Nurses Narratives Sister De Mestre

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Nurses Narratives
Subject:
  • Nurses Narratives
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM41 961
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 12

AWM61 AUSTRALAN ARCHIVES ACCESS STATUS OPEN s 3132
The Official War Historian of the Commenweatth Government (Dr. C. E W. Bean), after his stady of the collection of prrrate mo record precerret i be bontin War Memorial Library, wrote: The Firste tirs is ts alectehoi m iim rleath btomd wcore, be be it prret wein whit nere compiled withtria purpose they sold regertet i brabees intea ceg otor is cra are in the dinns i dme ithe 4 a accurntely but he i mbied to a digatio t to re a w aliate nete be s recertig to one eterreion o iitut told him by friends or heard of third or fearth hand of the mentable Thes in some of the diaries in this collection, wenes described with iind deted and witeno ver in that they are told o record or third had here been found to be o important detail A certain number ae 1 y are bee mitted or rered toag etter bt teth made of the time cathe r o h ert and what is aot Hidy to be hisorically accarate mat
20 Kon Faten dond in topshand by Nodie Co Neta from Bober De Nestro A. A. 8 Her Cusnos arredition end Hosptar s rene .C. H Toumey &o andtand, and to dono 2rly work at tonnoe
sates down in longhand New Lunnea Espeg 1on bn Al Bulty 28/14/13 Sile De Mestre Apve Hope hip rinantala Tute at tag Wape Yorly- A valluak of War seven War an doing Jutes in Receve Voluleans for Act. Sevici at begning- At Abuk 18 Vy Malvi toto Iwan 9600 Matoin Have Slup frewtala. Pr hewfe We went tos nothing of when we were going in I at know till we got at Gent We the plea and were told what it was 1a Rabout. e were given about a t0 dp D Geb Meady- not geven Any ida what to take 8 was told a ls by dter when I went to see the Pen? of the Hupe. Ship S Heropall. He gave te no Ira wheat to get to tok Sadrise an my own untration the Teteer to prand for hab of cold weath We chare white amfam though we could have taken t Colour or ma- teral nothing was ae teled Chare Cnte bansei. law down. he boited We haw we were giving for work. We even hob prosded wil havoe Anything brought our own tenfarm- given no boney to pay for it . We have repair the corb of our lever bein hinfors We ever toto our Salary E8 10/0 Seters Ithunk. We 12/0 Walkon ten geven lis tufewatiof our Hotis Cl Mr other claim an Taters. I was mation cen In conmection with thes - Iway say that I had on Return Oheafpe for Actoe sewrn and by our weet on this espedt did not Commt toward our demoity in ant Ther even on the Ship Sich Bay Stewars they eer nos ander me at all but under a coarrant offim was took all lnadres from the Pen O.
The relatin was tm the aman an a pu bee toto Can Pab tdo Aue - Hape but the took Aemerdes from the w0. Chig Hame Were will hau - other com a all In the few why- Ofeve them summe be hs but hot wark war dame Arming ase wa sst the Gantao was specially better Nst yu to funteo Waw we startes The fellnss een fai but then wven some Consduable defect the Sumery war a failure thigh beautifully fetter because Act water Enough by a busy lang Wa 2 The beat in the teopen wan so Ma Town then (obwar un a lown dratet than it was amxosble towork. Chere N war fitted fin The Dicter ofen wer fitted up on bate Cob case a we and them a top thy wai same whuh we were actually on the togage Eay evelable pan was better ap ashof wh for cauly I thank ed take over ss but I tox Count Lumber Se infu cots prts scruor into diales.- alsohrs Cobins We an Realid Ragfroom wate tood night cectors oc Yeu prnate & stores seemud plentus Out Lumen loa pandon for Colo cliat And not for hob + we had atos Oct 6 our patinte will cool p Jama ther Hannel. were all
