Nurses Narratives - Matron A Kellett - Part 3

(2).
The second day out, we had a case of appendicitis, on board, and
being the Theatre-Sister, had to prepare at once for the operation.
Fortunately I had sterilised many dressings, sheets, etc. while waiting
at Albany, so by the time the basins, etc. were boiled - by kind permission
of the Chief Steward in the galley - all was ready, and the O.C. began
work. The sea was beautifully calm, and the work was done just as comfortably
as in an operation room on land. Next day we had another case
of appendicitis, this one being gangerous, which naturally did not do as
well as the first case. We had several Empyemas, and the rest of the
cases were only ^ [[?]] minor ones. So the operative work and inoculations were
not very exciting, our worst cases being Pnuemonia ones.
Nothing very exciting happened until the 8th Nov. 1914, when the
"Osterley," passed through our lines. As she passed each boat, much
cheering and "God save the King," being sung, both by the passengers on
the "Osterley," and the troops on the transports.
All this time, we had been travelling with "Lights out," and the
night Nurses found her work very much harder in consequence. If the "Officer-in-Charge,"
saw even a flick of her torch, he would politely but emphatically,
request her to put it out.
Early in the morning of the 9th Nov. 1914, much excitement on board
as the news became known that the "Sydney," had been called to combat the
dreaded "Emden," which was off Cocus Island.
At 8 a.m., the Japanese War Boat flew across our bows, all the little
Japanese standing in attention, and her Ensign flying gaily in the breeze.
The air was tense with excitement, and many cheers would ascend as the progress
of the battle was signalled to us. Just at 11 a.m. one vociferous
roar was heard from many throats, and the three bands struck up "God save
the King,". We knew then that the Emden was put out of action - ( just
at that moment our first death took place.)
The whole of the troops were given a half-holiday, to celebrate the
sinking of the "Emden."
In passing it was extremely interesting watching the various Battalions
at their respective drills, physical and otherwise, everything being
done to keep them fit, Concerts, etc. being given in the evenings for their
amusement.
Next day we fell out of line, and our patient was buried. The first
burial at sea I had witnessed; seems much more impressive than a burial on
land. Just as we were coming into line, our second patient died.
Now that the "Emden" had been disposed of, we were allowed to travel
with full lights, which was a great improvement, and you could now see where
you were going. The upper decks were used for sleeping purposes by the
troops, too hot down in their hammocks, while passing through the tropics.
We reached Colombo on a Sunday afternoon, at 3 p.m. but lay outside
the break-water. The New Zealanders only were allowed ashore. We were
very sad as the "Promised Land," looked most fascinating from the distance.
Anyhow we soon found much to interest us, by the many small boats which
were encircling our boat, the native offering us for sale, their gaudy
wares. We were also much interested in the wonderful diving for money, of
the children, their lithe, glossey bodies being most graceful.

Set sail again on Monday, only stayed a few hours at Aden, a most
dreary place. It was not until now we had any idea of our destination -
the popular idea was that we were bound for Salisbury Plains, so you can
imagine the excitement when we were told we were to disembark at Alexandria.
I forgot to mention we had a terrible epidemic of Ptomaine poisoning among
the troops in the 3rd Battn. while crossing the Indian Ocean, and while we
were at Fort Said, had a more severe one amongst  the troops of the 4th Bn.

(3).

It was most pitiful to see the sufferings of the boys, who were
dropping down everywhere like flies. All the Sisters on duty working
like Trojans, one administrating emetics, the next one giving
Hypodermics-of-Strych, and the others putting them to bed with hot bags
etc., their sufferings were most cruel. Arsenical poisoning suspected.
The M.Os, and the volunteers, from the Officers of the Battalians, and
Ship staff, worked equally hard.

The first patient arrived about 4pm, and they simple poured in
after, until midnight. Some were very ill for days, and in fact, we
brought many of them on to Mena House, Cairo, in the Ambulance train.

We reached Alexandria on the 3rd Dec 1914, and the advance party
left for Cairo, the same evening. Most of the troops ,and the few
horses, only 16, disembarked and proceeded to Cairo, on the 4th Dec,
we Sisters said "Good-bye," to the Captain and his Officers, on the
morning of the 5th Dec, after a most pleasant and extremely calm voyage.
One Sister had been lent to the 19th General Imperial Hospital,
Alexandria, on the evening of the 4th Dec. We felt very sad seeing
her drive off, as we had hoped to keep together.

