Diary of Staff Nurse Christine Erica Strom - 1917-1919 - Part 10

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • ANZAC
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG0000968
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 11

AV. I the M & 8 20 co 4 and so 2 the the 2 4 Packe 3p mices feeli stappes to be late. walked puich Imuch tipp Fridg arki Idid he fang foomothe ac. Garder ca the b steward arte Srt lutgap and rushing round und up on allsider tormors. pock about 10 a R.I.O.s, MYMs all sort o person caping win some went early - luch a oyup we lett 2.30 i Charchae, on lugan or lome - basks som through. nony dime to station- Greet deal &treffit streets lonk wide spie afte Balonike - Greetshop tram, many people - Sawon first Gema pisovers - nating – the street Mation Up & a peatfuss abotou luggage - manof officialy, friss shat to do, Heall round hour knows LrR.to came (hn Sgt. & lpl. that is spxehg up for us. Had afternas ke dt acape - ffr. dny brced (vit. himess aboubread tickets - a Fr. ofice gave in haveof he) the tee not very nice - hes cal make till Garde & straked C.P.o.-me aske a yak. Mt. (there are crowd Youks tie) the sang the money ap. man. or the deepot - it was like acoor son wee hear later that is the souther he saak Marry Lowrie Nopi V) M + I west tabeP.&. 1som 50 the sanal chap asso td IORH nocab) perta will to duitedio costys - the Chap refust, En money but wa nice withal tharf Dr The cabbie said that he & he horse wa her food whe we askes h to dine us cound - to bent task us bacht the Btation when me charge morny wrighh one a two add send & Bally sat down on a col un seat because the Balle d'attyti has so dirty & cortain soman &r. H office came along ak ener, andhtwe ma said we had to meet the Rt.O. HG.30. thesaw he in the RFO. Which purprised as some. We gave us & breaolickits stack us, down to the railway cape, I her dintr 6fr stiftus then- sapad one - afternar ath this trasu all down to te th res hame [Americe) we weret therg antious &fat man & the backt the station, very meany, Oirtr & footsn 930 - the luggep Sould the tra abrand tro. He left 11.30 - a soo as it moves of te fhawd we avely Fr. Tommie talose laide be toondos & tiao wghto he carriap - we said reservel kept the witt- we conidor vey behais - drark wing & sept i owne mere ner only 80 had halfa sent I kept it the selfsh little bezzer. The cite p - a law full ant ratho slept, the will G. &I cetykep
13 W 1 1 one en or the Fr. onewho met to steep on doorway - after abot conversit C Talongue &di tomelvel- true falose Tutho one the Fr pt at gve head believe Hine. voice te hailed the and were ertertained Then were neally by their converzation. one said Fo me loret drath wike & they all saw Main. whe the didnt hear that me sawd Joe paton the beld all at the dow gient to step atitewas the oe child ray dom the Comdo Blept intil the crarp maket and chl stood ogwaye. The aded us well. ate wthas thenail -the carriage. G&I slept not a wak caupal S& he stappes at yous 45m. after ha a grastly experiene taok the billy and wert to se, loffet on the ohe side + got copble for the bis cheubllady one all has colle & idear wilh, for the kil &bread & parte, Istriff X Opl &e smallchab vey hid from the officials betwee dicks & had general wordy triasles with the eads - all to no purpose appt. Shap helps some pnowed cald. The luich oman oblook he + srert for a citeite and got struct out. BeforePaus cybicbu we took 2 smallkiddies into the carriape by special request - one icke he wil the othe oe say avombe (on wel. od help is pak avinterial &ne stpe-hilpe ase the lugeen &putus off ab Paw - shaaks othe hand, Baid the were wait we also real weh ber were realfled to meet thei ca reception! D porters - M &G & Theeps a naval office pust aloy atially & ay kit or it- we abigh are vertgff all we who fellow all except .N. olf van were dier the Lugzap Paris asearch for the hatel the apliciantal us fially there it wa & the somme iade &we Keptalock out & tere map we passe the nstil yell she was suppe onrelfette tthe (5p) wre were just about to retire whe Antir Edie cane & Tmertgps he to be flat. Fravlles by mero climbe ipter dark stai & has copble & wuch talk itobed A.F delightful slept will has iickke bes. Thice or peuple a mett came - mer hote nent roud town had buch vere rightseeng I tvor &he bothe hose, It the statues (some petire & same abpects - actimnt strep. Dr Me E Huntie E. at cefe c Daron haw several churches - &c stray The Children of May pocession dops are ope – much snow over skid cold. Left hotel? statio 30 Anbnlarll
N 5 -good carrage left 10p well manage lygape bussness sentare colo sheepes & te Rit He slipt fairly well- at interual sound the Itr. wa letavse ot out after much in ry brekke, warter Speak Hatib, ny fairly well (4.80 myl. siste came twon uickets took us all to verynice too the R.YW.CH. where he a cheerfe reception also fod week deliffte Amerccan, M & Dwent ittobought Iblouse A 22.50 Very factsoe. as tires off. wroth letter arep, supp Driggey 6 & p. dinne r I cald onbide Wa. about 8.30 - Matio tak Cant ustown tuardgred round &rand We dock. Wet muddy bect verysove - alsorose. I a goe at both end. Boat packed-8 -2 abeith. Sane a cab Much Argunent rouble adresser the n iter atout it & about. sleph at intervals. Verysnooth sea! wes. Caller 6.30 - gressed elden opeat difficulty. Breakfodt, very haid to get at all pout anftor 8c. At E. Capt. &cal belper &aveo addresse us a kits very will clap Wide H. & Keilt at waterloob