ad Goai D Hespale (Doub Anow rank) St Ye Deno Soue Cul) esh or Pueon apt Werley Cpt Farran (after Reguloas No2 act) Ple but small aben to 2suters Epestes pus Red & with curtains-Chan fetter ty fe. We he a carpet We had on own Even room- we did a Stewardin- two ordelegs Etas. 6 Siters Call fam Kounce One ratran tssing Alpred Sape.) Me Sulers co have tlted for tix y We this but we thought that it was (a prope Annt Affordt othat amonng the forst Chesen o We wd be Cusilous Cacty- as a watee thought If fact it bit in badly ar far Drandtean oencarty was concerned Er Eoferena was fine. though the Egmnative oll 4dge We had no troopr o all taed. step amc Exumpt crew he was property wate I cros or Hape Ship Our Deand Sunday in bo. We rightes ans we had bo idea what it was same soldirs be came alangur in the habour a we found out we were at Tempsons heven The same aftanon we ob our Firs Phols Jeb patienty- the fennt was a chiere From Tuitis i seiging Who had wgand busely. No woundeed patieti then therd were from boats- on board Sevs beas was in that day that then had been faking Pockbey hs ly helled. was we didnt reco any case ow disofpet Ithink aecemne the were unlitay owe were tapal. Sich aendent Demirine be ond tood in fram that day on. caser trm shups
Cnt& woudnd at nglie- t We got wen openting - Aberlo of the cases tum - or C Sf at 211) No malaria nothing if any talemd - n topee- The Medialtown was a few mearly- si.tfe sele iff a damh boat man Was Montcolu Arman - Openhiry wet sho once from a few her in we not sofe nation bitil- the 2wh Aw dully bot. Could not shck an coam we had bbg dk. agenton not tao had ot was early - but awfally hov. an tha we want to sava (ip) & jot tunb thy ame Dorbg case put eamigly to hap young. Joh Mail at Raboue (Simprinbeven & then we heard hewe that 45 Englub Sankes had amwns to take ou the Grantalo The saped a wohle in yding and then returned home again. cF Ananguet al Obberth - No aust. even wa ADus Abberite t W arbor oit was inte Eating the pocphe werie oplended to us. We had mortatin cowy day o had a pod time Peen till begining of Dec a returnd home Ahanb 23 Duc. Bingiing to cases. came back epty and were all pend of an Yerde adyd. We had all had hoad health Gean without outes to Frantala Coleb 47- tnt for I repated to the cadavon- Sh was Imanthd as too Sah. they I requited to P.AH ajain & with r old work Went on
11 Dulgeuing Ofaid my hawe was still on the Enlesting - a I again offered rote for bservice - I saw ln Creel at Lydany Hopital n agril. & soon after way told that there were so wany suless going owe other from. D. Olgied) God. be wanted. Tate we frd that it was as pant of stolf of no3 Ask We were medically Examined Eady before sailing gu an attetation pape 4 wently after the war) rec a list from Malran the clothing to take – & told to get our ten farm -we tob about £s0 Ithink some If it I think came fram the Red & – We were told exactly the Am fam to get wcl hed cape - but We had bounet and big outdow capes Which in igght were too lob and i changen infam change oatdon how to coat & shirt o hat J Sa Matoon) Each had to take within out of the 230 a Col o Ejun pant - The wavters . Robber diven- tedee gan Set of cnstomt- robber to the tir Yh tst) a bender thi fer Ounselon- teaftba pates Afe feote + opon o a went let Watch- [not leaveing manh & have fo clothing also othink an and lig Eidwdown We didnt wait the matom - cam wilsa lell we came on board the dhip we ebarbed in the woultan a ball of a lob of duter on 200. 100 get off an Y. we wen kept wei on board - bi rectiving a training wrlegs- for 3 agtt n the had ts by te tt f an not
