diary of oscar kirk january 1919

The Diary of Oscar Kirk, PLA Messenger Boy, extracts for January 1919.

This document contains the transcribed diary entries from January 1919 of Oscar Kirk who was 14 when he started to work in the West and East India Docks in 1918 ferrying messages and mail between different docks and Port of London Authority offices.

Oscar's diary for the first half of 1919 has survived and is currently part of the museum's collection. The diary is currently on display in the Sainsbury's Study Centre at the museum.

Who was Oscar Kirk?

Oscar was born in May 1904 in Poplar, London close to the West India Docks. At the age of 14, on the 23 October 1918, just a few days before the end of World War I, Oscar started to work for the Port of London Authority and began to keep a diary full

of delightful and illuminating detail about the life of a young working man in East London at this time.

Oscar went on to become a Clerical Assistant in the West India Dock, took part in the General Strike in 1926 and by the time he retired in 1968 was a Senior Foreman at the North Quay Warehouse (where the Museum of London Docklands is now housed).

Oscar died in 1980.

Diary extracts and personal biographical details reproduced with the kind permission of Oscar's family.

Weds 1 January 1919

Grandma came today in evening.Brought home “Captain Nat’s Treasure”, “First in the Field” from work.Captain Leefe Robinson* died last night at Stanmore near Harrow.Mother gave me fourpence. Did 4/15 journey for Humphries . Came home very wet.

Weather: Moderate. N. winds. Rather cold. Raining later.

* Leefe Robinson was a first world war fighter pilot, he was the first pilot to shoot down a zeppelin and was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Thursday 2 January 1919

Marjorie went to tea party. Came home with Mother at 9/30.Went to Aldgate in the evening and saw a tram catch fire (underneath) and bought a baked potato. Went to Calvers to buy Miss Morgan a tin of milk. She gave me 2d. Bought some toffee.Fed my mice.Grandma came in afternoon and brought the F. H*.

Weather: Strong SW. & W. winds. Sunny but cold.

* Unidentified

Friday 3 January 1919

Pay day. 17/- . 2pm.I bought 3 comics and a maxim-gun. Chuckles, Merry & Bright, and The Jester.Had some fried potatoes for my supper. Mother and Marjorie wet to the Hippodrome to see “Smiles”.*I bought some boot-polish.

Weather: Wind SW. Fresh at times. Raining. Late Mild.

* Possibly the musical “All Smiles” by Holmshaw and Doyle.

Poplar Hippodrome with thanks to www.eastlondonpostcard.co.uk

Saturday 4 January 1919

Went to Pictures in the evening and saw Lee Moran & Eddie Lyons, Charlie Chaplin.1.15 & 3pm Journeys North this afternoon. Nana came this evening.

Weather: Wind SE rain later.

Sunday 5 January 1919

Had a fire in the parlour. I got up first. Did not go to Nana’s. Had Mutton today for dinner.I made a boot pad* out of a piece of velvet & some rags which I cut into pieces today.Washed my handkerchief and two pieces of velvet.Went to bed early,

Weather: Rain early (drizzle) drying up later. Mild.

* possibly for polishing his work boots

Monday 6 January 1919

Got up at 6.30 this morning. Evening Classes commenced. I did not go.Went up Aldgate and took a tram. I bought two penny buns at Lyons.Had my satchel broken by Mr Clouston who is in American Goods.Mt Thurgood made out the list for uniforms and parts of uniforms wanted by the boys.

Weather: Rain in showers. Cold. Moderately windy, sunny intervals.

Tuesday 7 January 1919

Nana came this evening & gave me a penny.I went to evening class (second lesson).Father said he would make some chocolate on Sunday. (I wonder if he will?)Four ships went out of the Millwall Dock today.Met the Charges Boy at 4. at South Side* and we went round together.Saw Hughes have a black eye off Montgomery at central.

http://www.eastlondonpostcard.co.uk/

Weather: A Gale blowing early. Sunny intervals. Showery.

