AWM41 1048 - [Nurses Narratives] Staff Nurse A B Tapp

Butler Colln.
AW 41
6/54
[6/20]
[[?]]
AWM 4 1
AUSTRALIAN
ACCESS STATUS
OPEN
STAFF NURSE A.B. TAPP.
A.W.M.
LIBRARY
Classn No 373.2
[1048]

The Official War Historian of the Commonwealth
Government (Dr. C. E. W. Bean), after his study of the
collection of private war records preserved in the Australian
War Memorial Library, wrote:-
"The private diaries in this collection furnish some of its most  
valuable historical records, but, like all private memoirs which were  
not compiled with any historical purpose, they should not be  
regarded as first-hand evidence except where it is certain that they  
are so.  The diarist is almost always sincere in his desire to record  
accurately, but he is subject to no obligation or inducement to  
indicate whether he is recording his own observations or incidents  
told him by friends or heard at third or fourth hand at the mess-table.  
Thus, in some of the diaries in this collection, scenes described with  
vivid detail, and without any warning that they are told at second  
or third hand, have been found to be completely inaccurate in  
important details. A certain number also have been written up 
or revised long after the events, though doubtless usually from notes  
made at the time. In most cases the student must rely on his  
experience and on internal evidence to guide him in judging what is  
and what is not likely to be historically accurate." 

A.B. Tapp
I
19/53
France
War Record.
Left Melbourne for Sydney May 5^th 1917
two days in Sydney & embarked on
the Ulysses for England.
Sixty eight Sisters in charge of Miss
Cornwall. Four Medical Officers
There were about fifteen boats in the convoy
picked up three more outside Melbourne
and dropped one again at Freemantle.
From Freemantle went to Mauritius where a 
Japanese escort took is to Durban.
Harbour very full of boats and in turning
the Suffolk knocked a hole in the side
of our boat which made it necessary to
stay ten days. Which we enjoyed sight
seeing.
Trip uneventful until a day out from Plymouth
where we were met by several torpedo boats?
Arrived at Plymouth after twelve weeks travelling
Did one weeks duty on the way over in the Tropics
Mostly malaria cases which we took on at
Cape Town. There was no accomodation for
washing on the boat and we had to wash the
sheets in the bath and pin them on railings to
dry. Otherwise it was  the Hospital was well equipped
for a small Hospital on a transport.
After reporting at Headquarters ten days leave
spent in Scotland.
About 14^th August reported at the Croydon War
Hospital for duty,
This consisted of Five Divisions in District
schools. The schools were modern nice floors
and tiled walls which acted very well for a Hospital
 

II
The first Division I reported at was a mixed
Medical & Surgical.
We arrived at the Hospital at 5pm. when all the
days dressings had to be done.
The instruments consisted of one pair bandages
scissors, long forceps and a probe or two in the
Surgical Ward [[?]][[?]].
We manged to get them done the best way we
could until we could get out to buy some ^instruments for
ourselves. Being told it was an up to date
Hospital we did not provide ourselves with
instruments.
The cases were all kinds of wounds a good many
stumps which had to be repaired and a flap
made before they could heal.
There was a shortage of linen also but that was
remedied after a time. We were also supplied
with instruments after a few weeks.
The next Division was a Jaw hospital at
Norbury. A clean well equipped Hospital with
everything required to do the work.
The majority of the cases were able to walk a few bed
cases where they had other wounds beside jaw wounds.
Every case was X rayed after admission and there were 
usually some loose teeth and fragments of bone taken out.
The work was mainly Dental and was in charge of
a Dental Surgeon and a three assistants all Dental Surgeons
Usually after fitting the patients with splints they were
given a months leave when they returned to have their
teeth put in! If they needed any repair to face were sent on to Sidcup Hospital.
The Nursing work consisted of keeping mouths clean
and dressings to wounds the treatment was all done 4 hrly at
first and as they improved twice a day.
The male staff was R.A.M.C. the nursing staff
 

III
AANS. each division had to change Sister
with Miss Cornwall Matron of the Five Divisions. These
Divisions were rather far apart and a car was used
to do the rounds.
We were all in billets and in some cases had to 
be taken to the Hospital in Ambulances.
Air raids were bad at this time and several times
during the time I was on night Duty we had them
but the Hospital always escaped.
Six months at Croydon when we all left and went to
different Hospitals some to France.
I went to Weymouth a camp Hospital of 200 beds
mostly convalescent nursing. Old wounds and
light medical work.
t In charge of two medical wards for six
months then two Surgical wards.
that A good deal of orthopedic work was done
here there were three huts fitted with all electric
appliances for massage, and a large staff of men
Capt Thomas being in charge. There was also a
gymasuim Gym. where all the limb cases were exercised
underxx the supervision of a Medical Officer & N.C.O.
The nursing staff was xxxx four Sisters with a Sister-in-Charge.
The Patients left Weymouth for Australia those
unfit for General service:- six months in Australia
August 1918. left for France No. 1. A.G.H.
Spent four busy months at No.1 & during the last
push we were getting patients & evacuating as fast
as the patients could be moved on to England & Tronville
In December came to Sutton Veny where influenza was 
very severe there were twelve extra beds in every ward
which made nursing very difficult and also added to
the risk of infection. Food was very scarce.

IV
After the first Hospital Ships left for Australia
the congestion was relieved and we were able to
take the extra beds out of the Wards which
made them much more workable.
Was one of the unlucky people who did not go to a C.C.S.
and have only spent three weeks in an acute surgical
ward during two years service:
A.B. Tapp S/n
A.A.N.S
1. AG.H
Sutton Veny 

Item Control 
Australian War Memorial
005172292