Diary of Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom - 1917-1919 - Part 4

regulations. "Mother I" much in evidence. Subsequently 
there was great excitement over four French soldiers
? Cy H ₆₀ who found their way into our lines & were
discovered wandering through one door into a hut
while the occupants thereof wandered thro' the
other. The guard was called - we have a picket
every night now & off they went jabbering & protesting
& making a great fuss - expect they'd get into
some trouble - they were paraded before the O.C.
Sat Oct. 6^th. We feel very sorry for the picket
- in the early am when we see them departing
after being up in the frosty night watching for
us. Remember on your xxxxx knees the men who
guard your slumbers. -Melv. & I wish
we could make cocoa for them at 3am. Not so
cold today - rained after 4pm. Sgt. G. very ill
indeed - not expected to live - he's such a great
chap. Paid for my cable - 16.05. Wish I could hear
from Hal. Visited the canteen (with) Melv. - 2 tins of
honey all we could get. Ordered △ 25 worth of
chocs & stuff! Gave one tin to Jock in H₄,
& Melv & I had half the other for supper (with)
bread we begged of Parker at the mess tent
pantry - out of bounds by the way. Melv.
& I are both melancholic to some extent-
Holland tried to cheer us up by telling us
that Matron told her on Holland's saying who were
her tent mates, that we were very nice girls !!
Intended to record today's glad looks ! -
"Then for diary. 6 10/17. Rec^d. from P.M -
25 words of complimentation re ward - 2 kind

looks - one grin ? cause" How we love her !
Sunday. Same old Sabbath. Was an unexpected half day
but didn't do much (with) it. Wrote home. One of the nurses
of the 60^th - on night duty went off at 11 pm. & went to 
bed - was attacked by a ? Greek ? orderly &
her head cut a bit.  They say he hit her (with) his boots
Had supper of toast - prepared at the hotwater heater
fire - dripping from the men - per favour Norrie
& coffee per favour Dunbar) (with) Biffs & Serling.
Returned after lights out - Melv - turned in. I was
prepared to undress when we heard Matron &
S. Gregson doing a round, looking for Sisters sleeping
on their own - we hastily put out the
lamp & stumbled into bed all standing.

In came th eP.M. - Gregson read the names out" - Matron 
approached my bed - "Who is here?" "Sister Strom,. Matron
supplied Melv - " She's in bed." Matron exclaimed
upon my net not being down - there lay I terrified
that she would call upon me to get out & let it down
[[?ing] ](with) funk lest I was discovered. S.G. came
to the rescue quite unconsciously, & put my net down
for me "It's alright dear I'll do it," & did it
too, & there lay "dear" (with) shoes well pressed into
the mattress lest the kind ministering hand of SG.
would perchance light upon them & all be over.
Eventually they departed taking Hal (with) them to sleep
(with) some lone sister & Melv. & I went promptly into
subdued fits of laughter. Thus the 66^th. - This is
when the P.M. does a round. One of Melv's Sgts
had a book of Melbourne view - beauties.
offered him △ 25 for it but he wouldn't sell.
Wish I'd brought one from home.
Monday. Lost our bonza M.O. - got "the playful
elephant". Flood said the other day
apropos of the man, that he wouldn't say anything
about him since I didn't like him to, but only
that - that he would like to see a doctor
before he went out - which expresses things very
well. Melv  - has our man - She rejoices but
we despair Sgt. Gree is better - Forrest in again.
Glorious sunset tonight. Golds & blues & reds &
purples & pastel shades over the eastern skies.
Tuesday, Cool day - made preparations for my day
off tomorrow. Went back to ward to fix up the
diets - oh shades of night duty. Melv. & I just ache
to be back again in the swing of the long nights.
Had letter from Bert - enclosing page of photos. of
M.H. nurses - old & so familiar. We stuck it up
on our wall straightway.
Wed. Day off. Had a glorious sleep in. Billy brought
my brekker. Read - washed. was told at midday
that I could go to Salonique. went c̄ McKenzie &
Samson - & was asked to occupy the front seat & did so
both ways. Driver communicative at intervals - said he
was fed up of the country - who isn't? - drove well.
Took a snap of Kerlkoy while we waited for the way
to clear. Went first to E.26. - then to ordnance, 3
kilos out, bought stuff - back to Orosdi - Back then
to the Kodak then the white Tower where I had
ice cream & went back to mind the car while Mc