well us - Aven widet. at once fordnewme likewise. Tuch posatio wey out to partfor totherclu idefave me letter oal to Daitford Cp. The metianter viewed us tasked if we were bror mepares for dut -wid sle hid ery calo. Dlept well beft for tom afbe botkke at wess healt lady setngttM. & acke through her bet if by ait Das Miss onye odo I At H.RS. - afeward Nelv & Bnover had burch atyous haid and Iwertont to tnely wasitiil - marker wile fond N. &K. both i sate alkes I drawng room &fat nealy Mrs. store my -fally where aske usnto the Kitchen wel enele narne. Forbe and was tieate Hwill talk several lip Itee. U. SH. & Twertover to Bundett Ro. 5p- - snowe hand we walker & bused & cartem gitease - some pbtas. My very wicei deed te oee one came down fror Fibbry see the nbelleeonal one - nice Drt Cheerfultie. Slept will The Keilt & dreetuptoforda explares alib. Verybo had buch return al wire to seen hameSk
th N C n 53 2 up at dffeck he was stayr 3-4 dap & warted my t 10 were back that scorlont p Mn. Letter from Hel - Lady I wire that Id joup Woddy cold &f. more explorin 47 my wose very sore in dew. Par. Miss L. wsk bs to Drr tave partoobli at staps nt mad, Folard cawe. Surday. very cold. Fogty Mae move came afternoon - olso Ioland, uncle & hiim Mordas Weit to Suffalk 100 1t Me wet atSlaty and a no willnott i Hatt very will also. ady te o healhed done to be ar8 Hpl. t the proten. Tea a tibuitio, every meal Es Goar ris - great oy over to hoterch Te. weat -car in coll diny &I wuffles of Hat hove. viited all be city The kensetof tetun C treat me as a inwelid - ha with strut & all that 4 peatf hew. habed ip Letter foro -Copperson. huit latte to come de were woptio but be calvil wanage it 6. Strn - hanne have caupt a comeci ation writer ta Thin wet Hal. C.C. spentall day dashing cound Lordo got home very late 1630) OHel bsland came vaw Miss Cone Drr. Hferry. Ro. Cac. Hal cane wacke round to out 11.30. riccadilly Ct. hud Delfrifle Saubarad, war fclure. Bagure. went later to me, qut of the haviy a Mis. - sloved it, yothave labe. Sab. Miss Kilty L. tash weto Rs Cwss Hldcate underfoud) - got be 10a train for Me North. Blegh pouise sam & dull weather. Pielty pails Duban fictures gue ideed Nok lar. Bouht saidwide. Got N Castle 46- where consi Youk wetwe stver weat once, because + o likesess to mokie. Task me to me des to Hades slesh Storences woon. Afte tha we went to lors Toms - ben ther to Aust Bawli to Mr John Pattie, vey tght wilea were whad suppe + ml converation they are a night lett epenally) John & Editht, Hoveg reft Clies tha sbecause ohe ple hils cane Sleft c Rev. John have o me. Retured late & sept well
N 1 went Cuetlys farries w Sin B.0 suppe. Saw C.Ton tea & Harrie mothe & siters Durl speyday Htorerces m the very fine at leftty Mond herecastly moddey tra Morhan afternoon Isabel taok me a mack to Diokand & te church. hs wel place. Slept - the ancestral hoe Tues. Lefta gotto rd after lunch - cabber to Chelb. Went putar p.n. had the thert then ottey Duha ful tto mis Norrie but she was out weit fortabells & to wer mehByd. & seach also te Norrie mext Dundee 56. wetme - will hom Counil & quari utclrave. MoJ. caotchety. folhonld thue Weat Dundel p.L. & to Theatre (Ded. Burters active. dtnyhte Connit - picturie afterwad ferry tate name seak fast - her here for Glador to0 cal In. reft. wet - went thro Phrlig oPeith Me. Willoch witme & took we he to dinne saw also the tro firls. Wet mColgho W.So kwha tea - wert you he city abit + she outto Bishophigs Verynice people not there also. pat went a MoC to Cath. &lnw aisskabs shap - btea & Miss C. -thep.m. got wa 10xp. coe not sleep wid that had the carriage & MrC.o pillow. & myt to myself. arrives Marce to 6 a pat notel recongran until bikke went at to Tastal Ro. Hpe.
HLIAN Now Boarood In case of loss, or disacte, please return to Mrs. H. Strom Netherlands Rydalmere N.S. Wale Hustralia IRIE A Praye ime me a pod digeation. Low rond also something to difest; But when a how that something come Dreave to Thee. Whe knowest best. Tive mea healthy bady, Lord Give me he sense to have it so Also a heart that wast boses Whatever work I have to so. Gine me a heaethy mind, Good Low That frid de good that dodges sight And seeing sin, is not appalled But seeks a way to put it right Give me, a poinp Good Lord let we know what is &neh pont let me worry overmuch about the hing that known as Give me a sense of humor Lord Give me the power to see a pke To pet come happiness fror life And parsit or to tther falk T.H.B. W. Westnste Coy kno B Withdale Ri. thum slead ret Londo 0096
Day drean Phacidonie + apalopis R.K.. Behind a cutar minaret that lasks across a placn Shale tempeatine 102 & not a sip o rain Filly Shre upon myback & think whell can be much and stiue to satisfy my thirst a clomated neer Toon some deep & darksome well when the pap + snakess dwell New many dags are drowned therein to impossiole to tell By Dinitos day by day Where me sweat Tourselves amay And the Dawn's id funace opens over Lake Tahinos may. weve every kind o insect here collected up to gether Those that don't bibe o one end can sting us t the othe, Weil ants o eveny sine that get between our shirts & kin and do impresonations of an lixt minded pin with vees tneasps to fitht By daytime &gt night & gentle Malarial mosquitse a ma sandy bibe By Di ttwo day by day Where we smeet ourselves away Ano the dawns ned frunall opens our Lake Tahios way. Hnd every chunb stee i his enchanted spet hike pays the Parsons preach, about a hidden thom has sot where makles grow to in feet wigt & twough, You would estew ten Alway, the way toward, the place young going, todie through then The grass is shays keer Hno the flomees that bloom between Anonly there to let usknow how thigy a, the geen of pis chros day by day Where me oweat oneselves amay Hno the Dawn ned punace opens ove Lake Tahuos may th We are sovery happy here, weconed not long prenfuls baching costumes Sport beside the silm De hee nave desan of ices or of Sparkling lemonade Or haading house with atable sumptuously hee hae no thoughts for these. laid Pickg Splinters from our knee. And leaming natmal his poy from the vanou ants. thee By Drn tos day by day where we ster omelves ama Bno the Dawns lld frn acl opens one Lake Tahnos way Goeen Spot.
