Illustrations inspired by the diary of Oscar Kirk
This display is now closed
Explore the 11 illustrations specially commissioned by Anorak Magazine (external link) which bring to life diary extracts of a 14 year old messenger boy working in the London Docks in 1919.
Discover how these illustrations and our web serialisation of Oscar's diary have allowed a child from the early twentieth century to communicate with kids in the twenty first century in a creative and entertaining way.
Oscar's diary is on permanent display within the Museum and will be moved to the exhibition space for the duration of this display.
From Oscar's diary 27 April 1919
"I got up this morning at 11 and I bought Chatterbox* down with me. I started to make an engine in the evening from drawings in the Chatterbox. I cut my lunch this evening** which consisted of bread & butter and luncheon sausage.
We had chops for dinner today. Mum got up and was about in the house soon after.
I went to bed at 10pm.
It was 7pm when I washed myself.
I was surprised to see it snowing this evening.
Weather: - Raining all day. V cold. heavy snow in evening. Gale ."
*Chatterbox was the name of an Annual published between the 1880s and 1920's. Aimed at the younger market it contained activities and short illustrated stories.
** His sandwiches for Monday!
Illustration copyright Ben Javens. For more information on Ben's work visit his website at http://benjavens.co.uk.
From Oscar's diary 8 April 1919
"Yesterday I saw a man fall in the Dock on my 11.45 journey and I helped pull him out. When I came home from work I went to Hatfields and bought 2d box of confection of senna for Mum.
When I came back I went out and played football with Robert Fulcher and a few others.
Afterwards I went round into Gough St. and had a box with Jones.
I came back across the fields on my 3.15 journey. I had a pie & tart when I came home from work.
Weather: - No rain or snow. Very warm. Sunshine all day."
Illustration copyright Jack Teagle. For more information on Jack's work visit his website at www.jackteagle.co.uk.
The remaining nine other illustrators involved in the display are:
