AWM41 1014 - [Nurses Narratives] H Mars Morton

Butler Collin.

AWM 41
6/21
[6/19]
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AWM41

AUSTRALIAN ARCHIVES

ACCESS STATUS

OPEN

H. MARS MORTON.

A.W.M.

LIBRARY

Classn No 373.2
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{*[1014]*]

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 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 any 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."

(1)
13/81 √
France
Sketches from my note book.
I joined the A.A.N.S. early in Nov 1915 & left 
Sydney in that month on the Orsova. Calling
at Freemantle, where we had leave from 11 AM 
to 4 PM. Motoring to & from Perth we saw everything
of interest in & around these two cities.
Kings Park & the Swan River were most attractive 
to us. We continued our journey that night & 
had a most delightful trip to Aden where we
stopped to take in coal. We did not get leave 
there however, but this was no disappointment
as the sight of the place from the boat was by 
no means enticing. The boat was surrounded 
by natives in different kinds of craft selling 
their wares. They formed a good deal of amusement 
in their bartering & particularly when the Ships 
crew turned the hose on them when they scuttled 
like so many rats.
Our next stop was Suez where we landed & 
trained for Ciaro. From the first Egypt just 
fascinated me, all the bright harmonious colours
of the East formed a scene of perpetual delight
to me. I was stationed at Gazera Palace for 
four months. This place was one time used as 
a Palace & later on a Hotel, it had a wonderful 
marble staircase. I believe built for the time
of Princess Eugene visited Egypt. The rest of the building
had a good deal of Coptic decorations & mosaics. 
As far as our work was concerned, we had normal 
times there not a great deal of massage but just
enough. During my stay at the Palace I
had a trip to Luxor. Four most delightful days
visiting tombs & ruins, I thoroughly enjoyed
the opportunity of this to its fullest extent. 
After leaving Gazera I went to the Sporting Club
for two weeks when I was transferred to Luna Park
for two weeks. The work at the former was very light
but very heavy at the last named. Many bad & heavy 
cases passed through during that time. fractures of
different kinds & injured backs &. I found the 
men simply  splendid their spirits never drooped

(2)
under the most severe suffering. They were always bright
witty. This of course made our labours seem lighter.
I then received marching orders to proceed to France
My departure was rather hurried, but I had a
couple of days at Alexandria. I saw most of the
sights in the town & was much impressed at
the old buildings & gardens.  We left in the Salta
& arrived at Marsailles in April 1916. We were
not allowed off the boat for some days, & were
then at one of the Hotels for a couple of days. it
rained most of the time & our luggage was piled
up on the pavement in the street, & when we
wanted anything from our Cabin trunks had to
open them to the full view of every French
man, woman, or child who happened to be about
& there were always crowds, it was anything but
pleasant. We enjoyed seeing every thing we
could in the limited time we had & think
we did wonders in the couple of days. We
trained to Rouen the journey being rather a
trying one it occupied two days & one night &
at some of the stations where we stoped we
found difficulty in obtaining food. It was very
cold & we arrived at Rouen in the pouring 
rain & immediately sent to the different Imp
Hospitals. Six of us went to No 6 Imperial Hosp
a month later I was transfered to No 1 A.G.H. There
was very little massage to be done & the Sisters
were very busy So Matron sent me to help them
as Staff nurse. I was only there a month when I
was again sent back to No 6. I had a very
busy time there many very acute but interesting
cases came through. There was a great influx
of trench feet some very bad. I found the
boys here very cheerful both Australians & English.
After nine months in France I was transfered 
to England & went to Dartford in Kent. I had two
years very busy but most interesting work. When
I was transfered to 1^st A.G.H. Sutton Veny, Wilts.
At first the work was extremely heavy we
were working just double the ordinary hours,

(3)
this lasted about two months, when a Hospital
boat took most of our heavy cases home. relieving
us of a good deal of the worst cases.
At present the work is about normal & our
hours much less
H. Mars Morton (A.A.N.S.)
No 1 A.G.H.
27-6-19  Sutton Veny

Item control

Australian War Memorial
005172259