155 Gasd huch upon the Chu Maaday Tefrends & hi died for awayn though was & sorrow to nott cease Only thas and o tshd of peace hee send too wheface the writ ie our prayers, our hope, odeeped hatiend 30t Bat. Conforts frined. Adam M Cay. Theres a whape the field, where a stepherders has sgueale, 4 Tn be sheep has are offed the un He Rou, come alt, for the sheep have gulit e B. coreof t can er And were lost he, every one for ca bea the blewt of the u gest Ao she seeks her roving dan, for can see he trib - how frail, haw fraul? that hang from the foremost ran the doned the tiais that are was desons cast out the fea that is blind To Meyll each come hime I a while teit its own tail a saletail Theyll an come home c able tate o the tel that i worr behind The Dear These hearts were mover of humen jip are Washe mavillously o som, purft to writh, The year had five he kidness. Baviwas theres And sunset, & the calours of the carth. Theschad seen movement theard merie, know Slumber & making: loned: youe frondly frent tell the Cuich sterg wonde? sat alone Toucher flowers & frs & cheeks. Hee she t ender. There are watter blowr by chaging mids to loughli And lit by the with shie, all day Hno after trost o a gestine stays the waies that dane Hnd mandeing loveliness. We leave a white Anbrake gloy, a fathers radiance awidth a sh ig peace, inte the nfit The Golldos If Ishone die, think only the of we That there's some coone of a forcip field That is for ene England – There shall be In that rich earth a riche dust concealed had A dust whon England bore shoped, an
AU5I Gave once he flowers to lave, he weysto roan A body of Englands breatting English an washed by the tinen blestby sum o home Hnowil the heart, are evil shet smay H pulse the eternal mind, ho less Gines somewhere back the thought by England fin Her sights & Founds, dreamy happy a he sa Hnd caughte, leant o friends & fentlene I hart at peace, unde a ene he Gnt of the men erougly If to feel he ink of then slough Hno the sinh of the sne bein o glory & fie Ren throrgh Transpren toanpire His a senet purposef glory eveny part o te answer goftory of battle fretny had o andednew to shull oego foo for lve Hart opon ap Mn be manted to the earth ranse aword Bno contend for the shade a min not ver of the eons atngs with thw half g a tuke hope for a frten oat somehow tho right is the right Aw the smoort shall bloon fr the Ceryt Low - it that were evorgh? R.L.S. Tsty, Dusky, brvid tiue gold &bramble dew Witheye Steet true &blade st aght The preat artifice Made my nate Honorer, angas, valow fire H love that life coued neve trie Deatt guerel a evil sho The mighty Maste save to be. Teache tende comvade wife A fellow fare He true this lfe eart while & soue free The wst agust facks Gave to me PhS
105 liker he write time is come Whe the dards are vark slow, Whe the hills are blerk &hare When there lan, deep drift & Snow; When the wiin blasts doo tho fler. when the cass mas – the byre. hheladdi e lassia H casel roon the fire Whe the cila tak tho loch. Whe the litie dism sig When there's nae birds but the Lroiged Hnd the fienest on the wing When the burnies lost its tinkli. When its justicon Tal the see, When the birch &fir are curkin. Whe theres wcking on the lea When a thing laah sae cauld rurld Slave it a the sail Hye. Slave it a nylife because it hame. a farry You have a little sony or tuis You have a little chat You have sane sake - a little wine Hnd the you take your het You take he had and say Goodbye to nicely as you can. What a rabber, iddy evening for a big stiag man. The B. News We who are left, howshall we lnts afain Happily on the sin a feel the rain Witot remembering how they who went Arguedfingly &spent Them weres for us loved, two, The sun oran. Hbnd anay, te tain met biloe sing. but me, howshall weti to little tings Hnd lisker to be buss mrid &streams Madlhely by then dreams h feel the Martbreak Reheat ofhip. he whe the Sprinng of the morld shall shime on st. fter the m of nea When the poor warts aweketo place once more Afto oucl right granage & of rann you shall not came afai eo we shall be shen alar Lord thee But not with you. When shig shall make the Hho gricke te scarr fifle toane new with earth our from for what ca sig renew Fiecety ter is the the need
15 ft. Game & the bottle of oodine Lips - SSt. H. - to save one pufresed - & help the uupto lose his The unfortu 2 it to tll A what B bes. said about th the joz of watchig ond successor puicee less heerly than oneself. The anticli o 9 a return after a farawell the wip of a fet Kithe O.H.S. be confat it game ove Jort toothabe or a our your (Tiger told me Sill &te say Ine I write it dont shall or We Baik stary & it diffiing Haw difficult it is to give what a

