R Story Lt. Col. Retired

Diary for 1923

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 DIARY FOR 1923 2

2.1 FRONT COVER 2

2.2 DIARY ENTRIES 3

3 LOOSE PAPERS FILED IN DIARY 35

3.1 PHOTOGRAPH APRIL 1923 35

2 DIARY FOR 1923

2.1 FRONT COVER

2.2 DIARY ENTRIES

1^st Month JANUARY 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 1 MONDAY [1 – 364]

Bank Holiday, Scotland. Holiday, stock exchange.

Quarter Sessions Week

Floor, rain, & wind. Burke to see me. Says I am much better. Re-fixed the library grate. Got a fire in May’s room where she is doing her rest cure, & lot of other house work.

Bingfield 2 TUESDAY [ 2 – 363]

Not quite so well. May & Laila to Cavan. Heard from Rorke, & sent on their letter to Halpin to whom I wrote. Wrote to Vera & White King. Cox clipped the cart mare and painted gates.

Bingfield 3 WEDNESDAY[ 3 – 362]

Heard that Lisnamandra was attacked about 4 a.m. on Monday morning, but that Moore fired upon, & drove away the raiders. Went there later with a note from May, & saw Moore who described the raid

Bingfield 4 THURSDAY [ 4 – 361]

Accounts. Signed Ret: Pay voucher at Kevilt. Cox pulling turnips

Bingfield 5 FRIDAY [ 5 – 360]

Showery. Mary & Laila to Cavan for shopping. A good deal of painful indigestion.

Bingfield 6 SATURDAY [ 6 – 359]

Mild after frost. Got a fire in the hall stove. Some pain from indigestion. Last turnips pulled and carted.

Bingfield 7 SUNDAY [ 7 – 358]

1 after Epiphany

Quiet day at home. Some pain from indigestion.

Bingfield 8 MONDAY[ 8 – 357]

Warm & sunny. Still very far from well. Wrote to Rooke & Halpin

Rorke came to see me about cattle for tomorrow’s fair.

Bingfield 9 TUESDAY[ 9 – 356]

Fire Insurances expire

Cavan fair – Rorke sold two beasts for me. Laila went to a party at the Crowes. Got some of my old medicine, & began taking it with good results

Bingfield 10 WEDNESDAY [10 -355]

Peace Treaty ratified with Germany, 1920

Warm, with some showers. Draining in the Rocks & Front Lawn. Daisy Scott to tea. Mended gate. A good deal better.

1^st Month JANUARY 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 11 THURSDAY [11 -354]

Hilary Law Settings began

Mild, but colder. Men cleaning wheat.

Bingfield 12 FRIDAY [12 -353]

Cold after a night’s frost. Wrote to Evie on turning. Askins called men cleaning wheat & oats.

Bingfield 13 SATURDAY [13 -352]

Fine but dull. Mare shod etc. Laila & Mary to Cavan.

Bingfield 14 SUNDAY [14 -351]

2 after Epiphany

Mild day. Some pain from indigestion.

Bingfield 15 MONDAY [15 -350]

Fine and mild. Men ditching in front lawn & building carts of straw for tomorrow’s market. Mc. Donald & I repaired the library fireplace & cemented the roof near the tank.

Bingfield 16 TUESDAY [16 -349]

Mild and damp. Some straw sold in the market, but at a bad price. Altered the dining room grate. Laila to tea at Danesport.

Bingfield 17 WEDNESDAY [17 -348]

Simons & I worked at my farm appeal.

Bingfield 18 THURSDAY [18 -347]

Not very well. Worked at Farm Appeal.

Bingfield 19 FRIDAY [19 -346]

Still seedy. Sent my Farm Appeal to Inspector of Taxes & an empty beer cask no 159 606 to Bass. Mild day. Men cleaning the yard etc.

Bingfield 20 SATURDAY [20 -345]

Men ditching on Jenny’s Hill. Corrected my Farm Appeal & wrote to Inspector of Taxes. Sent for Clarke who prescribed for me. He also examined May & said she cd. always be an invalid. She got up afterwards & sat by the fire in her room for a little.

Bingfield 21 SUNDAY [21 -344]

3 after Epiphany

Heard that telegraph poles had been cut down near Crossdoney.

May came downstairs for a little. I have still a good deal of pain, but not so continuous as before.

Bingfield 22 MONDAY [22 – 343]

Mild & damp. May downstairs for while. Saw Brady at Farmadaly for a few minutes. Very little pain, after a fair nights rest.

1^st Month JANUARY 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 23 TUESDAY [23 -342]

Getting better slowly. Wrote to Strahan about the furniture. Cox draining at foot of Jenny’s hill, & ploughing. May coming down stairs regularly after lunch. Very bad pain came on at 11 P.M. & kept me awake all night

Bingfield 24 WEDNESDAY [24 -341]

Got up at 6 a.m., eat some rock cakes & took a dose of medicine Slept after it till about 8:15 am. Rather seedy after so bad a night. Cox ploughing on Jenny’s Hill.

Bingfield 25 THURSDAY [ 25 – 340]

Better, after a good night’s rest. Made out an estimate of wages for Gen. Accident Assurance Co. Tried to mend the plough, but failed. Manure carting to Jenny’s Hill.

Bingfield 26 FRIDAY [26 -339]

Australia Day

Mild & warm. Manure carting to Jenny’s Hill.

Bingfield 27 SATURDAY [27 -338]

Cox brought home the pumping engine from Cavan, but we found that some of the water pipes were missing, so we merely bolted it down to its bed. Mrs Burrowes called. Began a letter to Lou.

Bingfield 28 SUNDAY [28 -337]

Septuagesima

Finished my letter to Lou. Mullery’s men put a temporary water pipe to the engine & we filled the tank. She ran well.

Bingfield 29 MONDAY [29 -336]

Wrote to Kane about my engine. Cox got the mare shod & left part of the plough for repairs. We then tried to pinch a leak in the pipe from the lower well, but failed to do so.

Bingfield 30 TUESDAY [30 -335]

Found the leak in the water pipe near the dining room window, & wrote for a plumber. Wrote to Vera.

Bingfield 31 WEDNESDAY [31 -334]

Mild with some rain. Vera to Cavan with Mary for her music lesson as usual. Wrote to Evie. Cox boxed potatoes etc. Mc. Donald gathered leaves.

2^nd Month FEBRUARY 1923 28 Days

Bingfield 1 THURSDAY [32 -333]

Mild & wet. Cox breaking stones for the back avenue

Mc. Donald in the garden.

2^nd Month FEBRUARY 1923 28 Days

Bingfield 2 FRIDAY [33 -332]

Candlemas --Scottish Quarter Day

Mild & some rain. Heard from Lawless giving me a Welsh man’s queer pronunciation of some Irish names of places. Plumber mended the water pipe to the greenhouse.

Bingfield 3 SATURDAY [34 -331]

Cox doctoring the horse “Charlie” etc. Halpin & Jack came on bicycles & had a chat about the sale of this place.

Bingfield 4 SUNDAY [35 -330]

Sexagesima

Very drowsy all day after medicine taken for pain at night

Bingfield 5 MONDAY [36 -329]

Mild but stormy. Cox drawing stones for the yard.

Was able to do without medicine for the first time for many days

Bingfield 6 TUESDAY [37 -328]

Cox & McDonald putting down stones in the yard. Mrs Scott & Daisy to tea.

Bingfield 7 WEDNESDAY [38 -327]

Mild. T. Rorke came to arrange about cattle. Sent Simons my list of grazing to let. May in bed all day. Self better

Bingfield 8 THURSDAY [39 -326]

Half Quarter Day

Rather slack after a bad night. Sharpened & and set a saw. Men stoning the yard. Fitted a key to the Wing Room door.

Bingfield 9 FRIDAY [40 -325]

Cox ploughing. Heavy rain aft. Fitted a key & part of a lock to the drawing room door. Hard job.

Bingfield 10 SATURDAY [41 -324]

Accounts etc. May & Laila to tea at the Scotts.

Bingfield 11 SUNDAY [42 -323]

Got together a lot of old books for repair etc.