& S. had had a creme de menthe Left the city at
5.50 - buzzed home at a furious rate - it was bonza on
the front of the car, tearing thro' the cool air down
the evening-shaded road. Landed back 6.45 -
much laden. Melv. is not having tomorrow off - its

rotten. Ate a tin of peaches between us -
cursed muchly. 
Thurs Off this am.- supposed to be sick c̄ a
- cold. Throat & temp. - which doesn't exist.
Printed & fixed photos. & went back on duty 3pm.
Jack came out from No. 5 C.C. - looked fit! Coghlan
came from B₃ tonight. Kellow & Jock Sutherland also.
Handed photos. round most generously Convoy in
worked in H₂. Flood escorted me over to the quarters
later - the dear great kid that he is. Aeroplane fight
this a.m. - shots from Salonique - beautiful white
puffs in the air curling & uncurling. Subsequently
we heard shots sounds of explosions - presumably
they were shelling Summer Hill. Lots of crows about
No letters - when are we going to get a mail? Melv
has a cold T 101 but won't let me report it.
Friday. Dull day - rained a little this p.m. Rumours
that we may go to England. Sent Field p.c's away - one
to Miss Bell - hope she'll appreciate it !
Sat. off at night - wet & mud everywhere. Went to bed
took 10gms. of quinine yesterday c̄ a straight face
by way of encouraging the boys, & have suffered for
it ever since - aches & pains & buzzinesses.
Some mess tonight - visitors & great palaver - also
custard & jellied pears which we appreciated most.
No letters - rumours that a mail has gone down.
Jock gave us wee crosses made of French bullets c̄
Melv's nail file.
Sunday. 14.10.17
Melv's day off. Dull, cold day. Snow on Mt Olympus -
beautiful c̄ the sun on it. Off 1-5, swept the tent. it was
full of mud - printed photos. I went over for an early
pot of afternoon tea 3pm - was just getting off (with) the pot
when S.Y. marched into the tent - "Is that our teapot?"
Melv. & I looked at the corporal (Peter) & had to confess
that it was their old teapot. - "Oh. you can't take our
teapot out of here, Sister" - 'Not if we bring it straight
back? - we queried - " oh no! certainly not!!" & out
she went, leaving the corporal c̄ a wide but sympathetic
grin. & Melv & me c̄ flushed & downcast countenances
However, Melv. solved the problem by going to our tent & bringing
forth a cup & bowl which we filled from the teapot &
departed met S.G.! To our pleasant surprise she
told us she'd give us biscuits & did so right speedily,
& very nice too. Thus one gets surprises these days.
We like S.G but as for S.Y.! words fail us in the
xx expression of our feelings toward her. Mail tonight,

Melv. brought mine over. One from Elsa - Sista, Erik, Elspie,
Amy Clifford, & Dobson - telling us the things to buy before
we left Australia !!!! Spent the evening reading & re-reading
the letters - each others.. Dates of the letters
July 18^th & 19^th. 3 months old !
Monday   Melv's half day - off in the afternoon.
Washed & ironed & wrote letters. Thus so the 
days go. Flood escorts me over nightly from the
camp to the quarters.

Tuesday. Had morning hours, & washed muchly.
Took many snaps. Bought Desborough's adopted
watch (△ XV) - he wanted it to be bestowed but
wasn't receiving Gifts. Corporal Merriettes last
night - Louie ironed his handkerchiffs -
carefully washed by Corp. - & pressed his
tunic & breeches in a most workmanlike
manner. Tea and sardines from this
quarter constituted the and bread saved from
a frugal tea constituted the final feasting.
Melv. went to a concert at no. 2 C.B. -
I sat up & wrote to Flood.
Wednesday 17.10/17  My half day - I don't
welcome it myself. Washed & ironed & fixed photos.
Some beauties of S. Davisons (two of which I rescued
from the hands of Sgt. G. & E.F.) More mail in -
Bulletin & Argus for me. Scott got Milt. mag.,
Corp. departed today - we do miss him & Flood
went out. Jock presented me c̄ a wee sheep
bell. Dunbar gave me a photo. - which
is pinned up on the wall, in company (with)
the dozen others of various folk & from
various sources.
Thurs. Got papers galore. - Bulletin newspapers from
home - N.H. magazine, letters from Lola, Clifford
Cross, Amy, Darling. O.C. was supposed to be inspect
today but didn't - our ward was beautiful thanks to
Louie & Deykes, but we were not inspected at all.
Friday 19^th. Got letter from Nell & Horwood - note
to Hal - & went to sleep in the pm. New notice up
"It has been brought to my notice that several of
the Sisters are unhappy and in want of literature"
&c. I crave the names of these Sisters. so that I
may return them at once to Australia, in order that
the D.G.N.S. may procure for them the happiness
which on active service I have failed to do".
Of all the childish, foolish notices!

