Diary extracts for September 1939
5th Sep 1939:
British planes dropped tons of leaflets on Germany
Had birthday tea for Father which he evidently enjoyed very much [His 72nd birthday was on the 1st Sept]
6th Sep 1939:
Mauretania and Aquitania etc are being painted dark grey. Everyone in Southampton carrying gas masks in cardboard cases (they look very silly)
Started to learn milking cows at King’s farm.
9th Sep 1939:
Saw Warwick Castle coming in after she had evaded submarines chasing her
11th Sep 1939:
Card from Nan Kivell saying he hopes the Contemporary Art Society will purchase the large ‘Antwerp’ (which he has never seen!)'
14th Sep 1939:
We motored up to London with ‘Antwerp’ and ‘Ouse at York’ to the Redfern Gallery. Nan Kivell didn’t think the former suitable for the Tate Gallery. So wants me to do another! and have my show in November as "no one else is having one” (had been scheduled for December)
As far as we can tell "another" Antwerp was never painted and it is the one mentioned that the Tate bought for their collection.
15th Sep 1939:
Southampton full of troops ready to leave for France.
They do not look happy.
16th Sep 1939:
Started digging air raid shelter in sunk garden. This is compulsory for schools, and as ours starts on Tuesday, something has to be done about it.
16th Sep 1939:
The Art Gallery is open again but the art school is closed. Could only give Mavis £1 for housekeeping.
18th Sep 1939:
Painting in the afternoon. Activities of Man.