Bingfield 12 MONDAY [43 -322]

Hoey & Cox filling the sandpit in the lawn. Brady came to see me about threatening letters. Mrs Burrows called. Wrote to Mrs Tane Burn on the death of her husband. Mended ½ doz books after dinner.

Bingfield 13 TUESDAY [44 -321]

Shrove Tuesday

Hoey & Cox cleaning the avenue, as it was wet nearly all day. The Scotts to tea. Mended six books even.

2^nd Month FEBRUARY 1923 28 Days

Bingfield 14 WEDNESDAY [45 -320]

Ash Wednesday

Wrote to Sec. of Diocesan Council about a John Story who went to Nova Scotia in 1700. He may be of my family

Wrote to Strahan to enquire in the family Bible. Mullery sent the water pipes for the engine, & Cox and I put them up. Laila & Mary to Cavan as usual. Heard that Henry Leslie’s house was burnt last night

Bingfield 15 THURSDAY [46 -319]

Fine morn. Wet aft. Men carting in potatoes.

Bingfield 16 FRIDAY [47 -318]

Fine & cloudy. Men carting potatoes. Mc Donald getting the pony shod.

Bingfield 17 SATURDAY [48 -317]

Showery. Men cleaning the avenue. Laila to the Scotts.

Bingfield 18 SUNDAY [49 -316]

Some rain. Quiet day. Bad night, with a kind of colic.

Bingfield 19 MONDAY [50 -315]

Wrote to Strahan about the old family Bible & to Mrs Lang of Australia who had written about Teddie. A good deal of pain at intervals during the day. Chlorodyne at night & hot rubber bag against my body enabled me to sleep.

Bingfield 20 TUESDAY [51 -314]

Not so much pain. Put the spare room into order & worked at the lock. Daisy Scott to play with Laila.

Bingfield 21 WEDNESDAY [52 -313]

Mended the prie Dieu chair in the library. Worked at the stand pipe in the yard, but failed to solder it. Mary & Laila to Cavan. Men carting potatoes & cleaning the yard. Some heavy showers.

Bingfield 22THURSDAY [53 -312]

Mended the wash and stand in May’s room, making some new parts etc. Mrs Moore (Kilmore) called while May was at Mrs Burrowes.

Bingfield 23 FRIDAY [54 -311]

Got my small dynamo from Gamage, & found it worked well with the other electric gear.

Bingfield 24 SATURDAY [55 -310]

Put some stops to the library fender. Men cleaning the yard. The Hamiltons called

Bingfield 25 SUNDAY [56 -309]

2 in Lent

Cold & gloomy. Not very well.

2^nd Month FEBRUARY 1923 28 Days

Bingfield 26 MONDAY [57 -308]

Plumber soldered the stand pipe in the yard. Men digging sand in the Back Lawn

Bingfield 27 TUESDAY [58 -307]

Showery. Men digging sand & gravel. Mc. Cabe came to do some repairs to the roof, windows etc, & told me, how raiders had cut off his girl’s hair. During dinner military came enquiring for Burrowe’s house.

Bingfield 28 WEDNESDAY [59 -306]

Showery. Mc. Cabe at various repairs. Men gravelling the yard

Laila & Mary to Cavan.

3^rd Month MARCH 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 1 THURSDAY [60 -305]

Showers. Mc. Cabe at the greenhouse etc. Men stoning the yard.

Bingfield 2 FRIDAY [61 -304]

Stormy with rain & hail. Mc. Cabe at the Dining Room fire place etc.

Men cutting an oak tree for fence posts.

Began to preserve eggs.

Bingfield 3 SATURDAY [62 -303]

Men loading timber. Mc. Cabe at various repairs. Mrs Taylor called.

Bingfield 4 SUNDAY [63 -302]

3 in Lent

Mild & sunny.

Bingfield 5 MONDAY [64 -301]

Oak sawn into posts at Farnham sawmill. Fitted my small dynamo to run on my small lathe. May’s 55^th birthday. She had to stay in bed all day. Saw in Irish Times that O’Reillys house Knockabbey has been burned by rebels.

Bingfield 6 TUESDAY [65 -300]

Wrote to Lou & White King. Colder. Men carrying in the top of the oak tree.

Bingfield 7 WEDNESDAY [66 -299]

Mc. Cabe hanging gates in Round Bank, Horse Park etc. Coal carted from the station. Began turning a small yew vase to replace a broken one. Mr. Askins called.

Bingfield 8 THURSDAY [67 -298]

Fine. Cox ploughing. Hoey & Mc. Donald wheeled in coal. McKay and I put up the chicken house & then he went on to the green house

3^rd Month MARCH 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 9 FRIDAY [68 -297]

Cox went for lime. Hoey carting manure to Jenny’s Hill. Mc. Cabe repairing carts, painting the potting shed & dining room fireplace etc. Wrote to O’Reilly to condole with him about the burning of Knockabbey.

Bingfield 10 SATURDAY [69 -296]

Fine till even. when heavy rain & wind came on. Cox ploughing, Hoey carting manure, Mc. Cabe at various jobs – painting, hanging gates etc. Heard a loud explosion about 10 P.M. Next day it was said that a man’s house had been blown up near Pottahee.

*

Bingfield 11 SUNDAY [70 -295]

4 in Lent

Two armed rebels held me up outside the front door & made me give up Wagg’s old revolver. One man offered me a shot gun & cartridges for it. Treachery evidently gave them the information. We hear it was a bridge at Ballinanagh blown up yesterday.

Bingfield 12 MONDAY [71 – 294]

Mc. Cabe repairing & painting the avenue gates. Drove to Cavan & got trunk for Laila etc & notified the police of yesterday’s raid.

Bingfield 13 TUESDAY [72 – 293]

Rorke bought me 8 head of cattle. Mc. Cabe painting & repairing gates, putting up spouting on the house, & fixing that on the greenhouse. Wrote to Mrs. Clowes.

Bingfield 14 WEDNESDAY [73 -292]

Found the engine making a noise. Wrote to Mullery about it. Mc.Cabe and I fitted sheet iron cowl to the dining room grate etc.

Packed up, & wrote to Heathcote.

En route for 15 THURSDAY [74 – 291] England.

Took the 10.30 a.m. train with Laila for Dublin. Rested at the J. B’s & went on board the Hibernia where we slept. Saw Lawless at the club, very indignant because the Rebels had ordered the show at the Pavilion to stop.

Norbury 16 FRIDAY [75 -290]

Sailed from Kingstown about 9. a.m. Sea smooth. Wrote to May on board. Chief Engineer shewed me the engines. Got to Uttoxeter 5.11 P.M. Mrs. Clowe’s car met us & took us on here

3^rd Month MARCH 1923 31 Days

Norbury 17 SATURDAY [76 – 289]

Bank Holiday, Ireland

Wrote to May. Drove with a family party to a hill where we got a fine view of the country.

Norbury 18 SUNDAY [77 - 288]

Drove with Mrs. Clowes to lunch at her brother in laws Major Clowes late Life Guards. Met there Capt. & Mrs. Jolf R.A. He a godson of old “Pem” of the 4^th Battn. Even. service at the parish church. Wrote to May & Lou.

Norbury 19 MONDAY [78 -287]

Mrs. Clowes got her doctor to examine me. Drove with her aft & saw a very nice house, but I fear too expensive for us.

274 Elgin Avenue 20 TUESDAY [79 -286] London

Packed up & came here by the 3.4 P.M. train from Derby

Vera came round after dinner.

274 Elgin Avenue 21 WEDNESDAY [80 -285]

Lunch at Durrants Hotel with the Kings & saw the Wallace collection.

Wrote to Heathcote, Sampson, Aunt Carrie, Vida, Mrs. Clowes, & May.

274 Elgin Avenue 22 THURSDAY [81 -284]

Wrote to May. Saw Vera at her college. Went on to Mary Freeman’s & dined there. A great deal of pain kept me awake nearly all night

274 Elgin Avenue 23 FRIDAY [82 -283]

Got up to lunch, but had no breakfast. Stayed in all day. Wrote to May.

