Diary of Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom - 1917-1919 - Part 9
Claridge helped ĉ Dalby nearly collapsed -
had brandy with good effect - Oh these energetic
folk whose spirits lead their bodies too far!
Took 2 photos (at least Search)did) of
the downfallen tent & after brekke one ĉ
Melv's camera. Very tired indeed. Jock
Stewart keeps the film - paraffin & such
like commodities. He is an ideal aide
de camp - as I find all the Jocks are.
Taffy Evans waded thro' the chronicle of
events & enjoyed it safe to say! He
takes M's tea daily. the boat goes soon
shades of rules & regulations - if the N.S.
or better still TOD could see C. & E.
having tea at 4 am ĉ me - the B.T.!
We don't talk above Tommy's voice now.
Sunday May (by N.O.) .a P.W.O. Left 4
beds and 1 wash for me to do - Al -
didn't find out till 7.30 that they were
not done. Was red hot ĉ rage! Mead
helped me ĉ the beds. Wept ĉ sheer
temper - the B.T. and went to brekke
with a hectic flush which they told me
would be comfortingly - was not unbecom-
ing among so many pale faced night
Sisters! If May had been there this a.m.
I should have had hard work to keep from
knocking her head off. It’s really
appalling - the way he cleared off.
yesterday when the tent blew down! Bob
very ill at 28. Many of the unit ill -
& several D. I. Bollard on the D.I.-
Moor sat up ĉ him all night - jolly
good lad, Ward. Paraded for discharge
but got the H.S. The boys go tomorrow
wrote letters for the Malta mail. Great
rumour today about Peace. From all accounts
it seems to be practically declared. The troops very
cheerful over it. A2 re put up with no nets -
looks real winterish ĉ blanket beds & no nets.
The boys go to bed later on the strength of it. Sgt.
B. very ill - unit ward. Melv moved DD line
left observation.
Monday. Barp went this very early a.m. Taff rose
early & took his tea over for the last time. Great
disturbance because C. threw his cup of tea out
and there was no more! Much farewelling -
Davy in 3c tent collapsed. Jock S. doled
out the brandy. Parkey, Sgt. Drake, Q.M.S.,
and others. We'll miss Taff. Have a cold
took ammoniated tinct. 2. 4 hrly all night with
good effect.
Tuesday. Melv & I went out mushrooming ĉ Claridge
& wee Jock Willock - of course we aren't allowed
to go out ĉ patients (officially) and especially
are we not allowed to gather food ĉ them.
Matron saw C, give me a handful and waited
for us - the boys diverged discreetly. She
started off ĉ a lot of stuff about the DDMS
orders & all that & said we had to chuck the
lot out. I argued of course. Said that I'd
throw out those which they'd given us!
And that if we ate things which Gks. sold
surely we could eat &c, &c. provided
such were well boiled. Great Scott !!!
Finally she smiled at us and told us
tea was about to be 'up' and went,
old B.E.D.! F.O.D. every time.
Fine cool sunny breezy day. Mushrooms
for supper & very nice too - well
boiled for we know that if we get dys.
there will be no pity for us. Matron
apparently thought that we were going
to give the mushies to the mess -
she doesn't know us! I threw out 3
small ones , sort of to justify things
Wed. M & I went out again & met the
- boys (by accident) over the hill
came out by different routes.
C. comes up every night & meets the troops
and the basbek. He goes out Monday
observation closed - Melv has D. The
unit was still busy. Sgt. Browe very
sick. We don't like like the new night Sgt.
but Sister S. is a sport. Bollard very
ill -Wood sat up all night ĉ him.
Plenty of tea & whispered conversation
frequent visits helped to keep him awake.
May isn't much help. J.Stewart a joy
Thurs. Letter from Mr.Learmonth. Great
scandal about Ellis & his girl -
through the Unit heard a cause. Told C.
who was inclined to believe that the yarn
was not E.'s at all. Much buckshee.
