AWM41 977 - [Nurses Narratives] Staff Nurse F G Gregson - Part 3

21.                                                     

beauty all round you here, there should be death disease 

lying in wait on every hand. At the service the mosquitoes 

& flies were terrible, and it seemed dreadful to think

that any one of those wretched little creatures might 

finish you for life ………… I am hoping to get away from 

here tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.  I would have 

been sent today but I have asked to go to Hortiach, as I 

am craving for fresh air. I suppose I felt the closeness 

of the wards more after the twelve months practically 

living in the open air.

We are pleased to be the first to cause cessation of 

hostilities and by complete victory too, of course our 

losses were heavy, but practically the impossible was
achieved and while the British boys were struggling with 

the difficulties of the Grande Corner and Petite Corner 

the Serbs and French were making their way round to cut 

off railways & retreats. The Boys, poor Boys that came 

in  had suffered terribly from exposure. Among the later 

arrivals were some who had been prisoners for several 

days and now we are getting some who have been prisoners 

for three years. They all speak very highly for…… 

Bulgar on the whole , as an enemy. Some of course have not 

feared well, but the greater number say that they have 
been treated very decently.
It is now Monday evening and I am sitting on the balcony
overlooking the sea and Mt. Olympus with aeroplanes making
a great din above us. I wonder will we use them for
ordinary transport after the war. It will be interesting 

when the first one has flown over to Australia, won’t it?
I was down at the 52nd yesterday and hear that Sister
Bolton, S. McLeod, & S. Jones…are to be the first three
to leave for England and they go on Wednesday. Three go
from the 50th. Then in ten days 3 go from the 42nd & 3
from the 60th, so that means six sisters will be leaving
every ten days for England. Sister Horton had an
opportunity of going with the first party but refused.

She will be sorry not to have S. Jones with her when she goes.
I have been asking the Dr. to send me “Out”, but 
he has just paused to tell me he is still considering -
whether he will send me to Con.Camp - Con. Home - or

Australia!! I don’t know quite what to think of myself….

Oct. 8th, 1918
It is just on a month now since the rush came on and it is
just beginning to abate. I, for one, am thankful that it 

is, as I could not have gone on much longer at the pace. 
Tonight I got away from the ward at 6 p.m. and have only 

once before had even an hour of duty since the  15th….
You know, I have told you before, our method of transport.

You walk along the road in a crab like manner with one 
eye behind you on the watch for a conveyance of any sort - and when you see one coming you stand in the middle of the 

road. If the car goes over you, you conclude the car doesnt

want to pick you up but as a rule if there is room, you
are picked up. Any kind of motor car is hailed, everything 

in fact except a limber waggon - I haven’t so far heard of
any one tackling that. Well one day a lady Medico in 

haste to get to the city, hailed the first waggon she met 

and asked for a lift, which was politely given. The car
then started and progressed b very slowly for a considerable
distance. At last the lady M.O. said “Why is it you are 

travelling so slowly just now”?  We usually do Madam, 

politely replied the Tommy “when we are watering the
roads!!!”. She was literally and actually on the water waggon.

 22.                                          

The other incident occurred at an adjoining hospital,  run 

by our nurses. Since the beginning of the big stunt they 

have been taking in Greeks, both wounded and dysentery, 

the work was frightfully strenuous and as neither understood 

the other the nurse & patient sometimes had a difficult 

time. One day a Greek came to the ward with a chit to 

say Dysentery case, adult W. so & so, and treat as follows 

- giving details of treatment - which were somewhat 

drastic. Sister called the orderly to put the patient 

to bed. He objected but they paid no heed, as they still 

had to find a patient that did not object. The 

treatment was faithfully carried out and sister & 

orderly both exhausted, turned round to find that the patient 

proper had arrived!!! They had treated the messenger!!! 

They turned again to the bed but the “Messenger” had 

flown. He wasn't risking further treatment!!!

 Sisters Con. Camp.  

 6/11/18.