274 Elgin Avenue 24 SATURDAY [83 -282]

Lou & I went to Feltham & lunched at The Oakes. Found there the aunt & Mary Hayes. Haddie Pollock came in while we were there. Wrote to May.

274 Elgin Avenue 25 SUNDAY [84 -281]

Palm Sunday. Lady Day. Quarter Day

Morn. Service. Went with Lou to the Freemans even, feeling very seedy.

274 Elgin Avenue 26 MONDAY [85 – 280]

A little better. Had two teeth stopped & a stump extracted.

Wired to the Richardson’s & got a reply that I can go to them

Heard from Vida that she cannot have me. Lunch with Sampson at the Jun. Carlton Club. Saw the Sec. of my old club (the Senior) on the way. Went after lunch to Richmond & saw Dorothy & Dudley Short. Wrote to May & Harrie Richardson.

Wilton Lodge 27 TUESDAY [86 – 279] Fareham

Took the 3.4 P.M. train from Waterloo & came on here

Henry R. Met to me at the station. Slept rather badly.

3^rd Month MARCH 1923 31 Days

Wilton Lodge 28 WEDNESDAY [87 -278]

Hilary Law Sittings end

Henry & I went to Southsea by tram & ferry for lunch. Wrote to May, Fran, Lou, Laila, & Vida. Headache still.

Col & Mrs. Farmar & Dr. Brooke dined. Noisy evening over race game. Feeling unwell I went to bed early.

Dr. Brooke’s sister Mrs. Mc. Clellan – not his wife.

Wilton Lodge 29 THURSDAY [88 -277]

Stayed in bed till at 11:30 am. Wired to Fran to ask if he can have me on Saturday.

Wilton Lodge 30 FRIDAY [89 -276]

Good Friday

Took strolls round the place morn. & aft. with Henry. Wrote to Lou & May

Story Land 31 SATURDAY [90 – 275] Southbourne

Came here by the 1.38 P.M. train.

4^th Month APRIL 1923 30 Days

Story Land 1 April SUNDAY [91 -274]

Easter Day

Bad headache all day. Wrote to May & Vida

Story Land 2 MONDAY [92 -273]

Bank Holiday. Quarter Sessions Week

To bed until mid day. Dr Hopkins to see me.

Story Land 3 TUESDAY [93 -272]

Rather better. Went with Fran & Edith to a concert at the Winter Gardens. Called on Mrs. Thompson & met there Miss Bewsher & Miss Kellet friends of Laila

Story Land 4 WEDNESDAY [94 -271]

Telephoned to Florence Boyd who said she will be out.

Wrote to May. Pat writes to say he will be married this month.

May enclosed letter from Ralph.

Story Land 5 THURSDAY [5 -270]

Pat writes to say he will be married very soon. Wrote to him & to May. Dr. Hopkins to see me.

Story Land 6 FRIDAY [96 -269]

Fran & I had tea with Florence Boyd, & saw three of her son’s, Mrs. Nutter-Scott (Armenian) came in after dinner.

Story Land 7 SATURDAY 97 -268]

Miss Scott came & took my photo. (Tsine’) Went aft to a Kinema –The 4 horses of the apocalypse.

4^th Month APRIL 1923 30 Days

Story Land 8 SUNDAY [98 -267]

Packed up Even service at Christ church Priory

Cheyne Hotel 9 MONDAY [99 – 266] Clifton

Fire Insurances expire

Took the 9:35 a.m. train from Christchurch & came here. Saw Vida, Vera, & the children. Met here a Miss Fairholme who had had her house in Ireland burnt down, & a bank manager who told me much about old Clifton friends. Cold & snow. Wrote to May.

Cheyne Hotel 10 TUESDAY [100 -265] Clifton

Easter Law Sittings begin

Lunched & spent the day with Vida. Saw the house. Wrote to May.

En route for Ireland 11 WEDNESDAY [101 -264]

Vida, Ponsy, Vera & the grand children came to say goodbye. Took the 7.20 P.M. train from Bristol & joined the night mail at Crewe

Very stuffy in the train.

Bingfield 12 THURSDAY [102 -263]

Got to Dublin at 6.30 a.m. & took the 9 am train from B—Stowe to Crossdoney. Found all well.

Bingfield 13 FRIDAY [103 - 262]

Made a new strainer for the bathroom wash hand basin etc

Worked at accounts & unpacked.

Bingfield 14 SATURDAY [104 -261]

Cold. Accounts etc.

Set a hen on ducks eggs.

Advanced Mc. Cabe £1 .10 . 0 Paid in full 9. 6. 23

Bingfield 15 SUNDAY [105 - 260]

2 after Easter

Not well all day. Chilly

Bingfield 16 MONDAY [106 -259]

Fine but chilly. Fencing in the Rocks.

*

Bingfield 17 TUESDAY [107 -258]

Lisnamandra raided by 5 Republicans, who took 4 guns & a revolver & two bicycles as well as Mrs. Moores rings value £100. They then tried, but failed to set the house on fire. Went to see if I could do anything

4^th Month APRIL 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 18 WEDNESDAY [108 -257]

Rather seedy. May called on the Bishop’s wife. Hoey carting manure

Bingfield 19 THURSDAY [109 -256]

Made a small bowl in Totara for Pat. Manure carting.

Bingfield 20 FRIDAY [110 -255]

Fine & sunny. Manure carting to Jenny’s Hill.

Bingfield 21 SATURDAY [111 -254]

Ploughing & manure carting on Jenny’s hill. Still seedy

Bingfield 22 SUNDAY [112 -253]

3 after Easter

Fine & cold. Quiet day at home

Bingfield 23 MONDAY13 -252]

Cold east wind. Turned a bog oak vase for Pat.

Bingfield 24 TUESDAY [114 -251]

Cold east wind. Ploughing & manure carting. Mended a trunk for Vera.

Bingfield 25 WEDNESDAY [114-250

Cold & some rain. Stayed quiet all day after a bad night.

Bingfield 26 THURSDAY [116 -249]

May in bed all day. Ploughing for potatoes & manure carting. Mare broke away in the yard & did some damage to a cart – nearly a nasty accident. Put a slate onto the stable roof. Made up & sent off my income tax return.

Bingfield 27 FRIDAY [117 -248]

Rather warmer. Ploughing for potatoes & manure carting

Turned some more things in bog oak etc.

Bingfield 28 SATURDAY [118 -247]

Potatoes setting.

Set a hen on ducks eggs.

Bingfield 29 SUNDAY [119 -246]

4 after Easter

Louis Smith died of pneumonia. Quiet day at home.

Bingfield 30 MONDAY [120 -245]

Fine & sunny. Men at potatoes. Painted part of the bath.

5^th Month MAY 1923 31

Bingfield 1 May TUESDAY [121 -244]

Holiday, Stock Exchange.

Heard from, & wrote to Rooke & Rooke about extra succession duty, & to a house agent at Bicester about the Pendavis Rectory. (Hell!)

Attended Louis Smiths funeral at Ballinanagh.

Bingfield 2 WEDNESDAY [122 -243]

Potatoes work going on. Went round the place. My longest walk for many months.

Bingfield 3 THURSDAY [123 -242]

Warm & sunny. Men at potatoes.

Bingfield 4 FRIDAY [124 -241]

Fine & warm. Men at potatoes – nearly finished. Got out the seats in front of the house. Cleaned the picture of Woolwich in my room, & made a back for it.

Bingfield 5 SATURDAY [125 -240]

Fine & warm. Men at potatoes. Not well after a very bad night.

Bingfield 6 SUNDAY [126 -239]

Rather better night last night, but still very far from well.

Bingfield 7 MONDAY [127 -238]

Bank Holiday, Scotland. Royal Academy opens

Rather better. Potatoes being rolled. Called on the Smith’s found Dr S. recovering from influenza & Mrs. S. in bed from an accident.

Bingfield 8 TUESDAY [128 -237]

Fine & sunny. Cox got hayseed from Cavan for Monery.