* Probably southern end of the Millwall Dock

Millwall Dock; 1919© PLA collection/Museum of London

Wednesday 8 January 1919

Telephoned up to London Dock this afternoon about my uniform. They had it up there and would send it down at earliest convenience. (At Last!)Mummie and Marjorie went to Nana’s house to tea. Came home about 9 o’clock.Went to bed early.Webb at South Side and Saul at Bulk Grain* went to be measured at London Dock.Went down road.

Weather: Early this morning a gale blowing. Showery

* Webb and Saul were other messenger boys, and South Side and Bulk Grain were other departments in the West India and Millwall Docks.


Mother’s Birthday.I went to Night School this evening and came out after the first lesson.Got my uniform today! For a wonder: - new boots – second hand leggings – new hat – new jacket – new overcoat – second hand satchel – new trousers.Had skate for supper. I went to London Dock to fetch my uniform back. I went with O’Donovan.Went to bed early. Went down the road for Cook and Girls.

Weather: - Warm in morning but cold in evening rain.


Pay day 17/-.Dad said yesterday that he would not give me any pocket money this week because I called him a beast.He gave me some today though. I went to Aldgate with Antram and paid his fare. I bought an orange and some potatoes.Took my overcoat back from the G.O*. to stores.W.I.D.** at 3/40. Rode there and back. Bought Chuckles and Jester***. Hughes took by satchel home and put some grease over my name.

Weather:- Hard rain this morning clearing up towards night. Cold.

* General Office** West India Dock*** Both comics. Chuckles was published between 1914 – 1923; and Jester 1912 - 1920


My half day.Went to Aldgate with Antram and bought twopenny plates of whelks and half a cocoanut.Put on uniform and went to Grandma’s; she gave me twopence and Grandpa gave me twopence.Washed my satchel and painted my name in it.Saw Hunt selling papers in St Leonards Rd.

Weather:- Raining mostly windy. Warm

Sunday 12 January 1919.

Shifted the clock from old bedroom into new one.Cleaned leggings and boots.Had a headache when I got up. Drank some tea.Did not go out today.Got up first and lit fire.Read some of my library.Found my white mouse escaped.Dad said he was going to make some chocolate.Helped Dad to shift furniture in parlour and bedroom.Washed my box of paints.Had PLA* boots on all today. Chocolate not made.

Weather:- Raining in morning. Cleared up towards night. Warm moderate wind.

* Port of London Authority.


Went to night school in uniform.

Wore P.L.A. boots for work today. Went to Weeden’s to get a lamp, but I could not. Chambers has gone to Central Granary to be a labouring boy; and Alderton has gone on the window.I bought a “Docks Gazette” but there was not much in it. (I expected as much).Did my four-fifteen journey. It was so dark and foggy.

Weather:- Heavy fog during the day: no rain


Got up at 6 O’clock this morning.Did not go to evening class tonight.Did my four fifteen journey and [illegible] Police, Stores, W’house & Engineers & R.V.* Got back at G.O.** at 4.55pmFed my mouse and brought him in the kitchen for a while.Polished my leggings.Saw the water being pumped into the Dry Dock of R & H. Green & Silley Weir. ***Bought two buns from Wells’ to eat while I was in the office.

Weather:- Raining most of the day. Moderate winds.

King George V Dock about to be flooded 1921© PLA collection/Museum of London


Did not pay my fare this morning when I was going to work. I bought a rock cake with the penny and saw Chambers in Well’s and asked him about my book called “A Boy Scout with the Russians” and he said he would send it to the Messengers Dept. Did my four fifteen and my twelve-forty-five journeys. Went to the Hippodrome.Wilton went out of Dry Dock and saw a diver go down and fetch up a spade. Had a Dry Dock bridger* 3 times.

Weather:- Sunny intervals. Rain sometimes. Slight Wind.

* Around the docks, a ‘bridger’ was the term used for being delayed by an open bridge over the dock entrances. (A common excuse for being late to school!)

