Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 1 - Part 5
STATIONARY HOSPITAL OWN STOCK Page 2
34 pyjama suits (complete)
2 coats
11 pairs socks
44 pairs socks
12 dozen huckaback towels
151 sheets
139 pillow cases
1 dozen Dr's gowns
1 dozen Dr's aprons
1 dozen caps
5 calico bags
LINEN RETURNED TO S.V.P. (NEW GOODS)
4 dozen table napkins
5 huckaback towels
9 lengths calico
7 lengths blue print
4 lengths (holland)
6 gowns (holland)
65 dark blue aprons
286 towels
220 yards gauze
66 woollen caps
12 cotton caps
33 soft towels
68 Dr's aprons (washed)
28 huckaback towels
65 table napkins
1 glass towel
4 gowns (holland)
98 cotton pants
104 cotton shirts
2 bath gowns
1 belt
21 nurses aprons
25 sheets
26
January 27th 1915
1/30 pm left Mena House for the station – 2 motor cars – Grierson came to see us off
– we bought her a gold pencil. She was very kind to us all and I was very fond of her
– a check on old Nellie Gould too.
When we got to the station we found that the train did not go for 3 hours (then a
special) so we took her to Shepherds and had a great afternoon tea – the 11 of us.
Back in time, then off for here. We found about 20 sisters on board also from No1
Hospital – but glorious news, going on to Port Said, so not coming with us – awfully
glad I am not going there as we start a new place at Ismailia and arrived about 10pm.
Met by hospital M.O and taken to the Club for some tea before going on to the house
they have been given for the hospital.
(About 5 hours journey from Cairo to Ismailia - arrived about 10pm, 17-1-15)
He took us over, only about 5 min. from railway station -a most lovely, comfortable
house – a palatial residence – ballroom – theatre – stage – roof garden etc. Electric
light – everything perfect. We have the 4 large bedrooms upstairs, other rooms closed
downstairs for patients – about 90, or if pushed, hold 100.
January 28th
Worked hard all day putting up beds and so forth - had 3 meals at Club today - 1
ward ready for patients and could operate if they were compelled - all very tired, bed
about 11pm.
Working still at beds – Op. room, sterilizing etc, then after all are ready for over 70
patients and could do 20 operations if necessary – got along beautifully – everything
so nice and clean – beds – rooms ready and the operating room so beautifully fitted up
– heaps of dressings –everyone so pleased with days work.
No patients so far, but as we are all ready we need not worry – hope we get some
work – hope we save everybody and that our men will not be hurt or sick.
Went for a walk around the town – very prettily laid out – such numbers of trees
and gardens – so quiet after Mena and the glorious Pyramids – clear, calm and
lovely here – no dust – no noise – a lovely little town, but I love the sandy old
Mena. The Pyramids and the inscrutable Sphinx. – The latter I worship and feel,
could I only sit and watch her long enough, she surely must tell me one or two of
her secrets.
Did not see half the interesting parts of Cairo and surroundings – always thought I
should be there for a long time –however, I hope I may go some other day.
January 29th
Friday: Have all our beds ready today –op. room lovely, everybody happy and
agreeable – saw the General last night at the Club, who said we might have some
wounded any time – asked very kindly how we were managing and being looked after
– he is coming to see the wards later on.
27
January 29th 1915
Cont: I knew such a number of men in his old regiment – hope I get to know him
better. Col....has also been very good indeed and I hope to let them see how well we
can work and manage and how little trouble we give them – that we are a real help
and want no looking after.
Wrote to Miss Gould yesterday and asked her to send on our cabin trunks - trust we
get them early next week – though only hours journey, cannot hope to get them
before.
January 30th
Saturday: Major Clements, Indian officer, came round to see wards etc. Congratulated
me on everything. I told them that my sisters had worked very hard and were anxious
to have the hosp. in perfect order before any men came in.
A French Count... also came along – went over and very surprised to see
everything so nice as a hospital where he used to dance and have theatres and suppers
etc. Very nice old man – told them all they could come any afternoon at 4pm. and I
would let the sisters give them tea. Major Powell (in charge here) went round also.
