Went to the Victoria Hall1 at night and did a bit clearing work. Not much to do and a lot of toffs doing it. Went down to chapel afterwards and helped with the decorations.
Victoria Hall: see note on 10 January. ↩
17 September 1914; Thursday
Very little to do at the office. Went up with Charlie to see Uncle George about compensation business and stayed most of the night. First time we have been in his new house.
16 September 1914; Wednesday
Insurance man called at dinner time and I met him. We talked for about an hour. Made me late for work after dinner. Rode Charlie’s bicycle there and back. Went along and saw Willie Whittaker about insurance and spent all the night talking about it.
15 September 1914; Tuesday
Hardly anything to do. Went down to practice with Charlie and Howard†. Came round with Blaikie and Willie Whittaker and Charlie.
14 September 1914; Monday
Frank back from his holidays. Not much to do. Read and played a bit.
Australian submarine lost AE1. 34 lives lost12.
The AE1 took part with other Australian vessels in the capture of German New Guinea on 13 September. Patrolling in the area afterwards, she disappeared on the afternoon of 14 September, and despite searches, no trace of her (not even surface oil) was ever found. This diary entry was made subsequently – see 20 September for the news reaching ALL. ↩
13 September 1914; Sunday
Chapel and class as usual. A stranger preaching in the morning and Mr Roope at night. Mr Roope preached very well and Fred Waggott asked Joe to write out the sermon for him1. Managed pretty well at Sunday School and my turn for the children’s service. Got on pretty well.
Invasion of British East Africa announced. Light cruiser Hela sunk by British submarine2.
Joe Wiseman used to practice his already excellent shorthand by recording speeches etc. verbatim; apparently he did sermons too. ↩
Hela was used as a supply tender for submarines in the Heligoland Bight (though classed as a light cruiser, she had only four 8.8cm guns.) She was torpedoed by the British submarine E9; see also 6 October 1914. ↩
12 September 1914; Saturday
Finished in decent time. Walked up town in the afternoon. Paid for history† book which I received from Hills’s1. Went up town at night with Willie Whittaker. Wet night. Saw young Letty come out of the library as we came down Villette Road.
German retreat continued to the Aisne, where new battle.
Hills’s: the main Sunderland bookshop, in Waterloo Place, where Ernie later worked as manager and eventually as a director. ↩
11 September 1914; Friday
Stayed off baths through cold. Business still very slack. Had walk up town last thing. Read a bit.
4th Casualty list 3,588. Total 18,729
10 September 1914; Thursday
Business much slacker at the office. Had walk at town at night.
British Army defeat Germans at Soissons & capture men & guns1.
9 September 1914; Wednesday
Had heavy cold. Joe and Marmie went to church meeting. I stayed in tonight and read and played.
Germans defeated at Battle of Marne1. Oceanic2 wrecked off North of Scotland. No losses.
“Battle of Marne”: See note on 6 September. ↩
Oceanic: See note on 8 September. ↩