Sat. 20th Dull day. Wrote to Amy & Nell Shepperd
has fixed some bonny snaps of Hy's boys. Corp.
down this a.m. - & received xx his lot. Fell in c̄ a
fatigue party since they are not permitted
passes down here. Fed him c̄ choc. & buckshee
arrowroot, so hungry was he! Deykes marked
out - but Louie escaped.
Sunday. Dull, damp dreary day. Off 10-2 & wrote
letters. Flood down from Con. Camp this afternoon.
Melv went to church.
Monday. Rained all day unceasingly. Lots of mud.
Splashed round in gumboots & macintosh. Grey skies
& misty hills. Rumours that we go to either Egypt or
England. Procured some dripping from the central cook
house - the boys filled a mustard pot for me to
bring over & we enjoyed biscuits c̄ dripping for afternoon
tea.
Tuesday. Rain, rain & more rain. Slopped round in
gumboots all day & much shortened skirts. Kerosene
heaters issued for wards. Afternoon hours. Flood
down from camp in evening. Took photo of C.C.
in mist, also Melville. Letters from Rosie, Clifford Pete
dated July 15^th
Wed. 24^th S. Davison off duty ∴ no
half day - was not sorry about losing it.
Fine day - cool, sunny in patches. Louie & Bowen
fixed up my mess- made it most palatial. Spent
all the morning & much energy over it. Deykes day
sick - stayed on late. Melv. had bad news. Some
disturbance about Conara & the No-Smoking Act
he told the C.O. (when he was paraded) that there
were  4 other men smoking at the same time in the
ward - which fact wasn't the case - & the C.O.
said this must be "some ward" & bade W.S.
Widell watch it c̄ all due care!! My
dear old H₄ . I could cheerfully punch Conaran's
head. Sgt Green down again - his third relapse - very
miserable indeed. Seagrief getting very xx much worse.
Thurs.  More rain. Recess leaked - Louie & Burne & I
donned macs & went out & roofed it c̄ ground sheets.
Cold, grey, wet day - off in the afternoon, printed &
fixed photos. Had some headache. Melville sick.
Flood down - but couldn't stay after 5. On duty
all five wards all the evening - reminded me
of night duty. Off late & didn't have dinner. Louise made
me some "Sergeant-Major" cocoa which was all
sufficient. Mess meeting tonight - about some
afternoon tea we are to give to the surrounding districts.
Melv & I missing (we forgot all about it & were in the
bath when the bell went so decided to play truant & chance
it) & were put down for "fatigues" on the day we don't
know yet what we are to do. Forgot to leave a message
for M.O. re malarial cards - so donned day garments
over night attire & went back to the ward - left a
message for Mr M^cEwan c̄ the guard on the way back.
They stared at me hard - we are not permitted to go
from camp to quarters by ourselves at night but it
is quite safe, of course. Rained later on in the evening.
Very cold.
Friday. Oct. 26^th Very cold this a.m. & biting breezes. Dunbar
brings his old plate & rattler to our
back door, now bangs it right in my ear. It's
somewhat startling to be thus rudely awakened in the early am
It daily gets colder, apparently. Rumours that we
are all shifting shop soon - Sergt. came round c̄ the
very unwelcome news that we were all moving from
the H lines! Got the blues properly xxxx as a result.
Louie made me some perfect "Sergeant-Major" which helped
some! Went straight off duty - didn't get to mess.
Sat. 27th  We are not moving after all. Got 7 bed
cases from H, instead, tho three top wards all
move today! I nearly embraced the O.C. when he
entered c̄ his adjutant & the news & subsequently
we all danced gleefully & Louie asked permission to
smash the quinine bottle as a proof of true
rejoicing! Much changing of equipment. Much
buckshee - we scored well, being handy &
all-accepting. Everything from pins to mustard
sheets to malaria cards. xxxx quinine bottles
to soap found its way into our welcoming arms.
When the rush was over, our new arrivals were
settled, the wards emptied, Louie & I formed ourselves
into a raiding party - visited each ward &
got what things we could for our ward! rescued
our H.W. bag from the clutches of the Q.M. in
H1. Fixed photos in the afternoon - went into
Salonique after 5 p.m., c̄ Sister Munro, who
took 2 sisters c̄ malaria to the H 3^rd. Beautiful
sky - sunsets are lovely here. Beautiful little
peeps at Salonique life - Wished it had been
lighted & I had my camera. Full moon &
glorious. Sat on front of car going down -
inside coming back. Very cold. Got back
8 p.m. had dinner by ourselves. Rumours that some
of us are going to
the xx 2^nd. 