The camp is closing in a few days,  so 

we shall I expect be returned to our various Hospitals. I 

shall always look back on this spot as one of the most 

beautiful I have ever seen. . . . . . . .  We have had two nights 

disturbed by French celebrations - two nights ago - 

when they sent off a beautiful display of fireworks - & 

their heavy guns - for the Signing of Armistice with 

Austria - and this afternoon when they celebrated the 

departure of Envoys for Paris - we British take things much more . . . 

November 11th, 1918 .

1 p.m. British 

The guns/and various other noises are just announcing 

that the Armistice has been signed.  It is most difficult 

to us here to grasp what it means! We are too elevated

I think, our excitement will come when we are to leave 

Salonique. I think there will be no one who will be sorry 

to go.  Mistress White & Miss Sorerism? leave for 

Athens tomorrow for a ten days trip. The leave party for 

England is still held up. We are wondering if any change 

of plans will be made. It will all depend on the length 

of time we are likely to be left out here. Not too long

I hope. We will have a service at 6 p.m. to which we shall be 

only too glad to go to give thanks . . . . . . . . . .

The night peace was declared the officers very kindly 

invited us in there to celebrate & they gave us a high 

old time. I only stayed for about half an hour, but all 

the others remained to the end  and had a most enjoyable 

time, of course it will be a long while before things 

are straightened up. At present we are getting a large 

number of released prisoners from Turkey - quite a number 

of them are Australians and the girls have been very 

excited at seeing them.  One officer - a Mr White - 

escaped with a British officer in August last and made 

their way overland through Russia. He originally came 

from Bendigo, but lives, or did live in 1914, in Moonee 

Ponds. Yesterday two beautiful things came along looking 

for him. Such big wee officers - Australians - one from 

Auckland and one from Tasmania. It was lovely seeing them. 

They are on their way to Gallipoli on duty. There are 

about half a dozen men in Hospital from Turkey & some of 

the escaped men tell wierd stories. One said that his 

clothes were taken from him one by one,  till finally 

there was nothing left but disc. He crawled for miles I 

23.                                      

I believe. The costumes of all who came in were 

extraordinary & varied. I was quite sorry to be out 

of the wards when they came. I am feeling better now 

& hope it won't be very long before I can go with them 

into the wards again. The first leave party went last 

Friday. Sister Bolton, Sister Jones, S. Horton's great 

friend - and S. McLeod from here - and there others from 

the 50th.  Sister Horton had an opportunity of going 

with the first party but refused thinking she would 

have to leave in three days  and they did not go for 

three weeks. She will be going later though . . . .

 52nd General Hospital

 Kalamaria

 Salonique                                                                  .

The mails have been most eratic lately.

It is eight weeks since the last good mail. . . . . . . I think

they really lose half the mail, and dig it up occasionally

when the spirit moves them. . . . . .I had only one week at

Hortiach, and then the camp closed down.  I  was very

disappointed. . . . . . . However I am improving now, and hope

I shall soon ne able to go into the wards again.  I have 

no ambition whatever to take on the mess again.  At 

present I am helping in it which is quite enough.  We

are all awfully anxious to know what you all think at

home of the Armistice, and things generally.  I expect

there was great excitement, more than there was here, in

fact, we cannot really realise it;  in fact I expect we shall 

not for some time.  Of course we are all wondering how 

long we will be here, and what will happen us.  We should

surely be home about the middle of the year.  Won't it

be exciting!. . . . . . . . . . We had notes from the first leave

party - from Bralo - They were there for two days, 

waiting for transport.  It was intensely cold, living in a 

tent of course though I don't know that I wouldn't just 

as soon have one, and plenty of snow.  It is really an

awful time to make the journey, but I'll be quite willing

to risk it when my turn comes.  I am wondering when it

will be. . . . .

November 26th, 1918.

I am going to see Pictures tomorrow night, 

the first since I left Australia, and I have not been

even to a concert 'I forgot, I went to one in August'

since June.  It will be quite an excitement for me.  You

can imagine what it will feel like when I get home to 

go to a station and take the train to go out at night.

