J

·- 19 18 _
 I,
- 1 91 8-
Tues.,lst January.
A hard frost set in. I commence the year, the fourth new year of War,
with my old household. Polly my wife, Margie my daughter, Emily and Bertha
the maids, Knight my coachman and his wife, Barker the gardener and his wife
who acts as laundry woman. 3 horses in stable of our picturesque rambling
house which was my grandfather's, the house, offices and stables being all
adjoining round 2 courts, a stone paved large court and a gravelled forecourt
to the Gothic porch, a good specimen of a small manor house. Near to lives my
Mother (74) in a small house looking on a small paddock with fine trees and
with her 2 maids, old Rhoda and Florence. My house with 25 acres of parklike
grass in front with a trout stream running through it, 2~ miles from a station
and nothing but lovely unspoilt country for miles. Nottingham being hidden by
high hills is 9 miles away. After paying our terrific taxes I have not been
unprosperous, enjoying about £1500 net income, and my mother after a small
income gets it made up to about £250 a year by her 10 sons. Trust this will last.
"leds. ,2nd Jan.
The frost suddenly going I met hounds at Oxton, Richard Francklin and his wife
and daughter (12), 2 Seely boys, Jack Starkey junior, George Gibbs, Piggin the
riding master, Col. Leslie Birkin, McFitt and a Capt. Hobbs who before the war
had been the manager for Stokes the big Market Harboro horse dealer. Though over
50 he had got a commission and been in France and been wounded but is now for
home service.
i'le did not find till \'le got to Epperstone Park "lood when we spent some time ._~
ringing round this large hilly woodland.
Thurs. ,3rd Jan.
Frost again but on to Nottingham and Toton. Miss Charlie (home from France)
at the Club.
Fri. ,4th Jan.
A regiment of Machine gunners came through Epperstone. Capt. Hobbs in
command so brought him and 2 officers with him in for a whisky. At 1 cycled
to Nottingham for a Food Controlt Committee. Rhonda has got us into a Beef
shortage with fixing a sliding scale downwards of prices, result no fat beasts
in the market this past week.
Margie came back bringing my nephew Geoffry and my brother Harold R.N.
from Dartmouth.
Sat. ,5th Jan.
To Nottingham but home early for our merry party.
Sun. ,6th Jan.
Percy came over and took back his boy.
Hon.,7th Jan.
It not being very hard on the grass and no snow I rode over-to Langar to
consult Elliott what grass to plough if ordered to do so. What a mess our government
makes of things. Caught in a snow storm just as I came by Lowdham Mill.
Tues., 8th Jan.
170 of frost but not much snow which had drifted. I walked to station
and so to Nottingham and lunched at the Club where a large party. A French
girl friend of Margie's, Miss de la Brue, came yesterday to stay a week.
Heds., 9th Jan.
Thaw came on at mid-day. I spent at home at leisure save for some letters
and to Burrows for a School Managers Meeting.
Fri.,llth Jan.
I had to ride up to Fox Wood near Woodboro to meet Col. F. Seely and to
the War Agricultural sub-Committee, Lamin and Hardstaffe to decide what
grass to plough up, and later cycled to Southwell for the Food Control Committee.
Hyldyard of Flintham and Fillingham of Syerston reported for grinding barley for
pigs fit for food.
Mon.,14th Jan.
The hard frost which set in on Saturday enabled Margie and I to go to the
Sherbrookes at Oxton for hockey on the ice where parties of young Seely's from
Sherwood Lodge and Ra~sdale. Rupert S. (17) home on leave from the Fleet at
Scappa Flow. We drove ~ome in a snow storm.
!ues.,15 th Jan. R~s~
A thaw setting in I was able to ride all day, first to Rain:dale and then
by Oxton Bogs and Graves Lane to Osmanthorpe, where Breedon the tenant paid the
award on entry and so back by Gold Hill and Halam and the bridle way by Roselle
ioJood.
ioJeds. ,16th Jan.
Heavy snow last night kept me at home.
Thurs.,17th Jan •
. Snow and frost so walked to Lowdham Grange on the plateau opposite my house
and enjoyed the fine views over our lovely valley and the She~vood Forest country
beyond. The Howitts of the Grange came after for tea.
~i.,18th Jan.
Percy, Muriel and their boy Geoff came over for lunch to say goodbye to Margie
and in the evening I had the games of besique as usual. But Margie goes to school
tomorrow.
Sat. ,19th Jan.
Polly and Margie leave for the Lockers at Hemel Hempstead (Miss Simmons School)
taking Lavender Francklin with them. I had mid-day dinner at the Club and to the
Theatre Royal for the pantomime at 2, very good, and home at 7.
§,un. ,20th Jan.
To Church and for tea to Mrs. Dufty myoId lady neighbour aged 93, whose
memory for Nottingham and district goes back to George IV's reign, before railways
were known. Very interesting talk of those times, evidently full of hospitality
and dancing and hunting.
Mon. ,21st Jan.
I rode over to Winkburn and back by Norwood Park where John Starkey our Member,
his son and two of his daughters out in the Park shooting.
3,
TUes.,22nd Jan.
Rode to Hexgreave Park for lunch but only Maud and Mrs. Hirsch her aunt
at home. Want of labour is our great trouble in agriculture. I have to apply
to London and cannot even get a permit for a small piece of lead. and 15 inches
of copper to mend a pump with.
Ueds.,23rd Jan.
To the meet at Bestwood. Colonel Leslie Birkin carried the horn. Bestwood
is now tenanted by Sir Frank Bowden, a common lot. \fhy he should be made a
baronet no one knows, he is main owner of the Raleigh cycle works. A fox here
but no scent so moved to Calverton Gorse, found and away fast to Fox Wood and
back through the Bogs to the Forest and back to the Gorse, but I missed them
at Calverton. Polly got back yesterday from London, staying with her sisters,
Edith is a chief of constables and very often called on to attend the Queen on
her visits to munition works. They have not had butter for 3 months.

