Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 1 January to 9 July 1932 (MSS.328/N90/1) Diary Page 1 Preface. It is some years since I first wished to keep a diary. My one great drawback to starting is that I have heard that, although the commencement is not so bad, to keep the journal going for more than two or three months is very hard. The beginning is generally profuse in its wording but after a week or two the entries become wider apart and less verbose until there is a standstill. But in making this bold decision to start one I shall bear in mind the fact that a diary need not necessarily be kept from day to day. Indeed, one might go almost for more than a week without an entry. I hope to be able to give any reader of these notes some idea of my character, habits, etc. merely by the tone of my writings. I shall censure all entries so that they may be fit for publication without any curtailment or omission. No secret private matter will be entered but sufficient private detail to show the main principles of keeping this diary. I shall not “talk shop” but shall relate any suitable anecdotes as they occur dealing with any individuals engaged in my line of business. If ever I Page 2 am imbued with politics, which seems unlikely enough at present, I shall give my opinions freely as such things are very useful afterwards both to myself and to any would-be blackmailers! I shall also give details of my hobbies, such as wireless, reading, etc., so as to give others some idea of my interests and for future reference to me. I shall also try to dispel the misconception that “the weather is always worse now than ever before” – not that I shall write “The weather is wet (or fine)” every day that the journal is kept but shall record the details of the more important and exceptional weather conditions and changes. I think I have now dealt with all the principles of this diary which begins, as will be seen, on the first day of January, 1932, which is a date well known for the passing of resolutions – let’s hope this one will be profitable and successful. Sydney Thomas Albert Flinn, 142, Kingsland Road, Plaistow (London), E.13. 29th December, 1931. 1/1/32. Page 3 Well! I was beginning to realize that the commencement of this business was going to be awkward but I now have ample matter to write about. To begin with, after a period of excessive cold the weather has suddenly changed to a very mild state. Also I have begun the new year well – I don’t think! p.m. 3.45. This afternoon I went to pay the income tax of one of the clerks at the Office (who will hereinafter be called “b”) and it was decided that I should bring back with me the receipt and some change. I had previously been to pay the income tax of the Office Manager (hereinafter termed “O.M.) at the same place. Now, when I reached the income tax man’s abode I found, outside the almost closed door several men talking, one of whom carried a bundle of cheques and another was what seemed to be the chief man there on the previous occasion I visited the building. After waiting for a minute the latter gentleman took the envelope I was holding and said “I’ll send the Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 1 January to 9 July 1932 (MSS.328/N90/1) receipt on,” at which I replied “Allright” and, forgetting all about the change, I vamosed. When I told these things to b he did not seem pleased – I wonder why? 4.45. Later on P had in his office the caretaker’s cat in his office and while I was there said he would call the owner to 1/1/32 fetch it but told me not to touch it as it would scratch. While he was gone the Page 4 cat, a very nervous one, rushed round the room and tried to get out of the closed window. I, who cannot bear to see animals worried, immediately opened the window whereupon the feline skedaddled into oblivion. When P. returned he was none too pleased because, he said, the cat had been a nuisance in his office for some time past and he (P) had thought it a good opportunity to let the caretaker see the cat there; all of which was news to me. Let’s hope to-morrow will be better. 2/1/32. To-day I have entered the first day’s progress. Written This afternoon Dad and I have to fix a H&TV night latch to the front door @ 10.0. and shall require an 1¼” centre bit from work wherewith to drill a hole for it. Also I have to buy two 60-volt H.T. dry batteries for Grandma’s wireless and take them over to Clapham to fix up. I sent P.O. to Brighton in payment for pianoforte at 8.30 a.m. 3.0. Assisted Dad to fix latch to front door and realized afterwards that should anybody wish to break in they have only to break the glass panel and undo the door from the inside! 4.30. Went to Clapham with two 60-volt “Ever Ready’s” and fixed up the new hightension for grandma. Also took over a few valves and left my Page 5 Cossor power in the last stage. If I think of it must get this valve back and substitute an ordinary L.F. 8.30. Dad followed later and we got home at about eleven o’clock. Note I cannot make out why Grandma’s set is so inefficient. It works on an indoor aerial and there is about fifty feet of earthwire and yet even while London is on the foreigners roll in without even touching reaction knob. Between 6.30 and 8.0 p.m. I logged Rome, Sottens, Heilsburg, Trieste, Turin, etc. 3/1/32. Spent the whole day at home. Cannot get many foreigners either on long or short waves. Especially on long waves. We must wait and see what happens when the aerial mast is up again before altering the circuit. Spent most of the evening looking at different circuits and discussing such matters as screen-grids, pentodes, H.F. Transformers etc. Tried to decide what set I should rig up for Bradford. Thought of trying a single valver using a pentode but the consumption is too much. Almost decided to try the straight Telsen three. There is a Gecophone three-valver complete with valves, batteries, aerial etc. going for £4-15-0. 4/1/32. Returned the drill borrowed for fixing latch to front door. Page 6 9.0 a.m. Saw Belch and asked what results with the Telson Aerial Coil and he replies he is not using it as the existing coils give such good results. So instead of returning it I shall buy it from him (Incidentally, I didn’t – SF/6-2- 32) 3.0 p.m. Went along to the Income Tax office to collect the change and receipt for Transcription of the diary of Sydney Thomas Albert (Tom) Flinn, 1 January to 9 July 1932 (MSS.328/N90/1) b – glad this matter is settled. 7.30 p.m. Went to the Premier to see the “Ghost Train.” About the best British film I have seen and marvellous acting by Jack Hulbert, Cicely Courtneidge and Donald Calthrop to say nothing of the actress who took the part of Julia whose real name I do not know. A well proportioned film, the only exaggeration being the free fight towards the end which was a little too prolonged. This talkie version was much nearer to the play as regards sequence and dialogue than the silent. The companion picture “Transatlantic” was also very good and well acted. 5/1/32. Heard a very good play by L. du Garde Peach called “Love One Another” p.m. 7.45. about a scientist who discovers a ray which obliterates all hate throughout the world and the chaos which naturally followed. A very well thought out work. (This play by radio.) p.m. 8.0. George came over this evening and we mucked about with the mike. He Page 7 invited me to go with him to South Kens. to see the Telephone Exhibition and we have arranged to meet in the booking office at S. Kens. station as soon after one o’clock as I can get there. He also brought over his trickle charger to be changed as the silver oxide rectifyer has conked. Expect I shall have to get one of the new ones for him so he has lent me the sum of four shillings to go on with. 6/1/32. Went round to Parker Street, Kingsway to change George’s trickler but 12.0 noon found a notice on the outside of the shop to the effect that it was “to be let.” However a poster stuck on the window informed the world that after 1st January, 1932 the business would be conducted at Stal House, Judd Street, Euston Road N.W.1. So I returned pausing on my way back to Baker Street to purchase a book “Beltane, the Smith” by J. Farnol (2/-) for le.1 5.0.