Diary of Gerard Henderson Cowan, September- November 1917

Sunday Sept 10^th 1917
At about 4pm we were awakened and
dressed and then carried out to the
ambulances waiting, these took us to the
quay side at Boulogne and we were
then carried onto the hospital ships
waiting. There were two the fan,
and the princess Elizabeth I was taken
on board the latter wer were in very
comfortable bunks, but were two decks
down, level with the water line, thoughts
of a torpedo made one feel uncomfortable.
After all our early rising we did not
leave port till 2p.m. French Time (3pm Eng)
The convoy consisted of three leave ships
and the two hospital ships with an escort
of three destroyers one being the latest
type. We had an uneventful voyage and
a very calm sea. We crossed straight
to Folkstone and then followed the
coast up to Dover, keeping close
inshore with the escort & seaward 

After a short wait at Dover we were
convayed on to the breakwater and
thence into a hospital train. There is a
fine large railway station built on this
breakwater. Our train must have left
Dover about 6 p.m. and it was too dark
to see the much of the town. We had
not been travelling long before "Lights
out" was ordered as an air raid was
in progress. We did not hear much as
the train made too much row but
could see the searchlights and see the
shells bursting. One Gotha was broug
down about a 10 minutes walk from
one of the Stations we passed through.
Monday Sept 1^st
Our train arrived at Bristol somwhere
about 2am. We were taken out on
stretchers and while waiting for the
stretchers were given tea and cake also
cigarettes and a pocket handkerchief.
I was one of those taken to Red Maids
Hospital (A fine big building in very pretty
surroundings. Was originally a Girls school)
Aft We arrived about 3a.m. and of course
had to have the usual wash and then
go to bed only to be awakened at about
4.30 a.m. for the morning wash. However
as our I had to stay in bed I made up for
it during the day. The nurses were very
kind and we received very good treatment.
The only fly in the ointment was the tucker.
We had five meals a day. Breakfast, three
half slices of bread and butter and a cup of
tea. This at 6.30 am. At 9 am. ½ slice bread & butter
1 cup of tea. Dinner, noon, was the only
substantial meal and consisted of meat &
vegetables followed by a sago or rice pudding
on one occassion we had apple tart
Rarely would it run to a second helping.
Then we had afternoon tea at 4 p.m. 

consisting of 3 half slices of bread & butter
and a cup of tea, this was followed by
supper at 6 p.m. 1 cup of cocoa 1x slice of
bread & butter. Naturally we always had
a very big vacuum.
For the first two or three days I was in
bed but was afterwards allowed up in the
afternoon. There were only a few
Australians here. One who. had lost a
leg had been in since Bullecourt.
May 6^th of the others I met one had
lost an arm and the other been very
badly burnt by mustard gass in his
last offensive.
Tuesday 9^th Sept
Went into Bristol this morning and drew
our kit his evening I was transferred to
Bishops Knoll Hospital. This hospital is the private
house of Mr Bush and is run by him. It is
for Australians. Hearing I was at Red Maids
he very kindly had me transferred
It is an awfully pretty place built on
a hill overlooking the Avon River.
We only have four meals a day here but they are
prop meals. Breakfast consists of porridge and
tea and as much bread and butter as
you can eat. Sometimes there is fish or
meat in place of Porridge. Dinner
consists of meat and vegetables, and
pudding always as much as you want
and at every day there is a change
in the menu. Tea at 4 p.m. consists of
tea and a much bread & butter as
you like and then for supper we
have hot soup and bread.
Wednesday. 10 Sept.
This afternoon a party of us went to the
opening of the museum ^to wounded soldiers. We first strolled
round and examined the Art Gallery and
museum and then had afternoon tea
this was followed by a speech by the
Mayor of Bristol and then a concert 

and ventriloquist show the latter being
very good.
Thursday 11^th Stayed in all today.
Friday 12^th Went across to Red Maids to see several
of the fellows there wh before they leave for Dartford
Saturday 13^th
This afternoon I walked along the Downs to
Clifton Suspension Bridge. The views from here
and all along the downs are magnificent.
I then visited You pay 1 penny to cross the
Bridge 2pence return.
I then visited the Gaints cave in the
cliff side. To reach this you first go
to the Observatory on the cliff top
and on paying the fee of 6 pence
are given a lantern and shown
the way down. You first descend
about 30 or 40 feet on a spiral
stair case and then travel down
a narrow tunnel which leads into
the cave.
Diagram - see original
It is supposed to have been
used as a Roman Catholic
Chapel at some period. Had a very decent

concert party here this
evening
Sunday 14^th
Only had leave from two 2 p.m. to 4 pm.
this afternoon on account of Church services.
Went with Mrs Bush to visit Dr Scott. Dr Scott
was in xxx was in West Australia. for several
years, he had his practice in Perth but
was also at Geraldton for 18 months.
We had a good old yarn about all the
West Australians we all knew.
Monday 15^th
This afternoon I visited the Cathedral
which is a very fine building, but does not
equal the Salisbury Cathedral.
While examining it I noticed a plate
on the wall, in memory of Jhon John
Latimer, to writter who had lived
most of his life in Bristol.
On leaving the CathedraI I crossed
College Green and walked up to
Cabots Tower. For the sum of 2 pence 

