Nurses Narratives - Matron A Kellett - Part 2

(6).

for the severest cases, those aft, were double bunks, excepting ward

No4, which also took severe cases. We were all allowed a holiday on

Sunday. Monday each Sister supervised the preparation of her ward, 

the orderlies making the beds etc, the sweepers, the Indian boys,

scrubbing the floors etc, and the prepared dressings etc. We reached

Mudros harbour on Wednesday, and there waited our orders from the

"Araragon."         

Were very interested in watching the numbers of transports etc,

passing with reinforcements for the Peninsula. The whole harbour

seemed alive with boats, and was a most glorious sight.

Beautiful as the sun-sets were in Egypt, they were nothing compared 

to those at Lemnos. As you watched, the whole sky and surrounding

country was veiled in a deep rose color, and the rugged mountains

became quite soft, looking as they were veiled in tulle. As you gazed

the color changed, tinting all objects to a pale mauve, shading to a 

deep violet. The after glow was equally as beautiful, which had again 

changed to a bright sapphire blue.

Our orders arrived to proceed to Anzac Cove, which we reached the

same evening, about six hours trip from Mudros harbour. Was quite

excited at seeing the spot where our boys had made such a name for

themselves, and after viewing the place, one wonders however any were

able to effect a landing.

The sun-sets were most glorious also, I think even more beautiful

than at Lemnos, in as much, as the last ray of the after flow

disappeared, the whole side of the mountain facing us, began to shimmer

with myriads of lights, from the dug-outs. Viewed from the deck of

the "Cascon," by night, Anzac Cove was indeed a most picturesque sight,

and on could hardly realize what a deadly inferno it was, until the 

guns began to talk.

Our patients began to arrive about 6pm, in barges, mostly medical-cases, 
and I was one of the night-Sisters. (Two did night-duty, one 

forward, and one aft). I was most interested watching the seachlights, 

from Cape Helles, and the Monitors lying near us, playing on the

Peninsula. (My cases were all walkers, and were accommodated on the 

deck, thus I had a good view of that nights military operations.)

The star shells too, were most fascinating, one would be a red colored, 
perhaps the next green, and then a white one, they would burst, and 

float in mid-air for sometime. I learnt afterwards they were signals.
I feared from the terrible firing, especially about 3am. there would

not be a single soul alive, and was greatly relieved and surprised in

the morning, when the barges arrived, to find so few wounded. The poor

boys, no matter what their wound or illness was, felt, once they reached

the ship, their troubles were ended. Their gratitude for the little

you would do for them, was simply wonderful, and their great patience

was an object lesson to us all.

I will remember one poor boy, who was admitted about 7pm, very

badly wounded, indeed, (was hit about three minutes to six, and was to 

have been relieved duty, at six o'clock), and in a most collapsed

condition, asking "where the ship was making for," when he was told 

Alexandria, he gave a great sigh of releif, and said, "Now I shall be

alright," alas, he died about 2am, before we had started, and was

buried at sea 8am, the next morning, a special barge taking the body

some distance from where we were anchored.

Left Anzac Cove on the night of the 12th Sept 1915, for reaching

Mudros harbour early the next morning, put some of our patients

ashore, and received our orders for Malta.

 

(7).

