I found May's Diary amongst a suitcase of family photographs belonging to my late father, Ned's second son, John Baylis who died in 2005. I had a vague recollection of his mentioning that Aunt May's diary had come into his possession from Joyce Fowler. So credit is due first and foremost to Joyce's daughters Ruth, Janet and Tricia for their support and encouragement in this project, the initial impetus for which came from my cousin Julie Lascelles.
My thanks are due to all those who have read and commented on earlier drafts of the annotated transcription and accompanying material. While the transcription of the diary itself is complete, the material accompanying it remains a work in progress, subject to correction and supplementation, to which constructive contributions are welcome.
John Baylis
Acknowledgements:
Photographs courtesy of Ruth Keel, Janet Moore and Tricia Havard (all nee Fowler) : Portrait of May (and child), Mr and Mrs Dick Fowler, Fowler family group;
portraits of Henry Dugard and Frances Dugard (nee Baylis).
Data on tenancy of the Hownings courtesy of the National Trust, Hanbury Hall
OS Map: OS and Crown copyright and database rights ownership.