Nurses Narratives - Matron A Kellett - Part 5

(8.)
cooked, and needles to say we made " hay while the sun shone . "
We returned to the ship on the 11th November11915 . She had been 
thoroughly painted and cleaned , and electric heaters put in our cabins,
which added greatly to our comfort. She had aboard, the Medical staff,
male personell and equipment of the 29th British General hospital, and 
set sail with them for Salonica. 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 this mist, that it was with great 
difficulty that the outline of ships, a very short distance away, could
be discerned. 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 thei
sufferings in the blizzard , were heart-breaking, but when they reached
the ship, they were perfectly happy, though there were many amputations 
of feet, toes and fingers. I have never seen such bad cases of Trench
feet as these.
We left Salonica on the 5th 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 patien
and set sail for on the 12th Dec, for England, only got a short distance 
out, when our 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 medicaloOfficers 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 disembarke
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 tim
in very nicely by visiting the surrounding places of interest.
On the 4th Jan, embarked Indians and 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 sent here I left the 
ship,  joining my own Unit.     

(9).
Returned to No2. A.O.[[?]]., 20th January, 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
for about 400 beds. 
The medical and male personell, was R.A.V.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 
undescribable something, which makes working with a mixed staff, much
more difficulty than in a purely Australian hospital. I think it is
we do not just understand each other.  The R.A.M.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, 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, Mumps, 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 to worry about the messing
arrangments, as we had a caterer who had provided his own staff etc, and
charged us 2/6 per diem, just the-ordinary messing allowance 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 lent 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 enjoyment 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
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 beh
behavour did not improve, and two days before I left foe England, he
was replaced by a Territorial Major.
I left Choubra infections 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, Thalley and Bagthorpe.
Naturally there was much consternation, as they wanted to keep together.
On reaching London, we were sent to Harefield, No.2. 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.A.H., Southall.
Southall had been a large Orphanage school, situated in about five
acres of land. It was most admirable 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 rooms,
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 their 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.
Theatre was the acute, or post-operative ward, which was a very great 
advantage.
In passing I must mention the splendid work done by the Australian
Red Cross, besides having a store where each patient could get everything
he wanted, they painted and provided linoeleum chairs etc, for each
ward, thus making them very much brighter.
The patients had increased so considerable, that it was found
necessary to find more room, so municipal schools nearing completion,
were commandeered. These schools ere 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 baths, making 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
convalescent patients were sent down here.

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There were many 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 competitions 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 the 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.F.F., and in passing, I may say
the twelve months spent at Southall, was one 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 renewing old friendships.
I arrived at No. 25, General Hospital on the 11th July,
after a splendid crossing.
No. 25, General Hospital is situated at Bardelet, about
10 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, oxalips, violets, blue- bells, king-cups, poppies, cornflowers,
daisies, and numerous other flowers growing in great profusion,
in the Spring and Summer, and various coloured berries,
and tinted leave in the Autumn.
The hospital was principally for skin cases. 2,400 beds,
 and only 500 available for operations and Medical cases. All
the clean surgery of the Boulogne area was done here.
This major portion of the hospital was under Canvas. The
Administrative Offices, Main Theatre, Acute Surgical Wards, and Dispensary
were in what had been in pre-War days, the Hotel de Hardelot.

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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 the R.A.M.C Hospital, and which was principally
"skin cases," I as a Matron cannot speak too highly of the deference
paid to 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 most impressed me, and which
I think we might copy in our Australian Hospitals, is that the 
Matron has 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 therefore much harder to manage than 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 the 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 such 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 large wounds, hence in my opinion it
was very much harder, and many grousings had I to supress, by
telling the Sisters that "skin cases were diseases peculiar to
the war, and were equally important to cure as a large wound."