Tomorrow we will have on our warmest clothes, and will

be called for by a huge waggon, which must not carry

more that five ton,  and the 14 of us will be packed into

it, on boxes or forms or camp stools as the case may be,

with some officers besides. . . . . . . . . I hope to goodness

the mail boats keep clear of mines now.  It is quite

strange to think that the danger from Torpedoes is over.

We cannot realise what it will be to come home with all

lights full blaze, and noise unrestricted.  It will make 

a very great difference to the enjoyment for travel.

I am anxiously awaiting the parcels you have sent. . . . . . .

Mrs. White has just returned from a visit to Athens.

Some of the other sisters are going there very soon.

 24.

I should like to go but would rather make sure of 

"Blighty" first and you cannot do Athens under £3.0 day

and I could not afford to do both at present.  She

enjoyed it very much but was pretty tired when she 

returned as they were on the train for two days & nights

with nothing to drink  not even water from Wednesday to

Friday morning.  There had been heavy floods and the line

had to be repaired and in one place they had to walk

across an unsafe bridge with the snow falling heavily and

freezing cold. . . . . . . . . 

 Jan, 29th, 1919

I think that things are nearing a finish

as far as we are concerned at Solonique.  Sisters are

leaving by every available mail, either on leave to 

England or to Australia via Egypt.  Two hospitals are 

being handed over to the British, and staffs being 

divided between the remaining two, which makes, naturally

a lot of work in the the Home.  We already have a large number 

of Sisters from the 42nd here, and the remainder come

tomorrow, which will make us nearly 120 on the premises,

a rather large number to be responsible for.  A number

here are awaiting embarkation, and I expect a fortnight 

will make a considerable difference in our numbers.

I am having an afternoon off to gather strength for the

fray - before the push! !   Have had a very strenuous

week as we have had sisters either coming or going every

day and am also trying to get the house cleaned up

generally and get rid of Equipment.

I have packed a box with surplus kit in it, also some

shell cases, both mine & Mrs. White's and amsending it

home & will notify you definitely when I send & where.

If it has to go to the Barracks I will probably have to 

give you an order to get it, otherwise I will send it to 

Caulfield station.  These will be one box and one bundle

as I am sending home my bed & bedding. . . . .  I shall be glad 

to be rid of them as there seems to be every prospect 

of my going to England before coming out, and luggage is a 

most serious item.  As it is I will have my trunk & kit bag

to look after which is more than enough, if one goes across

the Continent! according to all accounts.

Sister Horton left about a week ago, I would very much have

like to go with her, but Matron would not let me make any

arrangements till Sister Bolton had returned.  She & S.Jones

come back the day S. Horton & her party left.  S. Jones will 

be leaving for Australia pretty soon I think and if she goes 

to Melbourne I will make. . . . . . . . . . . 

Word has just come through for some more sister to be

moving on so we are gradually dispersing. . . . We have just 

got our 20 in, making us a mass of 100, so will not be

sorry to see it reduced. . . Everything is so unsettled here.

There is no v certainity re our trip to England or 

anything. . . . . . . . . . . 

 S.S. Czaritza.

 4.2.19

Salonique - Finish - !!!   As I write the shores of 

the country are receding, and never again do I expect or

hope to see Salonique.  Last night at 8 p.m. I with about

 

 

 25.                                                                        

46 others of all units received orders to embark today,

and here we are en route for England!!! . . . .  I am more

glad than I can say to have had the experience of the

last 18 months and consider myself more than lucky to

be on my way to England, before returning home, which

promises to be about June, which was what I anticipated

The boat we are on is a Russian one really commandeered

by the Americans and attached to their Cunard Line.

There are of course Hundreds of Boys on board and about 

100 sisters, and the same number of officers.  The cabins 

are the tiniest I have ever seen, and with four big

women in one cabin and even the smallest quantity of 

luggage you can do with, its pretty full.