The bottom shelf is mine & well stocked
too. C. parades tomorrow & has had a relapse
"What a disaster" as he says! The MO. is most
suspicious these days - spare me days what
will she say now! Wood boarded for H.S.
Friday MO came 7.30 and I did the
washing ĉ her & took the orders. Bry. came
into our tent 3.30 and woke me up ĉ
some message about the T.L. but we
couldn't rise at that hour & go. Nights
too strenuous. Aggie sent over in pm.
and I go over tomorrow Sunday ĉ Search.
Sat. Washed in a.m. Freeman developed
our films for us - not much good. Printed
a bit. Jarrett & I have the mushroom eye
in it nurses nothing. Mushrooms have
a fascination - though we are believing
to be a trifle scared of the quantities
we eat.
Sunday. Went out mushrooming ĉ wee Jock.
- Very happy - an excellent camouflage.
Got a good many & got my shoes very wet.
The others went to church but I felt not
like it. Peter called me at 2.30 & the Lizzie
called at 3 for Search & me. Hemmed Aggie's
sheets & napped a lot. Major behaved at
intervals. Aggie a cheerful soul, Came
back ĉ Aggie 6.15 pm. Cpt Burke here -
walked from 28th . Talked ĉ him until mess.
He's been up the line - left the 60th for not
complying ĉ regulations re shorts & shirt!
Very tired. Bollard better.
Monday. Sgt. Howard & Taffy Evans (A3) went
at mushrooming this a.m. & I went
out & met them over the hill. Much route
marching but few mushies. Home the back
way thus 1 the wire. Disturbing influences in
2 nowadays - J.W. tells me of various
episodes. Very tired & the malarial
melancholies real bad tonight!
Tuesday. Jock Stewart & the other lads boarded
for H.S. - spare me days, what shall
I do without them! Jock looks after me
most thoroughly in the way of lemons
parrafin, methyl. spts, & sheets & lots
more, & he's the most capable &delightful
aide de camp I've met. Arguments are
not permitted - they don't pay I find.
Scotland v. Australia - & of course I can't
but feel the rise of the Scottish blood in
my veins! Had escort to the cookhouse
2 A.M. & was observed by the night super -
horrors! Explanations accepted but escort
got the wind up & went to bed.
Wed. Parcels from home (2) & letters of 26/8/18
Mate & Else. Lowrie does talk. Jarrett not
well, Much rumours about the 82nd &
us & all sorts of things like that.
Thurs. The lads went this a.m. Knox, Wood
Grierson. The M.E. came both ∧ times up to the
gate & is indispensable, Dull night - wind &
a suggestion of rain. Note from Aggie -
answered [[?]] [[?]]. Letters from Bert & Peter
Friday Dick. Whit. Forlange & others came from
60th this a.m. poor beggars! Went to meet
them - D & W on N.D. & sharing our tent.
We are glad to have them. They are just the same
Much conversation. Very wet night.
Friday. Rained - blew - fruz! Went thankfully
to bed this a.m. M.E. at top. - & very
nice too - Shades of regulations! Nearly
broke my poor neck over the dugout trench.
J.S.S got up xxx rose ĉ alacrity
when I suggested the need for an M.E.
D. & I went walking.
Sat. Note from Aggie. D. & I went mush-
rooming -& got 2 mushies! I suggested
that we either (a) waited till they came
up or (b) told the family that we'd eaten
them all now - lest we thought either
course not practicable after consideration
M.E. & to O. for Brands [[Erss?]] &
M-EupSed. - & discovered a tin hat which
was removed forthwith. J.S.S says that
there isn't much fun in being an M.E.
when the escorted one gets the wind up.
Cpl. Leigh very sick in A3.
Sunday. Our tent looked like nothing on
earth - luggage & beds & people every
where. Peter shifted to M.O.'s lines
the work of T.O.D. of course. We do
miss him. More sisters returning - the
staff is increasing again. Pres. Wilson
busy ĉ the pen & paper act - blow!
