AWM41 1010 - [Nurses Narratives] Miss D Millicent C Michell

6/17
Butler Colln
AWM 41
[6/19] AA
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AWM 41
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
ACCESS STATUS
OPEN
D.M.C. MICHELL
A.W.M.
LIBRARY
Classⁿ N^o 373.2
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[1010]

The Official War Historian of the Commonwealth
Government (Dr. C.E.W. Bean), after his study of the
collection of private war records preserved in the Australian 
War Memorial Library, wrote:-
"The private diaries in this collection furnish some of its most
valuable historical records, but, like all private memoirs which were
not compiled with any historical purpose, they should not be
regarded as first-hand evidence except where it is certain that they
are so. The diarist is almost always sincere in his desire to record
accurately, but he is subject to no obligation or inducement to
indicate whether he is recording his own observations or incidents
told to him by friends or heard at third or fourth hand at the mess-table.
Thus, in some of the diaries in this collection, scenes described with
vivid detail, and without warning that they are told at second 
or third hand, have been found to be completely inaccurate in
important details. A certain number also have been written up
or revised long after the events, though doubtless usually from notes
made at the time. In most cases the student must rely on his
experience and on internal evidence to guide him in judging what is
and what is not likely to be historically accurate." 
 

[*End of Gallipoli*]
COPY
 Typed 21st June, 1933. 
(Letter by Miss D. Millicent C.
Michell. Q.A.I.M.N.S.)  
Beyton,
Suffolk.              
June 21, 1919. 
Dear Madam,  
In answer to your letter A.W.K./H.W.C./A.W.M.4364/34/6 
dated June 5, 1919 requesting information on the work done by 
the members of the  A.A.N.S. at the N.Z. Hospital Abbassia 
from Dec. 6, 1914 till May 31st, 1915 I can only speak with the 
highest praise and appreciation. Their loyal co-operation, 
unfailing devotion to their patients, cheerful uncomplaining 
acceptance of all difficulties, their willingness to learn and 
especially their reliable practical nursing capabilities made 
them a staff of great value, at a time when stress of work, 
and shortness of help taxed to the uttermost the resources of 
administration. These Sisters were among the first to arrive 
in Egypt, and I believe the greater number obtained Matron's  
post very shortly. 
Of the members of the A.A.N.S. working with me at 21 G.H. 
Alexandria and 27 G.H. Abbassia their services rendered were  
also on the whole most satisfactory. I think the essentials 
of the Army training they found most difficulty in appreciating 
and conforming to were (1) the working with, and training of 
the orderlies, both nursing and general duty section. Those 
Sisters who took a personal interest in their staff and took 
time and trouble to train them could soon take the responsibility 
of larger divisions having reliable and methodical 
assistants in their orderlies who could undertake less 
responsible nursing duties and charge of convalescent wards. 
(2) The organisation and administration of the wards apart 
from the nursing duties, viz. the responsibility of the Sisters 
i/c of wards in assuring prompt submission of all returns, 
indents and chits to the various offices in the routine laid 
down. Those of the nursing staff who made themselves 
conversant with, and personally supervised the carrying out 
of each detail of this branch of their work were above all 
appreciated by the administrative staff, whose work was often 
/delayed and

2.
delayed and held up by the forgetfulness, or omission of
others in sending in returns etc.
(3) The necessity in the Army with its changing staff to keep
an account of, and constant check on ward equipment, the
material help given by the Ward Sisters, who in cooperation
with their orderlies assumed responsibility in this respect
in their several divisions.
(b). As a whole the members of the A.A.N.S. with whom I
worked took to the Army routine quickly and readily, especially
in the taking in, and dealing with convoys. Their work was
much appreciated by the M.C's, and their efficient carrying
out of treatment and directions.
(c). I was always glad to have Australian Nurses on my 
staff; they worked loyally and efficiently, their endurance
in times of great strain invariably stood the test, and my
chief comment must be that of praise and appreciation.
Naturally, as in every branch of the Service there were
those who lacked powers of organisation and administration, who
worked well themselves, but had not the gift of getting the
best out of their subordinates, or of utilising help of every
kind trained or otherwise. I think the adaptability of most
Australian nurses was a valuable asset in their war work, and
their ability to make the best of every situation.
I hope the above remarks may prove of some assistance.
There may be other details I have overlooked, but I am anxious
to forward this at once, as being on leave there has been some 
delay in your letter reaching me.
If there are any other questions I can answer, or further
explanations of the points mentioned I should be only too
glad to be of any assistance; the above address will always
find me.
Yours truly,
D. Millicent C. Michell,
Q.A.I.M.N.S.

