SGT WALTER DAVIS

Walter Davis was the husband of my Great Aunt Florrie Buxton. He was born the son of a railway carriage cleaner in Edmonton, London on 16 August 1887. His father Edward died three years later and Walter, along with two elder brothers and a younger sister, was brought up by his mother Elizabeth. Walter became a journeyman painter and decorator.

From 1914 he kept small pocket diaries of his day to day life. Entries were of course personal, often mundane and sometimes amusing but, as time went by and he joined the Great War in 1915, they became poignant and questioning of the War. They record the loss of friends and comrades and reflect the relationship between the common soldier and the landed gentry in the Command.

The only diaries to survive are from 1914, 1916, 1918 and 1919. Unedited transcripts of these diaries, illustrated by postcards that Walter sent to Florrie Buxton are posted below in chronological order.

In some of the postcards he refers to Florrie as 'Bob' - this is probably a play on words - Florrie = Florin = Two Shillings = Two Bob.

THE BUXTONS

Mabel Buxton, Ben Buxton and my grandmother Lydia Heginbotham (nee Buxton), referred to in the diaries are Florrie’s siblings. Mabel married Percy Plant who is also mentioned.

Standing L-R Lydia Heginbotham, William Heginbotham, Ben Buxton, Florrie Buxton

Seated L-R Harold, Mabel and Ada Buxton

Harold and Ben both served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in World War 1.

JANUARY 1914 - OUT OF WORK

Saturday 3rd

Finished up at Eydon Hall, Northampshire to day. Caught the ½ past 1 train & got home just before 4 o’clock. Had been there since October 29th 1913.

Sunday 4th

Dull day. Did not stir out till after tea. Then I called on C Draper & spent the rest of the evening with him. Finished reading the Count of Monte Christo. Wrote to L. Heg.

Monday 5th

Called on Ruscoe Bros. but no work. Went to W Kensington. Left Photo plates there & went on to Fulham to G Davis. Met J Bishop at 5 o’clock. After tea wrote to A.M.S. & filled in my football coupons.

Tuesday 6th

Called round Maples. Nothing stirring so had a walk round & put my Men. Book in L Exchange. Went as far as Leicester Square after dinner. Met no one I knew. Very cold so did not turn out after tea.

Wednesday 7th

Called Maple’s & Schoolbred but nothing doing. In the evening went for Photos. Took G F Davis’s round & then went on to Wandsworth to see Mr Beardon but he was out unfortunately.

Thursday 8th

Intended to go to Worcester Park, but took W Millar’s Photos round & then went out with him. Saw C Rowlands & G Roberts. Had 9 Ports. Sent other Photos off. Bishop came round & we had a sing-song.

Friday 9th

Intended going to Worcester Park but missed the train. So found out Mr Reardon instead. Wrote to Mr Victor (Maples & Co) for work. Went to the pictures in the evening.

Saturday 10th

Wrote to Florrie. Uncle John came. Went to Marylebone & met Dan & Smiff. Paid me for Photos. Were very pleased with them. Went to Branch meeting at night.

Sunday 11th

Went over to Mill Hill for tea with A.M.S. Walked there through Hendon & saw the Aviators Looping the Loop. Colder to day

Monday 12th

Round Maples again but found nothing. Went to Bishopsgate Library but could not see anything there. Very cold today. Had some snow.

Tuesday 13th

Round Maples again but no good. Had a good look round West but touched nothing. Wrote to G. W. Young for a job in the evening. Very cold.

Wednesday 14th

Maples again but still fruitless. Did not go far this morning. Bitter cold.

Thursday 15th

Did not trouble much about work to day. Went & saw the Spurs beat Leicester Fosse by 2 goals.

Friday 16th

Still another unfruitful day. Went & saw A Allen in the evening. Stopped jawing there until ½ past 11. ½ 12 & turned when I got home.

Saturday 17th

Another week gone & no signs of work. Went to the Marlborough to night & saw the pantomime Mother Goose. Pretty fair. Wrote to F.

Sunday 18th

Did not go out till after tea & then my footsteps strayed Edmonton way. Did not see anybody I knew.

Monday 19th

Maples again & also a good go round. But have not managed to get off yet. Letter from F & also a photo from Mabel.

