Diary of Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom - 1917-1919 - Part 7
coffee in the mess hut & after shared 2
chairs c̄ Melv. & S. - afterwards came
home in the car - M & McJ. curled up
like a pet poodle on the floor of the
car - Mr B & Syd. walked home across
the fields. Got to bed & lit candles &
Billy & I read till 12.30 - the coffee kept
us too widely awake.
Monday. 22nd Apr Mess meeting 9 am.
Washed & packed -
all luggage stacked up in front of mess
hut, covered by tarpaulin. Tents pulled
down 2.30 - great scenes of desolation!
Boxes & bundles & every shaped article
of luggage. Took our beds & suitcases
up to the mess & made our beds up in
a row - am & between Mel. & Mead. We
are well packed up - It's just like a
Gk. refugee camp - bundles every
where - disconsolate people sitting
all over the place. Card parties
a general chatter. Most of us went to
bed early & wrote or read. Letters
for Else and Watt. Washed up - Some job!
Tuesday 23rd. Rained heavily all night
& still raineth. Were concerned about
our belongings outside whenever we
woke up. Strange to sleep in a room
amongst so many. Dressed c̄ difficulty
Rolled up our beds - the luggage
departed early: we watched the Greeks
humping our trunks round c̄ great ease &
dexterity. Some of the beds taken.
Rescued Archie from a watery grave &
put him in the bathroom. Order thro' at
9 that we can't go till tomorrow at 10.
Great scenes of active service. Breakfast
ambulatory - 8am. Morning tea a
similar event. Rain eased off about
11 am. Wrote letters, sitting on a suitcase,
not before a fearful rabble going
on and concentration impossible!
Went into Sal. Met Norm & Dunbar - bought
film.
Wed. Beautiful morning - packed up, washed up.
Took a final survey of the countryside. Convoy
arrived 10a.m. Mel. Elliott & I travelled together
in the third last car. Saw Craigie - who waved
a final farewell, and saluted a la Craigie.
Very dusty - Elliott gave us 3 orange each
which was much welcome. Passed thro'
Salonique, to Dudelar, passed the 28th Genl.
& numerous camps & finally were taken to
the sight of our new hospl. only to learn that
they were not yet ready for us, and that
we had to live for at least a few days
in the quarters of the 67th - journeyed there
after some delay & were greeted mixedly
by the Matron who rushed round & put us
four into empty tents. Melv. & McCall. Stan
& I. our beds are strayed somewhere. Had
lunch late - just as we'd given up all hopes
of ever seeing anymore food! - bread & cheese
sardines & tea, very welcome! Subsequently
we were part of a fatigue party (M & I)
who cleared the marquee. Swept - c̄ the
head falling off the broom all the time.
Went over to the hospl. & saw Adments about
our luggage bedding - good old Adments!
Saw Bob, and Alen. Visited the reception tent &
got several things out of our luggage - all the
things were hurled anyhow into the reception
tents. Saw many old friends. Beautiful outlook
here tho' we miss "our harbour" dreadfully.
Dinner a great success. To bed early. Attached
Archie on a string today - we carted him in a
sack from Kalamari ; he looked dull & ill
but bucked up on arrival here! Cool night -
went to bed & read by candle. We do miss
the electric light. We are to go over there today.
Thurs. Rose late - brekker 9a.m. The latest
than ever been anywhere. Bathroom a
washout! The English Sisters went away
today - how very different they always
seem from us. Read on a rug in the
sun in the a.m. - warm day - daisies
everywhere thro' the grass. Had tea c̄ Gal. Payne
& Co. 11.30. Lunch 1 p.m. - a weird meal.
bare tables and difficultly acquired cutlery.
Wrote letters - afterward helped clear up a bit.
Friday. Went for a walk after lunch - way over
S. - overlooking Sal. Picked flowers & chased
lizards. Letter from [[?Leiper]]. Warm day. Meeting of
S. nurses after 2nd. mess - about our rights
& wrongs. Truly exciting - especially as it was to
be kept a dead secret from the Sisters, & Matron
walked in on us in the midst & discoursed
concerning mosquito nets & other fascinating
topics! McDonald on guard. Various resolutions
passed (when Matron wasn't there) Melv.
