13 Dec 1941, Barbara Anslow's diary

Walked from home with Mum just as it was getting light, and went to office ((Mum to Jockey Club hospital.)  Much shelling by Happy Valley in night.

Mr Puckle (Director of ARP) gave me a lift to the CSO tunnel ((beneath Government House, we entered by entrance in Lower Albert Road opposite CSO building.)).  Peggy Wilson had already arrived. ((We secretaries worked in 2 shifts - Peggy and I, then Bonnie and Charles.  Our job was to keep a log of events (mostly messages per phone calls), and also to make out identification cards for ARP people.  

Boiling hot in tunnel, I was glad of short-sleeved jumper.   Strong smell of raw wood from the props round the  earthy walls etc..  Various Govt. departments stationed in the tunnel which had been made with sections at all angles.  An alcove just inside the entrance was I think meant to be for toilets, but these were not present - just a few chairs without seats. There may well have been toilets in other sections, but for calls of nature we ran over Lower Albert Road to the ones in the CSO building.))

Off duty at 3pm, had meal at Parisian Grill ((my pass allowed me to eat there free of charge.)).  Bought lemonade as an excuse to stay longer when the siren sounded. Got into conversation with a stranger, Mr Robinson  of Metals Control Office.  Then went to Dina House, 2nd floor, as instructed, to get a billet, but couldn't get any satisfaction about where I was to sleep.  Phoned Olive's office and she and Topper (who was then visiting her) came and carried me off.  Had dinner with them at Gloucester, where met Eric Kennard ((Govt. clerk)) and he and one other escorted me back to Dina House where I met up with Mr G. P. Murphy and he directed me to a camp bed in a room with two ARP girls Janet Broadbridge and Lillian Hope (both from Kowloon).  Hardly slept because it was so cold, also had no nightwear as my luggage hadn't arrived.