Tuesday 20th

Did not trouble about going up to Maples this morning. Did not go out until after dinner & then I went for Ethel’s watch. After tea went down to Edmonton & saw P Feakins.

Wednesday 21st

Maples again but no good. Had a walk round but touched nothing. Wrote to G. F. Davis.

Thursday 22nd

Played the Globe Theatre up to day but no good so far.

Friday 23rd

Played the Globe Theatre up again but no go. Wrote after a job.

Saturday 24th

Called at Maples again. Did not hear of much. Out of work pay not come through yet. Wrote to F. Went to Branch meeting. Very rowdy affair.

Sunday 25th

Went out to tea today to G. F. Davis’s at Parsons Green. Spent a quiet evening got home about midnight. Much milder.

Monday 26th

Intended going to Schoolbreds but was too late so I missed a job.. Tried them in the after noon but no good.

Tuesday 27th

Did the same this morning but of no avail. Had a walk round West. But got nothing.

Wednesday 28th

Went over to Finchley & saw J Bishop. Went to the Strike meeting in the evening at the Baths. Bishop called round offering me a job at Finchley.

Thursday 29th

So I went & saw W Cannon but was too late. Told me to look him up Monday. Possibly I might get a job then. Jack Bishop came round in the evening & we had a singsong.

Friday 30th

Did not trouble about looking for work. Went in the Caledonian Market this afternoon. Bought a badger Mottler & graining combs. Flo came up this afternoon.

Saturday 31st

Went over Finchley this morning & got a start at work for Monday. Wrote to F. & H. Garner. Met P. Feakins & had a stroll with him.

FEBRUARY 1914 - BUILDING STRIKES & JOHN BULL PENS

Sunday 1st

Enthusiastic Meeting in Trafalgar Square this aftern re Building Strike. Large Crowds I was one of them. Several Bands. Plenty of Banners.

Monday 2nd

Started work to day at E. Finchley for the Garden Suburb Builders under J. Bishops Father.

Tuesday 3rd

Sent last quarters Insurance Card off. Sent for John Bull Fount Pen.

Wednesday 4th

Did not feel so grand. Bad Head ache.

Friday 6th

J Bishop came round.

Saturday 7th

Drawn first weeks pay this year. Very lucky starting paying the extra ½ this week. Wet night. Bought a new pair of boots for work. 8/10 B.S.C.

Sunday 8th

Went down to Ern’s to tea to day. Very wet day.

Monday 9th

Heard from H. Garner. Said he would do me a few specimens of graining when he gets time.

Tuesday 10th

Received John Bull’s Fountain pen. Writes splendid. Practiced Mahogany & did very well.

Wednesday 11th

Very wet day. Going to a Whist Drive that is if I can pluck up enough courage to go in. Was brave enough to go in & did not do so bad. Scored 158.

Thursday 12th

Very windy night

Saturday 14th

Made arrangements to meet J. Bishop, but he did it on me. Called on him but he was not at home. So had a walk round on my own.

Sunday 15th

After tea went to the Finsbury Park Empire to the Sunday League Concert. Very good.

Wednesday 18th

Been to another Whist Drive. Very enjoyable. Scored 157.

Saturday 21st

Called down at A. Allen. Home about 1 o’clock.

Sunday 22nd

My first visit to Parliament hill Fields this year. Went there before dinner. Went to Sunday L Concert at Finsbury Park Empire. Hungarin B.

Monday 23rd

Started full time this morning. So up at ¼ past 5.

Wednesday 25th

Been to see the Rosary at the Princes

Saturday 28th

Full week.

MARCH 1914 - RAIN, SNOW & 1812

Sunday 1st

Lovely Day. Had a walk over Parliament Hill Fields befor dinner. A treat to be out. Finsbury Park Empire in the evening. Massed band Concert. “1812” & Waterloo

Wednesday 4th

Heard news of Tom at last. He is at Worcester Park now.

Saturday 7th

Full Week. Expect Tom over to day. He arrived about 5 o’clock. Did not stay in long. Was soon off to Tottenham. He stayed here tonight so I had to sleep on the sofa. Went to Branch meeting. Very wet.

