Diary of Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom - 1917-1919 - Part 3

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG0000968
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

will be there - the ar.M. Falie. Phonograpsh. the ward all te afternoon - some good record Wrslet Hin tonight wene got vew wath sheaderlie wear while costs at disve- I doit sippose it'll last long oriday, Spe most of the afternoon frang phots. I ml printed fror me one Mr Kesser develops nost kindly for us. It was somepat! We had seneral enamel disher, two or three bowls & the whole performance repulted 30 evcellet shap, - some -rabort 10 foor us excellect he, oher arl consened + ones & muer splasking everything, hear at hand. M blue-tenses dear freo. Kumours met the Japanese have forced me Daidavelle & are fighny here, We had a messbeeting tomyt o all the uen-estertaining affair! It spreed itself out & shetche. Loor 8.15 D9.30 fowerest, wel sick of it are before, we coved relise penved that a we pay &1 monther an pay day we each pay our own tip, & I slepts weekly I we pay 6 pe week or Mordit a committee was clecked - S. Wilson Pres. S. Gedder See The chaimns orderly has a White oint for dinner wear - fretashs sweeb fout me are lauge to sdont sippose well wear it ape We conpanion or the handing out fully beep stun t wa - shul sleeves - waich fact did somesing toward intenifying the effect. Back News back today - only onepage Sat. 45 Hugut Delightful dan Tugk several sng i the am-of dack t myI umbrelld The iblish a gather int the wevitable cajarelle butts & other groups. They are great kids. Halfday. Horon, McLeas, ondnning & Iwest Will climbing 5, Mr Ritson -an M.o. - We set, out about 1p.m well lade up o thermos. flakp of ter & salmon Danwiche kindl muss (stmnt on our bell donated by the mess. I was pretty not & very summes & we anticipabed a many rerurn but offnee went joyfully. Sot a letter from But just before uiy a some snep, take at Bombay pubt my pottet, intending to read it on me hust spells Lenelor Ia brought it have apo uread - one a men s article, and &various, that bravelledi my odb. daw mose mile. The may led and through an ald orchard trou the villate. where wee picked free, mabmits (which dent like of Toot's pack knife, to the great determent of me tolish thereof) and I found a genster wadd. Mrk knows the place thoroughly & gave us delare concerning ipe vrllage the orchard, the Rana prraduct the quees deep fits we pasad on the way, ace the gespaphy sniitory & pato b the contry rounsabouts. The first wile or two grancisld more ar les tver graded country - the past afte, that wound rougd the side of the -the one, lehmo, nortrack - & away hill oue Beneral Spps, to writen giept of the you crestthe will beond, hilpe was the one behind Nortrach &crowned oa rocky pr nacle putting above a suerounding belog dark free beigh trees. Beautiful views or the way up - the pakes, mountains for miles vound, the hawover I Salonigue - Vardar o its Misty Swanps, te orcan away, round past the limits& we hay. The part was fearfully wacky - some parts - one stipping dry, snow frees - othe places, but writal forrly well paved saw, suide task as skitfully. good way up whe air becomes markerly ranifi Iwefound it necessary, to take frequest speels a drow rest he parbitation which vesbus of was acrite & deafering. assed by outcrops gravble - buh & whbe & matkled - Iptled my capacio & sweet smeeling heibs by the packet for Gsas collection. score. Mr Kitson said, the majority of the plants there arswalic &indeer, we plucked peveraly varieting o wild tyme & tragranb veyvene, and a lavende fromenng ment. Welfat very mirsty – Siste Mcfead & I reforred & were enceeding glad whe on knapoacks changet hands - or rathe, backs; &the Ms. bore the bruden for it wa sufficiently strantion carrying ourselve if that hill assed d Treek garde - C poletac Isame frent trees - passed a bark q Macedoman clove - fisk spretty - passed a prove g white mnked, gree palaged beeen trees - passe a second outnopg, merble - and me, i a chaiming though the surrounding were not litte Boans sufficiently, desert to eractly warrant not tun the shrong. It was shelterd by two beeck trees below, Where the streamlet wickled away before me ie road, was a taught mas f truplish a strikenly handsome nally muit ovank lity - hod - like me after-glo of an
arren rily (I pluched a brunch on the way have ohey adovn the text most effectively) M R. Says the springwa probably vuilt up as itrs today many hundreds of years ago. It flows from out a wale srone spenally built for me purpose and after flaving into a kind of sink a trough, run away underfround & is dissipated. The wate was Gloriou - prie + cold as cold - I had about spirk - we anthng our respectine rng long before me actuaily reached the Spring itself.-I carried some my pannit up he will tobe absorbed at iterals. Twy Boldien we thought pobapler fror the rest camp there – Feach - were tat Te Speeky: mey were sitting in mast disconsstate defertd attitudes at the side, of the road, waiting for this cask to fill at the spring - it was a missde old fashroved receptaile & two handles & a wooder pluz: safte, wed refeshed ourselves orested, & had passed on theyr still saton, smaking and vraading. The way was very steep fronths spiings to the tetof the morent - about aqnile at the most - sne rested freguently. annd a French camp, 5 gay quiets ming outtodry palite Freach saldren who, saluted our lieutuant a few Brewthwome, & thei mevitable hem ove rocks, & loosestone Much Seramblerg through thickly growr herbs && me mere at the topport point above the beautiful belt of and possessed of a view that beech trees surpassed all espectation. Away ove the Strm that skeete infested rand - amay ove valley thill + mountac away our harbow & open sea - amay dow Hair camp - on eithe side, we could see stretthes of morou coloning greys speens, I wide blues, the Golden all but better sun - itnyn, all the bay pase of gold. Has tor metat into on apenin my therns stoued it to be smitsted itto a hundie piece) Hood indeed I was we wrote an nower on a woosefreee and labelles, anseloe Hudvalia rock the Md. said we were the fist tluab the hill - at anyrate recently firls to wee bee the his tustratic, the pe ocertainly mountaineus airselyys, Some ate enan te summy & atta capate of WARN wa a much batters-by he mind French flat and a flappale conrounding stone were suny o hame - largely disn, ofew Did a rghist. Two ravens flew out from the crap & soand plowly down the oatley – tning liberal Somersang a most Solenn Pshi as they flew, & cam-ing There teere many laptes thawks round the witl We stayed at the tap about halfa ho other came rapidly down - Ifatherred a buret of blue myaginthes, which grew michly on that mountain top and pocured one trilb - onion like Loyaone The hills were very lovely of the way down we sebting sur away one the harbar - the lights & shade of evening or hill trep-ovalley Gath gs more fealofical Specimnens, or the way Pown,- M K assister in the tust, - tender back at the o camp 7.40 - & meat - to dinne encredt dirty eveeig duste & enceedingtied but heppy withat. Mr.R. Alconmends abrudant drnk but no food alke such a piece of strewnons enercise says its far lietle for one. Concert tonight if at No. 2 Com. Camp - wanted oto but way too weany, - Horneaod, I Welds went. Beffer some not wate for the caabhone thad a lamgn not batt - what wealth. & refired t read werk libte, - much tavelled. Welv. OHorneaod got back about 11.30 – the concert war delightful, post concent was a joely duffe for all hands midnight ere mee falle onvoided - the MC Eminestl Labest Weene bll today 14 milesin all. eespectable houe Sunday. August 26th Bit stiff today. Various unnon Bombay crowot arging toworrow. Night duty for Melvitle &me. The nusbers of the hards ay Laleny Achered considerebly We lings wer me other way nggo. Jack weit out - nrove & ace hose boys - the vaid alstays stens to very differet after sugh exade (or is it exaduses?] I can't get uset toppese freguent movings on. Connary in new patrets almost at once. so life mooches on. Spent most of the morning Monday cleannot L. We varion tupbaards crege new list for wedicine Jack &Tasford re same down from Caw. Camp - & were presesterd e Ihe buckshee i from the pocer shop iti Swep sonen Taoch isoned like an dro an 10009
I had cleared all the contents of bos lockers or to haves bet othe table. eveyline of goads mas represented - from taod pastoto, masting bade back through an avenie of brandy tinopenci kinfeboard + the like. Treat arti duinkards marriage artument - Jack & oe nersig, Sawford who argues but daesnt reason Jack says. Somehowd it bricks are upto hear such opinion from lad &a soldier Weil bld - ward o Jacks ap afte mach - but of course slept not- Diner at 6.30 hewniftt Staffon. Beautiful, niftt - some fat taking onee ones wards - ove three tougght oneof winee is dear ald Pz - now Hs. The boysare gilet -footh othe poseries carefully stowes away - he locke - a few precautions becon domnn istited to the insornation - Imust not wake he accupant of the bed during me midnight raid - Imust ttns cigautle - + Lo on Well. Lest door - the Io. we had a peet time getting dippe - tres disten get it every mt - taking is - liveng. the repaired mess roon wards At 9p.n. - saw the Bombay Sister arring, & laghnt very much asponished at ar place of residence. - &prodired supplie & bread + meat - nefamar silse shred - wilk th &har, & in plense to where writh came he least. The wrate callecsion we carbed one on a large tray & at in the 0 txt cubapmany Sandwicker, I uset much Silve Steet. It was sometot pepaig sippe for 14. The D.o. tent. was a scene of ilveling by night at Bmitnight. The a lay deaye accompanced by th appeard brenged &a kedle Goosipw one containing, not necte. rye arme are diagh twer werrin - onemonr had manings. (P.C) Welville & Brasber of & returned the goods to te mertent encanti dozensg large ponderoudly happing bap (or all they trad ?) en into Beeutiu night larly noonlight - Hortrach mishily apparest, coal + clas Welv. & shad cocog ar 22.. & worked hand from 4. 4to some took jellyy Slept badly – Wel ished at 7a says stalk most distrctly mrs keep & ttad te plies: they are a nuiance. Welv. sick tombtt & off duty. It was pretty lonesome writout her. S. elleson reliever he & y brin great by hum out a enthuastic tar fze Toptho me acquainted anslles & the Msae-maja +mnor rother constiltation. I love the paolesta & he may it keeps or Dead Stirl. went for a greet prence wday Horood &c 38th & brought back several trophe Tuesday which avoor the tent hea 23 Pels. stipt off outy. Homsss & Scatt & about 14 omers transferred to no. C Caradion the evening. I Slems strange without them. Twenty Of the Bombayy Sister are staying here – they don't like the place wuch! We sone ment to fo yet. Dest Store tonigh - fearfully kindy & trisly Blew nards all anyhow - smaster several medicine battle i Hs orderly & Ifle round some & tied all the tet up. Tried to make coeon & the belltent at 3a.C. ove the primin – which & about go cantankerou as are most Specimens of that suily family. alew up - The prinin are the beethent nearly but explorted & I did bosk, & nearly damagr things. It was comical. Everything thut befund when daylight came - whier necessitabe much &sheking of beds. Gob Hogi - from trnn longl. June 23rd. Clifford Thurs 30 2th Melv. entertained the to So. to take of my conversations, & drean – dwellers. To aman you buite srpest & much emphases but the brube (i.c. Hly) is persiglent - & so, therefore an & Welo. back a duty lonight - Gloriam onsonlight night - clear as day. Get dasted sterpy in early a.m. Friday Kunons say we are all going -anox to island of St Korper (?), somewhere - the Bepen Se nate for Homowd - The daeons like the place - a tempar any home beto. The day to admesfully quickly howaday - I can't get anything done he way of lette writing haked today Iboiled closhes on me primis tonift, and starker, Toor & Bake bprise ab 4.1a sosist ote pod work - they are Great Kids. her had cocaa at 80 - at heast cocoes 100.
