31 Dec 1942, Barbara Anslow's diary

To Children's Mime in St. Stephens  Very sweet, particularly the angel Gillian Millar ((aged 7)) who had rather a strain-making part, with arms outstretched for a long time.

Mrs Drown's concert was good, she sang..a dainty sweet little voice in a (simulated) quarrel, also Dick Cloake. 

Clifton Large ((later my brother-in-law)) and Eric McNider did a very good harangue between 2 Chinese cookboys; then Large impersonated Mr Gimson, who came on backstage and listened before appearing before Large - and took him by the ear: all marvellous fun.   A hopeful speech.
    
The tiny tots sang 'How far is it to Bethlehem' and 'Away in a Manger'.  Choir joined in other carols.  Mr Heasman played the fiddle.

We girls have been making little calendars for nursing sisters and doctors nearly all day.

SUMMARY OF 1942

I lost about 15 lbs. in weight, and to date have put on 25! Mum has lost about 40 lbs. and had hysterectomy.  Mabel has lost 6 teeth and tonsils; she has acquired glasses.

Olive, Mabel & I have to face possibility that our menfolk perished on the 'Lisbon Maru' or are in Japan.

Have learned to play contract bridge, to make bread, to sing in church choir, and to live in a room with 4 other people fairly amicably. Have written 3 poems, and 'Limelight on the Lower Fifth' (about 30,000 words) ((first in shorthand, then typing it on pages of old hospital returns after rubbing out their pencilled contents.))