World War II London Blitz Diary Vol1

I’m currently reading World War II London Blitz Diary Vol1 by Ruby Alice Side Thompson. It is the author’s true account and was written as her personal diary at the time. It’s an interesting read as it was not meant to be published. 

However, because of this fact, it allows a rare and uncensored insight into the everyday life of someone living through the Blitz and a problematic marriage. There are many things she complains about in her diary; the war and her husband feature heavily in this, but this diary was written as an emotional release of all the problems and issues that annoyed and upset her. 

I’m about 70% through the book, and I must say I am enjoying it. For research, it has given me a good insight into the real fear of the bombings and the day-to-day irritation of disturbed lives, and that despite this, people tried to get on with daily life. 

What I found very interesting is Ruby’s concept that she has a true inner woman, that this inner woman is free from social expectations and constraints of the time, as a wife and mother, that this inner woman stands up and says things when she suffers injustice, however this inner woman remains just that – inside. Ruby’s outer woman is silent and accepting of her fate, her husband’s condemnation and the other problems she has. 

I’m off to find out the ending to Ruby’s diary.