Tag Archives: Work

Arthur LInfoot was employed as a clerk at the Hendon Paper Mill in Sunderland prior to joining the RAMC. He rejoined the company after demobilisation and remained there until his retirement, rising to become a Director of the company by that time.

4 August 1914; Tuesday

August 1914, , , ,

Went to work. Frank off. Busy all day.

Sir Edward Grey made his speech in the House & said if Germany attacked France by sea1, we must join in. We could not stand by & see Belgium trodden down & demanded that Germany should reply to us in a given time.

Walked round town with father and Joe. Crossed Town Moor and saw carnival. Saw Willie Warren2 standing beside pub. He was an awful sight. Charlie at work all night.

  1. “by sea” is rather a mystery? – but ALL’s longhand is quite clear. ↩

  2. Willie Warren” (if the surname is correct): not identified. ↩

1 August 1914; Saturday

August 1914, , ,

Very busy at work1. Didn’t finish until about 3 o’clock. Went to Roker at night with Willie and Charlie. Called round by the East End Carnival & crossed the ferry2. Fine night.

German ultimatum to Russia and note to France. King George intervenes. France mobilising and Germany declares War on Russia.

  1. Saturday morning working was of course normal – as it remained until the 1960s. ↩

  2. There was a tiny steam ferry between Monkwearmouth and old Sunderland (ie downstream from the modern bridge), still operating until some time after WWII, at 1 old penny each way. ↩

28 July 1914; Tuesday

July 1914, , ,

Got up 6.20. Went to baths. Tom Vicar back. Busy at work all day. Played the piano a bit at night. Wrote up diary. A good deal of excitement caused by Dublin matters1 and by Servia2 and Austria. Troops being recalled to their stations.

War declared against Servia by Austria. Servian ships seized on the Danube. Kaiser holds all night War Council.

  1. Dublin matters: The Ulster crisis again; see note on 21 March. ↩

  2. See note on 23 July about the spelling of Serbia. ↩

25 July 1914; Saturday

July 1914, , , ,

Busy all morning at work. Boxed with Charlie in the afternoon and played a bit. Read a bit and went over to Roker at night with Willie Whittaker. Listened to the band and walked along to Whitburn and carred1 back. Rather cold night. Charlie at work.

Servia’s2 answer considered unsatisfactory. Austrian ministers leaving Belgrade.

  1. “Carred”: rode on the tram-car. ↩

  2. See note on 23 July about this spelling of Serbia. ↩