DIARY UPDATE - We have a picture of our man Mr Arthur Hirst! #1947Diary
February 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
DIARY UPDATE - We have a picture of our man Mr Arthur Hirst! #1947Diary
@rebeccamatthews.bsky.social You seen #1947Diary posts?
March 13, 2025 at 11:18 PM
@rebeccamatthews.bsky.social You seen #1947Diary posts?
Arthur heads back to St Stephen’s for more treatment.
Monday 17th November 1947
36 degrees
Very cold.
I to St Stephen’s Hospital after lunch.
#1947Diary
Monday 17th November 1947
36 degrees
Very cold.
I to St Stephen’s Hospital after lunch.
#1947Diary
November 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Arthur heads back to St Stephen’s for more treatment.
Monday 17th November 1947
36 degrees
Very cold.
I to St Stephen’s Hospital after lunch.
#1947Diary
Monday 17th November 1947
36 degrees
Very cold.
I to St Stephen’s Hospital after lunch.
#1947Diary
Arthur is short but sweet on this fine Saturday.
Saturday 18th October 1947
Glorious day.
338 [miles] #1947Diary
Saturday 18th October 1947
Glorious day.
338 [miles] #1947Diary
October 18, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Arthur is short but sweet on this fine Saturday.
Saturday 18th October 1947
Glorious day.
338 [miles] #1947Diary
Saturday 18th October 1947
Glorious day.
338 [miles] #1947Diary
Tuesday 4th March 1947
Arthur seems to be suffering after the gala dinner.
Your guess is as good as mine.
#1947Diary
Arthur seems to be suffering after the gala dinner.
Your guess is as good as mine.
#1947Diary
March 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Tuesday 4th March 1947
Arthur seems to be suffering after the gala dinner.
Your guess is as good as mine.
#1947Diary
Arthur seems to be suffering after the gala dinner.
Your guess is as good as mine.
#1947Diary
£14285 78. 6d seems to be over £487,500 today, so he certainly left a good few bob. #1947Diary
January 5, 2026 at 10:19 PM
£14285 78. 6d seems to be over £487,500 today, so he certainly left a good few bob. #1947Diary
WE’VE MANAGED TO NAME OUR UNKNOWN DIARIST! Thanks to knowing the ship and departure date, a bit of Googling discovered a copy of the passenger list. As he was travelling alone we whittled down the single male passengers until we discovered Arthur Hirst, a 68 yr old lecturer and musician. #1947Diary
January 21, 2025 at 8:54 PM
WE’VE MANAGED TO NAME OUR UNKNOWN DIARIST! Thanks to knowing the ship and departure date, a bit of Googling discovered a copy of the passenger list. As he was travelling alone we whittled down the single male passengers until we discovered Arthur Hirst, a 68 yr old lecturer and musician. #1947Diary
Arthur goes to pick new glasses.
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
November 6, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Arthur goes to pick new glasses.
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
ARTHUR HIRST UPDATE
We’ve discovered that his wife Ada died on 5th April 1945. There doesn’t appear to be any children.
His diary entry on 27th Dec talks about him sending Post War Credits in her name. #1947Diary
We’ve discovered that his wife Ada died on 5th April 1945. There doesn’t appear to be any children.
His diary entry on 27th Dec talks about him sending Post War Credits in her name. #1947Diary
January 5, 2026 at 10:19 PM
ARTHUR HIRST UPDATE
We’ve discovered that his wife Ada died on 5th April 1945. There doesn’t appear to be any children.
His diary entry on 27th Dec talks about him sending Post War Credits in her name. #1947Diary
We’ve discovered that his wife Ada died on 5th April 1945. There doesn’t appear to be any children.
His diary entry on 27th Dec talks about him sending Post War Credits in her name. #1947Diary
Wednesday 24th September 1947
Things still unsettled on the Rimutaka. But there is another smiley face.
Much rollings general discomfort.
Dull day 😊
Bridge in evening
All square
331 [miles] #1947Diary
Things still unsettled on the Rimutaka. But there is another smiley face.
Much rollings general discomfort.
Dull day 😊
Bridge in evening
All square
331 [miles] #1947Diary
September 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Wednesday 24th September 1947
Things still unsettled on the Rimutaka. But there is another smiley face.
Much rollings general discomfort.
Dull day 😊
Bridge in evening
All square
331 [miles] #1947Diary
Things still unsettled on the Rimutaka. But there is another smiley face.
Much rollings general discomfort.