Was up (here) about the extra things that came from the French Hospital - all think
that we will soon have some work here – very hot today – not cool like Mena.
I am awfully pleased and happy to be here in charge of everything and away
from Miss Gould and Johnstone – the luck is too good to be real almost, I feel as
if I might wake up and find it all a dream yet. Do hope and pray that I may not
be attached to them again but get on to the Front without them as I did last
Campaign.
Sending a wire to Miss Gould today, to send on boxes.
General Watson came this afternoon – saw wards etc. – thinks they are lovely – had
aft. tea with us. Col. brought him round. Capt. Jones came in also.
This is a very pretty place (Ismailia) – very much hotter than Mena – much quieter –
quite a different life to Cairo –I like Cairo best – it is so exciting and wonderful
variety etc.
The numbers of different peoples and so forth.
Also we are told of dreadful things about the worst place under the sun. I should think
some of it – the desert – Pyramids – Sphinx and Temples most wonderful.
I love it all and hope to get back for day or so to see some more of it – I really saw so
little – was kept hard worked and sometimes, when of, not the people to go out with.
Visited the Sphinx many times, but would never get tired – every time it seems to
follow you with a new expression – the weird block of stone.
10pm. Great noise – great excitement – a patient to be admitted, all the nurses
running about, dressing gowns etc. I just finished my bath, when I did get to the
bottom of things, found 2 med. Men – a Dutchman – East Indian boy I think, all
around the door with the latter's wife expecting every minute to be laid up.
28
January 30th 1915
Cont:
Sort of Mary and Joseph business all over again – no one here wanted midwifery
case in a soldiers' hospital – anyway, I sent the orderly for the M.O. in Charge (to his
Camp) – in the meantime put sisters to prepare for the event. In about an hour a smart
boy arrived – I told the Colonel this morning that it was expected it would be a
boy, that only a man could have caused excitement and disappointment etc
– no Obst. sisters in the lot.
No one owned up to knowing anything about these cases etc. Did not expect to be
nursing that kind of thing amongst soldiers – great fun anyway – all was fixed up
beautifully – now nearly everybody spoils the child – all the other men are
laughing, fit to kill themselves over it – the funniest thing that has ever happened
to me in Military Duty.
Seems to be absolutely no hospital or place where anyone could go like this, poor
little begger. Were on their way to Europe and apparently detained on board ship
longer than they expected.
January 31st
Sunday: Mother and new baby splendid this morning – nice little woman – they know
no one here like ourselves.
I think it is the greatest fun out - some of the sisters terribly upset about her coming
here - but one could not turn her out.
All I was afraid of doing was getting into trouble for taking a woman in that
condition into a soldiers hospital, even if it was empty.
However, all well today – Major Powell takes responsibility – says we could not have
done anything else.
The first soldier admitted today –a New Zealander – pneumonia – 104.2 118. Claude
Jarvis says he belongs to Tasmania.
February 1st
Mrs. Van Espeld (Dutch?) and baby very well – doing splendidly.
February 4th
Pneumonia patient, Claude Jarvis 102.124. Not so well – no sleep for 48hrs –
delirious.
Went out to co-operative store this morning and bought some household goods - very
dear, flour 6d per lb – butter 1/3 ½ – milk 6 1/2d tin – spent One Pound and 8d. Fruit
2/11d.
29
February 1st 1915
No work yet, all getting tired of idleness – went for a long walk – Public Gardens –
small Sphinx and Statuary – looks like small edition of Cairo Museum – flowers very
pretty here – sweetest violets and roses, so fresh and clean.
All houses covered with bougainvillea , the same colour as ours and pretty bright red,
also bignonia creeper – these two climbing plants grow beautifully here – all are
trained to climb upwards and then hang down in festoons. Grow all over the top story
of the houses –this house we live in, also.
Then the long vines hang loosely down between each window – covered at intervals
by clusters of flowers. Many high trees in all gardens and these two things climb
nearly to the tops and the flowers fall down – looks beautiful in amongst the foliage of
the tree.