We were taken across the harbour in a Motor-boat, and joined the
Ambulance train, for Cairo. On board we found about 60 of our Euripides
patients, several being admitted to hospitals in Alexandria, too ill
to be brought on.

We left Alexandria about 9.30pm, passing through most interesting
country, and reached Cairo about 3.30pm, where we were met by Imperial
Officers, and told our destination would be Mena house, and we would
find an Imperial Matron, Miss. Greigson,--already installed. We were
then conducted to a special train, which was waiting for us.

We were quickly surrounded by Native Arabs, who evidently looked
upon us as equally queer people, as they to us. We found out afterwards,
that the Imperial Sisters, always appeared in public in Mufti,
hence their wonder at our Military Uniforms.

After many delays on the way, the Pyramids loomed in the distance,

so we knew we were nearing our destination, as we were told Mena House,
lay under their shadow. We arrived at the hospital at 6pm, and were
made welcome by our new Matron, Miss. Greigson, a Regular, who showed
us to our rooms, which surprised us very much, as we expected to "rough
it," and here we found beautifully furnished rooms, and Arab servants
to wait on us.

After a cup of tea, I donned my indoor Uniform, and went on duty,
to make beds etc, for the 60 cases, all walking, that we had brought
along with us. By the time they were fed, washed etc, the bell
sounded for our Dinner, 8.15pm.

Here again a great surprise awaited us, instead of the enamel-ware,
we had been told we would use, we found the tables beautifully decorated
and a fine Dinner Service etc, and most picturesquely dressed waiters.
Their dark skins looking much darker by contrast with their white
flowing gown and red fez.

After dinner we stole out into the garden, and never shall I forget
my first impression of Egypt, by moonlight. Tthe moon and stars were
most wonderfully bright, and the air so still and clear, and penetrated
with the scent of Orange Blossom. It was almost fascinating, and you
felt at once you were in the land of mystery and antiquity. It was
with great reluctance I remembered I was a Sister on Active Service,
and must away to bed, to be ready for duty in the morning.

After breakfast, went on duty in same ward as I had been the
previous night, but at 9am, received a message from the Matron to attend

(4).

her office at once, all my sins of omission and comission rushed

through my mind, and I was greatly relieved to find the summons to that
sacred spot meant nothing more than to take charge of the "Operation
room", my favourite work in my profession.
The room set aside for the Theatre, had formerly been used as "The
Ladies Hair-dressing Saloon," when Mena House was a fashionable pre-war
winter resort. So we were fortunate in having two good wash-stand
and sink fixtures, also a large cupboard with a marble top, which
answered e xcellently for a side table, on which to stand the drums etc,
containing sterilized sheets etc, also a large glass cupboard with
many shelves, which made a most excellent instrument case. The walls

and floor were white tiles, so we had,--with the exception of poor, or

in fact, no ventilation, except from the window, quite a nice little Theatre.

Mena House hospital, was under the R.A.M.C., administraiton, and I

do not know if they had intended it only as a Convalescent Depot, or

that their stores had not arrived, but there was no Operative equipment
whatever, had to hunt among different rooms to get basins, jugs etc.

Was fortunate enough to find some porcelain strays, which evidently
had been used for developing photographs, so commandered them for
instrument trays. Anyhow, in a few daystrime a small sterelizer
(Mehtylated spirits being used), and some instruments arrived, so a more

business like appearance was given to the room. The room opposite the

Theatre, was given to me as a Sterelizing room
The basins were sterelized out in the kitchen, and a small primus
stove and kettle were next added to the equipment, for which I was
most grateful, because it meant much delay in getting the water from the
kitchen,.
Operations now started, and I really thought all the hernia cases
had waited till this moment to b e operated.
Captain Treves, and nephew of Sir, Francis Treves, was the Surgeon.
Went on night duty about 17th Dec 1914, for a fortnight, and it
was while on night duty I think, I saw the Pyramids at their very best
viz, sunrise. One morning especially, lives in my memory. About

