AWM41 1057 - [Nurses Narratives] Sister B E Williams

[*AWM 41
Nurses
Narrations
6/62
[?]

[?]

[?]*]
[*Butler Collin.*]
AWM 41
Australian Archive
Access Status
OPEN

SISTER B. E. WILLIAMS
A.W.M.

Classⁿ No. 373.2
Cat^d
Illus^ns
Indexed

Maps
Indexed
[1057]
 

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 the most

valuable historical records, but, like all private memoirs which were

not completed 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."

 

70/50
No. 1 Australian General Hospital,
Sutton Veny.
29-5-19.
Sailed from Melbourne on the 17th July 1915. on Orsooa had
a very pleasant trip arriving at Port Suez three weeks later. 50
sisters disembarked at Suez - went by train to Cairo, where we were
met by Col. Martin and taken to No. 2 A.G.H.
Day after arrival went on duty in a medical ward with 100
beds. That night I had my first experience of convoys of sick and
wounded which I shall never forget, it was simply dreadful to see the
poor boys, absolute wrecks, nothing but skin and bone, and the heat
and flies were a great trial at times, still the boys were always bright
and cheerful in the midst of it all how little we had to grumble
about, compared to what the boys have had.

Egypt is wonderful and fascinating place and I enjoyed being
there immensely.
From there I came to England and spent a few months at the
3rd London General Hospital but did not care for it very much as we did
not receive a very good reception. Was very pleased when we were recalled
to one of our own hospitals at Harfield Park. Spent 12 months
there and was very happy amongst our own boys again, we had some very
busy times there although it was supposed to be a Convalescent Hospital,
we had some very heavy work when the cars came in from the English
Hospitals prior to embarking on the hospital ships for Australia.
We were only staffed for convalescents.
From there went to France to No. 5 Stationary Hospital Dieppe.
The work there was very light as we received mostly local cases, the
town is a very pretty place, the sisters quarters were most comfortable,
spent a very pleasant time there.
From there went to No. 1 A.G.H. Rouen, did some very heavy
work there - but managed to get through it alright. In spite of an
occasional visit from Fritz now and again by way of a change. After
being in France for some time, came over with the unit to Sutton Veny
where we are now stationed and anxiously waiting to go home to the
Sunny South - the land of the Wattle.

(sgd) B. E. Williams,
 

[*Spare Copies*}
 No. 1 Australian General Hospital,
Sutton Veny.
29-5-19.
Sailed from Melbourne on the 17th July 1915. on Orsooa had
a very pleasant trip arriving at Port Suez three weeks later. 50
sisters disembarked at Suez - went by train to Cairo, where we were
met by Col. Martin and taken to No. 2 A.G.H.
Day after arrival went on duty in a medical ward with 100
beds. That night I had my first experience of convoys of sick and
wounded which I shall never forget, it was simply dreadful to see the
poor boys, absolute wrecks, nothing but skin and bone, and the heat
and flies were a great trial at times, still the boys were always bright
and cheerful in the midst of it all how little we had to grumble
about, compared to what the boys have had.

Egypt is wonderful and fascinating place and I enjoyed being
there immensely.
From there I came to England and spent a few months at the
3rd London General Hospital but did not care for it very much as we did
not receive a very good reception. Was very pleased when we were recalled
to one of our own hospitals at Harfield Park. Spent 12 months
there and was very happy amongst our own boys again, we had some very
busy times there although it was supposed to be a Convalescent Hospital,
we had some very heavy work when the cars came in from the English
Hospitals prior to embarking on the hospital ships for Australia.
We were only staffed for convalescents.
From there went to France to No. 5 Stationary Hospital Dieppe.
The work there was very light as we received mostly local cases, the
town is a very pretty place, the sisters quarters were most comfortable,
spent a very pleasant time there.
From there went to No. 1 A.G.H. Rouen, did some very heavy
work there - but managed to get through it alright. In spite of an
occasional visit from Fritz now and again by way of a change. After
being in France for some time, came over with the unit to Sutton Veny
where we are now stationed and anxiously waiting to go home to the
Sunny South - the land of the Wattle.

(sgd) B. E. Williams,

 

No. 1 Australian General Hospital,
Sutton Veny.
29-5-19.
Sailed from Melbourne on the 17th July 1915. on Orsooa had
a very pleasant trip arriving at Port Suez three weeks later. 50
sisters disembarked at Suez - went by train to Cairo, where we were
met by Col. Martin and taken to No. 2 A.G.H.
Day after arrival went on duty in a medical ward with 100
beds. That night I had my first experience of convoys of sick and
wounded which I shall never forget, it was simply dreadful to see the
poor boys, absolute wrecks, nothing but skin and bone, and the heat
and flies were a great trial at times, still the boys were always bright
and cheerful in the midst of it all how little we had to grumble
about, compared to what the boys have had.

Egypt is wonderful and fascinating place and I enjoyed being
there immensely.
From there I came to England and spent a few months at the
3rd London General Hospital but did not care for it very much as we did
not receive a very good reception. Was very pleased when we were recalled
to one of our own hospitals at Harfield Park. Spent 12 months
there and was very happy amongst our own boys again, we had some very
busy times there although it was supposed to be a Convalescent Hospital,
we had some very heavy work when the cars came in from the English
Hospitals prior to embarking on the hospital ships for Australia.
We were only staffed for convalescents.
From there went to France to No. 5 Stationary Hospital Dieppe.
The work there was very light as we received mostly local cases, the
town is a very pretty place, the sisters quarters were most comfortable,
spent a very pleasant time there.
From there went to No. 1 A.G.H. Rouen, did some very heavy
work there - but managed to get through it alright. In spite of an
occasional visit from Fritz now and again by way of a change. After
being in France for some time, came over with the unit to Sutton Veny
where we are now stationed and anxiously waiting to go home to the
Sunny South - the land of the Wattle.

(sgd) B. E. Williams,

 

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Australian War Memorial
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005172301