10/30am. Col. Burdon – Col. Robertson up. Said to send stretchers to station – leave
continuously there – may be wounded, awfully nice men, both.
Wish they were with us in charge, altogether – would be lovely to work with.
February 2nd
Several guns this morning – hear quite plainly – may be from the warship we see
outside near the Canal. These great guns make one feel that there might be some
action taking place.
Major just returned, says they could see shells bursting – some Turks had advanced –
1 officer bought in prisoner – Indian and British officers engaged – none of our men
so far, they say.
3pm: We are all ready for wounded but do not think we shall get any, as we are told
that only the Indian troops were engaged – led by our British Officers.
An aeroplane went out this morning and located these Turks, who must have come up
in the night – they had trenches.
Major Powell just returned from the Indian Hospital – went to see how many
wounded had come in – 7 or 8 not badly wounded – mansa bulletts – one in head –
one abdomen – hand and other places – none seriously.
We do not get Indians – they may only be looked after by certain of their own people.
Anyway, there has been a sort of battle and probably they will try again.
We heard the guns so clearly and were quite excited – I, wishing I could have
been nearer and seen going out after 4pm, to see the place where it was – about
all we can do – we won't see much I expect.
30
February 2nd 1915
Cont:
Went for a walk, 4 of us (sisters) about 2 miles or more – lovely walk right down to
Canal – saw a large yellow funnel boat just coming through to shelter for the night in
lake.
Then right to bank of Canal, saw Indian troops going on duty – all guarding the Canal
on opposite side (Arabian side)– returning, met the right – these going out to guard
this side Stretcher bearers – stretchers – hospital equipment etc, loaded up on mules –
men also carrying things – some mules loaded with wood for their fires – All Indians
– fine looking men – good faces most of them - all determined looking fellows.
A pleasant look for us and an occasional "Good morning" – "Very good morning" at
6pm I could not tell but I spoke to each who spoke to me and smiled at many.
They were all talking to one another about us - it was most interesting to watch them
all - just felt as safe as if they had been our men soldiers. Thought how different it
was for the poor white women in India in the Crimean War.
February 3rd
6/30am. Again hearing big guns firing about the same place as last night – aeroplanes,
2, sailing all over, looking about I suppose, trying to locate the enemy – all over the
house and part of the town – so we can safely say we are in the middle of things just
now.
M.O. came along, tells us that the steamer we saw anchored in the lake last night had
to be moved further away into shelter. Enemy had shelled that part – struck funnel of
war boat. They could see the water stirred up by parts of shell from their camp.
The Col. just along to ask to see wounded sailors, so suppose some men must have
been sent along.
1st badly wounded men arrived. I.W. Christian, shattered hand, wounds in back, foot,
shoulders –very collapsed – saline – hot drinks – morphia – hot bottle etc for all.
3 sailors from the "Harding" – Territorial and New Zealand.
Rust – badly wounded – shrapnel chest.
Olding – badly wounded.
Hart " " had bullet taken out of back – went in about ear.
Austin – badly wounded.
About 5pm. more wounded:
Shot through back (shell), neck, shoulder, chest, legs etc. 3 very badly, others not
seriously – got all into beds – hot beds all ready – bottle and warm blankets –
everything ready – brandy – all my own to start with – the Dispensary had gone away
for those at midday and taken key. A good thing I had extra and a bottle for hot water
and whiskey Matron Grieson gave me before leaving Mena.
All comfortably in bed and dressings renewed on most of them – plenty hot drinks
and food for those who could take it, before we had our own tea.
21
February 3rd 1915
2 night sisters on still – 4 special orderlies on tonight.
2 more bad med. Cases – pneumonia – Jarvis, no sleep – very delirious all day –
special with him.
New case, Taylor, 105. – 16 patients all together.
2 officers admitted last night between 10/30 and 11pm, malaria(?) T. 104 and 101
today – not seriously ill.
Our cabin trunks arrived today – no letter from Miss Gould re salaries.