5/1/19.  . . . . . .   They say we touch at no port till we

reach South Hampton.  I hope that is not correct, as I 

should love to see Malta,  . . . . . .Just as we were leaving 

Salonique, Miss Pritchard, Katrina Hughes & Miss Prescott

arrived back from England.  They had had a gorgeous time

and will be the last party to return from London.  All

the remainder will go direct to Australia by one route or

another. . . . . . . It seems so strange not to have to be 

worrying about torpoedoes, mines, &c.,  though the latter

are still a menace to some extent.  Still it makes a big 

difference not to have shaded lights at night and to be

able to have as much noise as can be made. . . . . . 

6/2/19.   Saw the last of Mt. Olympus yesterday passed at

quite close quarters. . . . . . At present sitting up on deck

awaiting life boat drill.  We have it every morning a 

10.30a.m. for though there are no torpedoes there is 

still the possibility of mines and will be for many years 

I expect. . . . . . 

10th Feb. Monday. . . . . Its a rotten boat, very narrow &

has an action like a merry go round and a toboggon slide,

combined with cronic regols in between.  I never before

realised exactly what "shiver my timbers" meant.  This 

things timbers shiver till I wonder there's anything left

of it.  About an hour ago - all of a sudden without any

warning the boat lurched almost right over on its side. 

There were crashes everywhere, and a great scatteration 

of the Troops on the lower deck and out of the hub bub

a voice came up "Is worse than a bally Joy Wheal".  I've

never been on a joy wheel but I quite agree with the

speaker.  Have just been gazing at Coast line of

Spain. . . . . . . Tonight we pass Gibralter, unfortunately not

till late and we do not stop at all.  We are almost

literally making a bee line for Southhampton and are 

expected to arrive there on Friday night. . . . . 

14/2/19. 7pm  The boat has just dropped anchor in the 

English Channel outside Southhampton, ad we are to put 

in and disembark tomorrow morning. . . . . . .  Our plan is to 

put a week in London, then a week in Scotland and then

back in London again & poke round and get some mufti. . .

The last night was very wild, for 24 hours we were not 

allowed to have our lifebelts out of our hands and the

night was very noisy. . . 

 Southhampton

 15.2.19

Here I am, actually in England!  and once more

on dry land, thank goodness !!. . . . I haven't yet decided

by what means I am to reach Australia!!

As I told you the boat cast anchor at 7 p.m. & came to 

the wharf a 8 a.m. next morning.  No one seemed to know

 

 26.                                                              

what was to happen to us, we were laden up with Greek 

money and a prospect of losing 5/- in the £1 on Exchange

and were all a bit mournful in consequence.  I was

gazing at the gangway absent mindedly when I noticed two

figures coming up, I wondered who were they and it 

suddenly dawned on me, I heaved a sigh and said "Australia"

and realised that it was someone to look after us, the

Embarkation Officer & his Sgt.  As he passed our group he 

murmered "Will probably get you all away by the 12.30

passenger, but will let you know", within an hour he found

it could not be done, and sent his Sergeant for money 

changes - got an exchange of 19/2 for £1 (for the

British sisters as well) got in touch with A..G.H.Q., London,

and before 3.30 p.m. had the 50 of us comfortably settled

in a delightful Hotel just across the way and in another

half hour had our luggage over too.  Don't tell me

Australians can't do things!  They'll do for me, anyway!

We are all to go up to London by the midday train tomorrow.

They wouldn't let us come up yesterday on account of the 

difficulty of getting accommodation over the week end.

After dinner Molly said "Do letago out, just to 

see what it is like to be out on foot alone at night".

We went, but quite expected to be arrested.  So you know,

since we arrived in Salonique, I have only been twice 

out at night, on foot, once when went with an escort

of half a dozen officers to a French play, and had to get 

permission to walk from the D.D.M.S. and once at Hotiach

when we went also escorted to a pantomine about a mile &

a half away.  Laterly of course,  Matron wasn't too keen

on us being out, even in transport waggons.  There had

been so many fatalities (shooting) and things altogether

were very unhealthy.  It was somewhat better when we

left. . . . . . . . 

