Diary of Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom - 1917-1919 - Part 5

Greek. French soldiers & civilians - & a few

Greek women & various costume & age. Got out

too soon - for all were well nigh kippered with

tobacco smoke & were afraid that we might

pass the White Dome. Got photos. for.

Ambler & walked a long long way to Venezelos

St. - wandered up & down & got various

odds & ends at different shops - got some

things at the Italian Canteen but where one

buys things upstairs & fits & pays for the

downstairs at the counter & after waiting

for a few minutes & getting thoroughly

bamboozled with Italian money & exchange &

the rush, & the crowd of Italian soldiers

& every one speaking at once, we decided to

walk out - which we did, thro' a carefully

guarded door. Had tea at a most delightful

tea shop opposite, the nicest tea since I left

home - & sweet little cakes (2fr.) Came

home by train - more smoke, more soldiers,

a charming dignified Russian officer with

sheepskin cap. Got a lift from the train

terminus - & walked from the A.S.C. depot

Isaacs, Wilson & we went to a Concert - at

660 motor depot & splendid it was too. We

walked there - Isaacs carried the light &

tried to run the show. Got directed by one of

the Guard. Very fine concert hall - full of

Tommies & smoke & with reserved seats

for such as me at in the front. Excellent

programme - we were properly convulsed.

Jokes very fine (& some rather broad) Italian

office - front very interested - our red

capes. Supper afterward - & very nice too.

Hot pie - hot coffee, after dance most

cheerful. Seen home by a A.S.C. officer

whom Isaacs asked to send down around

some holly & stuff for christmas decorations.

We were horrified at her cheek. Challenged

twice by guard on way home. N & I

got the giggles! Cocoa late - a great

day altogether.
 

Tues.  off 5 p.m. fixed photos & spoilt some, alas.
Letter from Grant. Cold weather. French
lady came.
Wed.  off 1 - 5, wrote letters. Wet day.
Fed up so] far from home. Voted for conscription.
Thurs.  Melv. had half day - off 5 p.m.
-went down after mess to Melvs wards, &
blew a kiss to the wayward child. Bassnet
most valuable. Developed photos - nine so far
Friday.  Increasingly fed up - don't know why.
Have the blue devils properly. Letters from
Clifford (& card) Nell. Darling, Elspie, Charlie
Parfitt & Jessie. Went on Morning hours - but
didn't do much with them. Wet & very muddy.
Sat. off p.m. - went down to Y.M. Melv
& I - set off about 5.30 - rather tired & armed
with my suitcase - clad in woollens & gumboots.
Splashed thro' the mud down to the bottom of the
hosp. - & through the gateway three yards away two very
harmless youths who grinned cheerfully at us &
called us mudlarks! Cross countried to the
front part close to the E.F.C. on to the main
road - passed crowds of British soldiers
French soldiers & Greeks we were clad with grey
caps so were not marked Aust. nurses & one
or two greeted us as we passed 'hulloa
girls!' - shades of Lonsdale st. The
uniform is certainly a protection - It was
nearly dark before we got to the Y.M. -

crowds of boys here - we werent able to
get milk - bought choc. -chewing gum,
matches & so on. Raced home & loved it,
but were dreadfully tired. Had not a
pass & were consequently fearful but
nothing happened. Anti conscription victory
probable in Australia - we are appalled
by the possibility. Letters from Pickering
Flood, Calwell - 
Sunday 23^rd Dec.  Morning hours - M & I 
went over to 52^nd & bought snap choc. No
other necessities at the canteen there
& nice walk there & back - cool dull
day - very muddy. Canteen orderlies
delightful to us there -

Great carpentering work going on in
my ward - cupboards being built &
recesses made/ Got paid ₤ 7.10/- whom Isa
Monday  Wet day - more mud. M &
I off 1 - 5 & went down to the
E.F.C. past the Y.M. Set at 3.30 -
splashed thro' the mud to the  bottom
of the hospital & thro' the gate. Guarded
by two harmless chaps who grinned
cheerfully at us & called us mudlarks!
Cross countried to Y.M. &
E.F.C. beyond. Bought biscuits
nuts &c. & raced home - very tired on
account of walk & mud. Went 
back after duty 8.30 & packed the
pillow cases for Christmas day festivities!
Each man took off his pillow
case & tied his name on it & I put
into each 1 biscuits 1 matches 7 pkts
cigarettes, 1 cigar, 1 [[red cross]] bag, 1 bundle
gum, 3 choc. & so on & something
buckshee for special chaps (John
& Cooperson) My watch has stopped
-Cooperson's lent me his protemp.
Mr W. gave us each a bonza box of
choc. - he caught us peeping at
his bundle which he left on the
bell tent table. The lieut that whom Isaacs
asked to send the green sent it alright
-we sent down & got some & great
was the industry in the ward while
the family put up decorations.
All sorts of novel designs on screen
covers, boards &c. Went to bed very
late.
Christmas day. Tuesday. Happy day on the
whole - much greetings -
the thanks of the family re their stockings,
-much eating & drinking. Rum issue -
Jones & Gillison got more than their
 