& I served out the dinner & had ours later byitself ourselves. Mrs McH.W. won't have us
where we are over at the new site - hence
much fussation, delay, & jabbering. The
M.O.'s will probably have to move.
Sat. More rumours. Letter from Hal (6.4.18)
- & very welcome too, more walks &
wanderings. Adments had word that his only
son has died - poor old Adments. Developed
photos in annex of tent - & spoilt one
film altogether. Cold nights.
Sunday. Melv. on duty in a.m. amoebic
wards. Letters from Hal & Kelso (12.4.18)
All of us on duty in p.m. - I went to
Harte's wards. Bob came down but the
SM moved him to Scott's xxx ward. His
brother is missing. Made beds all the
afternoon - a whole marquee full -
minus 4 - which gave me ample opportunity
for thinking. Went back after afternoon
tea & finished up. We move over in the
a.m. Church this morning - & very fine
too.
Monday. Went over 8 a.m. rose very early
& packed for the 20th time! A weird procession
coming over here! Collected luggage -
& carted it to our tents & got it carted-
Mel. & I room c̄ Stan. & McCall. The
luggage in many cases very much knocked
about & damp. Two Y
Scheme boys from No. 2 C.C. carted the stuff
for us. Paid them too. Melv. in the amoebic
block - & they are to be isolated. Went to
the wards A.M. & went on equipping it
Did something toward tidying the tent up
p.c. - went to Matron p.m. about be
moved to the amoebic block & managed
alright. Went on duty 2 - 5 - A1 -
boys reminiscencing about the 50th -
always a bad sign! Melv. & I went to
concert at Am. takings - went in a large
transport & sat on cushions - they gave
us a forms at the reception tent and
one fell on Melv's feet. Good show
& we were looked after better than we
have ever been since we came here
Melv. & I were entertained by a Jock
officer - who subsequently bought me a
box of toffee! Comicalities good & not
vulgar. Good supper afterward & another
long dark ride home, Very late - 12 p.m.
before we got home. Crept bedwards.
Tuesday. On duty. Off 1 - 5 & moved
into the tent next to the old one, & fix
things up a bit. Hot day. Howard &
Lawson helped. Feet very tired indeed.
Scrounged boxes. Meeting. of the Secret Society
Wed. off 1 - 5 & slept most of the afternoon
Warm - & weary days. Good boys -
especially Sgt. Clarke.
Thurs. Letter from Hal 12th or thereabouts
Bob went to 28th came up at night to
say goodbye. S. Maloney was the messenger.
Went up to the gate semi clad &
coated & spoke c̄ Bob & Blythe till the
guard came along. Rained off & on all
night.
Friday. Mess meeting tonight - & the most
exciting one we've ever had. The Shs.
voted against the Sunday afternoon - all
except Scott, Syd. Billy - & there
a fuss! The Ayes were 18 against our 26
Sister Wilson resigned her presidency & accused
us of unladylike behaviour! Much rows.
Finally Rose (after capilatia & conversation)
explained everything and all about the
M.O. (Mead about the C.S. versus S.h.
which statement created much stir, & then we
withdrew & voted for it! Also 12/6 call -
also Miss Hart treasurer. Nearly 10p.m
before all was over. A most easily
melting! Letter from Phil. -
Sat. Had half day - unexpected & buckshee
slept & wrote letters. Very tired.
Sunday. Church in ward 3pm. C of E padre
my orderly is a Div. Student. Melv & I
attended c̄ all the boys & enjoyed it.
Sat next to Sgt Clarke - whose remarks
during & subsequently were a trifle beyond
as I told him. Went for a walk up
a hill 7p.m. Crowds of goats & sheep
turkeys. Beautiful sunsets.