Sunday.  Syd (H₅) & I are on our own today -
S.D. not on duty yet. It's bonza. Off
11-1 spent much of the afternoon fooling
around! Flood & Johnson down from C Camp -
entertained them c̄ cocoa in the bell tent, &
one biscuit each all we xx could offer. Got
a letter from Hal - from England: one from
Bert also. Gave Louie Neal's to read -
he loved it. Winter down from C.C. - &
together we went up to H tortoise hunting
for the wee tortoise that ^Sister managed to
get, after several days big game hunting
which he gave to Shears, & Shears gave to Brewer &
Brewer left - abandoned H. We struck
matches, & searched the rubbish tin to no avail
though we found the empty tin in which the
critter had lived. Were very disappointed.
Took snap of Dunbar waking us up.
Monday 29^th  As normal. Rumours & counter rumours
Got a whole crowd of letters & 2 parcels.
Tuesday  Concert at No 2 C.C. - Rowand & I went
over to Officer's Mess & persuaded Mr McE to
escort us. Melv. & I went together- as always, & enjoyed
it all. Good show - Sister Susie somewhat
vulgar. Sat in front of Dougall - Cpl Marriette
bade his farewell, afterward - a great chap. Walked
home by full moon - dear old Hortiack - how
sorry we'll be to leave it. Sergt of the guard
was filled c̄ compassion to see us stumbling
into the dark mess tent & returning empty
handed, & finally tackling the water cart &
he brought us along some black, cool, sweet
coffee from somewhere or other - Melv & I
had some - & found it greatly acceptable.
Wed.  Half day - washed, fixed photos & helped
 c̄  tomorrow's preparations. Got a letter from
Jack. Wrote Sister. Bert, Hal.
Thurs.  Sports. Melv & I got relieved very late
(5 oclock) & saw only the tail end of the hockey
& prize giving. Had afternoon tea - thanks to
Norrie. Saw Temp. & other girls from 52^nd.
Saw Flood & Johnson - & prize giving
subsequently helped cart camp stools
over from marquees to mess tent - mess tent very
prettily decorated in blue & white c̄ pretty
crocus blooms of blue & gold. We are called
half an hour later - 6.30. 
Friday.
Off in afternoon - fixed photos. Cold grey day
Biggs & Serling went to 53rd. Louie has relapse.
Hood & Johnson down. Matron went to 82nd also
- more rumours about us & Italy, Palestine,
Egypt, the 43^rd &c. &c. Most unsettling.
Sat 3^rd  Off 5 p.m. Got ready for concert at No
5 but no conveyance came so went
to be instead. Had bonza supper & cocoa
& biscuits (cocoa made on Tommy Cooker
made out of old tins by Louie) & very nice too
We have kero heaters now, & have hot washes
before retiring. Melv & I hope to go to Kolos
tomorrow. S. Davison has gone to 52^nd - S.
Gidding & Miss Geddes took over our wards.
Sunday  Neal's bithday Nov. 4^th. Went up Kotos c̄ 
Watt  & Moroney - Capt. Munro - rode on
donkeys to the top - most entertaining. Took several
snapshots Con.Camp, donkey & landscape - or
rather fragments of them. Sat on rug, had coats
over our knees - comfortable little beasts c̄ no
pace. My steed was bandy. Passed thro' charming
glades of autumn foliage trees, beeches, ash,
holly thickets, chestnut trees, colder near the
top - misty! We went quite a different way
from the way I went last time - on the left of the
hill, instead of the right. Good road -well
graded, but I missed the wee spring. Had lunch
about a mile from the top. Cpt. Munro brought
two bottles of wine - which all shared, except
Melville & me. Capt. Biro came up later, also
Weston, Slade Glynn & Mr Ramsbottom. The
boys lit the fire & superintended the kettle
boiling. We made toast - once the kettle tipped
over - our little Greek made a despairing
gesture - "Fire mafeesh - finish fire" he
said. We gave them our leavings - I'm afraid
the poor kids got a scanty meal. Very
misty at the top - and raining. Could not take
many snaps on that account. Gathered bulbs
c̄ Norrie's knife - Marling spike perfect. 

Had afternoon tea before descending. Walked down
Melv & I between our two MOs & Watt &
Moroney ahead & the other 4 MOs & the boy
& Donkeys away behind. We couldn't bear to
hurry past those beauties,  down those brown
- gold glens, & their crimson splashes of glory.
Beautiful sunset, beautiful view - we
re-mounted our donkeys at the village.
Melv & I were footsore. Ride thro'
village - my robe went twice down on
his tail and once on his nose. Arrived
back 6 pm. - & were astounded to hear that
Geddes has moved Melv. from 6 to 4, & me from
4 to 5, & put Eakins in 6!! Spoke to her about
it & got squashed - went over to the ward after mess
& told the boys: they were likewise astounded & deeply
concerned. Melv. most disconsolate etc - I bottled
mine up - like an ass! Had cocoa and toast
& pasto for supper - we found haifa loaf,

some tongue pasto, and a tin of some
mysterious unknown substance which we
thought was salmon (I gave it to my boys
& they found it was ordinary plum!) Most
blue - they are surely strafing us
unnecessarily.
Monday  Most miserable day. I was off
5 pm. Shed a few stray tears over the
charts in H5! The ward is so depressing
after dear old happy old brotherly H4.
Their cheerful sounds of work were more
than I could stand. Am afraid H5 thought me
a surly devil. Made them cocoa by
way of making up! Melv. & I are always
off at different times - we relieve each
other. It's fearful. Went to canteen in the
evening with Syd. - called into H7 to see Flood
& Heddes came in & reprimanded me affably
for being back in the lines after duty. Flood
Johnson & I escaped & they escorted me out
of the danger zone. She had many MOs to
morning tea - Melv. & I just hate every
bit of it & feel real down. Got a
letter from Clifford's brother in France.
Tuesday.  And so it continues! Off 2-5 p..
Melv. came on during the afternoon
to escape - & I wept copiously & c̄ enthusiasm
all over her!! We have decided that all this was
done for personal reasons. The whole camp is
talking about the unfairness of the deal. Dobson
gave me Quaker Oats - we had them for supper.
Made on the heater & just delicious c̄ milk
& sugar. Sat on the floor beside the heater &
decided that life is not so bad after all, c̄ so
many kind friends. The boys are great.
Wed.  Geddes half day - thank heaven.
Melv. came back on duty in the afternoon -
& talked c̄ me when I wasn't busy - & I went
back in the evening. It was great! Flood
down from C.C. for the last time. Dobson sent
over chicken which he said he had come by
honest - & we had a most delightful supper.
How we hate her ladyship! My whole day
tomorrow. Rose in H6 - Eakins in mess
Thurs . 8/11/17 Day off. Dunbar woke Melv. carefully
c̄ instructions not to disturb my peaceful slumber. Had
a luxurious morning c̄ brekker in bed, & subsequently
packed a bit, & washed a bit, & printed photos. and
fooled round generally - entertained D. and Lou, who
came over c̄ a message from the Ward. Melv. had ½
day, which was just great. Geddes said she didn't
know we were friends, & promises to make all
sorts of amends in the future! Took the Tommy cooker
coconut milk, permission - & a pass - also
bread and veal loaf & wandered over to the
aqueduct. Took snaps - Dr. came over & we
spent a most delightful, & rather "quakey"
hour c̄ D. & the T. cooker & all the goods! Dr
took a snap of us, & we of him, & he sloped
camp wards about 4 o'clock — after having
successfully evaded detection on at least one
occasion. Dear old Dunbar, c̄ his ever cheery
ever xxx willing attitude towards everyone.
Wandered round behind aqueduct afterward -
took snaps - got bulb & ferns, picked a few
mushrooms & landed back at 5.30 - c̄ many
memories of a delightful afternoon. Went
to a concert at No. 6 in the evening - but it
wasn't much. One boy reminded me persistently
of a cow we had once! Walked to & 