4am, I walked on to the balcony, and the sight that met my eyes, would

gladden the heart of any the most prosaic. The Pyramids were veiled
in a beautiful deep pink, as you watched, the color changed to mauve,
and then to pale pink. Riding down the steep road came a Bedouin,

on his supercillious looking camel. Away in the valley there seemed
to be a thick mist of white and blue clouds, presently you would see

one Arab and then another, wake, rise from the ground, shake himself
and realize it was day, and then, where peace, which could almost be
felt reigned, was hustle, and the Mena road was crowded with camels,
donkeys etc, and their wares off to market. They seemed to come from
every corner at once.
On the 19th Jan 1915, No2. A.G.H., arrived at Mena House with its

full equipment, and it was then that the transport Sisters,(of whom
most had been sent to Mena House), belonging to Queensland, Victoria,
and West Australia, were transferred to No1. A.G.H., Heliopolis.
In a short time the R.A.G.H., staff, were recalled and we were
purely an Australian hospital.
To my great delight I returned to the Theatre, and found No2. had
brought along all appliances needed for an up-to-date Theatre, it made
work very much easier.
As the camp grew, naturally the work increased, but it was all

ordinary work, with just a few exceptions. Several head-cases,
accidents,--falls from the Pyramids;
 

(5).

Great excitment in the camp on Good Friday, when word went
round,tthe troops were movong out next day for an unknown

destination.

Saturday, Easter-eve, saw many of then away, each Division
moved off in turn, until only the hospital remained.

There was great excitement in the hospital when the first

wounded arrived, after the landing at Gallipoli. These were the

less severe cases, anyhow, they provided plenty of work for the
Theatre, but were principally removal of foreign bodies. The
patients invariably asked that the bullet should be carefully

saved for them, which they treasured very greatly.
Gradually as the hospitals at Alexandria became crowded, we
received more severe cases, the Convoys arriving at all hours.
Naturally more wards were opened, and when every available room was
converted into a ward, we made an emergency ward, on the roof of one
of the wings. When not actually working in the Theatre, I helped in

with the dressings in this ward.
The patience of the boys was wonderful, even though they arrived
with only the field dressings on,--they waited patiently their turn

to have the dressings changed, and, in many cases, the fractured limb

made comfortable.
I remained at Mena House, till the 6th May 1915, when No2. A.G.H.
was gradually being transferred to Cherzieh Palace. On that date I

received word to pack, and in an hours time was off.

Next morning I was detailed for duty in the Theatre, and found a
much larger and better ventilated room. There was a bathroom,--which
was used as the scrub-up room, leading into the Theatre, and
Sterelizing room, was also attached, making the work much easier.
As we had more severe cases here, the operations were much more
interesting, and one felt they were really doing war surgery, as you
never knew the moment a haemorrhaging case would suddenly be rushed
into the room.
The operative work increased so much, that a second Theatre was
opened, so now the Theatre staff was increased to two staff-Nurses,
three orderlies and myself, each of us three Sisters taking
in turn emergency cases, needing operation during the night.
Thus I worked till the 2nd Sept 1915, when I got my hearts desire

and left Cairo for Alexandria, to join H.M.Hospital ship, "Gasson."
Three other Sisters and I left Cairo by the 12 midday train, all

greatly excited, and were met at Alexandria by an ambulance, and taken

to the "Gasson," where we were met by the C.O. Colonel Hugo, and made
welcome, the Matron, (a regular), being ashore. The four Sisters whom

we were replacing, had not left the boat yet, they felt very sad at
leaving, as they had been on her since the landing of our troops at
Gallipoli.

The staff consisted of the C.O. and four Medical Officers, (all
Indian service men), Matron,(Imperial), and nine Australian Sisters.
Each Medical Officer having an assistant Indian doctor as a dresser,
R.A.M.C. and Indian orderlies, so it was a very cosmopalitian staff.
We left Alexandria on sundya 4th Sept 1915, for Lemnos, sea
beautifully calm. As I had not been on night duty for some

considerable time, it was my fate to do that duty this trip. About
10am, the Matron showed us round the hospital, and detailed each Sister

to her respective ward. The wards forward had swinging cots, and kept
 

(6).

for the several 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 rderlies making the beds etc, the sweepers, the Indian boys,
scrubbing the floors etc, and she prepared dressings etc. We reached
Mudros harbour on Wednesday, and there waited our orders from the "Arargon."