May not well & had to stay in bed. Self not right & had to stay very quiet. Very long letter from Ralph about Calcutta.

Bingfield 9 WEDNESDAY [129 -236]

Half Quarter Day

Cold stop play all, rain, & wind. Wrote to Ralph.

Bingfield 10 THURSDAY [130 -235]

Ascension Day

Cold & some rain. Grass seed sown in Monery. Mounted shell top in bog oak etc.

Bingfield 11 FRIDAY [131 -234]

Cold & some rain. Rolling being done in Monery. Worked at turning for Pat etc.

Bingfield 12 SATURDAY [132 -233]

Cold & showery. Grass rolling in the Monery. Mounted another shell top. Hewed a slasher. Stripped a scythe. Mended a basin etc

5^th Month MAY 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 13 SUNDAY [133 -232]

Sunday after Ascension

Cold & showery. Wrote to Mrs. Wagg about lighting fires with parafin oil

Bingfield 14 MONDAY [134 -231]

Cold & showery. Rorke sold cattle & bought pigs for me. Mended the roof of the cistern etc. mounted another shell top & hewed a scythe.

Bingfield 15 TUESDAY [135 -230]

Scottish Quarter Day (Whitsunday)

Cold & showery. Young turkeys hatched. Fencing by the young wood from Gafney’s Pass.

Bingfield 16 WEDNESDAY [136 -229]

Cold & showery. Fencing going on. Re-painted the bath. Broke up the floor of the small chicken house etc. Send the pony trap to Cavan for repairs.

Bingfield 17 THURSDAY [137 -228]

Sunny, but colder. Fencing in the Front Lawn. Not as well all day.

Bingfield 18 FRIDAY [138 -227]

Easter Law Sittings end

Fine, but cold. Rolling in Monery. Much better

Bingfield 19 SATURDAY [139 -226]

Cloudy & are very little warmer. May not very well.

Bingfield 20 SUNDAY [140 -225]

Whitsun Day

Cloudy & a little warmer. May all right. Self not very well.

Bingfield 21 MONDAY [141 -224]

Bank Holiday

Cloudy & warmer. Odd jobs.

Bingfield 22 TUESDAY142 -223]

Cloudy & cold. Turned a candlestick for Pat.

Bingfield 23 WEDNESDAY[143 -222]

Rather warmer. Salt sown in Monery over the oats.

Bingfield 24 THURSDAY [144 -221]

Cloudy & a little warmer. Odd jobs. Dr & Mrs. Smith called.

Bingfield 25 FRIDAY [145 -220]

Cloudy, windy, & cold. Cox bringing in a fallen thorn tree.

Self troubled a good deal by indigestion and heart irregularity.

5^th Month May 1923 30

Bingfield 26 SATURDAY [146 -219]

Cloudy & cold. Toothache. Wrote to Secretary Matakana Island Settlement Scheme. Broke one of my back teeth.

Bad nights rest.

Bingfield 27 SUNDAY [147 -218]

Trinity Sunday

Cloudy & cold. Quiet day. Wrote to Askins about a passage in the Psalms. Rather seedy.

Bingfield 28 MONDAY [148 -217]

Drove into Cavan & saw Halpin. The dentist refused to extract a tooth & Dr Clarke said I was unfit to take an anaesthetic. Mc. Cabe came to work & we got the cover of the cistern off.

Bingfield 29 TUESDAY [149 -216]

Trinity Law Sittings begin

Sunny & warm. Mc. Cabe at work, & Cox cutting the hedge by the lower walk. Wrote to King & Vera.

Bingfield 30 WEDNESDAY [150 -215]

Cloudy & cold. Seedy. Mc. Cabe also away ill. Hedge cutting.

Bingfield 31 THURSDAY [151 -214]

Union of South Africa,1910

A little warm. Cox Hedge cutting & sorting turf to dry it.

Self rather better. Mc. Cabe away sick.

Bingfield 1 June FRIDAY [152 -213]

Some appearance of summer at last, but we had to have a fire in the library. Very seedy all day after a very bad night. Mrs. Moore (of Lisnamandra)& Miss Moore called. Wrote to Civic Guard about cottagers depredations

Bingfield 2 SATURDAY [153-212]

Warm & sunny. Much better. Did some turning for Pat. May’s pony badly hurt in barbed wire on back avenue. Cox got the vet to see her.

Bingfield 3 SUNDAY [154 -211]

1 after Trinity. King George V. born, 1865

Cloudy & cool. Wrote to Nasir Ali.

Bingfield 4 MONDAY [155 -210]

Not so well again after a bad night. May & I got up new waterproof curtains for the bath. Cox went to Dublin to see Lilly. Mrs. Scott to tea.

Bingfield 5 TUESDAY [156 -209]

Cloudy & cool. A little better. Potato moulding. J. Rorke to see me about cattle. May in bed all day.

6^th Month June 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 6 WEDNESDAY [157 -208]

Mc. Cabe came to work & finished the box for Pat’s things etc

Bingfield 7 THURSDAY [158 -207]

Cloudy & cool. Mc. Cabe at the cistern cover. Cox moulding potatoes. I made some more things for Pat. Askins called.

Bingfield 8 FRIDAY [159 -206]

Cloudy & cool. Mc. Cabe at the cistern covers & bottom for fowl’s house.

Bingfield 9 SATURDAY [160 -205]

Drove into Cavan & saw Halpin about the title of Monery.

Mc. Cabe at the various odd jobs.

Advanced Mc. Cabe 6/- Paid l6.6.23

Bingfield 10 SUNDAY [161 -204]

2 after Trinity

Cloudy & cool. Not well all day after a bad night.

Bingfield 11 MONDAY [162 -203]

Cox & Hoonan at potatoes. Mc. Cabe painting the greenhouse & putting together the cistern cover. We cleaned out the cistern, which was very dirty. I put in 750 gallons of water in 75 minutes.

*

Bingfield 12 TUESDAY [163 -202]

Pat writes to say that he was married to Daisy Hewett on May 2^nd at Epsom, a suburb of Auckland N.Z. Wrote to congratulate him. Rain nearly all day. Mr. D. away at Cavan fair. Cox began weeding the inner yard.

Bingfield 13 WEDNESDAY [164 -201]

Cox & I cleaned leaves off the well. Mc. Cabe finished the cover for the cistern, & repaired the door of the well in front lawn etc.

Bingfield 14 THURSDAY [165 -200]

Jack Halpin came out from Cavan & went around the place with me. Mc. Cabe paintings the Rocks gate, greenhouse etc.

Bingfield 15 FRIDAY [166 -199]

Wrote to Vera & sent her journey money. Not well, & went to bed early.

Bingfield 16 SATURDAY [167 -198]

Mc. Cabe finished off his various jobs. Cox at work at potatoes in Monery. Rather better

6^th Month June 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 17 SUNDAY [168 -197]

3 after Trinity

Cloudy and cool. Not so well. Kept taking medicine all day. May also seedy

Bingfield 18 MONDAY [169 -196]

Cox to Cavan morn. for money etc, & aft. at potatoes in Monery

Hoonan cutting the hedge on the terrace. Cloudy day & close

Still very far from well.

Bingfield 19 TUESDAY [170 -195]

Askins called & brought Laila’s tennis racquet. May to Lisnamandra. Rather warmer.

Bingfield 20 WEDNESDAY [171 -194]

Cloudy but warmer. Cleaned the lower w.c. cistern & the rain water tank & other odd jobs. Cox fencing the young plantation

Bingfield 21 THURSDAY [172 -193]

Cool & cloudy. Cox at his own potatoes. Mc D. to Cavan on business about a right of way. Cemented a stone into the wall by Clerkin’s gate. Civic Guards came to see me about Reilly’s & Gillson’s depredations in the Rocks & other places.

Bingfield 22 FRIDAY [173 -192]

Cloudy & cool. Cox at his own turf. Cleared some laurels in the Bell Grove.