Thurs.,24th Jan.
To Toton. Met Alec Birkin and his wife, a good looking pe asant woman.
Saw the Tank Bank in Nottingham market place, a weird iron chariot.
Fri.,25th Jan.
Rode to Southwell for the Council and Food Control Committee with whom
a good merry meatless dinner at the Rodney. Hotels are forbidden to serve meat
twice a week. Met Bee of the 8th who has lost an arm and 3 others home on leave
all of Southwell Company who were, in 1912, in my last Camp. They had been with
the Regiment in France 3 years since Feb. 1915. All looked well.
Sat.,26th Jan•.
To Nottingham and being early found Col. Foljambe finishing his breakfast
at· the Club. We agree Haldane was a great War Minister and his organising the
Territorials on a War footing in 1909 saved the situation now, but he could not
get compulsion. Lord Kitchener made a mistake in not raising his new army on
territorial lines and this has caused great confusion since.
The Tank is doing great business as a bank,the Robin Hood band playing
near by. The market stalls are moved back. Home by train and busy pruning
my orchard.
Sun.,27th Jan.
Very mild, snow drop, aconite and crocus coming out in the little wilderness
beyond the kitchen garden. To church in the morning and then to see my Mother.
Mon.,28th Jan.
I rode over to Norwood Park and spent the afternoon with our Member John Starkey
and with him walked into Southwell to see Metcalfe as to a ploughing up order for 2
grass fields. I am in a mess at the sale of Burnell's property at Halam which I believed
to be freehold and turns out to be mostly copyhold.
Tues.,29~h Jan.
Spent the day motoring with Marshall to whom I sold about £600 of timber
at Osmanthorpe and Graves Lane.
Heds.,30th Jan. G-~1h~
To Nottingham to the Srimthoxpe Bridge meeting and passed a dividend of 3%
for the half-year,:"none being declared at Midsummer, our tolls having fallen more
than half owing to the War, while the passage of troops toll-free wears out our
bridge.
Thurs.,31st Jan.
Rode to B~inodale though there had bean a hard frost last night, to see
Col. Seely. Ra"Wl,S~
Fri. ,1st Feb.
A hard frost last night but the hot sun dispersing it I rode to meet hounds
but they had gone away sharp from Bleasby Gorse and I did not see them till I
got to Haughton besides the Master and servants there was' out only myself,
Capt. Kirk on leave and Pratley the stud groom at Oxton. We in England only
hunt in mufti rat-catcher get up but in Ireland the fields are large and in
all the old glory of pink and white buckskin, but Ireland is a scandal in this
War and a serious hindrance to us with 3 strong divisions kept there so much
wanted in France.
I had to attend a Food Control meeting at Southwell at 2 so saw no more of
hounds. I see nearly all our butchers are now working at a dead loss. The Control
itself created the meat famine of the past month.
Sat., 2nd Feb.
To Nottingham cattle market, a good show of cows and calves. To lunch
at the Club where a large company and much cheerful talk till I left for home
at 4. News from the Lockers School that Margie had the measles.
Sun. ,3rd Feb.
Mild Spring weather. To church in the morning.
\'leds. ,6th Feb.
~ early train to Peterbro where Miles the Stamford Timber Merchant met
me and motored me to Norman Cross. At the hotel I left luggage and went on
to mark timber in the woods near Folksworth, Ash 2/- per foot and oak 1/6.
This day being ordered a meatless day I had none for dinner.
Thurs.,7th Feb.
At breakfast I found hotels were not allowed to serve meat till 10.30
so had porridge and eggs for breakfast, and then a long walk by Stilton and
to see the neat Charles I church at Denton. I had a long walk to Caldecot Wood.
By the lake is in ruins a picturesque timber-frame, reed thatched plaster cottage,
2 rooms. All this will soon be of the past. Called at the Hall to enquire of the
Squire who is seriously ill. Left at 4 and Knight met me at Colswick so home
for dinner at 8.
Fri. ,8th Feb.
Rode to Southwell to the Council and lunched at the Rodney with the
Food Committee which we held after.
Sat.,9th Feb.
To Nottingham and lunched (Sherry and 2 biscuits) at the Club, a large
company, and home with Starkey at 2. A thunder storm at night, hail and great wind.
!ion. ,lOth Feb.
Rode over to Winkburn to discuss with Colonel Burnell about the 90 acres
but of cultivation we
are ordered to plough up.
Tues. ,11th Feb.
I was at Margaret Springs Wood in Graves Lane valley with Marshall marking
timber. There are some monster great lime trees in this wood and such and all oak
which had a quaint shape, which I left.
\;Teds~ ,13th Feb.
By early train to Nottingham and so by G.N.R. to Stamford where Miles and
his son met me in a motor and so down the Great North Road by Burleigh Park we
passed the new great aerodrome where a score or more of machines were already
in the sky. Here I saw the new Sopwith Biplane of great speed. The villages on
our route fine stone built houses and cottages mostly of the days of the Tudors
and Stuarts.. \;Tainford Bridge a fine piece of really mediaeval \.,rork. WheJ\dt the
river here is in flood, it cuts England in two from near Rugby to the sea save
for a bridge like this, and even here the approaches get under water. At Norman
Cross Hotel I left my luggage and we went on to Washingley North Wood which we
reached at 11.30 and spent the day here. We left our car at the Hall and I saw
Gee the keeper to enquire how Mr. Henry Robertson was. Miles having a Stamford
Pork Pie which cut in quarters gave us an excellent lunch. Miles' son and
chauffeur marked the trees as Miles and I priced them. A meatless dinner at
Norman Cross according to rule.
Thurs. ,14th Feb.
Miles came to my Inn the next morning at 9.30 and with his son and chauffeur
to mark spent the whole day in Caldecot wood. By the end in this and the former
visit I had marked over £2000 worth of timber. In this wood is an old moat about
an acre in extent belonging to the Vicar and which I christened the Sleeping
Beauty's Palace.
Fri. ,15th Feb.
About this time Russia gone as mad as a March Hare succumbed to Germany
and if America had not joined us we were dead beat.
I walked to the Hall to enquire of the Squire whose condition I believe is
hopeless. So home by 1 train and got in at 7.
Sat.,16th Feb.
To Nottingham and lunched at the Club.
Sun. ,17th Feb.
I cycled over to Hexgreave Park, 7 miles, for lunch with the Wilsons ••
Hon. ,18th Feb.
Henry Robertson died.
Tues.,lath Feb.
Capt. Wade Dalton picked me up and motored me to Winkburn. He is Timber
Controller in the North Midlands. At Winkburn Non/ood for the Agricultural War
Committee came to look at our bad lands to support my plea that to plough and sow oats t
this spring was foolish.
b.
\'ieds. ,20th Feb.
A short day's huunting at Oxton and then on to Southwell to defend. the
. Colonel Burnell from the War Agricultural Committee. The bullying of a Squire
by a parcel of farmers was not to be lost by the latter but I gained my point.
Thurs. ,21st Feb.
To Hinckly which I reached at 1 and after meeting Heaton the architect to
measure some land sold and seeing Prestons and Pilgrims the 2 solicitors' firms here
I had tea with Capt. Atkins and his wife at the Manor House. He is from France
and discharged for health, but now looks hearty. He was in my brigade.
Fri., 22nd Feb.
To Southwell to the Council and lunched with the Food Committee and later
to see Capt. Starkey at Norwood who I found very unwell.
Sat. ,23rd Feb.
Margie who has had measles at School is now better so her mother left for
Hem~ Hempstead to take her to lodgings near by for a week's rest. I later to the
theatre to see lIBubbley", a revie\'l and very good.
Sun. ,24th Feb.
Spent at home and to tea with Mrs. Dufty my 94 year old neighbour.
Hon. ,25th Feb.
Margie writes the guns firing and bombs dropping during the many air raids
can be heard plainly at Hemel Hempstead, the air barrage is terrific and there
are 6 guns round Hemel H. I rode to Norwood Park to enquire of Starkey and then
on to Winkburn to talk over affairs with the Colonel.
Tues. ,26th Feb.
To Toton and walked on to Long Eaton for lunch with the vicar and his wife,
HcLean late our Rector.
\'leds. ,27th Feb.
I waited to meet Sutton the hay factor as we are troubled at the government
seizing hay and leaving our horses to famine. At 1 rode out and just met hounds
as they came to Thistley Coppice after a very fine run. Here they found and a
merry gallop across the valley to Lowdham village and back to ground in Netherfields
so to Epperstone where the car was for Colonel Birkin and young Lord Petersham
who was hunting the hounds, a nice young fellow whom I had seen often here before
the war with his uncle Ld. Harrington with whom I had hunted 35 years. Petersham
was in the fight at Mons and all that retreat in the Cavalry and in France till
last year.
Thurs. ,28th Feb.
By train to Hidmerpool 'I'/here I was at 11 and the dear old Hajor met me
and we walked by Rough Hoe wood to Stanton-on-Wolds and down by the stream to
Widmerpool Hall where I stayed the night, ~is humour much diverting me.
Fri.,lst March. •
The Major going to Leicester to the Quorn Hunt meeting, dropped me at the
station and so lunch at the Club and home. Snow last night.
1- .,
Sat.;.,2nd March.
Bitter cold, north wind and scuds of snow. I rode to the last meet
of;the Quorn hounds at Widmerpool New Inn and with my usual weather luck
w~ had nothing but sun for my portion. Yesterday's snow had mostly gone except
fpr marking the furrows on the hill sides.As I crossed the Trent a snow storm
passed behind me and so down the Foss Way in sun while another storm swept the
. Belvoir hills 6 miles off on my left. As I rose the Wold Hills another passed
to my right over Nottingham. Here I entered on the Cotgrave Wolds,
a plateau where several large woods several hundred acres in extent and some
2 to 3 miles square intersect a derelict tract of abandoned land since the fall
in prices in 1874 and since; this had become a thin brake and the delight of old
Ld. Harrington. It "las his "Pinch-me-near" Forest and you could spend a \·[hole
day hunting in it - the Fosse Way was until 5 or 6 years ago only a grass track
about here and the wide 60 foot roads turning off it are mostly unmetalled and
wild. I found now nearly all this waste land cleared of thorns and growing wheat.
Well, what jolly days we have spent here galloping about. The country here and the
big woods still looks wild so I down this straight road to New Inn and got my
horse in stable and fed, and so to the house to enquire of Farmer Brookes.Soon
come 3 girls of my acquaintance, Miss Hamilton of E. Leate, Miss Pratt of Bedow and
Miss Violet McCraith, Sir James' daughter. Then Major Robertson and his farm
steward on foot. Capt. Wade Dallon escorting the pretty auburn hair~ ,.. but German
extracted Miss Flersheim. Major Peacock and Tidmas from Sutton Boughton and
perhaps a dozen more all in rat-catcher kits (so falls the splendid Quorn of
pre-war days, but the great fields of 400 or 500 people was getting too much
then and the farmers objected :l{o the "Foreigners" and "the Counts ll •
No Capt. Forester and hounds arrived at 12 and as the country all south
had much snow we were all about to disperse when a telegram came that Capt •.
Forester would arrive at 1 o'clock, so getting my ladies comfortable by Farmer
Brooke's parlour fire I strolled about chatting.
At one hounds came, the Captain the only one in Pink, his pretty daughter
Hrs. FitzGerald and her husband, 2 ancient \V'hips and a minimum of hounds ''lent
off to the Curates Gorse on the Helton Road. Here 2 or 3 foxes but spent some
time in cover till settling on one that went off towards Long Clclrson. I followed
about 2 miles but coming to a rough bottom and being now 20 miles~or more from
home I rode quietly home and arrived about 4.30. So I got my peep of the Quorn
in the 4th year of War as we go steadily down hill and the old gay pre-war world
vanishes further and further from view. vfuy this coming March would have been
one long continued jollity and h~ing before its close and the London season
drew the gay world off.
Mon. ,4th Mar.
Rode to Oxton, and to Hinkburn on Tuesday. Nottingham \1ednesday and riding
to Ra~dale on Thursday and Southwell for the Council on Friday, and on Saturday
sat as"Chairman of Income Tax Commissioners at Nottingham, and Honday follo,V'ing
rode to Hinkburn and Norwood Park, the weather perfect.
\'leds. ,13th Har.
Rode down the Foss to Stanton-on-Wolds along the wild wolds. Just 4 years ago
what a jolly day's hunting and my photo is frontispiece to a previous volume,taken
by Owthorpe borders. The "Farm Boy" to date is interesting and I had a chat \'1ith
one as we rode along the Foss Way near Cropwell. She had been a factory worker before
but loved her farm work. The coatume mode~led on Horland's pictures is picturesque~
8.
Thurs.14th Mar.
Met and lunched with Miles at the Black Boy.
Fri.,15th Mar.
Rode by Oxton where I met Mrs. Sherbrooke and so to Southwell and lunched with
the Food Committee at the Rodney before our meeting where Straw very quarrelsome
having "had too much".
Sat. ,16th Mar.
To' my dentist and after lunch at the Club I went to see Mrs. Mair and
Kelham at Anderson's Nursing home.
Sun.17th Mar.
In the afternoon I cycled over to Winkburn to talk with Colonel Burnell
how to raise the money for breaking up this 90 acre of pasture for corn, for he
has burdens on his property and for 2 years we have been selling land to pay our
crushing taxes. The dear old man was in his bedroom in his torn and patched
dressing gO\vn. The little village (about 100 all told) congreg ation was just
leaving the church close to the Hall, a long quaint place partly Norman with
the tombs of Burnells for 400 years back. I had tea with the two old ladies after.
Hon. ,18th Mar.
I had a futile ride to Southwell to find the Deputy Steward of the Manor.
Tues. ,19th Mar.
Rode to Southwell and found the Steward and so to examine the copyhold claims
of a Halam farm sold as freehold, a nasty ravel. Lunched with Canon Glaister. My
nephew Patrick last Sunday his 21st birthday took out his Air Squadron (he being
Captain and Flight Commander since Feb. 1917) and out of a Flight of 12 German
planes brought do\vn 7, 3 in flames. : He is given a bar to his M.Cross.
e
Vleds. ,20th Harh.
A

Cycled to Fox Wood to start Wiggett on measuring Ash bought by government.

Col. Seely there. Afterwards cycled to Nottingham and lunched at the County Club,
a large company.
Thurs. ,21st Har.
At home all day an unusual thing and to tea with old Mrs. Dufty now on road
to 95. Po~r Christopher Ley who was killed in a flying accident last Saturday was
buried at Lealholm to-day. In the Church looking at the Ley tablets it was sad to
think that in 4 years Sir Francis and 2 sons who had added so to our lively village
society 20 years past all dead. Maurice was killed at Ypres in 1914.
Fri. ,22nd Har.
To Southwell for the Council and lunched at the Rodney with the Food Control
Committee which was held after and to tea at Non~ood Park, riding home in a lovely
evening light which lit up the Cathedral and village towers in a purple landscape.
Just begun in France is raging a terrible battle on our front.
Sat. ,23rd Mar.
To Nottingham and after lunch at the Club with the Rector of Lambley to the
theatre to see "Betty at Bay", the mokings of a good comedy. To call on Mrs. Hair
and Kelham of Bleasby at the Nursing Home.
 Sun. ,24th Mar.
This March is uncanny weather, the skies are cloudless, frost at night
and summer heat by day. To-day commences lINew Time ll as the clocks put forward.
Johnty Hurt, our butcher, who has been with 2nd Sherwoods in France since
Oct. 1914, a volunteer and formerly my corporal of my company in the 8th, is
home on leave.
To tea at Gonalston with the Dowager Francklin where was her daughter Mrs.
NaIl of Hoveringham and in came her daughter Mrs. Sherbrooke of Oxton and Mr.
and Mrs. Richard Francklin and Edward from the Hall. The frightful battle in
France continues and goes against us and a raid on our coasts is expected.
Hon. ,25th Har.
Cycled to Woodbro in the morning.
Tues. ,26th Mar.
A long ride by Oxton and across the fields to the Fa1lows and over the
hill to Harts Well and 50 to see if my pigs were ready and 50 down Graves Lane
to see some farms and just by Halam came across 2 Miss Starkeys and then by Roselle
Wood home some 20 miles. and nearly all through fields, a beautiful Spring day.
\{eds. ,27th Nar.
To Nottingham by train to see the \-I.A.C. about the 1I 0 rder ll to evict BrO\VIl
of Stanton, and then to Percy's office at the Friary about Robertson matters
and lunched at the Club, sitting by and talking to Hazlerigg of Noseley in
Leicestershire, descendent of Hazlerigg of that place whose regiment of
"Lobsters ll was famous in Civil 1;lar Days. Heard we had lost 75,000 all told up
to yesterday in the great battle now going on which goes badly for us. Both the
2nd North Midland Territorial Divisions in it, south of Arras, and poor Colonel
Cecil Clarke missing. Bertie Branston sent the message. Ernest wrote dated the

*
SCJA1~
23ed~He ~~ting as Staff Capt. to the l38th Brigade (Lincolns and Leicesters).
~ ~ TI:' I ~
I Tl'lurs. ,28th Nar.?- ""'f V-'V"'1 l'V-e. l'

