Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 2 - Part 4
15
6th Aug 1915
Great search lights playing tonight. Turks watching their Entrance for fear of our war
& destroyer boats getting up & they do not know.
Filled up with badly wounded. Major Newmarch admitted – shell wound –back –
not serious - Nothing fresh – same duties.
7th Aug
4am. Left the Peninsular at 4am. Got all the men aboard (423) mostly very seriously wounded – some very bad dysentery.
8th Aug
16 deaths from time of starting.
Arrived at Mudros about 8am – left again in afternoon for Alexandria – arrived about
1pm on Monday.
9th Aug
42 hours steam each way, several awfully bad cases about & so busy all the time.
Have asked for more pyjamas etc. for next trip.
Got all our wounded off by about 8pm. Some poor fellows dreadfully ill but had to
go. Hope they get to Hospital safely & get relief.
General Babtie came aboard, went all round. Everything upset with patients moving
away etc. Was very nice to them al. Spoke to a great number of them. -
2 more deaths.
Have asked the General to spare me two more Sisters. Asked him for Scob, Sister
Perron or Cameron from Cairo. He said he would try for me.
(end of pencil entries)
10th Aug
Went ashore 10am, got a good supply of Red Cross stores and brought aboard for
this voyage. Left 2 dresses to be made. Wrote to Lady Carnarvon asking for loan of
machine to make mosquito nets for flies when we get back. Cannot get made up ones
here.
Got the Major to write to General Babtie for 2 sisters, hope I get those I've asked for.
Wrote to Alice and Lil.
11th Aug
Major told me that Nurses Gilliand & Day told him they could not get on with me
about their work – would rather leave. I told them in the morning (Sr. Day) that she
did not seem to want to work on the voyage. I told Major what I had found out about
them & their work & said they could go most willingly if we could get 2 others
quickly. Nurse Gilliand went off to our cabin on the day we were landing when there
was so much to do for the men. Never did a dressing, stayed in bed all day.
16
11th Aug 1915
Saw her 2or 3 times - was going to get M.O. to go & see her. Went in first myself in
the evening, found her in bed still but having a big meal of sandwiches & Brandy &
Soda. I did not take the M.O. in. Dr. Williams told me the day before to take her out
of his ward – away altogether - she was no use or help to him.
Also reported Nurse Foley. No use of help to him in Theatre.
Fixed up all my Red Cross stores. Took me till 1pm. Nice supply for our poor fellows
when they come to us from the trenches.
Had a good sleep & rest in the afternoon – was so weary & tired.
A Parson came aboard for duty, 2 Hospital.....& Staff to come tomorrow for duty at
Mudros, we are told we are supposed to sail m.day tomorrow.
12th Aug
12 M.D. left Alexandria for Mudros, smooth sea, cut out many mosquito nets &
getting them made.
13th Aug
About 3.30pm passed H.S. "SOUDAN" going to Alex. She sent a message to say be
careful of submarines.
There was a wreck further on – they had some survivors on board.
About 3.50pm came up to 2 destroyers waiting about together – very much wreckage
- stairways - planks – 4 life belts – 7 Or 8 life boats – very sad – cast quite a gloom
over one all afternoon. One boat they say had "TORONTO" on it. Captain thought
she might be the "ROYAL GEORGE" from Toronto – a boat which Left Alexandria
2 hours before us & filled with troops, if so - it is dreadful.
Was submarined they think. Such a lot of boards floating, no bats, helmets or any sign
of living thing. We could not hear any news, which makes it worse. Hope the2 boats
& hospital ship picked them all up.
14th August
8am. Arrived at Mudros again – anchored out in stream waiting for orders.
Very warm, hazy all over hills & tents on shore, very pretty but very barren looking
sandy hills. No green of any sort to be seen.
The "TORONTO" is here so it cannot have been her wreck we saw yesterday –
hope it is not worse – shall probably know as soon as someone comes aboard or
anyone from ship gets ashore.
Great many ships – 2 or 3 hospital ships – a few men o-war. 2 destroyers gliding in &
out between everybody so quickly.
Many white tents in the distance – may be new Hospital No3 General with Dr.
Fiaschi & Australians on staff who came out last.
Officer just came on board – says it was the "ROYAL EDWARD" troopship we
passed yesterday (wreckage).
17
14th Aug 1915
1500 men on board. Hospital Ship "SOUDAN" picked up 400 only. We do not know
any more. Dreadfully sad – wish we had been near enough to help also.
They say she was probably submarined.
"ROYAL GEORGE" safe here.
Do not know how many soldiers were saved but they say that the crew would number
over 400. Poor fellows. It is terrible.
Report says 1400 casualties at Achi Baba – not taken yet either. Fighting since we
left. Do wish we could out number them & destroy as many Germans.
(Wrote to Alice –Lil – Ethel)
14th Aug
Saturday.