19.2.19

Here we are actually in London.  We seem to have done so

much already, that I hardly know where to begin. . . . 

We were splendidly looked after at Southhampton, put 

aboard the train in reserved carriages, and arrived 

safely in London about 4 p.m. in a dense fog.  There

were two officers and Sister Pratt awaiting us on the 

station and about almost before the train was stopped,

there were about a dozen of our boys swarming over our 

luggage, getting it out, and taking complete charge of 

it.  I cannot tell you what it felt like to be so

looked after by our own people. . . . . . . . . . We are being 

given theatre tickets every night if we wish to have them

and a Mr. Campbell, a most delightful man, who has just

written a guide to London, is showing us round to the 

different places.  Tuesday morning was taken up with

Horseferry Rd - getting our leave & our pay fixed up, &c.

We then met Sister Rosenthal and S. Jobson (who strangely

enough are staying at the same place as we are). . . . . .  I

forgot to say that after our sight seeing, we were taken 

back to the Aldwych where we were given quite a reception

as Mrs. Bryant was having an "At Home" for the Australian 

Boys, and we were announced in great style?  They made us

a great speech of welcome and I was made to reply!!!

I felt simply awful, and what I said I haven't the least

idea.

Today we started early to Hammersmith to get our

luggage which was stored there at the A.I.F. pack store.

   27.                                                              

All our men are simply delightful to us an look after us

splendidly.  There were about 8 or 10 of us in the office

all wanting things and the Sgt. in charge with a face

absolutely beaming said "Look at them, just look  at them,

All talking at once, and isn't it lovely to hear them,"

Its certainly lovely so see our own boys and to be with

them again, you feel as if you know everyone you see.

We are going to Surrey for this week and to stay with 

Mrs. Bryant, and next week and I a going to spend with

Cousin May and will meet S. Wilson and go on to

Scotland. . . . 

Davesmead

 Oaklay,

 Surrey.

As you see we are down here staying with Mrs. Bryant,

After we had fixed up our affairs at the Pack Stores

on Thursday morning we went back into town and met

Mr. Campbell who is taking us round to various places of

interest every day.  He is a delightful man who has just 

written a guide book to London, and needless to say knows

it from beginning to end.  For the last three years he has

given his time to taking round Australian soldier boys,

and is now giving part of his time to us. . . . . . . .We again 

went back to the Y.M.C.A. where we were given tea and

chatted to the boys who were being received by Mrs. Bryant.

Friday we were to be taken to the South Kensington

Museum, but Mrs. Bryant was motoring down to Surrey and

asked us if we would care to go with her then, instead of

by train on the Saturday. . . They have a lovely home there. . 

24/2/19   Returned to London today. . . . . 

 Pan Rhyn.

 Sunday.

 Here I am actually at Bradford, I came yesterday and 

am going on to Scotland tomorrow, but if I can get leave 

extended have promised to come back again and go up to

the Lake District. . . . . . 

Glasgow.

 7/3/19.

I see I did not write anything in Edinburgh, we have 

had such a short time everywhere that time has flown.

We arrived in Edinburgh on Monday night. . . . . . . We left at

4 p.m. for Glasgow and went direct to the International

League Hospitality, Y.M.C.A. as we had rung up what hotels

we knew and were unable to get accommodation.  Mr

Harvey arranged for us to be put up at the Scottish Nurses

Club, and we are as comfortable as we can possibly be. . . . . 

Yesterday we were called at 6.30 a.m. and left about 8 

o'clock with a party of boys (Canadian, American, S,African,

Australian & one or two British) for Loch Lomond. . . . . . . . . .

Bradford.

7/4/19.

.Just before leaving I got a note from the 

Directing of the Battersea Polytechus?  telling me that my

name had been sent in for registration so I expect to

start there on the 29th, though have had no word from the

  28.                                                            

A..I.F. yet.  I will cancel my leave without pay from

that date. I believe that Harry Thompson is Deputy 

Director of the A.I.F. Educational scheme. . . . . . . . . 