stopped 3p.m. Great feeling ! Packed
Walked much  to bed late.
Friday Packed - much tipping
Garden & I did the fairy Godmother Act
c̄ the bedroom cabin steward!!  Carting of

luggage and rushing around much
wind up on all sides tomorrow.
Dock about 10 am. R.T.O.’s , M.L.M's
all sorts of persons capering round
Some went early - lunch a mix up
We left 2.30 in charabanc, our
luggage on lorries - booked some
through. Long drive down to station - Great
deal of traffic, streets look  wide
& fine after Salonika - Great shops,
trams, many people - saw our first
German prisoners - working in the street
Station 4 p.m. & a great fuss about our
luggage - many officials fussing
round none knowing what to do.   Finally
the R.T.O. came (his Sgt. & Cpl. that is)
& fixed things up for us. Had afternoon
tea at a café - 1 fr. dry bread (bit
of business about bread tickets - a Fr.
officer gave us some of his (the tea
not very nice - they can't make tea.
Garden & I looked for a P.O. - we
asked a Yank. M.P. (there are crowds 
of Yanks here) & he sang the answer
"No, Marm, Not in the dēēpōt,
Marm" - it was like a coon song.
We heard later that is the Southern
way.  Took a gharry.  Lowrie McFie
M & I went to the P.O. - (some
Naval chaps assisted us c̄ the  