Claridge distinctly hys. at times Cold nights
went to sleep ĉ my head on la table - the
make & break system and woke fruz -
went down to the C.H. & talked to the D.E.
& got supplies & well warmed. 7 tins
tonight - what wealth! Melv. & I went over
to N.Z.'s A.A.P. - as usual. Much laughter.
Came home attired in the coats of
Aggie & the other lieut called at
B but didn't pick others up. Parcel
from Moorhouse - biscuits - snice.
Monday. Cold. Blowy. Cloudy. Slept
badly - pourquoi? - Je ne sais pas..
Tuesday. Cold. Wet. Great jokes ĉ. Dick
& Co. Much reminiscing concerning
old days in 26. Letter from Hal,
Amy, Josh. Late for brekkie missed
porridge twice. T.O.D. a trifle warlike
D.A.D (dark and dreadful) a new code word.
Wednes. Peace rumours plentiful Turkey
nothing up - or so they say - she's
been doing it for so long now that we are
sceptical. We sit up at the top table &
take turns to be under the microscopic
eye. Leave has stopped - what again!
very windy - it's a long way to Tipperary.
Thurs Jarrett told me that there was a
rumour that hostilities on all fronts
had been stopped - of course I was most
dubious and got properly squashed for it, too.
found at mess that 'twas only Turkey -
'twas ever thus! Much argument ĉ the
M.E. and a speech which was deeply
appreciated & which did wonders in the
rumbling line. Choc. & letter from Aggie.
Friday Sunny delightful day. D.D. to
the power six! We come off N.D. at the
end of 2 mos. Worse luck. Lecture
at night by T.O.D.concerning dress & how
not to wear it - also being in time for
mess. She's an old dogess & no mistake
Shepherd & sheep & bells all round. Cpl.
Leigh still D.I. Some doubt as to the
advisability of obtaining buckshee
by the method I do. Bless me &
confound their slings & arrows &c. May
reported to be a staunch friend. I
wonder! J.S.S. a very present help &c.
Sat. 2nd Wrote Aggie - 3 days late.
Cold. May & J.S.S. arrange that
I stay in the B.T. as long as possible
- paraffin heater, blankets & hot bottle.
What luxury but Jove! won't I miss it
all. More peace rumours. Roll on 1920!
Sunday. Dick and I went out mushrooming after 4.30
- cool, fresh, dewy. Cpl. Leigh died this a.m.
Missed him greatly tonight. J.S.S the M.E. and the
guard made friends ĉ him. Very much knocked
out.
Monday. Same again. Cool. J.W. some scribe &
some trial into the bargain. Wish the
world were otherwise. Rumours about peace,
Austria & Turkey given in. We are all on
till the end of the term. We go to Kalamaria
in 3 wks. ("perhaps" say the sceptics)
Tuesday. Went over to 73rd A.A.P. 3 p.m.
Melville served - which was not quite fair!
Printed photos. Mrs. McH told Miss P. that
there was a Capt'n. in the bay who knew me
- at least knew Dad. She forgot both boat
& man's name!! The boat was said to go in
the a.m. J.S.S. talked at length - B.T. -
he regards the N.S. ĉ a quiet eye. A
L/Cpl. put in charge of the C.H. & . . it is
hopelessly out of bounds. Many farewells.
Photo taken 11.30 a.m. for Cal or Someone.
slept badly Dr. Halloway went to S. of C. Cpt. McInnes came.
Wednesday. Peace rumours at 8.30 p.m. ^cane J.S.S
sick ĉ flu. The boat didn't go at the
last minute. Cheerful conversation &
much jollification. Troops up till all hours &
singing & the gramophone. Supposed to be quite
official - Oh dear ! Dick sick ĉ a cold &
off duty. T.O.D. affable at 10 p.m.
Thurs Cool - Dull. Slept well. We are
on wine now - so much more. Had
an issue this a.m. Hight super gave it
out. Rumours late that the peace was
not true. Great Scott ! Spent an eventful
^ most trying night. Letter from Sgt. Percival.