* Possibly Royal Victoria Dock** General Office

P&O's Strathaird approaching Tilbury Docks 1949© PLA collection/Museum of London


Bought two comics, “Comic Cuts” & “Gem”.Did my four fifteen journey.Pay day tomorrow.I bought 3d of chestnuts and baked them.Slept on the couch because Mum made me a bed on it. (It was very comfortable).Hunt slept in Humphries house because his Mother wouldn’t let him come home.Did my 12.45 journey today instead of tomorrow.

Weather:- Sunny intervals. General outlook, rainy cold.


I bought two comics called “Chuckles” and “The Jester”.A Russian refugee boat came in our Dock and lay at No. 3 Warehouse.Bought 9d of chestnuts and brought Marjorie a paint brush = 1d. Saw Hammond and he said that my trousers would be done tomorrow morning dinnertime.Had a piece of pudding for lunch at work today.Hunt slept in Humphries house. Pay day.

Weather:- Cold, Sunny intervals, not much wind. Showery.


I was W.I.D.* Boy in the afternoon and went home on Bills at 2 O’clock.I knocked for Antrim to go to Aldgate but he was out. I had a game of football as I was going to Nana’s and as it was late when I finished I decided not to go.Nana came and said she would give me twopence on Monday. No four fifteen journey today. Had slide on ice outside General Office. Montgomery fell over and knocked two teeth out.

Weather:- Freezing and frosty in morning. Sunny intervals later.


Father made some chocolate in the afternoon.When I went out to wash I saw my mouse on the floor! He had got out through a hole at the top, which I afterwards blocked up.Father grumbled at me yesterday because he said I was greedy and he made mum cry.Got up late.Had fire in Mother’s bedroom.Polished my leggings.Had a high see-saw yesterday in the Sack Shed. Fell off and bumped my head.

Weather:- Cold. No sun. Cloudy. No Rain.


Nana came this evening & she said Appa* has got a watch which wants a spring and he will give it to me. Polished my leggings and wore my old boots.Walked to work this morning with Rousell through W.I.DWent to Willings and bought 1 1/2d of blank postcards for painting. Antram told me that Mr Tucker and Mr Barnes are back at school. (I am glad).

Weather: Raining all day, dull and cloudy. No wind.

* family name for Grandfather.


Tras-os-Montes in Dry Dock. I am glad I am not a South boy* this week. Greenway has the 4.15pm journeys this week.Father wanted me to write a letter to Mr Cookman about transferring me to W.I.D., but I did not like W.I.D., so I didn’t write the letter. Father was very angry. Washed my feet this evening & cleaned my leggings.Wore my P.L.A. boots to-day.

Weather:- Showery. No sun. Moderate wind.

* Messenger given the task of carrying mail to the southern end of the Millwall Dock


Got chapped hands today.Played between 12.30 and 1.30 in the sack shed.Mother went to Nana’s house and nana came back with her.“The Babes in the Woods” is the title of the pantomime at the Hippodrome. Walked home with A +Had some tart which Mum made. Cleaned my leggings this evening.Nana took my watch which Appa gave me to [?] Traskes to be mended.

+ Arthur Alderton

Weather:- No wind. No rain. Very cold and chilly.

*Appa - Grandpa


Cleaned my leggings this evening.Went and got a policeman on the north side gate the Star and he gave me a penny and I rode home with it.Fed my mouse this evening and gave it some milk.Payday tomorrow. It seems an age since I had some money.

[The bottom of the page features the name of his little sister ‘Marjorie’ in large, uneven capital letters, and then Oscar’s comment: ‘This is Marjorie’s writing’]

Weather: Very cold. Sheets of Ice all about the dock. No rain, a little sun.