February 4th
Aeroplanes sailing around this morning – big guns all day. Several prisoners
bought in – some passed this house – over 1thousand they tell us.
We had about 140 wounded in this attack – about 15 British, rest Indians – killed
200? – British 10 or 12, rest, Indians.
Have arranged with French man who takes care of this house to wait on the sisters'
dining room and meals – so busy when I cannot spare one for this.
Major taken our orderly cook – bought his own staff, all live here.
Every sister complaining about food – really not nearly enough – small dinner, only
bread and jam for tea – buy our own butter etc. Will see Major Powell in the morning
about it, again – have spoken twice before about our rations.
February 5th
Another pneumonia tonight – Angus – T 104 – pretty sick – 3 more men – 2 shock.
1 wound in neck and exposure – very collapsed. Seems very low tonight. 9am, 5th,
collapsed – artificial respiration – little better.
General Wilson around again today – very kind and nice to all.
One of the very badly wounded sailors of the "Harding" boat asked him for a
cigarette, which he had and lighted for him – These men almost in a collapsed state –
very ill – ask for a smoke – a cigarette, or a few whiffs.
Mrs. Hubbard and Mrs. Lyddan – Red Cross Society (French) called this morning to
ask if they could give us anything in the way of comforts – The major asked for
flannelette - bandages and pyjamas.
Christian died this morning – so dreadfully sorry – I put some flowers on his
coffin – all I could get, a few violets and a spray of maiden hair fern, which I told
the sailor in charge to send home to his mother, if he could.
These M.O's went to tents near station – helped to dress Turk's wounds – they are to
be sent to Cairo they tell us.
32
February 6th 1915
Saturday: Heaps of rifles – bandoleers etc, bought in yesterday – also wounded and
prisoners.
Wish I could get a rifle to take home.
Gen. Bird up today to see his sisters.
Pte. W.A.Ham wounded in neck on 3rd – came to us on....? – died last night about
m.night. We lost some men in this attack.
Washerwoman in today – hospital laundry 3/- per day – no ironing.
General Wilson comes round every day – also General Bingley.
German Officer, they tell us, held up a white flag and when our men went on –
wounded some – one officer died before reaching us – Capt. Fitzgibbons.
The German was afterwards shot for abusing the white flag, so one of the
soldiers told us.
Went round to the Indian Hosp. to see wounded soldiers – most very badly.
All very patient looking – so good – longed to help them dress wounds – offered to
help in early week, but Major Powell said they did not want us.
Capt. Jones and the sister who is helping said the would have been so glad.
I tried to tell each one, by signs of course and the sister explaining to them, how sorry
I was for them.
Gave several of them 1 violet (I took the only few violets left in the garden –
about 15) – not one each, but as far as they went. All smiled and seemed to be so
pleased. Sister said they loved flowers – was so glad I took a few. Had them in my
bag for fear they would not like them. Will try and take more next time.
The sister who is helping there is a married woman from India – speaking the
language and is a good help – was a nurse before marriage, her husband was in Sth.
Africa.
There is also a Turkish Officer (really a Syrian they say), wounded in abdomen and
hip – seems very bad, but quite conscious.
Poor man does not look much like an enemy now, surrounded by wounded Indians
and an Indian Dr. dressing him so kindly.
All, or as many Turks who could travel were sent to Cairo today – Indians, yesterday.
They must keep these places empty if possible as another great attack is expected in a
few days, the Captain tells me. I shall have more than I can manage to do then, he is
afraid.
Mr. Cunningham called on his way to Suez – left a parcel from Mrs. Day – games for
patients – sweets – not very useful to me just now.
33
February 7th 1915
Several people came round – Madam Bland? And her daughter – bought cigarettes –
very nice people – asked if they could send something for the patients from Red
Cross. Will call again – have a relative – son – at the war, 5 months – wounded.
General Wilson and Count....? Also came round.
February 8th
3 officers – Major Govian?, Lt. Cummins, Capt. Hanken, went to Cairo by Hosp.