and cottel miser - a strange hed flanoned bevente! and tumbled to &worked together like bricks. It dots meke night duty different wasa here are asdes-de-camp about hebbl from San. Sept. 181 Wasth day dat. Full moon now. Beantiful nights here - they remind me of the atd, ald wutt days, on moontit nights. The motentans stand coal and mistily on crone side - Hortwach lighfo twinkle for a liktle while and the one by one fade the amp lihts afarof go out - the French camps last post followy on more familor & Geos chaiming call - And the Vewr not - the day se - we sleep the night badle, Nerville &I & get up only because one ot wo must goour + get aftenoon ua We take it & plad one - me dristo our tiud. be tuuns enamed muts (issue) san examet plate (also issue) & return a much brgad & as much ter as the muppeit, sany stray posrp or rumour Shepp woth down. S. Grepon came into ou camp this p.M.- She befo to speek before she evbered Youre virtuou people - here so of coue. you want have any sancees belonging to me messhent - Has she estered she benged a pilef three on may mit - Callectes trobic of three days mesting! wearl aughed - & weve promised not to do i afais. tack a shapg me D.S.O & task he address thereof - that make about 34 photos. Dre promised to send. Concert tought at Na.2- ameant ag but dron on account of the waid beese very busy these night Sunday Fasth. Bake. Druemond, wedl, out this Idahate these occasions. Nell morning came along & task a shap & us . My last The voual, Sabbath - Much Cosly film -rumones thetan Bustial? mail wa bee dan Hefea Ha neal is us. senk a guak which yowel upto Jack co Taok & place of the one the Pack store defrauded in Monday, one of my M.O's is supposed to be a reticis- mannal, & the other is eeelairly a dipso mande - so there you are! Al frue wards are full now - we are increasingly buy, & scond even tik, about beiy Sleepy abt wight, rayday. very sreepn idee. Capr. Lords got up has here taday - Steet and chap. Kerit at calling me the anthorers rshi off whiles all of the diang were paid x 4 - of which, 330r was handed over at once to S. Grepson, for mess. retter from home - there near no trutt that runon apparently. Had litter fro Petr Nell, Bent (2) Davey weld. had, was news, about he comin death at me front. All my boys down Nor No. 2 -Cothlan, Pootn & ack - & allte othe doys. It nea great to see then Wels. y trn afa at the suppe shint - we don't enjoy the business mich - it take toomuch time up orderly Mo very gay tought. He offerer me a cyaethe - sdont smake, oawd - he rashed his po - a stare? surprise. Dyon duirk ? siste what sizg digor take eyevrow raise halss ?t Thus on, M.b. - ox. for our Hustsliane jo? Cold breege tonillt - & some dust but not like to that which we kudnied, last week. sear they boys ab. 4.30g bowlsg not teo- its gieat & wey are melet heepers - hay volunterr. Much Coole - quite cold tomilhs. More but getnone. Melv. &3 Tuesday, Sept. H. Mail 4 don't appreciate the suppetime conveylation: Ageto in down. The may these girls generalise about the genen Tomony - then are higards - they are slackers - they will do anythingto get synpather & get out g ship – & Soon. Afer as of their were not hundreds of Slacker, amongst our own HEF & as if our can generalise on such, thing. She men have a ratte time of it - especially the poor infanty - then have all the work + get all the kicks & none of the glory Mield. & Imay havehad good luick but we havent struck these ratter slackers, ligards &c that Mrs McC & G & E telk about one ofmy MPs asked for a cup & he tought (te R.M.) - he cabbe made the pumin vuist cheerfully indflame, anr Sfaneh an enanel my frillg tee & migth - Ihave in diip it at soule distant Spat which spresumghe did - any man he departer, bearing the vi, which he promisie D Eelen sugreplitionly in he morning. Attacked a crust too entosiastiagly today - resuet, one abseyg frone took Clome) – Blow! wes hat tl sorts of capers conceining ty danages tooth woday. Deed to keep it in CG. faith O) Loap, (c) seccobue but are method were quite insuccessful & sp about oa gap. Get Strnt by a wasp - oneg the my fren Therg me (appaiently) morgt my netar I sleph and another got inside on we uppe ann
my 1sleep my net & delept my hand tomy cheek, in impreon in there, a, of course, he mevitable result, that Ipst string! It was fearfully parpt- like a buidly ehnecale onwos. Ii know meny'd writ somnch. Imone wetr. if s my stifled proar, 11pn) & me procured some rodine & dwas duty andinhed. There ws a concent but te Con. Camp tonds - Nel & gient. We got somneone to rerever h till. 1o. 306. a - got dreaged in our madame Josephins toge, sstolled accoss i the moonlight afte dinne -C Halland & Malcalo. The state & neas quite a tayone te andiever sat i wess above it, seated an tarpantim & old blarkets. Cowds of Wheki dad boys - some. f ald patients among the trong The propai o poor one - performers tor Ne.6 int wee enjoyed partog to slowed the little conpre I and cheerful gun. Came home before suppe. hather down the hill a pack & Bake - & Catin on duty, 10.30 sharp. Very cold, clear wyht. Thurs more plapes upon oul. Got a spirake into my fager wise we part Tthe bathroom this a.M. Hot, bath Mr. A.n. & onererd thei enjoyed; my face to stirt swesaller lsspanme, Gob Sphle and I focess but my wait stoppe. What an unfort tonight unate famity weare, to be sure. Bunbdr broyht the nesscask our to be somithed fwith the watel Set i the N.O.& I had presouly lethed is tyrs, I J.O.R. -an efferp. Borrowed the H. watch for the night. Honer for suppe- procure by stearth but deliciop wer mover aur quartee - 16 furthe suppe at night is s real entertainment. 1.9th Dunbler returned onyy walch Going Fillay beautifully rnow (at up.m) is still sas. G.BD. Aeroplane landed near onr tertothis afternoon - flew low down onr us jasking for a place to land. some friend of the Bombay diolen who called - for afternoon tea - surely the very labest - Methods of conveyance tocn afternoon tea, function. Mels. & Twalker oue flask at it a beautiful machine a our colouis we stiekes its great wings. The family at diwe fompt discussed then frist meal at home Bigs ay shell neie from Frenarth & five he ordere Too got me two tim of prut from the carter up as Welv. & Ihad onetin f peans last ho.2. -& very nictoo night & be aprcots, the p.n. sestt back fror the 4hCaradian. Bonwood as there in the issletion quarteer. Knnows that we evacnate, in 6melks - That we mave a to C Cofn S Brinden C podness know -me officees, wess tonight, where. Test pubilation several of the were well & property outherw & samg most gaven Slade f Weston loyatey vonend they mere Greeks - the road but the entremely Eonglish soups disclaimed that suppotion entirely, we can hear the guns sometimes at nylt, anew the air is still - they boom away where. Ido hate the sound of Sat. Sept. 8th Scott said abundleg letters arrived for e hospital (4th C.) some daysap & were weat reported for w here: They havent arrivet – wish to gardness they would netter from Ssta & Clifford inday - also Hifus. Mels. & sau making mutiel charto o each othern color schemes. The corors vanfee from Cinson - The supremans of cheerfulness, to Black - He depit g, despai, + beree these hus entremes are rose. pink, flush, white, dull Svey, darkgvey, blue, Uthmanine navy black! Welv. does the Switch back railway act or to chart, - we inhend, to senv ther home ana sme are sufficiently, after charted above novmal. Sunday. Oo. same on sunday - cake for afternoon to! t Convoy in, and very busip wards again. are the boysdown from No. 2- Coghlan, Voot, Jack - & several others. It ands guet of the Rids to come along. Cusis allnight - Tellesa relieved for suppe ontyy, most unsatefactoly morning concon possibly get finished up - five wards, full, & a cut facetafy of Sick cases. Rumoner that weare going t slippt.. Have suppe - church tot now - Ws ws near my wards, & there is gererails a certai amounta hubbrts Radge left nste to sdy that te test havin been left clear ha service - great constonction on the part gus but we can believe tts justified, altogether. Monday 10 Sept. Blue, devils his am Dearil get the weark fiished properly the a.on. letters from bibe a wailing, also backs from Clifford. Woleng Spot Bletten frong alse (one from Fm), & one from Mato ] from Heman &We Bullet Mo Lnkie, alsot.
a delichoful letter from Hat- accompanied by a plosary of term of military flanou. Hal's a sergeant-goodals? Kained heasly -came i at corners & marquee - Several of the over Askwet, and trus got a regular warl out as one o then informed me, in braad Sctoteh, & had to be turned round & fround sheets applies to they evriemities They are chewrful Chap & don't take too hardly such inforeseen tragedies oit 2a.m. Agood Story reaild we she other day concerning cawfield – that irrepress and thei wa sony sik -ible Cackvey. Hewas at the panting recess ourday ymen on the point of drinking it when me sister appeares the on the scene I quiek witted always, cawfield mined was t Scabl, on his right - Have a dep of milk, and may 7n & now the remark is histone have a diop 0 milk, Ole man! Tuesday. Sept. 1th. Wenrs ton this a.m. the roads are thick; Sticky mind. amothered. Mel. & I Tyees ment into Salonitie pocar - san supposed to in to the 43t to see the deslt but sasoness knows ye ald gor will hr annes cllitt Kiddotes rate. Tramport arrived 10a.m. Iwent. Very tough rockng roads – ments rount by snost way - very crosker vonks & many Sharpmin - the P.M.5 ca just ahegd of us. Isal - front - was very slerpy indeed. asked several hospitals wto pictures quely clad work people driving mee mute by the taad; passed convay - views of working mountains afar off of Witt. Hortrack - which clmber sweeks ago - vied of me sea long before we meared salonigue. Cty most gthacrine lasking o i free trer, & wite calorif, the haston beyons we doss see me fire-danage parts tipt lapes. called at 43n0 - saw dentisf - had tcar afain at 4 P.m. Mel Belo. [who went i o S. Tyers) & visited Hormasd, who is isdated in charge of a case of mimps. at the P2no. Werepickes up M. &S. Ty. & taken intos town on their ambulance - streets of vares characte - we went town one & the man salong the see front - part vano well constructed building - pastwendors of are kinds quee edible +merchagane, past the rarbou, &he quays - crowdsf fishig wasts were me beay Destapped at the L.F.C., & bought bisceta Chocacates, Soep, &igeaa +milk -S wenice walke back towaid their went on- he wohcto Towe, where we had been tolo there we some, son of a restmant. We asked several wh clas peper oulition - got into some dirty Gulls Smellin S charge hatel remains most of the debs war pratened a baghed nide extanglements, from the one curroug priblic - we passed along the seafront, ohetang the seabrege melcome afterhe doun elsewnen It was rike sgypt minis be glamour - mini all the ovcental Splyndow af calonin & chaim. febbering Dirty, poorly clad people raabig hepping, bisived cafe near Whno some – cacle itself e Ethiropian. Crowded a English office & muses sa few. Lerch soldien, Scivilian Grecks, Turks - tro bywho gat hopelssly Founk. we coulont understand the mean, so we orderd a roast hephazaitly + didnt enjoy mich we queerly tasted mass shey, brought forth Melow wa our second course - wee thought mat was quite cafe, shecheete in 9.20 leptes each. Bought some p.Co at a shepnearly - walkes domn thend past spet hazaars. Covoisting of anl te30 gread, hunp along the ferce or the kind spike & so on. Stacting - are sorts o closing posteands. papes - cruss - eventhing had hung ap for a spection, the vouil baydining mae proptes sund to get phits. fli at a nie shep but goild- the owner of the Shap was out not the key s an Fngtil Sailar Warolate for me, from the speech of the very trech Shipman. We were picked upby ou dinner m raind the city agai – went balk to the E.R.C. (where me bought two lineg tobaces for our drnce. which he uctimately refuset – Lorny secret Joy? Tte bonga to see puple ixfring gratuti afte altmne have had to pay at every place, & alwayd) & snapped at oroes Shep - the vicinity, by the simplo versior methad of putting a joinger on, a sulight doep pkt or somesneps thing, whereupon the Shipmd eithe produces the hads, or, for more often say Finish sunlighe - all finish - Fwe welk out tseek the article elsewhere. Dirby, Palesmer men sab on me pavement, surrounded by their goods; - duty ald heads two Dead fly pationiae, fruit, articl Clothing – alo Wast, trinkets, LulnyWin cemet on men, wery domer back to the 42 called & gt pusto. shop & fet films - waited, 12 hr for then o home. was dreadfulle Tho rentat
1057 OOSE Sleepy stried topts sleek- the ambutance, but it was too , vough Helty & Sfane it up. Got very dusty coming home. Hrrnee beack 5.30 – just in time for afternoon tew. Had a hath owers on duti ho Seep arday Briy wards - thes ver sick chap. Pelleson reneving wed. Had a doze this larly o. White I watched the family - sertertained 1. by talking the most irotie nob about oxror thi astral poation. Seep gaitd drunk the a.W. - slept enceeding will s down fror Com. Depst towitht Thurs. Sept. 13th suiet day. letter from Bailing chird feeting o torpedoing o Msalta seneloving & photo of hself.s adve wsto to metio, ltting a enpenecing. Cal wyle. B. & Jack Down slick presented me t a balking Stick promised to procure for me, some trilbsof the Brelky fih ground lity that frowg the fleto. Humones p au ad Very vsy right. Seapuey very Srew. hat drone nowner come Friday Sept. 14th Wat nater land on now - me are mondering it we are rally going to reave me spot, &if so, when hetter from Tuik raday, dated 38/8/17, be expects to got Entlaw soon, on leane. Very mustening & bnight - breges scaed. Dunbar admisted Lot Satturday h Frarkl high lad nighty. It came on to & Coried - & blest am shogney after we came on Duly + froze. odonner mac. Yon meseer - whereupon he boys - Hy dublic me "shipps and haieed me anHhoy. - & puddled, round i he mied & wet a treat justs someg the bests were, one come my beltet feel just as owas joung intot Igrabbe the pale & hailed L.5 orderly who came ove & tender es first and +re - drave me lassened Dep. The fall blapper the side o tibell-tat - slit. re-lit, + tit alan te enclastingly annoynt, Primin rever sime it bew out - spearly crud. Theer case. The rain stregmed down through me tent & necessifabet several hasty removals. It trichled down, mong the haids above tbelow the flooring, - sheapy ad the haversachs & closing on me vaniou ischen tempties. Suppe was a deal enperier- we had, bot presson to Suppe, - ifs hes lest day -& during, te nalt how the church ten commence Or Mr. P.in Alstifating y he fornd tocane the ma pall insupported - All de pep having fulled out! We fised it up tempovarily & repared of ish he inturpted feast the fot three chen & a fally good fellow (I very subdnes undertone before me brade ap - drank it i tea & mels & Sot an mys of the remaining halfounce of tea mined, - Sot a horsibly sweet halforng & sheppa horribly unswget one. soy, course wee pot te fifle, as weld. Lalmay do. Dubsig the church teat blew right down - also me -mes hent also metr's bell tent patients also one or trus of the tentog the M.R.S Altogty a placful rights for once we realise that hee were redily on allive service. Jask a Snapy Welvs the a.m. - the ruigs of it. We beeltent were issued o pribties tonight- purones that we ansary BAlexandria of Oct.84 - ne more Banspt after iomorrow. Jack, Bake Coghlan Pown from C.D. Tonight - entertained then o cowoa seof cough miature &nearly got sighted by the MO. Cold tonicht writ noming compand i latmight, - oBeld- & my suppe mell - pow me Yanteens Keepblowing one - there is hato U noming move provocalive, I pul, & badd thought than to have ones lanter olown out at every corne - unless poosibly I is pfallare tentI wrate to onl repes the Park. by we were hovribly fagred the aon., Meld. & Sunday 1 I. Last Sunday the parse left right poles a to beet he to see what theC.I was noty was therefore most emphatic about lift tion: the state- which it wa to besest inda + me sent te orderly up, & be swept it - Ihad intended Dto over at O.Sctosly & all heas negel, hope to. at C.t applares os vroom -henting patient - a would be communionist, wustalmeg the hary plgce had bee left - anythig onrap condetion of easly commsion – and he adtfer, the dixies pere stieb there. Soearly refor e thee frink at the enormity of an offence & burried down to meld. telting her g the nape accurrence, but welv! waso storte heart, &bade me beggoos chee which asfor as possible, I was accordingly we low s yers at breake, & returned after beetike but concont find the padie, so me wrate a noto