Friday. The boat went this a.m. & as this is an
impersonal chronicle of events I can say no more
about it. Received inspirations which will
never be forgotten please God. M & I
went for a walk 6 p.m. I don't appreciate
M. The nights are far too long. Dreadfully
depleted wards & each one full of memories.
Sat. Cool Sunny. Dick on days again & moved
out of our tent. Rumours about peace - & an
official message concerning 72 hrs.^ the armistice
these official messages - A man down in
B lines told me - is nearly as good as a
message from G.H.Q. !
Sunday. Cold.
Monday. Official wireless this - peace declared.
Wards very quiet indeed - I suppose they are
used to peace being declared by now. Cold,
Ward 4 moved into 3 and 1 - they cannot alter
3 despite all attempts. Sgt. Howard & Geordie
the ruling lights these days. Taylor is an able
second lieutenant but he's not the Colonel &
could never be. Slept badly.
Tuesday. Rum ration tonight for the boys - Ixx -
I asked if any got drunk xxxx " the sort of look
they gave" - insult to injury. Rumours about what
will happen to us. We move to Kalamaria shortly
We enjoy Whitfield.
Wed. Very cold. Rain. Wind. Flannel pyjamas
& hot water bags - truly it is winter again.
Cheese ration & kerosene heaters all round.
S. Hart homesick. Some alterations of course
Thurs. Cold. T.O.D. put Hetty Andrews on the
N.D. because she gave Dr. Blair a cup
of tea this a.m. ! in the bell tent. Lowrie off.
Bob in B14. Went down to see him.
Friday. V. Cold. Started to pack for K. Every
sort of rumour about leave, and us, as
our eventual end & so on. Mrs McH.W. & Co
went to Athens Monday. Sykes and Davey meet us 7:30.
Sat. Condon in our tent - puss in the corner -
funny old thing & a bit mad. Letters
from Hal & Cooperson. A2 has woken up
but A1 is very hopeless. S.S. not a success
as a ward sister. Packed & retired late & slept
very badly.
Sunday. Less cold but still getting up is bad
enough & going on duty worse. We are on
bullybeef & super's very scarce. Made groats
8.30 p.m. - & enjoyed it well. T.O.D. & some of the
girls went to a concert last night - had
chaperone - & got home 2.30 a.m. - much wind
up. We all do our best to avoid the
"microscopic" seat. Peace services today - we
couldn't go as the hours don't fit in. Full
moon, but no moonlight - cloudy & a snow
sky.
Monday. Cold.
Tuesday. Fierce wind - one of the V.A.D.'s tents
was burnt down - we smelt it during
mess & came out post haste, ĉ our hearts in
our mouths to find it nearly gone. It is
next to he ours - much wind up. Sparks
flying everywhere ! she lost nearly all her
luggage and valuables. Letters very scarce.
Wednesday. 20th. Every day they tell us that
we are going in a day or two - latest
rumour says Sat. Wind & rain - stopped
suddenly & was beautifully cold & clear &
calm.
Thursday. Spent the day vomiting ! Did not go on
duty - it was good to sleep ! Very cold
night - snow on the surrounding hills &
on the village. Matron has neuritis.
Leave has started to England.
Friday. Spent the morning reading - Raven V.C.
- & went sleepily on duty. Tales of Condon
from the irrepressible troops. They give us
cake for afternoon tea (baked) & the same
mixture (we think) boiled for dinner as
pudding & this morning we had it fried
ĉ the bacon. Words failed us !
Sat. S Condon off duty - ĉ a cold.
Sunday. Washed & packed - sundry & all. It
is so difficult to do all one's washing
on night duty or the very scarce fine
days.. Melville N.B. May went off
11 p.m. T 102.6& very groggy. I walked down
arm in arm ĉ him to the C.H. & handed him
over to Ellis - poor pathetic old man.