you can go to the top so I went.
It is only about 80 feet high but being
a hill you get a splendid view of
Bristol, unfortunately today was a
bit misty so we could not see very far.
From this tower you look right
down into the docks, which appeared
to be very busy and I was sup
surprised to see the size of ship they
were turning out. I had no idea such
the Avon would float such large ships.
On the stone railings of the landing of
this tower brass plates were let
in giving the direction of most
of the principal towns in England
and Europe and their distance
and also the same with all the
chief buildings in Bristol
Tuesday 16^th
Today I went to the tramway centre
and then went up Clare Street 

Diagram - see original
and all round but did not come
across anything much except the
Old Dutch house in Wine street.
Had a frightful bilious attack all
the afternoon so did not have a
very pleasant afternoon
Wednesday 17^th
Did not go out on leave today
Thursday 18
This afternoon I walked down to
Shirehampton and Avonmouth.
Neither of the villages are much
but the walk down there was
very pretty and well worth
the trouble. There are some
very fine docks at Avonmouth
but you cannot visit it them
without a permit.
Friday 19^th Today we had an early 

dinner and were then taken
to the Hippodrome were an
entertainment was given to 2000
wounded soldiers. The performance
was very good of especially Darewsky
and Alexander Prince.
Saturday 20^th
Walked down the road to Hotwells
this afternoon and then along
the river, under the Suspension
bridge and then up to the top
of the cliff again by the cliff
railway which goes up through
a tunnel, one car goes up as
the other comes down. Frances
day today and of course we were
caught and had to buy a badge,
Finished up the last of my pay at
the Y.M.C.A. Dug out, in afternoon tea 

Sunday 21^st
Did not apply for a pass today but Nurse
_ asked us to her some to tea so Diamond
and I went Mr _ came for us in the motor
and we drove, Spent a most interesting
and enjoyable afternoon. Arrived back in
the motor just in time for church service.
Monday 22^nd
Nothing much doing today, went into
Bristol for the afternoon. Very few
trams running on account of the
strike.
Tuesday 23^rd decided to stay in today
as my cash is low and the trams
are not running to part of Bristol
I want to go to.
Wednesday 24^th
Very well today, but as I taken out
a pass went into Bristol took the
tram down to Old Market and then
walked back through Clare St
and changed my last Deaux Francs 

note into English coin at the Post Office.
Had tea at Y.M.C.A and returned to
hospital intime to have another
afternoon tea and wash up the tea
things.
Thursday 25^th
Today being very windy and
cold we contented ourselves
with a visit to the pictures
and afternoon tea at Y.M.C.A.
My funds having come down
as low
Friday 26^th
Walked to Bristol and spent
my last 3d in by buying a Flight
Came back in time for tea.
Saturday 27^th
Nothing doing today so had
to stay at home and play
billiards. Very decent concert
this evening. Especially 

Sunday 28
Monday 29^th
Today being payday I was able to go
forth to see the sights of Bristol
once more with 3/6 in my pocket.
Spent the best part of the afternoon
searching the shops for a map of
England with railway systems, so
as to determine my route during
the leave.
Tuesday 30^th
Wednesday 31^st
Paid a visit to St Mary's Church Redcliff
It is a very fine old building and
has some beautiful work in it
It also has a history, Dating back to
the 14th Century, it was eventually
finished by _ one of the
richest merchants at Bristol

at that time. After finishing the
church he became a clergyman
and for some years was at St Marys
later he became Cannon of Westbury
He had to pay the sum of
12000 marks to King Edward
for some grants made He did
this by giving several of his
ships. On the inscription
by the vault where he is buried
it gives the names of the ships and
their tonnage. 900 being the
largest.
Thursday 1^st Nov
Just went out for a few hours
this afternoon ad called on the
Dr Scots to say good bye as
I am leaving hospital
tomorrow
Friday 2^nd
Having changed our blues for
kaki and said our adieus we
were taken to the 2^nd SG in
ambulances and after the
usual Military red tape Marched
to South Meads Station and caught
the train to London. Journey
was fairly interesting. passed through
Swindon, Reading, Etc. A great
many factories close to the
Rl line at different places.
Edison Gramophone, Horlicks malted
milk, Huntley & Palmers bescuits.
arrived paddington 2.30. taken in
ambulances to H.F.rd. via
Hyde Park, Loafed at Hdqrs till 

5 pm waiting for passes and
pay which I eventually got.
Then with the guid help of a
street urchin made my way
to Hxx Vic station and caught
the 5.48. train to Tunbridge
Wells, via E. Grinstead and
arrived up at Gracos somewhere
after 7 p.m.
Saturday 3^rd
Spent all this morning
shopping and trying
to find how the trains
ran to Broadstone.
eventually managed to
get everything fixed up
and then sent a telegram
to Aunt Bertha in
DRL3660 (395) (15)