share - Jones got fearfully sentimental &
cried over his poor old mother & what sort of
Christmas day she'd be having - & Gillison vomited
profusely & groaned much & told me no
married man should touch it at all! John
came after me as I left the ward on route for
the aspirin to tell me that "both these men"
were drunk - so I grieved no more for
Jones' mother and I am glad Gillison vomited!
Melv. took snap of us in afternoon. Went
over to the officers' ward after 8 o'clock & got
whirled under the mistletoe & well kissed
by Mr B. - to my great consternation.
Subsequently I escaped - through the back door
of the tent - but was pursued & overtake
& successfully attacked by both Anzacs.
M. saw me home & soothed my troubled spirit!
Nice dinner. Letter from Dobson. Got 10/- each.
Wed. off 1 - 5 - expected French lesson but
lady didn't turn up - Mali & I waited in
vain, finally made cocoa & enjoyed it,
wrote letters. Conscription results out-
no conscription - dash! We are disgusted.
Went to a concert - not much good
Thurs. Half day - some row anent
Rayment & a sponge down he didn't get.
Melv. & I dosed & read & wrote & drank
cocoa all afternoon - got our things
ready for the night. We put grey gloves
on & felt like goats! Cold night. Nice
dinner - Melv. & I sat near Capt
Graham & were most entertained. Mess
tent & drawing beautifully got up.
Developed violent toothache after dinner
Came down to tent & lay on my bed &
squirmed & kicked & snorted. -Melv.
came too, to my disappointment for 
she was enjoying it - & gave me aspirin
& stuff. Jove, it was the worst bout
I'd had for years. Letters from Bert 
(c̄ films) Sgt. Weddell, & Frobe.
 

Friday.  O.C. had inspection. I was off 10-1
thank goodness. Felt rotten
today - c̄ such a head. I might as well
have had champagne last night. Got
letters - about 25 - from home. Clifford
&c. &c. Read & re-read them - Melv. very
blue- going to the theatre tomorrow. Her
letters contained much bad news. Cool days.
Sat.  Rained a bit. Misty in a.m. Off
5 o'clock - Melv. too. Wrote letters. Went over
to Officers' ward - were escorted home b&
farewelled "properly" - to our consternation.
Haywood a sweet kid - we have christened
him "our little brother". M^cLoughlin printed photos.
Saturday  Off morning hours - had morning
coffee c̄ Melv. in the theatre
took some snaps of Wilkie & the corporals. Some
heads came & I ducked; wrote letters. Bathgate
halfday - was very much annoyed c̄ him
over a dirty piece of tubing that was left
for me to clean before I could use it. Spivey
marvels at my show of temper especially
in that direction. Discovered that Bridge is
a Unitatian - borrowed his book -
the greatest collection possible of prayers
and readings. Carted boxes up from theatre with C.
Mother's birthday
Monday.  Off 1-5 - wrote letters, had cocoa
more rain & more mud. Bathgate
transferred to 52nd. - words failed Spivey
& me. We shall miss him dreadfully.
Tuesday. Off 5 p.m. went down to theatre
Corporal brought Eakins bed up - we carried
mattress - some job in the mud. Took
snaps of Murray & she of me. New Years day
- seasonable greetings flying round. New
inscriptions on the board - "we wish a
safe & speedy return to our gallant Colonial
sisters." c̄ the promising date "23/3/18" and a
Bristow's cap was inscribed in woolly letters<
"GOOD LUCK SISTER STROM" - only better spaced than that. Special
nice dinner. S.Shannon dressed me - in
public as a Greek Goddess!!!!