Sunday 8th

Rained nearly all day so did not go out. Ern & Flo came up specially to see Tom but he went out to tea so they did not meet. However we spent a pleasant evening. Singsong as usual.

Monday 9th

Another wet day. Letter from H. Crofts Australia

Saturday 14th

Have been to the Massed band concert at Alexandra Palace. “1812” Overture. It was very good indeed.

Sunday 15th

Out to tea today. Mother & Ethel went to Colney Hatch to Ron Mebrayne’s show. Had a good time. Had some rain. Quite used to it by now.

Tuesday 17th

John Bull Derby Sweepstakes Tickets come.

Wednesday 18th

Sold one of the “Derby” tickets to Mr Bishop. Went over & saw G. Davis. He is working & getting on alright. More rain.

Thursday 19th

More rain

Friday 20th

Snow today for a change. Hair Cut.

Saturday 21st

Attended Branch Meeting. More orderly meeting than previous ones. Uncle John paid us a visit.

Sunday 22nd

The weather much better to day. Went to A. Allen’s to day. Spent a quiet evening there. A change for me.

Monday 23rd

Heard fro Mabel B today. She was pleased with P Cards.

Tuesday 24th

Heard from Ben Buxton. He is working in Ireland. Lucky chap. It would just suit me.

Wednesday 25th

Went to the pictures art K. T Cinema. Grained a mantelpiece Mahogany to day. But I don’t think it was up to much.

Friday 27th

Flo came up this afternoon. Weather better.

Saturday 28th

Cold first thing but turned out lovely. Went down to Ern’s to tea & then to his club with him. He lost in the whist competition.

Sunday 29th

Did not go out. Miserable day. Aunt Emily popped in to tea

Monday 30th

Victor 529336 Ta. Rained nearly all day.

Tuesday 31st

Taken watch to be repaired. Went to St Pancras & got excursion bills for the Easter Holidays. Lovely day

APRIL 1914 - EASTER HOLIDAYS

Wednesday 1st

Wrote to Bert Pawton. Lovely & warm.

Thursday 2nd

Another nice day. Technical lecture at the Club House for the Garden City employees. Tea provided. I & Jack went.

Saturday 4th

Went & saw Spurs play Liverpool. Ended in a draw no goals. Spurs the better team. Speculated in a bowler.

Sunday 5th

Went for a walk in the afternoon. Along the Spaniards & home by Highgate. Rained after tea

Monday 6th

Rained nearly all day

Tuesday 7th

Special meeting of the Society. I went.

Wednesday 8th

Went to the pictures and saw the House of Temperley. Very Good.

Thursday 9th

Finished work this evening until after Easter. Caught the 12.35 excursion for Stockport. Jolly good company going down. Did not get a wink of sleep.

Friday 10th

Arrived Stockport 5.25. Saw my travelling companions off & then set off for Romiley. Lovely morning. Got in soon after 7 o’clock. Breakfast & then went up Romiley. Called 17 Oakwood Rd & stayed a while. Called & saw Florrie & made arrangements. Called on Walkers. Rained a bit after dinner. Florrie came up to tea. Had a walk in the evening.

Saturday 11th

Went & saw J Young in the afternoon. He looks bad. Got back about 6 o’clock just starting tea & Florrie came in so hurried up & went to the pictures at Woodley. Walked home by Salters.

Sunday 12th

Had a walk with Jess in the Morning round Chadkirk. Called for Florrie after dinner & she came out. Oakwood Rd for tea. Chapel in the evening & then a walk a walk up Compstall Rd & through the Golf links.

Monday 13th

After dinner took train to Hayfield & walked over Kinder into Edale. Reviving old memories. Rained a bit. Came back & went to the pictures at the Liberal Club. Rotten.

Tuesday 14th

My last day. Went up to Woodlands for the final farewell. Had dinner at Oakwood Rd. Caught the 3 o’clock train from Romiley & the 3.28 from Stockport. Home about ¼ to ten. Had a very enjoyable time.

Wednesday 15th

Started work this morning. Has not gone down as bad as I thought it would.

Thursday 16th

Finished up at Bishops Avenue, Finchley Rd.

Friday 17th

Started over at the Meadway Flats.

