Thomas Graham’s Diary – 13th September 1939
Today’s thoughts centre on the conflict of ideas between the strength of anti-German feeling in Britain and other nations, and the overwhelming desire to avoid another war at all costs. […]
Thomas Winter Sheppard Graham
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 12th September 1939
Opening this entry, Thomas refers to comments that Anthony Eden had made in Parliament the previous evening which he believes communicated clearly the intentions of both the government and nation. […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 11th September 1939
“Streets crammed with traffic and people, the latter mostly carrying gas masks. I saw a few 1st aid posts. Many buildings sandbagged and the police wearing their ordinary helmets but […]
80th Anniversary of the Declaration of War with Germany on the 3rd September 1939
It was officially announced at 11.15am on the 3rd September 1939, that Britain was at war with Germany. There are various records held in the Archives that show the reaction […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 1st & 2nd September 1939
The countdown to war began in earnest on the 1st of September when the Nazi Luftwaffe began bombing raids on Warsaw, and again, over these two days, Thomas comes back […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 30th & 31st August 1939
The anxiety continues for Thomas and his family with him here coming back to his diary throughout the days as the situation develops. There is a very real sense of […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 29th August 1939
This long and thoughtful diary entry can be summed up by a quote from within the text: “I dare say you are thinking ‘Why does this old bore write down […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 28th August 1939
This is an understandably rather gloomy diary entry as Thomas considers what the costs of war will be both to the people and the fabric of the nation. He again […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 27th August 1939
This long diary entry discusses the repercussions of the Soviet/German pact and Thomas’ worries about the situation of Poland. Sir N. Henderson is Sir Nevile Meyrick Henderson, who became the […]
Thomas Graham’s Diary – 26th August 1939
This entry begins with a reference to the anniversary of a battle that happened in the early stages of the First World War. The Battle of Le Cateau took place […]