Dull day 😊
Bridge in evening
All square
331 [miles] #1947Diary
And here’s a copy of that Otago Times interview with Arthur, that appeared in the following day’s paper 2/2 #1947Diary
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/O...
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/O...
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
March 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
And here’s a copy of that Otago Times interview with Arthur, that appeared in the following day’s paper 2/2 #1947Diary
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/O...
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/O...
A peaceful day for Arthur.
Wednesday 20th August 1947
Nice day -
Quiet time with Lucy & Bill.
Evening by the fire.
#1947Diary
Wednesday 20th August 1947
Nice day -
Quiet time with Lucy & Bill.
Evening by the fire.
#1947Diary
August 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
A peaceful day for Arthur.
Wednesday 20th August 1947
Nice day -
Quiet time with Lucy & Bill.
Evening by the fire.
#1947Diary
Wednesday 20th August 1947
Nice day -
Quiet time with Lucy & Bill.
Evening by the fire.
#1947Diary
Away from the social whirl of NZ life, Arthur takes it easy.
Friday 26th September 1947
Glorious day -
I kept very quiet.
352 [miles] #1947Diary
Friday 26th September 1947
Glorious day -
I kept very quiet.
352 [miles] #1947Diary
![Friday 26th September 1947
Glorious day -
I kept very quiet.
352 [miles]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7msbg5vqgw3cyhsjdlzalxfk/bafkreihtnsfen57ayfukkctc7usd25flxdxzxyz2o6aycatxubp23y2ai4)
September 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Away from the social whirl of NZ life, Arthur takes it easy.
Friday 26th September 1947
Glorious day -
I kept very quiet.
352 [miles] #1947Diary
Friday 26th September 1947
Glorious day -
I kept very quiet.
352 [miles] #1947Diary
Arthur’s just over a week away from Blighty, and things are getting cooler. Praise the Lord.
Thursday 16th October 1947
Lovely day and definitely cooler thank god.
332 [miles] #1947Diary
Thursday 16th October 1947
Lovely day and definitely cooler thank god.
332 [miles] #1947Diary
October 16, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Arthur’s just over a week away from Blighty, and things are getting cooler. Praise the Lord.
Thursday 16th October 1947
Lovely day and definitely cooler thank god.
332 [miles] #1947Diary
Thursday 16th October 1947
Lovely day and definitely cooler thank god.
332 [miles] #1947Diary
The heat is taking its toll on Arthur.
Saturday 11th October 1947
Very hot and I felt queer all day and took things very easy.
339 [miles] #1947Diary
Saturday 11th October 1947
Very hot and I felt queer all day and took things very easy.
339 [miles] #1947Diary
October 11, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The heat is taking its toll on Arthur.
Saturday 11th October 1947
Very hot and I felt queer all day and took things very easy.
339 [miles] #1947Diary
Saturday 11th October 1947
Very hot and I felt queer all day and took things very easy.
339 [miles] #1947Diary
A laid back day for Arthur, and the return of the smiley face.
Friday 17th October 1947
Lovely day still warm.
Rest after lunch 😊
Interesting yarn with Fred Muir in evening.
335 [miles] #1947Diary
Friday 17th October 1947
Lovely day still warm.
Rest after lunch 😊
Interesting yarn with Fred Muir in evening.
335 [miles] #1947Diary
October 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A laid back day for Arthur, and the return of the smiley face.
Friday 17th October 1947
Lovely day still warm.
Rest after lunch 😊
Interesting yarn with Fred Muir in evening.
335 [miles] #1947Diary
Friday 17th October 1947
Lovely day still warm.
Rest after lunch 😊
Interesting yarn with Fred Muir in evening.
335 [miles] #1947Diary
No sign of his final resting place yet, but we hope to find out, and pay a visit if we can.
It’s good to see he was around another 13 years after we left him at the end of 1947. #1947Diary
It’s good to see he was around another 13 years after we left him at the end of 1947. #1947Diary
January 5, 2026 at 10:21 PM
No sign of his final resting place yet, but we hope to find out, and pay a visit if we can.
It’s good to see he was around another 13 years after we left him at the end of 1947. #1947Diary
It’s good to see he was around another 13 years after we left him at the end of 1947. #1947Diary
Errands for Arthur, then an afternoon at St Stephen’s and tea with Miss Carter.
Tuesday 18th November 1947
34 degrees
Cold and overcast.
I ordered Cash’s Tapes at Hardwickes.
Then to Putney and got Gordon’s Gin from Cullens.
Treatment at St Stephen’s Hospital 2:15.
Miss Carter to tea. #1947Diary
Tuesday 18th November 1947
34 degrees
Cold and overcast.
