'These last two nights have been the most fearful of the war. The Battle of Britain is raging round us. Tonight continuous bombing and gunfire have shaken the house. A huge fire has lit up Aldershot and Farnham to the east; whilst gunfire and flares light up Bordon and the south coast. Mrs Grant is cowering downstairs in the kitchen; I find Sidney reading but glad to have a cup of tea. Neither he nor I are perturbed...'