Monday. Melv. & I off at night & went to the
B.A.P.A. concert - after much debating
& changing of minds on the point of Search &c
Moroney & McIntyre transferred to 52nd
- much perturbation. Rotten show & very
vulgar - Melv. sat next to the Colonel
who was bonza & talked thro' all the
worst parts! An A.F.C. chap sat
between Holland & me - very entertaining
to a certain extent but his sense of
humour wasn't ours. Had supper &
rolled home late in a lorry.
Tuesd. Very tired in consequence of
last night, late mess. Fine sunny
days - Letter from Hal - 20th & 27th
Wed. Went into Sal. in the p.m.
Gallagher & I were left in Ordnance
by Tyrs & Co who took the car -
got lifts to White Tower & back &
got home c̄ great difficulty
Caught the Dudular bus & walked from there
- a delightful bus drive A serbian
driver pte walked along c̄ us &
carried my bag & jabbered away - he
went to the 41st We took the wrong
road & had to jump ditches & things -
cross country from the Am. Dump &
were jolly tired & not a little
annoyed with Tyers & Co when we landed
back at 6.30. Bath & to bed.
Thurs. Mel's half day. Off at night.
went down to the canteen but couldn't
buy much. Happy wards.
Friday. Washed & fired photos.
Saturday. Matron roaming round about
S.h.'s, thermomaters &c. - the wind is
always up about something!
Sunday Went at 5.30 c̄ Munro Search
& Christie & picked poppies &c. to decorate
the mess tent for afternoon tea - our
first at home since arriving here.
Glorious morning - dewy & fresh, did some
arranging before breakfast. Mel. &
Shaw a cup of cocoa before we
left but we were hungry enough
for brekker. Had a row c̄ Sgt C.
about gramophone - an absurd quarrel!
Church as before. Sent a note down to
Sgt c̄ Russell. Letter from Bob. Developed photos.
Monday. Dismal a.m. - which became
normal about 11a.m. Printed photo.
Tuesday. Warm days. Archie removed to
ward for the benefit of his health - we
have Bill and he's tied up to a tent
rope - Bill belongs to Barrell. Padre
took the boys out for a walk after
5p.m.
Wed. Went into Sal. with Tyers &c. - Hutch
& I wandered round went to dressmakers
Ordnance & all the Kodak shops -
met the car again 5.30 - & weren't we just
done. Got back late - Syd. & Billy kept
the car waiting - & got strafed -but didn't
mind in that nothing new now adays.
Got home too late for first mess - apologised to
Miss P. for the tardy return. We have a nice
ambulance nowadays - White inside. Some
girls from the 50th arrived - look far up!
Thurs. Dunphy on duty in A3 - she's from 50.
She moved into our tent - we will miss having
it to ourselves. Letter from Sgt McNicol-Rae.
Parrot on duty here (labour Coy).
Friday. Letter from Josh. Fine warm days -
very hot in the middle of the day. We
wear hats to the mass now. Mail -
letters from Elsa, Mate Sista Enid
Clifford Elspie, Pete. - March mostly.
& hosts of Bulletins : took the letters
down to the wards to the girls there.
Washed a bit & printed photos. Cpl.
Brougham lent me some splendid
negatives. Jeffry & went out.
McColl left her tortoise - a very wee 'un
for us to mind : sent the stately
Lamberth - whom I can't abear! - down
for the critter - he was appalled - &
very reluctant to go - but went!
Saturday. Lot of new girls from 52nd
Andrews - & others! all very much fed
up - good job we like this place - no-one
else seems to! A p.c. from Hal - a terrible gossip
Sunday. A dismal post. Church Service
"bother" Sgt Cl. a loveable pigheaded
annoying little scamp. Much perturbation
anent a film. Mr Bower here. but didn't
feel fearfully affable! Two R.F.H.
subs. here - friends of Capt. Gordon-
Elliott & I were sent in by Matron to
entertain them: they were over come when
taken into mess & everyone scattered
& left them for Matron's table - however they
didn't sit there - Elliott & Co. took pity
on them. Melv. & I sit of course at the
amoebic table. Subsequently we sat
outside & yarned - & the circle grew,
& included also a Lovatt Scouts' lieut.