I ordered Cash’s Tapes at Hardwickes.
Then to Putney and got Gordon’s Gin from Cullens.
Treatment at St Stephen’s Hospital 2:15.
Miss Carter to tea. #1947Diary
November 18, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Errands for Arthur, then an afternoon at St Stephen’s and tea with Miss Carter.
Tuesday 18th November 1947
34 degrees
Cold and overcast.
I ordered Cash’s Tapes at Hardwickes.
Then to Putney and got Gordon’s Gin from Cullens.
Treatment at St Stephen’s Hospital 2:15.
Miss Carter to tea. #1947Diary
Tuesday 18th November 1947
34 degrees
Cold and overcast.
I ordered Cash’s Tapes at Hardwickes.
Then to Putney and got Gordon’s Gin from Cullens.
Treatment at St Stephen’s Hospital 2:15.
Miss Carter to tea. #1947Diary
Arthur goes to the chemist in the morning and out to dinner in the evening, with a lift home afterwards.
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
November 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Arthur goes to the chemist in the morning and out to dinner in the evening, with a lift home afterwards.
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
Thursday 9th January 1947. Another day of similar weather to 2025, with a bit of shopping in Putney. #1947Diary
January 9, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Thursday 9th January 1947. Another day of similar weather to 2025, with a bit of shopping in Putney. #1947Diary
On this day 78 years ago. London cold and clear, 38F (3C). #1947Diary
January 2, 2025 at 8:16 PM
On this day 78 years ago. London cold and clear, 38F (3C). #1947Diary
Friday 5th September 1947
Nice day. Arthur has Mrs Lou Honeyfield & Edie Jones to morning tea, then lunches with Maida and Mick.
To Mrs Archie Carey’s for tea with Mrs Corbert, Mrs Crawford and Rev’d Cook. Arthur plays.
In evening Hina has jolly party. Met Clarice Gower and Dr Simmonds. #1947Diary
Nice day. Arthur has Mrs Lou Honeyfield & Edie Jones to morning tea, then lunches with Maida and Mick.
To Mrs Archie Carey’s for tea with Mrs Corbert, Mrs Crawford and Rev’d Cook. Arthur plays.
In evening Hina has jolly party. Met Clarice Gower and Dr Simmonds. #1947Diary
September 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Friday 5th September 1947
Nice day. Arthur has Mrs Lou Honeyfield & Edie Jones to morning tea, then lunches with Maida and Mick.
To Mrs Archie Carey’s for tea with Mrs Corbert, Mrs Crawford and Rev’d Cook. Arthur plays.
In evening Hina has jolly party. Met Clarice Gower and Dr Simmonds. #1947Diary
Nice day. Arthur has Mrs Lou Honeyfield & Edie Jones to morning tea, then lunches with Maida and Mick.
To Mrs Archie Carey’s for tea with Mrs Corbert, Mrs Crawford and Rev’d Cook. Arthur plays.
In evening Hina has jolly party. Met Clarice Gower and Dr Simmonds. #1947Diary
Dr McBean doesn’t notice Arthur hasn’t been taking his tablets, and prescribes physio.
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
November 11, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Dr McBean doesn’t notice Arthur hasn’t been taking his tablets, and prescribes physio.
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
Thursday 4th September 1947
Arthur to Hawera a.m. He meets Cicely Glenn for lunch, calls on Lily Dingle and to Gladys White and her father. After tea there to P.O. where Mrs Bourke picks Arthur up and motors him home.
At 6 o’c to Waverley via party at Strachans - very jolly. Home 12:30. #1947Diary
Arthur to Hawera a.m. He meets Cicely Glenn for lunch, calls on Lily Dingle and to Gladys White and her father. After tea there to P.O. where Mrs Bourke picks Arthur up and motors him home.
At 6 o’c to Waverley via party at Strachans - very jolly. Home 12:30. #1947Diary
September 4, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Thursday 4th September 1947
Arthur to Hawera a.m. He meets Cicely Glenn for lunch, calls on Lily Dingle and to Gladys White and her father. After tea there to P.O. where Mrs Bourke picks Arthur up and motors him home.
At 6 o’c to Waverley via party at Strachans - very jolly. Home 12:30. #1947Diary
Arthur to Hawera a.m. He meets Cicely Glenn for lunch, calls on Lily Dingle and to Gladys White and her father. After tea there to P.O. where Mrs Bourke picks Arthur up and motors him home.
At 6 o’c to Waverley via party at Strachans - very jolly. Home 12:30. #1947Diary