40. Ic church tent, & went ledwards He hi envouter & fetting a food morning & a meeting 1We were chaiming Salnto. If Deed only known. wored about tarl - respecially sorryy byt the mattershould be reported take, but we thought te paores horror struck fese, fastened onto those empty bish ths tometh eelig to lease cnck &othe article & containe a the sixie heas toomuch for ont humour loving Souls & We shricket out land manybrnen & offen Dreant that he paose wanted to see one & make at the third time o Melr's calling me - to be being great astonishment. Went to canlier - Spent above C. fr. on Choe. Mr cuits the cantie much more Ship shape, buscness & invitin how, Truit salad fo dessert! Jack Bahl. Vooth down. fack c a couft & temp. - brought me me bulbs & sawd farevice, a be departs to summer Hill very shortly. Great Knd. Welv, very virry - took he wean & foonp at tops. &we than on suppe in he belltent, - a juf o tee + sandwichen, Murch, follig wore my prittee they do beel neavy tnot Monday Sept. W7t fent, a hold to, Lient. Resson, ie phitos. Idons know what me orgaly shirps about Meled. IIwent up she will bened the cautses after biellle- it wa a covely morning but got qrte ha long before we got back. Callected snarl Sheels and flowers & coloficge specimen + feon + bult rant, touk snap& each othe on the hill side, It was gronous up well. sot back 10 ai - Iand some jardening any bisguit t that hathed retired baryon &me & Slept most sornlly, Welo. Sweph the tent Hill fearfully lass at not dong it myself. adie same to see Melo. Tme tougght was just bone about the church test + our note - skid he synpathe I us i not we had, no seltled place ff abode & were forced. to use he church test he laughed, our the uexie + the remains & the suppe Bail, home loot down tonight - also notta, & noddie from He -also he browneyed M.O. from. H, S. Lyers havig a night off - S. Young is on. The Mtt demanstighd pite applyen my bellbent. Pudding romigte at dinner was bporridle &dates baker. Merdary 18th Came on tobs pards tonilht - convoy lots a sick boys - Hy TH. E to & 32 stretches cases Set. very sick. some, Vooch, Hstmar down from camp. also dock of tz- who lined I a wel hoose +c/o the wee vib beasticg in nis bed -(ant of course) Brantiful sunget tought - gloviou golden- fink Sking, the mounta standing on afainst it – here &here a, mience showes plainly - Silhonghted afainst we gold. Sbs a covely and this - Iwish meconed see more of We hislone saig it before we Aed. 14. Sepl. Acroplans passed to rfro ove liner today - drappit a note a side a flaf to S.Sorter. We maned the waned back. No 66 player no 65 ono 6s wow we are no foobballers. same on tobvay mards-+ new orderly who rasks a good man, head very sick. A, procued for me a beautiful freedyand, which they produced sudderly fom nowhere ofno for my left dud Stand faw day onby me. They say they are considered sagered thing out here. th crocures - by false pretences - Spirits for my tires- over biand this a.m, sful, it - a roffel battle will calked up. Dinder this a.m. tot wes to the Sporto - are at No. 2 - mahe Wels at 1.45 under the impression that it was 2.45 - fally gotif very lott at 3.30 &bather & wshe the rest of the Co. Mas, apponoor tw Were duickd one t NoS& our bed bifs & e gu fortfwith seb out tuchers on saw, walking sticks - walked this the hospibal, to te great astonishment of the boys Fornd that the sport mere at No 2, ayd turned baik sifts made Sin wacked along toward vadget bea instorme the tack be ip, also Senting olen Helr-Felleson & Iwarker lisiely, bt ourty arit +get to be prounds a mey or. Crowds Tommies - pod many Engl. distin Many M.OD hav afternoon to (delittspe Hortrack peathes & ree delocivig Sweett too & neatcher the boning contert wath he officers rage safte had no Wnich Byps. Senling, Killez. dan - the histe Savent., I weat because Bighs Suffycker it & Bips only came piarly because Idafled too bit! Iindole on her going - Heilly sealing came along to bear in company. The Eug.M.0 mor- mediour thick te Saite fair, &metione tink, she should have entered for it at act a homene. Big, droppe out &dions fun at all Icame, serom. swonds of boy in for henn lkentertained thet crown lst stones of the afternoons has
Friday, Runnis that we are arl coming gfor Monday. medorl wait to, Melo. T3, but the others ds. It is Cletaily tiring alver morn we find i a mee lit hade to bicheefull. But the boy are great kids. Our suppe trifft - how quickly At come, along. We are alway a risfle dippessed or these occasions sent a cable (reply paid) to tet this a.M. St 23nd manhons now Sly from the kid. very hat - slept hadly & wake acking all our. Tip toeing rount at will wearces, ones miscle Welws wek wait& tree pot phattle - mept one tomgho & treat difficulty stiel of preee o yer white sblul ribbon rouns if I make. up i eslarly tohee freas astimihment & entertament am pack Mr K. sent back flom - very geod. 23nd Took Snaps thes am of Mela Sundar also Somer at mine - als ony boys - twa a porp. Dro siot of t 8a Dusvay very steepy & conseguence. Bntin fom Mate addrsed cfo his lonyen Letter pame. Hal's toog normani death Hae Icannet realise it is true. oor alo Murick coming it right duty - & an glad, thap da not fet tres onedue stayed up this a.m. & dencloped phetos he Monday had morning tha in the mess teat subsequently bathroon Stephmost Sondly. Glaiom sunrises here. Tuesday, Task a few shaps of the camp fror the hill. Caster day. Trepped bays of H, Hs & Panting & the unit's dof- which under stands only Triich, to Mr stade says. My N.ordely appoached the painte-man on the subject of doing a lalor sketch of the aqueduct for me - away howfiet when he brought h along tome, and swas forew smahe a statements concerning pictup f, agrednets shor delightfl they are - toier ther havefert that bemust consider I possess she check of the eare, Hustration Embrie. Boys - H, siging towight, - fareneld content,) - the day orderly mading viy a a bup Stiek which narlonly esceped Btidrips heat several time. They are greet lad N.O. broupt some beatifie woktle pik cocs blooms for the vanne -- they a on our tent ierten horhing dang 2 nate Sock of Hz preaebe me T.P.K. nall of filme which Mck. remeve from an officer kit - Irejoind greatty, for we are short g enposineg, but found rete that it had been exposed! We sent it come to me develaping department, and ment to canteer but care of Bi Daweit dentlepmento o itpest, went to su coghlar. found it closed Fixed phutos in the a.m. - retued about O11 a.M. J8 Thurs The moon i nearly at itfull again- It is a month gonce, we first metnightouty Mol's Yock Comes up nightly fer the primn store - a mosb delightful chap. Friday Such a day? S. Tyers, Nielo. &dment into Sal thy care we men will lade up o messap from the home Fiter or he way - somany oko (whetere they are.) of stonators at some market place somewhere nor the 43th ts we land the dinne i – S. Tyers set - fronb Mel & I were confortably curled up & he cas, shepily matching the posry coutryside - the mountaing ounty tapped, the habor ana stulor Left S.T. at the 52 & drove into town, still lashing I for the markerplece of ? lacality. The doive knew very little Salonique & was contiually conpelled bask duection suca you tell me where a Venezelos St Choom. We drove down V. St. - found the Radck & bought film o peper. othey chialed is too, + ching to welvs silve percil the long which we viout notice till late or The dove drase in back to the Kodall - wheraree got the pencil back afe- droveus down to we EF.C tobacco for the where we fat noticg – Sawe a drie - omer me directed to Rosdeback Afbe a preet ded a mandering, fand Rosdeboct Ven. St sbught choe. & bicis &were vasks entertaina t the titter ruch salesfil, who nadoubt thought we had money to brrn. Sed we sie on choe - got to Ordnance 11.30 smarked (after mandergito the borony dept, for some ssters was were enpecked tomeet vs were if he well stranded - but they didn't tim up, so me has ine I returned to the car a draw back to the 5220 havig man teducilimes an worite o nearly running our liseeli other abstacte. The are waikedly slow - getting I the coas Back at the 52t 1245 Sa tr is staying t bunch - whec we did also insisted on me Onine, who got abit aptatis, since it wes st anan the was suppr long before me, eventuall he back at his Sippit at 1.30 oive were setting dispected sepy &wanber nothig more than bed – fearly st amay wak snap of Pdve & ca oM. Tone of me. y setred. Iaoched ass, for the markety before furit ot woth scercuet For the lip
home of ally bound it. Passed this' are di Tuomplie & this dirty smelly ald streets The Greeks seen a avity disceprtable, lat a bittle refand for sanitation or appeaiances handed back 3.30 - passes conson from no sCD. en ronto for, we supposed S Hill- pickes up the sister for whon we waited at We Red Crop I chet. tey had waited in the street for us! I Went to weo speedily – were straped in, nouth by S.V.F S.C. - ane dictued & slept about 1how, Spent me sleeprest night possiple. tolne after breake the a.m. Saturday Returned tone scattorder for our pay. Tuak snafso elos bays a staff & of mmy bays. And mation caughtus. Starbed off pranissims by telting is we swonto be in bed afte our strewcons day the aay before - saw my camera &starte off – I remembered the day before & continuer. Whydivit we apalafise? I said we havnt thought it wea ou responsibility we hass considered that matio moned enpest an eupla ariow from us, seeney that St monet purely havefine her are the enplanations concerning the tip A little cousbes we reaist, were dat any havn - & supien us to hea that we diont seen to refair our P.M. as a P.M. ab are - & to on bes on. Crescends, fortssms, &c b We retixed bedwards under one umbrella a countenance mike ma we sehout with Sow Sl, & told he arl, a return, very much nimilitited at what we considered our unwarranter straping in front as it was, of arl the patients & H& I lines? Cursed the days me i the usnal fashion - were tridte ba were boow grecte shack at wighl when St. belows brat P.M. had told he that we were impertinent, that mehad tnto the P.M that it was all St.s faurt (that we were lase) that It wa an achg familigrily othe tommies to take their phato. & She woved not haulks familior, &c.&. Wt it was aga st the wtes it ngs not our first offerce (some one has been reportunt !) Mal Iweas one of the S. Nurge was kanded to object a wakin unde a SN. which ma rot, & course C diee Deze worked unde SN. Anway) - Hs on. We fave It a tie account Broceekings a, but wer were oniserable women indee wat night & vorer at Supper St. treakest the N Staff Wa well of lectue You etiquelly, courtes comise. We are both coming off N.D. Plesly sonl mertion wus the names of 8/. or the P.M. may they perish! is on most frequent remark arest thei, charms. Tundey we have not reconered yfet from he severe Sueshon mr men most Syepatheti steday a. lows The N.S. Vllars life as an icuitable series hance, life beny one law big after another, mnothing more that is all there is to be said about d, Lone, is oue he wre arapt the inevitable smle cheerfully. Thorhy Ohles bout tokeng Mt Ceount the Carly on hat wer come of no taday. Weld & saw veryblue ? our charts art wshed send on, a duel nate, as mightie enpectes. We refaid our straping as a frece gunpistifid, ts intupretation & cannot be conssled. Frinted fined plistos. Mo 2 & wey considerably cheered up ment on Drity 5p. very slieky & peevish thereby came off most unwillingly at 7.30 - Officers. Mers 5 Coanhouse at 7.30 will be be a memory Letter from wood & back. Tuesday. Contont sleepwell labnight - neytho loved -rley ahake + hougthg niew.. heake this early the busis happy friendly wards & then rapendent woys - te boyso yer cleonel naughtmenst & loxableness. Buuy day - + most mmiddly. Cannot get the hang of Tyduthy at arl Delightful, capable interested o it vay make a difference nso. inherestin Faney dress attair tonight - Melo, & sdressed of any areart ablegaiment. Sentas, a fisherman in nubast alie gelfcoat - tuined well in, & ble son meste, Knickens. Rowand was splendid gs an ald Hustial smagfie & corks iuspended from he hab. The MOs moreout beliese mat corks mere moor so in Hustdie Mc mas Muny & very tiffical. Severaly the firt dress upas onts & te padie & mitchell as mefor sooall Ther came uninvited, I comed wes partigularly Gog & mano ven avsental, be concert they were allowe to stay: Mac. set down or meknee C what she though was do iitation Mo., &ithe a real one. Greer py & constanction the land. Therena supper & sat inthe most of it mations cor wa heerd returning t wee nar a speedy fading out foom the conceb sight o the Mos Kenres + slept engerding sound heldnesday wisto to Jagk – at the 600 got the Mt. t Stade to conee it sent several sap o ald the ald voys thereof. Somenial lutte day, but at for night rity I Had morning hours hurs supposed tobe my naffday . gob convoy- which stapped thip frett effectuacly Mels, 960 be own - have a ratter cold. Dosed &I Hsp. thar remann aslept, well very cow nights - I smapky mornings. serft. Tree very sack indeed; dated day sit rthers fo sert & noon Angust 10 the last all eve gt from h I suppse last night very eald day. Had a mess meytin gr &I det it a coone & she take me if t conmenced. H let o new rule therwe