Train – convalescent – pneumonia. Jarvis also and others – hope all arrive well.
Wounded here today, well now – think all will live – Count came round again – so
kind to men, brought cigarettes – notices all patients, especially wounded. Medical
cases too sick.
Think Rust – Yielding – Austin and Gallagher will recover now but will be a very
long time getting well.
Was asked to dinner last evening to the French Club to dine with Capt. and Mrs.
Morgan. He was wounded in the scrap with our others, saw them come across Canal.
2 boats – mixture of aluminium he thought – hold about 20 people – saw it all, he and
his subaltern Lt. Bolton.
The Turks seemed to come first – between his 2 companies.
He went back today, his wife back to Cairo – she is very nice – very deaf.
Such a lot of men – only 3 ladies – a lot of men I know by sight, or as we say.
"Bowing Acquaintances"
The General showed us the Smoke Room – said we could go in there – I think women
are not really allowed here just now – it belongs to the French residents.
Wire from Cairo this afternoon to send 2 of Mr. Birds' nurses to Cairo for duty
tomorrow, to the French and Egyptian Hospitals – private one I think. They do not
want to go just now, they say. Very nice girls, I am sorry to lose them.
We really have not enough work for 10 now but any day we may more than enough.
I wish we could get a bit more and finish up these Turks and Germans and be off to
Europe. Do hope I get away with my own staff and would like to get on to The
Imperial R.A.M.C. or some men different to these.
Major Powell has never done anything or asked if I wanted anything for the sisters,
except once, when he arrived.
Strange man to work with – not a bit kind or thoughtful. Wish some of the Mena
House men or Major Millard would come along or any of the R.A.M.C. men here,
they have been most kind and thoughtful.
34
February 9th 1915
A.Angus, 22. Presbyt. Died 8th – few days – awfully sorry.
Sr. McNab and S. Green left by 10am train for Cairo. Went to see them off. Some few
hundred women, children and men, some old (all refugees) being sent away from
here to Maza Zig, about halfway from here to Cairo. All their bed, bedding,
fowls in a box and an Egyptian sheep lying in a box – black like a goat.
Angus – pneumonia, died today – so sorry, thought he was going to get well. I made
up some flowers and put on his coffin – poor boy.
Major Clements called and told us all about the Turks and the Scrap. The Turkish
Officer he has in hospital was wounded same day as one of our men and the Indians.
He told him a good deal how they built the boat that they brought across the
desert and crossed the Canal in.
He really was the Engineer who was in charge of the building, Zinc or Aluminium.
Large enough to hold 40 men. 22 boats altogether – very deep and ribbed inside.
Were carried on an ox wagon by night – they seem to have been quieter by day .
Covered them with grass to prevent the men in aeroplanes seeing what they
were.
The men flying, thought it was grass – could not tell, it was so disguised they say.
Then they had camels carrying water in kerosene tins – loads of them which they
emptied into their boats, using them as reservoirs – and then when finished, putting
them on carts, covering with grass and continuing their march. When they
struck camp a chain was put around and no man allowed outside this – penalty
– SHOT. He says they only had to shoot 2 men.
The Major seems to believe him – he will not say how many men were in the attack.
2 Petty Officers from the "Swiftshire" were looking at these boats with us. They say
that the enemy lost a good deal of men but they could not tell.
Some of their workers went out and buried Turks – terribly wounded – 6 were in 1
boat – about 100 buried in a trench – but he did not know how many others.
They lost 1 brave man – he was put in a tub at the top of the mast – given a telescope
and lying down, located the enemy and through a tube, told them below.
After a little while, poor fellow called out "They've got me, I'm wounded" and
only lived a short time. Was shot through whole of body as he lay. They then blew
up several of these iron boats. These two were bought on here – do not know what
they are going to do with them here – keep them as relics or destroy them.
Only 14 patients tonight – only 5 wounded – seemed to be going to live, but Rust,
Fielding and Austin still doubtful.
Do so earnestly hope they may live, for I am so wrapped up on them now. I'd break
my heart if they died – we all spoil them – poor things.
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