I was busy in the office all the morning and intending to ride in the afternoon
Pickard of KeYVlorth came over and took Brown of Stanton's farm which gets me out of
a difficulty and anxiety. He came in to tea where was Mrs. Gibbs.
Fri. ,29th Har.
Percy walked over for lunch. I to church in the afternoon, a children's Service.
As the children were leaving church what a posy of colour their dresses made as
they walked dOvln the darkened walk under the cedars and yews.
Sat. ,30th Harch.
Rode up through Woodbro and up by the valley farms to Dorkel Head to see Martin
the farm bailiff. It came on to rain heavily as I came home by Spindle Lane on the
high ridge between Woodbro and Calyerton parishes, from which one gets a view of
both these red tiled villages nestling in orchards round the church towers, whilst
2 miles on a knoll is the spire of Epperstone shooting up out of a grove of green,
and one can see for 15 or 20 miles of Notts.,unspoilt by towns or railways save
10 miles off the new Rufford Pit threatens the Forest country. It rained all day,
the first time for 5 or 6 weeks.
I vlBnt in to see old Mr. BurrO\'is our parish churchwarden. Bad ne\'iS from France,
the battle goes hard against us.
I o.
Easter Sunday, 31st March•.
I continue this diary, still living in the Lower House at Epperstone where
my grandfather from 1843 lived 50 years. A pretty Manor House of quaint and lofty
gables at the east end of the little village in the most rural part of Nottinghamshire
9 miles N.E. of the County Town and 6 from Southwell Minster, our immediate rural
capital where our Council meet which under DORA has much power.
For 4 years of \'Jar ..le have lived in profound peace. Having the agency of
many estates my office has sent 3 clerks to the War. Corporal Ne\vman of the
Robin Hoods now attached to the captive balloons and 2 nephews of my wife,
Lieut.Geoffry Champneys, R.F.A., and Lieut. Amyan Champneys of the Flying Corps.
I have been enabled to retain my cashier Belrwho was only classed C.l and is in
the Volunteers and my former governess Mrs~ Kent an elderly lady of 60 assists him.
My establishment consists of Knight my coachman with 3 horses. Berker the
gardener. But in the house have only left one maid till the housemaid returns and
my daughter Margaret being at School we have practically closed down my house
save a couple of small sitting rooms. Mrs. Barker acts as Laundry maid and when
wanted Mrs. Knight as Parlour maid.
,
Near by lives my Mother in a pretty little house with her 2 maids.
Of my 9 brot~ers, Harry lives in Queensland, Colonel Charles is in France
and I do hear he has or is likely to have increased rank. Arthur lives in
Adelaid S.A. with his wife and 3 children. Harold is Fleet Surgeon and with his
wife is at Dartmouth. Percy liviD at North Lodge, Nottingham Park and some times
at his wife's place Langar Hall, and he is Captain of Volunteers. William after
many adventures is now at his Club, the Windham, St. James's Sq. ,London. Ernest
is now in France acting Staff Captain to the 138th Brigade. Edward and his wife
live in London and Dick is Head of the St. Dunstan's Annexe for blinded soldiers.
Charlie's boy.Patrick is at 21 Captain and Flight Commander, home on a month'S
leave on winning at the head of his Squadron a great Air battle on his 21st birthday
on 17th March last.
Percy's eldest, Geoffry, is at the Guards School for Officers at Bushy and
Leonard is at School.
Memorable in the village is Mrs. Dufty approaching 95 who has pretty Manor
House and the Churchwarden for 45 years'Mr. Borrows of 87. Our Rector Tomlinson
leaves uS directly and our old home the Manor House near the Church where the late
Sir F. Ley was since he bought it of my father~in 1893 now bought by Bourne who is
enlarging it.
The prospect of the War is most gloomy, the great battle now on in France goes
against us and if further calls are made on Knight aged 44 and Belr I shall be hard
put to it to keep on.
At 56 I shall hardly be called out again though still Major on the Reserve List.
1/. Easter Sunday, 31st March.
/1/8 -
Up early and with Polly to the 8.15 early" Service meeting the first
congregation leaving. Miss Willies gave me an envelope with the Chap~l
contribution to the Easter Offering. At this 2nd service I was the only man
to 20 women for out of our 350 people some 40 men are at the War.
In the morning I strolled out to my Mother's for a chat. The day was sunny
with heavy rain showers. ,

~
Easter Monday, 1st Apr.
The morning was rainy which kept me at home most of the day ..
Tuesday, 2nd Apr.
At 10.30 the Vestry Meeting (annual) at the Church. We adjourned to our
churchwarden Burrow's house. Our receipts and expenses about £35 each way.
At 2 by train to Widmerpool where I "arrived at near 5 to stay at the Hall
with Major Robertson. A lovely evening, I strolled about the grounds watching
a fine wild white owl trying to court an eagle owl in a cage. The Hall a really
fine specimen of Victorian IIElizabethan". The Major has a good collection of
S~vres. Byford the butler has a son in the 8th. He has just heard from him.
He was attached 7th Robin Hoods but not being up escaped being overwhelmed in
the 59th Division (2nd Line N. Midland Territorials) in the first German onrush
~hat commenced 21st March and now threatens Armiens and Paris. Sherwin the stud
groom who drove me up has been with the Major all his life since he was in 17th
Lancers in Ireland 60 years ago.
\"leds. ,3rd Apr.
After breakfast we motored 10 miles to Melton Mowbray where a train to Peterboro
2 hours and a taxi on to Washingley Hall where we made arrangements with the gamekeeper
and housekeeper. The salon here was panelled 18th century in a style to look Wedgwood
china, Rue and white pattern. The charm of this great hall in its environs of wood
and park 1 mile from any village is its perfect peace, and its budding spring the
most charming time. Returning as we came got to Widmerpool for tea and talk.
Thurs. ,4th Apr. "
Returned from Widmerpool at 12 and at Nottingham metPolly and shortly Margie
and Lavender Francklin from School at Hemel Hempstead. Here smart pretty Mrs.Sherbrooke
in her coat of white Tibet lamb and sables motored me through the town to Oxton for
the Fallows Grass Sale which Turner of Bradwell &Co. took and 169 acres realised
£450 and so to tea at the Lodge after a stroll round to see Dick Francklin's improvements
at the old Manor House. Drove home where Amyan Champneys (19) now in the Flying Corps
at Carlton near Lincoln.
Fri., 5th Apr.
A regular Southwell day, riding there across the fields and spending the morning
in sundry business calls and seeing Mrs. Hoskyns the Bishop's wife for a chat. To
lunch at the Rodney with the Food Committee, the master here being formerly butler
at Rufford and does us well. Later on to Norwood Park for tea and rode back by Halam
to see 2 farmers Richardson and Stubbs. vfuen I got home I found Patrick had motored
from Farndon and whisked Hargaret away to stay there, whilst Amyan and another on
2 planes had f19wn from near Lincoln and had been doing stunts over the village
for an hour. .
 12.. •
Sat. ,6th Apr.
To Nottingham busy at the Tax Office swearing in Collectors and then to
C lhrc the Shire Hall for the Court of Sewers which was in the Grand Jury Room. Knowles of Colst
o ~ssett in the Chair but Pearson and I the only commissioners present. Warner Turner
was discussing means of clearing the Carr Dyke. Lunch at the Club. Mother has a letter
from Ernest dated the 31st but I am afraid Barker's son Frank has gone with the 59th
Division overwhelmed about the 21st - the Robin Hoods had last Sunday stood 200 out of
1000 and these I expect were details left in rear.
Sun. ,7th Apr.
To church, the last for our Rector who goes to Burnley. A new Military Service
Act is threatened raising the age limit to 50 and if Knight and Bel]; go I shall be
hard put to it to carry on.
Hon. ,8th Apr.

To the Conery Farm at Toton to meet the new tenant Gillman and the builder
about repairs. He had his wife and sister-in-law and a tartar the latter is. Gillman
seems ruled by his numerous women of his wife's family.
Tues.,9th Apr.
To sit as Income Tax Commissioner at Warren's office at Week Day where were
also 3 radical Land Tax Commissioners of whom a radical ruffian called Furze thirsting
for a return of political elections. Lunch at the Club where Sir Arthur Ha~lerigg
of Noseley and talked to him of the old equipment of the "Lobsters" of which he has
an example.
Thurs.,llth Apr.
Went to stay with Major Robertson at Widmerpool. Sherwin met me at the
station to meet the new tenant Pickard and I walked on after to the Hall for lunch,
and to see Cooper and to North Lodge where we have got rid of the troublesome Elnor.
This is the season to enjoy the beautiful garden here.
~3,
Weds.,17th Apr.
To Newark to Nicholson's annual meeting and the result of the year's
business most excellent. Met Annie for lunch at Oldhams in that pretty market
place and looked into the fine church. In the south aisle of the choir is a
monument to one Clay of my Great-grandmother Huskinson's family with arms, 3 trefoils
leaves on a white shield. To the Unionist Conservative Meeting where Lord Man~ers,
Capt. Starkey M.P., Sir W.N. Hicking, Edward Francklin, etc. Did not get home
till 6.
(Last Fri. and Sat. Amyan Champneys now a lieut. in the R.Air Force, stayed with us
and looked well. Margie, he and I to the theatre to see Daddy Longlegs, an American
play.)

In Newark the old Clinton Arms Hotel, a fine Georgian building on the south side
of the market place is now the Officers Mess for the Engineers stationed here for
training. The General has what was my Aunt Warwick's house in Castle Gate, a fine
old Queen Anne House of the type Newark has several.
Thurs.,18th Apr.
Margie went to Stowe House near Lichfield to stay with the Charnwoods whose
daughter Antonia is a year younger than Margie.
Fri.,19th Apr.
It has Qeen bitterly cold the last 2 weeks with a northerly wind and much
rain (in places snow). I drove to Norwood Park but Starkey was just off to
London to marry his daughter Florence to Major Wilson just back from Italy on
short leave. So I on to the Rodney at Southwell for lunch, and then to the Food
Control Committee at the workhouse.
Sat.,20th Apr.
To Nottingham and lunch at the Club and to the theatre to see Louis Bradfield's
Company in Toto. Bradfield 30 years ago used to come to amuse us at Epperstone at
the Champneys' parties to the choir. To North Lodge for tea where Muriel had news
of Ernest who has just had promotion to Staff Captain. The 11arket Place here very
gay, officers and men, English, Canadian, American and N. Zealanders and Australians,
wounded men in bright blue and scarlet ties, smartly dressed pretty girls, nurses,
W.A.A.C. girls in Khaki with irreproachable ankles in brown shoes, Land Army girls
with white smocks, gaiters, broad brimmed hats and green bands round the arms with
red crowns, etc.
Sun.,21st Apr.
No morning service but the Vicar of Oxton took the afternoon service.
Mon.,22nd Apr.
Fine but sunny I was busy at home all day. I am afraid of the New Service Act
taking Bel~my cashier and Knight the coachman, which will seriously cripple me.
Ll.George so demoralised the Labour Market when he started the munition making in
1915 by offering and giving most extravagant wages that it raises now seriously
the question of wages.
Tues. ,23rd Apr.
Met Ld. Crosland from H.Q. York at Nottingham and motored to the Shell Filling
Factory at Chilwell relative to rent of land taken. Kelleway, the Asst. Director to
Ld. ChetWYnd, told me that 100 engineers being out on strike and not being required
again found they could not come in when.they wanted, so ,a~deputation had gone to
see that gambling unprincipled politician Churchill to get an order for reinstatement.
It is hoped he will not be in his office, he being generally away and interfering in
other's affairs. To the Club and told Walsh, Ld. Osmanthwaite's brother, of it who will
rope these fellows into the Army if possible.
Margie back from Stowe.
\"reds. ,24th Apr.
Had a long ride by Graves Lane, Lower Hexgreave, and by bridle ways to Winkburn
where I saw Col. Burnell. A lovely spring day and of the 25 miles the greater way
through fields and woods full of primroses.
Thurs.,25th Apr.
At Newark Capt. Need met me with his motor and so to his farm at Fenton and
spent some time going over it. There are not above 500 soldiers now in Newark
instead of 5000, all the rest to France where things go badly. I just saw Annie.
Ernest is now Staff Capt. in 138 Brigade.
Fri.,26th Apr.
To Southwell for the Food Committee but before I went Percy and Muriel and
their boy Geoffry who is now on the highway to his commission in the Grenadier
Guards being now advanced to the Officers tunic, and they all and Margie had a
happy day. I rode and Major Bobbie Wordsworth being home and seeing me sent a
message after me to come to tea and I had a talk over the old brigade. He was
Captain at 21 in the old 8th Serwoods in 1911.
Sat. ,27th Apr.
Margie with me to Nottingham. She to stay at North Lodge for a few days.
Lunched at the Club with Mellish, Edge, Foljambe, all formerly of the 8th S.F.
and with Mason of Morton. Returned at 2 and walked up by my favourite walk by
Lowdham church and over the hill where one gets the best view of Epperstone
bowered in trees on its knoll. I always rather regret losing the Manor as it looks
so well with its gables and chimneys by the church and spire. But my own place is
pretty enough.
Sun. ,28th Apr.
There being no church in the morning I was at ease, but the Vicar of Oxton
took the service at 2. During the week our new Rector, James, and a daughter were
over and called on us, and yesterday the Head of Trent School and his wife came
as to taking Mrs. McLean's weekend cottage over in the autumn, she a smart looking
Irish woman from County Mayo.
Hon. ,29th Apr.
Quite a picnic day. I rode 12 miles to Langar Hall in the Vale of Belvoir and
found Muriel's party arrived by motor - Muriel, Hargie, Capt. Bell, Miss McCraith and
Geoffry were all down at the Fishponds to shoot rooks or punt and very shortly Percy
appeared having walked all the way and Harold Bayley by train. After I had seen the tenant e
and received rents we had a very merry lunch al fresco in the diningroom, the house being
only partly furnished for summer residence, and we enjoyed the gardens punting on the
water until tea time when we all departed.
IS.
Tues.,30th Apr.
Margie came home from staying with Percy bringing her cousin Geoffry with
her, as it was found Leonard was suffering from mumps.
I rode over to Hexgreave Park for lunch with the Wilsons and there being
filets of beef, I begged to be allowed to eat some sandwiches I had brought for
the scanty meat ration makes a guest a burden, ~nd it was amusing to notice the
look of relief- thus it is now this war time. "Old England" will go.

\-leds. ,1st May.