Michell 119/12
Beyton
Suffolk
June 21 1919
Dear Madam,  
In answer to your letter A.W.K./H.W.C./A.W.M.4364/34/6 
dated June 5, 1919 requesting information on the work done 
by the members of the  A.A.N.S. at the N.Z. Hospital Abbassia 
from Dec. 6, 1914 till May 31st, 1915 I can only speak 
with the highest praise and appreciation. Their loyal 
co-operation, unfailing devotion to their patients, 
cheerful uncomplaining acceptance of all difficulties, 
their willingness to learn and especially their reliable 
practical nursing capabilities made them a staff of 
great value, at a time when stress of work, & shortness 
of help taxed to the uttermost the resources of 
administration. These Sisters were among the first to 
arrive in Egypt, and I believe the greater number 
obtained Matron's  post very shortly. 
Of the members of the A.A.N.S. working with me at 
21 G.H. Alexandria & 27 G.H. Abbassia their services 
rendered were also on the whole most satisfactory. 
I think the essentials of the Army training they 
found most difficulty in appreciating & conforming 
to were (1) the working with, & training of the 
orderlies, both nursing & general duty section. 
Those Sisters who took a personal interest in their 
staff & took time & trouble to train them could soon 
take the responsibility of larger divisions having 
reliable methodical assistants in their orderlies 
who could undertake less responsible nursing 
duties & charge of convalescent wards. 
(2) The organisation & administration of the wards apart 
from the nursing duties, viz. the responsibility of the 
Sisters i/c of wards in assuring prompt submission 
of all returns, indents & chits to the various offices 
in the routine laid down.

(2)
Those of the nursing staff who made themselves
conversant with, and personally supervised the 
carrying out each detail of this branch of their 
work were above all appreciated by the 
administrative staff, whose work was often
delayed & held up by the forgetfulness, or omission 
of others in sending in returns etc. 
(3) The necessity in the Army with its changing staff 
to keep an account of, & constant check on 
ward equipment, the material help given by 
the Ward Sisters, who in cooperation with their 
orderlies assumed responsibility in this respect
in their several divisions.
b) As a whole the members of the A.A.N.S. with whom 
I worked took to the Army routine quickly &
readily, especially in the taking in, & dealing 
with convoys. Their work was much appreciated 
by the MOs, & their efficient carrying out of 
treatment & directions.
(c) I was always glad to have Australian Nurses on 
my staff; they worked loyally & efficiently, their 
endurance in times of great strain invariably 
stood the test, and my chief comment must be that of praise & appreciation.
Naturally, as in every branch of the Service there were
those who lacked powers of organisation & administration, 
who worked well themselves, but had not the gift of 
getting the best out of their subordinates, or of 
utilising help of every kind trained or otherwise. 
I think the adaptability of most Australian nurses 
was a valuable asset in their war work, & their 
ability to make the best of every situation.
I hope the above remarks may prove of some assistance.
There may be other details I have overlooked, but I am 
anxious to forward this at once, as being on leave there 
has been some  delay in your letter reaching me.
 

If there are any other questions I can answer, 
or further explanations of the points 
mentioned I should be only too glad to be of 
any assistance; the above address will 
always find me.
Yours truly,
D. Millicent C. Michell,
Q.A.I.M.N.S.

Item Control
Australian War Memorial
005172255