Stuck abaying c̄ Mr King concerning
V.P.K. films. Joseph disappeared & could
not be traced.
Monday. Exceedingly dismal a.m. off 1 - 5 -
& saw King & obtained the film & got one to
develop. Had it out c̄ Sergt. - at the
tortoise corner! & very thorough out it
was too! Went off duty tres miserable!
Melville comforted - & later, when I was
at mess - went down & interviewed the
Young scamp, unknown to me. The first
time I've shed tears before M. - or
anyone else - since Mother's C/O Miss C.
letter arrived! Saw Bab - who did me good.
Tuesday The clouds lifted about 11am.
the l.d. Photos from Thornborough. Letter
from Brown - Went out c̄ Mr King in
his side car - after 5.20- a delightful
spin up the Main Rd - pretty views
c̄ cypress galore. Picked some yellow
pea on the wayside & argued much
anent 8p.m.- & after. Got home to
first mess - which has been altered to
7 p.m. Developed photos, which were
not all absolute successes. Dunphy
thought the proceedings very entertaining
said that we looked like two old witches
bending over our cauldron.
Wed. Printed photos. Sunny & warm day,
& fixed p___ Refund 10 francs.
Thurs. Ditto & likewise. Letter from
23.5.18 Walley: Sgt McNicol.
Friday. Melv. had half day off 5 p.m.
but didn't do much. Am very
tired these days. Sgt. Clarke's took leave
Sat. Half day - very irritable! Had
to sit tight & say nought! Washed
served : & tidied up. Felt better
Took snap of Cow & S. Search
after mess. The mosquitoes are very bad
these nights. We sleep under our nets
now. We Board about the chronics
& they are going soon - how we'll miss them
all! Very windy - blew everything
everywhere - smashed cups - Kept
us awake most of the night.
Sunday 26th Cool: breezy a.m.Another
board - the boys all passed
H.S. Happy Sunday for once! Dull
& cloudy after 5 p.m. off 5 & made
coffee & procured sandwiches from
the mess. Took snap of Sgt & the
tortoises. Wrote letter to S.C. Sent films
to King c̄ note.
Monday The boys go early tomorrow! Draw
their kits today. It does hurt to see the
dear old things out of blues & into Khaki
again. Took several snaps. Concert
up at the top marquee 5.30 p.m. & Mel
& I attended - I relieve while, since
I was on duty. Cpl. Brougham very
good indeed. Sgt. C. entertained us
between the acts. Took snap of
concert & Jock Waugh (who made me
a bonza desk at Sgt's behest) padre
made a great speech later anent
their departure. Mended Sgt's slipper
& ironed Mahoney's coat - or tried
to. Went off late. whu revolving
many memories. Met Bob at barb
wire 8p.m. in & near the battery
dodge - or rather he squared the
sentry. Good old Bob! Slept very
badly.
Tuesday M & I had brekker 6.45 &
went on duty at 7 to find the boys
all ready for their departure.
Took a few more snaps; &
bade very many farewells. A
dismal day indeed : everyone very much
subdued especially the sisters! I missed
Sgt. dreadfully but Clifford & McLoughlin
Cpl. B. & the other lads were great
& stepped nobly into the breach. Dull
day. Went out for a sidecar ride
c̄ King 5.30 - he sent a letter note from Blackburn.
round at 5.10 to the ward.
Wed. Half day went into Sal. -
Ordnance (which was packed) & the
dressmaker c̄ Hutch. Tyers & Co there
too - a selfish trio. Saw King at
O. Very tired & sick tonight. Rotten
am yesterday - Col. caught a
bit of kit burning - there was a devil
of a row of course. I told the boys that
I'd had 3 days pay stopped & they
believe me. All smoking stopped
in ward - Walley's notices up.