Ice in London's Western Dock 1917 © PLA collection/Museum of London


Went and bought my mouse some oats. I bought myself the ‘Gem’ and some candy and a piece of cocoanut.I bought a tin of blacking at Whites.Had a game in the dugout made of sticks and went in the sack shed dugout.Bought a ‘Mirror’ this morning. Some good pictures in it about a submarine cjaser dropping depth charges on a German submarine. Went to Library at 8 o’clock and have in Nana’s form & changed my library [books].

Weather:- Cold. No rain. Sunny intervals. No wind.


Bought an orange and two pairs of straps for my trousers and leggings.Did the 12.15 Town journey & home on it.*Nana came this evening & brought my watch to the jewellers to be mended. (I have written in my diary that she brought it to the jeweller’s on 22nd inst.** but this is a mistake).

Mrs Hammond knocked at the door late this evening with my trousers.

Weather:- Cold. Sunny intervals. No rain. Moderate wind.

* Working a half-day on Saturdays, Oscar obviously went straight home after his journey up to the City. Since the PLA’s Cutler Street warehouses were generally referred to as the ‘Town’ warehouses, this is probably where his journey took him.


Got up late and lit the fire. Had a fire in the bedroom (my bedroom).Cleaned my leggings and wore my new trousers today. (They are fine). Two pockets & non-turn ups* which I like.Mum & Dad went out in the evening and I stopped in to mind Marjorie.I thought of going to Nana’s house today but the rain prevented me.Went to bed with a fire in the bedroom.

Weather:- Showery. No snow. Moderate temperature. No wind.

* a turned-up cuff to the bottom of the trousers.


I thought of putting on my snow cap but the fall of snow was not heavy enough.I used my straps for my trousers this morning and I find they are much better than string.My chapped hands are getting better.Snowing very hard this evening.Went to the library with Novikoff and got a magazine and “A Town Romance” for Nana.Changed some comics with Tommie Hammond and paid his mother for my trousers.

Weather:- Light fall of snow early this morning increasing at night.


Cousins Walter & Arthur came this evening and Walter gave me 2/6 & Arthur gave me 2/- . Marjorie had 2/- from each of them.Had an Oxo cube for my supper. Cleaned my boots and leggings.Walter and Arthur said they were going to the Hippodrome. I am going tomorrow. Percy House, Daisy James and a sketch called “In the Dark”.*Climbed up the top of some barrels of corks.

Weather:- Heavy fall of snow in the night. Melted mostly by morning. Cold.

* This may be a note of a sketch recommended by Walter and Arthur? Oscar gives no other information about this entry.


Nana came this evening and gave me a scone, and gave Marjorie a box of paints.I came home from work with a headache so I did not go to the Hippodrome.

I treated Hunt, Rousell, Humphries and Alderton to a cup of tea each.Exchanged my fretsaw with Novikoff for 1/- tube of ‘Chinese White’ paint & 16 sheets of painting paper.Mother made me a pie to take to work. Had cold pie for tea, (thumbs up).

Weather:- Showery at times. No sun. Slushy snow.

Thursday 30 January 1919.

Bought two comics called “Puck” and “Merry & Bright”Bought a tart made of marmalade and some lemonade.Read my comics and library.I bought two boxes of chocolates (5 each) & a packet of toffee.Went to bed late.Had cold pie for lunch.Cleaned my leggings and boots in the morning.Helped to make a small dugout. When I went to look at it again I found it to be very deep.

Weather:- Very cold. Icy everywhere. No rain. Small amount of snow.


Got paid at 11 O’clock today by the new pay cl[er])k. Went up Chrisp Street but I did not buy anything there but as I was coming home I saw a nice knife marked 2/6 and I went inside the shop & bought it. I also bought a lid-knob for the kettle 2d.At White’s I bought three elastic rings (3 a penny) and at Chilvers I bought a Penny Popular (1½) and “Puck” and two five-penny packets of chocolate.

Weather:- Very cold. Snowing slightly all day. Moderate winds.

Find out more about Oscar’s thoughts and duties daily on our website and follow Oscar on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OscarKirk1919

http://twitter.com/OscarKirk1919

diary of oscar kirk january 1919

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