will be there in the a.m. & alive. Phonograph in
the ward all the afternoon - some good records
Wrote to Amy tonight. We've got new bath!
The orderlies wear white coats at dinner - I
don't suppose it'll last long.
Friday  Spent most of the afternoon framing photos. I had
printed from the ones Mr. Kesser developed most
kindly for us.  It was some job!. We had several
enamel dishes, two or three bowls & the whole
performance resulted in 30 excellent snaps - some
less excellent than others - & about 10 poor

ones - & much splashing of all concerned &

everything near at hand.  M. blue - tinged -

dear me!  Rumours that the Japanese have

forced the Dardanelles & are fighting there.  We

have a mess meeting tonight & all the 

un-entertaining affairs.  It spread itself

out & stretched from 8.15 to 9.30 & weren't we

sick of it all before we could retire!

Decided that (a) we pay £1 monthly on pay day

(b) we each pay our own tips in (3 leptos weekly)

(c) we pay 6d per week for aft morning tea.

A committee was elected - S. Wilson, Pres.

S. Geddes Sec.  The charming orderly has a

white suit for dinner wear - he looks sweet but we

all laughed & I don't suppose he'll wear it again

His companion or the handing out bully beef

stunt he was in shirt sleeves - which fact did

something toward in terrifying the effect.  Back

news back today - only one page.