No orderly all night - windy (the
weather & me too) - Man from reception tent
came along 5 a.m. &b helped clear up.
Search &c went to Kal. (Sunday)
Murray the day staff.
Monday. The boys went today - I left them
at 7.30 ĉ their bedding outside neatly
packed. Washed a bit & ironed a bit &
packed a bit. No N.B. + + + + . Were told
4 p.m. that we go tomorrow morning. So
rose reluctantly & went on working. I shall
be glad to get a bit of rest ! Mess
staff, orderlies, Sisters, fatigue parties
&c rushing round all day. I dreamt that
there was a stunt on. S. Hart cooked
the dinner & very nice too. Shean off
duty ĉ malaria - Bishop took her
place. Came down to find Murray sitting
in a floorless damp equipment filled
Bell tent - dreamy & dismal ! A2 A3 & A4, all
empty, & to my wild fancy, ghost filled! Heavy
rain. Letters from Matthews Dobson WIllock.
A1 only opened - about 20 patients &
Taffy Andrews as orderly. Ironed muchly.
Lovely wet night.
Tuesday Packed all our bedding & kit this
a.m. & sat on our luggage & wrote letters
till lunchtime. Condon very sick - is to
go to 43. Came down per ambulance 1.30
wet - & much luggage everywhere. I was
not a bit sorry to leave Uchantar - it
was a rotten hole. Gallager & Samson
arranged that the car should take them up to
get their laundry - we wandered about
& got lost & the Cpl. of the convoy was
getting the wind up - got run into a
French hpl. & hastily shoved out again.
Finally got the laundry & arrived at Kal
3.30 - fearful lot of mud everywhere
-we found a tent at the very end
the only one not inhabited. Afternoon
tea & much talk - the Egyptian ladies
think that this is a dreadful place &
no longer say "put it to music!"
Went down to see Search & the Amoebics
& some mud there too. Our lug beds
came very late - made them up &
tumbled in very wearily. We dont go on
till 1 p.m. tomorrow. Melv had a cable
£25 cabled to her! A Gk. tried to get in
our tent - we heard a noise along the
tent wall and I hit the wall with a
stick & we heard a man get up & walk
away. Of course we reported it to the
matron who sent a note to the Col.
about it.
Wed. Woke late - Melv. not feeling very
well - I went up & scrounged a brekkie.
much mud - no floor on our tent, very
damp & grassy. Whit. & Lowrie came down
on duty 1.30 pm. Same old thing. I went
into E3 where all A1's bed patients
were - badly equipped & badly put up
tent - & much muddle .Rain & mud.
Thurs. Rain. Same old place, same old
view, same old bugle call from 660 or
the 9th M.H.C. The city & harbor are
all lighted at night, very different from
last year when we were here. The
Gks came again last night. Took trunks
kitbags & all from Johnson, Andrews,
& Riley's tent. it was not discovered till the
a.m. Whit. & the others down from U.
and in our tent - we moved into one next
door which was floored but not dry.
Whit. on nights - Lowrie as ever.
Dec. 29th. Its a job to write up a
months diary in one swoop but here goes
Melv. & Swan, Search & I in E block.
At first the muddle was pretty awful
gradually things got a bit straight. I
have Blackwell & other unruly & turbulent
spirits - also Taffy Roberts. Had a fearful
orderly at first who was shared with E1.
Lyons came back to us on the third
day - and didn't we rejoice to see his
familiar face again .Equipment short -
everything at sixes & sevens & worse.
Rain & mud & cold for days A great row
about Uchantar - the Col. reported it to the
D.D.M.S.& he to Mrs McH. & she to P. & P. to
us. Great lectures,[[strafes]], nurses -
much signing of statements - meetings & so
on. Everyone very worried & fed up. Five
girls & 2 M.Os. & Padre Philpin up at U. ĉ
the D.I. cases. Letter from Jock S. & W. -
also from others. Uncle A. at home. S.