Tommycooker blew out three times -
the emetine parade comical.
the canteen today & dashed slow.
Letter from Cooperson.
Thurs. Rain, wind, cool indeed. Melv
had half day & went into Sal. Got
missed by car & got very wet
indeed. Went for walk c̄ McFie
6.15 -6.45 & the guard turned his
back to see us get thro' the fence.
Got paid ₣5. Letter from Grant.
Debating Sec. wants me to write a
paper on Australia!
Friday. Cool day. Wards not the same since Sgt
but happy withal.
June 26th Cannot attempt to fill in every day
of the last month. The first lapse
the diary has had - & may it be the last!
I shall chronicle briefly some of the happenings
of the last few weeks, though I cannot be sure
that their order will be correct - or the date.
Went to a concert at the M. Supply depot
on Tuesd. King came up 8.30 - about the 4th I suppose.
Poor show - disappointing. We were all put
in our places - by the M.C. Melv. & I
sat next to a Capt. (A.SC.) who was very
nice to us - couldn't understand why I wanted
one of the performers for a patient - one wee
Jock - who proved rather a young scamp
afterward! Delightful supper on the tennis
Court subsequently - shaded lamps & ice
cream - [[mal Sabniquey?]] ice cream though!
Got home late. . . . . Thurs. I went to
ship your clutter - in Dunphys place.
very wet cold night. Sat went to Major
Dunstable of the 61st HQ Bde (King's lot)
Excellent show. High jinks music. Crowded.
Coffee & sandwiches - then Mass - searched
the grounds for our wagon later & found it
finally. Got home about 12.30 - & Jove!
wasn't I tired next day! & a trifle short c̄
my worthy assistants, I fear me. Padres
both came to the concert. Great fun. Bad
road - the forms slipped at every jolt -
we stood all the way there & back too
most of it. Gave the A.O.C. people a lift
some of the way back, till the wagon refused
to go further. More girls daily (almost)
from the 50th & 52nd - they are
supposed to be closing down.
Letters from home - Sgt. Clarke.
Philbin.
Sat. King said he'd try to get us a car -
sent a chit over to say that he's got
one for 2.30 - when it came it was Major
D's. - but he was a real sport & took us
right into Picadilly Circus - by the seres
Rd - we'd never been that way before went
ordnance & the dressmakers & the pique
Shopped street & were picked up again at
6 o'clock at P.C. Felt fearful [[arses?]]
about the Major's car & in the road but
he was jolly decent about it all. Felt
inclined to murder King! Developed
photos. - & made positives galore.
Monday. Whole day off - couldn't sleep &
felt dead crook all day. Took S.S.
& felt worse! Wrote letters, washed:
ironed. McLachlan Turner Clifford went out.
Tuesday. and the other days. Cpl Ashton too
Warmer & warmer - some days are too
red hot - June 12th. the anniversary
of our departure - some long thinking.
The O.C. went & Col. Siberry came.
Anti cholera inocn. - I felt queer -
all of us did. More letters. Went
into Sal. Thurs - fitted for overall.
did some shopping but haven't much
money these days. Great strife 3am -we
don't know what it was.
25th Whist drive - Got the booby prize
ready - a matches (box of, one) wrapped
round & round c̄ paper & paper, bones &
bones - a few locusts tucked in
amongst the goods - & a box of Goldflake
Grace & I caught the locusts c̄ great
difficulty. Ashworth got it - went
down & saw it opened, Cpl Brougham
back in bed on N.D. & very sick.
Moss & Browning to the fore. Letters
dated Apr. 22nd & two bonza parcels
- one from Linbie & one a box of biks
from home. Live well these days.
Rumours & more rumours about France
& our hopes - Austa & so on - Scott
went to Egypt - Watt to Austa
Malcolm in our tent. Munro's boots
stolen.
July 10th. Again I confess that the diary has
been sadly neglected of late - I don't know
why exactly unless because it's been so
hot & we've been so tired. Linny showed
me a Lancet one day c̄ list of Aust. M.Os
killed - & Phil's name was there - also
Stewart. Poor old Phil - it doesn't seem
possible.