 Sunday 25/5/19

 I returned on Thursday as I wanted to

be in London for the Anzac March on the 25th.  It was a 

sight to be remembered and I was glad not to have missed 

it.  I was in the road immediately in front of Australia

House, where the Prince of Wales, took the Salute with

General Birdwood and General Haig and other notabililities

beside him.  The boys looked splendid and we were all

very proud of them. . . . . . . . . . . . .There was another march

on the 3rd May a Dominion March.  The Canadians and 

New Zealanders looked splendid, but our men were not up to 

the Anzac Standard, but then when I saw them at Anzac day

I saw them at the Saluting point, whereas on Dominion Day

they were about two miles past it.  However they were

both wonderfully interesting and it was a priviledge to

have seen them.  The third thing of interest I have to

recount is the Funeral of Nurse Cavel.  We had seats in 

Westminister Abbey in the Nave, and the very front seats.

Looking towards the Great Western door we could see through

it on to the square beyond.  Presently we heard the distant 

sounds of Chopin's funeral March which gradually came

nearer and nearer till we could see the gun carriage with

the Union Jack on it, preceded by the Band and escorted by

a few hundred Coldstream Guards.  At the Cathedral door

the Coffin was placed on the shoulders of eight tall

Guardsmen, one of whom Miss Cavell had helped escape from

Brussels.  The Bishop & clergy received them there, and 

about 50 chorister boys & choir men preceded them up the

aisle, very slowly, singing most beautifully the opening

sentences of the Burial Service.  The Coffin was borne 

by 8 guardsman with four marching on either side & two in

front & behind led by an officer with reversed Arms.  I

have never in my life heard anything more peculiarly

impressive than the sound of these 20 men's footsteps on 

the stone floor as they passed me, and as I thought of

the crowds waiting reverently in the streets and the guard

of honour lined up with arms reversed outside the Cathedral

and the thousands inside it,  I thought that England had

paid her the greatest honour in her power and it was well

worth dying for. Then the last post was sounded and then 

the Reveille, and I was straight way transported back to 

the Hortiach Plateau, and could almost see the mountains

surrounding us.  Then we all stood while the Dead March

in Saul was played and then as the procession filed out

again the Chopin Funereal March.  We had copies of the 

entire service and could quite easily follow it though  we

were a good way from the Altar.   Yesterday we went down

to Windsor and I simply cannot tell you how vexed I was

when I found that a Memorial Service was being held at

the Abbey to all the Oversea & Dominion Troops.  The

King & Queen and Prince of Wales were to be there, and I

am more vexed how I came to miss it.  I have just cut an 

account of it from the "Times" and will enclose it. . . . . . 

Sister Coulter is going about a lot with us and does get

so mad because we are always passed through nearly

everywhere and she has to sign her name and pay 6d. of 1/-

as the case may be.  The same thing happens to the Military

Sisters who swank it in mufti.  So even if our uniform is

plain and shabby it certainly has its advantage.  We Certainly

29.                                                               

are treated with the most extensive courtesy where ever 

we go.  I have no intention whatever of wearing out door

mufti while I am here. . . .

12/9/19

 I expect this will be the last general letter I

shall write.  For one thing it is the end of my book and 

for another it should certainly be nearly the end of my

exile, though I have not yet hear anything of a boat

roll. . . . . . .   I returned from Paris on the Tuesday 

29th June & had to report next morning.  We had the usual

time going from one military department to another first

to the clothing Store to return clothing I had never

borrowed, then to the tool store, which was a ditto case,

then to the pay office, where they gave me back my pay 

book with the intimation that I was £22/10/- overdrawn.

As I drew nothing but what was paid into my account it was 

somewhat of a shock, but the ways of the Military pay

officers are past finding out.  I then reported to 

Miss Conyers who whereupon gave me a fortnights leave - 

pre embarkation.

I took a couple of days playing round London & getting

all luggage ready in case I was recalled for a boat,