Higginson night super and same contract !
Very cold. Chilblains & trench feet. Major
M. our M.O., then McInnes, then Major
M. once more. M. & I had a day off & went
into Sal. got her money at Bank of Athens
spent much about the town. M. gave me
a leather jerkin which is most warming &
comfy. Craigie sent a note along - which
we didn't answer at once - after a
fortnight he sent another this time to me,
saying that he thou we were annoyed
ĉ him but to explain all when we
saw him ! My camera pinched ! We went
up one night (18th) to dinner at 6.20 -
(dinner altered to 6.30 - Rowand in the
mess - K. Hart to S2 - more fuss) &
returned at 7.15 to find all our beds
turned & tossed about & the suitcases open
& all Lowries suitcases gone, also his
costume. M. dashed up & reported it -
I stayed down, & he heard was called
but of course too late. Great state
of excitement. Whit's camera went too.
Mead & Jarrett went to S2. We got the
wind up ( Nurse P., Gallager, Prescott &
Elliiot went to E ! for leave before this
Giddings is Matron & Maloney assists)
went over & saw Nurse Neft who said we
could stay here till after leave & that
we'd probably get leave about the end of
Jan, Went down ĉ J. & M. two days
later & had our photos taken at the
A.P. M.'s office for passports - went in
at 10 a.m. & had a lively hunt for
the place. Funny old Gk. photographer who
took each separately and we saw the
results - fearful snaps ! Got back about
noon. The night after the Gks came I stayed
down to fried dinner & saw white forms
moving around - I was washing and hanging
out clothes & saw this white creature & said
- now who the devil's that ? - & it was
Townsend, keeping guard ! They thought they
had caught a Gk. up near the top. Great
shouts & yells & lanterns flitting all
round & corporal G. calling out "Waiters".
We laughed, Lowrie & I. Our leave thro'
& Miss G has our tickets, & we just
wait. "May go any day" they told us
on the 18th & here we still are on
the 29th ! The wards a bit better but still
very different from good old A lines of long
ago. We have a half day every 5th day
which is decent. Craig came up - I
gave him [[Tommy?]] & much cheek. Met him
in town one day - & we had tea at
Flora's, since wed never been there &
felt that we ought to visit there before
we left Salonique. M asked C. to get
her a night at ordnance & I got the
hopeless, & helpless giggles at C's bewilder
-ed face! Smoky cosmopolitan hole, is
Floras. Chased round for souvenirs.
Craigie took us home in his car - some
prank! a Lt. Bill also came. Bonza
cosy rug and bonza drive. Tommy
refused - no good - sent back to C. -
no good - sent back once more ĉ a
note! by Lyons & returned this time -
splendid working order. Much packing
sewing washing. Misty damp & wet
days. Wrote many letters. Norrie came
over & saw us - I met him near S2 &
walked down to the road ĉ him. Dear
old Norrie - they are off to Constantinople.
Letter from Cpl. Heddle - Melv. & L. & I
went into town - we met two officers in
Rue Ignatic & I asked them where the
English quay was, & they said at once
"You're Sister Strom!" which was rather
embarrassing! Went down & saw Cpl. H.
had afternoon tea ĉ him & enjoyed it
greatly. Met Mr Graham once more.
Home at dusk. Spent much money for
the troops. Got paid 2 days before
Christmas - had to go to S2 because
the pay Sgt. is sick & paid us in
blues. Drew ₤32 - all I've got in
the wide world Letters from home, end
of October, from dad also. Books from
Darling. Gave the boys dinner & tea in
the D. Hall and E lines - we decorated
it up a bit & waited on them. Very
happy day on the whole though M. had
bad news. Whist drive & concert at night
-same concert too - we were all in
all day - Divided the rum ration
till N. came on. Jock G. & Shepherd went
out in khaki & got drunk - great scenes
& some argument next day. Football match
Irish & Scot. versus Eng. & Wales - the
latter won (1-0) Our Christmas dinner
at night - M. & I were off 8 p.m. - seven
of us at dinner all together. Wells in the
mess - Rowan & Sheehan gone to Athens.