vocab) sent a wire to Auntie Edie -
cost 7½f - the chap refused Eng.
money but was nice withal though Fr.
The cabbie saw that he and his horse water
their food when we asked him to drive
as round - so he just took us back to
the station where we changed money,
bought one or two odds, & ends,
& finally sat down on a cold iron
seat because the Salle d'attente
was so dirty & contained so many Fr.
An officer came along & asked who
we were & what we were doing - I
said we had to meet the R.T.O.  at 9.30 -
& he said he was the R.T.O. which surprised
us "some"!  He gave us 4 bread tickets
& took us down to the railway café,
& left us there - we had dinner, 6 fr.
& a fast one - afterwards a Yk officer
took us all down to the Yk rest
house (American) we were there
an hour & got warm, & then back to
the station, very weary, dirty & footsore
& onto the train 9.30 - the luggage
aboard too.  Train left 11.30 - as
soon as it moved off & the guard was
away Fr.  Tommies galore raided
the corridor & tried to get into the
carriage - we said "Reservée" &
kept them well in the corridor -
they behaved - drank wine & slept
there were only 5 of us - Lowrie
had half a seat & kept it - the
selfish little beggar. He curled
up - or lay full out rather &
slept, the while G. & I. sat up & kept 

 

one eye on the Fr. one of whom went
to sleep in our doorway - after
conversing c̄ us about Salonique
& ourselves - & drinking wine galore.
Further on the Fr. got out & we
heard welcome Amer. voices - we
hailed them and were entertained
greatly by their conversation.  They were
droll - one said "For the love of
Mike" & they all said "Marm?"
when they didn't hear what we said.
"Joe" sat on the hold all at the
door & went to sleep at intervals -
the other child lay down in the corridor
& slept until the cramp woke him up,
and "Cpl"  stood & swayed.  They
guarded us well. Later we had
them all in the carriage,  G. & I
slept not a wink (?? cause!)
We stopped at Lyons 45 min.  G. & I
(after having a ghastly experience!)
took the billy and went to the buffet
on the other side & got coffee from the
busy cheerful lady & we all had
coffee & ideal milk from the kit
bag & bread & paste & stuff  - also
Cpl & the "small chap" - they hid
from the officials "between decks"
& had several wordy tussles with
the lads - all to no purpose
A pkt. of fags helped some!  Snowed
dreary outlook, cold.  The lunch
an entertainment - M & I went for
coffee but got shut out.  Before Paris
we took 2 small kiddies into the
carriage by special request - one
sucked her thumb - the other one
sang & vomited (on Mel. & Gd)  

at intervals.  Joe helped us pack -
& he & Cpl. helped us c̄ the luggage
& put us off at Paris - shaaking 
warmly by the hand, & said they were
real glad to meet us —we also 
were real glad to meet them. Very 
cold reception! No porters — M & G 
& I helped a naval officer push along 
actually c̅ our kit on it —we 
all went off finally in a big bus 
all except M. & G & I me who followed 
inthe luggage van - were driven 
round Paris a search for the hotel —
the a policeman told us finally where
it was and the Tommies inside & we 
kept a lookout and there was a great
yell when we passed the hotel!! 
Had supper - omellette & tea (5 fr) 
we were about to retire when 
Auntie Edie came & I went up with her 
to her flat. Travelled by Metro -
climbed umpteen dark stairs & 
had coffee & much talk & into bed.
 A.E. delightful. Slept well -
had brekkie bed. Three Fr. people 
came - went to hotel 11 am Met M.
went round town had lunch 
more sightseeing c̄ Evon & her brother. 
Louvre, & the statues (some statues!) 
& some objects in a chemist shop! 
Drinks c̄ Auntie E at cafe with Daisy. 
Saw several churches - & a strange
procession (The Children of Mary) 
Shops are open - much snow. 
Grey skies, cold. Left hotel 9 pm
in ambulance station 9.30 -

 

left 10 pm good carriage - well
managed luggage business several
Austns helped with the kit. Cold.
Slept fairly well - at intervals.
Found the stn. was LeHavre
after much inquiry - got out
Term Hotel, brekke, waiter speak
Eng. fairly well (4.50 f) Engl.
sister came, fixed our tickets,
very nice too - took us all to
the A.Y.W.C.A. where we had a
cheerful reception - also good meals,
delightful Americans, M. & I went
out & bought 2 blouses @ 22.50
Very footsore. I am tired off.
Wrote letters all p.m supper
(dinner time) 6 & p.m. Drizzly
day - Grey & cold outside.
caught boat about 8.30 - Matron took
us down & wandered round & round
the docks. Wet muddy. My feet
very sore - also nose! I am going
at both ends. Boat packed - 8 in
a cabin - 2 in a berth! Some
trouble undressing! Much argument
c̄ the Eng. Sisters about it & about.
Slept at intervals. Very smooth sea. T.G.
Tues. Called 6.30 - dressed [[ekdum?]]
c̄ great difficulty. Breakfast very
hard to get at all. Southampton
8 a.m. AIF. Capt. & Col. helped
us c̄ kits & gave us addresses
Very nice chap. Uncle A. & Keith
at Waterloo to meet us - knew
Uncle A. at once & he knew me
likewise. Much fussation - went

