Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 2 - Part 5

Hospital Ship 'Assaye'
21^st August 1915
The S.M.O.
I wish to report to you that I
am not satisfied about the following Staff
nurses They have not behaved on board
quite as Nursing Sisters should.
Staff Nurse Gelliland
  "        "      Day
   "      "       Nurse Foley has been reported by the
M.O. as incompetent
I would be so glad if you could exchange
these nurses when we reach Alexandria.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
A. Bessie Pocock
Matron.

21
Aug 26^th 1915
5 am – left Imbros, arrived Mudros 9.30am.
Aug 27^th
"Gloucester Castle" on one side of us, "Esmeralda" on the other, patients going off
- all our worst to the latter going to Gibralter. Some of the slight cases, send on
shore here. We take 2/300 from these ships to go to Alexandria this time. I went over
both ships. "Gloucester Castle" better fitted up than ours.
"Esmeralda" was chiefly for horses until she began carrying troops. Now some very
comfortable bunks ? others on floor - does not look too comfortable.
Very sick yesterday – the first time in Egypt. rigours, vomiting, diarrhoea badly, took
some Castor Oil, feel better today tho' still seedy, so faint yesterday, got some Red
Cross stores yesterday - able to give the men more cigarettes.
Aug 28^th
(Saturday) - 7pm. Crossed out again from Mudros, over 500 aboard, going to
Alexandria. Everything uncertain now. I hope I come a few more trips and get some
new Staff, funny ship, most of the M.O.'s dissatisfied with one another, they tell me
each what the other should have done or not done, worse than a lot of old women.
I never thought men squabbled – then they have differences of opinion with the
Captain of the ship. They are a queer lot – some of these people, truly. War brings all
sorts of people together and they either flirt frightfully or fight frightfully – then ask
me something about my staff – do I know that one or two take too much to drink? -
awful, believe it is true yet they won't give me any definite information. They are all
very good to me and I think appreciate all I try to do but one often wonders whether
they say the things about one that they say of one another. In charge you are
absolutely on your own unless you have a very loyal staff. Such a number of nurses
drink these days and smoke – it is rotten.
10pm. Out to sea again – hope to get letters at Alex.
Aug 30^th
(Monday) - Arrived Alex. 1 pm. Lady Carnarvon came aboard, gave her back her
machine, is coming again tomorrow. Scob. came – says Bob has been killed, also
some nephews – awfully sorry for Bob.
Miss Oram came aboard – told her what I had done etc. She said I had done
perfectly right and that she wishes to be told what happens – that her Chief is most
awfully particular about how Sisters behave on Hosp. Ships, that instead of 10.30pm
I should have said to be off the decks and in their cabins by 10pm.unless they were on
duty. She will change them all and give them some hard work ashore where they will
not have the comfort of a ship.
Landed all our patients today –573. 

LEMNOS ISLAND, GREECE. 1915.
NURSES WALK ALONG A STREET NEAR THE WHARVES AFTER LEAVING THE
HOSPITAL SHIP HMHS ASSAYE IN MUDROS HARBOUR.
Print of photograph - see original document
 