Wednesday Jan 2nd.  Off 1-5 - washed my hair &
did some tidying up - French
Mam'selle came & we had a bonzer long French
lesson. Mam'selle is charming, Frenchy &
patient. More rain & consequently more mud
Was on for all three wards & busy indeed in
consequence. Philbie (John) very miserable.
Barstow sick. Took snaps of Bridge &
the boys. Rained very heavily all night. I've
started exercises again. Letter from Else.
& Mother, & Tooth. Melv. has a septic toe.
My head is splitting - can't last much longer>
Thurs.  Half day. Melv. & I washed - beautifully
sunny warm day 0 cool at night. Melv. & I
went over to officers 1 ward p.c. & said farewell
to the Anzacs. Letter from Grant, Phil, S.W., Wood
Friday.  Cold wind, strong all night - everything
blown off the ropes this a.m. Snow fell all day
- several feet deep in the drifts - strong blizzards
xxxx blowing - very cold indeed. Off 1 am,
& went to bed - the only way to keep warm. now in our tents.
Beautiful views everywhere - wards very
cold - everyone went to bed 'cept McL &
Westbrook. Bridge &c. discharged this a.m.
Went down for tea. Wilkie got it - fell
in a drain.
Sat. Jan 5th  Enid's birthday. Tried to write
letters but froze. At 5 p.m. went
to bed. Old H. getting daily more unbearable
lots of rows in my place continually.
She reported Murray & we all went for
her. There will surely be an uprising if she
she doesn't get shifted soon. Melv. is in
ward & liking it. Very cold all day.
Monday 6th  Off 5 pm warmer day - still a
lot of snow about, & most liquids freezing.
K.H. worse & worse. "Eyes down" one
hears everywhere. Row about stories &
cocoa. She gets me down altogether.
Went to church c̄ Melv. at night. Beautifully
starlit night - beaucoup de neigh
Got 3 arguses & 1 Bulletin. Have butter & cheese.)
Monday 7th Same. Off 5 pm (this is getting monotonous)
[[?]] readmitted. Cold clear day - snow
still lying in the drifts otherwise mostly
thawed.  Melv. & I went over to 52nd canteen
 

Did some printing in pm
bought matches, choc. etc. Great preparations for
Wed. night fancy dress affair. Letters from M^cNeil,
Jock, Parkin. Did French even sleeping -

Moule & I do exercises together nightly.
Tuesday 8^th. Off 10 - 1 - all my patients are to
be moved into A₁ & A₂ - rotten luck. Rayment,
Gilligan & Carney off to Blighty. K.H.
still K.H. in status quo. Got back 1 p.m.
to find K.H. prancing round issuing orders in rapid
time - the boys other goods & chattels all packed
up, all booked for A₁ or A₂ & all looking decidedly
weary of the everflowing tongue. Spent the
afternoon transferring patients.& taking inventory
& chasing round in the tracks od K.H. M^cL &
Westbrook helped me clear up the old home -
very depressing work whatever! M^cL lost his
coat - great performance finding it again -
& much sarcasm from K.H. Went to bed worn
& weary & utterly fed up - sic vita est.
Wednesday Buckshee this a.m. fixed up A₃
& relieved Murray for morning hours. French
Mam'selle didn't arrive - too muddy.
Fancy dress affair in theevening - went as
Gk. goddess & got precious muddy. - Peter
called me a muddy angel. Melv. a weiled
woman - Row. a red - priest, Moule a Jap.
Many good things there - Isaac's & her two slaves
especially excellent. Had many queer things to 
eat, but nothing made up for the dinner we did
not get! Was congratulated by Registrar on
the way I handled the Colonel today - had to
give out dinners in front of him in A₂ -
surely C.E. is the last person to manage
such an august personage. Bassnet there
- much singing & jollification generally. Went
"home" 12 o'clock , and retired 1.30 a.m.-
did exercises & had sergeant major first.
Thurs. Half day - K.H. off again - & good
oh - it is too. Very cold day - Vanda winds
again. Off to went to bed in the afternoon
felt so jolly sleepy. Letter from  Kitching
Dobbie in D₂ - went down to see him.
Very al fresco brekker this am - self serve.