out to Dartford c̄ 10 others c̄ luggage
Uncle gave me letters. Got finally
to Dartford 4 pm. the matron interviewed
us & asked if we were
prepared for duty - wind up!  Cross
old bird. very cold.  Slept well
Left for town after brekke (at
mess the old lady sat next to M.
& talked "through her hat")  by ambulance
London 11 am.  Saw Miss Conyers
at H.Rd. - afterwards Melv. &
I had lunch at Lyons - snowed hard
and I went out to Uncle's
Maze Hill - walked miles -
found U. & K. both in ,  Sat x
locked in drawing room & got nearly
fruz - finally Mrs. Stone
asked us into the kitchen where
we warmed up.  Met "Uncle
Jeff" and "Forbes" - was treated
to much talk & several cups
of tea.  U. & K. & I went over to
Burdett Rd. 5 p.m. - snowed hard -
we walked & bused & carted my
suitcase - some job too!  Miss
L. very nice indeed - The other
one came down from Milbury -
she's the intellectual one - nice
fire, cheerful tea.  Slept well.
Then Keith & I went up to London
& explored a bit.  Very foggy,
had lunch Lyons - returned
home 3 p.m.  Had wire to say

 

he was staying up at Suffolk
3 - 4 days & wanted me to go
up - wired back that I couldn't
Fri.  Letters from Hal - & Lady T. -
wired that I'll go up Monday
More exploring.  Cold & foggy.
My nose very sore indeed.
Sat.  Miss L. took us to Drury
Lane Park - very good skating
bit mad.  Roland came. 
Sunday. Very cold. foggy - Maria
Supner came afternoon - also
Roland, Uncle & Keith
Monday. Went up Suffolk 10 am.
met at Station by Hal, Miss H.
and a Mr Willmott an Austn
Lady Twigg very nice also
her sister. Walked down to the
Hpl. c̄ the sister. Tea an
institution, every meal is.
Good fires - great joys!
Tues.. Went over to Norwich
p.m. in car very cold driving
Mr W. & I muffled up Hal
drove. Visited all the city -
dense fog returning. They
treated me as an invalid - Hot
milk stunt & all that - it is
great fun.

Wed. Washed up !! Letter from
Cooperson. Went Castle
wired Cooperson to come over
but he couldn't manage it.
caught 6.15 train - trammed home.
Missed K. Long conversation c̄ H.
in the train.
Thurs. met Hal C.C. spent all
day dashing round London
got home very late (6.30) c̄ Hal.
Roland came. Saw Miss Conyers.
Fri. H ferry. Rd. 10 am. Hal came
out 11.30! Walked round to
Piccadilly c̄ him. Lunch Selfriges
Saw Canad. war picture. Dog tired.
went later to the Luck of the Navy c̄
Miss L. - & loved it Got home late.
Sat. Miss Kitty L. took me to K's Cross
10 a.m. (Aldgate underground.) - got the 
train for the North. Bleak journey -
snow & dull weather. Pretty in parts.
Durham picturesque indeed. No R.
Car. Bought sandwiches. Got N'castle
4 p.m. where Cousin York met me -
& knew me at once, because of my
likeness to mother. Took me to see
Florence's - She's 40 & faded & looks
worn. After tea we went to Cousin
Tom's - he was out then to Aunt
Pollies, very bright ^(saw Willie) then to Mr John
Wilson where we had supper & much
conversation - they are a bright lot,
especially Mrs John, & Edith, Florence
left earlier than I because of her mother
I left c̄ Rev. John who went to the came
home c̄ me. Returned late & slept
well.

 

Sun. Went Aunt Polleys Harrie's to
tea & W.'s to supper. Saw C. Tom
& Harrie's mother & sisters. Dull
& grey day. Florence's mother very frail.
Mond. Newcastle a.m. left by
midday train Norham afternoon
Isabel took me a walk -
to Scotland & the church. Dismal
place. Slept in the ancestral house
Tues. Left 11 a.m. Got to Edin.
after lunch - cabbed to club. Went
Dunbar's p.m. had tea there - then
went out c̄ the young Dunbar girl
went to Mrs Norries but she
was out. Went Portobello & Co
Wed. Met Byd. & Search. also Mrs
Norrie - went Dundee 5 p.m.
Connie J. met me - nice home
& warm welcome. Mr J. crotchety.
Rained.
Thurs. Went Dundee p.m. & to
pictures! Theatre (Dear Brutus)
at night c̄ Connie - pictures
afterwards, ^late ferry home.
Breakfast in bed here!
Fri. Left for Glasgow 10 a.m. Cold
wet - went thro' Stirling & Perth.
Mrs. Willoch met me & took
me c̄ her to dinner saw also
the two girls. Met Mr Colquhoun
4.30 & we had tea - went round
the city a bit & then out to

Bishopbriggs. Very nice people.
"Bob" there also.
Sat. went c̄ Mr C. to Cath. & Univ.
also Bob's shop - to tea c̄ Miss C.
in the p.m. Got train 10 + p.m. Could
not sleep much though had the carriage
& Mr C.'s pillow & rug to myself.
Arrived Manchester 6 am. sat in
hotel reading room until brekke -
went out to Tootal Rd. Hpl.

 

[*PR03304,nov*]

In case of loss, or disaster, please return to
Mrs. N. Strőm,
"Netherlands",
Rydalmere,
N.S.Wales.
Australia. 

 

A Prayer.
Give me a good digestion, Lord
And also something to digest;
But when or how that something comes,
I leave to Thee, who knowest best.
                    ____________

Give me a healthy body, Lord,
Give me the sense to leave it so.
Also a heart that is not bored
Whatever work I have to do.
                    ____________
Give me a healthy mind.  Good Lord,
That finds the food that dodges sight,
And, seeing sin, is not appalled
But seeks a way to put it right.
                    _____________
Give me a point of view, Good Lord,
Let me know what it is, & why,
Don't let me worry overmuch
About the thing that's known as "I".
                     _____________
Give me a sense of humour, Lord,
Give me the power to see a joke,
To get some happiness from life
And pass it on to other folk.
                      ______________

T.H. B.W.
Westminster Gazette

63 Smithdale Road
Plumstead 
London

[*42 Rectory Rd.

Manor Pk.
London E*
 

 

Day dreams - Macedonia
(c̄ apologies to R.K.)
          ___________

Behind a certain minaret  that looks across a plain

Shade temperature 102 & not a sign of rain

I lie upon my back & think if hell can be much ^hotter

And strive to satisfy my thirst with clorinated water

From some deep & darksome well

Where the frogs & snakes dwell -

How many dogs are drowned therein 'tis impossible to tell
By Dimitos day by day

Where we sweat ourselves away

And the Dawn's red furnace opens over

Lake Tahinos way.
           ___________

We've every kind of insect here collected up together

Those that don't bite c̄ one end can sting us c̄ the other.

We've ants of every size that get between our shirts & skin

And do impersonations of an evil-minded pin.

With bees & wasps to fight

By daytime & at night

Malarial mosquitos c̄ their deep &  ^gentle angry bite

By Dimitros day by day

Where we sweat ourselves away

And the dawn's red furnace opens over

Lake Tahinos way.
          ____________

 

And every shrub & tree in this enchanted spot

Like joys the Parsons preach about a hidden thorn has got            
Where thistles grow to ten feet high &

though you would eshew them

Always the way toward the place you're

going to lies through them.

The grass is sharp & keen

And the flowers that bloom between

are only there to let us know how dingy is the green

Of Dimitros day by day

Where we sweat ourselves away

And the Dawn's red furnace opens over

Lake Tahinos way.
          ____________ 

We are so very happy here, we could not long ^ to be

Where girls in bathing costumes sport beside the silver sea

We never dream of ices or of sparkling lemonade

Or boarding houses with a table sumptuously laid

We have no thoughts for these

Picking splinters from our knees

And learning natural history from the various

ants & bees

By Dimitros day by day

Where we stew ourselves away

And the Dawn's red furnace opens over

Lake Tahinos way.
Greece spot.                                  
        ___________                                   

[[G?]] E Nalesh[[?]]