Several of the lads got Shinge relapses & Dr
had all the up patients moved to A4 & the
other wards & all the relapses came down
to me. Lyons came back & his ankle has
been playing up - he was about a week
in dock & in B lines the substitute was
not bad but not Lyons. Browning. Padmore.
Brougham, Stevens Cash left - also Wyatt
from A2. also 8 wek Smith from 4. All
in bed on no diet. Very busy. Moss comes
in from A2 to help & it is great fun. He &
Lyons & I run the place & we make
char on all occasions & work real hard.
Moss is just great. A lot of the boys were
boarded for Malta. More of the girls out
from 50 & 52 - we don't want them & they
do growl so. It doesn't seem like our old
42 at all. Matron told us we'd go for
leave soon - to Con. Camp. Very hot.
Goffe - a Jamaican lad from A4 - comes
down to help & Moss & I forsee complications
The Kcab [[?]] very handy at times.
The band came twice - once the band
from Ordnance S.Hill & once the Middlesex
one - went down c̄
Magg to hear it (first one) & sat between
Goffe & Moss. Matron told us (first)
that we'd go for leave on Monday & then
on Sat that we wouldn't go for 10 days.
Brougham & Padmore & the others went to the
H.S. Sat am. - they were gone before we
went on duty but we went down to the
Reception tent & saw them there. Dear old
lads - we miss them a lot. Go on
early these mornings and do the recess
Some of the lads up a little & on N.C & R
but still we are busy. Swept the tent
c̄ Moss to the honor of the troops. Took
several photos - developed in a corner
of our tent, in a [[suf-dupont?]]. Fairly
good. Dunphy drives us nearly mad.
The papier lumière a failure this weather
Several strafes at night & lights out.
of course. Hundreds of mice traps about -
dozens of them round our kero. tins &
the geraniums - which flower bravely despite
adverse conditions. And thousands of grass
hoppers. Melv & I had a whole day off -
went down to Dudular in the a.m. & bought
fags and a cake for 6/- which should have
been 21/- the others told us later. Walked
down & got a splendid lift back to H.S.C. lad
who was out from S.H to teach the Maltese
to drive & who said "give it to the patients
Sister", when I offered him choc. Needless to
say he got it. In the p.m. we went out
c̄ the R.C. padre & the up patients & walked
far. Had a great time. Moss Dunbar
Bathgate, Tranter &c. came. Sat at
the hay stack & told yarns (M. & I hiding
& ate Choc. & Grem jubes. Got home about
7 - great excitement about the grasshoppers
up my sleeve- when we took our dresses
off there were innumerable insects
therein. Matron told us on Monday
at 11.30 that all arrangements had
been made for us to go to the 52nd at
5pm enroute for C.C. Great excitement
& moans all round as I went into A11 to
tell Melv. Went out at 1.30 & washed &
ironed & packed & sweated some too went down
to the ward 5.10 & said goodbye - could have
kissed them all cheerfully but forbare &
merely shook hands. Matron kissed us
both and said snice things but of course
we know how much that was worth! Left
our belongings in a heap behind the curtain
Have final instructions to Dunphy concerning
same. Left at about 6 o'clock, c̄ Thompson
Payne & others & then on the 16/7/18.
Got 52 about nearly 7. p.m. Gregson very
nice - everyone very nice - from our room
up hall. Civilization here! Electric light
Saw Mrs McH.W. - seemed to imply that we
might be here some days which hurt a
bit! Felt like 2 lost cats. Addison &
Horwood gave us supper on the lawns we talked
hard on past days, possible future
ones. Slept fairly well but the huts
are very hot after tents & we were warned
against bugs but couldn't see any Got up
to breakfast - sat next to McIntyre &
17.7.18 opposite Moroney & were entertained
royally of course in consequence.