Friday Morning hours - got my corner a bit
respectable. Reid made me a splendid
cupboard out of a box he annexed from A₃.
A₁ very busy - very sick chap here. Letters from
Adler, Jackson & Iles - Iles contd a spendid
set of snaps The Colonel episode is all over
the camp! We have a brazier - dear old Jones!
Sat. Same old stunt. Most unsatisfactory
having charge of the ward. Off 8 om -
went over to 52^nd canteeb with Melv. - got cig.
matches &c. Went to second dinner. Saw Corp.
& Wilkie. Tomorrow I go relieving. Warmer day.
Letter from Flood - card from Dunbar. Washed &
ironed my gown - some swank tomorrow,
Monday 13/1/18 . In D₇ - most delightful sunny 
happy ward after the A lines. Pretty
slack & the lads did everything & were most
grateful when I bestowed matches upon the
crowd. Such a crowd of Jocks. Delightful lady
Mrs. who is a real sport to the boys. No quinine
on Sundays & very nice too. Off 1 - 5 & wrote
letters - which are everlasting. Letter from  Adler.
Monday 14^th. In A₁ again giving Mack. two days
off - happy day in spite of K. (that rhymes)
the boys are great chaps - though most of them
are bed patients. Roe very sentimental. Feel
quite indifferent to his rowings. Made a
complaint to the orderly officer about the tea -
fearful weak stuff - but the orderly officer said it
was quite good tea - whereupon I was much
incensed & so were the boys. Went over to the
Wrote more letters. Had letters from Jack Powell,
& Young.
Tuesday As before. Spiney & I getting into rows
all day & pulling each other out of 'em. Off
1 - 5 & did the usual things. Went over to
52nd canteen & spent 10 francs. on cigs. &c,
Letter from M^cLaughlin.
Wednesday . In A₂ - very happy day - boys
were great & worked spendidly. Letter from
Cpl. Callier - French - very cheerful &
delightful lesson - R.M. & I we
gave Mam'selle cocoa & biscuits &

I took her photo. Got films back from
X-ray - very poorly developed most of
them.
Thurs Day off. Lay long in bed & rejoiced at
the opportunity. Very heavy fat. Wrote
letters all am & slept off & on. Melv. off
5 p.m. Swung it a bit - am having tomorrow off
too. Letter from Andrewarthe. Pantomine
but M & I didn't go. xxxxxxx.
Friday. Off again - repeated the performance.
More sleep - more letters - some washing
& some photography also. Melv. off 1 - 5. sat
out in the sun on our deckchairs. John's
letter. ([[?]] late) Parcels ad lib. - one from CG.L. M. had 3.
Sat. In D₂ wards, helping Samson. Happy
day - fairly slack. Off 1 - 5 - M. & I
had tea & cake beaucoup. Many letters
at night - home - & Melbourne - & crowds
of papers. Read them late. Wrote to Rae.
Rowand on N.D. Melv. had today off.
Sunday gave S. Munro a day off in the officers
ward. Felt dreadfully "windy" about it at first
but felt quite at home later. Mr Humble still
there - Mr Davies (O.C. Bug) still isolated.
Very slack day - morning tea with Capt Caimich,
& Gay Very foggy till midday. On - the
afternoon & did very little. Wrote to hal,
did some ironing, read a bit! Took a
snap of the padre with his tam o'shanter on.
off 5 pm went Prest. Church with Rowand &
Moule. Moule doesn't like P. Church-
Rowand whispered a lot. Spoke to some
of the boys afterward. Wrote letters.
Monday D₃ - giving White 2 days off.
Rotten dirty badly managed & disciplined
hole. Eadie there too. Cpt. Richmond
most droll - in that he takes a year
to do his morning round, inspects

everything, or so it seemed to me  - & orders
the most extraordinary thing he can possibly
think of. S. in charge off but I got an all
night with him, fortunately on all day & very
busy afternoon - lazy lot of chaps. Very
tired & fit to burst into tears when I left the
ward - saw A₂ on route & felt better!
Wrote letters - had letter from Else & R. -
very worrying. Shrapnel fell from anti
aircraft gunfire this morning - one piece
near wireless, one over toward M.T. Base.
Melv. heard it coming - whistling singing
noise - guess I wouldn't have half had the
wind up! Parcel from home today - food.
Much knocked about - had apparently
been to Italy & back. Cake, biscuits
fruit & cigarettes - gum & meat paste.
Great joy in the land. Had supper for
the occasion - M. does exercises too.
Tuesday In D₃ again - better day - or
am I getting immuned to it ? Not so
busy. S. Cocking & I on till 5 p.m. - had
large afternoon tea. Dobbie in D₃ - just
the same dry dear old stick. Off 5 pm
went over to 52nd canteen & got matches,
but couldn't get much else. Wrote letter.
Wednesday P.B. job at last - thank goodness!!
S. Maloney - A₉ reopened. Very busy job.
Ward a fearful welter - 24 transfered from
28^th Genl. - all starving Ward in a great
mess - everything missing as is always the
case when a ward is reopened. Spent
most of day getting things to rights - M.O.
a fearfully & dreadfully conscientious
chap. off 11 - 3 - had French - we are
improving considerably.