Sat. 25th August   Delightful day.  Took several snaps in the
a.m. - of Jack c̄ my umbrella & the rubbish tin gathering
the inevitable cigarette butts & other groups.  They
are great kids.  Halfway, Horton, McLeod, Manning & I 
went hill climbing c̄ Mr. Ritsoe - an M.O. - we set
out about 1 p.m. well laden up c̄ thermos, flasks of tea
mugs, (strung on our belts) & salmon sandwiches, kindly

donated by the Mess.  It was pretty hot & very

sunny & we anticipated a weary return but some

went joyfully.  I got a letter from Bert just before leaving
enclosing some snaps, taken at Bombay - put it in my
pocket, intending to read it on the first spells,
& brought it home again unread - one of many
articles, odd & various, that travelled in my

ample pocket down those miles! The way led

up through the village, through an old orchard 

where we picked green walnuts (which I cut later c̄

Tooth's jack knife, to the great detriment of the

polish thereof) and I found a Leinster badge.  Mr. R.

knows the place thoroughly & gave us details

concerning the village, the orchard, the Roman

viaduct the green deep pits we passed on the 

way, & all the geography & history & politics of

the country round about. The first mile or two

traversed more of less ever graded country - the
path after that wound around the side of the

hill, - the one behind Hortiach - & away

over several spurs, to within sight of the

area crest of the hill beyond - higher than the one

behind Hortiach & crowned c̄ a rocky pinnacle,

nestling above & surrounding belt of dark green

beech trees.  Beautiful views on the way up - the 

lakes, mountains for miles round, the harbour &

Salonique - Vardar, with its misty swamps, the ocean

away round past the limits of the bay.  The path

was fearfully rocky in some parts - over slippery

dry "snow grass" in other places, but withal fairly

well graded & our Guide took us skilfully. A

good way up the air becomes markedly rarified

& we found it necessary to take frequent spells.

the palpitation which beset us if we didnt rest

was acute & deafening.  Passed by outcrops of

marble - pink & white & mottled - I filled my capacious

pocket for Sista's collection - & sweet smelling herbs by the

score.  Mr. Ritson said the majority of the plants were 

aromatic & indeed we plucked several varieties of mild
thyme & fragrant verbena, and a lavender flowering

mint.  We got very thirsty - Sister McLeod & 2 rejoined &

were exceeding glad when our knapsacks changed

hands - or rather, backs, & the M.O. bore the burden,

for it was sufficiently strenuous carrying ourselves up
that hill.  Passed a Greek garden - c̄ potatoes

& some fruit trees - passed a bank of Macedonian

clover - pink & pretty - passed a grove of white

trunked, green foliaged beech trees - passed a second
outcrop of marble - and then, in a charming

little "oasis" - though the surrounding were not

sufficiently desert to exactly warrant that term

the spring!.  It was sheltered by two beech trees &

below, where the streamlet trickled away below

the road, was a tangled mass of purplish

mint & holly in a strikingly handsome

orange lily-pod - like the after glow of an

  

arum lily.  (I plucked a bunch  on the way home

& they adorn the tent most effectively) Mr. R. says the

spring was probably built up as it is today, many

hundreds of years ago.  It flows from out a wall

of stones, specially built for the purpose, and

after flowing into a kind of sink or trough, runs

away underground & is dissipated.  The water

was glorious - pure & cold as cold - I had about

3 pints - we unstrung our respective mugs long

before we actually reached the spring itself! - &

carried some in my pannikin up the hill to be

absorbed at intervals.  Two soldiers - we thought

probably from the rest camp here - French - were at

the spring:  they were sitting in most disconsolate dejected

attitudes at the side of the road, waiting for their

cask to fill at the spring - it was a wooden old

fashioned receptacle c̄ two handles & a wooden

plug:  after we'd refreshed ourselves & rested, & passed

passed on they still sat on, smoking and

brooding.  The way was very steep from the spring

to the top of the mount - about a mile at

the most - & we rested frequently.  Passed a

French camp, c̄ gay quilts hung out to dry -

polite French soldiers, who saluted our lieutenant 

a few French women, & their inevitable hens,

much scrambling over rocks & loose stones

& through thickly grown herbs & we were at

the top most point, above the beautiful belt of

beech trees, and possessed of a view that

surpassed all expectation.  Away over the Struma

 - that skeeter infested land - away over valley

& hill & mountains away over harbour & open

sea - away down to our camp - on either

side, we could see stretches of glorious colonies

 - grey's  & greens, & wide blues, the golden

all but setting sun - turning all the hay

into a pool of gold.  Had tea on the top

(& on opening my thermos I found it to be smashed

into a hundred pieces) & good indeed it was.

We wrote our names on a loose free

rock and labelled ourselves "Australia"

 - the M.O. said we were the first Australian

girls to climb the hill - at any rate recently

& certainly were we the first Australians.  He made

us feel ourselves some mountaineers! There

was a flagpole on the summit, & attached

was a much battered-by-the wind French flag,

and on flagpole & surrounding stones were numbers

of names - largely French, a few Scottish &

English.  Two ravens flew out from the crags & soared

slowly down the valley - turning lateral somersaults

as they flew, "caw-ing" in a most solemn fashion.

There were many eagles & hawks round the hills.

We stayed at the top about half and hour & then

came rapidly down - I gathered a bunch of blue

hyacinths, which grew thickly on that mountain top

and procured one bulb. - onion like & vigorous.

The hills were very lovely on the way down and

the setting sun away over the harbour - the

lights & shade of evening on hill top & valley. Gathered
more geological specimens on the way down - Mr.

R. assisted in the hunt, - landed back at the

camp 7.40 - & went in to dinner exceedingly dirty,

exceeding dusty & exceeding tired but happy

withal.  Mr. R. recommends abundant drink but no

food after such a piece of strenuous exercise -

says it's far better for one. Concert tonight up

at No. 2 Conv. Camp - wanted to go but was too

weary - Horwood & Melv went.  Begged some hot

water from the washhouse & had an luxurious hot

bath - what wealth. & retired to read Bert's

letter, - much travelled.  Melv. & Horwood got

back about 11.30 - the concert was delightful,

& post supp concert was a jolly supper for all

hands.  Midnight ere we finally subsided - the

latest we've been so far in the eminently

respectable home!  Trip today 14 miles in all.

Sunday August 26th.  Bit stiff today. Various rumours

Bombay crowd arriving tomorrow. Night duty for

Melville & me.  The numbers of the wards are

being altered considerably - the lines run the other

way now.  Jack went out - Trobe & all those

boys - the ward always seems so very different

after such exodi (or is it exoduses?)  I can't get

used to these frequent movings on.  Convoy in c̄

new patients almost at once: so life mooches on!

Monday 27th. Spent most of the morning cleaning out
the various cupboards - creating
new lists for medicine etc -  went Jack & Sanford

came down from Conv. Camp - & were presented " our

"buckshee" tin of jam from the "Grocer's shop". It

looked like an old curiosity shop when Tooth &

 

I had cleaned all the contents of both lockers on to

Lowe's bed & the table - everyline of goods was

represented - from tooth paste to washing soda &

back through an avenue of brandy, tinopeners,

knifeboard & the like.  Great anti drunkard's

marriage argument - Jack & me versus Sanford

who argues but doesn't reason, Jack says. Somehow

if bucks are up to hear such opinion from lads

of Jack's age & a soldier. Went bed - wards

after lunch - but of course slept not - Dinner at 6.30

- new night staff on.  Beautiful night - some job

taking over one's wards - I've three tonight - one of

which is dear old U2 - now H5.  The boys are great

- Tooth c̄ the "groceries" carefully stowed away in his

locker - a few precautions being administered c̄ the

information - I must not wake the occupant of the

bed during my midnight raids - I must steal no

cigarettes - & so on.  Melv. next door in the I's.

We had a great time getting supper - two sisters

get it every night - taking it in turns.  We repaired mess

to on wards at 9 p.m. - saw the Bombay Sisters

arriving, & looking very much astonished at our place of

residence! - & procured supplies of bread & meat - the famous

silver shred - milk, tea, & sugar, & implements where

with came the feast.  The whole collection we

carted over on a large tray &tent in the D.O. tent

cut up many sandwiches, & used much silver shred.

It was some job preparing supper for 14.  The D.O. tent

was a scene of revelry by night at 12 midnight.  The 

tea appeared brewed in a large dixie accompanied by

one containing hot water - & a ladle.  Gossip was

rife as we ate, drank & were merry - & rumour

had many things. (P.C.) Melville & I washed up,

& returned the goods to the mess tent, encountering

dozens of large ponderously hopping frogs (or

are they toads?) en route.  Beautiful night -

early moonlight - Hortiach mistily apparent,

cool & clear. Melv. & I had cocoa at 2a.m.

& worked hard from 4.  It's some task getting

finished at 7a.m.  Slept badly - Melv.

says I talk most distinctly in my sleep & strafed

the flies. they are a nuisance. Melv. sick

tonight & off duty.  It was pretty lonesome

without her.  S. Telleson relieved her & xx to my

great joy turns out an enthusiastic star gazer.

Together we acqainted ourselves c̄ the 

Ursa - Major & Minor, & other constellations.  I love

the pole star & the way it keeps so dead still.

Horwood & Co. went for a great picnic today

(Tuesday) 28th & bought back several trophies

which adorn the tent.

Wed. 29th Melv. still off duty. Horwood & Scott &

about 14 others transferred to No. 4 Canadian

this evening.  It seems strange without them. Twenty

of the Bombay Sisters are staying here - they don't

like the place much!  We don't want to go yet.

Dust storm tonight - fearfully windy & dusty.

Blew wards all anyhow - smashed several

medicine bottles in H5 - orderly & I flew round

some & tied all the tents up.  Tried to make

cocoa in the bell tent at 3a.m., over the

primus - which is about as cantankerous as

are most specimens of that surly family -

the bell tent nearly blew up - the primus all

but exploded & I did both, & nearly damaged

things. It was comical.  Everything dust [[behind?]]

when daylight came - which necessitated much

turning & shaking of beds. Got Argus - from

Clifford - tonight.  June 23rd.

Thurs. 30th28th.  Melv. entertained the D.S.O. to tales

of my conversations c̄ dream - dwellers.  "Go

away. You brute - I repeat c̄ much emphasis,

but the brute (i.e. fly) is persistent - & so, therefore

am I!.  Melv. back on duty tonight - in E.

Glorious moonlight night - clear as day.  Get

dashed sleepy in early a.m.

