Wednesday 23 May 1951:
“I pottered about alone, bought a pair of shoes (feeling the need of a comfortable pair, bought a pair of Selby which have given me much discomfort), and di my banking and P&O Business.
That night went to theatre with lass from ship who’d had 2 tickets given to her by a couple from the ship whom she’d met by accident that day. Come to think of it that was Monday and I must have told Marj about it. Enjoyed the show, very good, very bright, but a bit naughty. “Latin Quarter” at the Casino.“
Excerpt from Jean’s letter to her sister Mary, 30th May
In another letter to her mother, Jean also mentioned her day of “business” in London also involved her sourcuing “ration cards”. In 1951 the UK was still recovering from World War Two, and rationing still in place. The image below is an excerpt from the “London Handy Guide” which describes the still evident impacts of war on London:
