The Diary of Oscar Kirk, PLA Messenger Boy, extracts for February 1919.

This document contains the transcribed diary entries from February 1919 of Oscar
Kirk who was 14 when he started to work in the West and East India Docks in 1918
ferrying messages and mail between different docks and Port of London Authority
offices.

Oscar's diary for the first half of 1919 has survived and is currently part of the
museum's collection. The diary is currently on display in the Sainsbury's Study
Centre at the museum.

Who was Oscar Kirk?

Oscar was born in May 1904 in Poplar, London close to the West India Docks. At the
age of 14, on the 23 October 1918, just a few days before the end of World War I,
Oscar started to work for the Port of London Authority and began to keep a diary full
of delightful and illuminating detail about the life of a young working man in East
London at this time.

Oscar went on to become a Clerical Assistant in the West India Dock, took part in the
General Strike in 1926 and by the time he retired in 1968 was a Senior Foreman at
the North Quay Warehouse (where the Museum of London Docklands is now
housed).

Oscar died in 1980.

Diary extracts and personal biographical details reproduced with the kind permission
of Oscar's family.

Sat 1 February 1919

Went up Chrisp Street in the evening with Abraham &b bought some soap & a pair of
bootlaces & nougat (6d).
Boys on and Off
On Off
Alderton Hughes
Ord Rousell
Greenway Chandler
Humphries Hurst
Hunt ODonovan
Kirk
Nana came over and gave me twopence. Daddy grumbled at me all the evening for
nothing. Journeys for afternoon 1pm. 3.15 South.
Weather:- Moderate fall of snow. No rain. Very cold.

Sun 2 February 1919.

Got up late and wore my trousers which Mrs Hammond made for me.
Had fire in my bedroom today.
Cleaned my leggings and boots. Cleared out my drawer and made two racks (one
for hammer and one for pen).
Cat left-the-room* on my bed tonight gave him a good spanking for it.
Went out in the afternoon & bought Mum some sweets & Marjorie a packet of
Rowntree’s chocolate.
Wore my thick cycling stockings today. Fed my mouse.
Weather:- Very cold. No wind. Cloudy. No rain or snow.

* - as in ‘left the room to go to the toilet!’

Mon 3 February 1919

Uncle Jack came to see Dad. Nana came in the afternoon and stayed till 9.15. She
brought me scone and gave me twopence for my puzzles.
Took my boots to be mended. 5/- [25p] they will cost.
Got up at 6.15 this morning and got to work early. With the twopence which Nana
gave me I am going to try and buy the ‘Magnet’ or the ‘Gem’ tomorrow.
Lit the fire, got the coal in, picked up the ashes & swept up. (at work).
Weather:- Very cold. No snow or rain. Cloudy. Moderate winds.

Tues 4 February 1919

Went to the library and changed my library book & also Nanas (Strand for me &
“Eternal Love” for Nana).
Dad brought home a new calendar (William Starbuck, Pring & Co. )
Humphries turn at 4.15pm journey this week.
Had a game in Sack sheds between 12 & 1 o’clock today.
Bought two halfpenny buns as I was coming home from the library.
Brought some Dock letters* home.
Weather:- Cold. No rain or snow. Moderate wind. Cloudy.

* Possibly official headed paper?

Wed 5 February 1919

15th week at PLA.
My boots were done today (5/-) [25p]
Had some fish for supper. (Cod)
Read some of my library tonight.
Had some chestnuts today out of the “Rhio”. * I found the chestnuts on the quay but
I didn’t think that I could be charged with stealing them as I found them.
I went to bed early this evening. (9pm)
Had some soup for dinner (at 5pm).
I am very pleased with my boots.
Weather:- Snowing hard. Very cold. Windy. Cloudy.

* SS Rhio.

Thurs 6 February 1919

Pay day tomorrow.
I went to W.I.D*. with a special letter so I ‘dossed’ my 4pm journey**. I might have
got back in time for it if I had walked very quick.
I gave 3d (1.5p) to a labourer for two packets of Woodbines. I smoked one of them at
home this evening.
It turned out to be a false rumour circulated that the gas was going to be turned off
6pm. Went to Wards and got a stud for Mr Arcot.
Weather:- No snow or rain. Moderate wind. Cloudy & Cold.

* West India Dock

** ‘Dossed’ my journey – got out of doing my

North Kensington 1956 boy smoking

© Roger Mayne/Museum of London

Fri 7 February 1919

I had sausages for my dinner.
I rubbed my chapped hands with “Vaseline” which made them a little better and
softer.
Mother and Marjorie went to the Hippodrome this evening but I did not go as I didn’t
think it was a good “show”.
Went out and bought a “Gem” & “Penny Popular” and an orange for Marjorie and
also a packet of Sharp’s “Kreemy” toffee which I ate.
Weather:- Brilliant sunshine all day. No snow or rain. Breezy.

Sat 8 February 1919

It is my half-day today. Went to London Bridge in the afternoon on an omnibus. I
thought London Bridge was the Embankment but I am not sure. I will make sure if I
can.
I think that I have lost sixpence out of my pocket but Mother made it up for me.
I bought a “Gem” and a ginger cake.
Nana came this evening and made some chocolate which turned out to be somewhat
of a failure.
Weather: - Very cold to-day. Sunny, no snow or rain, windy. Thick ice.

Sun 9 February 1919

I got up at 10.30 this morning.
I wore my PLA boots & new trousers.
Father went to Beard’s in Stepney to get me a couple of pairs of shifts. He came
home with some lovely ones.
Had mutton for dinner & had a second helping. Mother gave me half of the chocolate
which Nana made last night, and an orange. Had some bacon and fried bread for
breakfast.
Went to be d at 8.45pm.
Weather:- Sunshine. Mo wind. No rain or snow. Cold.

Mutton on a conveyor in a ship's hold

© PLA collection/Museum of London

Mon 10 February 1919

My 12.45 Town journey* does not go today.
I was in the office from 1-2pm.
A new boy came today named Lyons.
I went to the library tonight with Stemke & Schumacher and got a Cassell’s
magazine**.
I didn’t [?]cover the fields on my 4.15 journey. I don’t much like South Journey
especially when there is only two boys on South compared with three on North***.
Weather:- Sunny, freezing. No rain or snow. Windy.

* Town Journey – message/mail run up to the PLA Headquarters or Cutler Street

Warehouses in the City.
** Cassell’s Magazine of Fiction. Began as Cassell’s Illustrated Family Magazine in
1853, and became a monthly magazine with stories by authors like Rudyard Kipling,
Rider Haggard etc. Stopped in 1932.

*** Oscar was obviously having a bad week, as far as his messenger rounds were
concerned.

Cassell's Magazine of Fiction © Museum of London

Tues 11 February 1919

Got to work at 7.25 this morning and lit the fire for O’Donovan.
Had a special West India Dock [journey] today and saw Dad who gave me a shilling
to buy some leather laces and gave him the change when I came home at 5.15.
When I got home I found a nice milk pudding waiting for me.
I got up early and went to bed early.
I went out to White’s to buy some stamps and post some letters and buy some castor
oil.
Weather:- Sunny, freezing. Windy, no snow or rain.

Metal box with Castor Oil capsules 1900-1950 © Museum of London

Wed 12 February 1919
This is the 16th week I have been in the P.L.A.
Went to bed at 9.30pm. Got up at 6 o’clock.
I had some soup for supper.
The new boy named W. Lyons was put on north journeys for the first time.
We had new books given to us to use for signature books. I don’t think that is at all
nice*. But still it prevents some of the worst offenders from “dossing”.
Saw the dredger at work today and yesterday.
Weather:- No rain or snow. Windy & very cold & freezing.

* The books were obviously meant to be signed by the recipients of internal mail and
probably also stated the time that messages and mail were delivered. Oscar
obviously thought they were being spied upon.

Steam powered bucket dredger 1920

© PLA collection/Museum of London

Thurs 13 February 1919

I left my signature book at Central Granary on my 4.15 journey. Humphries on his 9
o’clock journey this morning brought it back to General Office.
I did my 11 O’clock journey as far as central Granary.
I made some chocolate this evening. Had pease-pudding & beef today for my
dinner.
I did not go out tonight because my feet ached too much.
Weather:- Sunny. Cold. No wind. Bright and freezing.

Fri 14 February 1919

I was paid today (17/-) [85p].
Nana came this evening and went to the doctor’s with Mum.
I bought two packets of Sharps toffee & 1 orange for Marjorie & the Penny Popular &
“the Gem”.
I also changed a book with Hammond.
I brought a slab of cocoanut butter home to-night to make some chocolate with.
Today is St. Valentine’s day. I haven’t seen any about yet.*
I drank some milk which Hughes gave me at work.
Weather:- Slight rain early this morning. Thawing. No wind. Cloudy.

* A curious remark – it’s not clear what he is referring to!

Sat 15 February 1919
Nana came this evening and gave me “tuppence”.*
I went out tonight and bought a mantle for nana & an orange and some oil.
As I was coming home from work I bought some nuts, a bar of nougat, a packet of
Sharp’s Kreemy toffee and some coffee beans (sweets).
Had a game in the B Sack Shed.
I got up late this morning (6.30) and was late for work. This is the 16th day that I have
been first boy at work**.
Weather:- Moderate temperature. No rain or snow. Cloudy, no wind.

* 2d or two old pence.

** First to arrive in the morning. Rather confusing considering he was late this
morning.

Sun 16 February 1919

I got up at 10 O’clock this morning.
Dad made some chocolate today but it turned out to be a failure.
I read some of my library today.
Dad also made a cake in the afternoon and I am going to take some to work to-
morrow.
I went to bed at 9.45.
I chopped some wood up and also filled the copper.*
Made some tea for Mum this afternoon.
Weather:- Raining all day. Dull & cloudy. No sun at all. No wind.

* Copper – a metal boiler over a fire for heating up water.

Mon 17 February 1919

I made some chocolate this evening.
I went to bed at 9 & I also ruled my signature book which I brought home from work.*
I was first boy to sign on today.
I expected Nana to come tonight but she didn’t come.
As I was coming home tonight I had a bridger** with the bus but I managed to get
across the locks and onto the bus.
Weather:- Moderate wind. Raining most of the day.

*See Weds 12 February.

** Bridger – to be held up when the bridge across the dock entrance locks was
raised to allow ships in an out. Because there were only two roads in and out of the
Isle of Dogs, all traffic came to a halt when the locks were being used. However, foot
passengers could sometimes get across using the narrow footbridge on the top of the
lock gate. Here Oscar seems to have leapt from a stationary bus, crossed the lock,
and boarded another bus.
P&O's Strathaird approaching Tilbury docks 1949 © PLA collection/Museum of London

Tues 18 February 1919

I got some dried fruits today from 1/8 w[arehou]ses.
I went to the library & changed my book for a Strand magazine.*
My 12 o’clock Town [journey] did not go today.
I went to bed about 9.30 & got up about 6.15.
I forgot to make out my signature book today for tomorrow. That sounds a bit Irish!**
I read a book called “A Woman’s Life” today which Lyons (the new boy) brought up.
Weather:- Half snowing & half raining all day. Cold. Dreary.

* Strand Magazine, published originally between 1891 -1950, specialised in detective

and crime stories. It’s most famous writer was probably Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and
in 1901-1902 the magazine serialised The Hound of the Baskervilles which hugely
increased its circulation.

** Oscar is unlikely to have thought about what this means. In the 19c racism against
the Irish often took the form of accusing them of stupidity of being muddle-headed.
Referring to something as ‘Irish’ in this way was an abusive expression.

Wed 19 February 1919

My 12 O’clock Town went today.
I ate some beans in a long pod which made me do the “backdoor trot” a lot of times.*
Hughes brought me some nuts from W.I.D.** also a German bayonet which he sold
to Jarvis for 6d he said.
I first heard the news that Clemenceau (the French Premier) has been shot.
Whether dead or not I do not know***.
I made out my signature book to-day for tomorrow.
Weather:- Cold. No rain or snow. Cloudy.

* It is possible that someone played a trick on Oscar here. Senna Pods, which were
used for the treatment of constipation, were imported through the docks.
** West India Dock

*** Clemenceau was shot by an anarchist in an assassination attempt during the

Paris Peace Conference which was taking place on 19 February. Although seven
shots were fired at close range, only one hit him, wounding him in the shoulder.
Thur 20 February 1919
Pay day tomorrow.
I got some liquorice root today and gave some to Mr Francis of the
warehousekeeper’s office.
Mother made me a tapioca pudding and I ate some for my tea and some for supper.
Brought my mouse in tonight.
I bought a cartridge full of cordite from Humphries and brought it home here & let it
off. I expected it to go off with a bang but it didn’t*.
Marjories went on the stage & saw the elephants**.
Weather:- Unsettled & rainy. Moderate temperature. No wind.

* As with the previous entry, it is clear that ‘souvenirs’ from the First World War were
in very great supply following the war and very easy to obtain.

** Lockhart’s Elephants, at the Hippodrome. – a famous troupe of performing

elephants who toured the music halls at this time

Fri 21 February 1919

Mum went to the Hippodrome to see Lockhart’s Elephants*.
It is my half-day tomorrow: I am going to the Elephant & Castle in the City if it does
not rain.**
I bought the Gem 1 1/2d also some Barcelona nuts* at Watts’s and a tangerine
orange for Marjorie & a bar of plain, nice chocolate at Fox’s.
I made out my signature book tonight for to-morrow & Monday.
My 12 O’clock Town went today.
Weather:- Raining most of the day. Mod. Temp. No wind. Cloudy.

