Nurses Narratives - Staff Nurse Agnes Bissett Nelson

6122

[*Butler Colln*]
AWM 41

[6/19]

[FN for ?JN]

AWM 41]

AUSTRALIAN ARCHIVES

ACCESS STATUS

OPEN

STAFF NURSE A. NELSON.

A.W.M

LIBRARY

Classn No  373.2

[*[1015]*]

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 memories which were

not completed with war 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.

Then, in some of the diaries in this collection memories described with

vivid detail, and without any warning that they are told at second

or third hand, have been found to be completely inaccurate is

important detail. 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) 

[*16/54*]

[*NO.  France*   34]  
27-6-19.

After spending five months at the base hospital

in Adelaide, I along with [nineteen?] other

sisters travelled overland to Melbourne. We

were met by members of the Army Nurses'

Club who entertained us to tea.

On May 11^th 1917 we embarked at Port Melbourne

to join a convoy of twelve boats. On arriving

at Fremantle we were only allowed three

hours ashore, but had a most enjoyable 

time, as we were met & motored through

the prettiest parts of Perth & entertained

at lunch.

We were more fortunate at Durban having

six days. The troops were most generously

entertained during those days, in spite of

their large numbers. (being 22,000).

Cape Town we only stayed one day, so

did not see much of its beauty. Cecil Rhodes

monument being the only place we visited

At Freetown the privilege of landing was

only extended to Sisters & Officers owing

to the disease.

We explored the town & climbed the range

of hills surrounding the town, where a

most glorious view is obtained.

The trip was most uneventful until about

nine days from Plymouth, when a

submarine was seen, & caused no end

of excitement. In a very few minutes

every one was beside their boat

The submarine [guard?] & also the gun on

the boat opened fire & soon found their

mark as the submarine soon disappeared

& was seen no more.

The strain of anxiety during this

performance was intense, but the

(2).

behaviour of all on board was grand.

Thankfully we arrived in London & were

given fourteen days leave, before reporting

to the Croydon War Hospital for duty.

There were five hospitals, all some distance

apart. I was sent to the Jaw Hospital

where some of the cases were most

interesting but dreadfully sad, seeing

the boys so disfigured. After three months

I was transferred to one of the other

hospitals & did surgical work. At the

end of six months I was sent to

No 8 G.G.H & after a few weeks, sent on

to No. 1 G.G.H. Harefield, where I stayed

for about two months - the work

at that time being very heavy.

I was then sent to France to the

74^th General Hospital. B.E.F. & after

some months recalled to England

& sent to No. 1 Group Clearing Hosp. &

stayed there three months I was then

transferred to No.1 G.G.H. Sutton Veney.

A Nelson

S/N

Australian War Memorial
005172260