whih has any opicial beaving an An tun letary wr t te omany titurn whih you would ft in a endong training. ther was no temblary apaisati. One lecture by tol Drarch was on but. bs ad boab del Ad ten: oleb hangeam we had Shyccal 1t Iower also we has on own then toble in the foloor- I settmng of mean? then were su a crownd Colobo Humbay and We called ob all lot atoe we heard an report o Alevos at anyy to ill behavinr place-. When tanins in we lawed at Go exatimnts in the voyape, but it wa intenting getting to the Dp. feamb plain. tall wost of is got if a few bonts. Ab A few Fanbehed. A we then went straught to marsally staying then a day - we had to have onr nppoye Parke read et off - But we unt ha phall to Plmmth - Dumbenbed then a came Franght. to Sandan- hen Smth t was oandses te Eagen Len he hadt - the were buses at the Station Owat us- & dank know how he wirte it : no towber with bpag - took as Thaught to the Tvanboe Hoter. we were in Sandan waiting for weeks- Peple r ood to u op William uglan) Who took 9 n n took ant tut for same Kups - task of the wire in on own. Then were
Sorue other tups load Poeph were onry ga to his that time – (To effereent to tht nexh time we came over fam ygot two from after - hs am look any noten of ar & we had a tervar o a time) We caberlen from Santhmpl Daters on one suter thag Tatlser in another- adebey Iwere ye stap hasse- the shp was fall of troops farny t Alex - on a priar ship. Tomane- Tubmarme pecautions- cln variou "Ex. cussios & alarig Shy ubollanted Or but for safe through to Malta - Cob Ashor - then on talex . Demberhied. Crodges wend on tofallepoli. Stand us ther a ewbabed on Hape. chp for Sama We w the rest of the lurning staff in Egght - Col. Dich toan the wl rngo with as twe went topether to Suna In Exgland we got our then eyempt for Wabstensbubt Coolng ltunl. Lynnon ad biito tans tes you our wess you rant rail gave I2 we heard than they were stants bond Haves - Cantions saa ere tat he wanted- We found, an a matter of bank that we would have been hadle in the Lop without it no waring though we received. that we should to be it: my fueling is teat Col Seith (them majo) wa sunk a fasighted, Coel headed that I think he probably was refusible Evenug in the tip to ge the tings. and were landed at Landes at Suns
tont lundon in lage boot tuch by lol Franche oet Wanles we fued fours and warke al to the Hape. Ad by e wanles payune the Bappiber: fauo bill tt pten for s We 2 Ialy wer ben tew other- nlyn a bell ten tt We had a tenb - by Couse tough o rrady - No teats of couse. our yeu parb did o aive till Cot. cab We had our plates or that we brought p Autralia had tuk head anned at ian Jan ot a Swent Stught on wto the theate thiep cot then was kaidly Ae Camat d them then Ithere was no yuugnt the others andy had been then the men a wat- were all in them duily whate the quating wel the at Awful sightI have san. cut of Rinng we ren the pabas an w wate w thou was our small tte. iteger for baling ctermt We had t sto an dadh fant becauon them was no leftet the patint ween all had wanded cleser bead. Abdam- Cat all b tleph wan All t then dity clotten- no thana to wait then - the waist gou way We had to beg them in tu filttey clotter some the wards had
had tll othin a Clawbet -other Even that. the that Swan in the g. to slenp an da. I has a wattern heat day daited at 7 bpat at 6.50 had a ward - Ant roughly pite a co care- You lands at wolk in bet the woltene the cases were on- an then whke- otingt the ase i b clear bed pain- Twters had to leas up them clothn for towell Ns Anve to wsp them with a firter - a few Eents poo. rideed by orderlys bend tuatly Cn tus cut down for caps. was awaue at Sand for patinte frt. badly Coober. bread very had + a On tember war alment all teund - Cully beng - breas coh- wa bein bad wouldy The poeple on the leavy hps bowere I am found us out owlenges Amoal) came aloing and they kent in bread dicent sum the lps Iwas abaut a fadought we byan to gt on own yempet we two bet - in a wad then 4 dso on tll yegow - A few nt fo bad cesss an about a FanFight