C/o H. T. N. Esq

C/o National Bank

Collins St

Melb

 

Good luck - upon this Christmas Day
To friends & kindred far away
Though war & sorrow do not cease
Only this land of sunshine & of peace
We send to you, who face the winter [[rude?]]
Our prayers, our hopes, & deepest gratitude
20th Bat. Comforts fund.  Adam McCoy.
There's a whisper in the fields where a shepherdess
has squealed,
For her sheep that are off on the run
Hey Rover, come over, for the sheep have quit the
clover
And we've lost them, every one.
You can hear the bleet of the youngest ewe
As she seeks her roving dam,
You can see the tail - how frail, how frail!
That hangs from the foremost ram.
He's done c̄ the tears? that are vain, [[?]]
cast out : the fear that is blind,
For they'll each come home c̄ a whole tail
its own tail, a sole tail,
They'll all come home c̄ a plain tale
A shor tail that is worn behind
            ________________
The Dead
These hearts were woven of human joys & cares
washed marvellously c̄ snow, swift to melt,
The years had given their kindness.-
Dawn was theirs
And sunset, & the colours of the earth.
These had seen movement & heard noise, known
Slumber & waking : loved : gone proudly friends
Felt the quiet stir of wonder ! Sat alone
Touched flowers & furs & cheeks.  All this
is ended.
There are waters blown by changing winds & laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day.  And after
Frost c̄ a gesture stays the waves that dance
And wondering loveliness.  We leave a while
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width a shining peace, under the night.
             _____________
The Soldier.
If I should die, think only this of me
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England - There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed.
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware

 

Gave once her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
            ________________    
And while this heart, all evil shed away
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by
England given
Her sights & sounds, dreams happy as her day
And laughter, learnt of friends, & gentleness
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
R.B.
            __________________
God, if this were enough!
            __________________
If to feel in the ink of the slough
And the sink of the mire
Veins of glory & fire
Run through & transpierce & transpire
And a secret purpose of glory - every part
And the answering glory of battle fill in my heart
To thrill c̄ the joy of girded men,
To go on for ever & fail & go on again
And be mauled to the earth & arise
And contend for the shade of a word &
A thing not seen c̄ the eyes,
With the [[half?]] of a [[broke?]]hope for a pillow ^at night
That somehow the night is the night
And the smooth shall bloom from the rough
Lord - if that were enough?
R.L.S.
Frosty, dusky, vivid true
With eyes of gold & bramble dew,
Steel true & blade straight
The great artificer
Made my mate.
           ________________
Honour, anger, valour fire
A love that life could never tire,
Death quench an evil stir
The mighty master
Gave to her.
Teacher tender comrade wife
A fellow face her true this life,
Heart whole & soul free
The night [[August father?]] 
Gave to me.
RLS.[[?]]

 

When the winter time is come,
When the clouds are dark & low,
When the hills are bleak & bare,
When there's long, deep drifts o' snow;
When the wind blasts down the glen,
When the coos "moo" in the byre,
When the laddies & the lassies
A'cosel roon the fire;
When the curlers lak' the loch,
When the lintie disha sing,
When there's nae birds but the strongest
And the fiercest on the wing;
When the burnies lost its linkle,
When it's sunshine lae the sea,
When the birch & fir are creakin',
When there's naething on the lea;
When a' things look sae cauld & wild -
I love it a' the same,
Aye.  I love it a' my life
Because it's home!
Harry Lauder -
 

You have a little song or two -
You have a little chat,
You have some cake - a little wine
And then you take your hat.
You take her hand and say good bye
As nicely as you can.
What a rather, ruddy evening
For a big strong man!
The B. News.
We who are left, how shall we look again
Happily on the sun or feel the rain,
Without remembering how they who went
[[?]] & spent
Their lives for us loved, too, the sun & rain?
        __________________
A bird among the dark wet lilac sings
But we, how shall we turn to little things
And listen to the birds & winds & streams,
Made holy by their dreams
Now feel ther heartbreak in the heart of things?
         _________________
So when the spring of the world shall shine on stains

After the winter of war
When the poor hearts awake to peace once more
After such light of ravage & of rain,
You shall not come again
           - - - - - - - - - - - 
[*Maurice Baird
to
Lord L[[?]]
Eve*]
We shall be there, alas!
But not with you.  When spring shall make the earth
And quicken the scarred fields to the new birth
Our grief shall grow,  For what can spring renew
More fiercely for us than the need of you?

 

Sgt. Game & the bottle of Iodine.
Tips - Sgt. H. - to save ones
selfrespect - & helps the recip. to
lose his.
The [[?]] sin is to tell
H what B has said about him.
The joy of watching one's
successor succeed less [[?]]
than oneself.
The anticlimax of a
return after a farewell
The joys of a pet kitten
O.H.T. - the comfort it gave
in one's joint - toothache up
- or ? down?
Lyons (Tigers) told me 3 
times & then said gently
shall I write it down for you?
The Backslang & its diffficulties.
How difficult it is to guess
what folks are thinking of.













 


  

  

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