Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 1 - Part 8

54
April 1st 1915
R.M.O. (surgical) operated Bonsor, 2pm - local anaesthetic and took small piece of
rib - inserted tubing, about 2 quarts offensive liquid, sister says. Some time during
afternoon, seemed better.
April 2^nd
Hear today that they have cholera in camp at Mena. Do not know whether it is true.
Nothing special today - these people at Heliopolis do not send car at M.Day for us
regularly now. Don't know who is to blame, so we often have to wait for train.
N.Z. car brought us back at lunch time today.
Got my coat fitted this afternoon - left some pictures to be developed - no home or
any letters for days.
Great riot in Cairo this afternoon and every? Soldiers wrecked street near
Sheppherds - burnt some houses etc, they say - last night, wrecked and broke up a
picture show and eating room opposite us here. I did not see them from my room on
the other side of the building.
A good many troops sent away last night and today. I believe they seem to have a
grievance against somebody or people. Several hurt - report 1 or 2 killed but don't
think this can be true. (later reported true)

Rather low quarter in Cairo. Great pity the men made so much trouble they say.

Report today, Turks, 15,000 and about 3,000 Germans leading them, that Troops
must get away to the Dardenells - that things are in a very bad way there.
Great many troops from everywhere moving away the 3 days up to the 7^th.
Very hot today - cold tonight - my feet awfully tired - can hardly stand.
Tomorrow, Easter Monday - hope all will be quiet.
Matron gave us each an Easter Egg with a little figure inside - happy Easter day.
Working just the same - did not go to Church - too tired to think of anything.
April 6^th
Nothing new, went into Cairo for first time in more than 2 weeks. Saw Capt.
Whitford.
Says everyone nearly gone from Mena, Colonel Christianson's lot - he goes
tomorrow - all packed etc to go today - reinforcements going out to Mena they say.
Note from Alice - Jean Elliott with Xmas Card enclosed.
Message from General Douglas to know how I was - he was coming to see me -
that a friend of his owed his life to my care. Shall be pleased to see him and hear
his news. 

55
April 9^th 1915
Nothing special since last note - today, Friday, I had day off. had a rest - went into
town - met Scob and Sister Phillips-had afternoon tea Geoppis'. Met some also, Col.
Anderson - 6 of us went for a motor drive to see Tombs and Sultan near Citadel -
massive Tombs of Khadive and relatives - gorgeous carvings on some.
Bought a piece of lace made in Palestine (handmade) for One Pound 30/- - about 4
yards. Scob and Sister Phillips came along to my room and had cup of tea.
April 11^th
Sunday: On duty all day - very hot - poor Bonson died about 5pm - was conscious
about an hour before, sister says. Very sorry - poor boy - sending a wreath tomorrow
if I can get one, not too dear.

8pm. While waiting for car, saw all Aust. Field Ambulance march out and going
to Front. The hospital patients gave them many coo-ees and shouts. Sad to see
them go off for you always think you will never see them again.

Some of the Staff Nurses - Vercoe - Kearney and others, are writing asking the O.C.
to allow them 3/6d instead of 2/6d per day not enough to pay expenses, board,
washing etc.
April 16^th
Friday: Went for dinner to the Barrage - motor car - R.C. Ambulance, one of the
sisters asked for. 8 had afternoon tea - took our spirit lamps - went to Museum, saw
model of Canal and everything connected with the great system.
Beautiful gardens and drive - farms - native villages etc.
Boy drove us home through Cairo and through Dead City and acres of vast sand hills
-stone and mud buildings - grave yards - Tombs etc - very silent - only a few Arabs
about.
I hear they are still burying their dead there. Every time I am in Cairo, I meet a
funeral.
They walk carrying the coffin - sometimes 4 men - sometimes horse and hearse - the
former singing such weird songs all the time.

Ramsey Smith sent for all of us today - apparently wants us to agree to all our Field
Ambulance being drawn by them for board and the additional 1/6d also, as far as I can
understand. Says that we pay 3/- day now here - the staff nurse only get 2/6d day. We
get 3/-, so it's pretty hard luck paying it all out for us and paying more than they get
for the Staff Nurses. Our washing, additional expense - our rooms never touched, no
clean bed clothes or clean things - no comfort for we few who sleep and live here.

There own nurses seem to have heaps of comforts, white quilts - laundry done etc.
We have our own stretchers - blue blankets, own sheets or none - no laundry - pay
for it all in addition to Messing A/C.
I told old Ramsey that I was not paying my Messing A/C till I knew what I was
paying for, that as our laundry was not done here, that item should be deducted.
We should not pay the same share as No.1 nurses. 

56
April 18^th 1915
Sunday: We are all getting 2 days off to go to Alexandria, not much work and the
Major and Matron thought some of them were looking ill - only 4 going to Alex.
others spending time here. I am supposed to be going on 25^th. Twynham coming with
me.
Hospital train bought over 100 sick men who left here for Dardenelles from Lemnos.
No sisters on ship that bought them. Everybody said they were wounded - thought
they would not be - as usual everybody excited about wounded - never think of sick
ones.
General and Mr. Douglas came to see me - had gone to Abbassia first. Tell me they
had called here before, but I had never been told.
He knew me and patients I had nursed in Sth. Africa. Commander Territorials here.
Sisters arrived M.N. or 2am from ship returning from Australia - do not know any of
them.
April 20^th
No. 1 sisters called from Abbassia - 6 - so our 2 days leave each has been cancelled -
shall not be able to go to Alexandria - 2 sisters return tonight - only 4 have had this
leave - the rest of us will not get it now, though they asked for these nurses here.
I am told tonight that 2 have not done any duty here - just going about idle, for one,
11 weeks and the other 8 weeks. Graham and White.
Just heard that I am to have No. 1-2- and 3 wards, medical ...? patients to 1 sister.
Suppose they heard here that Abbassia were going to try and give all sisters 2 days
off, so they stopped it by saying they could not do without these 6 nurses.
Old Ramsey and his Matron, these girls say.
Active service is queer in a camp like this. I like just a small, very busy place - Cats,
both sexes, very much alive here.
If one could only have the good luck to get away again, but I suppose I can't expect it
- never mind how many hours of work I do.
We may be able to go over and live at the Palace opposite, where the 6 nurses live at
present.
As they will not be working with New Zealanders, they will not be able to live there -
as we are paying for our board here, they may take 6 of us over there.
The New Zealand Government have been the nurses board while nursing their men -
at least a few of them. There are about 11 or 12 here that they do not pay - seems
hardly fair.
Australian mail - no letters for me - unless they have gone to Mena first. 

57
April 21^st 1915
Letter from Nurse Holford
Miss Gould came last night - paid us salary -I only had 4 Pounds 18/- - very little -
will only about pay my bill here for food. Shall have to draw on my reserve fund I
suppose - no news - Miss Gould says only 3 other sisters have been sent on Hospital
Ship duty this week.
About 110 measle cases at ....Park today, nurses tell me, just opened (hosp). One very
ill - dying - Angus great many infectious diseases here.
April 23^rd
Several admissions - 55 patients now - some very sick - others, very little wrong.
Letters from Rube - Al - Benalong.
April 24^th
Benalong letter dated 26-1-15. Nothing new - Paid Messing account again, 244
Piastres.
April 25^th
Terribly hot windy day and dusty - very heavy days work too - feel tired - long day
from 8am - up at 6am, breakfast 7am and work till 8pm - then dinner at 8/15pm,
almost too tired to have bath and go to bed tonight.
No news - 60 patients - only myself from 1pm with 2 orderlies.
April 26^th
Cooler day, easier. Off from 1pm. Lady Maxwell came round - wrote to Alice - Fred and
Claude.
April 28^th
Nothing new re moving or war news- concert for patients. Mr. Knowles
congratulated singers. Lady Di Waldon sang - very good.
Went to Citadel to see Matron Fanning and the wounded men I had at Ismailia.
Yelding not much change - no power in legs - was X-rayed - could not locate bullet.
Aldridge, man who had leg broken by kick from horse about 6 days before we left -
still there - they had to set it again - said it was badly set at beginning - reset twice
here - now not right. One bone overlapped the other they say.
Major Powell set it at Ismailia.
Had afternoon tea with Miss Fanning - another sister there, out to take her place.
14 sisters landed last week - Kitchener's army - some N.Z. we are told.
Saw General Owen - Col. Anderson - Mrs. Morgan, who wants me to go and see her
-still here, husband on Canal. 

58
April 29^th 1915
A good many men sent out today. Authorities say N.Z. must be out of this in 3 days.
Egyptian Army want their own hospital -  everything uncertain - we may go back any
day to No.2.
Some of the sisters report that N.Z. want to take there own with them.
Heard that Johnstone had been sent in charge of Luna Park isolation block yesterday,
as Matron. Miss Gould was here and told some of the girls that sister would not take it
- prefer to sink her rank and stay with Miss Gould as nursing sister.
Creal told some of the girls that when she left Sydney, she only ranked as nursing
sister.
Miss Graham gone back to No.2 and Mrs. White also, they say.
Measles case left Luna Park yesterday - gone into another building close by.
Convalescent wounded from Dardanelles gone to Luna Park today - 300 supposed to
have come.
Report says Australians terribly cut up landing. Germans had forts on hill -
mowed them down as they landed - know nothing yet - many killed and many
missing.
April 30^th
A man from the Front says that they took 3 hills - only sent out to take one. Say they
did well and wiped out the Cairo disgrace, where they cut the fire hose - set fire to
some street etc, some weeks ago. Say they lost very few indeed - very few killed
great many wounded - about 300 yesterday and a good many more today.
A great many more wounded just came in by train here. All in the Hall, some
sitting, some standing - lying on stretchers etc. - do not seem to be very bad - head or
leg or foot appears to be bandaged - some limp along - others carried by 2 men, or a
man to lean on and help him. Some sick too.
Very proud of themselves, say they chased the Turks three miles in.
Arms in sling, blood on pants or coat and so proud of it - drawing your attention
to the next chaps pants etc. All want to go back as soon as they are well enough,
they say.
Had a talk to some of them as I came back to lunch today. They were being sent over
to Mena to make room for others.
Memo from General Maxwell to say we may not discuss this Action with the men
or talk about it at all. No to write about it in letters to anyone in case they get
into enemy's hands. Though of course home and N.S.W. will know sooner than
we.
Believe we shall be going on in May somehow, some people think Turkey - hope so.
We are still at Abbassia, though don't know how long we shall be there - are sending
as many patients as possible out, whether to make room or leave. The Egyptian
Government wanted it. No N.Z sisters yet. 

59
May 1st 1915

Not much fresh news. Men still coming in from Front - a great many - most of whom
are not very badly wounded, they tell us. They seem to be wanting to get sick men
away from Abassia and at times to open up it for N.Z. wounded, closing a few wards
- one of mine.
May 2^nd
Only about 30 patients in my 2 wards today, no wounded yet. Change of Medical
Officer today - Major Purchase. N.Z. and another R.A.M.C. coming to Medical, may
be only for a few days.
Went to Church this afternoon 6pm. -Presbyterian, Communion also, good many
officers and men also..
Some nurses expected from Suez tonight, they say.
May 3^rd
Sent a number of men out today, also many going home tomorrow. Preparing for 200
sick and wounded from Dardenelles. Got 21 beds ready - shirt and towel ready for
them if they come tonight. We expect to be called up to go and help them to wards
etc.
Several more nurses arrived at Heliopolis yesterday. Say 4 or 5 nurses have nearly
700 men, most of whom are almost well - a few bad cases.

N.Z. want to have full charge and control of hospital. Major Powell does not want to
work under anyone else. He wants full control also, so don't know what they will do,
quite. Seem to want us so far.
Very busy all day - very tired tonight. Hope the patients do not arrive before early
tomorrow. We have been working pretty hard the last few days again and very hot
days now
May 4^th
Tuesday: Got great many men away to Convalescent Camp and others to Hospital
Ship - fixed up all beds - ward etc. for wounded - expect them today.
About 3pm, telephone message to say 6 of us were to go back to Gizerch Palace.
Myself - Varcoe, Keane, Martin, Garven, McCarron We arrived about 6/30, just got
all luggage out of car and Johnstone came out and said to me. "Oh, you're not
for here, you're to go onto Mena", I asked "Why" and so forth. She did not know
what to answer, so I said I would be more help there as they would be moving
and Miss Gould would send her a more junior sister.
The O.C. had not heard of any Official sending me to Mena, so I had to wait till after
9pm for car and to bed about M.N.
I was annoyed, made me feel quite ill - they are the same old cats - how I wish I
could get away from them on my own. Too sick to go on duty on Thursday morning
-  went on in afternoon. Went on medical - my afternoon off and went to bed. 

May 6^th 1915
About 54 wounded men, very light afternoon today, not nearly as heavy as Abbassia
Medical Wards.
8 letters today - 2 from Alice, 1 from Lil, Nurse Johnson and Lil Attwater.
These men say about 14 mend died and were buried at sea on the voyage from the
Dardanelles -2 days journey, but they were 3 days waiting, poor things.
May 7^th
Nothing new - no new cases - some discharges - 43 men in ward tonight.
Sent in a form to Nell Gould for my 50 patients for fare the night I came here. She
will have to see about it, for my Orders were for Gizerch, where the car left me.
After getting out was told I had to come to Mena, then had to get another car at 9/30 or
more.
Men are all very well in my ward, wounds not bad. They had 750 men in the first day
wounded. They were admitted, they say over ...? Men in now.
They say there are 12,000 men wounded and killed now, coming away from the
Dardanelles - fighting still going on - over 100 patients admitted to Abbassia on the
4^th. I hear the authorities there want us back very badly.
May 8^th
Nothing fresh - went into the Anglo - American Hospital to see Scob, but she was out
- had gone to meet Bob - he is reported wounded (nose). Cannot be very bad or he
would not be sent so far, I think.
Went to Abbassia, saw the girls and Michell, very busy, no pass off for 3 days. 50 and
60 patients each. Same as the men here - very well, some, apparently. Went round
and saw a few.
May 9^th
Sunday: On all day - 60 patients, not very busy - wrote a couple of letters this
afternoon.
Nell just told me at dinner 8/15pm that I had to get up and go on night duty at 1am in
the morning. I'll be out of her sight, at least during the day.
First opportunity I get - I am going to be asked to transferred to Alexandria - or
somewhere.
END OF DIARY  VOLUME 1  17-10-1914 - 9-5-1915
Copyright: Margaret Heather Pocock and Margaret Pinkertop Sharpin  2006 

GEORGE POCOCK - BORN LONDON 25/12/1815 - DIED 14T JUNE 1905
GRAFTON. N.S.W.
MARY ANN POCOCK -(NEE O'TOOLE) - BORN 12/1/1837 IN COUNTY
AMARGH IRELAND
PARENTS OF MARY ANN (BESSIE) POCOCK BORN IN DALBY 20/7/1863
DIED IN GRAFTON 17/7/1947
Print of B&W Photograph - see original document 

ALICE - GEORGE & REBECCA (RUBE) PINKERTON (BESSIE'S SISTER)
WITH MARY ANN POCOCK - BESSIE'S MOTHER ,IN WHEEL CHAIR
SOUTH GRAFTON - 1918
Print of B&W Photograph - see original document 

ELIZABETH (LIL) POCOCK - BESSIE'S SISTER
BORN - COPMANHURST - 14-3-1871 DIED GRAFTON - 31-5-1949
NURSED AT GLADESVILLE MENTAL HOSPITAL SYDNEY
MARRIED WILLIAM GEORGE MCKEE 

Print of B&W Photograph - see original document