3.15pm crossed out for Mudros, mines all across Entrance, just enough room for a
couple of ships to pass between the 2 ships which are anchored here to see that no
enemy comes through. 2 destroyers just coming in swiftly, they seem never to rest.
Several ships – another hospital ship passed in as we came out "GLOUCESTER
CASTLE" & then going in the same direction as we are going – (called back)
Orders for a place further on than Cape Helles – passed Achi Baba - also passed
Anzac where there are Australians they say. Anzac means Australian & N.Zealand
Army Corp, they tell us.
We are a few miles off – so awfully glad we are going away further than Mudros –
hope right to firing line to get men at once.
Arrived at Suvla Bay at 7/30pm. Captain went too far in – nearly over Boom. Net
closes Entrance to keep submarines out & warships & merchant vessels inside.
Hospital ships outside now, lying short distance out. Several other boats, 2 or 3
hospital ships.
Shelling Achi Baba as we passed – shelling this place also from gun boats – Enemy
returning fire.
Seems to be a good sized village where their guns are. Trees etc. Same ranges of hills
everywhere.
Rockets going up tonight – awfully glad they set us up here again.
Say that we take Australians this time. I don't mind which troops they are, although I
think I like English the best. They are far more grateful & appreciate kindness much
more.
15th Aug
About 10am. Launch brought over 35 walking & 8 stretcher cases – 4 badly
wounded.
Brigadier General Cowans & Col. Fuller – the former through right arm – the latter
– leg – not serious.
35 & the General went to Imbros after 12 midday & 4pm. Others kept here. Men say
it was simply murder the way they were killed - just Hell let loose. Some poor
fellows hid their heads on table to shut out the sights & sounds they had been through.
DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN
Helles Covering Force Landing Plan (Schematic)
DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN
ANZAC Landing
Limit of Advance, Early May 1915
DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN
HELLES LANDINGS
Limit of Advance, Early May 1915
Diagram: see original document.
Carrying the wounded – Anzac Cove – 1915
Photograph: see original document.
18
15th Aug 1915
Got the worst to bed, washed, comfortable – their dressings done – all the other men
who could walk, tea, bread & butter & milk. I also gave each patient cigarettes,
handkerchief & piece of chocolate before they left the ship.
All day bombarding the hills in front of us. A week ago they landed troops, guns etc.
in the dark & have surprised the Turks.
They lost a great many men. They say the Turks set fire to bracken & burnt the
wounded who could not get away, this man told me.
Shells falling on beach near our men & amongst horses. Can see men & horses
running about. Cannot tell whether many were killed or just frightened.
Great shells from Monitors & our Batteries all day long bursting on hills & valleys
between. They say they have chased the Turks a good way – hope it is true.
Destroyers (2) passed M..D. packed with troops - -went quite close to land –
eventually landing them.
We could see our men marching up the hill, shells bursting near them – they
wear a little piece of glittering tin on their backs that our own Artillery may
direct their guns away from them – not to harm them.
You see a great flash of fire from the side of a battle ship, then in a minute you see a
great flash & explosion & down comes the shell. That is awful if it bursts amongst a
number of men, if it goes into the sand or water of course, it is harmless.
This goes on for hours – it is dreadfully fascinating – all my spare moments I spend in
watching these shells. About 6 or 7pm tonight incessant rifle firing we hear.
So there must be a big engagement on the other side of the hill.
We shall probably know tomorrow when we get the wounded in.
One hospital ship left this A.M. – another filling beside us – 2 more in the distance &
we. There must be thousands of casualties.
About 6/30pm a German aeroplane flew over our gun boats that were firing. They say
that she dropped bombs on some, especially on the big Balloon that goes up when
they are shelling. Fortunately no one came to any harm. Our guns tried to hit her as
she flew away but was much too high for them – although some shells burst quite near
the thing as it flew off. We were all watching – frantically hoping that one shot
would bring the whole aeroplane down.
The Balloon is a huge big bag, like a sausage which takes up underneath it a sort
of chair basket which holds 2 men who make observations. Then they tell the
Gun Men the exact position of the enemy & their guns & give them the range.
Then they start firing off again.
10pm, all quit & peaceful now – you would not think such dreadful things had
happened today – some shells shake the whole ship.
GALLIPOLI: ANZAC BEACHES AREA, TURKEY; DARDANELLES; GALLIPOLI,
ANZAC AREA (GALLIPOLI)
STRETCHER BEARERS CARRY A WOUNDED SOLDIER TO WAITING BARGES
LOADED WITH OTHER WOUNDED MEN.
LIMITED MEDICAL CARE COULD BE GIVEN ON THE GALLIPOLI PENINSULA
AND MEDICAL CASES WERE EVACUATED FOR FURTHER TREATMENT TO
HOSPITAL SHIPS MOORED OFF ANZAC COVE.
(Photograph: See original document)
19
16th Aug 1915
3.30am. Boats began to come alongside with wounded ---dreadfully badly wounded.
