Diary of Evelyn Davies, 18 May 1915 - 20 [July] 1915 - Part 5

allowed until the termination. After leaving St. Paul's
went up St Paul's Church yard where abound all
manner of cheap shops, thence to Ludgate Hill
to return an umbrella that Miss Leitch had
borrowed. Saw a P.C. Shop.(Judges) ^./c most
artistic Photo cards in for 1^d, each, each one
was a picture. Took bus back to Hotel, brushed up
& then left ^./c Misses Mullins, Donnell, Leitch & self Rush
took tube to Hampstead, M. Leitch was entertained
by elderly gentleman who thought it an awful joke
for us to go out somewhere about 6 pm for an
8.15 Concert. Had tea in Village. Cakes were
a failure but Strawberries & Cream were beautiful
Walked round past a Wonderful old Church
of Norman Architecture felt that I'd just love to
poke round & explore, it was unlike any Church
I had seen. Arrived at Conservatorium of Music

8.15 pm. Students Concert, Should have enjoyed
it, but really didn't much. Took wrong bus home
had to change at Marble Arch, rained fair amount,
but eventually reached Hotel, Sat up late finishing
letters.
 

Friday 16^th Hustled to Commonwealth Office were
paid, then returned to Hotel. Had dinner there
& went out alone in afternoon, pouring ^./c rain
bought P. Cards some simply beautiful,
bus back, wet & miserable. Went to tea ^./c
M^rs Norris didn't go out. Came back fairly late
Saturday 17^th In a.m went with Misses Aitken & Leitch
to Albert & Victoria Museum. had a very 'flat' -
time it was wet, we were tired & irritable
at least I was, had tea at Kensington which
was not more successful than the Museum.
then we returned by Bus to Hotel, packed up
then we went down to Oxford Circus to
see Suffragette Procession, it was very wet
underfoot still we had a fair view I enjoyed
it in a way, but it really didn't appeal to
me very much they seemed to be seeking notoriety
mostly. Went to a Picture Show & saw Charlie
Chaplin in the same act that was on in Melbne.
the screen is smaller than Ours & men are
allowed to smoke ad. lib. however we enjoyed
it in a way. Took a bus to M^rs Norris's arrived
late D^r. bit 'peppy' M^rs Brake there. D^r. took
us all to Pictures saw some very good ones
 

17^th but alas the same Gazette Pictures &
didn't dare say I had already seen them.
Came Bus back fairly early. did washing bed fairly
late (as usual.)
Sunday 18^th Up early breakfast about 8 am left.
Hotel about 8.45 am. by Motor Bus went down
side Streets to Paddington Station after waiting
some time saw M^rs Norris also D^r. left about
II am. had rather an uneventful journey,
lunch in train, Soft drinks. Tea at Exeter
(but not very nice) thence to Devonport had
delay through engine ahead running off line.
Reached Devonport at about 4 pm. waited
some time on platform then Sisters were
drafted from Staffs & we humble staffs in
Charge of Sister's Hoadley & Dr Maestre were
escorted on board H.M.T. Huntsgreen
by several troops Middlesex and Welsh
the whole Compliment numbering in all
considerably over 2.000., afterwards Cabins were
allotted (3 to each cabin) M. Aitken. M. Leitch &
Self having 129 a nice airy cabin ^./c Port holes
opening on to deck. Had tea in due course
which was rather a scramble
 
Saw other Transport ^./c Sisters, Matron & number-less
soldiers on depart, we moved slowly to
another berth but were at anchor all night.
Monday 18^th Coaled all morning, read &
lounged round, Boat left 4 pm, drilled
(life belt) in afternoon (life belts soft &
filled ^./c Kapok) badly fitting so we had to
alter them. A Destroyer accompanied us
also all night, saw another Destroyer towing
torpedo. Lights out early & every one had to go
to bed in the dark, the men were on guard
rifles ready & life belts on five hundred at
a time were on guard all through the night
no one slept much it was too anxious a
time.
Tuesday 19^th Up had a bath, fearful head
then sick, so stayed in bed all day.
Several of the girls were sick & men too, although
it wasn't rough.
Monday. 20
Wednesday 20^th. Life belt drill in a.m.
Physical drill pm