AWM41 973 - [Nurses Narratives] Sister L E Fletcher - Part 3

Miss L. E. Fletcher.

A.A.N.S.

I left Australia in July 1915, as a passenger on the mail

boat, ”Orontes” together with 99 other Sisters on board. We came straight 

to England, and eight of us went to Tooting to the British Military Hospital.

They had been taking in Australian patients, and then said they

could put up so many more is they had Australian Sisters.

We were not hard worked, and until I left in June, there was
practically no work.  They were well provided for with amusements and food.
After nine months, I went home on an ambulance troop ship. There was no
sickness on board other than our patients.  We took troops to Africa, and
300 invalids to Australia.  We had one or two spinal cases, and T.Bs. which
were serious.  After three weeks furlough, I re-embarked for India on the
"Kashgar" with 24 other sisters, and we went to Cumballa War Hospital, where
the Australian Sisters did not get on very well with the Matron, who was an
Imperial.  She was an English regular, and as the restrictions were severe
the Australian Sisters did not like it.  We took in convalescents there,
and the work was not very heavy.

We then went to Poonah, and here again, we had convalescents
but I was in the Enteric ward.

After some time, I was sent to the Hospital Ship "Empress".
(Letter attached)
 

Miss L. E. Fletcher.
A.A.N.S.

I left Australia in July 1915, as a passenger on the mail
boat, "Orontes" together with 99 other Sisters on board.  We came straight
to England, and eight of us went to Tooting to the British Military Hospital. 
They had been taking in Australian patients, and then said they 
could put up so many more is they had Australian Sisters.

We were not hard worked, and until I left in June, there was
practically no work.  They were well provided for with amusements and food.
After nine months, I went home on an ambulance troop ship. There was no
sickness on board other than our patients.  We took troops to Africa, and
350 invalids to Australia.  We had one or two spinal cases, and T.Bs. which
were serious.  After three weeks furlough, I re-embarked for India on the
"Kashgar" with 24 other sisters, and we went to Cumballa War Hospital, where
the Australian Sisters did not get on very well with the Matron, who was an
Imperial.  She was an English regular, and as the restrictions were severe
the Australian Sisters did not like it.  We took in convalescents there,
and the work was not very heavy.

We then went to Poonah, and here again, we had convalescents
but I was in the Enteric ward.

After some time, I was sent to the Hospital Ship "Empress".
(Letter attached)

 

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