Diary extracts for June 1942
1st Jun 1942:
On the way home [from West Moors] called at ‘Blinkbonnie’ in Ringwood ….. We hope to send Crispin there in September.
11th Jun 1942:
Painting hard all day. Short break at noon to give Crispin his carpentry lesson. Caroline going on fine. She responds to all sorts of fun now and Crispin seems to be a favourite with her.
22nd Jun 1942:
Attended first RA general meeting.
Nevinson sat at the back in state giving vent to ironical “Hear Hears” or “Chuck him out!”. Dugdale pompous about his ability to hang a show and careful underlining that he isn’t concerned about his pictures, they would look after themselves.
23rd Jun 1942:
Rex gave me another picture of rabbits for Crispin.
27th Jun 1942:
While having tea on the side lawn, Mavis had Caroline on her knee. Suddenly her face crumpled up and she started howling. We couldn’t think what was the matter, and then realised that Crispin with his bike and Toby the bear on it had vanished behind our chairs. So we asked him to come back, and immediately she beamed broad smiles and laughed and jumped up and down. Crispin then pedalled out of sight and she started howling again!
28th Jun 1942:
After much crosstalk and criticizing etc. etc., we decided that the ‘Portsmouth Night Raid’ painting must be considered finished. It was started on the 15th May.
30th Jun 1942:
Letter from Thomas da Sancha wanting to see me concerning my war pictures. He is writing the introduction to a catalogue for Latin America.
This is a reference to the exhibition planned for Brazil. The exhibition did not take place, however, because all the pictures were lost at sea when the ship taking them there was torpedoed.