Saturday 18th

Been to the football match at Tottenham. Spurs played Aston Villa & the Villa won 2 to 0. Went to Ern’s to tea & then to his club with him. Home about 12. Short week.

Sunday 19th

Tom popped in just before dinner. Packed his box up. He is bound for Manchster again. I wonder whether he is going to get married. Went to Fins. Pk. Emp. Massed bands concert 1812 overture.

Monday 20th

Still keeps lovely & warm. Just manage to crawl in by ½ past 6 this morning.

Tuesday 21st

Another lovely day. 103 in the Sun. In the evening had a stroll over Parliament Hill.

Wednesday 22nd

Much colder to day. A little rain.

Thursday 23rd

Visited Gaisford St Cinema & saw Antony & Cleopatra. Was very good.

Friday 24th

Still keeps nice. CHARLES Finished work.

Saturday 25th

Lovely day for the cup final. Burnley beat Liverpool by 1 goal to 0. Went down Tottenham after tea. Saw A Allen & spent the evening with him.

Sunday 26th

Another lovely day. Did not go out before dinner. In the afternoon strolled over P.H.F. & H.H. Lovely view from the hill. After tea curiosity led me to the Spaniards. What a crowd gets there.

Monday 27th

Lovely day. Finished my lead windows. Have been just over a week at them. Branch meeting to night Re Builders Lock out. We voted solid against the terms.

Tuesday 28th

Went to the pictures. Saw Orders Under Seal. Was very good.

Thursday 30th

Dull day. Much colder. Tramwaymen’s Concert at the Alexandra Palace. Was very good.

MAY 1914 - OVERTIME & NEW BOOTS

Friday 1st

Nice morning first thing but dull later on.

Saturday 2nd

Should have gone to the Branch, but Johnnie came round so was prevented. He stayed to tea 7 then we had a singsong. Then a walk. He introduced me to his young lady. First time I had met her. Very nice. Letter from Bert Powton. Very cold wind.

Sunday 3rd

Romiley Wesleyan Scholars walk. Wonder how it has gone off. After tea took Ethel for a walk round by the Spaniards & Bull & Bush & home by Parliament Hill Fields. Was very nice out.

Monday 4th

Wrote to J Walker.

Tuesday 5th

Should have met J Bishop but made a mistake in the meeting place.

Thursday 7th

Rained heavily this afternoon. Arranged to meet J Bishop at Addison Way. So went & got wet.

Friday 8th

Flo came up.

Saturday 9th

Took over Charlie’s loan club to day. 4 shares. In the evening took Ethel to the Lyceum to see Broadway Jones, Seymour Hicks & ????? Ferriss. Cold day

Sunday 10th

Paid a visit to G.F. Davis at Parson’s Green. Had tea there. Rained until tea time.

Monday 11th

Sent over to Addison Way after dinner to help young Jack.

Tuesday 12th

Worked until 7

Wednesday 13th

Worked until 8 o’clock. Time & a quarter.

Thursday 14th

No overtime to night & a good job. Wrote to Bert Powton.

Saturday 16th

Branch Meeting. Went and squared up & got new boots in exchange for lost ones. Cost 5/-

Sunday 17th

Such a lovely day am out before dinner. Took Ethel over Hendon after dinner & saw the flying.

Monday 18th

Heard from Tom. It appears he got married on May 10th.

Wednesday 20th

Picture Palace & saw The Lights O’ London. Very good.

Friday 22nd

Shifted over the way now with the other foreman. D 9 to 12

Saturday 23rd

Felt jolly seedy so did not stir out after I came home from work

Sunday 24th

After dinner went down to A. Allen. Had tea there. They lost their dog this morning. So helped to join in the hunt but no luck. Felt better to day.

Monday 25th

Feel a lot better to day. Worked until 7.

Friday 29th

Finished up until Wednesday morning.

Saturday 30th

Left St Pancras at 5 past 10 for Romiley. Arrived about ¼ past 3. Had a walk through the woods in the evening. Saw J Walker.

Sunday 31st

Rained this morning but cleared up after dinner. Had a walk round the Acqueduct this afternoon. Went into Compstall by the fields this evening. Called on J Young but he was not in.