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AWM 41

AUSTRALIAN ARCHIVES
ACCESS STATUS  
OPEN 
 
SISTER De MESTRE.
 
A. W. M.
LIBRARY
Classn  No 373 . 2

[961]

 

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.”

 

20.

Interview taken down in longhand by Medical Collator
A. I. F. from Sister De Mestre A. A. N. S.

---------              

a.  New Guinea Expedition and Hospital Ship 'Grantalla'
b.  No.  3  A. G. H.  journey to England and to Lemnos -
Early work at Lemnos.


--------- 

 

Interview taken down in longhand
by  A S Poullts   25/4/19
Sister De Mestre A A N S
New Guinea Expedition
Hospl. Ship Grantala 
At outbreak of War Sn. Sister at P Alfred Hopl Sydney -
Seven
was an Army Sister in Reserve - volunteers for Act.
Service at beginning - 
At about 18 Aug Matron told me I was apptd.
Matron of "Hopl. Ship" Grantala. forthwith We
were told nothing of where we were going - in
fact we didnt know till we got at
the place and were told what it was - i.e.
Raboul.
We were given about a 10 days to get ready -
not given any idea what to take - I was
told who. by Intern when I went to see
the P.M.O of the Hopl. Ship Dr Horsfall.
He gave me no idea what to get to take -
I advised on my own initiative the Sisters
to pack for hot & cold weather.
We chose white uniform though we
could have taken anyth colour or material
we liked - nothing was
laid down. Chose white because it cd.
be boiled. We heard we were going for
Naval w work.  We were not provided with
anything - brought our own uniform -
given no money to pay for it - we have
never been repaid the cost of our
uniforms, etc. We were told our salary
12/6 Matron 10/6 Sisters I think. We
were given no information of our status etc.
The others were classed as Sisters - I was "Matron"
In connection with this - I may say that I had
on return to reapply for Active Service and
my our work in this Hopl did not
count toward our seniority in AIF.
There were in the Hosp Ship ''Sick Bay Steward' - they
were not under me at all but under
a Warrant officer who took all his orders
from the PMO.

 

The relation was much the same as in a service
Mil - Hopl. We told them what to do
but they took their orders from the W.O.
chiefly. Some were well trained - others
none at all
We tried - in the few wks - to give them some
training but not much was done
as we were seasick.
The Grantala was specially fitted - not -  
quite finished when we started.
The fittings were fair but there were some
considerable defects  
E.g. the laundry was a failure though
beautifully fitted - because
(1)  Not water  Enough by a very long
way
(2) The heat in the tropics was so
great down there (it was on a lower deck)
that it was impossible to work
there. 
Then was fitted for
The outer decks open to air - fitted up for
cot cases & we used them a lot they
were even used while we were actually,
on the voyage
Every available space was fitted up
for a rush of work -
I think we cd. easily take over 500 but I
cant remember
Swinging cots - posts screwed into sides -
We also had cabins
Theatre amidships fairly well fitted - hot & cold
water had light electric in
X ray room
Equipment & stores seemed plentiful - but Linen
was provided as for Cold Climate
and not for hot & we had a job
to fit our patients with cool pyjamas as
they were all flannel.

 

3
Med Officers  O/c  Capn.    "Dr" Horsfall (dont know rank)
? 8           PMO.
Dr James (Melb.) Webb  Sr (Surgeon)
Capt Werley
Capt. Farrar (after Registrar to 3 AGH)
Quarters Prett Good but small 1 cabin to 2 sisters
fitted by Red X with curtains - chairs
& carpets or. We ha
We had our own linen room - 
We had a stewardess - two orderleys
Estab. Nursing  One matron - 6 Sisters (all from Prince
Alfred Hospl.)
The Sisters cd. have located for AIF if
we liked - but we thought that it
was a proper Aust Appointment & that 
we wd - be among the first chosen &
thought ourselves lucky - as a matter
of fact it hit us badly as far
as promotion & seniority was concerned
though the experience was fine.
Narrative. Townsville 4-5 days.  We had no troops &
All med. staff  AMC exempt crew - She
was properly marked c\ cross as Hopl Ship.
Our second Sunday on bd. We sighted land -
we had no idea what it was :  some
soldiers AIF came alongside in the harbour
& we found out we were at Simpsons haven
The same afternoon we got our first
patients - the first was a Chinese
who had injured himself. No wounded
then - these were from boats -

[*The Photo from Sister of transferring patients on board*]
First news was on that day - that there had 
been fighting at Pockley and 96 killed - that was
We did'nt receive any cases to our disappointment
I think because they were military & we
were Naval.
We only took in sick - accident & medical
cases from ships from that day on.

 

We got no wounded at any time - Most
of the cases were operating - tuberculosis of
lungs - or (off transfer at Fiji) no malaria
nothing of any interest - no typhoid -
a few measles. The Medical ward was
most uninteresting. A lot of French Sailors
off a French boat Man of War Montcalm
Cruiser - operating
We went on shore once for a few hrs in 
the 3 wks.  Not safe  natives hostile -
awfully hot. Could not sleep in cabins
We had lot of drink.  Mosquitos not
too bad it was early - but awfully hot.
From there we went to Suva (Fiji) & got
much the same sort of cases- just enough
to keep going.
Got mail at Raboul (Simpson haven) & then we
heard news that 4-5 English Sisters
had arrived to take over the Grantala
They stayed a while in Sydney and
then returned home again.
[c-f. arrangement at Abbeville - no Aust:
ever made ADMS Abbeville]
At Fiji we got ashore & it was interesting
- the people were splendid to
us. We had invitations every day &
had a good time -
There till beginning of Dec' & returned home
about 23 Decr. Bringing no cases -
Came back empty and were all paid off at
Garden Island. - we had all had good health.
Grantala went off- again without sisters to
hunt for I reported to the Endeavour - She was
then dismantled as too small.
I reported to P.A.H. again &  
went on with my old work.

 

On enquiring observed my name was still on the
role for enlisting - & I again offered
my services - I saw Miss Creel at Sydney Hospital
in April. & soon after was told that there
were so many sisters going & we (others from
P. Alfred) wd. be wanted. Later we found
that it was as part of Staff of No 3 AGH
We were medically examined (14 days before sailing)
I found an Attestation paper - ("4 months after
the war") Rec- a list from Matron of
the clothing to take - & told to get our
uniforms - we got about £20 I think
some of it I think came from the
Red x - we were told exactly the
uniform to get but incl. red cape - but
we had bonnets and big outdoor capes
(which in Egypt were too hot and is
now changed) - uniform changed outdoor
to coat & skirt & hat ) For Matron).
We each had to take with us out of their £20 a
lot of equipment - thermometers & rubber
gloves  - medicine glass - set of instruments -
rubber catheter
(Eqt list -) & further items for
ourselves - teapot. basin - 2 plates 
knife fork & spoon & a wristlet
watch - [ Not leaving much to
spare for clothing ] - also I think an
Eiderdown and rug!!
We didn't meet the Matron - Miss Wilson -
till we came on board the ship.
We embarked on the Moultan a hell of a lot of
sisters over 200.  180 get off at Egypt!
We were kept busy on board - teaching
lecturing & training orderleys - for 3 A.G.H.
In the p.m. we had lectures by Med. Officer 
on En. Typhoid - treatment of wounds - nothing

 

which has any special bearing on
any military cleanup just the
ordinary lectures which you would
get on a nursing training.
There was no military organisation.
One lecture by Col Fiarchi was on
[[?]] bed-wash; & we had boat drill ad
nauseam. We had games also - & "physical jerks"
We had our own Wren tables in the 
saloon - 3 sittings of meals!  there
was such a crowd -
We called at Colombo & Bombay and
all got ashore we heard aco no reports
of ill behaviour of Austrns at any
place. xxx xxxxx x we landed at,
No excitements on the voyage, but it
was interesting getting to the different 
places.
At Suez most of us got off a few hours
A few disembarked.
& we then went straight to Marseilles 
staying there a day - we had 
to leave our luggage packed ready
to get off - But we went via Gibraltar 
to Plymouth - Disembarked there & came
straight on to London.
Captain Lieut Hughes Ken Smith was O/C nurses
he had a time constraint- there were
buses at the Station to meet us - 
I don't know how he worked it : no
trouble with luggage - took us
straight to the Ivanhoe Hotel.
We were in London waiting for 3
weeks.  People were good to us Esp.
a Mr Williams (Supervisor) who took
an interest in Australians - & took us  
out for some trips - Most of the 
times we're on our own - There were