from the concert c̄ Geddes & were entertained & entertaining.
Finished up c̄ cocoa & toast & dripping- &
retired late.
Friday. Nov. 9^th. Much happier day off 5 p.m.
Melv. went out mushroooming c̄ Rose -
mess meeting, they have decided to have an evening
on Sunday for the officers. got some cornine
from Dunbar - cooked mushrooms in sergeant
major fashion on the kerosene heater. Had
a letter from Pete. Flood went to Kalamarie today.
Sat. 10^th. A day of great happenings. Dunbar woke
us c̄ the same familiar rat-tat, & the grey
morn was as before but the rumours - the
news that awaited us! The C.O. received word
during the night that the 66^th is to be evacuated
today - so many patients going to the 60^th so
many to the 65^th & so on. the MOs were up
most of the night doing diet charts. Went on
to find the wards dishevelled - all bedding
rolled up, everyone in a state of subdued
excitement and great perplexity. Melv. & I spent
most of the early forenoon visiting 6, & 4, & 5,
& doing photo-printing, taking last snap shots
& so on, - received word at 11.30 that Melv.
& I were members of a "mob" leaving at
2p.m. for the 42nd. Such a hurry-scurry,
such turmoil & chaos! Said many Goodbyes,
oh don't we just hate it all! - & went over &
packed up, lunching in the midst of it. D
came along, brought rope and assisted greatly,
bundling up all our blankets & things in
the groundsheets, & telling us the while what he
thought of our collection of foods  - "Maggie
Murp Murphys' house" was the term applied
to my heterogeneous ball possessions. He
was a pest. Got away finally about 3 o'clock -
many ambulances - & hated leaving dear old
Hortiack where we have spent so very many
happy days. Dear old night out - dear old
boy - Louie, Deykes & Lowe, Flood - crowds
of brotherly bonza souls & dear old Norrie &
Dunbar &  - oh! everyone! One cannot
but get sentimental on these occasions but
we must move on. Lost another button two
in fact. arrived at the 42^nd dusty &
pensive. Found we are again pioneers.
Canvas hospital - & we are the

first here. The English sisters are off to Italy

c̄ our unit - as xx, our dear old orderlies.
It does hurt us! Got our luggage fixed up -

Melv. & Moule & I (in) a marquee - the 4th xx before

for food lunch! Had a huge afternoon tea c(in) the 

officers mess - unpacked & yarned & when the - 

thought a great deal of our yesterday - had

dinner 7.30 - collected water for the am - &

then bedwards. There is a social or something

like that on below us somewhere - & great

jubilations (9.30pm). We let a beautiful & wide

view of the city & harbor xxx! for dear

old Heatiack! - Good night!

Sunday Nov 11^th. Rose reluctantly - to new surroundings.

Breakfast 7 o'clock - subsequently went round the hospital

c̄ Miss Young - the wards halffinished (in) some cases

but mostly xx for cases - went on duty 10am. -

Moule & I work c̄ Isaacs - Melv.in officers' ward.

Got 28 patients (in) the p.m. - we were off 11 - 1 - not

much of hours. Things most muddley - mess 7.45

Moule (in) our tent & we do rejoice - the other girls

came down from Hortiack today. The air here is

very close after the hills & hot - & we feel just dog

tired. The earth is clayey brown mud - I it collected

on ones bootheels in a most peculiar & trying

fashion, forming a hard high heel. We haven't

lost our appetites c̄ the change - but Miss Norrie

& Dunbar just dreadfully & everything else as well.
Some of the girls over over from the 52^nd - it is quite close

We don't enjoy city noises after country ones :

& the aeroplanes fly low over us all day - there

is an aerodrome near. Wrote to S.D. & D.