Thursday. Off 5 p.m. busy day. off late - went down
with Melv. after mess - took sugar &
choc to Dobson. Letters from Bert (3) & Hal,
from England. Went down to theatre scrounging
Friday - Half day - & very nice too. Melv. moved
back to officer wards. Off 1 - 5 - we had a 
delightful afternoon tea, & afterward went down
to the Y.M. & got cigarettes & choc. - called
on B coming home, & delivered some of the
goods. Wrote letters - after all, one doesn't do
much with a halfday. The boys are much struck
with the apparent badly managed poverty.
stricken conditions under which this place is run
compared with the 28^th G - well, comparisons
are odious hence let us desist! Met Crosier at Y.M.
Saturday Off 1 - 5 - wrote letters & went to
sleep. Foggy mornings - beautiful
sunny cool days - like our best August
days. Letter from M^cLoughlin and Vines.
Sunday. Collins borrowed my camera for the
afternoon - got the wind up afterward on
discovering that she didn't understand her at
all! However, all was well. Off 5 pm. - at
least 6 p.m. but didn't go to church - had a
streak of the blue devils. Letter from Jock.
Happier than for weeks & weeks - boys very

good lads - the rule is "no browsing " & mostly
they act up to it. (Got paid fr 31.70. refund.)
Monday. Off 5 p..m. (this is getting monotonous.) M.
& I went down to the Y.M. & got cigarettes &
choc. - cigarettes 5 fr. called in at ward
& delivered the goods to the great joy of the
troops. Its great marching down to the Y.M &
across the paddocks - especially at even.
when the sun is low. Passed queer old Greek
some Indian soldiers - they are very fine old
chaps - & hold themselves as straight as ramrods
Passed some Greek kids quarrelling - weird dresses
weird jargon. Letter from Dunbar. Roe went
down to ward with pap - conversed with Cooperson,
who gave me many new ideas.S. Moloney
just delightful after S. Hart. Collins in our
marquee in Rowand's place. Scott & I
developed photos in a night sisters' marquee.

-great success. Took them up to the bathroom
left them there for an hour - went up about
11 o'clock, before retiring & got them. Glorious
moonlight night. Tiptoed past Matrons tent
& kept two eyes wide open for the guard. Pay day. Paid Mamselle
Tuesday 29.1.18. Melville & I had morning.
Sent a cable away for Corbett Printed
& fixed photos. Sunny warm days. Rumours
of a possible air raid - numerous
observation balloons out. Had great argument with John.
Letter from D.
Wed. Off 1 - 5 -French Mamselle very 
charming & petite. Took another snap of her
Much argument with Cooperson - note from Rae -
bless me! Letter from Coglan, Jackson, wrote to J.
[*Pay day.
Paid Mam
-selle*]
Thursday Off 5 p.m. wrote a little. Growsed
a little. Melv. got news of her brother's
sons arrival: great excitement. Fuss about
a concert - Miss Y. put my name down last Sat
night - I was on duty & anyway didn't see my
name or know it was down - & when I came
up to dinner & went up to apologise for my
late arrival, she hopped down my throat
as it were!! Told Moloney this am that
"poor Sister Strom wasn't relieved" - old fuss
if she only knew it. S.S. is happier than for
weeks & weeks - perhaps if she knew it
she'd move me! Further argument with J.
very satisfactory decision. Beautiful day
night - blew cold. Lion well up 9 pm.
Photo from Hal yesterday - spendid too.
Friday. Half day. Melv. & I went into Sal.
with White, Hennessy & some others. We sat in
the front with the driver & loved it. Bit dusty
but not as much as we expected. Went
ordnance - took snap of corporal having his
boots cleaned - got his address later to send
to. - Went Y.M. - went Italian Canteen,
Kodak, tearooms - tea not so nice this 
time & the girl dropped a cake on the floor!
Unable to get films - finally brought 2 for
£4 each !!! - fearful price - they are practically
unobtainable in Salonique. Bought
various oddments , at various shops. 

uncanny affair altogether. Met Capt Settle
we were supposed to meet him but didn't
-he was too late for us at the tearooms.
Came home in front of car - very cold -
The sweets which we bought at Orosdi
Bach - very dear but very delicious!
Mrs M^cH. here when we returned - rumours