Saw Mrs M.C.H. & she told us we'd be
here a week!! - & she'd see whether we
would return to 42 post leave. Wind
up! We told her Miss P. was keeping our
places for us. Washed & ironed a bit. Had
enjoyable morning tea : Gregson presided.
Went into Sal. after lunch - transport
both ways. Melv. was fitted, Very hot -
felt rotten. Went to bed directly p.c.
but couldn't sleep till late. Sent letters
to Search & Moss & Co by Payne.
18.7.18 McIntyre brought
brekker to us. Everyone very
nice indeed. Read & wrote & didn't do much
else. Hot. note from Craig - letters from
Ware & Clifford per 42nd. Sisters. Sent notes
to Browning & Co. by return. Went for a
walk c̄ Addison to the beach & picked
Rose of Salon & laughed a lot! Add.
looks so well - & fat.
Friday. 19/7. A bit cooler this am. Melv. & I sat
out under the Shelter tent place & wrote,
& read & ate toffee. We have sufficient provisions
for a siege! Went concert in p.m. at 52 -
open air. G.H.Q. party. Quite good. The T.
sat all round. It is great here, the parties
they give the kids - & they are taken out
for walks daily to the seashore.
Sat. We go up Monday. Craigie came 5pm
& we went for a walk c̄ him. Supper
for all & sundry - open house here Sat.
night. Helped Horwood prepare the Supper
& then went to bed - which may have been
providential since B. & Capt. S. were
there! Letters from Turner Ware. Clifford.
Search - bonza mate!
Sunday.
Craigie sent some fags over. Got up for
brekker. Very hot. Didn't do much - Slept.
Church at night - queer as cler padre.
Afterwards went c̄ Mrs MCH. about the
car in the a.m.
Monday. Car came 8.10 - went ordnance
G.F.C. Got to C.C. about 10am. Letters from
Goffer. Biggs went back. Girls a bit
queer & strange - nice place. Rose
Swan Dick up from Home - Mead introduced
us to their officer friends c̄ a view to
future picnics. Felt cos crook - &
dead crook during Mess. T 101.5 [[?]]
but didn't report. Had Asp. & slept
appallingly - the worst night - I've
ever put in in my life!
August 4th A fortnight tomorrow since
we came up here, & since I went "sick".
Spent two rotten days at the C.C. Dr
Learmouth took 2 bloodfilms. T 104,
had 2 rigors. Slept rottenly. Wed 3pm
came into hpl. felt pretty awful T 106
or thereabouts. Since them have recovered.
First few days deadly. Vomited everything
except water & B. Water. Mrs McH.W. up
& told me I was M.T & B.T. Bit worried
in consequence. Jarrett in every day &
often- she's over the way. Melv. comes
up often from C.C. Sisters Engl & very
nice. Miss Renny comical concerning
Australians. Hickson admitted from 60.
Up & about after a week. Felt very
weak at first but am alright now
Go along to C.C. in the p.ms. Lots
of Austns. there. Letter from Hal, Father
Clifford, Daisy, & the boys of A1.
Wrote letters. Very hungry indeed,
cannot get enough to eat no how!
Gnl. Haig came to see us - called
me a poor kid! They are look at
the MT case! Col. Fawkner came
to xx when I was sick. The same
bathrooms as we used last year -
shades of last August & the dear old
days! My birthday quietness itself
no letters. Book from Clifford.
Went for a snack c̄ Melv & Roseblade
up the hill - felt terribly tired after
it. Hickson was not allowed to come
because she's on 30 grs. & I am on
20! The joke is that she doesn't
take the Q. - I do! Went for a
walk next day to the aqueduct,
& took some snaps thereof. Hickson &
I are starving continually - they say it
is the Strovs disease. Letters from the boys
& one from Else, dated May. Wrote home
about going home! Hick & Melv. & I walked
up to the Lake View place - took snap if
some sailor boys on the road - who
didn't expect it! Met 3 boys at the
top from No 2 C.C. and they wanted their
photos taken but nothing was doing One
of them - a quiet lad - gave me a
badge! Roseblade & Paddy came to
C.C. on Wednes. Listened to the band
on Thursday - until dinner time.
