Diary, 1940 - London, Scotland and Sussex

Effects of war on Addis's family life and official life in London; the movements of his family, especially his sons and sons-in-law, the fall of Holland, Belgium and France and air raids on Southern England; also grandchildren, reading, occasional concert going, health and gardening. JANUARY Secret...

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Order number: PP MS 14, Box 6
Date(s) of creation: 1940
Level: File
Format: Archive           

Order number: PP MS 14, Box 6
Summary: Effects of war on Addis's family life and official life in London; the movements of his family, especially his sons and sons-in-law, the fall of Holland, Belgium and France and air raids on Southern England; also grandchildren, reading, occasional concert going, health and gardening. JANUARY Secret arrangement with Norman over the Consortium confirmed; to London to Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), P&O and London University meetings; makes Burns' night speech at Tunbridge Wells. FEBRUARY To London for P&O, London University, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and St Felix Council meetings; also to the Bank of England, 'How good they all are to an old buffer like me!' 21. MARCH Continuing talks on Burma railways and Chinese loans; distressed by the fall of Finland, 'For all our fine words, what have we done to avert the fall of Manchuria, Abyssinia, Czecho-Slovakia, Poland etc. And now Finland!' 13; to P&O and Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) meetings. APRIL Working on a letter to the Consortium about Burma railways; concerned at the fall of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) prestige in the City 'since the L.O. committee has been allowed to run down, The Chartered is taking the position formerly occupied by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)', 17; notes visits to London by Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) overseas staff. MAY Returns from a holiday in Scotland on the invasion of the Low Countries; notes plans for the evacuation of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) to Woodside if necessary, meets Kano, 'Japanese military experts have no great opinion of Anglo-French leaders', 29; son Dick evacuating troops from Dunkirk. JUNE Staff changes at Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) with Arthur Morse from Hong Kong taking over from Barnes; surrender of France 'a terrible blow', problems at Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), 'Jute firms failing. Saigon and New York branches squealing for help.' 21. JULY Attends meetings of London University Court and St Felix Council; military billeted at Woodside. AUGUST Many air raids over London and Sussex. SEPTEMBER Many air raids over London and Sussex, 'horrible when one thought of the brave young fighters', 6; problems with travelling to London. OCTOBER Continued air raids; to Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and P&O meetings; anxious over personal accounts, 'I can't go on much longer in the City.' 5. NOVEMBER Continued air raids; ill health among Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) staff; talks with Kano, 'Japan repents joining the Axis thinking England already defeated.' 27. DECEMBER To Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), London University and P&O meetings; problems with cost of soldiers billeted at Woodside as money received 'doesn't pay for their beer', 5; wedding of daughter Jean, 28.
Access status: Open
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Language: English
Format: Archive