My Dad's Diary : Thur 4th December 1947

"C.S. Exam today.

Sat for it and didn't do too bad.

Rain poured down.

G.W. did overtime."

I don't know if we'll find out the result of Dad sitting the Civil Service exam before the Diary ends, but I do know, of course, that he did go on eventually to be an Executive Officer.

Years later, when I was in the Civil Service, I worked with a man called George Wilson who'd worked with my Dad. I wonder if he might have been "G.W.".

My Dad's Diary : Fri 27th June 1947

"Bus strike continues.

also Gateshead trams.

Submitted application for Est. Board."

The application was for him to be made an Established Civil Servant.

My Dad's Diary : Wed 30th April 1947

"Took up duties as P/Kr 1 yr ago.

Very cold.

Garden at night."

P/Kr = Paper Keeper, his first job in the Civil Service on return from the War.

My Dad's Diary : Tues 18th February 1947

"One year in Civil Service.

Still snow on ground.

Got bundle of papers from Alan."

Uncle Alan used to send us Australian newspapers and magazines. One magazine stayed in the lav for quite some years because I was particularly fond of a cartoon depicting a sword swallower withdrawing his sword with some grains of rice sticking to the blade. Of such are memories made.