Bingfield 23 SATURDAY [174 -191]

Prince of Wales born, 1894

Cox at his own turf. Mc. D. to Cavan about his right of way. The case was adjourned till July 2. Vera arrived by last train

Bingfield 24 SUNDAY [175 -190]

4 after Trinity. Midsummer Day. Quarter Day

Cloudy & cool. May in bed all day. Vera & I called at Lisnamandra

Bingfield 25 MONDAY [176 -189]

Cloudy & cool. Cox at his own potatoes. Vera to Cavan for shopping. Self odd jobs. May in bed all day.

Bingfield 26 TUESDAY [177 -188]

May upstairs all day. Self rather battered after a bad night caused by toothache. Cox & Hoey took timber to the saw mills.

Saw in the paper of the death of Bob. Bewicke (Copley)

Mary went to the dentist in Cavan. Wrote to Pat’s father-in-law

Bingfield 27 WEDNESDAY [178 -187]

Cloudy & cool. Vera went to Cavan. Made stopper for the hot water dish & mended a box for music.

6^th Month June 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 28 THURSDAY [179 -186]

Peace treaty signed, 1919

Cox mowed the lawn for hay.

Bingfield 29 FRIDAY [180 -185

Holiday for the men. Hot & sultry.

Bingfield 30 SATURDAY [181 -184]

Cloudy & cool. Got the floor of the pigstye fixed.

7^th Month July 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 1 July SUNDAY [182 -183]

5 after Trinity. Dominion Day, Canada

Cloudy and sultry. Saw Brady about trouble over his cattle.

Bingfield 2 MONDAY 183 -182]

Quarter Sessions Week

Cloudy, cool, & showery. Accounts etc. Mc. Donald and Hoonan went to Cavan about Mc. D’s right of way case. Cox fencing the young wood & drawing in my turf. Mc. Donald won his case.

Bingfield 3 TUESDAY [184 -181]

Hot & sunny. Cox & Hoonan cutting weeds. Vera to Cavan for shopping etc.

Bingfield 4 WEDNESDAY [185 -180]

Declaration of American Independence

Heard from & wrote to Oswald. Men cutting weeds & putting up hay on the lawn. The inlet valve of my engine broke. Sent it to Mullery.

Advanced Mc. Cabe £1 Paid 11.7.23

Bingfield 5 THURSDAY [185 -180]

Cloudy & close. Sent for Dr Clarke, who examined me & appeared to find what is wrong with me. He left some medicine

Bingfield 6 FRIDAY [187 -178]

Very hot. Weed cutting. Wrote to Provincial Bank about the rent of the Rocks which I had forgotten to pay. Walked to Kevilt to get my Ret: Pay Voucher signed, but Dr Smith was out.

Bingfield 7 SATURDAY 188 -177]

Very hot. Mowing in Monery. Dr Smith came & signed my Ret: Pay Voucher. Vera brought back the engine valve – put it in & ran the engine.

Bingfield 8 SUNDAY [189 -176]

Cooler. Not so well after a bad night from toothache.

7^th Month July 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 9 MONDAY [119 -175]

Flyer Insurances expire

Cloudy & cool with a little rain. Some hay work & weed cutting

Drove into Cavan & saw the dentist & Dr. Clarke. They told me to go to Dublin. Wrote to Phillipson.

Bingfield 10 TUESDAY [191 -174]

Went up to Dublin & had a very bad tooth removed by Phillipson

Called on the Dopping Hepenstalls, but could get no answer to the bell. Home by the last train.

Bingfield 11 WEDNESDAY [192 -173]

My birthday. Hay making in Monery. Very hot.

Bingfield 12 THURSDAY [193 -172]

Rather cooler. James Lord died. Rather seedy.

Bingfield 13 FRIDAY [194 -171]

In bed all day with much pain in my jaw.

Bingfield 14 SATURDAY [195 -170]

Got up, very weak.

Bingfield 15 SUNDAY [196 -169]

7 after Trinity

Rain. Very unwell. Went to bed early

Bingfield 16 MONDAY [197 -168]

In bed all day.

Bingfield 17 TUESDAY [198 -167]

Got up for part of the day.

Bingfield 18 WEDNESDAY [199 -166]

In bed all day.

Bingfield 19 THURSDAY [200 -165]

In bed all day

Bingfield 20 FRIDAY [201 -164]

Got up a little. Askins to see me.

Bingfield 21 SATURDAY [202 -163]

Got up. Very unwell all day Clarke to see me. He gave me a nerve sedative.

Bingfield 22 SUNDAY [203 -162]

8 after Trinity

Still very unwell.

7^th Month July 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 23 MONDAY [204 -161]

Very unwell all day

Bingfield 24 TUESDAY [205 -160]

In bed all day

Bingfield 25 Wednesday [206 -159]

Got up & sat in the library

Bingfield 26 THURSDAY [207 – 158]

Got up & sat in the library

Bingfield 27 FRIDAY [208 – 157]

Rain. Got up & sat in the library Dr Clarke & Askins to see me.

Bingfield 28 SATURDAY [209 – 156]

Came downstairs & sat in the library

Bingfield 29 SUNDAY [210 -155]

9 after Trinity

Downstairs in the library

Bingfield 30 MONDAY [211 - 154]

Rain. Downstairs in the library.

Bingfield 31 TUESDAY [212 -153]

Trinity Law Sittings end

Rain. Laila came home. Downstairs in the library

Wrote to Halpin about Bessies offer to us on leaving here

8^th Month August 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 1 Aug WEDNESDAY [213 -152]

Lammas -- Scottish Quarter Day

Fine. Downstairs in the library

Bingfield 2 THURSDAY [214 -151]

Wind & rain. Downstairs in the library

Bingfield 3 FRIDAY [215 -150]

Fine & sunny. Downstairs in the library. Jack Halpin came on business.

Bingfield 4 SATURDAY [216 -149]

Find & sunny Wrote to Rooke about the Monery Fee Farm Grant.

Bingfield 5 SUNDAY [217 -148]

10 after Trinity

In bed all day

8^th Month August 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 6 MONDAY [218 -147]

Bank Holiday. Royal Academy closes

Down in the library

Bingfield 7 TUESDAY [219 -146]

In bed till 4 P.M. Dr Atchison to see me.

Bingfield 8 WEDNESDAY [220 -145]

Rain. Downstairs at accounts.

Bingfield 9 THURSDAY [221 -144]

Cloudy & cool. Down in the library

Bingfield 10 FRIDAY [222 -143]

Fine & cool. Down in the library

Bingfield 11 SATURDAY [223 -142]

Half Quarter Day

Warm & sunny Accounts in the library

Bingfield 12 SUNDAY [224 -141]

11 after Trinity

Cool & cloudy – down in the library

Bingfield 13 MONDAY

Cool & cloudy down in the library

Bingfield 14 TUESDAY

Down in the library

Bingfield 15 WEDNESDAY

Dr Spears to see me

Farnham Ho. 16 THURSDAY

Askins May & I came here by motor car. I remained as a patient

Farnham ho. 17 FRIDAY

Quiet day about the place

Farnham ho. 18 SATURDAY

Had a drive around the Phoenix Park in a motorcar.

Farnham ho 19 SUNDAY

13 after Trinity

Went for a drive with the 3 doctors round Malahide

Farnham ho 20 MONDAY

Wet. Quiet day about the place. A woman patient died last night.

8^th Month August 1923 31 Days

Farnham Ho 21 TUESDAY

Showery. Went for a drive in a car.

Farm Ho. 22 WEDNESDAY

Showery. Went for a drive round Dundrum. J.B called while I was out. Askins also called when I was in.

Farnham ho 23 THURSDAY

Began the day at 6 a.m. with violent bleeding at the nose. Wet most of the day, but managed to get out a little.

Farnham ho. 24 FRIDAY

Heavy bleeding from the nose at 1.30 a.m. & again when I was at breakfast. Stayed in bed till 3 P.M.

For missing days, go to page 65

Farnham ho 25 SATURDAY

Wet. Dr Douglas started for Vienna. Went for run in a car

Farnham ho 26 SUNDAY

Sunny & warm Quiet day at home.

