Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 2 - Part 3
Hospital Ship "Assaye"
Bessie was 6 months Sister in Charge of Assaye - July 1915- January 1916
Photo - refer to original document
Preparing to leave Alexandria for England 1915
Photo - refer to original document
9
17th July 1915
Every few yards at places those poor patient animals, tied to the end of a pole,
blindfolded, forever going round & round, pulling the wheel round which brings up
water for irrigation & other purposes.
Benha station, had to change trains here for Port Said. Just crossed the Canal with it's
boats. One long mast, so pretty & the green farms all along. Native houses & villages.
Wrote to Sister Perrin, General Babtie, also Alice, Mrs. MacKinnon, Red Cross.
Arrived Port Said about 3/30pm. Met by Capt. Maxwell. Motor Ambulance to
Custom House. Boat to ship about 15m away in stream.
Saw Major Hogg at Ismalia, awfully pleased to see me again. Col. Robinson came
on down grow? there with us. Was lovely to have him for a while. Still the same kind
old thing. Most comfortable berth on board. Everybody thoughtful & kind & seems as
if we shall get along well together.
Tried to send Cable to Alice, not able yet (later) Capt. Sent it for me through his
agents on Sunday night.
18th July
Sunday. Very hot, steamy, no work to do yet, they are getting ready. Everything
awfully comfortable after heat & sand of Alexandria.
19th July
Monday, 8am. Returned to Alexandria to finish setting up the ship, fix lights etc, get
clothing for patients.
Lady Carnarvon came aboard a.m. Red Cross man with her, also Miss Smythe who
is in charge of hospital train here. Asked about Red Cross gifts & so forth. Am going
to see Red Cross people tomorrow. Fancy Scob. is with her on train, also Philans.
Scob wants to come with me here, if I can.
20th July
Tuesday, just remembered it was my birthday during afternoon. Had a very busy day,
going to Red Cross. Met Scob. & Miss Smythe coming to see me, so they came with
me a little way, Scob. coming to Red Cross store. Then I went to their rooms & had
lunch, got some letters & papers they had just brought from Cairo. No home letters.
Several papers from Sydney which will be most useful for our men later on. Called
back to Red Cross to see finally about my things---busy fixing up two other ships.
Ours comes on 23rd, I hope so, want to know what I have to work with. This is in
addition to the clothing etc provided by Ordinance Department.
We should carry enough of everything to do us for 20 days or 400 patients, so it takes
a lot. A list of things I've asked for we should get them for our men. I always try to
get all the comforts I can. pyjamas, shirts (day & night), pants.
We are lying out in stream.
10
20th July 1915
Met Dr. Aspinall, he has been doing Transport work since he left Mena, came back
to ship with me and we took him over.
Col. Robinson came across while I was away to see me & our ship. I was awfully
sorry to be away.
21st July
One of the M.O.'s, Mr Rigby in bed here, diarrhea, rather sick. Set Nurse Frost to
look after him. I have with me for Staff the following. All Staff Nurses.
M Foley trained in Dublin
Frost " " Victoria
Hook " " "
Gilliand " " Adelaide
Ford
Day
Vickers-Foote
Major Crosthwaite, O.C. Kaine
Mr. Adams
" Williams
" Berry
" Cane
" Rigby
45 Orderlies-----392 beds, including cot cases on deck
22nd July
No letters, no news, still here, hope to be ready in a few days. Trust Dardanelles or
where there is fighting & work.
25th July
Wrote to Fred, Dr Henry, John, M. Mitchell, Rube, George, Alice & Lil.
26th July
Left Alexandria for Mudros, crossed out, very smooth sea, ship rolling a little. Had
dinner, feel alright, not too comfortable but praying I might keep well.
Glorious moonlight night, cool. Major Fitzgerald came aboard, going up with us. He
knew me. I had forgotten he was at Abbassia while I was there. I remembered
afterwards. Very nice quiet man, going up to join his Field Ambulance, was there
before on transport.
Got all beds made today. Don't look so nice as they do ashore but are comfortable.
Chief Engineer on board gave me 10/- for magazines & cards for men. I spent 10/- of
my own, a good many comforts now for them.
ANZAC COVE, GALLIPOLI, TURKEY, 1915
A VIEW OF ANZAC COVE LOOKING NORTH TOWARD NEW ZEALAND
POINT. THIS A BLACK AND WHITE VERSION OF A HAND TINTED
COLOUR PRINT PRODUCED BY COLARTS STUDIO, SYDNEY, C. 1925
(P1130/01)
THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN BY PADRE WALTER E.
DEXTER (PWDT 108)
Photo - www.awm.gov.au P01130.002- refer to original document.