Reached Malta early on the morning of the 16th Sept, disembarked
patients, and the Sisters were allowed ashore. Very interested in
all we saw, Combined pleasure with duty, and visited the Red Cross,
a most successful visit, as many comforts had arrived for the patients.
Left Malta again on the 17th Sept, 1915 for Mudros harbour. Was very
rough the first day out, otherwise a very pleasant trip.
We utilized the time going back empty, replenishing stock etc.
and doing our own washing and ironing. We had a "Dobbie Waller"
on board, but as there were only one set of tubs, preferred to do our
own washing, afraid of infection.
Arrived again at Mudros harbour on the 21st Sept. Very rough
indeed.
Received orders to proceed to Cape Helles. Left for Cape Helles
on the 22nd Sept, anchored a very short distance from the torpedoed
"Majestic," which was is lying keel upwards, and very much resembles
a huge whale.
The bleached River Clyde was a source of interest, and one could
quite picture the heroic boys, being cut down in their attempt to land.
We filled up with Dysentry cases, all more or less jaundiced, and
set sail on the 24th Sept, for Mudros harbour again.
We received orders to proceed up the harbour, but were called
on to another hospital ship, which was leaving for England. I had
practically no work to do, (all the cases being medical ones, excepting
inoculations, the whole of the ships crew being done).
Left for Anzac Cove 26th Sept, again filled up and returned to
Mudros harbour, put some infectious cases ashore, and then set sail for
Gibraltar.
Most of the cases were Medical, Dysentry, and Query Enteric, some
of the Dysentry cases being very bad indeed. As I had so little
operative work, used to help in the different wards. This was a very
rough trip indeed. Arrived Gibraltar, about the 7th October 1915.
The arrangements for disembarking the patients, was most wonderful.
In an amazingly short time, they were all disposed of, and we were free
to explore Gibraltar. Had a most interesting time, as we were remaining
a couple of days, the Captain gave us permission to cross the bay and
see Algeceras. (Spain)
Here we had a very interesting and happy time. Drove out to a
Pine-Forest, visited an Arena, where I understood a Bull-fight was to
take place the next day, also many places of interest in the town, one
place bears special mention, the room in which the "Convention of
Morocco," was signed.
Left Gibraltar on the 10th Oct, for Mudros harbour, but were called
into Malta by wireless, Here we embarked convalescant patients, and
set sail again on the 14th Oct, for England. Very excited at the
thought of seeing England. Very little work to do, as most of the
patients were convalescent, no operative work at all. Reached Gibraltar
20th Oct, and received definite orders for Southampton.
Had an uneventful trip, excepting some very rough days, but as I
am an excellent sailor, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
En passant, we crossed Trafalgar Bay, on the 100th anniversary
of the Battle of Trafalgar. We arrived at Southampton on Sunday the
25th Oct, disembarked our patients and set sail for Tilbury Docks, at
3pm, Saturday Sunday. Had a very rough trip up, and reached London, on the
27th Oct. We were then given 15 days leave, while the ship was
 

(8).

docked, and needless to say we made "hay while the sun shone."
We returned to the ship on the 11th November 1915. She had been
thoroughly painted and cleaned, and electric heaters put in out cabins,
which added greatly to our comfort. We had aboard, the Medical staff,
male person∧nell and equipment of the 29th British General hospital, and
set sail with them for Salonics. Had an extremely rough trip, for
two days were "hove to," crossing the bay. The waves were breaking
over the bridge, the Captain saying it was the roughest trip he had had
for nine years.

Reached Salonica on the 25th Nov, too late to enter harbour, the
boom was down, so anchored outside for the night. Bitterly cold.
Olymplius and the surrounding mountains were covered with snow, as was
the town. The air was much colder than the water, that as it struck
it, a vaper arose. It was a grand sight, the whole harbour was like
a steaming cauldron. So thick was the mist, that it was with great
difficulty that the outline of the ships, a very short distance away, could
be descerned. I have never experienced such bitter, bitter cold, in
my life.

We remained in the harbour for about twelve days, before orders
came for the 29th hospital to disembark. We then filled up with
Trench feet, and frost-bitten cases. The stories we were told of their
sufferings in the blizzard, were heart-breaking, but when they reached
the ship, they were perfectly happy, though there were man amputations
of feet, toes and fingers. I have never seen such bad cases of Trench
feet as these.

We left Salonica on the 6th December 1915, reaching Alexandria
on the 10th Dec. Disembarked our patients, and then made a mad rush
for our mail, the first we had received for three months, one of the
great drawbacks of transport duty.