that 20 of us are going to 52nd - wind up?
Sat. Miss Young is leaving us - Miss Pritchard
coming here as Matron. Wind up again. All
a rumour about some of us going over there.
started by Miss Bennett with a view to finding
out how fast such rumour would travel! Off
1 - 5 - washed, did French & wrote letters.
afternoon tea & biscuits & very nice too.
Farewell party to Miss Y. at night -
music & dancing & supper - tho usual affair
always hate these parties & feel hopelessly
bored, & long for a chance to escape.
The dearest Jock officer - such a lad-
most entertaining. Capt Holborn made a
speech but wasn't quite responsible Capt
Richmond condescending. went to bed
after midnight. Letter from Hal & M^cLoughlin
Friday. We are all a bit depressed -
weary & cross after the party. Off
from 5 pm, read & wrote letters. Busy day
mess meeting after second dinner (Melv.
& I went to church, & afternoon went down
to theatre & saw Corp.anent some bath
brick & a needle for blood films - both
which he provided ) Church most
affecting - Roe near us - Melv. very
upset. Padre quoted Kipling Mother o'
mine. Letter from Hal - from France with two
small snaps - beauties.Hated &
loathed the mess meeting - retired late
necessity tired & very cross..
Monday. off 1 - 5 because I was too
jolly tired to stay on till 5

 

Wrote letters, had afternoon tea with Billy D.
did some printing. Plum pudding arrived
from home - all on its own. Beautiful
sunny days - cold nights, frosty morns.
Tuesday off 9 - 1 - spent most of
morning fussing round waiting for photographer
to come to take us for photos passports -
great chasing of staff to form groups of
eighteen - finally we gathered bear theatre
& were snapped there, the French official
giving instructions to the Greek operato
& doing his best to keep us still. Wilkie
& Corp. & the whole neighbourhood greatly
amused. Busy day! Took some snaps.
Wed. Grenner went to Blighty - also
dear old Dobson - also John & many
more. Farewelled them all & felt sad
about it all too. Sgt. H, D, & J. very
disappointed that their time isn't yet -

needless to say, I rejoiced! J & D. to the

fore as regards diet sheets & so on!
French 2 pm - mam'selle as sweet
as ever - told us about her brother, a
prisoner at Seres, - they have no sugar,
so we gave her all we had - though
she didn't want to take it = had tea
& biscuits - Mam'selle is horrified to think
we drink tea so many times a day!
Parcel from home - letter from Grant.
Parcel containing eau de cologne, soap,
& other glorious things. Dear old home folk!
Thurs. off 5 pm. - developed photos in night
sister's tent - Meade came on aftr 7.30
& seeing all my implements carefully laid
out promptly got the wind up - Healey did
not tell her that I was going to do the job
there. Did all of Sgts & two of mine - very
good all of them. Stayed up late & washed
as well. Very xxx cold night. passports
to be filled in - wonderful affair.

Friday. 8/2/18. Half day again - took all the
films down to the ward in the a.m.
printed photos. & did a few things preparatory
for this afternoon. Melv & I went into Salonique
by car, were dropped at Rue Venezelos, &
wandered round into various Greek shops, bought
bell, & wooden spoon & various odds &
ends. Took a snap of some Greek kids & got
pursued by a Buchshee - demanding crowd.
Had afternoon tea at the  J.C. teashop bought
sweets at Orosdi Bach's - met Capt. S. & M.O.
-left Venzelos St. 5 o'clock, arrived back 5.40
called at Y.M. & E.F.C. on Kalamaria Rd.
Sat. Off 1 -5, but did very little - too sleepy these
days. Very warm in the sun - back to
aprons again, minus our coats, wrote letters,
fixed photos &c. Got a letter from Bert -
& Pete, not much of letters eother as far as
cheering one up goes! Walked up to cemetery
& took snap of it in afternoon.
Sunday 10.2.18 . Off 1 - 5. Very irritable today
-post letters yesterday! Mr Cray up to see Mel.
-so had to don mess dress & go up to tea.
Horwood came over. Fine warm day. Wild
rumours that we are (a) leaving for Italy
(b) going to Hortiack (c) that the hospital goes
& we stay here & rejoin another unit. Wish
to goodness something would be settled. W.
J. & Sgt. H. doing photos in extra special style.
They are an irrepressible and irresistible
trio! Wrote to Hal - Mate, Grant.
Monday. Morning hours - read & dosed! Warm
day. Some of the orderlies have been classified
A and are to be transferred to the infantry.
Jack goes, also Lloyd. Happy day - some
further supplies of rumours. very warm. Concert
at H₂ - went down after second mess with
Melv. - for a little while. Letter from M^cGow &
Bulletins (2)
Tuesday 12/2/18 Off 5 pm. very sleepy & tired
all day. Walked down with Swan to Y.M.
got cigs. & gum .Beautiful sunset.