11
26th July 1915
Two of these Nurses spoke to Major about me making them make beds. Imagine,
nurses on active service doing that! Probably thought there was nothing to do. I'll
soon fix them up. Won't stand lazy people.
Posted a note to Freddie. Rec. my photo today, no letters.
28th July
Midday. Arrived at Mudros, anchored, lovely harbour, hills barren but pretty in
the distance.. Glorious tints in the setting sun from dark blue & purple, all shades,
really lovely, beautiful moonlight nights too.
Dozens of ships, all sorts - War Boats, Transport, Troopships, Hospital Ships,
Men O' War, Destroyer & Submarines. Couple of Torpedo's, Mine Sweepers &
others.
There are Mines laid right across the entrance- only room for one ship to come
through & 2 boats, one on either side to guard this entrance.
29th July
Thursday. Just heard that the Captains orders are to sail tomorrow at 6am.
Going nearer the fight line., Cape Helles, I think he said. May not go inside a mile
near the shore with Ship. We hear that either 29th or 30th will be a great day, that they
are going to try & force some position. Further we do not know, except that we shall
be very close to it all, for which I am most thankful, for we can then do much for our
wounded men at once. I do hope so, indeed. Trust I get an opportunity to do
something good.
Don't mind if I get wounded or hurt doing it either. We are all ready for hundreds,
plenty of dressings etc.
A case of appendicitis. Operated on one of our Orderlies today, seems alright. T.98,
P.86, put Sr Day on Night Duty with him.
Posted letters today by Chief Steward on board "Arragon", Headquarters of Staff
here, hope they go, to Alice-Rube-Lil & Ethel, should be letters waiting for me at
Cooks, Alexandria when we go back.
31st July
Saturday. We arrived at Cape Helles about 11 am. We are only about 3/4 mile from
where the Troops landed, very wide sand hills all round Straits just to the right of us
& Asia in the distance. Gallipoli to the left. We can see tents, transport & men
walking about, the Red Cross Hospital, flags, village of------& the hill of Achi Baba
quite close.. Shells firing all day today, they sent many across this way & tried to sink
a trooper with hundreds of troops aboard. An aeroplane flew over us & this Point,
early in the day. Then shelling began later, must have been the enemies' machine
which gave information about ships in bay. Then they knew the range- fired all
afternoon, 3 shells burst very close to her, fell into water, of course harmless then.
She steamed right away then, out of range of the enemies guns.
It was a sight to see the boats all making for distance where guns could not reach.
Dardenelles, Turkey
HMS Melville steaming off to the Dardanelles.
Other ships and Achi Baba are in the background.
Photo - www.awm.gov.au - H00218- refer to original document.
12
July 31st 1915
All quiet for a time, then begin again.
Again much firing-smoke & dust- great explosions like thunder. We see the fire come
out of the gun- hear report & watch all the time for smoke & dust & where it will fall.
Very exciting.------wounded. One poor man died in the night - head case -, many
dressings, several operations. Afraid two or three will not live, head & spine cases,
bad.
Greek Officer (Interpreter) very badly wounded - shrapnel. arm, leg, chest, & ankle,
badly & many small places where piece of shell struck him, is quite conscious, looks
like death before we got him off stretcher.
Another Officers leg, but no so badly wounded.
31st July
Still bombarding - guns all day long with short intervals - just the same as yesterday.
7pm. More badly wounded - one man very badly. One officer, left hand off at wrist,
right in splints, fracture seems very well though. One poor fellow died as he got into
bed. Major.........a little better tonight., is a little more cheerful also.
1st Augusr
(Indelible Pencil)
Pte.Bell died 1.30am, more wounded 7/30, some very badly, one foot shot off, others
very badly, all sorts of wounds.
One officer, head case, unconscious, taken to theatre. M.O. says will not save him.
Another officer Captain Ward, hand crushed, not very badly. All of us on "till 12
M.Night, but all have been off duty afternoon, also Orderlies.
Shelling all day today - Turks sent shells into some of our tents, one where about 30
men were working killing 7, wounding nearly all others.
Very exciting to hear & see smoke & dust from both our guns & the enemy. See the
shells being fired & the shore & tents quite well.
2nd Aug
11 more patients tonight very badly wounded. 1 Officer, medical case, Major
Halliwell. Sent a shell along trench - - could not get, Turkish shelling all day, see
them fall everywhere. gunboats firing also on Turkish position. 2 submarines about
yesterday - several aeroplanes.
Tuesday. 2 Officers admitted today - men-. One boy with 2 pals were going for a
swim when a shell struck them - killed 2 and this one 4 or 5 wounds in back, large
one on arm & one on head. Will get alright.