I spent the afternoon with John Starkey at Norwood Park, his new son-in-law
Major Wilson R.E. and his wife being there.
Thurs. ,2nd Hay.
To Nottingham and lunched at the Club and returning from Lowdham Station
walked home the field way by Lowdham church and over the hill from which such
a good view of Epperstone on its knoll backed by the high wooded range of the
Park Wood and all the orchards in blossom.
Fri., 3rd Hay.
Rode to Southwell for the Food Control.
Sat., 4th May.
Again to Nottingham and lunch at the Club.
Sun. ,5th May.
Mr.Hunt, Vicar of Oxton, held the afternoon service and I after to tea with
old Mrs. Dufty (94) and her granddaughter Vi. Brett. Our 2 young couple very merry.
Geoffry has passed his probation for a commission in the Grenadier Guards and
after 2 months more at Bushey will be gazetted. He has the officers tunic and
waist belt but his cap has the white cadet band as per rule.
Mon.,6th Hay. Ro..~d.~
I· rode up to Btiil'3dale Park in the evening and back through Woodbro.
Weds. ,8th May.
Took my cycle by train to Nottingham and cycled to Ruddington where I walked a
good deal through fields by the Fairholme Brook. Percy walked over.
Thurs. ,9th May.
I had a big audit at Epperstone for the Calverton and Woodbro tenants of Col.
Seely and the Glebe tenants at Epperstone. The War has enabled one to break through
the old rule of the audit dinner which took so much time. It was a sky of Italian blue.
Amyan Champneys flew over us about 5 and by way of greeting did a Heinelman turn and
looped the loop and then flew back to Lincoln.
Fri. ,10th Hay.
To Nottingham with money for the bank and then back by 11 train and rode
to the Food Control at Southwell and came on our party at lunch.
I to.
Sat. ,11th May.
To the Court of Sewers at the Shire Hall to appoint a Surveyor. Major
Robertson sat next me. Millington Knowles in the Chair, Smith of Cropwell, Pearson
of LO\'ldham Hut, James, Charlie \'1right and Colonel Hall of \fuatton.
Sun. ,12th May.
Afternoon church by the Vicar of Oxton.
Vleds.,15th Hay.
To Nottingham to see if farmer's men over 24 would be taken. Very doubtful
if that remains the rule. German Prisoners are to be sent for farming.
Thurs. ,16th May.
Rodeup to Woodbro Wood, the spring in all its glory and the orchards full of
bloom.
Fri. ,17th May.
Cycled to Halam to see if the empty house would suit §erman prisoners
and to the Council at Southwell. Lunch at the Rodney, very good, so at the Food
Control Committee after several of us fell asleep.
Sat. ,18th May.
Cycled to Winkburn to see the Colonel and tea with the Miss Burnells after.
Sun. ,19th Hay.
The weather as it has been for a week magnificent, all the fine chesnuts that
span the°clGllage street in the centre in full bloom. Polly, Margie and I to
morni~~d Holy Communion, there were 36. Enjoying the glorious weather in my
garden.
Vlhit Monday, 20th May.
A perfect day. Until 1915 from 1839 this was the fete day for the Sick Club,
the banner at the Cross Keys, the Calverton Band at 10 after which a procession to
Church in full regalia, then dinner at the Cross Keys and in the evening spent
visiting the principal houses and dancing on the lawn.
Hargie and I \'lalked to Lowdham Hill to order flour. Tom BurrO\'ls \"as
fishing by the stream.
In the afternoon I cycled to Gonalston Rectory and had a long chat with
Canon Ferris in his quiet garden and a stroll round the church and to see the tombs
of the Norman Heriz. The Lady's figure among the finest in England, a pretty
slight \'loman of about 1250.
A man returned from Canada after 46 years absence as a boy here, came to
speak to us and we sent him to see old Holloway, 86, at the Spittal. The Hon. Hrs.
Francklin and Miss NaIl came in to tea. Returning I looked in to see Edward at
the Hall.
\·leds. ,22nd Hay.
To Nottingham with Polly and Margie to see H. off to School and just caught
the train to Luton.
I 1·
Thurs. ,23rd Hay.
At half past 8 drove to Netherfields to catch the train to Peterbro and so to
Yaxley and Norman Cross Hotel where I stayed till Saturday. The weather broke
and I went over to Washingley Hall where is a fine hall and salon decorated in hard
plaster in a style afterwards copied by Wedgwood in his china. It \iaS built by the
Apreeces, a Roman Catholic family, who sold it about 80 years ago. The intense quiet
of this lovely country is its charm and the villagers about are great friends of mine.
Bun. ,26th May.
Bright weather again. The great battle for Paris begins. Charlie writes his
camp heavily bombed and 200 casualties and a hospital near to lost heavily.
Mon. ,27th Hay.
Col. Chalinor came to stay. In 1915 and 1916 his guns had been in support of
the Sherwoods T. Brigade and his O.P. often in the trenches with the 8th.

Tues. ,28th Hay.

With Chalinor to Southwell and showed him the Cathedral, meeting the Bishop
there who took us round. Then on to Winkburn and spent the afternoon with the Burnells.
The pooi old Colonel mortgaged to £54,000 but if we could persuade him to sell
Beauchief worth £70,000 he would free Winkburn and Clixby.
~leds. ,29th Hay.
To Nottingham. The Colonel left us.
Thurs. ,30th Hay •.
To Toton to the Conery Farm and lunch at the Club and to the Castle to see the
pictures.
Fri. ,31st Hay.
Drove Mrs. Kent to Southwell for the Starkey audit at the Crown. But I went
to the Council first. Bel~followed. In the evening to NOTIvood Park to see St~key.
Sat., 1st June.
To Nottingham but home by 3.
Sun., 2nd June.
To early church at 8. Our new Rector, James, officiating. 21 women, no man but
myself.
Mon.,3rd June.
Rode Teddy Bear over the Trent down the Fosse to Lodge-on-Wolds and so turned
through the fields to Stanton and on to Widmerpool Hall for lunch with Major Robertson.
In the afternoon I walked to the Fields Farm to see the catapillar tractor and Neep
the Farm Steward. Left Teddy Bear for a summers run at grass and home by train.
A beautiful day and in a country of many memories gf joyous days especially of hunting
in the Vale with Lord Harrington. Widmerpool itself too has often been a second home
from the ready welcome both at Hall and the Rectory in my uncle's time.
vleds. ,5th June.
To Toton by train and lunch at the County Club. Ag 6 the Bishop and Archdeacon
Coneybeare came to induct our new Rector James. Parr and I officiating as wardens.
18.
Fri., 7th June.
~o Oxton for the audit and there being no dinner I got home aarly, just
calling to see l1rs. Sherbrooke on returning who received me in a boudoir in boots,
breeches and a becoming smock frock and looked pretty in them, being just from
the Fallows where so many girls are working now.
Sat.,8th June.
Sat at' the Portland.Hotel as umpire in a dispute between Lord Belper and
Marshall the timber merchant. Ld.B. is a grandson or great-grandson of Coke of
Norfolk, first Ld. Leicester and favours that family for the Strutts are very plain.
Sun.,9th June.
Our new Rector read the 39 Articles and I signed the declaration that it was done,
Hon. ,10th June.
To Nottingham and thence drove via Wilford to Ruddington for the audit and
here we were able to have a large lunch. Back by the old coachroad and from the
hill what a fine view of the fair Ruddington Vale on one s~ide and on the other
across the Trent to Nottingham.
Tues.,llth June.

To Halam bicycling where are German prisoners of war (25) working on

neighbouring farms and very satisfactory.
At Southwell I' lunched with Canon Glaister and then on to the Tribunal
to appeal for Bel~fs further exemption but was refused, but shall appeal as
that crotchetty Bro\vue used the fact that I was going to let BelL volunteer
for 2 months service in anseer to the War Office call, and thatiOffice had
pledged itself that such action should not be used to prejudice an appeal.
~eds. ,12th June.
To the Black Boy at Nottingham for the Widmerpool audit and there being
no dinner got away early.
Thurs.,13th June.
Cycled to Winkburn to see the High Park as ploughed up by order and a
nasty mess it is.
Fri.,14th June.
My last apple to eat at breakfast and my first strawverries, so my last
years and this years fruit have joined hands for I had a wonderful crop of apples
last year and lasted for every day, besides pears, 1000 peaches, grapes, etc.
To the Council at Bouthwell and lunched at the Rodney and to the Food
Control Committee by the Cathedral gate after. A lot of W.A.A.C. drove up for
tea at the palace, coming in two baggage waggons drawn by teams of four. Then
to tea at Norwood Park and Miss Barbara Starkey home from Le Touquet where she
saW Charlie and has been to tea parties in his Camp. The girls ambulance cars and
hospitals are all intermixed with railways and camps 80 the Germans cannot be so
much blamed for bombing. .

l ,
I ~.. Uf/~-
Sat. ,15th June.
Sml Percy iD: Nottingham \'Iho at 45 hopes to be in an Officer Cadet Battalion
(O.C.B.) Geoffry \'Ion the Guards Cadet cricket match by his score at Chelsea.
Lunch at the Club and \'1alked up from Station at 3. Teddy Bear has strayed aVJay
but I heard from Neep he \'IaS found.
Sun. 16th June.
Drove \'IithBel~in the morning to Winkburn for the audit and for a talk with
the Colonel after. We are being forced to plough 70 acres of grass and I have had to
raise.£lOOOfor the purpose.
Tues.,18th June.
Knight got his papers to be medically examined for the Army in a week, he
close on 44. He has been over 25 years in the stables, thus \'Iorks Gedde's Slave Raids
for he may be ordered on a civilian job.
Cycled to Bingham Road and after a talk to vlalker of the Agricultural Drill ..
Works on Govt. agreement, by train to Stathern and so on to Eaton to inspect ironstone
workings. With the \'Iind behind I intended to cycle home but a tyre bursting had to
come by train. Mean\'lhile Major Patrick my nephew and his mother had been over to
us and Captain Ernest \'Iith Staff Red Tabs arrived from France.
vleds. ,19th June.
To the Baracens Head at Newark for an audit and after seeing Annie home at 4.
Thurs.,20th June.
To Attenboro about repairs at the Conery Farm and back to the Club \'Ihere I
find Belt's case (my cashier) had put the W.O. and Auckland Geddes the Slave Raider
by the ears. Bel~\'Ias a Volunteer and therefore under W.O. and outside Geddes' po\'ler.
Fri. ,21st June.
Cycled to Southwe11 for a Food Control meeting: it is disgusting none of our
burdens are borne by Ireland.
Sat. ,22nd June.
To Nottingham and Muriel tells me Percy is posted to an O.C.B. for instruction
for a Commission and refused Liaison work for the Air Force which would have kept him
at home.
Sun. ,23rd June.
To Church and after to see old Mrs. Dufty and her granddaughter Vi Brett.
Po11y's cousin Wi11ie K~lke recently dead left her 7 good family miniatures 18th cent.
Lord Strange, Lady Strange (grandparents of Mrs. H.W. Champneys) Revd. Geoffry Hornby
as a youth (father) AdmiralShm1ey, Lucy Hornby, Mrs. Champneys.on her marriage 1796
and her husband, and a child afterv/ards Lucy Kelke.

Mon. ,24th June. R~olah.

