in the class,” presumably referring to French Students who wrote “éprit Vinaver” “per ardua ad JCR” and drew skulls and cross bones.
Miss Wrong gave an amusing lecture on French Political History.
Dr. Redford took his register. When there were hardly any replies he asked if he had the wrong register or if we were still getting over V-day?
Lunch stayed in caf. until 3. Bill Yae and Mary Wilson there. Tea at 4. Saw John and Bernard McCabe, then Choral. The Cathedral broadcast is cancelled as it is V week. Instead we did Vaughan Williams and did PG slave drive.
Friday 11 May
Spent the morning until 11:40 in the Central Reference Library preparing French. Skipped Latin. Lunch in the Snack bar of Women’s Union, marvelous coffee. Dr. Whitehead’s French lecture was really a lecture in Architecture. Ice cream in Caf, followed by a lecture by Prof. Vinaver on Voltaire. Excellent! I got a book from the Library, met Barbara Seaman in the basement, we went to the Seminar and talked, then bought stationery in the Union. I tried to get a ticket for the Chancellor’s Installation but was too late.
Saw Joan and Shirley in Caf. Shirley brought an iced cake.
She also said she would take us for a drive in a car when the basic petrol ration returns. I played Bach on the Chaplaincy Harmonium. Then we talked in the Common room. Shirley gave some marvelous imitations of Ronnie Land. Met M.R on bus coming back to Sedgley and studied in the garden.
Saturday 12 May
I prepared something for my essay on Barbarossa. Went home. Did some Maupassant. Glorious day. Had to be back at Sedgley for 6:20. Just did it. The bus was stiflingly hot. Met an Irishwoman from Dublin on the Eccles bus. She had only been over 3 weeks and wanted to get to Belle Vue.
We were on charge. Then I played some Handel Messiah and then studied Maupassant in the garden.
Wrote up my diary and so to bed.
Sunday 13 May
We had a terrible thunder storm during the night. Got up feeling tired and exhausted. We had a missa cantata of the Holy Trinity in thanksgiving for victory. Breakfast Spam. We were on charge and made beds.
Reverend Mother gave a talk at 10 chiefly addressed to girls on teaching practice. I did some Maupassant. Dinner left me feeling hungry. Had a milk shake at Alf’s after being closeted with Sheilah trying to salve her conscience about going out to see Frank while pretending to be going out to the International Club.
Went to the Central Ref. after doing tea charge. Sat opposite a boy who looked like Peter… I did reading for essay on Fred. Barbarossa.
Met Sheilah at 8 at Sedgley after coffee at Alfs. Gladys round and agnes McColgan and an altar boy were there. We talked in the rockery, then bed.
Monday 14 May
Went to Christies to continue essay. Got T.S Eliot’s “Family Reunion” out. 11:30 decided I must go to Latin as I missed 2 last week. Did unseen Virgil. One boy signed the attendance sheet “Antonius Crosbius minor Grescius” normally he is A. Crosby.
Dinner in Cafe with B.B. and M and 2 French students. Betty got two letters from Stonyhurst boys she met on V day. They sounded rather sweet.
Hicks gave a lecture instead of Ahrnt. Hurrah! He will take the only available lecture next week—again Hurrah!
Wrote a note for Bernice. Went to Christie. Saw Bernard McCabe there. Did part of a Latin prose.
Went to Madrigal Society. Sang “Her sweet voice” and “Alas my heart.” Both very nice.
Joan and Shirley at the chaplaincy. Made a visit to the Holy Name.
Tuesday 15 May
Walked down to the Central Ref. Met John near the Museum.
Bought a copy of T.S. Eliot at Jardines and some chocolate.
Slogged for one and half hours at essay. Returned to Coll. Caf closed. Refectory open for teas but they stopped serving as our turn came. Met Joan, Shirley & Mary, went to the Chaplaincy. Justin & Bob Grant there. Had tea, played table tennis, took Joan my pyjamas and scarf for a laundry exam.
Wednesday 16 May
No lectures as Lord Wootton was installed as Chancellor.
Betty and I went to Central Ref. at 9:45. Worked on essay until 12:15. Shilah recommended Ridgways cafe. We were all short of money and wanted a cheap place. We had Spam chips bread and butter cake and coffee 2.3 plus tip 2s.6d. I didn’t call it cheap. (I had 10s. a week for all my food and bus fares, toothpaste etc.)
We walked up to the Chaplaincy. Met Bernard and Robin Dodge on the way. The Union was open. I attempted unsuccessfully to do some Daudet, played table tennis and attempted to phone Domski. Tony Mottram and Gordon Ireland came in and pulled the piano to pieces. Margaret came. We ate apricot jam sandwiches and biscuits for tea.
Talked at night. My conscience told me I had not done as much work as I should have done so at 9:30 I desperately finished a Maupassant story.
Thursday 17 May
Inters (intermediate exams) are only 3 weeks off. I did some Cornelius Nepos, a French prose as well as attending 5 lectures and washing 3 pairs of stockings, so I have worked today.
Bernice got me dinner sausage rolls to eat from 12:30 so that I would be in a fit state to concentrate on economic history.
We had a slogging at “Towards the Unknown Region.” PG suggested performance on June 28. Table tennis at Chaplaincy. Julie there.
Friday 18 May
Did “Le Pape est Mort.” Latin unseen back. Did 2 others. Stiff work. Found the Pape was the wrong story. I had not prepared “Les trois masses basses” which Dr. Whitehead did and so was silent uneasy and unhelpful.
Prof Vinaver gave the 2nd Voltaire lecture on “Zadig.” Very good and interesting.
Saturday 19 May
We soon found no work to be done this weekend. We had to spend it moving chairs and tables from Howe, selling tables etc. also getting places on the stage.
Went home. Daddy read “Les trois masses” which he finished and found very amusing. Had to be back at Sedgley at 6:20. Went to confession.
Sunday 20 May – Whit Sunday and College Day
We were called at 6:50. Communion at 7:50 followed by breakfast in the English room. Ham.
We were on charge nearly all weekend. At 11 we had High Mass, 3 priests and altar boys. This followed by dinner including peach tart, tea and biscuits, then Charge and we changed for the afternoon. We took positions on the stage then went away. I did a little Latin then went b