Our boats shelled Achi Baba all afternoon, one firing 9 shots one after the other,
scarcely stopped firing al day and the people from shore say that it has been
exceptionally quiet this week. It is fascinating watching the guns go off - dreadful as
it seems. Do hope they are able to take this position before we leave here.
12 M.Night.
13
2nd August 1915
Everything seems lively on shore this evening, many lights going up from our side to
see that the enemy cannot advance to lay poisonous gases etc.
Such a number of gun boats seem to creep in - you don't see them a few hours before,
then you go up again & there are many. I counted about 14 & only 2 seemed to be
trawlers. They sweep the ocean for mines & see it is safe for destroyers.
Some people on board seem to think that one of our cruisers must have been
struck this afternoon (Tuesday) She seemed to out of action just after a shell burst
near her. They thought a piece struck her.
An R.C. Padre - Jesuit, came aboard from the "Peninsular", says our boat "Assaye"
is much better & a hundred times cleaner than the "Gascon" Hospital Ship. Our men
are well cared for, washed & clean. Dressings done & backs kept clean with eau-de-
cologne & methylated spirits.
3rd Aug
18 more admitted - chiefly wounded - some sick
4th Aug
Still shells falling about, wounding some men, several badly. One boy a gunshot
wound left arm, dreadfully swollen. Several more Officers today - two or three badly
wounded.
Mjr. Wittall- spine case, operated on today again, broken rib was pressing on spine,
no shell. Spinal cord not injured - seems easier - more cheerful. Brother with him
tonight, his father gone.
Such a picnic getting meals, milk etc for so many men. No one knew they were
coming. I looked after all by myself with Orderlies. Got plenty of good food etc.
Sisters are busy in their wards. I help with everything - see to everything & see that
they are comfortable & have all we give them.
Shelling all day again, another Hospital Ship near us, the...?......
Major Fitzgerald sent me some shell pieces, some bullets.
5th Aug
Much the same - bad turns - very large operation, wounds oozing still.
Greek boy, appendicitis, died this afternoon. No particulars - could not speak English.
I sent Major...., Greek officer to speak to him & ask if he wanted anything - said he
was delirious, could not understand anything.
Several small operations.
Torpedo boat came along side, bought naval officer, gunshot wound on foot.
130 of men taken off today by trawler for Mudros
Hope they take many more & leave us here till this hill is taken or let us come back at
once.
Picture of map - refer to original document.
14
5th August 1915
Presbyterian Parson brought me 2 French shells today - I gave the Captain one.
2 naval officers - shell wounds - piece of shell burst on deck.
Still shelling this afternoon - everybody thought that when these sick men came
aboard there would be many wounded. They emptied all their hospitals & clearing
stations.
They say when we see a couple of hospital ships come along there will soon be
fighting.
Everybody very hopeful we will take this Achi Baba soon.
6th Aug
Major Wittall died - brother with him -. Mjr. Ward, septic leg - very serious,
operated again today, fresh opening & drain above knee.
Also some men had ANARO wounds opened - drained - better. Many kept on deck
for fresh air - - much better, very hard to nurse on floor beds but good fresh air.
Great many men admitted all day.
All Hospital & Clearing Stations emptied - sent to us.
Have 450 on board tonight - sleeping everywhere - on mattresses on deck etc.
2 deaths. Major Wittall & 1 Private - head case. More patients this A.M. 12
stretcher cases. 170 left for Mudros by minesweeper.
12 M.Night. They were firing on her & she could not wait to take them all (patients)
3 shells fell about 20 yards away from us into water. Firing at boat lying alongside of
us, they think.
Shell passed just over our ship & fell 20 yards off. Another fell between us & the
supply steamer, also fired at the minesweeper as she lay alongside us taking on our
wounded men for Mudros. They had fired on her several times in the morning, she
carries guns & hunts for submarines, so they are quite in the right but of course she
should not have been lying alongside a hospital ship filled with wounded men.
Both boats got away safely out of range of guns & we saw no more shells near us.
About 2/30pm guns opened fire & our battleships also fired hundreds of shells,
dreadful bombardment. Looked as if the whole hill top would be blown away.
Lasted nearly 3 hours. I watched it at times when I could. It was fascinating & awful.
Great roars of canons like peals of dreadful thunder breaking every minute, at times,
several together.
We got badly wounded men at 7pm. Again, a little later. Got them all washed, fed &
the urgent dressings done by 11pm. We are expected more - so everyone just lying
down in her clothes.
Our men tell me that 3 Regiments have been badly cut to pieces today - it is really
awful. They have taken 2 trenches this afternoon.
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