Farnham ho. 27 MONDAY

Showery. Drove into Dublin & saw Phillipson who made my teeth more comfortable. General holiday for the election

Farnham house 28 TUESDAY

Heard from May of a possible offer for Bingfield. Showery, but warm.

Went for a drive in a car. Miss Hugo came back

Farnham house 29 WEDNESDAY

Wet & a gale all day. Heard from & wrote to Inspector of taxes about my return made months ago. Also to May. Quiet day in doors.

Farnham ho. 30 THURSDAY

Heard from & wrote to Vida. Went for a run in a car through Dublin

Trouble with Capt. Keogh.

Farnham ho 31 FRIDAY

Sunny with showers. Quiet day about the place.

9^th Month September 1923 30 Days

Farnham ho. 1 Sept SATURDAY

Colder, but sunny and some showers. Went for a run in a car.

9^th Month September 1923 30 Days

Farnham Ho 2 SUNDAY

Colder. Rather seedy after a very bad night

Farnham house 3 MONDAY [246 -119]

Better after a good night. Went for a run in a car. Young Gallagher came back.

Farnham House 4 TUESDAY [247 -118]

Fine & sunny. May writes to say she has had a fall.

Farnham house 5 WEDNESDAY [248 -117]

Fine & sunny Drs Benson & Roberts went to Bally james duff with a patient

Farnham House 6 THURSDAY [249 -116]

Fine & sunny. Mrs. B. Took me round the place including the Bungalow & Maryville. Wrote to Lou Field & to May as usual.

Went for a run and a car & got my hair cut.

Farnham House 7 FRIDAY [250 -115]

Order Letts’s “Quikref” Diary for 1924

Heard from & wrote to Rooke & Rooke & to May as usual. Went for a run in the car.

Farnham House 7 SATURDAY [251 -114]

Rather tired after a poor nights sleep. Walked out by the front gate & in again by the village.

Farnham Ho 9 SUNDAY [252 -113]

15 after Trinity

Morn service in the chapel. Went aft for drive round Howth.

Farnham House 10 MONDAY [253 -112]

Warm & mild. Quiet day about the place. Fuss with drunken man at dinner time.

Farnham House 11 TUESDAY [254 -111]

Jewish Year 5684 begins

Mrs. Benson went to Belfast with a patient. A lunatic escaped, but was re-captured. Walked to the top of the hill beyond the village.

Mrs. Pallon came to stay.

Farm house 12 WEDNESDAY [255 -110]

Went for a walk through part of the village. Mrs. B came back with her patient of yesterday. He was quite drunk.

Farm House 13 THURSDAY [256 – 109]

I find my attendant Allen is absent for some two days – probably bribed by the wretched Mr. G. I was walking well down the avenue, when my left leg suddenly gave way & left me quite lame.

9^th Month September 1923 30 Days

Farnham House 14 FRIDAY [257 -108]

Evie writes to me from Knock in Belgium. Answered in french & english and wrote as usual to May. Had my leg massaged, but could only take a short walk.

Farnham House 15 SATURDAY [258 -107]

Not so well after a bad night caused by trouble with my bed.

Mrs. Pallin left. Mrs. Gallagher & Miss O’Donoghue came - The latter Gallagher’s fiancée.

Farnham House 16 SUNDAY [259 -106]

16 after Trinity

Morn. service in the Chapel. Watched Roberts practising golf. Wrote a long letter to May. Went for a run round Howth with Mrs. Benson, Graham & the two doctors

Farnham House 17 MONDAY [260 -105]

Heard from Pat that Daisy expects a child in February.

Drove into Dublin & had two front teeth in my lower jaw taken out by Phillipson. Mrs. Graham came from Belfast & took G. home

Farnham House 18 TUESDAY [261 -104]

Wet. Wired to May & heard from her about Laila’s journey tomorrow. Quiet day about the place.

Farnham House 19 WEDNESDAY [262 -103]

Showery. Mrs. Benson & I met Laila and Mr. Askins at Broadstone. Took Laila with us for shopping & brought her here for tea while Mrs. B. went on to Rathmines. After dinner, we took Laila to 7 Winton Road, Leeson Park & left her with the Askins’; then be brought Mrs. Benson back from Rathmines.

Farnham House 20 THURSDAY [263 -102]

Mrs. Benson little seedy. Drove into Dublin & got Phillipson to take impressions of my mouth.

Farnham House 21 FRIDAY [264 -101]

George (Evie’s son) came to lunch. Went after dinner to the Gaiety theatre & saw “Blue beard’s 8^th wife” with Mrs. Benson Dr B, & Roberts.

Farnham House 22 SATURDAY [265 -100]

A little seedy with Colitis. Quiet day about the place.

Farnham House 23 SUNDAY [266 -99]

17 after Trinity

Morn. service in the Chapel. Capt. K. drunk again. The Graham’s came from Belfast. Mr. G. as a patient again.

9^th Month September 1923 30 Days

Farnham House 24 MONDAY [267 -98]

Long letter in french from Evie. Wrote to Mrs. Thompson & enclosed it in a long letter to May. Drove into Dublin with Dr. & Mrs. Benson & saw Dr. Speares about the breathlessness that has recently come on. He says it comes from the heart & is in curable, but can be relieved. Phillipson fitted a new plate & took impressions for the teeth. Saw Mrs. J.B. on the way home. Dr. Speares says that I have an incurable disease, a kind of cardiac asthma

Farnham Ho. 25 TUESDAY [268 -97]

Two letters from May enclosing some from Teddie & Ralph. Quiet day about the place. Rather better after a good night.

Farnham House 26 WEDNESDAY [269 -96]

Not quite so well. Quiet day about the place. Short walks

Farnham House 27 THURSDAY [270 -95]

Mrs. Darcy Benson & her little daughter came to stay. Graham left & was brought back a few hours later dead drunk by his wife.

Trouble also with Capt K.

Farnham House 28 FRIDAY [271 -94]

Drove into town & Phillipson fitted my plates for my teeth. Went on to Aylesbury Rd. & saw Clements & Mr. & Mrs. Tom Burrowes

Home about 7 P.M. Polly was not yet downstairs after the birth of her girl baby.

Farnham House 29 SATURDAY [272 -93]

Michaelmas Day. Quarter Day

Felt very seedy till lunch time when I was given some Whiskey which eased my pain a little. Drove with Mrs. Benson & Graham to the station. They went to Belfast

Farnham House 30 SUNDAY [273 -92]

18 after Trinity

Morn. service in the chapel. Went for a drive round Howth with Gallagher & Mrs. G. Mrs. Benson brought back Graham blind drunk in the evening

10^th Month October 1923 31 Days

Farnham House 1 MONDAY [274 -91]

Vera writes to say she will be here tomorrow. Went for a run in the Riley car with Capt. Keogh & Mrs. Benson, shopping and Dublin Dr. Benson seedy all day.

“Toubet”

10^th Month October 1923 31 Days

Farnham House 2 TUESDAY [275 -90]

May writes to say she has given Hoonan a month’s notice. Wrote to her enclosing letters from Pat, Basil, & Rooke. Vera came by the 1.40 P.M. train. Dr & Mrs. B., Vera & I went to The Prisoner of Zenda at La Scala. I had to leave in the middle of the performance & go to Phillipson, who fitted both my sets of teeth. After that the two doctors drove Vera to the boat at Kingstown for her to sleep on board.

Farnham House 3 WEDNESDAY [276 -89]

Wired to May (replied paid) to come here, but got no answer by 4.30 P.M. Wrote to her at Bingfield and St Albans

Capt.K. drunk again. Wrote to Vernon of Erne Hill about my arms etc.

Reply wire came from May about 5. P.M

Farnham House 4 THURSDAY [277 – 88]

Met Mrs. Graham by the 1. P.M. train at Amiens St. & then met May at Broadstone. After lunch, we both went to the dentist, & I got my teeth finished. On returning May went to lie down. Mr. & Mrs. Graham left

Farnham House 5 FRIDAY [278 -87]

May & I lunched with the J.Bs & then went to the dentist

Home after a lot of shopping with Mrs. Benson & party. May had a bad night

Farnham House 6 SATURDAY [279 -86]

May & I spent a quiet day about the place, while the rest went to Golf. Mrs. B. brought back Graham dead drunk for the 5th time in the last short period. I slept without drugs for the first time for a long period. May had another bad night.

