AWM41 1022 - [Nurses Narratives] Sister Eleanor Perry

6/28
[6/14]
AA
Butler Colln 

AWM 41
Australian Archive Access Status 

OPEN 

SISTER E. PERRY .

AWM Library Cat No 373.2

[1022]

The Official War Histories 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 observation or incidents 

told him by friends or heard at third or fourth hand heard 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 have been written up 

or reviewed 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."

59/14
Egypt and India
Experience of Miss Perry.
Never has my pen moved so feebly as tonight when I have to
write an account of some of some of my experience, many various
since 1915. It ought to be easy, but some how, I can't get it
framed into words, or, I mean not good enough for the book - which
I, think is a very excellent idea and I wish it the success it deserves.
We left Sydney in July 1915 and got to "Egypt" dont remember
when, but some time when it was very hot,. Our small bonnets
and heavy grey coats, made us think things that were not very
charitable about the person who designed our uniforms. No.2 A.G.H.
Cairo - was to be our destination after waiting the usual time at
the station we got to "No.2" at 12 m.n. Miss Gould met us, and
seemed pleased - to me, it was the only time in our lives she was
ever pleased with us, as lectures flowed very freely at "Gliziragh"
but we learned that afterwards. From there I went to "Lemnos"
No. 2 Stationary Hospital, ill equipped - true - but we all worked
hard and were very happy. Miss Athol Robinson was our matron -
minor and medical cases really as we had no beds, but it was always
full. After the evacuation we were sent to Cairo again, and our
biggest prayers were, that we would be sent back to No.2 Stationary
again - but it had to go down the desert and they told us there
was no accomodation for sisters, fact they have never had sisters
since, and I believe its still some-where in the desert. We reported
to A.G.H. again, did'nt stay there long, we went out to the "Pool"
at Heliopolis as No.2's staff had to be cut down to ninety sisters.
There were a lot of us in the Pool it's a place where everyone
does nothing. From there, I went to Choubra an infectious
hospital just near Cairo and from there went to No.3 A.G.H. found
myself in a medical ward and one day saw a notice on the Board
Volantiers wanted for "Indian Medical Service" so in due course
found myself in India. We were only there six months nursed medical
cases only, fever and Malaria mostly. I went to Lucknow most
interesting place, indeed it's the only place in the British Empire
where the "Union Jack" floats day and night - It's a wonderfully
interesting place. But a more able pen than mine will describe it
I'm sure. We said good-bye to the East in January 1916 and came
to England. Coming overland through France our little party was
again broken up and we were sent ot various English Hospital.
I went to Birmingham with five of my pals, our cases there were
mostly surgical but mostly light cases. We were sorry when we
had to leave there, but of course we wanted to go to France, so
after six months time we were sent. I think my nursing in France
the most interesting of the lot as I was lucky enough to get into
a surgical ward at last.
My biggest regret is that I never got to a C.C.S. most of my
pals can boast of C.C.S. experience, one girl I know of was sent
up three times, her paper will be very interesting I'm sure.
Again wishing our History Book all the luck.
(Sgd) Eleanor Perry, Sister.
A.A.N.S.

[*Spare Copy*]
B
[*122*]
Experience of Miss Perry.
Never has my pen moved so feebly as tonight when I have to
write an account of some of some of my experience, many various
since 1915. It ought to be easy, but some how, I can't get it
framed into words, or, I mean not good enough for the book - which
I, think is a very excellent idea and I wish it the success it deserves.
We left Sydney in July 1915 and got to "Egypt" dont remember
when, but some time when it was very hot,. Our small bonnets
and heavy grey coats, made us think things that were not very
charitable about the person who designed our uniforms. No.2 A.G.H.
Cairo - was to be our destination after waiting the usual time at
the station we got to "No.2" at 12 m.n. Miss Gould met us, and
seemed pleased - to me, it was the only time in our lives she was
ever pleased with us, as lectures flowed very freely at "Gliziragh"
but we learned that afterwards. From there I went to "Lemnos"
No. 2 Stationary Hospital, ill equipped - true - but we all worked
hard and were very happy. Miss Athol Robinson was our matron -
minor and medical cases really as we had no beds, but it was always
full. After the evacuation we were sent to Cairo again, and our
biggest prayers were, that we would be sent back to No.2 Stationary
again - but it had to go down the desert and they told us there
was no accomodation for sisters, fact they have never had sisters
since, and I believe its still some-where in the desert. We reported
to A.G.H. again, did'nt stay there long, we went out to the "Pool"
at Heliopolis as No.2's staff had to be cut down to ninety sisters.
There were a lot of us in the Pool it's a place where everyone
does nothing. From there, I went to Choubra an infectious
hospital just near Cairo and from there went to No.3 A.G.H. found
myself in a medical ward and one day saw a notice on the Board
Volantiers wanted for "Indian Medical Service" so in due course
found myself in India. We were only there six months nursed medical
cases only, fever and Malaria mostly. I went to Lucknow most
interesting place, indeed it's the only place in the British Empire
where the "Union Jack" floats day and night - It's a wonderfully
interesting place. But a more able pen than mine will describe it
I'm sure. We said good-bye to the East in January 1916 and came
to England. Coming overland through France our little party was
again broken up and we were sent ot various English Hospital.
I went to Birmingham with five of my pals, our cases there were
mostly surgical but mostly light cases. We were sorry when we
had to leave there, but of course we wanted to go to France, so
after six months time we were sent. I think my nursing in France
the most interesting of the lot as I was lucky enough to get into
a surgical ward at last.
My biggest regret is that I never got to a C.C.S. most of my
pals can boast of C.C.S. experience, one girl I know of was sent
up three times, her paper will be very interesting I'm sure.
Again wishing our History Book all the luck.
(Sgd) Eleanor Perry, Sister.
A.A.N.S.

Item Control
Australian War Memorial
005172267