 

Wed. Usual. Very warm - Mam'selle as before-
our brains were rather dulled on account
of the weather, washed : Rumours & more rumours.
We are none too pleased with our new matron.
Thurs. Off 5 pm. - developed photos. & made
a most extraordinary mess of one film -
all turned out to be positive - which was
truly upsetting, especially seeing it was not mine
but sergeants. Wrote letters New orderly - good one.
Friday. Half day - warm. Surprised the troops
with the wonderfully developed films - great was
the controversy anent its origins - Blythe
consulted experts on the subject but no one
could assist us materially. Tried to print them
but failed - they printed pictures negatives.
Very much disgusted about it. mel. & I went
into Salonique - got out at Rue Ignatius
went to Bank of Amer to get money cabled
to Melv. but found, bank shut. Shopped
a little - went to Catholic Cathedral &
saw Sister Augustine - most charming
person - tried to find shop according to
her directions, to leave Blythe's watch
at, but weren't able to find the Bulgarian
-every shop we went into & asked for the
Bulgar they all stoutly denied all knowledge
of the same. Finally we went back to Sister A,
& she said she'd leave it at the shop.
Bought choc. p. cards & tobacco & took a
time exposure of the catholic church. Met
the car again at 5.30 - met also Capt. Lloyd
& landed home cold & tired & with the usual
remarkable intangible but none the less
real post - Salonique depression! Went
to bed early. Met Barber in Salonique.
Saturday. Off 1 - 5 - letters from home -
three from Sista, Mate, Else. Wrote
letters, did French. Cool - Rain later.
Sunday. Snow in a.m. - fell most of the
morning but didn't lie - fearful lot of
mud - gumboots once more. Off 5 p.m.-
went to church - Mel & I were the only
sisters there - They played the organ -
sat in solemn state on one side of
the church - next to the organ - there

were about 8 Tommies there. The text was
"come over to Macedonia & help us " & the
sermon was good. Went up post haste thro'

the mud to mess, & got severely strafed
because we were late for mess -
M.P. told us that she couldn't help it if we had
been to church - she couldn't excuse us - but
we went to a table & sat us down & did that
not withstanding all her glares! Melv was most
perturbed but I didn't care a dump - So immune
does one get of Wally's - notice up  "Don't  Grouse"
also "Don't be abominable" and Clyd's
"cleanliness" &c which much to our surprise,
she liked! Rose back in our tent.
Monday. Wet day - mud fearful - off 1 - 5
wrote letters went on early. Blythe
had a headache - Little stayed on all day to
let her off - which was jolly good of the lad,
Let Printed fearfully late all night - what
are we coming to! Borrowed Sgts camera.
Tuesday. whole day off - joy! Mel. also - slept
in luxuriously but developed a fathead
about 9 o'clock & had perforce to rise &
make tea. Breakfast fried eggs, fried bread,
and tea - & very nice too. Sewed up the
hem of my coat while Mel. read Bandle
aloud - started off for Sal 11 a.m. called
for pass at Ssister Maloney's bell tent -
Walked down Kalamaria Rd - were picked
up by a tin Lizzie which skidded wholesale.
Were dropped at G.H.Q. ward & from
there walked into town, our gumboots most
conspicuously muddy! They must have realised
we were from the country. A Greek puard
saluted us - or was he Italian? - & we
felt quite puffed up! The youthful boot
polishers started their usual gay "Shine sister"

-one at th corner of Venezelos St. calls
me "Missus" invariably - shades of Josh!
went to the Bank of Athens - got nearly kippered
with tobacco smoke - jabbering Greek French men
-one French - Greek was called upon to tell
Mel. she had to oay 1^d for a stamp he being
apparently the only one who spoke English at
all. Got £ 10/-/- after much fuss, & streaked off.
Bought a "three in one bell after much
haggling - the man wanted 18 fr. for it but I

 

insisted on 5 as a good price, slowly it came
down f8 ? No. f5 - f7 ? - No f5 - f 6.50 ? No
f5 -we walked off down the street & this boy
came after him us with the bell - for f5 which
he got! Went to the church & saw Sister again,
also took a xxxx snap of the chu had "lunch"

consisting of doughnuts & cakes at the tea shop
thereby. Bought some films postcards chased the
G.[[?]] all over the place & finally located it
Sent off two cables for Capt B . We had to wait
at the White Tower for a train to cross the
street - we stood there about 5 minutes.
I murmured "Give us a lift, Mister" to an
immaculate officer in an immaculate car
& was overheard! Got a transport wagon
out about 3.30 - which dropped us past
the main terminus - got another car which
took us to the E.F.C. - callled there & at
the Y.M and got choc. & biscuits - Walked
home from Y.M across the fields - very 
muddy. Bed early Jones bucksheed me 2 blankets
Wednesday. Back on duty. Off 1 - 5 - very
muddy everywhere - Mamselle came - Mel
was off so I had the lesson by myself.
Washed a bit, read a bit dozed a bit
Healey told me when she came on that I