Had two days in Alexandria, and filled up with convalescent patients
and set sail for on the 12th Dec, for England, only got a short distance
out, when out engines broke down, and back to port we had to put.
It was two days before they were repaired and in order to sail. Off

we went again on the 14th Dec. The medical Officers and crew were
most anxious to reach England for Xmas day.

I was again on night duty, very rough indeed, nothing special to
mention about this trip, except all hands were hard at work for a few
days, making up parcels etc, for Xmas presents for the patients.

We had Xmas dinner in Southampton water, and an excellent dinner
it was, the Chef excelling himself.

The ship provided a special dinner for the boys, also a present for
each, and a concert during the afternoon, so altogether, they had a 
very happy time.

Reached Southampton early Boxing day morning, patients disembarked
and we were free till 1st January 1916.

After a great amount of trouble our Matron, Miss. Woollen, got
our warrants, and we left for London, returning on the morning of the
1st Jan, to find we were not sailing until the 4th, but we put the time
in very nicely by visiting the surrounding places of interest.

On the 4th Jan, embarked Indians and some Indian medical service
men, but as they had their own orderlies etc, to look after them,
we had nothing to do for them, it was therefore a very uninteresting
trip. Reached Alexandria on the 17th Jan, and went  here I left the ship
joining my own Unit

(9).

Returned to No2. A.G.H., 20th January ∧ 1916, and went on night duty.
As interesting as hospital ship duty was, it was nice to be back among
your own again. Only remained here about a fortnight, when I was
sent down in charge of Choubra Infectious hospital, 8th February.

The word Choubra seemed to strike terror to my heart, thought it
was away in the desert somewhere, and only Natives near. So you can
imagine my surprise when I arrived to find a most up-to-date building, 
surrounded by a beautiful garden.

It was practically a new hospital, and had only been built in 1912,
and commandeered at the beginning of the war. It was in pre-war days,
a semi-private Austro-Hungarian hospital, and I understand staffed by
German Nurses. Anyhow, it was a most conveniently fitted up hospital
of for about 400 beds.

The medical and male perso∧nnell, was R.A.N.C. The Nursing staff,
Australian 35 Sisters and myself. The C.O., was a most courteous , as
were the majority of the medical staff, but somehow there is an
underscribable something, which makes working with a mixed staff, much
more difficult, than in a purely Australian hospital. I think it is
we do not just understand each other. The R.A.N.C., administration
is wonderfully organised, each one knowing exactly his or her duty, but
I must say the comfort of the patient is not absolutly the first
consideration. The appearance of the ward etc. seems to take first
place, but anyhow, as I used to tell my staff, "accept all that, was good
in their administration, ∧of with the Australians, first thought for their
patient, you would have an excellent combination.

We took only infectious cases, such as, Diphtheria, Typhoid,
Cerebro-Spinal-Meningitis, Mum[s, Measles and Dysentry. As they were
all acute cases, and the weather getting very much hotter, the Nurses
found the work most trying. They had a whole day off a week, every
second half-day, and the next, a long day on, which meant they went on
duty at 7am. and off 8pm. but when the work of the ward allowed it,
each Sister, on her long day, was allowed an hour and a half rest, some
time during the  day.

As the work was so continuous and strenuous, Nurses only did three
months here, six changing every fortnight.

Though this procedure was absolutly essential for the welfare of the
Nurses, the medical men were always complaining of the numerous changes
in their wards.

The Sisters were billeted in a furnished house, some short distance
away, which had been lent to the Authorities by a wealthy Egyptian,
we paying our Arab servant ourselves. I had no worry about the messing
arrangements, as we had a caterer who provided his own staff etc, and
charged us 2/6 per diem, just the ordinary messing allowing given us.
it was a very good mess indeed.

As the patients were all infectious, they were not allowed to roam
about Cairo, as those from other hospitals, and were only allowed out
under the escort of a Sister.