In the evening I cycled 5 miles to Ba2ne~ Park through Woodbro and just
found Col. See1y in before departing for Ne\'lark on duty. It is a climb all the \'lay
but the ride back Was free wheel all the way nearly. Kitty Spencer came to stay with
us from Winchester, she in her V.A.D. uniform.
~o,
Weds.,26th June.
Cycled to Winkburn and walked over the Park to see the part ploughed up,
by orders. We shall not get a s~ed bed till next year do what we will and yet this
Committee ordered me to plough and sow last February which would have meant a
clear loss of £500. So much for Government by Committee, I had rather serve
under the Devil than a Committee of Angels.
Ernest came to see us after dinner, he had been to London and Dartmouth,
seeing Percy, Patrick, Edward and Monica and Wi11iam in London, very gay.
Thurs.,27th June.
To Nottingham to hear the amusing libel case in the Grove Hunt brought
by Mrs. Dyer against Otter and Harrison Smith, deputy Masters, but really a
fight between Mrs. D. and Mrs. H.S.
Fri.,28th June.
Making out an appeal against Knight being called up. He has been 27 years
in these stables being now close on 44. He was examined medically last Tuesday
and only Graded II so quite unfit for soldiering. It will be merely a case of
taking him from my service and putting him to someone else - Slave Raiding pure
and simple.
Cycled at 12 to Southwe11 to lunch with the Food Hogs Club at the Rodney
as I call my committee, and we lunch well and not a few go to sleep at the Committee.
Then to Norwood Park to tea and a long walk with our Member Starkey.
Sat., 29th June.
To Nottingham and after doing Commissioner of Income Tax work at Warren's
office at Weekday Cross I went by the train to Basford Hall to lunch with my
old yachting friend Fowler. Returning I called in at the Tennis Club to see
Percy and Murie1.
Honday,lst July.
To Attenboro and so to the Conery Farm as to repairs.
Tues. ,2nd July.
Hearing the news of a big explosion at the Shell Filling Factory last evening
at 7 I went to Attenboro with Stan1ey Birkin and walked through Toton village where
a good deal of minor damage to roofs. At the Factory a tower and the canteen had
gone and 100 killed, but the chief hurt to people was from falling glass in the sheds.
Heds. ,3rd July.
Spent a holiday at home in this glorious weather. Percy and Hurie1 and their
boy Geoffry to lunch. Percy goes on Friday to Fleet in Hants. to join the officers
school there, he being now 46, and his friend Ashwe11 is Colonel. Being classed
as Cadet Muriel drew 16/- last week as her Separation Allowance to the no little
amusement of Sir Wm. HickingSdinner party that evening. At 2 Li1ian Spencer came
to see her mother here and later Colonel Charles just from France and Annie
motored over and I later returned with them to Farndon for the night.
~I ,
Thurs.,4th July.
Strolling about Farndon the Trent and distant hills all blue in this weather •
. At 12 Charlie and Annie to Harrogate and I went with them to see them off from the
G.N.R. Station at Newark and then for a chat with Charles Richardson at the Brewery
before returning home at 2. The Brewery (Wan~ick's and Richardson) made over £90,000
profit last year. The machinations of the Teetotallers in 1915, intended to ruin the
brewers, ended in doubling their profits.
Fri. ,5th July.
Cycled to Southwell for the Food Control Committeee and Bonner's car having
broken down I was in the Chair with only Honble.Mrs. Handford and Latherington the
working man member present so got through work soon.
Sat. ,6th July.
To Nottingham. Katie Spencer left us after a lengthy visit for these times.
But our prolific garden helps us with visitors. Margie's birthday.
Sun. ,7th July.
To Gona1ston Hall for tea with the Edward Francklins.
Hon. ,8th July.
Paid £l? into P.O. Bank for Margie, £1 for each year. Cycled to Winkburn to
see the new ploughed up land.
Tues.,9th July.
To Nottingham to get Major R's estate books left at the Friary. Gerald Spencer
came from Winchester where he now lives and I drove to meet him as my two men help
our nefughbours in the hay field. Gerald and I discussed some Smith Woodhouse 1904 Port
after dinner at which a salmon Gerald had brought and a chicken.
\·leds. ,10th July.
Heavy rain showers after 5 weeks fine weather, indeed the whole Spring since
middle of April one of the sunniest I remember but not too hot.
Gerald went to Lincoln to see Li1ian by the 9 train and Po11y to take young
Smith to Hospital about his knee.o
Thurs.,llth July.
Gerald Spencer left us at 4 for Rugby.
Fri.,12th July.
To Southwell and at 2 to Metcalfe the Deputy Stewards of the Great Manor
Court to grass the Upton copyhold of Col. Burnell's to Fos~er the tenant. Then
to the Food Control Committee and finally home.
Sat.,13th July.
Cycled to Hexgreave but the family not being at home on to NOTIiood Park where
I found John Starkey in.
Sun. ,14th July.
At home.
Hon. ,15th July.
To Shire Hall Appeal Tribunal where I got Belt's eXQmption (C.l) for 3 months.
Tues.,16th July.
Calling over the Bank Pass Book with Belt: We are having some nice night rains,
and the crops never looked better in my memory. Called at the Rectory at 5 and
walking about the pretty garden. Hiss James showed me some Napoleon relics - some
of his hair, a lack also of the King of Rome's and one of his bqby underclothes.
The hair of the Emperor tallies with that Hrs. Storer had (Her father had of Dr.
O'Heara, a very dark chesnut shade, very uncommon. Cromwell's I believe was the same).
vleds. ,17th Juty. G-uV\-1lt~
To Nottingham for a Grjffithe~ Bridge meeting but no dividend can be declared.
4" battens ls.7d. a foot for our flooring and tolls down a half this \var time prevent it.
Lunch at the Club and to the Castle to see the Madson Gun taken of the Germans.
Thurs.,18th July.
To Attenboro by train and on to the Conery Farm. Some slight damage dt these
~ mile away from the recent explosion of the Shell Factory.
Fri.,19th July
Cycling to Southwell I called at Oxton to see Mrs. Sherbrooke - the man in
the garden said you will find her in the kitchen. She said: Well you have caught
me - and she was in riding breeches and her shirt looking like a pretty boy and
cooking the dinner, to which she asked me, but could not stay, but as she was
expecting guests Ld. St. Vincent's daughter and Hiss Stapleton from the Fallows
Farm (the Girls Farm) I said I would await to see the arrival of guests of a Lady
of the Hanor in this War Year 1918, so went on to the Home Farm where the two girls
had ridden down 2 big shire horses to be shod and to get their tackle. Both in brim
hats turned up with a tricolour cockade (War Agri. Girls badge) buff breeches and
short belted jackets of gold bro\in cordoroy, and very well they looked with Hart
the bailiff a Lion among the Ladies, getting their stuff for them. I sighed for
Morland to come back to life to paint the scene in the stable.
Sat. ,20th July.
The n~aws of the War good with a great French drive near Soissons. To
Nottingham tO~i~~ to sign cheques on Simons Trust AIc and to see Huriel at
the Bayley Hos~ a v ere Miss Birkin is sister and to lunch at the Club, a large
party.
Tues. ,23rd July.
To Nottingham to meet Hargie on her return from School. Lavender Francklin
\"lith her.
\·leds. ,24th July.
I had a long walk over the fields to Woodboro and then by the footpath to
Docket Head up that pretty valley where Frank Seely's farms are. A heavy thunder-
s~orm caught me but the fresh wind and sun dried me quickly. German prisoners (25)
are quartered in Howitt's Racing Stables to help in harvest.
Thurs.,25th July.
Drove Hargie to call on Hrs. NaIl at Hoveringham Hall and back by the Trent
side and Lovldham.
'- 3 .
Fri. ,26th July.
A long day ut South\.,.ell Council and Food Committee and our lIFood Hogs Club ll
lunch at the Rodney between times. 6 courses and no rationed food requiring coupons.
To Norwood Park at 5 and cycled home late.
Sat. ,27th July.
To Nottingham and tea at the Park Tennis Club.
Sun. ,28th July.
Cycled wtth Margie for tea at Mrs. Sherbrooke's to see Mrs. Bryan. Susan there.
Lady Semphill her aunt ther~, who lives now near Inverness and says there is a
large U.S.A. Flotilla there with an admiral for U-boat hunting and mine laying.
Tues. ,30th July.
Drove with Margie to Moorfields at Oxton and then up Graves Lane we put up
at Hartswell Farm to see the well and to walk through Margaret Springs Wood
to see the giant lime tree. This a wild hilly lovely corner of Notts.
\'leds. ,31st July. (}~1k~
To Nottingham for the ~imth~ Bridge meeting.
!hurs.,lst Aug.
Mrs. Richardson and Eva from Bilsthorpe -~he Rector Brodeson motoring them to
spend the day and Mrs. R. for tea. Philip Wanlick is home after being nearly drowned
in the Mediterranean. Capt. Sherbrooke is also in London.
Fri. ,2nd Aug.
To the Food Control at Southwell and the Coal Control after and then tea with
Booth the coal merchant and to see his pretty garden where a fine crop of apples
which is rare this year and apples are fixed at £106 per ton.
Sat. ,3rd Aug.
Margie off early to stay with her Aunt Muriel and I to Five Mile HOuses on
the Nottingham Mansfield Road where Pilkington and Lord Middleton took me by
motor to Welbeck Abbey. We halted a while by the stables which are splendid
and house troops now and the Duke also lets his 30 acre garden. At the Abbey the
Duchess came out to meet us and we went into the Lounge Hall. The Company was
to meet Lord Selborne and hear his views on meeting soldiers' land requirements.
Those I knew were Lords Middleton, Galway, Man~ers, Sir.Chas. SeeIy, Warner Turner,
Lister Kaye, Lundy, Lady Victoria Bentink. Lord Savile I did not know, the Chatsworth
Agent and a Scotch General (and his wife) who I sat next ut lunch. We all then filed
off to the Library \.,.here \'/as Mr. Goulding the Librarian of my acquaintance. Lord
Selborne guve us an address and I closed the short proceddings by expressing our
thanks for it and was complimented on my speech. I believe it was good and the only
one spoken naturally and without nervousness. We then adjourned to lunch, sitting at
2 large round tables and several younger members of the houseparty turned up. We
were about 25 in all. A pretty daughter of Lord Charles Bentinck in V.A.D. uniform
as the Kitchen Wing is used as a convalescent hospital.
It was raining so we could not see the racehorse stud as intended, so the Duke showed
us the house - the drawingrooms were covered up but we saw one with Gobelin Tapestry
hangings with Rose du Barry ground and the pictures in the small rooms. The State
Rooms for Royal guests had French 18th century portraits. The Duchess showed me her
'-~. t1/e__
~ooms and I commented on how the exterior of the house and lawn had been improved
since I first saw her here as a bride.
Running home Pilkington picked up a soldier who had trudged already 14 miles
for Nottingham, soldiers not being allowed to use railways on their short leave.
At Bestwood Waterworks I got out and met Knight and the carriage at Docket Head.
Sun. ,4th Agg.
The 4th anniversary of our Declaration of War against Germany. Of my family
Charles (Colonel at Etaples) Harold (R.N.) Percy, Ernest (Staff Captain now at
Bethune) and my nephews Patrick (Major at 21 R.A.F., Charle's son) and Geoffry
(Grenadier Guard~ Percy's boy) are all in it. Polly's nephew Geoffry Champneys
(Lt. B.A.F.) is in France and Amyan (R.A.F.) was killed recently. I recall the
first few days when I was called up from the Reserve of Officers to help en
mobilisation and the stirring scenes then at the old town of Newark.
Tues. ,6th Aug.
To the Tribunal at Southwe11 for Knight my coachman (44, Grade 11) and
refused so he went after to Nottingham and entered Class Z at the Agricultural
Office and I applied for him so if I have him he is as Garth md \"lamba - thus
has Serfdom returned, Eor he could not leave me if he would and so are scores of
thousand other middle aged men even of good fortune. "
\"leds. ,7th Aug.
To Nottingham and met Muriel with Margaret and Geoff. Geoff is to be gazetted
to the 1st Grenadier Guards. They all were going to Mrs. Charles Birkins dance
to-morrow to the U.S.A. Flying Officers from Grantham who were motoring over
bringing their "Coon Band". Lunch with Canon Jones.
Thurs.,8th Aug.
To Widmerpool and after driving to see my horse Teddy Bear in the rough fields
north of Roughoe Wood I walked across Stanton to W. Hall for lunch with Major
Robertson and spent the rest of the day in his agreeable company. I have been a
regular visitor here since 1886 with much pleasure.
Returning at 7 to Nottingham I walked up to N. Lodge and found the whole party
ready to start off for the Dance. Muriel, Margie (in blue), a very pretty Miss
HeRaith, 'Randall and Geoff in uniform. Home at 9.30.
Mc.~
Fri. ,9th Aug.
To Southwe11 on Council and Food and Coal Committee work and then to NO~/ood
Park to see John Starkey.
Sat. ,10th Aug.
Cycled to Winkburn to see p~ogress on ploughed up land. Margie came back.
Sun. ,11th Aug.
Our peaches are ripening a fair crop but not so good as last year when we
had over 1000.
!ion. ,12th Aug.
To Nottingham and at 3 to the General Hospital for a meeting. The garden has
2 large Hut Hospitals for soldiers with fine verandahs looking over the beautiful
view of the Park and Trent Valley south west.
 Tues. ,13th Aug.