22
Aug 31^st
All Sisters recalled – very sorry to lose S. Frost Saw Miss Oram – gave me a copy
of some rules – said to do and put new Sisters and keep them where I thought
necessary and best - not allow them to do anything that she would not like.
Went & had dinner with Scob. and Miss Smythe – very nice evening, returned to ship
at 10pm. Said Major who had not wanted during my absence - got very little Red
Cross stores tho' they told me they had them – afraid my men will come ashore half
naked next trip.
Sept 1^st
Went into town - went to see Scob. and Miss Smythe – Scob. in Cairo with patients.
Sept 2^nd
In town, got some more Red Cross stuff, got my laundry, saw Scob. 3pm. Sisters
began to arrive – given me 9 this time,
Leary      Paton
Dickson
Wilkins    McCarthy
Cawood  Stacey
Bromley  Conway
Wrote to A. Pinkerton, Claude, Alice, M. Mitchelll, Johnson, Miss Short, Tot, Smith.
Sept 3^rd
(Friday) Went ashore to get rest of goods from Red Cross, Scob. came over. I was
down in Ward , they told her I was ashore, she was in a hurry they said, so suppose
she is not able to come tonight. No more letters. Wrote to Major Barrett Helispolos
for books for Australians on 1^st. No answer yet (received some 4/9)
Cannot get any work done – coaling everything, everything terribly dirty and black.
Sept 4^th
Nothing new – did not go ashore, no one came aboard. Big fire on shore opp. us
tonight.
8.32pm.The ....... sailing tomorrow, Sunday 5^th at noon.
Wrote letters –Alice, Mother, Mrs. Morton, S.Jones. N. Wearne, McKinnon, Mrs.
Elliott, Mr. Towsley Bulock.
Sept 5^th
Went ashore a.m. Saw Mrs. Fraschi. Left Alex. 2pm. Arrived Mudros 11.30am
Tuesday 7^th. Left Mudros 7.15pm. Tuesday 7^th. Arrived Imbros about 5.45am. on 8^th. 

23
Sept 5^th 1915
Nothing special at Mudros. No came aboard or went ashore. Captain and the Major
went to "Arragon" for orders only. Quite cold wind, smooth sea.
Sisters O'Leary and Conway sick coming up yesterday.
Sept 8^th
Arrived at Imbros at daylight – had to go only 4 knots an hour during the night
because we could not cross in until daylight when the boom across the harbour is
lifted until sunset only. M.O. took only 840 patients, chiefly diarrhoea and medical
cases., very few slight wounds – finished up 11pm. All lying about decks and
everywhere as usual. Great many Australian and N.Z. Swell had subsided during
afternoon. 3.30pm when we began to take men on board, was very rough all
morning.
10pm. another wind storm came up, very cold, sea up again.
We leave for Mudros 10am. tomorrow. Everybody worked very well and happily all
together/ such a difference from last lot of Nurse we had.
Hear occasional guns going off in direction of Cape Hilles. Very cold tonight again.
Hope men will be warm enough on deck.
Left Imbros 840 men on board, 12md, arrived Mudros 4pm.
Left Mudros 7.30pm for Alexandria, arrived 2pm, 11^th.
Sept 9^th
Large Hospital Ship "Aquitania" just came into Port as we left Mudros - great many
sisters on board. We were told, just equipped in England. One of our pts. A young
boy, 19, was in the wreck of the "Royal Edward" here. He says they saw the submarine
coming and thought by the ripples on the water it was a large fish - only struck them
once, he says. He got on piece of upturned boat, about 20 of them stood in water in 
this boat, some feet deep – watched other poor fellows going down.
25,000 pounds of a.m. stores aboard, as well as all lives, says the "Royal Edward"
was going much slower and in a more straight line than she had been going.
Sept 10^th
Still at sea, busy all day giving out comforts for the men –books, handkch, smokes,
clean clothes, getting them bathed etc gave out scented soap I got from Cairo. So
many, 820 men to be washed with so few baths. We are fitted up for 3 and nearly
always take abt. 800.
Sept 11^th
Arrived 2pm. - got all our cases off - some very sick. Cpl. Lampen went to 15 ?
pneumonia. I have asked Lady Carnarvon to look to him, also a couple of others.
Wrote to his sister Mrs. Thorre, Wolverhampton , Stafford , as he asked me.. Was
about a Station in N.S.W. Liverpool Plains. Went to Red Cross to see abt. clothing
etc. 