Farnham House 7 SUNDAY [280 -85]

19 after Trinity

Morn. service in the chapel. May went for motor drive. Self not quite so well, but Dr. Douglas gave me a draft to relieve the pain in my side. The Frazers to tea. A rather restless night

Farnham House 8 MONDAY [281 -84]

May went to Dublin for shopping with Mrs. Benson morn. She had not had a very good night. Packed up

Bingfield 9 TUESDAY [282 -83]

May & I left Farnham House at 10. a.m. in a motor car with Mrs. Darcy Benson & Dr. “Billy” driving. Got here between 2. and 3. p.m.

The Benson’s left after lunch. Did a lot of odd jobs. Unpacked etc. Rorke sold 11 head of cattle for me in Cavan Fair.

Bingfield 10 WEDNESDAY [283 -82]

Cloudy & fine. Accounts & various odd jobs. Got down the sun blind. Wrote to Vida.

10^th Month October 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 11 THURSDAY [284 -81]

Scraped & polished a small table. Did a little turning. Brady got the engine running, but the exhaust pipe came undone, & Mc. Donald & I fixed it. Heard from Vernon of Erne Hill that my arms etc are not in Belturbet

Wrote to Vera

Bingfield 12 FRIDAY [285 – 80]

Michaelmas Law Sittings begin

Drove in to Cavan morn. & saw the C.O. at the barracks about my raided arms & other jobs. Saw Jack Halpin about our sale.

Heavy showers.

Bingfield 13 SATURDAY [286 -79]

Fire Insurances expire

Fine & sunny but colder. Potatoe digging. Tried to turn some bog oak, but found it nearly impossible to do so. Wrote to Roberts at Farnham House. Had a talk with Hoonan about our leaving & the land question

Bingfield 14 SUNDAY [287 -78]

20 after Trinity

Fine & sunny. Some indigestion. Wrote to Dr Benson & Charlie

Bingfield 15 MONDAY [288 -77]

Quarter Sessions Week

Fine & sunny. Paid Mrs. Benson & wrote to her. Trouble again with Hoonan about his leaving my service. Bad night.

Bingfield 16 TUESDAY [289 -76]

Thrashing my oats in the haggard. Had much more satisfactory talk with Hoonan. A farmer from Newtown Gore & his wife named McGuire came & looked over the house & the place.

Bingfield 17 WEDNESDAY [290 – 75]

Mild weather. Got my small boat off the pond. Turned a bog oak ash tray for Mrs. Benson

Bingfield 18 THURSDAY [291 -74]

Drove into Cavan morn. & saw Halpin and Mc.Guiness about the sale of this place. He described Hoonan’s action as rank bolshevism. Mr. Askins & Charlie & Frances to tea.

Bingfield 19 FRIDAY [292 -73]

Got the two military chests of drawers into their cases & my bath & wash handstand packed. Turned a paper weight in bog oak for Mrs. Benson

Mrs. Burrows & the Vernon’s of Erne Hill called.

10^th Month October 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 20 SATURDAY [293 -72]

May in bed all day. Turned & iron & bog oak letter weight for Mrs. Benson.

Bingfield 21 SUNDAY [294 – 71]

21 after Trinity. Nelson Day (1805)

Quiet day at home. Stayed in bed till 11. a.m.

Bingfield 22 MONDAY [295 – 70]

Not very well. Quiet day. Did a little turning

Bingfield 23 TUESDAY [296 – 69]

Fine & sunny. Wrote to Mrs. Benson & turned a small bog oak box for her.

Bingfield 24 Wednesday [297 -68]

Drove with May to lunch at Erne Hill, calling at Cavan barracks etc on the way. Went on to Clones & saw the Adj. at H.Q. barracks about my raided goods of 1920, while May got me some Sedobrol. Very tired from bumping on fearfully bad roads for about 40 miles.

Bingfield 25 THURSDAY [298 -67]

Damp day & showers. Men cleaned spouting. Self cleaned some on the roof & fixed the blind in my room. Wrote to Teddie & to Cox & Co about sending him £ 2.2.0

Bingfield 26 FRIDAY [299 -66]

Worked at repairing the spraying machine etc.

Bingfield 27 SATURDAY [300 -65]

Very seedy all day. Got up, but went to bed after breakfast. Nearly sleepless night

Bingfield 28 SUNDAY [301 -64]

22 after Trinity

Got up after breakfast – still seedy. Quiet day at home. Bad night

Bingfield 29 MONDAY [302 -63]

Wait nearly all day. Finished soldering the sprayer.

Bingfield 30 TUESDAY [303 -62]

Stayed in bed till 4. P.M. after a sleepless night

Bingfield 31 WEDNESDAY [304 -61]

In bed till 5. P.M. after another bad night.

11^th Month November 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 1 Nov THURSDAY [305 -60]

Holiday, Stock Exchange

Rather better after a better night. Wrote to Vera.

11^th Month November 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 2 FRIDAY [306 -59]

Not so well in spite of a good night. May heard from & wrote to Dr. Benson.

Jack Halpin called on business about this place. Sent on a document to Charles Lacaita for him to sign as May’s trustee transferring documents from Rooke to Halpin.

Bingfield 3 SATURDAY [307 -58]

Rather breathless all day. Wrote out directions for the motor & other pumps.

Bingfield 4 SUNDAY [308 -57]

23 after Trinity

Rather breathless all day. Mc. Guire & a friend came to see the place. Shewed them the engine

Bingfield 5 MONDAY [309 – 56]

In bed till midday after a very bad night. Heard from & wrote to Oswald

Bingfield 6 TUESDAY [310 -55]

Cold but bright. Fixed the door of the kitchen flue with fire clay

Wrote to Evie

Bingfield 7 WEDNESDAY [311 -54]

Cold after a nights frost. May went to Lisnamandra.

Bingfield 8 THURSDAY [312 -53]

Cold, unpleasant day. Heard from & wrote to Inspector of Taxes Dundalk.

*

Bingfield 9 FRIDAY [313 -52]

Drove into Cavan & signed the purchase agreement for this place

Purchaser being James McGuire Newtowngore Co. Leitrim. Thus getting rid of the old family home. Finished & sent my letter to Inspector of Taxes. Sent Henry Richardson letter about unclaimed dividends

Bingfield 10 SATURDAY [314 -51]

Not so well. Wrote to Adjutant at Clones about my guns etc.

Bingfield 11 SUNDAY [315 -50]

24 after Trinity. Armistice declared, 1918. Martinmass – Scottish

Quarter Day. Half Quarter Day

Not well. Dozed in my chair most of the day.

Bingfield 12 MONDAY [316 -49]

I entered the army 50 years ago today. Hewed a pitchfork & did some other odd jobs.

My first Commission is dated Nov12^th 1873, and I joined the 4th Battn. 60^th Rifles at Portland on Jan 10^th 1874

11^th Month November 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 13 TUESDAY [317 -48]

Damp unpleasant day. Wrote a long letter to Sampson.

Began cleaning brass.

Bingfield 14 WEDNESDAY [318 -47]

Finished cleaning the brass. Snow showers nearly all day

Bingfield 15 THURSDAY [319 -46]

Damp after a heavy nights rain. Turned 3 tool handles for Pat.

Bingfield 16 FRIDAY [320 -45]

Wrote to Charlie, to Simons about an auction, & to Strahan about moving our things. May & I took down pictures for sale. Turned two tool handles for Pat.

Bingfield 17 SATURDAY [321 -44]

Cold, with snow showers. Turned a tool handle for Pat. Wrote to Doctor Benson.