am going on "nights" D10 & 11 - right
away from my own lines. Went in & told
the boys - they were much disturbed, &
will arrange for transfer - so they say! The
same dreadful deadly desolate feeling about
leaving the ward one knows & departing for
another sphere of activity. Mel. isn't coming on
yet awhile. We were very disconsolate in

our marquee - it took Walley's Dont Grouse
& Jock's message to prevent serious
outbursts. Couldn't sleep. Bought Sgts. camera £ 3/10/.
Thurs 21.2.18 Milligan to A₉ - the troops
were quiet indeed this morning. Little
on hearing where I was going went down & interviewed
the Sergt. Major & other heads & saw the
N.O. - D₁₀ & all but arranged for transfer
thereto - Sister Maloney went to Matron &
asked if I could stay on the line &
when she came back with the news that I

could we were torn between joy at the
announcement & fear lest Little should have to
go. Blythe went down to Staff [[Baker]] & told
him & all was fortunately washed out,
but Little said " This last hour has
put years on me - : I feel 23!" Poor old
chap. I am to go tonight, & friday to D₁₀ &c
& then back in my old line when Healy
comes off. Fixed things up - Milligan had
morning hours. Took groups with large camera.
Walley gave me his mac - a bonza one.
Off for second lunch - washed all the afternoon
& packed _ Mel. comes on tomorrow night -
thank goodness, also Moule. Cold night -
very slack - did hardly a thing Have 3
[*went up to see A₉ at 5.00 am*]
wards, & 3 orderlies, all reliable & well
awake. Wrote letters read, dozed (yes,
even so) & did very little except one dressing
& two beds! This is indeed the simple life.
Friday. Very cold this early a.m. the mud is frozen
Beautiful clear starry night - moonlight. Went
to bed directly after breakfast - slept well-
Jones put a hwater bottle in my bed - bless him!
Mel. woke me at 2 with tea & announced that
we were going motoring with Mr Craig at 2.30
meanwhile Rose & the three of us conversed
concerning moving out. Got dressed at the
double - packed up a bit & went out 2.45
well coated & with hats tied on. Most delightful
drive - we tore down to Salonique were
dropped at Venezelos St. - & walked round
town then to the tea room & cathedral where
I took Sisters photograph & enquired about
orderly's watch at the Bulgar. It won't be 
ready till Monday morning. Walked back
to Venezelos St. & bought p.cs. & looked  in every
shop. Most delightful afternoon - took
snap of Mel. & Mr Craig on quay, came
home at great speed & were loathe to
get back. Moved with the assistance of
Jones & Bray - M^cCall & Payne our
tent mates. Very cold - windy. Mel.
on D₂ & D ₃ - existance as busy as 
last night. Supper in night supers tent
-they are not as they were at Hortiack!
 

Sat. Slept well - dear old Jones had our hot
water bags ready in our beds - we are
spoilt indeed. We were given a blanket (white)
& a pair of flannel pyjamas from the Australian
Red Cross supplies which arrived the other day
-also arrived fruit & other tinned goods galore
Mutton bird - which we've sampled several 
times with little enthusiasm! Went on in A
lines -same old jolly wards. Sick man in
H₇ who requires some watching. Payne's orderly
brought up a letter from Hal for me - also
a p. card from Dunbar. Such a bonza letter 
from Hal - answered it straightway. Very
hgh wind 1 am. - blew things any old way
Fixed up recesses & tightened tent ropes.
Much rattling & banging & many things upset.
Screens & lockers & dinner tins crashing
about. Lights became demoralised & went
out in A₉ - very cold. went to bed very
wind blown & weary. Finished letter to Sista.
Sunday. Got up only in time for dinner - M^cColl
bought us down tea at 4 o'clock an
act of true Christian service which was
much appreciated. Windy all day but it
has dropped tonight. Glorious moonlight, Developed
2 films in A₉ - Sgt. Hamill - better
ones than before. Took time exposure 
of Kotos &c. by moonlight (48 minutes!)
Put the camera on a campstool in
naedie via and left it there - discovered
after 40 minutes that I haven't turned
the film to 1 !!! As the boys say, [[?]]
on top one wants it. Took a second
one after supper - from 12.18 - 1 am
Windy again about 2 p.m. and very cold.
Monday. Billy & russel & I went into sal.
8.30 am (Mel. felt too tired) Got picked up
by Y.M. car which took us tp ordnance
bought gumboots - went Ital. canteen
to watch shop & had a fierce tussle