Friday 29th 31st  Rumours says we are all going - soon -

to island of Korfew(?), somewhere  in the Aegean Sea.

note from Horwood - She doesn't like the

place - is temporary home Sister.  The days go

so dreadfully quickly nowadays - I can't get

anything done in the way of letter writing. Washed

today & boiled clothes on the primus tonight, and

starched.  Tooth & Baker surprise at 4.15 a.m. &

assist with the food work - they are great kids.

They had cocoa at 5 am - at least cocoa

 

and coffee mixed - a strange new flavoured beverage! and

tumbled to & worked together like bricks.  It does make

night duty different when there are aides-de-camp

about.  Letter from Stan.  Sept 1st Wattle Day.

Sat.  Full moon now.   Beautiful nights here - they

remind me of the old, old M.H. days, on moonlit

nights.  The mountains stand cool and' mistily on 

either side - Hortiach lights twinkle for a little while

and then one by one fade - the camp lights afar off

go out - the French Camp's "last post" follows our

more familiar & less charming call - and then

the night!  Very hot in the day time - we sleep

badly, Melville & I, & get up only because one

of us must go over & get afternoon tea!.  We take it

in turns, & plod over in the dust with our two

enamel mugs (issue) & an enamel plate (also

issue) & return c̄ much bread & as much tea as

the mug permit, & any stray gossip or rumour

to help both down. S. Greyson came into our camp

this p.m. - she began to speak before she entered

"You're virtuous people in here, so of course

you won't have any sauces belonging to the

mess tent" - & as she entered, she beheld xxx

a pile of three xx on my trunk - collected

trophies of three day's hunting!  We all

laughed - & we've promised not to do it again.

Took a snap of the D.S.O. & took the address

thereof - that makes about 34 photos.  I've

promised to send!  Concert tonight at No. 2

I meant to go, but didn't, on account of the

wards. We're very busy these nights

Sunday Tooth, Baker, Drummond, Melv, out this 

morning - I do hate these occasions!  Melv.

came along & took a snap of us - my last

film.  The usual Sabbath - much cooler

day - rumours that an Australn mail has been

sunk in  Aegean Sea woe is us!. Sent a

towel up to Jack c/o Tooth in place of the one ^of which

the Pack Store defrauded him.

Monday.  One of my M.O's is supposed to be a

religious maniac, & the other is certainly a dipos

maniac - so there you are!  All five wards are

full now - we are increasingly busy, & I don't

even think about being sleepy at night.  Payday -

got up 4 p.m. - very sleepy indeed.  Capt. Gord.

was here today - great old chap.  Persists in
calling me "the authoress" & slings off wholesale of at the
diary. Were paid £4 - of which 33 fr. was handed over
at once to S. Greyson for mess.  Letter from home - there
was no truth in that rumour apparently. Had letter
from Peter, Nell, Bert (2). Davey, Melv. had bad
news, about her cousin's death at the front.
All my boys down from No. 2 - Coghlan, Tooth &
Jack - & all the other boys. It was great to see them.
Melv. & my turn again at the supper stunt - we
don't enjoy the business much - it takes too much 
time up . Orderly M.O. very gay tonight. He offered me
a cigarette - "I don't smoke", I said - he looked his
surprise, "D'you drink?" - "No" - a stare &
eyebrow raise, "Sister what size d'ya take in
halos?" This our M.O. - oh! for our Australian
boys! Cold breeze tonight - & some dust but not
like to that which we endured last week. I call
the boys at 4.30 with bowls of hot tea - it's great,
& they are willing helpers- nay, volunteers!
Tuesday Sept. 4th. Much cooler - quite cold tonight. More
mail in - but got none. Melv. & I
don't appreciate the supper time conversation: it gets us down.
The way these girls generalise about the genus "Tommy" - "they
are lizards - they are slackers - they will do anything to
get sympathy & get out of things" - & so on. xxx As if
there were not hundreds of slackers amongst our own A.I.F.,
& as if one can generalise on such things. The men have
a rotten time of it - especially the poor infantry - they
have all the work & get all the kicks & none of the glory.
Melv. & I may have had good luck, but we haven't struck
these rotten, slackers, lizards &c. that Miss McC,
& G & E. talk about! One of my M.Os asked for a cup
of tea tonight (the R.M.) - his "cobber" made the primus
burst cheerefully into flame and I gave him an enamel
mug full of tea & milk - & bade him drink it at
some distant spot which I presume he did - anyway
he departed, bearing the mug, which he promises
to return surreptitiously in the morning. Attacked a
crust too entusiastically today - result, one absent
front tooth (lower) - Blow!
Wed. Had all sorts of capers concerning my damaged
tooth today. Tried to keep it in c̄ (a) faith,
(b) soap (c) seccotine but all methods were
quite unsuccessful & I go about c̄ a gap in
my gum! Got stung by a wasp - one of them
stung me (apparently) through my net as I slept,
on the upper arm, and another got inside 

 

my net, & I clapt by hand to my cheek ^in my sleep imprisoning

there, c̄ of course, the inevitable result, that

I got stung!  It was fearfully painful - like a 

bundle of red hot needles & continuous.  I didn't

know they'd hurt so much.  I  woke Melv. up

with my stifled groans, (1 p.m.) & we procured some

iodine & I was duly anointed.  There was a 

concert at the xxx Con. Camp tonight - Melv

& I went. We got someone to relieve us till

10.30pm in - got dressed in our Madame Josephine tops

& strolled across in the moonlight after dinner with

Holland & Malcolm.  The stage was quite a gay one,

- the audience sat in trees above it, seated on

tarpaulins & old blankets.  Crowds of khaki clad

boys - some of our old patients among the throng.

The program a poor one - performers from No. 6 but

we enjoyed parts of it & loved the little conjurer &

his cheerful grin.  Came home before supper - &

walked down the hill c̄ Jack & Baker - & Eakins

On duty 10.30 sharp.  Very cold, clear night.

Thurs. More plagues upon me!  Got a

splinter into my finger - under the nail in the

bathroom this a.m.  Hot baths this a.m. &

weren't they enjoyed!  My face is still swollen

but less painful. Got splinter out with forceps

tonight - & my watch stopped!  What an unfortunate
family we are, to be sure!  Dunbar

brought the mess cook over to be admitted
& took the watch to "set it" - the N.O. &

I had previously bathed it twice in S.O.R.

in an egg cup. Borrowed the N.O.'s

watch for the night.  Honey for supper -

provided by stealth but delicious.

We've moved our quarters - it's further

to go.  Supper at night is a real entertainment.

Friday. Sept. 7th Dunbar returned my watch going 

beautifully & now (at 11pm) it still

goes.  G.B.D. Aeroplane landed near our tents this

 afternoon - flew low down over us looking for a

place to land : some friends of the Bombay Sisters

who called in for afternoon tea - surely the very

latest in methods of conveyance over to an afternoon

tea function. Melv. & I walked over to look at it

a beautiful machine with our colours.  We stroked

its great wings!  The family at dinner tonight

discussed their first meal at home - Biggs said 

she'll wire from Fremantle & give her orders!  Tooth

got me two tins of fruit from the canteen up at

No. 2, - Melv. & I had one tin of pears last

night & the apricots this p.m. - & very nice too.

Scott back from the 4th Canadian. Horwood is

there in the isolation quarters - Rumours that

we evacuate in 6 weeks - & that we move on

to (a) Corfu (b) Brindisi (c) goodness knows

where.  Great jubilation over in the officers mess tonight

several of them were well & properly "blithered" & sang

most gaily Slade & Weston loyally vowed they were

Greeks in the road but the extremely English songs

disclaimed that suggestion entirely!  We can hear the guns

sometimes at night, when the air is still - they boom away

? where.  I do hate the sound of guns.

Sat. Sept. 8th. Scott said a bundle of letters arrived for

me at the hospital (4th. C.) some days ago & were

reposted for me here : they haven't arrived - wish to

goodness they would.  Letter from Sista & Clifford

today - also Argus. Melv & I are making mutual

charts of each others colour schemes.  The "Colors" range

from Crimson - the supremacy of cheerfulness, to

Black - the depth of despair, & between these two

extremes lie rose, pink, flush, white, dull

grey, dark grey, blue, ultramarine, to navy -

black!  Melv. does the switch back railway act

on her chart - we intend to send them home and

they are sufficiently often charted above normal.

Sunday. 9th. Same old Sunday - cake for afternoon tea!

Convoy in, and very busy wards again.

all the boys down from No.2 - Coghlan, Tooth, Jack - &

several others.  It was great of the kids to come along.

Busy all night - Telleson relieved for supper duty, most

unsatisfactory morning - couldn't possibly get finished

up - five wards, full, & a large percentage of sick

cases.  Rumours that we are going to Egypt!!  Have

supper in church tent now - its too near my wards, &

there is generally a certain amount of hubbub.  Padre

left note to say that the tent hadn't been left clean

for service - great consternation of the part of us -

but we can't believe it's justified  altogether.

Monday 10th Sept  Blue devils this a.m. I can't get the

work finished properly in the a.m.

Letters from Pete & Dailing, also books from Clifford. Yesterday

I got 3 letters from Else (one from Ern), & one from Mater

& one from Herman & the Bulletin from Linkie, also

 

a delightful letter from Hal - accompanied by a glossary of terms

of military flavour.  Hal's a sergeant - good ah!. Rained heavily

- came in at corners of marquee - several of the men

got wet, and two got "a regular wash out" as one

of them informed me, in broad Scotch, & had to be turned

round & ground sheets applied to their extremities.

They are cheerful chaps & don't take too hardly such

unforeseen tragedies at 2 a.m.  A good story reached

me the other day concerning Cawfield - that irrepressible
Cockney.  He was at the pantry recess one day ^and there was some milk there he was just
on the point of drinking it when the sister appeared

on the scene & quick witted as always, Cawfield turned

to Scott, on his right - "Have a drop of milk, old 

man?" & now the remark is historic.  "Have a drop

o' milk, ole man!"

Tuesday Sept 11th Heavy rain this a.m.  the roads are

thick, sticky mud- smothered.  Melv. &

S. Tyers went into Salonika per car - I am supposed to

go to the 43rd to see the dentist but goodness knows

if the old car will ever arrive.

Later Transport arrived 10 a.m. - S. Elliott, Riddock &

I went.  Very rough rocky roads - went round by short

way - very crooked roads & many sharp turns - the

P.M.'s car just ahead of us.  I sat in front - was very

sleepy indeed.  Passed several hospitals, lots of

picturesquely clad work people driving their mules

working by the road.  Passed convoy - views of

mountains afar off - of Mt. Hortiach, which we 

climbed 3 weeks ago - view of the sea long before

we neared Salonique.  City most attractive looking

c̄ its green & red & white colourings, & the harbour beyond.