The harvest is now half reaped. Cycled to Pythorn Hill and so over John
Starkey's Farm at Blidworth Grange to see the outlaws stone, and home. This
Forest ought to be planted. At Python (Pied Thorn) Hill our last moorland
begins and goes 3 or 4 miles to Clipstone and Rufford.
\veds. ,14th Aug.
Rode my new blood horse Gay Lad to Oxton where Capt. Sherbrooke R.N.,D.S.O.
is just arrived from the Tigris where he has been now 3 years and his gunboats
were the first to enter Bagdad. He, I, Mrs, S. and Dick Francklin then rode by
Oxton Dumble to Graves Lane. At the Fallows noticed the elegant figure of Miss
Glyn (?)iery much engar~on mending a reaper. A bevy of aristocratic girls are
\.,rorking this large farm with only 2 men to help. The .Captain and I continued our
ride through the Bogs and woods and so we all to lunch in the Kitchen where Mrs.
Bryan the sister cooking, for they have no maids. The Captain has a fine 5000
acre property here and a slide of Bond St. in London, valued at £40,000.
Thurs. ,15th Aug.
I drove Margie over to Winkburn Hall to spend the afternoon with the Miss
Burnells, the establishment a bit of the 18th century got into the 20th, its
Park and woods and old church of the Knights Hospitallers adjoining the Hall
where the Burnells were buried since Henry VIII time.

Fri. ,16th Aug.

Cycled to Southwell and called in at Holly Lodge, Oxton, where the
Sherbrookes and Col. Robert S. who flew over from Grantham yesterday and I
sat with them chatting through lunch for I had had mine. Returning met Lady
Hicking and Mrs. Kelham at Brackenhurst Gat~ This place a V.A.D. Hospital
and Lady H. wants Hargie to go.

Sat. ,17th Aug.

Hargie was at Mrs. Stanley Birkin's dance to American Officers last
night and I met her at the Low Level Station to see her off to LangarHall.
By a blunder a body of German prisoners (with guard) to work on the land arrived there
last night but were sent back to Barnston and I saw Major Buchanan at the Quarters
Office in the Park just under the Castle. With Muriel and Randall after to
Crawshaws to settle their minds. Came out with Col. Sherbrooke who had seen Charlie
at Etaples and who said what a splendid regiment myoId regiment the 8th Sherwoods
had proved•
. Hon.19th Aug.
A cloudless sky and the harvest being rapidly got in. Polly and I drove
to Langar Hall \.,rhere Muriel, Margie and partYfnow are. Hiss Bradley and \Viliie
Randall among them. I went to See Elliott's newly ploughed land and 20 acres of
wheat will not return seed. This is farming under the \Vhitehall Fooziliers -
much of the afternoon was spent in the punt on the moat which being in a wood
is shady. \Ve drove back at 6 after a happy day.
 The Whitehall Foozle-eers
. - with apologies

\Vhen e' er we are commanded

To make a mess we do it
It doesn't matter a damn to us
But all the rest will rue it.
For of all· the world's great bungle-eers
There's none that can compare
With the tow-row ror-row cum muddle and mess
of the Whitehall Foozle-eers.

Heds.,2lst Aug.
I have had much trouble with the Southwell War Agricultural Committee
over Winkburn Home Farm or rather that part of the High Park we had to plough.
It had to be done with steam ploughs and the Committee tried to prejudice the
Executive against us but my explanation resulted in Southwell getting a snub.
04 the 12 Lo~l Committees and 4 County Exeuctives Southwell is the only one I
have a vindictive feeling against.
Thurs. ,22nd Aug.
Mrs. Francklin and her friend Mrs. Rodwell to tea.
Fri. ,23rd Aug.
To Southwell for the Council and the Food Control. Miss Phyllis Starkey
was killed by a fall of cliff in N. Devon this week.
Sat. ,24th Aug.
Meant to stay at home but numerous calls by post drew me to Nottingham.
Sun. ,25th Aug.
To Gonalston for tea at the Dowager Francklins. Mrs. Rodwell told me of
the shocking conditions of the earlY. part of the Mesopotamia campaign.
Mon. ,26th Aug.
Marshall motored me to Toton and in the afternoon to see Copnall the
Clerk of the Peace at the Park Row Nursing Home in the same room I had.
Tues. ,27th Aug.
Cycled to the Rodney at Southwell to meet Mr. Heaton who is reporting
on part of Winkburn for a mortgage.
Beds. ,28th Aug.
To Nottingham and in the evening riding with Capt. Sherbrooke R.N. At tea
at Oxton met Mrs. Fullarton, Lord Fisher's (Admiral) daughter, grown a handsome
woman but was not so as a girl. Capt. S. to se~l some outlying land to clear
Death Duties.
Thurs. ,29th Aug.
To the Rodney at Southwell meeting Burrows , the Winkburn Steward, about
his Voucher of Exemption from Military Service and also to see 11r. Heaton who
I took to see Southwell sights - the old theatre of Byron's time, the Saracen's
Head, a most ancient half-timbered place where Charles I surrendered to the Scots
and Edward IV slept, to the Great Hall at the Palace and the Cathedral. Arrived
home just in time to see someone from the County Executive with enquiries relative to
Knight's Voucher of Exemption.
Friday, 30th Aug.
Cycled to Southwell for the Food and Coal Control Committees and later on
to Norwood Park the first time since Miss Phyllis Starkey's death.
Tues., 3rd Sept.
·To Nottingham and at Lenton Marshallthe timber merchant took me in his
motor through· a pleasant bye way run to Bingham, Stanton, Long Bassington, Dry
Doddington to Fenton where I sold him 100 poplars of Admiral Carry's. Dry
Doddington church which stands on a green common unfenced on a hill, the tower
and spire 12th century leaning over all of a piece almost to collapse~ should
be shored up and underpinned and jacked back. It is wonderful how these old mediaeval
buildings hold together. From Fenton we ran to Newark"for tea and then on for
Knapthorpe to see som~eO l~ch~o~ Col. Burnells which I sold. We got a bit out
of our \oJay andHra'd~ gorg~s ~ie\i'dfNewark and spire, a pretty town. Kelham
Hall is now a ~chool for R.E. Cadets. I was dropped at home just in time for dinner.
Fri. ,4ith Sept. .
To the Southwell Council and the Food and Coal Control Committees later.
Lunching well at the Rodney with our Committee which I name the Food Hog Club.
I neglected yesterday. I had a pleasant day. Brodeson (Revd.) motored
over with a Miss Hamm and carried off Polly, Margie and I to Bilsthorpe
Rectory part of which our old tenants of my house have taken for the summer, and we all
lunched with them, the Charles Richardsons, and spent the rest of the day. The house
stands on a knoll with good views and the church and farm beyond form a curtilage
which was formerly a fossed Anglian fort.
~at.,7th Sept.
To Nottingham with Margie who stays with her. Aunt Muriel till next Tuesday.
Going into Crawshaws at 1 I found Randall's luncheon party and sitting down was
introduced to a Miss Newton, a Queenslander. Saying Rosie Jardine was a great
friend of ours, she said she knew her well. Curious how across a world the first
name remembered.is mutually known.
Bbn. ,9th Sept.
Riding all day by Winkburn Park andthrough the woods to Hexgreave Park
where the Wilsons away but little Arnold I came home for tea.
Tues.,lOth Sept.
Drove with Margie by Caythorpe and the Trent side to Hoveringham Hall but
the Major and Mrs. Nall just gone to Cheshire. Augustus Bryan who had called in on
Tuesday having told me NaIl was home on leave. Augustus is now Lieut.R.E. and at
the Chantry, Newark. A lovely house with a front designed by Vanbrugh.
vleds. ,11th Sept.
Motored with Powell and his people to Toton to assess our damage by
explosion which amounted to £182, 14 homesteads being affected.
Fhurs.,12th Sept.
Rode in the morning to Oxton to see Capt. Sherbrooke as to selling his
Blidworth and Calverton land to pay the damned Death Duties, so designed I believe by
German instigation to break the landed gentry, the class most likely before the War
to put up a fight.
 Thurs.,12th Sept. R~J.ak.,
ut /8'-
Rode in the morning to QaiRsaale Park to see Colonel Frank Seely and when
Sir Charles came rode home by our Park woods. For lunch Muriel motored over
CV bringing Leonard, Hiss Brady, and the Duc de Clermont Tournerre's daughters
~ of 16 and 21, the younger Diane very pretty. They were interested in our connection
~ with the~b8~lfrati ~eleR family through my mother and we all went to see her ,before
? --going on to the Bournes at the Manor for tennis and tea. The girls said that the
~ French were taking to our khaki and indeed in Paris our officers are looked on
~ as tres chic. Bourne has recast the interior of the Hanorbeyond recognition
~. but it looks very well.

f Sat.,14th Sept.
I did not go to Nottingham but rode to Hexgreave Park to lunch with the
Wilsons but John and Laurence are returned to France. Going I went to Youngs
in Graves Lane to arrange some repairs. This September the rains are constant
at night and on the Forest side half the harvest is out.
Tues.,17th Sept.
Polly and Margaret set off for a week's stay in Edale, H. being anxious to
climb mountains for which she misses her visits to Clifford. I rode to Halarn
to tea at Norwood Park.
Fri.,20th Sept.
Rode to Southwell for the Council meeting and lunched at the Rodney with the
Food Hogs Club and so to our Food and Fuel-Control Committees and rode home
across the uplands and to supper at the Rectory at 8.30.

Sat., 21st Sept.

To Nottingham and so to Basford Hall for lunch with myoId yachting friend
Fowler and his wife - a pretty place though close to the Pit which is screened
from view. I believe' it was laid out by Capability Brown. Fowler tells me that
the miners couldget up more coal but under the plausible pretext of pooling
trucks our lfuitehall Foozlm-eers keep private trucks idle for weeks in out of
the 1I1ay places.
Sun. ,22nd Sept.
Coming out of Church our new pretty neighbour Hrs. Bourne asked me to lunch
at the Manor HOBse which was ours for 33 years and is now much altered inside,
indeed the east front is all that is the same in our day except for the kitchen.
New Hall and diningroom,and bedrooms above all as it was in our day and the gardens
much the same, somewhat formal 17th century in style. I cycled to Oxton for tea
with the Sherbrookes, Capt. Sherbrooke R.N. having leave 2 days before leaving
for his new ship H.M.S. Highflyer to an unknown destination.
Mon. ,23rd Sept.
To Mothers for dinner where Miss Percy is staying, an old visitor even in
the "seventies" of the last century 1I1hen we were at the Manor, she nearing 70
but wonderfully young looking, handsome, aristocratic, with acquilline nose.
We all disgusted with strikes of London Police and Welsh railway men just when
the War is going strong in our favour - tije Doggery!
~

tr /8 /
,

it Tues. ,24th Sept.