Monday. Things are finally being straightened

out but oh! there is some tangle. Our

ward is to be merely a convalescent ward - 

which doesn't suit this child at all! As soon

as the boys get sick they are transferred -

ah me!! Much better meals here - good

mess cooks. No baths so far - we wash

in basins of water in our tent at night.

Tuesday. Things are anyhow here in the wards.

the diets are all different & we get hopelessly

mixed. My orderly pulls me out of various

holes & pushes me, I shrewdly suspect into various
other heaps - when he persuades me to

sign up for bread & other trifles!

Rain rain, more rain. It just pours & the 

mud is appalling - we slop around in gumboots

c̄ about 14 lbs of mud & straw stuff attached to

our boots. Off in the afternoon - wrote letters,

tidied things up, several flashes of lightning - 

very bright indeed - & such heavy rain.

Wed. Fine - but mud, mud, mud!! One of my

boys printed & fixed photos for me. Off this

evening - Melv. & I pensive but not melancholic.

Had 2 naval ofiicers at mess - alone. Given

pudding, cornflour & golden syrup & ideal milk

Had two helpings & got toothache. Tommy cooks

provided cocoa for all hands. Swan is the 

fourth member in our tent.

Thurs. Great transferring today - all my boys

moved to other wards - got cases of diarrhoea

instead - convalescent & nice kids but I do miss

my boys .Twas was ever thus. Cold, breezy

rain, wind - gumbootey weather. Air raid alarm.

Friday. Very misty - our marquee creaks 

& sways & we were afraid that it

would shift. Bitterly cold - we crept into

bed as soon  as we all were off tonight,

I carted bedsocks, blankets, dressing gown

Plenty mud, plenty of wistful thoughts toward

Hortiack and the 66th.

Sat. It blew & blew last night - Melv's hot water bag

came uncorked & her bed was swamped - we

could hear the guard tramping round all night

hammering in the tent pegs. Some ructions

in the ward - Bryden paraded & was moved.

Snow on Mt. Kotos - very picturesque

indeed. S King down from C.S. Camp -

gave her a message for D. c̄ photos.

Sunday. Cold & grey day. Some ructions in bn

line but Moule & I are very happy - on the whole.

Delightful Irish M.O. My orderly is a gem of the

first mate. S. I. made me her Senior Sister &

says she knows she has a good one! M. reports

that she heard from good authority that

S.Y. is (a) is very fond of M. (b) thinks there are no two

better girls in the hospital than Mel. & me - 

(c) used to cry herself to sleep about the affaire

d'Hortiack - all of which is very gratifying.

 

Monday

but we are not sure what plague is just to fall on

us - a payment for these favours! Had a

letter from Flood. Electric lights in mess tent,

Monday Tuesday. Throat very sore all day - had morning

hours. I feel deadly. Was sent off only in the 

evening. Electric light in our tent

Tuesday Wednesday. Off duty. Rowand waits in for me - She's

great - I never half appreciated her. "If you

want to know me, live c̄ me" - nothing more true

Capt. Carm. The S.S. MO prescribed some quinine

took & bed for an indefinite number of hours -

It is deadly. Sat out in sun. Feel as if I'm

swinging it properly. Biggs & Co. over from

52^nd. Have got T 100  & a bit. Melv. went to

Salonika c̄ White & had some adventures. Many

visitors at night & inquiries!! Have a heater in

our tent now. [[?]] pronto. Sister back from

C.C.

Thurs Much better but the M.O.does not permit me

to rise! On some objectionable mixture & some still more

objectionable throat paint. Wrote letters & read &

slept. Dull, cold day S.I. to see me & calls me

"kiddie"

Friday Up & about - printed photos. & played round

generally. Dull grey day - cold - did jigsaw

puzzles c̄ Ambler (in) the p.m. & got properly

fuzzled over it. Melv. gets negatives & adventures in

her department - also a certain amount of

Buckshee! Wrote letters late into the night.

Sat. Ambler & I went walking in the am - down

toward the beach, below Melv's wards. One of

Melvs patients came & one to us, presented some

chocolate as himself as one Neil - A.R.I.F.

lieut. Took several snaps - of groups of

Greek kids, of a yoke of oxen, of an old

shepherd & his flock - also one of Ambler &

me, on the rug. Warm & sunny all day.

Melv. off 1 pm - we printed photos. & wrote

letters. Went down to the ward in evening -

c̄ some photos. Electric light on. Air raid scare.

Sunday. Got snared in a.m. by housesister. Cut up

jammed buns for afternoon tea festivities. Went

for a walk c̄ Ambler - after lunch made

sandwiches - we thought we'd never get done -

until we were heartily sick of bread & cheese

& sardines. Aeroplanes buzzing round. Went on

duty 4 pm - & glad to be back. xxxxx

Monday Same old routine. Off in the evening

- & developed photos. - Melville's tank. Quite

excitement. Old film & my first were splendid -

my second (c̄ my boys, & Hortiack ones) was a

complete washout. I can see the image & that's

all. They'll never print. The tent floor is some

floor when we're finished - mud & mud 

& dirty water & mud.