* Lockhart’s Elephants, at the Hippodrome. – a famous troupe of performing

elephants who toured the music halls at this time

** A larger variety of hazel nut.

Sat 22 February 1919

It is my half day today and I went to Aldgate with Antram and bought a smoked
sausage & ¼ of chocolate, a plateful of cockles, two buns, two bars of chocolate& the
Funny Wonder & the Comic Cuts.
I went to Nana’s house and came back here with her and on the way I bought a
whole cocoanut for Nana.
Appa* gave me fourpence & Nana gave me 2d & an apple.
(Addendum: There is a rumour floating about that Hughes has at last been ‘pinched’
he deserves it for he has been ‘going the pace’ a little too much lately.)
Weather:- Raining all day and miserable. Cloudy & dull. Warm.

* Appa - Grandpa
Sun 23 February 1919
I got up late this morning and lit the fire.
I went to Nana’s house and took Marjorie and Nana gave us 3 dates, ½ and apple
and a piece of stuffing.
I met Bellamy this afternoon he has got a brand new bicycle made at Burdon &
Leslie’s* especially for him & he told me that it cost him £6 – 10 – 0. And it is a fine
one too. Steel mudguards, two roller brakes & Dunlop tyres also the latest fittings.
I got the coal up and brought some wood up from the cellar.
Weather:- Dry and cold. Cloudy. A moderate wind blowing.

* Burdon *& Leslie de Vine – cycle shop in the East India Dock Road, Poplar.

Mon 24 February 1919

The rumour that P. Hughes was caught on Saturday was confirmed. He said that as
he was transferring some almonds from his satchel to a bag in his pocket two
policemen jumped out of a railway truck and collared him but he was not charged.
I went down the road for Cook this morning and did my 10 o’clock journey as well.
E. Bellamy called for me about 7.30 tonight and we went out together.
Nana came today.
Weather: - Mild and no rain. Cloudy and windy.

Tue 25 February 1919.

Ord went on Journeys yesterday & Alderton went out on the order desk.
On my 3.15 journey today I went round South going to Central G[ranary], but coming
back I went round as far as South Side & then came across the fields*.
Greenaway gave me some dates & Saul gave me some locust beans** which I gave
to Antram.
I went and bought a reel of cotton & some flocking.
I went in Bellamy’s house tonight.
Weather:- No rain. Sunshine. Moderate temperature. Cloudy.

* Up until the 1920s there was still undeveloped land around the southern tip of the
Isle of Dogs, around what is now Island gardens Station. Oscar probably walked
anti-clockwise around the south side of the Millwall Dock, across these fields and
then northwards up the east side of the Island.

** Locust or Carob beans – Carob sometimes used in cakes and biscuits or as a

substitute for cocoa beans in chocolate.

Wed 26 February 1919

Nana came tonight and brought the ‘Family Herald’ & a piece of tart for me and a
piece of tart for Marjorie.
I saw Hughes break open a window today and I had a game with a very small railway
trolley such as the workmen use when they go to repair a breakdown.
I came over the fields back on my 3.15. journey.
We had a game with the football which Hughes brought up this morning. I had a
penny given to me by a lady clk*.
Weather:- Raining all the afternoon. Dull & cloudy. Windy.

* clerk
Thur 27 February 1919.
I went round to Bellamy’s house this evening and went in his house & helped him
clean his bicycle. As I was coming away he lent me a book of his called the annual.
Coming back from my 3.15 journey I came across the fields back to General Office.
Saul & Jones got their uniforms yesterday.
Mother made a tart and gave me two pieces. It was lovely. I bought a mirror this
morning. Billy Wells* meets Beckett tonight in a twenty round contest.
Weather:- Raining, sometimes cold. Raining all the evening. Very windy.

* Billy Wells – ‘Bombardier’ Billy Wells. East-end boxing hero, born uin Cable Street
in 1889. British Heavyweight Champion. He eventually lost his British crown in 1919,
when he was knocked down by Joe Beckett in a bout at Holborn. The same match
mentioned by Oscar. It marked the end of Billy Well’s career. He was just as well
known as one of the men used to wield the hammer in the famous Rank Cinema
adverts.

Bombardier Billy Wells.

Fri 28 February 1919.

Pay-day today. I got paid at 12.40.
Tomorrow we start the early mornings i.e. 7.45 instead of 8.15am.
E. Bellamy came this evening while Mum was at the Hippodrome and I lent him a
book called ‘The First in the Field’ by G. M. Fenn.*
I went upstairs & got my office down.
I bought half a cocoanut, ‘Penny Popular’ and ‘The Gem’, also a 3d bar of chocolate&
a bar of 2d chocolate, and brought Mum and Marj a tangerine each.
Weather:- Cold. No rain or snow. Moderate wind. Cloudy.

* George Manville Fenn (1831 – 1909). A prolific writer of boys’ adventure stories.
‘The First in the Field’ was published in 1894 and tells the story of an English boy’s
adventures in New South Wales.

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