Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 1 - Part 1
PREFACE
The diaries of Bessie Pocock were copied from the originals by hand
by her niece Margaret (Margy) Pocock, daughter of Fred and Chris
Pocock Margy still manages the family property at (Stockyard
Creek) The Punchbowl via Grafton.
Margaret (Margy)Pinkerton Sharpin (nee Munro) granddaughter of
Rebecca Pinkerton, sister of Bessie has, with much respect and pride
for Aunty Bessie, typed them up as journals, hopefully for future
generations to read. Some text & phrases have been highlighted to
denote points of interest in the diaries.
The Boer War Diary was created by Roger Pocock's wife Maree,
daughter in law of James (Jimmy) & Betty Pocock, nephew of Bessie
and brother of Margaret Pocock.
The original diaries will be sent to a suitable Archive destination once
they have been copied.
Mary Ann (Bessie) was born at Dalby Q'ld on 20th July 1863 to
George and Mary Ann (nee O'Toole) Pocock.
Career Highlights
Before commencing her nursing training at Crown St Women's Hospital in 1890
Bessie Pocock worked a s a domestic. Upon completion of her training, she
joined the hospital staff as a sister. I 1899 Bessie became a member of the New
South Wales Army Nursing Service Reserve (NSW ANSR) and served in the Boer
War being posted to hospitals in London, Johannesburg and Middleburg.
She was Mentioned in Dispatches twice and awarded the Queen's and King's
South Africa medals. After the war she returned to her position at the Sydney
hospital and later (1911 - 1914) at Gladesville.
During World War 1 Bessie served with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in
hospitals at Cairo and Ismailia (Egypt) She was then Matron of the Hospital ship
"ASSAYE" before being stationed at Marseilles and Wimereux (France),
followed by Trois Arbres (Belgium) and then Boulogne and England. On 2nd
May 1916 Sister Bessie Pocock was awarded the Royal Red Cross (2nd Class)
After the war Bessie returned to Gladesville Hospital as Matron. Before retiring,
she set up a convalescent hospital at Chatswood called "Ismailia". She remained
an active member of the Australian Trained Nurses Association of which she
became a life member, as well as the Australian Army Service reserve.
Bessie Pocock never married and was lovingly cared for by her brother John and
sister Alice, nieces Jean and Margy Pocock and nephew Jimmy Pocock at
Stockyard Creek (Punchbowl) until she passed away on 16th July 1946.
LEST WE FORGET
THE ORIGINAL DIARIES OF MATRON A.M. (BESSIE) POCOCK
MARGY POCOCK WITH MUCH PATIENCE AND DEDICATION COPIED
THESE DIARIES BY HAND FOR MARGY SHARPIN TO TRANSCRIBE
INTO THE 4 JOURNALS OF BESSIE'S NURSING CAREER WITH THE
AUSTRALIAN ARMY NURSING SERVICE - - GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918
Photo: Courtesy of Kate Thomson - Grafton
Photo - refer to original document.
A PHOTOGRAPH OF BESSIE'S JOURNALS FROM THE 1914 - 1918 WAR
SOMETIMES SHE WROTE IN DIFFERENT BOOKS IN THE SAME WEEK
Photo: Courtesy of Kate Thomson - Grafton
Photo - refer to original document.
MARGARET POCOCK AND THE HAND WRITTEN COPIES OF
BESSIE POCOCK'S DIARIES SHE TRANSCRIBED BY HAND AND SENT
TO MARGARET SHARPIN TO BE CREATED INTO JOURNALS. 2006
Photos - refer to original document.
When Margy Pocock asked me to type her great aunt Bessie's diary and her
experiences as an Army Nurse in Egypt and Gallipoli in 1915 - 1916, I never
imagined what a mammoth task I had let myself in for. I WANTED MORE
So once again, Margy Pocock with much dedication and love hand copied out
ALL Bessie's war service diaries for me to compile into journals.
I became completely engrossed in her life - her dedication to her "boys" and her
nursing career - her hardships - her happy and sad times - her adventures.
Several months later, with the completion of four volumes from Bessie's diaries,
my very emotional journey was over.
Having so many happy childhood memories of the times spent with the Pococks
at Stockyard Creek, I was always in awe of Aunty Bessie and wish now I had
known her in her younger years.
It has been a labour of love in recognition of Bessie and the Australian Nurses
who served in the Great War 1914 - 1918
Photo - refer to original document.
Margaret Sharpin (nee Munro) Born Casino 3-12-35 granddaughter of
Rebecca Pinkerton (nee Pocock) Journals completed August 2006.
THIS IS A JOURNAL THAT BESSIE WROTE HER LECTURE NOTES
IN WHEN SHE WAS TRAINING AT SYDNEY HOSPITAL
NOVEMBER 1890 JANUARY 1900
Photo: Courtesy Kate Thomson - Grafton
Photo - refer to original document
BESSIE'S ENLISTMENT CERTIFICATE 21-9-1914
Certificate - refer to original document
Attestation Paper of Persons enlisted for Service Abroad - refer to original document
Copy of Bessie's Enlistment Certificate 15th March 1916
Courtesy: Jocelyn Cahill (nee Pinkerton) Grandaughter of Rebecca Pinkerton.
1
SEPTEMBER 1914
A. BESSIE POCOCK
MATRON - THE HOSPITAL
GLADESVILLE - SYDNEY - N.S.W.
October 17th 1914
Left Hospital 7.15am - 17-10-14 - Troopship "Argyllshire".
Mr. Lewis brought me in his car – raining awfully hard all day. Got to Woolloomaloo
wharf at 12 noon for stream.
Crossed out on Sunday morning about 9.30am – very smooth sea – 18-10-14
Feeling a bit sick
Sister Marshall and myself only, on this boat. Photographs taken of ship as we
were at wharf – streamers thrown across – very pretty – raining hard.
Gov. – P.M.O. and staff came aboard before we left.
October 19th - 20th - 22nd
Looked through hospital instruments etc.
Sister Marshal on duty – patients, chiefly colds – some wounded – caused by a fall or
cutting something and knife slipped.
1 on duty – nothing new – one admission, bronchitis 100.8 - 2 sent out.
October 23rd
Sister on: I spent my off duty writing letters – we hear they may be posted as we reach
Albany tomorrow.
Capt. Buchanan and Dr. Hennessy – Ships Doctors sit at our table since we left – long
table – only we four.
October 24th
We were all moved today to a large table with everybody – we did not ask to go, but
all seemed pleased to have us. Arrived at Albany M. Day.
Very pretty in the distance -– very small – several ships in – "Omrah" with
Queensland troops and sisters aboard we are told.
About 3pm, sister and I went ashore – a long walk to the town – took a bus – went
and had some afternoon tea – sent telegrams – got a Trap and had a drive around for
an hour – the beach, Middleton and Marine Drive – very large hotel and bathing sheds
– got some wild flowers – returned about 6pm.
2 more men admitted with colds – slight touch of malaria – one of them, Temp. 103.8
2
October 25th 1914
Sunday: Lovely morning – attended Church Parade, 10.15am – no music but men
sang very nicely – of course I can't sing – nice address – Col. Plane.
Sister on today – I am off – 2 more of our ships on today – "Suffolk" and a passenger
boat.
Expect the G.....? today – wondering if Miss Gould will pay us a visit when she
arrives (did not come or send any message - does not seem to bother about us at all)
Left wharf – out in the stream now – 9/30pm. nothing fresh – no news.
October 26th
Very sore throat – first for 7 or 8 years – Sister went on – so many sore throats in
hosp. – otherwise feel alright – very dull wet day.
October 27th – 28th – 29th
Nothing new – mail came aboard – no letters for me – sent several letters ashore today
– nothing new – still some men coming in with colds.
See sisters on "Euripides" but cannot tell who they are. Boat lies a short distance
from us.
Nothing special, got a wire from home.
Gen. Bridges and staff came aboard.
October 30th
Written a lot of letters – sent a wire to Alice. Glorious day, we are lying near the
Heads – very smooth and a great many ships round everywhere – "Euripides" close
by – still not near enough to see clearly anyone on board.
October 31st
Everything much the same – a lady on launch gave me a lovely bunch of flowers –
went out and thanked her – several spoke and gave best wishes – good luck etc –
Sister also got a lovely bunch – we put them in our cabin and fixed up our dining
saloon and some for the hospital. I got some more nice wild flowers early today for
hosp. too.
November 1st 1914
Sunday: A glorious morning again – ship began to move about early, some crossed
out about 7am -– we crossed about 8, just after the "Euripides" – saw no sisters aboard.
I watched nearly all go out – others are behind us (NZ) we are in Division – they
looked beautiful – I am off duty today – took some chloroton ? – feel very well – gave
my orderly some too, says he gets awfully sick.
We did a lot of our washing last week - dried in lav., no other place – not too
bad, we lock this one and they dry fairly quickly.
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