Grandad’s Wartime Diary 1938-1945
A Grocer’s Life in Eastbourne
Experience the Second World War not through the eyes of a general, but from behind the shop counter of a frontline seaside town.The Story of an Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times
John Francis Budd was a First World War veteran, a husband, a father, and a grocer’s assistant at the Home and Colonial Store in Eastbourne. While the world watched the grand strategy of the battlefield, John lived the "reimagined" daily reality of the Home Front—balancing the heavy responsibility of keeping his community fed with the constant strain of air raids, rationing, and the threat of invasion.
What You’ll Discover Inside:
- The Transformation of Eastbourne: Watch a quiet seaside town turn into a "frontline community" complete with blackouts, barbed wire, and the terrifying arrival of V-1 "doodlebugs."
- A Grocer’s Perspective: Gain a unique look at the war through the shop counter—from the "shameful relief" of the Munich Agreement to the complex mathematics of bacon coupons and the introduction of the "National Loaf."
- A Family’s Endurance: Follow the Budd household—John, his efficiently formidable wife Gertrude, their sons Jack and Bryan, and grandfather William—as they navigate birthdays under rationing and seek shelter under the stairs.
- History Without Hindsight: Experience the war as it unfolded day-by-day, where news arrived via wireless broadcasts and local rumours rather than the certainty of history books
- The "Forgotten Army" of the Home Front: A tribute to the quiet courage of those who fought their war on night patrols, in the Home Guard, and at the kitchen table.
Authentically Reconstructed
This diary is a "reimagined" narrative, meticulously reconstructed from original family material, contemporary local newspapers, and official historical records. It remains faithful to the lived experience of the time, capturing the streets, shops, and landmarks of Eastbourne not as historical footnotes, but as places changed by the reality of war. "It tastes like victory, John. Not today's victory, perhaps, but the one we're working for."
About the Author
Phillip Kingsland-Budd is the grandson of John Francis Budd. Drawing on his deep connection to family history, he has brought his grandfather’s wartime experience to life for a new generation.