Nothing to do…

Betty Ross was 17 living in Cambridge at the start of World War II and started a diary four years later in early 1943. Cambridge Museum has transcribed some of the diary starting with the first entry.

Betty Ross at a Military Ball fundraiser in 1941. Photo: Cambridge Museum

“Whoever reads this. Do so at your own risk!! And please no comments on bad spelling etc.”

Mar 1943

“A Farewell Dance in town hall, 10 chaps.  I wore my blue net evening frock.  Beverley & Pam Rishworth on door with me.  Joan & Rosamond Graham relieved us after a while.  Six Yanks in Guard of Honour.  They didn’t dance though, worse luck …”

March 1943:

“One of the Yanks asked Joan did her eyes bother her – but she knew the answer.  You should say ‘No”.  They say – ‘They do me!’  Cute, what! … They sure were a great lot.”

Aug/Sep 1943:

“We are all very annoyed with Pop.  We were listening in to a concert relayed from a camp and were enjoying it.  He … switches onto stinking old Parliament, stuttering old Pete Fraser etc sending over some awful piffle.”

19 Sep 1943:

“I had a fit of the blues that afternoon, things certainly are not much just now.  The war looks as though it’ll just go on & on & there’s nothing doing in the village, it’s enough to make one fed up.  Oh, for a camp!!”

26 Oct 1943:

“Yesterday butter rationing came into force, so we decided that while we had a bit in the house we’d do some baking for the boys overseas.  Did some peanut brownies, coconut buttons, and Queen cakes.”

See: The 40s – in Betty’s words

Doing Your Bit exhibition featuring Betty Ross

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