Bel~and I to Newark and first to see Mr. J. Branston of 80, a handsome man.
How it seems to take one back in time with all o~ merry days in this pretty
town, Branstons of the Friary, the Harwicks of Balderton Hall and the Chantry,
and the rival cricket matches and dances of the eighties and nineties. Tea at
Oldhams with Annie from the Red Cross Depot. The town has few troops now but Kelham
Hall and Loddington are schools for Engineer-Cadets and young officers under
instruction have the Clinton Hotel the 18th century building in the market place,
Vanburgh's masterpiece the Chantry and the old Hodgkinson family house in North
Gate with their large gardens, whilst the general has myoId Aunt Warwick'S 18th
century house in Castle Gate.
\·leds. ,25th Sept.
Up at 7 and breakfast on bread and milk and so to meet hounds at Gonalston
Osiers. A waggon load of German prisoners on the way to work on farms evidently
puzzled as to my purpose.
Thurs.,26th Sept.
Bel~called up for Service with Volunteers in view of threatened mutiny of
Prison Warders. Also was medically examined and came out Grade II as before.
I to Hinckley by train and could not arrive there till 2.30 having some time
looked round the old Castle and Church where fine Norman work. The first Norman
Earl of Leicester was POllyi s ancestor on the maternal Astleyside and the
~to\m arms and the Astleys - a cinquefoil, ermine are identical. So also Hinckley
adopts that of its Baron Hugo de Messil (~eynell) argent and gules indented.
Fri.,27th Sept.
I rode to Winkburn and then back to Southwell for the Food Control Committee.
Sat. ,28th Sept.
To Nottingham to an important meeting of the Court of Sewers where Major
Tallents is Clerk, the Agricultural Soviet urging drainage areas to be formed
of Fairholme Brook and the Devon.
Edward ~ame to-day to stay the weekend but our pretty sister-in-law Monica
did-not come. Her father is heir presumptive to the Longford Peerage. Edward and I
drank off a bottle of claret and another of Port for dinner.
Stin.,29th Sept.
In the afternoon I cycled over to Hoveringham for tea with Major NaIl and his
wife, his own family staying there also. He has been to see Charlie at Etaples.
It rained going home and so very hard all night and next day till 3. The wettest
September for 30 years. We set back the clock 1 hour to winter time this evening.
Mon.,30th Sept.
Edward left us at 2. I at home all day.
Dun. 6th Oct.
I called on the Bournes at the Manor for tea to see Dr. Hogarth and his wife
staying there.
Mon.,7th Oct.
Bel~ Margie and I to Nottingham. Belt' and I to the Shire Hall to the Appeal
Tribune and got Belt off Military Tribunal. Beaumont and Francklin on the Tribunal,
30,
the latter surprised at my reason on the Draft but suppressed in Court that
Bel~as a Volunteer was on service and standing by owing to threatened mutiny
of prison warders for higher wages.
Tues. ,8th Oct.
A perfect autumn day and Marshall coming over I spent the day in my beloved
Park Wood marking timber on some 10 acres nearest the village - this fine wood
is 200 acres on a high undulating hill and forms a background to the views of
the village from the south.
\'leds.,9th Oct.
Heavy rain and indeed since 1st Sept. we have had continuous rain, not two
days together fine.
Victory attends our arms and heard from Ernest who was of the party to swim
the Canal when the Glorious 46th Division (myoId Division) advanced, "the most
glorious day of my life" E. declared.
To tea with Mrs. Dufty now within 2 days of her 95th birthday.
Margie to Nottingham to spend the day with her Aunt Muriel who has the two
pretty duughters of the Duc de Clermont Tonnerre staying there.
Thurs. ,10th Oct. R ~oL~
Riding through the Park Wood and to He4n~ saw 2 German prisoners in
the field. These men are good workers and stalwart men generally.
Fri.,llth Oct.
Riding all day, first to Lower Hexgreave and so .through Farnsfield and Graves
Lane and the Bye Lanes of Halam visiting first one farm and another and home by
Rossell Wood for tea at the Rectory, Margie having gone to stay with her Aunt Muriel.
Muriel's place in the Vale of Belvoir, Langar Hall, is to be taken for German
prisoners.
Sat., 12th Oct.
Met Major Robertson at the County Club and to lunch with Muriel with her merry
party of girls, the two French ones Beatrice and Diane, especially Diane making
great friends with M. I with the girls to meet Geoffry at the Victoria Station
at 3 but he did not come, but at tea I suggested he would come from St.Pancras
so phoning up a taxi all of us got in and with a harum-scarum drive got to the
Midland Station just in time to meet G. looking most smart in his grey Guardsman's
overcoat and I left them all in anticipation of a merry dance that evening.
Sun.,13th Oct.
A perfect autumn day and walking down my field to the stream to admire the
effects of the brilliant foliage and our church tover and spire dominating it all,
the green sward, and all the pbture was enlivened by 5 little girls in the foreground
going through to church, two with scarlet cloaks, I in blue and 2 in light yellowish
dresses.
Tues.,15th Oct.
Marshall came at 10 and \'le spent the day marking timber in all the autumn
glories of the Park Woo~. One or two ash suitable for aeroplanes I got 5/- a foot
and for some big oak 3/6. A great flight of aeroplanes passed. over us during the day.
"3 I.
Thurs. ,17th Oct. ut 18,
Cycled to Winkburn for a talk to Col. Burnell and tea with Miss Burnell
afterwards and home by moonlight.
Fri.,18th Oct.
Rode to Southwell for the Council meeting and Committees in the afternoon
after our Food Hogs Club lunch.
Sat. ,19th Oct •
. Sitting as Income Tax Commissioner on Barton's case for E~ess Profits Duty,
he in the motor trade will keep no books and we charged him £560 on last year,
over and above the £1500 a year we assess him at but he makes far more.
Sun. ,20th Oct.
Spent in bed with a disordered tooth but the pain went about midday.
Thurs.,24th Oct.
To Mr. Goddards the dentist but my teeth all in good order except an old
wisdom stump but as it does not hurt we let sleeping dogs lie.
Mon.,28th Oct.
Riding by Knapthorpe and over Winkburn.
Tues. ,29th Oct.
,
By train to Toton. Brex Smith has lost his son and takes to drink I'm afraid.
\'leds. ,30th Oct.
To the meet of the Rufford at Kirklington. Several officers out including
a General, 2 Miss Broadhursts, Miss Barrow, Lrd Man~ers with whom I talked of
the doings of our old Division the 46th, especially lately in swimming a deep
canal in face of the enemy and driving him back. We have now record on record
of glorious victories in every theatre of War. I left hounds at Norwood and
at 2 with Polly and Mrs. James and ±kg to the Land Agents meeting at the Victoria
Hotel, 12 present of whom 6 Government officials. Sir T. Middleton of the Board
of Agric~lture addressed us and I countered him. Tea at Crawshaws with Polly,
Margie, }~s. James and the little French ladies de Clermont Tonnerre.
Thurs.,3lst Oct.
The French ladies Beatrice (20) and Diane (16) de C.T. motored over to
stay with us, daughters of the Duc de C.T. Their mother a Gr~ont (the step~
grandmother was a Rothschild) so M. very merry with her young friends.
Fri., 1st Nov.
A long Southwell day on the Council etc. 3 of my servants dO\fn ill.
We borrowed a ma~d of Mother, Ethel Willies, and Mrs. Barker came in.
Sat., 2nd Nov.
Geoffry motored over and carried off our French friends to North Lodge.
Every paper now brings news of a collapse of some Empire or Kingdom of our enemies
and the War seems in its final' stages. The glory and prestige of England never
greater and equal if not exceeding its best traditions. We at home economise and
produce all we can to supply our allies: there is all the halo of a Crusade and in
spite of our frightful losses and cost the War atmosphere is invigorating. Yet up
to lastJune all the success lay with the armies of Hell's Devils Incarnate. Their
collapse is becoming dramatic.
3-2 ,
Sun. ,3rd Novm. Lcj le ,/
\iith Emily ill and Mrs. Knight and her husband also ill none of us to church
asP. and M. had the housework to do. Mrs. Barker only coming in the morning
and Ethel gone back to my Mothers. Barker turned to at the horses, pigs and
poultry.
To my neighbour Mrs. Dufty for tea, the nurse a pleasant woman and Vi Brett
the granddaughter. Mrs. D. has a scattered landed property in t~e Valley
and the house excellently built in William IV's time and with excellent furniture,
pictures and relics way back to the 18th century all redolent of those hospitable
fox-hunting times. A break up here will break a long Epperstone tradition, right
even to Charles II time, the Dufty's having been local stewards or factotums of
the Lords Howe who had a dower house and some considerable estate here inherited
from the Scroops of Bolton. The. estate was sold in 1815 and was continuous from
Edward I time, the house of Mrs. Dufty was the Manor House (or site of) of the
Odingselles who had a continuous estate from the Conquest to 1820 and the Rock
was a small manor in continuous descent from· Edward II to 1878 - evidence of
the gre~ter social stability of former days.
Returning called in on Mother who was cheerful and talked of her Devonshire
people who were in their day of good family about the neighbourhood of Plymouth.
Mon.,4th November.
Rode over by Graves Lane to Hexgreave to talk with Wilson how to get him out
of his mess with the War Agricultural Executive calling on him to get 30 acres
of wheat in in 15 days. Withers offers to send 2 teams to help.
Tues. ,5th Nov.
To Nottingham to Bromley House Library owners meeting to consider how to
raise a larger revenue. \ie have the finest library in the Midlands and the old
Queen Anne Palace of the Bromleys in the Market Place and I resisted the idea
of turning the ground floor into shops.
\Veds. ,6th Nov.
Foggy but turned into a bright autumn day. I rode to meet hounds at Bleasby
village. We found in the Gorse and ran by the Dumbles to Halloughton Wood and
out towards Southwell to ground by Brackenhurst. A second fox from the Wood
carried me in a sharp burst to within a mile of home and as my fast racehorse
gets. now no oats I deemed it prudent to stop. Our pretty little cook is very
ill with flu, so Mrs. Knight comes to nurse -and Mrs. Barker to help in the house.
Thurs. ,7th Nov.
At Nottingham ;saw Percy just before he returned to Hants. to his Officers School.
Geoffry of the Guards is due anytime to go south with a draft to France. Our great
victories continue and France may be cleared of the Hun in a few days. My Mother's
75th birthday}
Fri. ,8th Nov.
The Hun has sent a vfuite Flag to Foch. Drove to Southwell with a cart full of .
clothes to send to the stripped Belgians. I called and had lunch with Canon Glaister
where McKee, Vicar of Farnsfield, and the Vicar of Hickling who had come for a
Chapter Meeting. Our cook Emily vfhitehead is getting better, but Dr. Simpson is
seriously ill with pneumonia after flu, which is a regular plague. 4 dead at Workhouse.
33.
Sat.,9th Nov.
To Nottingham for it may be our last War Saturday, the streets gay
with many uniforms. To the Cattle Market, farmers are discontented at the
Restrictions.
Sun.10th Nov.
Our Dr. Simpson is some\vhat better of.'pneumonia but his housekeeper
MisSGunn is ill and her Nurse sister comes. Emilyis recovering.
110n.,11th NOV.'R.~~
Rode to~~;nGQale Park and" then on to Sherwood Lodge where Sir Chas.
Beely told me the Germans had signed Armistice Terms and fighting to cease
at 11. So ends the Great War though there may be some fighting yet.
Crossing through Calverton I talked to two war widows who looked sadly,
the news taken very quietly.
Tues.,12th Nov.
I was to have gone to a Finance Committee at Southwell but a message
from Muriel took me to Nottingham and at the Station in her car with Major
Buchanan and Capt. Alcook R.E. \'ie spent a peasant day at Langar Hall making.
arrangemen~s prior to its reception for German prisoners.

\leds. ,13th Nov.

To Nottingham where many flags and much people but quiet, a small
band of Americans tried to get up a procession. To Bradwell's auc.tion who
sold a farm of Captain Sherbrookes and 37 acres of my land at Woodbro fetched
£1400~
Thurs. ,14j>h Novi

I held a Rent audit at Epperstone, Col.Seely's and the Rectors.