Got them tea, Bovril – milk – bread & butter – let them lie down. Stretcher cases the
same - -washed & made comfortable as soon as possible. Got through very quickly –
everyone busy. Poor fellows, so weary & worn out & in pain. None groaning or
complaining –I also gave all some cigarettes who could smoke. They simply live for
cigarettes for the time.
Dreadful to see some of the young boys trying to forget the scenes they had passed
through & the chums they had lost - looking one another up & trying to find out who
was missing.
4pm. Left Suvla Bay – called at Imbros, then out to Mudros – arriving here at 8am.
17th Aug
Arrived at Mudros 8am – no orders – doing our dressings. Such a lot of serious heavy
ones everywhere , on Deck as well as in Wards. Some cannot live.
Operating urgent ones up till 12 M.N. –Dressings again all day.
18 men died & 2 officers. That is at the rate of 10 a day. At first so many suffer from
shock with their dreadful wounds, it seems possible to save them. Poor boys and
you cannot spare the time to stay with them till the last.
That is the Padre's work & Duty but we have got such a rotter. He slept during the
greater part of the afternoon while all this was happening. His name is Clark & he is
only an overfed lazy pig! I sent for him for 2 poor boys and afterwards told him what
I thought of his conduct. The brute won't forget me. I sent the O.C. after him to tell
him I wanted him.
18th Aug
We all worked till 1am this morning. The Officers & Men of the ship working most
awfully hard – the lazy overfed Padre the only idle person on board.
Then 12 M.D. they began to take them all off for Hospital at Mudros here. – They did
not want to go either, officers or men. Hope they go to Colonel Fiaschi.
All terribly tired – must clean up & get ready in the morning for new ones as we are
going to go back to the front tomorrow. The orders say at present only 14 of the worst
cases left on board ship.
19th Aug
All clean & tidy again – one man died today – poor fellow. Sister wrote a letter for
him to his wife & we will post it.
Cut up great quanitity of gauze & wool this morning, enough to do 2 trips. Got 2
ship's men to help, all sterilised and ready.
Major Strickland bought me some more Red Cross stores aboard. – so glad, for I had
given the men so much that I would have been short on account of not going back to
Alex. – Find now that there are plenty of stores in Mudros.
Expected to sail today – still here – having a little rest.
LEMNOS ISLAND, GREECE. C. AUGUST 1915.
A VIEW OF THE SHIPS ANCORED IN MUDROS HARBOUR, WITH A
BRITISH AIRSHIP PASSING OVERHEAD.
(Photograph: see original document)
20
Aug 20th
Still at Mudros. "Clan McGillvary" on fire (Bunkers). She gave alarm and in few
minutes dozens of Blue Jacket boats, launches & boats lying beside her ready to help
– wired for H.S. "Soudan" who came up beside her , evidently going to take all off,
probably the fire will be out very soon.
Aug 21st
Left Mudros about 5 am. Arrived Imbros 10am. Took on over 800 sick men, all lying
about decks, some in Wards – we leave about 4 or 5 a.m. Returning to Mudros, so
Orders are now. Many Australians & New Zealanders on board – say there is to be
a desperate fight this aft. and tonight. There will be dreadful casualties. Hope we get
back in time to take the poor fellows on. Many gun boats here, 2 Monitors. Com.
Townsend dined with Capt. Tonight, when Cap. introduced me he said, oh, are you
any relation to our chaps, 2 of your name are in our Company. Wd. liked to have
asked him more but could not.
Fixed all our men up comfortably, made beds all over deck. Capt. helping , everyone
working except this horrid Clergyman, wish we could change him, he is an awful cad.
Leaving at 4am tomorrow they think. Arrived at Mudros about 10am Sunday -22nd
August (Mudros) left again 7pm., Imbros 5 am
Aug 22nd
(Sunday) About 11.30pm went alongside Transport "Canada" All our pts. stepped
across to her – others carried in stretchers, about 800, then we left, crossed out again
at 7pm. Very slow steam all night to reach Imbros by daylight – posted letter to Miss
Oram. Major said I better send report to her about some of the staff.
Aug 23rd
About 5 am, again at Imbros, sent to other side of Island, too rough to land pts.they
said. About 3.30pm the first trawler came alongside, took on several others, about 300
on now, dressings small, all done, now orders say it was a mistake them coming to us,
should have gone to "Esmeralda". They move the poor fellows about shockingly,
this is the third boat they have been on since yesterday they say already.
Many N.Z. and Australians amongst this lot, very tired, sick & weary just now.
Very windy, quite a gale tonight. Only mild cases on board so far.
Aug 24th
S.M.O. at Imbros came aboard, said we should have not taken these slight cases –
should have gone to "Esmeralda" - not to take any more. Want to send us 150 cot
cases.
Aug 25th
Gale not quite so strong – another Hosp. Ship near us sheltering, men not
very sick, few diarrhoea, small wounds, 311 men aboard. Went round the opp. Side
again – got on more Pts., up to about 800 now, not very bad cases.
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