The Red Cross very kindly sent us a car twice a week, so ten were
thus taken out every week. There was also a small car attached to the
hospital, which the Sisters could use from 2-4pm. either for themselves
or to take their patients out.

There were many good concerts arranged for the en joyment of the
Sisters and patients.

After I had been there about 3 months, the C.O., who had been
ailing for some time, was granted three months leave of absence, so he
left for England, and I felt I had really lost a friend.

(10).

because he was most kind and considerate to the Sisters and me.

His successor was not so kindly disposed to us, and my troubles now
began. The friction between him and the Sisters, also the Australian
patients, grew daily more alarming, and I was constantly the buffer
between them, at last it grew so bad, that, all the Australian patients
were withdrawn to an Australian Auxillary hospital, even then his bad
behavior did not improve, and two days before I left for England, he
was replaced by a Territorial Major.

I left Choubra infectious hospital on the 7th July 1916, in charge
of 45 Sisters for England.

After an uneventful trip, reached Southampton, where orders were
awaiting me to distribute the Sisters, (excepting 15, whose names were
mentioned, to proceed to Head Quarters), among the following British
hospitals;--Netley, Warrington, Napsbury, Whalley and Bagthorpe.
Naturally there was much consternation, as they wanted to keep together.

On reaching London, we were sent to Harefield, No22 A.A.H., to be
billeted. Some of the 15, were sent to France, some remained on the
staff of Harefield, and on the 5th August, I with one Sister, was sent 
down to open No2. A.AA.H., Southall.

Southall had been a large Orphanage school, situated in about five
acres of land. It was most admirably suited for a hospital, large airy
rooms, capable of taking 33 beds each, with small rooms at end of wards,
which answered excellently for service rooms, and Sisters bunks,
There were nine of these wards, many bathrooms, and two long corridors
fitted with wash basins, hot and cold water laid on. It was practically
a self-contained hospital, having its own laundry, bakery, dental room,
tailors shop, boot-makers or boot-repairers shop etc, and own vegetable
garden. These various departments being used in the training of the
inmates of the school.

After many worries etc, the "house was put in order," my staff
had gradually been increased to 36, and we took our first patients on the
1st September 1916.

It was made the centre for the limbless cases.

After operations, the boys were fitted for the artificial limbs,
and it was most wonderful to watch the progress they made in walking etc.

Each case was seen by a Specialist before operation, who most
frequently was present at the operation.

The operation room was beautifully fitted up with all conveniences
and admirably lighted, with sterilizing room attached. Adjoining the
Theatre was the acute, or post-operative ward, which was a very great
ward, thus making them very much brighter.

The patients had increased so considerably, that it was found
necessary to find more room, so municipal schools nearing completion,
were commandeered. These schools were composed of many small rooms--
one very large room, which was used by the  orderlies, and a very very
large open ward, which latterly was glassed in. A good water supply,
and hot and cold shower baths, making an excellent addition to the
hospital. It was about 10 minutes walk across the paddock from the
main building. Had a covered-in-way the whole distance. The most of the
convalescent patients were sent down here.

-11-

There were many and varied amusements provided for the 
patients. Theatre parties, drives, and most excellent concerts.
In fact, the number of amusements was so great, that a Red Cross
worker supervised absolutely the getting together the men for
the different parties.

Another batch of ladies very kindly came down twice a
week, and taught the patients fancy work. It was wonderful the
interest the men took in this work, and competition became most
keen, which was encouraged by the ladies offering prizes for the
best piece of work: that done by men who had lost their right arm
being most wonderful.

The Sisters were most comfortably billeted in three
cottages, about five minutes walk from the wards, and Mess Room,
which was in the Main Building.

Each room had a fireplace, so during the winter months,
we were able to have fires, which added greatly to our comfort.