Mead in hospl. ĉ flu. Jarrett & S. Wilson
came over. [[?]] also in hpl. 28th.
The Board of enquiry about the thefts
met at 10 a.m. on the 27th at the O.C.'s
office - we had to appear. I went first
tho major (Craigie's O.C.) was very decent.
Made a statement & signed it. Major M.
there & McInnes & the Col. - outside
that is. The MO's dinner for us on the
28th - M. & I went in ĉ Dr. Lepper. Excellent
dinner - had champagne for the first time.
Talked in the marquee & played games in
the mess hut - Jack's alive & the Queen
of Sheba caused much merriment.
Good supper - & to bed at 11 p.m. Blythe
played. Bob went away on the H.
scheme early in Dec. - Saw his family
often before he departed - dear old Bob.
Lawson Williamson &c. went 29th. by boat
so they say & to England for transfer.
Searchie moved to huts, to our disgust.
Major M. said he'd do his best to be
a mother to us. Electric light &
duckboards down - also for [[?]]
paths, so things should be better this
year.
Jan. 24th. Such a lot to write up ! Our return
party 31st Dec. Craigie came - Melv. as
Quaker Girl - I went as Hindu (same
smock too in pale pink So rigout
can't [[spell?]] the India for it) Good
evening - everyone very cheerful. C.
danced ĉ M. Marquee outside much
supper - I had about 4 I think. M.
I believe had 6 ! (or so she said) The
usual car at midnight - guns in the
harbour & all that. Some of the boys
came up from the ward - Jock G. & P
Sim's clan, also Gilmans - they didn't
get the reception they expected - could
hardly have it seeing that it was a
sisters mess & no [[wines?]] about -
[[ illegible notes in page margin ]]
Equipment day in. Great doing E E & in
subsequent discussions next a.m. in
the ward. Jock Gordon and King,
Shepherd & Keith & Blackwell the [[bottles?]]
source of much trouble. Rows & argue-
ments galore. Sr Bishop came down - G.
spoke about her as he shouldn't have, &
I spoke to him. Whereupon he arose &
did tell me off 'properly - of course I
retired; one can hardly argue in the
ward. Jock Gilmore, a very present
help in time of trouble - also Barnes
Taff Roberts a great help for weeks
went back to bed and after recovery
somehow never got back into things -
the Welsh are strange critters indeed.
Lowe, Barnes & Jock were fine, &
made all the difference in the ward.
Cpt. Willock came - we like him as
an M.O. - when J Search went I took
over the spec. business and went
round ĉ a book & wise looks ! Cold
frosty days - not much rain.
Bishop not bad - bit of a whiner &
no favourit ĉ the heads, hence we come
in for much strafing on account of the
wards being hers. Swan to S2, also
several others. Rumours & rumours. Went
into 660 one night to concert -
quite good. Had a day off - Melv.
had one & I had the next and we
went into town in the afternoon -
got good transport in and out. Afternoon
tea Red Cross -Misss Straker there.
Brought all the [[?]] out [[?]]
- A.S.C. chap who'd been a patient
here once. Much happier ward
latterly. Jock Gilmore escorted me over to
910 once ĉ a note for Craigie -
donned khaki for the occasion and
I enjoyed the jaunt - we had to dodge
the Major & wait for him to do his
round. The troops look out daily for
boats - for all the world like chaps
on a desert island. Letter from Hal -
in hpl. in France but expects to be sent
to England shortly. The lads got word (after
several false alarms) on Sat 18th. that
they were to go next day. Developed photos
in E4 ĉ Jock Gilmore's help. They've
had their hits over a month. Went
down early Sunday a.m. & said goodbye.
Dear old chaps - 47 went all together
including Sgt. Howard, Taylor, Davidson
Pears & all those boys. Lowe & Barnes left
notes behind
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