Fri.,15th Nov.
To Southwell for Council work and Committees. On return a letter from
Ernest from the battlefield just after "Cease Fire" and the quiet he says
disturbing after 3 years of continual thunder of guns. He enclosed the telegraph
slip handed to him at Brigade H.Q. on last Monday morning saying fighting was
to cease at 11 and tlOOOPS to "stand by". It was a curious feeling fastening
this to the Telegram and Mobilisation order to me to report at Newark on 4th
August 1914. The novl familiar sight of the soldier on leave in full kit and
helmet from the trenches, often with the mud still on, will soon be of the past.
The supernatural manifestations related are of the years 1914 and the
winter following: the Mons Angels and the consciousness of many that the
spirits of dead comrades charged with them in that dire winter's struggle
but since then the necessity did not so much demand this and the unseen reserves
its manifestation to the utmost necessitous times.
Sat. ,16th Nov.
To Nottingham and lunch at the Club and at 2 on returning to Lowdham
I went to see what damage had
\
been done by a steam carriage at GFimth6P~e Bridge.
Gl.Il+t14+
Sun.17th Nov.
Walked to Gonalston for tea with Ed. Franklin and his family.
Mon.&Tuus.1B & 19th.
Spent quietly at home. The doctor's housekeeper died of septic pneumonia
following flu. Some people consider this is the old Black Death. The mortality
from it is now very serious.
Weds.,20th Nov.
To Norman Cross Inn near Peterbro to stay till Saturday. Arrived at 4.30
I walked on to Folksworth Wood. Gee the keeper had sent a splendid supply of
game to the Inn for my use and for the tenants dinner on Friday.
Thurs.,21st Nov.
Miles came at 11 and to the Hall which I showed him and also inside which
he much admired. I walked through the Woods and then to the Fox at Folksworth,
for the cottagers audit and had tea there. At 6 a dense fog. At 9 bright moon
and a sharp frost.
Fri. ,22nd Nov.
Gee came and drove me round the estate till one when at the Inn I found
a U.S.·officer and motor and directed him to see Peterbro Cathedral. After the
audit we sat dO\fn to dinner at 2.30 but I could not get a move away till after 6.
These lengthy dinners bore me.
Sat. ,23rd Nov.
Got away to Peterbro at 10 and so home where Margaret who I expected to have
gone to London with her Aunt Muriel, but M.has flu. Came from Nottingham with
Major NaIl and his pretty wife looking quite well now war risks are over.
Sun. ,24th Nov.
To tea with the Hon. Mrs. Francklin the Dowager where that pretty little Hon.
Lorna Jervis dressed as a "farm lad" - later came Hajor NaIl and his wife and Hrs.
Sherbrooke fresh from seeing the surrender of the German Fleet this last week.
Hany ladies went on.a tug and met it with our escort. The tugs then went up the
lines, the German ships dirty and the sailors want to "fraternise" but no one
speaks to them. I guess this "German Revolution" is camouflaged and being beaten
in the field the Germans now work to promote a Bolshevik Revolution a la Russe
and so reduce us to chaos.
Ernest arrived ~ng over from Nottingham and will stay at my Mother's
house till WednesdaY. He came from near Mons. Staff Capt.138 Brigade of the
Glorious 46th Division, myoId division in which I was 25. years.
Hon. ,25th No-a-.
I rode to Graves Lane but it was a foggy day.
Tues. ,26th Nov.
Simpson motored me over to Brodison's funeral at Bilsthorpe, he Rector there
and our intimacy was ripening into friendship - a loss to me. He died of pneumonia
after flu which is going like a plague through the land. The Bishop conducted the
Service, Canon Glaister, Archdeacon Coneybeare, Rector of Southwell, McKee of .
Farnsfield. Returned for tea at Straws house at Fanrsfield -a wonderfully convenient
well built stone house with good stables built about 100 years ago and was the property
of the Quaker family of Howitt when I first knew it as a boy.
3 :S-.
On arriving home I found Major Patrick R.A.F. had motored his Mother
from Farnsfield and he and Ernest were recalling old scenes of the War -
of the fair Tina of Bailliul the most sung beauty of the French Front. There
is to be a family dinner party in London on Thursday. Leonard fathers his nephew
Geoffry in the Guards and that young man is having a fine time. It is agreed
that never before had Youth had such a time as this war, both boy and girl -
tragedy there was especially with the boys. But never was Youth so important and
so well supplied \.,rith pocket money. \ve may have been "Dancing on a Volcano"
but we danced. But what a risk we ran even up to last July, the result was very
doubtful and really inclined to the German side. For 3 years it looked like German
victory. Now we have to pay the bill or Bolsheviks trying to precipitate Civil
Discord. Ernest came to dinner and we were death on a bottle of old port that
has bean some 20 years in my cellar.
\oleds. ,27th Nov.
Margie and Ernest and I to Nottingham and to Muriels just down after flu
and the Duke de Clerwont Tournerre is urgent for her to go to London to see to
Diane who is also down with it. M.E. and I lunch at Crawshaws and M. and I home
by 2 train with Col. Basil Bailey. I to see the Doctor recovering from pneumonia.
P.,M. and I walk at twilight down Oxton Lane. Ernest gave me a Goertz Field-glass
he got from a German.
Fri. ,29th Nov.
Mrs. Kent, Bel~and I drove to Southwell for the Norwood audit.
Mon. ,2nd Dec.
By train to Nottingham and later to Ruddington and walked along the stream
to Wilford where I looked in at the new picturesque Homes & Hall where the remnant
of the Crimean and Mutiny Veterans are housed, and chatted there.
Tue§. ,3rd D@().
Rode ovet ~o Winkbutn ~o see yhe wheay on ~he new plou~heg up l~n~ 6n~ thene
is some promise.
Heds. ,4th Dec.
To the Black Boy at Nottingham for the Toton audit but no audit dinner, which was
a boresome business formerly.
Thurs. ,5th Dec.
Marshall called for me in his motor and so to Norwood Park but missed the Squire
eo on to Knapthorpe and sold £200 worth timber, poor stuff, and then back to No~. . ood
where Capt. Starkey being in we went to the Park border on the Southwell road and
sold £130 of elm and ash, which will make a gap in that rather over-timbered boundary.
Sat. ,7th Dec.
The Agricultural Executive breathing fire and fury against Wilson for not
getting his wheat in.
Sun. ,8th Dec.
Rode to Hexgreave to see how the wheat question was and lunched there.
The Bailiff had been ill also the horseman with flu. Sugden Wilson home after
4 years in Germany as prisoner of war.
Hon.,9th Dec.
To Ruddington for the audit but no dinner which formerly here was a great
occasion. However we had a bowl of punch (rare luxury) for the tenants.
\·le"ds. ,11th Dec.
Sitting at Weekday Gross ,Nottingham, to hear Income Tax Appeals and then
to the Black Boy for the Widmerpool audit.
Thurs.,12th Dec.
At 9 in uniform to Newark and after some business calls had dinner at the
Ram with' the Tenantright Valuers. At 2 to the Town Hall for a great and solemn
occasion, perhaps the most historical in Newark's history. Four ~ears ago on
4th Aug.19l4, I had been called up to help in mobilising myoId regiment the
8th Sherwoods whose colours had been deposited in the church on leaving for
France in 1914. Today a Colour Party arrived from France to receive them and
take them across. We proceeded to the church, the band and a strong company
of the R.E.·Then the Colour Party, then the past and present officers of the
8th of whom many happened to be in town. Col. Foljambe, Major Otter, Col.
Nicholson, Arthur Warwick, Constable Curtis, Capt. Need and myself - Col.
Hodgkinson, Col. Appleby, Majors Cecil and Gerald Clarke, Captains Lane, James
and others. Then the Hayor and Alderman Knight and Corporation in full regalia
and those also of Retford and Hansfield - the Harket Place and windows crosded
with people and joy bells ringing. An enormous choir and body of clergy met us
at the door of that superb 14th century church. At the end the Colours were
handed to the Party, Capt. Jack White (of Wallin~lells) receiving the King's
Colour as he did when first presented in 1911 at Scarbro. The Whites had twice
raised ancestors of our now glorious regiment at their own charge, first in the
Pilgrimage of Grace to resist it and again in the dangerous time of the French
Revolutionary War when the then White received his baronetcy. The setting and
the scene was superb, mediaeval {n its dignity. A large body of 8th men discharged
for wounds in the War were in the nave which was crammed. Then we proceeded to. the
western front where the Colours were saluted and then the whole body moved down
Kirk Gate, Castle Gate and Stodman St., to the Market SCUlare, colours flying,
band playing and bells ringing. On a staging in front of the ~o\~ Hall the Mayor
addressed us. It was of our glorious 46th division of the She~vood Foresters Brigade
that the reply was made to Harshal Foche who enquired if a vital part of the Line
preceding his offensive was secure. lilt is all right, the Shenloods are there".
Afterwards near our Depot Hrs. Branston carried me off to her house, the
beautiful Priory to tea and her pretty daughter Nesta 2 years ago married to
Cecil Clarke came in with her husband and his brother Gerald. Cecil had just got
back from Germany having been a prisoner since March. Captain White also came in,
the late Vicar Hindly and the Chaplain of the R.E.
So ended a perfect day, a grand sequel of the scenes here 4 years ago and .
after 4 years of strenuous war without parallel.
 I
37·
Fri. ;13th De c. .
Belt going on I waited for Mr. Oldershaw from the Bank and then drove to
the Green Dragon at Oxton for the Rent audit. We have no dinner now.
Mon. ,16th Dec.
Bel~cycling and I riding to the Rent Audit at Winkburn and thanks to the
keeper we had a dinner. The wheat is coming up well on the ploughed upland.
At the school I gave the children a "tip" and after a long talk \'lith the Colonel
rode home in the bright moonlight by the bridleway and Thistle Woods.
Tues.,18i;h Dec.
By train to Newark and had an audit at the Saracens Head.
Thurs. ,19th Dec.
Rode by Graves Lane and so to Norwood Park for a chat with our Member.
Returned without opposition for what a disgusted disappointed radical Polish
Je\'l candidate once termed aptly lithe wilds of the Newark Division". Hilder than
ever now as the Wolds about Cotgrave are in it now.
Fri. ,20th Dec.
To meet hounds at East Bridgford and drew the Trent Banks as far as Stoke.
Lord Petersham out and a small field - 2 Seely boys and a friend, a Miss Brockton,
Miss Bissell, H. Hyles, etc.
Sat.,2lst Dec·lo:!~:!I.K:r~.~''1 Y>'1-o~v~fQ~/'1a.L11a4T~~14-~a;feU~.
Most.~~. To Nottingham and lunched at Muriels and !ound the little French ladies .
-- ~Beatrice and Diane de Clermont Tournerre desol~e5at the prospect of Geoffry not
being back for Christmas but kept on duty with the Guards. Percy home from Fleet.
Christmas Eve, 24th Dec.
Closed office early and spent the day preparing the house for our guests for
except for Barker, Knight, Hrs. Knight and Emily lite are vJithout servants and shall
be 10 in the dining parlour. The drawingroom was cleared for dancing, the school
room made a parlour and the Hall for the lounge.
I went to tea with my old and pretty friend Hrs. Dufty who has a pretty house
and property here. The Dufty's came in Charles II time as Stewards of the Scroop
Howes, then seated at Langar. To see my Hother and then decanted all my wines
for. tomorrow. Geoffry has got Christmas leave.
Christmas Day.
Expecting a large Christmas party, the first since 1913 and in honour of our
victorious armistices. To early church, the sun fine and air frosty. Polly and I
met the first party coming from the 7.30 celebration, about 30, and we had 20,
and again to what I termed High Hass at 11 when about 20 more went up. Hargie had
a parcel of original "EVE" sketches by "Fish" which are so great an attraction to
Edward's Tatler.
Lunching quietly, our company began 'to arrive between 3 and 4, Percy and
Geoffry (in uniform) walked over from .Arnold and in the motor wagonet~e piled with
luggage Muriel and her younger son Leonard, Willie Randall (cavaliere servante)
Beatrice and Diane de Clermont-Tournerre.
Percy and Muriel went to see my Mother and we assembled for dinner and sat
down 10 with much merriment. Dancing and revels commenced afterwards
till all were tired at 11. Percy and Geoffry in uniform and I in Pink dress
coat which I have not worn since the great Welbeck Ball early in 1914 gefore
the war.
The drawingroom which is about 30 ft. by 17 ft. with its dark floor,
light walls, gilt french mirrors, fine watercolours, looks well in dancing trim.
Thurs. ,26th Dec.
Breakfast at 9.30 and as yesterd~ a sharp frost but in the chance of the
bright sun promoting a change I rode to the Trent at Oxton, all our party walking
in that direction. It was no good, the. frost held. Earp and 3 whips, Colonel
Birkin, deputy M.F.H. and Lord Petersham M.F.H. and his fiancee alone came so
we returned by the Epperstone road and gave our young French friends the bright
vision of an English pack of hounds and scarlet coated horsemen.
Our revels began at 7 and supper at 8, our Rector's daughter Phyllis
and Stanley Birkin coming in. Geoffry giving us some amusing variety sketches
and dancing was kept up late.
Fri.,27th Dec.
Our party left this morning, our French ladies delighted at having a
real English country house Christmas to which the house lends itself well,
especially in frost, its irregular shape, its many gables, gothic porch and
courtyard with ivy covered wallS having a most Christmassy look. Beatrice said
that in France they seemed to think the English were stiff as hosts but she found
it quite contrary and felt as if at home. I was talking to her hO\oJ "Tommy" made
funny sort of punning jumbles of French place names and I wondered what he would
make of Les Champs Elysees. "Oh", she said, "its done - Chance Elizas". Very good -
quite a place to find a chance Eliza.
In the afternoon to the Food Committee but DORA is dying daily now.
Then on to Norwood Park for tea. Margie went off with the party to-day.

Sat. ,2l)th Dec.

To Nottingham and lunched with Muriel and her party and then with Margie,
Beatrice, Diane and Geoffry to the Picture Palace in the Market Place.' The town
crammed with pleasure parties.
Sun. ,29th Dec.
Our reduced household spent it quietly. It is as mild as May again.
The weather just gave us a welcome Christmas snap.
Hon. ,30th Dec.
l1arshall did not arrive till 12 in his motor and then to Knapthorpe,
marking trees. Davenport the tenant was dying of cancer so I went to say him
goodbye. He has been here over 25 years coming from Derbyshire in the worst part
of the agricultural depression.
Tues.,3lst Dec.
To the meet at Oxton where a field of 36, the most numerous for four years
and though we had foxes in the Park Wood there was not much doing and drawing down
Thurgarton Dumble we finished at Thistley Coppice. Out Lrd.Petersham,Miss Seaton,
Capt.Sherbrooke R.N.,Mrs.Sherbrooke, Richard Francklin and his wife and daughter,Hiss
Rutherford, Col.Birkin, Chas.Wright,Hiss Broadhurst,Miss Barrow,Hiss Pratt Barlow,
Geo.Williamso n , 2 Seely boys and Nigel Seely and R.Starkey of Norwood.