On the 10th July, 1917, I left No. 2, A.A.H., Southall,
for No. 25, General Hospital, B.E.F., and in passing, I may say
the twelve months spent at Southall, was on of the happiest periods
I have had on active service. The esprit de corps of the unit was
excellent. The Sisters worked excellently, and were so solicitous
for their patients happiness.

It was also a "collecting centre" for Sisters awaiting
transfer to Australia, also Sisters moving to other Stations,
so that you were constantly reniewing old friendships.

I arrived at No. 25, General Hospital on the 11th July,
after a splendid crossing.

No. 25, General Hospital is situated at Hardelot, about
ten Kilometres south of Boulogne.

Though a little isolated, it is in amost picturesque
spot. The sea on one side, with its wonderful beach, where the
Patients congregated daily in hundreds, and the forest on the other
side.

The forest was a great source of pleasure to the Sisters,
as it supplied the flowers to beautify their wards. Daffodils,
primroses, oxslips, violets, blue -bells, King-cups, poppies, cornflowers,
daisies, and numerous other flowers growing in great profusion,
in the Spring and Summer, and carious coloured berries,
and tinted leaves in the Autumn.

The hospital was principally for skin cases. 2,400 beds,
and only about 500 available for operations and Medical cases. All
the clean surgery of the Boulogne area was done here.

The major portion of the hospital was under Canvas. The 
Administrative Offices, Main Theatre, Acute Surgical Wards, and Dispensary
were in what had been a pre-war days, the Hotel de Hardelot.

-12-

The acute medical cases in one of the annexes of
the Hotel "Villa Victoria," and the sick Officers were in two
other annexes, Villas "Edward" and "Helene."

The medical staff and male personnel were R.A.M.C.
and the Nursing Staff, A.A.N.S.

The Nursing Staff consisted of ninety-nine Sisters,
and myself, and though many of them were discontented at finding
themselves in an R.A.M.C. Hospital, and which was principally
"skin cases," I as a Matron cannot speak too highly of the deference
paid me from the C.O., to the most Junior Orderly.

A Matron's position is co-equal with the C.Os. in
an R.A.M.C. Hospital, and one thing which impressed me, and which
I think we might copy in our Australian Hospitals, is that the
Matron was control of the orderlies. To me it was a great advantage
being able to post the Nursing orderlies just to the wards
I thought them most suited for.

The majority of the skin patients were very well in
themselves, and were therefor much harder to mange then really
sick men. They would smoke out of hours, and would throw their
matches, and butt end of cigarettes on the floor, and in fact seemed
to break all rules. Their diet was also a constant source of worry
and anxiety. While any extra could be obtained for the cot-cases,
only the bare ration - which was very limited about the middle of
1918 - could be procured for the Dining Hall patients, therefore
their grousing was very great.

They were however, well provided for in the way of
concerts and cinemas. There were always at least three concerts
and two cinemas every week, and most frequently a concert every
evening. We had an excellent Unit Orchestra, many of the members
of the Male Staff being excellent musicians, and it was wonderful
what a great amount of talent was always forth coming from the
patients.

These concerts were a great godsend, because No. 25,
being so isolated, and so many parts of Hardelot being "out of
bounds," to the patients, it would have been most difficult to
manage them.

The Sisters were able to have as much tennis and
Badminton as they liked. There were six beautiful tennis courts
belonging to the "Syndicate of Hardelot," which were rented by the
Medical Officers, and they made them Honorary Members of the Club.
M.Bleirot, the great French aviator placed his aerodrome at our
disposal for Badminton Courts, so we could play there in comfort
all the year round.

The dressing of some of the skin cases required a
great amount of patience, as they took suck a considerable time
to do, especially head cases, and so little really to show for
for your work. The work was very continuous, and had not the
glamour of dressing the large wounds, hence in my opinion it
was very much harder, and many grousings had I to suppress, by
telling the Sisters that "skin cases were diseases peculiar to
the war, and were equally important to cure as a large wound."