Tues. French lesson this pm. Fixed photos

this afternoon. Mam'selle at 2.30 - very

charming & very French. Melv. & I had from

2.30 - 3.30, when I relieved Moule & she came

up. Cold, beautiful moonlight night. Mt.

Olympus just glorious c̄ our light or snow.

Wed. Half day - Melv. & I went into Salonique

the afternoon - Melv. borrowed some negatives

from her orderly & we printed "like mad" before

we went. Splendid negatives of fire &c. Drove 

into Sal. c̄ Matt & Kenny - Driver a

duffer - changed notes at Bank of Athens

went E.F.C. Ordnance, several Kodak
shops. Italian cantten & so on. Got shoes

& wore them back. Driver picked up 2 Eng.

officers & 2 Engl. sisters & brought them back

to our great annoyance since he's refused

to give some of ours a lift - Melv. & I

showed our displeasure by our omission

to tip - him - at the end of the journey.

Spent many weary moments over the inevitable

post - Salonique money affairs. Lecture by the

Colonel on economics in messtent at 8.15.

He is surely an economist born to it. Says

the men are to be fed on 1/11 per day per

head (perhaps as they then add we've decded 
that he must be out looking for an

entire star.

Thurs. Off 1-5 & printed photos. Melville has
borrowed some glorious ones of the fire &c
her orderly. We are photo mad. Fixed
& made a fearful mess of the floor as
we always do. Wrote to mother & the boys.
Friday. Off morning hours- & did more

printing but McCain's films
the beauties of Salonique, the fire, costumes
chicken seller & all sorts. They are
just great. Much ebtertainment in our ward
concerning the MO, the idiosyncrases &
S.I. & hers. Aeroplane fired on close by.
Sat. Dec. 1^st Off 1-5 & more printing. Orderly
lent me some films. Beautiful sunsets
here. Did some of Mr M^cC. snaps for orderly.
Melv. went out with her patients & staff. She
has 2 Australians (in Imperial Army) in
her ward now. Wrote to Seegrief. Capt. Gordon
up from his ship - I found I lost that pelican
photo - but Rowand supplied one we
jabber French at nights now!
Sunday Off a.m. & dozed & read a book-
such luxury. Cold dull day, & misty.
Took snap of Grant. The boys hold
nightly concerts for my entertainment- &
are most delightful. The same old
dreadful deserted feeling when they
despair! Ah me! Some girls from the 60^th
transferred here. Sgt. G. presented back.
Monday. 3.12.17  Melville's birthday. Cold a.m. Sunny
skies later & warm. Grant & Nicholas dispatched - also
Sgt. Gadsmark (for Blighty) G. gave me a
photo. - another face upon my wall. Off
1 - 5 - went down to Melville's ward, saw
Australian officer, one delightful chap, one
very ordinary indeed. Had tea & toast there.
My ward less happy - S.I. gets on
everyone's nerves & I don't blame them. Horwood
over in the evening. Had a letter from
Jack - such a cheery great one. Did
some French & talked to Melv. till late-
Took photo. of M^cNeil.

her stretcher torn right down from end to end
& she had to sleep on the ruins & cushions.
Moule went to a concert at 52nd.
Lecture by M Fleming
Tuesday  Fearful night last night. Blew, blew
blew - I thought the tent would lift. Wake
at 4.30 & thought there was a dog in the
tent - don't know now whether that was it or
whether it was the flapping of the tent.
Most unhappy day - definite depression in
my ward - due to S.I. & everything &
the weather, which has treated all the boys
fora relapse. orderly says I spoil my
boys & I am beginning to think I do - the
lads at Hortiack were never like this.
Wed. 5/12/17 Much better dat. Half day off. Melv &
I went into Sal. - Giddings, Gallegher, Payne & others
went ordnance - bought singlets, shorts, went
EFC. Tinpot alley & chased printing paper everywhere
Had afternoon tea at the Red Cross. Came home in
front & loved it. cold dullgrey day. Mess
meeting at night - we were in time to hear
the end only, as they started earlier than was
billed, very cold indeed. Everything in the
water line frozen.
Thurs. Its just dreadful getting up in the
mornings. Thermometers frozen in the carbolic,
quinine frozen, - the boys sat round the
stoves all day - poor lads they can't
keep warm. The same old everlasting
bed-tidying & so on. Southern from old
H₂ admitted into B₃, Moule on night
duty - I do both B₂ & B₃ now -&
enjoying it. Off for mornig hours. &
nearly froze.
Friday. Off 1 - 5, - we light the kero stove
when we are off duty - have to, & crowd
over it & write letters. Its just dreadfully
cold. Our fingers & toes are most painful
in the mornings - nothing but warm, then

