The Lady Composer in Her Own Words
The most important primary source for the earlier part of Dring’s life is her notebooks, which she used as diaries. Within these fourteen books, she committed her thoughts on music, art, and contemporary films and plays. Other aspects of her life include her appearance and well-being, her horrific experiences at the dentist, the details of her struggles at La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls School, and her close friendship with Pamela Larkin. These diaries also record her impressions of current events, including the burning of the Crystal Palace, the abdication of King Edward VIII and the succession of his brother, George VI, and the sinking of the Arandora Star. Finally, Dring describes in vivid detail life in London during the “The Blitz,” and the chapter concludes with the death of her brother, a casualty of the war.