We don't see the fire-damaged parts till later.  Called

at 43rd - saw dentist - 11 a.m. - had to call

again at 4 p.m. Met Melv. (who went in c̄ S. Tyers) &

visited Horwood, who is isolated in charge of a case of mumps at

the 52nd. Were picked up M. & S. Ty and taken into town on

their ambulance - streets of varied character - we went down

one c̄ the tram & along the sea front - past various well

constructed buildings - past vendors of all kinds &

queer edibles & merchandise, past the harbour & the

quays - crowds of fishing boats were in the bay.

We stopped at the E.F.C., & bought biscuits &

chocolates, soap, & cocoa & milk - S. Tyers &

Melv. went on - we three walked back toward

the white tower, where we had been told there was

some sort of a restaurant.  We asked several khaki

clad people directions & got into some dirty queer

smelling streets, past burned buildings and
charred hotel - remains, & most of the debris was protected
c̄ barbed wire entanglements from the over curious
public - we passed along the sea front, & the tang of
the sea breeze was welcome after the odours elsewhere,
It was like Egypt minus the glamour - minus
all the oriental spendour of colouring & charm.
Dirty, poorly clad people, loafing, jabbering
begging! Visited cafe near White Tower - called
itself the Ethiopian. Crowded c̄ English officers & nurses,
French soldiers, & civilians, Greeks, & a few ?
Turks - two of whom got hopelessly drunk. We
couldn't understand the menu, so we ordered
a roast haphazardly & didn't enjoy much the
queerly tasted mass they brought forth. Melon was
our second course - we thought that was quite
safe! & he charged us 20 liptos each. Bought some
p.c.s at a shop nearby - walked down toward
the 43rd, past street bazaars, consisting of all
kinds of food, hung along the fence, on the
spikes & so on. Stockings - all sorts of clothing,
postcards, papers - curios - everything was
hung up for inspection, & the usual bargaining was in
progress. Tried to get photo. films at a wee shop but
failed - the owner of the shop was out & had the key - so
an English sailor translated for me, from the speech of the
very French shopman. We were picked up by our
driver & driven round the city again - went back to the
E.F.C. (where we bought two tins of tobacco for our driver,
which he ultimately refused - to my secret joy! Its
bonza to see people refusing gratuities after all we
have had to pay at every place, always!) & shopped at
various grocer's shops in the vicinity, by the simple
method of putting a finger on a Sunlight Soap pkt
or some such thing, whereupon the shopman either
produces the goods, or, far more often says
"Finish Sunlight - all finish" - & we walk out
& seek the article elsewhere. Dirty salesmen & men sat
on the pavement, surrounded by their goods, - dirty
old goods too. Food - fly patronised, fruit, articles
of clothing - old boots, trinkets, everything seemed 
on view. Were driven back to the 43rd - called
in at photo? shop & got films - waited ½ hr. for
the dentist & then off home. I was dreadfully 

 

sleepy & tried to get to sleep in the ambulance but it

was too xxx rough & jolty & I gave it up.  Got very

dusty coming home. Arrived back 5.30 - just in time

for afternoon tea. Had a bath & went on duty -

no sleep all day.  Busy wards -  two very

sick chaps.  Telleson relieving.

Wed.  Had a doze this early a.m. while T. watched

the family - & entertained T. by talking the most idiotic

rot about orion & its astral position.  Felt quite

drunk this a.m. - slept exceeding well.  B. down

from Conv. Depot tonight.

Thurs. Sep. 13th.  Quiet day -  letter from Darling child

telling of torpedoing of Moultan & enclosing a

photo of himself. Padre wrote to Matron, writing

of experiencing. Cold night. B. & Jack down -

Jack presented me c̄ a walking stick, & has

promised to procure for me some bulbs of the

pretty pink ground lily that grows in the flats.

Very busy night Searief] very sick. 

Friday Sept. 14th  Hot water laid on now - we

are wondering if we are really

going to leave this spot & if so, when. ^Rumours again and that didn't however come off

Letter from Tuck today, dated 28/8/17.  He expects to

go to England soon, on leave.  Very threatening sky

tonight - breezy & cold. Dunbar admitted to F1.

Saturday 15th.  Fearful night last night.  It came on to

rain shortly after we came on duty & poured - & blew

& froze.  I donned mac. & sou' wester - whereupon the

boys in H4 dubbed me "skipper" and hailed me 

 with an "Ahoy" - & puddled round in the night &

wet with great gusto.  Some of the tents were overcome

my bell tent fell just as I was going into it. & I grabbed

the pole & hailed I's orderly who came over & rendered
first aid & re-drove the loosened pegs The gale

flapped the side of the bell-tent - I lit, re-lit &

lit again the everlastingly annoying primus & every

time it blew out - I nearly cried c̄ sheer rage!  The

rain streamed down through the tent & necessitated

several hasty removals: It trickled down through the

wards above & below the flooring, - I heaped all

the haversacks & clothing on the various lockers

& empties.  Supper was a real experience - we 

had Mr Preston to Supper - it's his last day - &

during the half hour the church tent commenced

to cave in - on Mr. P. investigating it, he found

the main pole unsupported - all the pegs having

pulled out! I've fixed it up temporarily & repaired

to finish the interrupted feast & he got three cheers

& a jolly good fellow (in very subdued undertones)

before we broke up - drank it in tea & Melv. &

I got our mugs c̄ the remaining half ounce of

tea mixed - I got a horribly sweet half ounce

& she got a horribly unsweetened one, so of course

we got the giggles, as Melv. & I always do!  Subsequently

the church tent blew right down - also the

patients mess tent, also Melv.'s bell tent,

also one or two of the xxx tents of the M.O's . Altogether

a fearful night - for once we realised that we were

really on active service.  Took a snap of Melv.'s.

bell tent in the a.m. - the ruins of it.  We

were issued c̄ putties tonight.  Rumours that we

are going to Alexandria on October 8th - no more

patients after tomorrow.  Jack, Baker, Coghlan

down from C.D. tonight - entertained them c̄ cocoa

xxxx cough mixture & nearly got sighted by one

M.O. Cols tonight - but nothing compared c̄ 
last night - Melv. & my supper night - how we

hate it!  Lanterns keep blowing out - there is

nothing more provocative, I think, & bad thoughts

than to have ones lantern blown out at every

corner - unless possibly it is to fall over tent

ropes in the dark!!  Wrote to Erik.

Sunday 16th We were horribly jarred this a.m., Melv. &

I. Last Sunday the padre left night Sister a

note to beg her to see that the C.I. was

left tidy:  she was therefore most emphatic about

the state in which it was to be left today & we sent

the orderly up, & he swept it - I had intended to go

over at 6.30 to see if all was all, when lo! at

6.15 appeared a broom- hunting patient - a would

be communionist, who told me the holy place had

been left in anything but a Sat fit condition for

early communion - and, he added, the dixies were

still there!! I nearly rigid c̄  sheer funk at the

enormity of our offence & hurried down to Melv.

telling her of the tragic occurrence, but Melv!

was of stouter heart, & bade me big good cheer

which as far as possible, I was accordingly.

We told S. Tyers at brekke, & returned after brekke

but couldn't find the padre, so we wrote a note

 

left in it in church tent, & went bedwards  -

meeting him enroute & getting a good morning & a

charming salute.  If he'd only known! We were

worried about it all - & especially sorry lest the

matter should be reported again, but the thought

of the padre's horrid struck gaze, fastened on to 

those empty fish tins, tomato peelings, tea leaves

crusts & other articles xx contained in the dixie

was too much for our humour loving souls &

we shrieked out loud - many times & often.

Dreamt that the padre wanted to see me & wake at

the third time of Melv's calling me in to her very

great astonishment.  Went to canteen - spent about

6 fr. on choc. & biscuits.  The canteen much more

ship shape, business & inviting now - Fruit

salad for dessert!  Jack, Baker, Tooth down -

Jack c̄ a cough & temp. - brought me the bulbs &

said farewell, as he departs to Summer Hill very

shortly.  Great kid.  Melv. very busy - took

her cocoa & gossip at 10 p.m. & we had our

supper in her bell tent, - a jug of tea &

sandwiches. Much jollies. Wore my puttees,

they do feel heavy & hot.

Monday. Sept. 17th.  Sent a note to Lieut. Kerson re photos -

I don't know what the orderly thinks about it. Melv.

& I went up the hill behind the canteen after brekke -

it was a lovely morning but got quite hot long before

we got back.  Collected snail shells, and flowers & geological 

specimens & fern & bulb roots, took snaps of each

other on the hill side.  It was glorious up there.

Got back 10 am - I did some "gardening" in my

various biscuit tins ^& Melv.s fork & hot bathed - retired 11 am.

& slept most soundly, Melv. swept the tent 5pm.

I felt fearfully lazy at not doing it myself.

Padre came to see Melv. & me tonight - was just bonza

about the church tent & our note. - said he sympathised c̄ 

us in that we had no settled place of abode, & were forced to

use someone's the church tent & he laughed over the

dixie & the remains of the supper!  Ball, Lowe, Tooth

down tonight - also Norton & Roddie from H4 - also the

brown eyed "M.O." from H1. S. Tyers having a night

off - S. Young is on.  The M.O.'s demonstrated puttee

applying in my bell tent. Pudding tonight at dinner

was porridge & dates!! - baked.

Tuesday 18th.  Came on to busy wards tonight - convoy in

lots of sick boys - H4 & H5 c̄ 18 & 22 stretcher cases!!

Sgt. very sick. Lowe, Tooth, Astman down from camp -

also Jock of H3 who lived in a wee house & c/o the
wee bit beasties in his bed - (ants of course) Beautiful

sunset tonight- glorious golden - pink sky, the mountains

standing out against it - here & there a figure showed

plainly - silhouetted against the gold.  It's a lovely

land this - I wish we could see more of the historic

parts of it before we go.

Wed. 19th Sept.  Aeroplanes passed to & fro over lines today - dropped

a note inside a flag to S. Souter.  We waved

& he waved back. No. 66. played No. 65 & No 65 won -

we are no footballers.  Came on to busy wards & a

new orderly who looks a good man Flood very sick.  H1

procured for me a beautiful green lizard, which they

produced suddenly from nowhere & put xx on my lap

and scared four days out of me. They say they are

considered sacred things out here..

Thurs 20th  Procured - by false pretences - spirits for my

green lizard this a.m. & put it in a toffee

bottle, well corked up. Decided this a.m. that we'd go

to the sports - over at No. 2 - wake Melv. at 1.45

under the impression that it was 2.45 - finally got up

very loth at 3.30, & bathed & woke the rest of the Co.