 

up & doing the charts is a real penance,
much happier conditions prevail in my
wards now.
Sat. Off 5 p.m. & developed photos. After
searching widely & wildly for necessary
equipment. Went to the officers ward with Melv.
to get her bath thermom. M. not feeling
well. Did three films - all pretty
good ones. We late in consequence
Sunday. Took films to ward & all
dried & printed. At 11 o'clock came a bomb -
I was moved to ward A₃ (S.Hart - about
whome has been all the fuss) & Malc. went
to my wards. Did the charts up to date
in the wards (medicine &c) & took last
snaps of the two families. On duty 1 pm
dysenteric ward - with nice boys. but an
old dog of a charge sister - orderlies both
pals of Wilkies in B₂ - & very nice lads.
Thursday 10/12/17 Getting into things & shall
love it later I know. More to so & more
satisfaction to be gained, & the boys are
great - one lad printed photos all day
for me. Off 1 - 5 - & note to Lorrie
Deykes, jackson. Pete gave me afternoon
tea when he bought Moule's down.
Fixed about 120 photos at night. Melv.
did about 160 ! They are scattered
all over the tent, on chairs & over
Moule's bed. No skipping
Tuesday 11/12/17 Better day. Evereld trimmed
& straightened all the photos. Some job
keeping count of them all. Eakins moved -
Ambler in her ward. Hart interviewed by P.M
we hope great things to result therepon. It feels
like living on the top of a volcano. One
never knows what will emplode & when, &
why & where. Off 5 pm & didn't do much
Have a sore throat. Rumours that the 66^th

(or part of it) has gone down, & all the
equipment, & that 20 R.A.M.C. are lost.
-off Alex. We are very much afraid lest
Norrie & Dunbar were amongst those 20.
Wish we could hear definite news - rumours
are ecer present. No sugar - except at
intervals, everything cut down. Supplies
more & more difficult to obtain.
Wed. off 1 - 5 - wrote letters & printed photos. dull
& cold. Wrote to some of old U₂ 's chap &
sent away the snaps. Melv. got them censored
in the officers ward - Bassnet says "not too
much of the gunners." Fairly busy wards.
Thurs. Off half day - Melv & I decided it
was not a day for Salonique. Rain
& wind - & plenty of mud everywhere. lit the
heater & wrote more letters in the early p.m.
had cocoa de luxe & biscuits 4 pm. & sallied
forth to the officers' ward. Melv. & I had a fierce
struggle with Bassnet, who is a masterly chap
but no gentleman, - which rather spoiled the
flavour of the happy half hour's conversation
with Maynard. I boxed B's ears & we threw
him down on the bed (undignified but necessary)
& he nearly broke my wrist before we
finally departed, flushed, annoyed but
victorious. Visited C lines subsequently, looking
for two boys who were reported to have asked
for Melv. & me. Walked thro' the ward, & saw
no one we knew, & felt like two fools! Visited
Cooper in A₈ later - the light went out & the
sister came in & we "ducked" gracefully thro'
the door not having asked permission to
enter! Took a scarf down to Jones - A₃ -
but found him well in bed & with apparently no
intention of going out tomorrow. Melv. gave
Cooperson chocolate - a bad precedent, when
this sister has no cash! Went to bed early
At the mess meeting last night (anent Christmas
festivities) Melv. & I were first upon the
fruit salad committee - glad it wasn't
sandwich cutting.

 

Friday Morning hours again. Wrote more letters
& froze. Mud everywhere & my gumboots
a picture. Hart fairly decent to
me so far but "one never knows does one, &
even when one does, one is not sure".
Sat. Evening hours. Convoy - late off duty.
Fixed some photos, & spoilt them by washing
too long first. Cursed a bit. Letter from Grant
Melv. had several . S. Wilson thinks I look sick!
Sunday. M.Hours! Tidied up the place a bit
It surely needs it! We get into such a state
of mud here - everything's dirty Cool day
-with some mud. Usual afternoon spread with
many visitors, & hardly any tea for the staff.
Whole day off tomorrow with Melv. - good oh!
Habd a bonza letter from Hal with a bonza
photo enclosed - what wealth! It's great
to go to bed tonight knowing we need not
heed Peter's insistent morning summons!
Monday 17.12.17 Great day. Melv. & I turned over
luxuriously when Pete turned on the light, & slept off &
on till 9 o'clock - when I crept across into Melvs
bed & warmed up. Melv. got up first & made the
breakfast - I regret to say I was laziness itself &
simply watched her! Dobbie's quaker oats - nearly
the last of it cooked on the heater sergeant major
style - cocoa ad lib. & an apple pudding contributed
by Mr Neil, & warmed up formed the feast,
& wasn't it enjoyed! Got up at 11 o'clock & went down 

to Matron's office. Got the pass, & sent a cable
home ( the post corporal none too polite either
about surnames & Mrs & all that) Went across
to officers' ward & said goodbye to Mr Neil,
who goes Blightyward tomorrow. Went into Sal! -
walked to the tram, my feet hurt - they haven't
recovered from the cold weather yet. Got into the
tram after missing two - which started unexpectedly.
at the wrong place. we got into the compartment which
apparently was reserved for the smoker - & got
nearly fumed out - an elegant Greek sat opposite
& stared at us, & a beautifullt dressed French
officer stood on my right left & looked his
aloofness. The tram crowded with dirty old.