Bingfield 18 SUNDAY [322 -43]

25 after Trinity

Cold, snow lying & melting Very breathless after bad night

Spent nearly all day in my chair in the Library. Heart very irregular

Bingfield 19 MONDAY [323 -42]

Letter in french from Evie. Found a notice on the gate piers saying that the Evicted Tenants & landless men’s Association object to my selling Bingfield. Copied it & send a copy to Halpin. Mc. Cabe came to work at various jobs. Wrote to Evie

Bingfield 20 TUESDAY [324 – 41]

Not at all well after (strange to say) a very good night. Mc. Cabe at work. Wrote to Halpin enclosing a deed from Charles Lacaita who also sent me a nice letter. Halpin sent me a re-assuring letter.

Bingfield 21 WEDNESDAY [325 – 40]

Cold – frost towards evening. Mc. Cabe at work. Simons came & took a list of out door goods for auction. May went to Cavan in her pony trap.

Bingfield 22 THURSDAY [326 -39]

Cold, but slight thaw. Very unwell all day with heart trouble. May went into Cavan & saw Halpin about Mc. Donald’s cottage.

Mc. Cabe at work on cases for pictures.

Wrote again to the Adjutant Clones about my arms.

Bingfield 23 FRIDAY [327 – 38]

Frosty. Spliced two rope handles for a heavy chest.

11^th Month November 1923 30 Days

Bingfield 24 SATURDAY [328 -37]

Very seedy all day. McGuire called, shewed me a threatening letter which he had received, & had a chat about the situation of things round here.

Bingfield 25 SUNDAY [329 -36]

26 after Trinity

May in bed all day. Self are little better. Found a leak in the Expansion pipe above the dram & stopped at.

Bingfield 26 MONDAY [330 -35]

Very unwell all day. Heard from & wrote to about Mc. Donald’s cottage etc etc.

Bingfield 27 TUESDAY [331 -34]

As yesterday. Wrote to Charlie on the possibility of our going to Bordighera

Bingfield 28 WEDNESDAY [332 -33]

A little better. Mc. Cabe at work packing the wire [??] etc & Cox & Mc. Donald clearing the lumber room etc. Maggie Martin came to say goodbye to us.

Bingfield 29 THURSDAY [333 -32]

Still seedy after a bad night. Mc. Cabe packing pictures etc.

Heard from & wrote to Halpin about Mc. Donald’s cottage.

Bingfield 30 FRIDAY [334 -31]

Still seedy after another bad night. Mc. Cabe packing pictures etc. Got down the library ones & those in my dressing room. Mrs. Mc. Donald made a fuss about the rent of her cottage, & went to Cavan to see Maloney about it. I wrote to Halpin on the subject.

12^th Month December 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 1 Dec SATURDAY [335 -30]

Robt. Hoonan left my service. Seedy after another bad night. Mrs. Clements to tea. Wrote to Sun Insurance about my policy for next year

Bingfield 2 SUNDAY [336 -29]

1 in Advent

Quiet day at home. Wrote to Mrs. Scott & sent her a list of my goods raided Aug 29^th. 1920

Bingfield 3 MONDAY [337 -28]

A good deal better except for Cardiac Asthma which is incurable

Went through lot of papers – Rentals etc. Got my brats ready for sale.

May cleared several wardrobes etc. sort of music etc.

12^th Month December 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 4 TUESDAY [338 -27]

Seedy again after a very bad night. Strahan’s men took away a van load of furniture. Askins called. Sent Mc. Donald with a note to Dr Achison. He sent back some medicine which did no good during very bad night, but said he wd. call tomorrow

Bingfield 5 WEDNESDAY [339 -26]

Seedy again & spent the day in my chair. Mc.Cabe packing pictures

Sent Cox to Cavan for Dr Acheson.

Bingfield 6 THURSDAY [340 -25]

Acheson came to see me & left some medicine for my nightly spasms.

Mc. Cabe at pictures. Stenciling boxes etc. Simons came & got ready for tomorrow’s auction. Rather better after a fair night, but I had to take Chlorodyne

Bingfield 7 FRIDAY [341 – 24]

Heard from the C.O. at Dundalk about my missing arms etc. & wrote on his advice to Claims Officer Portobello Barracks. Simons held our first auction in the yard – most of the things selling well.

Bingfield 8 SATURDAY [342 -23]

Very unwell. Acheson to see me. He gave me a sleeping draught which was no use. Stayed in bed all day. Hardly any sleep for two nights.

Bingfield 9 SUNDAY [343 -22]

2 in Advent

Got up after breakfast. Very impudent letter from Hoonan returning 3/-- which I paid him because I believed I owed it to him.

Bingfield 10 MONDAY [344 -21]

A little better after a good night, but very weak & breathless.

Mc. Cabe packing books etc. Wrote to Charlie

Bingfield 11 TUESDAY [345 -20]

May in bed. Self very weak & breathless. Mc. Cabe away making boxes.

Cleared a lot of things from the dining room cupboard & the wing room

Bingfield 12 WEDNESDAY [346 – 19]

Tired after a bad night. May & I packed papers in the library etc.

Wrote to Dr Benson about his coming for me on Monday 17^th.

Bingfield 13 THURSDAY [347 -18]

Very weak in spite of fairly good night except towards early morning. Not able to do much.

Bingfield 14 FRIDAY [348 -17]

Rather better after better night. May & I packed my clothes & saw to a lot of other work.

12^th Month December 1923 31 Days

Bingfield 15 SATURDAY [349 -16]

Worse, after a bad night. Did a lot at packing. Wired to Benson who replied “With you on monday.” Plumber mended the roof.

Bingfield 16 SUNDAY [350 -15]

3 in Advent

My last day in my old home. Askins called, & I gave him my copy of the consecration sentences of Kilmore. Am I too late in leaving here to save my life.

Farnham House 17 MONDAY [351 -14]

Dr Benson & Roberts came with the Riley car & drove me here, fine day but roads very muddy. Thus I leave my old home after 28 years. Fairly good night

Farnham House 18 TUESDAY [352 -13]

Quiet day about the place. Good night.

Farnham House 19 WEDNESDAY [353 -12]

Quiet day. Bad night

Farnham House 20 THURSDAY [354 -11]

Spent most of the day unravelling a tangled skein of silk

Finished at 10.P.M. Very bad night.

Farnham House 21 FRIDAY [355 -10]

Michaelmas Law Sittings end

Spent most of the day in the chair. Very bad breathing. Wrote to May as usual. Good night.

Farnham House 22 SATURDAY [356 -9]

Better, but still very breathless. Wet day. Could not get out. Heard from the Claims Officer, Portobello about my missing guns etc.

Very bad night

Farnham House 23 SUNDAY [357 -8]

4 in Advent

Did not get up till 4.P.M. Mr. Armstrong to see me and pray with me

Continued my letter to Hoonan. Wrote to & heard from May. Wrote to Norwich Union Fire Insurance

Farnham House 24 MONDAY [358 -7]

A little better in spite of having to have two injections last night.

Wrote to May, Laila, & Vera. May wired to say a van wd. would not be wanted.

Farnham House 25 TUESDAY [359 -6]

CHRISTMAS DAY. Quarter Day

Heard from Evie that Joe has a son. Wrote to him. Also from May & began a letter to her. Cold & wet day. A lot of spasms after dinner but a good night.

12^th Month December 1923 31 Days

Farnham House 26 WEDNESDAY [360 -5]

Bank Holiday

Cold & damp. Did not get up till lunch time.

Farnham House 27 THURSDAY [361 -4]

Damp & gloomy. Wrote to May & Sir Robt. Tate of Trinity College Dublin for White King’s address. Bad night.

Farnham House 28 FRIDAY [362 -3]

Cold & damp. Inspector’s visit. Wrote to Charlie.

Farnham Ho. 29 SATURDAY [363 -2]

Foggy & cold. Wrote to Laila with £1 from White King To May, & White King, & Lou. Good night

Farnham Ho. 30 SUNDAY [364 -1]

1 after Christmas

Cold and damp. In bed till 4. P.M.

Farnham House 31 MONDAY [365-0]

Dark & gloomy. Did not get up till after lunch.

3 LOOSE PAPERS FILED IN DIARY

3.1 PHOTOGRAPH APRIL 1923

R Story April 1923

Taken by Miss Scott at Story Land, Southbourne on 7 April 1923