Collection relating to the service of Fergus Robert Cox, 1915-1917 - Part 8

17th Dec
I was soon nocking about
again, feeling weak and a
bit light headed.,  this however
soon dissapeared and I was
quite fit once more, A
20th Dec
Owing to the spread of mumps
the reinforcements coming to
the hospitals, ("we always say
as we come sees some more
patients comeing, halloh
more reinforcents for the mumpys")          
Those who were in longest
had to go out first, I offered
to go out, and was put
with those whom were in
about 3 weeks, we were
given tents, and had to
fall in for roll call in the
morning and parade at
9.30, till noon, then roll call
at 3.30, again. All the
infectious patients are given
uniform with a colour patch
sewn or their backs, to distinguish
the different diseases
The mumpy ones had a blue
patch, all have to wear these
uniforms and keep within
their own limits
24th Dec
Xmas Eve
There was considerable stir on
for Xmas preparations
showing on all sides,
the wards were decorated and 

gardens done up in front of
Each ward, the Gardens were
not of flowers but of decorated
Designs of flags and countrys
with coloured stones, some
of these were done very
beautiful, Each man
had a red + Ticket giviven
him, which on handing
in on the following day
would secure his red-cross
present, all soughts
of roumers were about as
to what the presents were &
what meals were on for
Xmas Day. 

25 Dec.
Xmas Day
Xmas day arrived, The morning
was quiet, We awaited the
arrival of the mail with much
Expectancy of a few Xmas cards
The preparation for Dinner
was progressing well, the tables
were covered with cloths and
all set ready for their number
of men, the tablecloths were
sheets but they acted champion, It
was the first set out table we had dined
at since leaving Australia, and
my, we had good old Turkey &
plum pudding, and the pudding
was well flavoured with Brandy
All seemed well pleased with
their dinner and there was none
left over, I think we could have
all found a little room for some 

more had we the chance of it.
We generally keep to the saying
of.  Have a good feed while
you can you dont know
when you will get the next
one, About sunset. the
distribution of red cross presents
commenced, And to talk of
a pack of school kids, we
were proper over grown one's
so did the crowd press in
that it was impossible to give
them out till we were lined up
and marched passed each receiving
his as he passed the stack.
The boxes were quite Handsome
one, most of Tin with various
deseigns Enamelled or Painted on them,
They mostly contained,
1 Tin Tobacco, 1 box of 50 cigarettes 

1 packet cig. papers, 1 hanky.
1 packet folding envelopes and
note paper combined, 1 indd. Pencil
1 packet of chocolates, we quickly
looked through our boxes and
hurried to tea, it was a/ late tea, we
usually had tea at five, this was
over an hour later, for tea the
red cross, had a supply of cakes
or tarts (Jam ones) so as to have
a peace for each soldier, at night,
there was a concert, Dance &
pictures, So a very enjoyable
Time was spent.
Sunday 26th Dec
Boxing Day.
I think most of us were busy
writing letters giveing details of
our Xmas doings. 

Jan 1st 1916 -
New, Year's Day.
How we all welcomed the
new year,
New Year's eve was very
quiet at our hospital, the town
was more lively, but the mumpy's
had to be content within their own
bounds and soon retired for the night
We had our usual roll call
in the morning, but no further
parades during the day,
Our New Year's Dinner was
soup first dish then Turkey & vegetables
and then plum pudding with Custard
These were better cooked and made up
than the xmas lot. for tea we had
as an extra, Cakes & Oranges
All agreed this was the best meal
since we left Australia - 

Blank pages in
this item have
not been
scanned 

calculations - see original document
 

Rear cover of Book ~ see original

 

Front cover of Book ~ see original

 

Inside covers of Book ~ see original
 

p
Calendar for Jan to June ~ see original

F.R. Cox, 1544 - 11 L H
Private Address
C/o AM. Cox
Jimbour
Via Dalby
Queensland
Australia
Mon
Monday.
AGENDA
POUR
1917