& had afternoon tea.  Were directed over to No. 5 &

forthwith set out - the 6 of us, c̄ out best bibs &

tuckers on & our walking sticks - walked thro'

the hospital, to the great astonishment of the boys

Found that the sports were at No. 2, and turned back,

walked along toward viaduct - Biggs made signs

to a motor man & he took her up, also Senting & Riley

Melv., Telleson & I walked leisurely,  bit cross country

a bit & got to the grounds as they did.  Crowds of

Tommies - good many Engl. sisters, many M.O's.

had afternoon tea (delightful Hortiach, peaches &

very delicious sweets too) & watched the boxing

contests, watched the officers!  race & after that was

the Sister's race, in which Biggs, Serling Riley &

I went.  I went because Biggs suggested it, & Biggs only

came finally because I drafted her to it! & insisted on

her going - & Riley & Serling came along to bear my

company.  The Eng. M.O. won - We didn't think she started

fair, & we didn't think she should have entered

for it at all - however! Biggs dropped out & didn't

run at all - I came second!  Crowds of boys

looking on.  Got back just in time for dinner

& entertained the crowd by stories of the afternoon.

 

Friday. Rumours that we are all coming off on Monday -

we don't want to, Melv. & I , but the others do.  It is

certainly tiring & every morn we find it a wee bit harder to

be cheerful.  But the boys are great kids. Our supper

night - how quickly it comes along.  We are always

a trifle depressed on these occasions.

Sat 22nd. Sent a cable (reply paid) to Hal this a.m.

I have had no news so far from the kid.  Very

hot - sleep badly & woke aching all over.  Tip-

toeing around at night wearies ones muscles.

Melv's Jock wants a green frog to bottle - we got one

tonight with great difficulty & tied a piece of red white

& blue ribbon round it - woke J. up in the early

a.m. to his great astonishment & entertainment.

Mr K sent back films - very good.

Sunday 23rd  Took snaps the a.m. of Melv's

boys - also some of mine - also one of the 

night staff - xxxx Dunbar took a group.  Did a lot of

printing - very sleepy in consequence.

Letter from Mater (addressed c/o Miss Conyers)

Hal, Davies, Hal's told of Norman's death -

I cannot realise it is true.  Poor old Muriel.

I am not  coming off night duty - & am glad, though

one does get tired.

Monday. Stayed up this a.m. & developed photos in the

bathroom - have morning tea in the mess tent subsequently 

slept most soundly.  Glorious sunrises here.

Tuesday. Took a few snaps of the camp from the

hill.  Cooler day.  Snapped boys of H1, H2,

& Pauling c̄ the units dog - which understands only

French, so Mr. Slade says.  My N. orderly  approached

the painter man on the subject of doing a color sketch

of the aqueduct for me - I was horrified when he

brought him along to me, and I was forced to make

a statement concerning pictures of aqueducts & how

delightful they are - & since then have felt that he must

consider I possess the cheek of the entire Australian

Empire.  Boys in H1 singing tonight - farewell

concert, - the day orderly marking time,  a large

stick which narrowly escaped Bindrip's head

several times.  They are great lads. N.O. brought

some beautiful mottled pink xxxx crocus blooms

from the ravine - they adorn our tent.
 

[*Friday:  Air raid on Summer H. - we saw anti air craft guns firing*]

 

Wednesday  Nothing doing of note. Jock of H2 presented me c̄ 

a V.P.K. roll of film which Jock removed from an officers

kit -I rejoiced greatly for we are short, of exposures,

but found later that it had been exposed!  We sent it down

care of Biggs to the developing department, and

await developments c̄ interest.   Went to canteen but

found it closed.  Went to see Coghlan.

Thurs. Fixed photos in the a.m. retired about 11 a.m.

The moon is nearly at its full again - its a month

since we first met night duty.  Melv's. Jock comes up nightly

for the primus stove - he's a most delightful chap.

Friday Such a day!  S.Tyers, Melv. & I went into Sal.

by car we were well laden up with messages from the home

sister ^too on the way - so many OKO (whatever they are!) of

tomatoes at some market place somewhere near the 43rd.

We loved the drive in - S. Tyers sat in front, Melv. & I were

comfortably curled up in the car, sleepily watching the passing

countryside - the mountains misty topped, the harbor away

below.  Left S.T. at the 52nd & drove into town, still looking

for the marketplace of ? locality.  The driver knew very little

of Salonique & was continually compelled to ask directions

"can you'll me where is Venozelos St. Choom?".  We drove

down V. St. - found the Kodak & bought films & paper

they cheated us too, & clung to Melv's silver pencil

the loss of which we didn't realise till later on.

The driver drove us back to the Kodak - where we

got the pencil back again - drove us down to the E.F.C.

where we got nothing - save a tin of tobacco for the

driver - & were misdirected to Rosdebachs.  After

a great deal of wandering, found Rosdebach's Ven st.

& bought choc. & biscuits & were vastly entertained by

the little French sales girl, who no doubt thought we had

money to burn.  Ted the driver on choc - got to ordnance

11.30 & waited (after wandering into the wrong dept,)

for some sisters who were expected to meet us there if they

were stranded - but they didn't turn up, so we had tea &

returned to the car & drove back to the 52nd having many

adventures en route & nearly running over Greeks &

other obstacles.  They are markedly slow in getting out

of the road.  Back at the 52nd 12.45 - S and Horwood S.T.

insisted on our staying to lunch - which we did also

the driver, who got a bit agitated, since it was 2pm.

long before we eventually got away & he was supposed

to be back at his depot at 1.30, & we were getting desperately

sleepy & wanted nothing more than bed - finbally got

away - took snap  of driver & car & M.  & she of me, 

before S.T. returned.  Searched again for the market &

found it not - searched for the right road

 

home & finally found it.  Passed thro' Arc de Triomphe &

this dirty smelling old streets.  The Greeks seem a 

dirty disrespectful lot with little regard for sanitation

or appearances.  Landed back 3.30 - passed convoy from

No. 2 CD. en route for, we supposed S. Hill picked up the

sisters for whom we waited at the Red Cross Depot - they had

waited in the street for us!! Went to bed speedily - were

strafed en route by S.Y. & S.G. - cursed & retired & slept

about 1 hour. Spent the sleepiest night possible.

Saturday  Returned to lines after brekke this a.m.

Took over^ Dr Scott's orders for our pay. Took snaps of

Melv's. boys & staff & of my boys. And Matron

caught us!  Started off pianissimo by telling us we

should be in bed after our strenuous day the day

before - saw my camera & started off - remembered the

day before & continued.  Why didn't we apologise ?  I

said we hadn't thought it was out responsibility & we

hadn't considered that Matron would expect an explanation
from us, seeing that S.T. would surely have given

her all the explanations concerning the trip.  A little

courtesy, we learnt never does any harm - it surprised

not to hear that we didn't seem to regard our PM as a P.M.

at all - & so on & so on:  Crescendo, fortissimo, etc, etc,

We retired bed wards, under one umbrella with countenances

pinker than we set out with. Saw S.T. & told her all, &

retired, very much humiliated at what we considered

our unwarranted strafing in front as it was, of all

the patients of H & I  lines!! Cursed the days we

were born in the usual fashion - were treated to a 

greater shock at night when S.T. told us that P.M. had told

her that we were impertinent that we had told the P.M.

that it was all S.T.'s fault (that we were late) that

it was an act of familiarity c̄ the Tommies to take their

photos. & She would not have this familiar, etc. etc. that

it was against the rules, it was not our first offence (some

one has been reporting!) that I was one of the S. Nurses

who paraded to object to working under a S.N. -

which was rot, of course (I've never worked under

a S.N. anyway) - & so on.  We gave S.T. a true account

of proceedings - but we were miserable women indeed

that night & when at supper S.T. treated the N. Staff to a

lecture on etiquette, courtesy & so on - Well of

course.  We are both coming off N.D. Please don't mention

to us the names of S.Y. or that P.M. "may they perish!" is

our most frequent remarks anent their charms.

Sunday We have not recovered yet from the severe squashing
of yesterday a.m. -, M was most sympathetic
The N.O. regards life as an incurable series of downs,

hence, life being one damn thing after another, & nothing more

that is all there is to be said about it, & one, if one be

wise accepts the inevitable & smiles cheerfully!!

Monday Orders out today - we learnt this early on that

we come off ND. today Melv. & I am very blue! Our

charts are finished & end on a dull note & as might be

expected. We regard our strafing as a piece of unjustified

misinterpretation, & cannot be consoled.  Printed and

fixed photos this a.m. & were considerable cheered up. by

thereby. Went on duty 5pm very sleepy & peevish!

Came off most unwillingly at 7.30 - Officer's Mess (7)

& Cook House at 7.30 will ever be a memory.

Letters from Wood & Jack.

Tuesday  Couldn't sleep well last night - neither could

Melv.! Wake this early a.m., & lay awake & thought of

the busy happy friendly wards c̄ their xxxxxx

dependent boys - the boys c̄ their eternal

naughtiness M & lovableness.  Busy day- &

most muddly.  Cannot get the hang of day duty

at all.  Delightful, capable, interested or

interesting M.O. - it does make a difference

Fancy dress affair tonight - Melv & I dressed up in 

any available garment. I went as a fisherman, in gumboots

sou 'wester', blue golf coat - tucked well in & blue

knickers.  Rowand was splendid as an old Austrailn.

smaffie c̄ corks suspended from her hat.  The M.O's.

wouldn't believe that corks were worn. So in Australia

McC. was Mum & very typical.  Several of the girls dressed

up as M.O's. & the padre & Mitchell as Major Goodall

was particularly good, They came uninvited, of course

& Matron being absent at the concert they were allowed

to stay.  Mac. sat down on the knees of what she thought

was an imitation M.O. & it was a real one.  Great

joy & consternation in the land!.  There was supper of sorts

& in the midst of it Matron's car was heard, returning

from the concert, & there was a speedy fading out of

light of the M.O's. Retired & slept exceedingly sound.

Wednesday  Wrote to Jack - at the 60th got the M.O.

Mr. Slade to censor it. Sent several snaps of old H5

& the old boys thereof.  Somewhat better day, but oh!

for night duty!  Had normal hours

Thurs  Supposed to be my half day - got convoy in

which stopped things pretty effectually.  Melv. off on

her own - have a rotten cold.  Dosed c̄ Asp. & hot

lemon & slept well.  Very cold nights - & snappy

mornings. Sergt. Green very sick indeed.

Friday.  Got letters from Bert & Norm - dated

August 1st - the last I'll ever get from him I suppose

Very cold day. Had a mess meeting last night-

Melv. & I got into a corner & she woke me up

when the voting commenced.  A lot of new rules &

 
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