Monday October 18th 1915
Since April 12, I have not written a line in this diary. Somehow I seem to have lost interest in things. This cruel war, so gets on your mind that nothing else seems to matter.
Oct 18, six months since I wrote anything and today we are further off than ever. Could anyone ever believe this would happen twelve months ago. It was one of my consolations, in the beginning of the war, to think it could not last long. I was sure it was impossible. Oh, but how wrong was I? How little I knew of the treacherous, deceitful Hun. I had innocently measured them by my own standard. How I wronged my countryman by doing so. That I will never err again in this respect, I solemnly vow. They talk of their hymn of hate. Well, if they can hate me more, than I hate and loathe them, I will give them best. The scum of the earth are gentlemen to them, they know no honour. The beasts of the field are preferable. And so too, are all the folks who have any sympathy with them, I would have them hanged as 'traitors'.
Would that I had the trying of such people or the handling of such a nation as the Huns in war. They would not find any softness about me. I'd give them mailed fists and mailed feet. They should have gas more deadly than any they had ever invented. I would make them shed tears of blood for ever bringing about such a cruel and dastardly war. To Hell, with such 'vipers', they are an insult to the earth that bred them.
I begin to wonder whether civilisation is worth the candle.
In barbaric ages, they eat one another or hit one on the head with a club, which to my thinking is kind, to the civilised practices today. Fancy making engines to mow down humanity and such engines, I saw some big guns pass through London bridge station today that made you quail to look at them. Tremendous is the only word I can think of to describe them. To think of humanity having to stand in front of them appalls you and I say again - Is civilisation worth the candle? I don't think it is.
Today I have journey to Beckenham, such a nice place, and such a nice lady. I have brought her a girl for service. A delightful home, so tasteful and so comfortable. A beautiful garden. Just ideal to my thinking.
When I arrive home, there is a letter from Alec. Thank heaven, he is still safe.
I have been looking at the Almanac and find out I have been going to Dulwich fifteen weeks. How time flies; I started there July 10th '15. Well, I must say if all people were like Mrs Seat, it would not be hard to work for them. I like her very much. A good natured woman is my version of her. I prefer her to a man any day.
Maud calls about 8:30 and we decide to go for a walk as it is such a lovely moonlight night. We give a knock at Nelly's door, but she has gone out. So we just walk round the houses feeling quite safe from the Zepps. The night is too bright for them, at least that is what people say. But to my thinking, they will come anytime day or night. After what happened Wednesday night, I was in a fool's paradise about them, till the second raid on the city. I was so sure they would never get to the city again. I thought now Sir Percy Scott is charge of the defense of London, it will be impossible for them to get there. They will never be able to get by his guns - a Fool's Paradise. They came, they saw, they conquered. That is to say they succeeded in doing more damage than the first visit.
I believe there was five or seven. There is an awful lot of damage at Croydon as well as the city.* I wonder how it will all end. Would that is today. Not that I want peace at any price. No my price would be the extermination of the Hun pest, but I would exterminate them with stronger weapons than they use. After fourteen months, we are justified in using them.
After all, they are after exterminating us and we as a nation are an asset, but they are a blot.
Bomb damage to a terraced house in Beech House Road, Croydon, London, inflicted during a raid on London by five German Zeppelins on 13 - 14 October 1915:
Modern map of 13th-14th October 1915 raid (click to enlarge):
Picture Source
Picture Source
*I believe Dulcie is speaking of the five-Zeppelin "Theatreland Raid" of October 13th 1915. Bombs fell on Charing Cross, Lyceum Theatre, Woolwich, Hertford, Croydon, Tonbridge and Guildford. 71 people were killed and 128 were injured. There were no other Zeppelin raids on London due to weather conditions.