Cpt. Burke over from 60 - nice chap.
Mrs McH.W. brought up Major McCley
& some tomatoes & a melon. The tomatoes
we had cooked for brekker the melon
we ate after the M.O. gave us permish.
Jarrett re-admitted c̄ Dys. Male
? anaemia. McD. sent to 43. Wilson
& Geddes in Mel's tent. Craigie came
up Friday - took Melv. & me out to
42 & back. Took the wrong road
& generally messed things up. I told
them they shouldn't trust a B.T. xxse]
Saw Search, Mead & the lads - it was
great to see them again. Got home
tired - dinner was saved for me &
I had it in style on my own in the
pantry. Serb, band at 61 but was
too tired to go to it. Went to a
Concert by the B. Limits at 61 one
night - very good. N. Sister had tea
for us later. Sleep badly. Hickson
& I went to C.C. on Sat 10 a.m. in
Melv's tent though G. tried hard to
get Neville there. Hickson next door.
Jarrett went 43 Yesterday (Friday)
Cpt. Burke came over - we thought
Bassnet might come but he didn't - &
we weren't very Sorry. Lar
Sunday. Went to Presbyt Church 9.20 in
R. Tent. Padre very good - & we liked
him. Saw Mrs. Learmonth II a.m.
Went for picnic c̄ Harvey &c. in p.m.
Too many there - & they walked up to
the ice pits which was further than we
thought. Mogg & Forloye up later c̄ numerous
M.O.'s. Left at 5 o'clock - Melv. H. & I
& Capt. B. came c̄ us to the aqueduct.
Melv. went out to meet P. - but returned
unsuccessful. We saw M.O. but she
won't let Hick. go tomorrow to 42. H. & I
went out & searched for P. - went right
down to 80 but no luck. Very tired.
Melv. packed up - wrote letters.
Monday. Melv. left 10 a.m. - we tried
to get a lift in the car but couldn't
so tried to walk to Kireckoy but
got sick of it & sick of trying to get a
lixx lift so came back, calling at the
80th & 61st Canteen, bought milk but
there was nothing much else. H. moved into
Melv's corner - just in time too!! Slept
after lunch. Craigie passed in a T.L.
3.30 - going to No 6 C.C. Gave him tea &
went along c̄ him. Rode round to no 5 C.C.
& saw the Major there (who asked us to
have tea!) & got permish. to see the
amoebics - went down & waited till
they came back from tea. Saw hundreds of
boys waiting for tea, all lined up.
The amoebics came in their dozens -
crowds of 'em & we asked some about
many things. Watts, Wilson, Whiteley
"Charles" Phil, Sgt Mullins, Taffy A.,
Goffe, Sholde, Field, Jackson, Wheeler
& lots more. Took 2 photos. Were
escorted back by Sgt. Mullins & Phil
to the top of the hill. Sgt wanted us to
have tea!! The dear old thing. Went
to bed after supper but didn't sleep
till late. Cool nights. H. & Add. came up but went.
Tuesday. Grey day. Asked M.O. if we
could go into town & got permish after a
bit of wrangling. Went in 43rd car
rained a bit, did some shopping,
went 52, saw Add, Horwood, had
lunch there. Went 50th. waited for H.
caught car out c̄ 2 sisters & a padre
got some paper & a film. Got here
(on one wheel around the corners)
at 3pm & reported to Miss Martin.
Loafed in the pm. Wrote letters to Melv.
& Co. Cpt, B. lectured but felt too
tired to go. Retired & slept after midnight
Wed. Malc. goes home soon. She & P.
went out to 42 in Mrs. McH. car
took letters to Melv. W, G.H. & I
went to the French Church & took
photos of it. Sweet little place
came back past the B. School but
it was silent: thank goodness!
Felt very tired. Lit the primus
Rosemary HudsonThis transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
This lock will be automatically released after 60 minutes of inactivity.