 

some other trips good  - People were very 
good to us that time - (So different to 
the next time we came over from  
Egypt- two years after - No one took any 
notice of us & we had a terror of  
a time) 
We embarked from Southampton- sisters on one 
ship. Staff nurses in another- Sister 
Headley & I were i/c staff nurses - 
The ship was full of troops going to 
Alex - on a German ship- Tommies -
submarine precautions - were various "Excursions 
& alarms-"   ship unballasted  
on but felt safe through to Malta- got 
ashore - then onto alex  - Disembarked -
troops went on to Gallipoli. 
Stayed 48 hrs there & embarked on Hopl.
ship for Lemnos. We met the rest
of the nursing staff in Egypt - Col. Dick 
was the only M/O with us - & we went 
together to Lemnos. 
In England we got our new equipment for 
Lemnos - washstand - buckets - cooking utensils - 
food - biscuits - tinned things - 
Each gave £2 for our mess equipment
We heard that they were short of food - 
flasks - lanterns.
We were given no official information what wd. 
be wanted - We found, as a matter of 
fact that we would have been 
badly "in the soup" without it, 
though we received no warning  
that we should take it : my feeling is 
that Col Smith (their Major) was such a 
farsighted, level headed, chap man, that I think 
he probably was responsible for 
giving us the tip to get the things. 
Landed at Lemnos - and were landed at 

 

Port Mudros in large boats  Met
by Col Fiaschi & Cpl Knowles & 
we "formed fours" and marched up
to the Hospl. led by Cpl Knowles
playing the Bagpipes! 
We found bell tents pitched for us. There 
were very few others - 2 sisters 
only in a bell tent - just sisters
we had a tent - of course rough &  
ready - no seats of course. Our 
equipment didn't arrive till later. 
We had our knives & forks cups & 
plates or that we brought from 
Australia. 
We arrived at 11 am had lunch - bread 
jam & tea & I went straight 
into the theatre to help Col
McCormack  there was hardly 
any thing then (there was no equipment 
the (others)? Med. officers had been there 
a week - the men were all in  
their dirty clothes - the operating
was the most awful sight I
have seen. We cut up dressings
from the packages as we wanted 
it. There was our small sterilizer
 for washing up instruments
We had to stop at dark just
because there was no light 
The patients were all bad wounded 
cases - head- abdomen - chest 
all burnt - multiple wounds 
All in their dirty clothes - no 
chance to wash them - this is
worst of war.  We had to 
keep them in their filthy clothes 
some of the "wards' had

 

mattresses & blanket - others had not 
even that. I was on the op. theatre that 
day - I had a mattress to sleep on 
next day started at 7 breakfast at 6.30 
& had a ward - tent roughly pitched 
& 40 cases. You couldn't walk 
in bet' the mattresses the cases 
were on. As then whole -  
nothing to wash the cases in but 
Clea bed pans - Sisters had  
to tear up their clothes for towels 
 to wipe them with - no linen  
or fabric - a few were then provided 
by orderlys but mostly 
can tins cut down for cups. 
Food for patients was awful at 
first. badly cooked - bread very
bad - & [[?]]
Our tucker was almost all tinned - bully 
beef - bread cob was very bad mouldy. 
The people on the navy ships however 
soon found us out Halsey 
(Admiral) came along and they  
sent us bread direct from the ships! 
It was about a fortnight we began
to get our own equipment we got
two beds - in a ward - then 4 also 
are all equipped - a few sheets
for bad cases in about a
fortnight  

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