24
Sept 12^th
(Sunday) Everybody ashore nearly, stayed back in case wanted. Sent wire to Cairo
for stores R. Cross for Aust. Great many last voyage. Took on all our clean beds
again.
Sept 13^th
(Monday) Went to see Miss Oram - told her all about trip, duty etc. Was pleased to
hear all and that there was peace all round. Went to Red Cross, got a good many
things. Rang up Aust. Red Cross Stores Cairo, told them to send 100 flannel shirts,
none in Alex, also some books for Australians. They did seem to be going to do it, so
I told them I would write to Sydney and get a supply, also stating what answers they
had given me. They then thought they would endeavour to get them down. I told
them not to trouble if I was not entitled to them. They spoke up quickly , saying they
would be sent on today, so I paid them up. Got my stores for the poor men this trip,
plenty of smokes, tobacco and cigarettes, books, clean clothes, so I'm happy.
Miss Phillips, Matron of the "Egypt" came over to see how I managed and so forth.
O.C. also came in aft. Their first trip from Eng. Going back with invalids on Wed.
50 Aust. Sisters came on board for hospital at Mudros.
Sept 14^th
Went ashore to ask for Corpl. Lampen at the office - they told me he was in a ward
upstairs, directed me there, saw Miss Grierson on my way and she came along, found
several other boys who had come over with us, very sick. When we came to the
Ward, cd. Not find Mr. Lampen. Pts. told us he had died yesterday morning. Matron
went and found out it was true. I am so dreadfully sorry. We did not think he would
die, poor boy. I have to write to his sister now and tell her he is dead.
Sept 14^th
I wish we could have kept him on board. His father is a Canon - English. It is
dreadful how you feel these men's deaths.
Scob. came over. Going in her train to Port Said at 9am. so shall not see her - is not
looking to well, worrying I think. Left me parcels for Anzac which I hope I'll be able
to deliver.
I went and had a look over the "Egypt" – she goes to England tomorrow.
Matron came over and had a look at all our ways and things. The Red Cross things I
asked for came down and an officer of Red Cross got them in the train and brought
the across to the ship.
Everybody said I should have asked him to stay for tea etc. Sorry, I quite forgot.
Sailing for Mudros at daylight on Wed.
( Arrived at Mudros Frid 6.0.am ) 

CAPE HELLES AREA, TURKEY.1915.
A HORSE DRAWN BRITISH ARMY AMBULANCE WAGON MOVING
ALONG A DEEP GULLY.
Photograph – see original document 

25
Sept 15th 1915
Concert this evening by orderlies - nothing new - rather rough, some of the SIsters
made me some bags for men's clothes when they go off ship at Mudros. ( 50 for
hospital there )
Sept 16^th
Sea not quite so rough – feel very well.
Hope to arrive Mudros before 8am. tomorrow – arrived 6am.
Sept 17^th
Cawood, Stacey, sick, not very ill, no work much so sent both to bed.
Sisters could not go off today - were not expected ashore and sea too rough to land
them, dreadful gale all day yesterday and today, Calm tonight. Major let them dance
last night as it was supposed to be their last night on board. Only some of them
danced, those in charge of them did not approve either.
Major danced all evening. I told Major Crossthwaite they must stop at 10.30pm., 2
or 3 were dancing again tonight. I sent them off deck at 10 pm.
Sept 18^th
Sisters all went off abt. 1pm. – had some lunch, all said they had been well looked
after etc.
Glorious moonlight night – wish we could have gone on to front.
Orders for Cape Helles today
4 ships, transports in today full of troops, English, I think. One lot went away on a
small ship, many standing up, life belts on all, glad to say. Such a risk of being
torpedoed, though only 4 or 4hours journey.
Sister Stacey in bed all day sick, gastric trouble, sick from 18^th to 2.10.15.
Cawood sick yesterday, one day. Stacey up for a few hours 21^st Tues. not able to take
food yet,
Sept 19^th
Captain let us all go about the harbour in Launch, 2 hrs, very nice.
After Church, saw the ship that was burning yesterday. A good deal burnt, boat quite
black, do not know the extent of the damage.

Orders came to proceed to Suvla Bay.
Left Mudros for Suvla Sun. 19^th, abt. 2.30pm. Arrived Suvla 7pm. 8.30 took on about
150 sick, one shrapnel hip wounded this aft., was making his bed in the sand of
dugout when shell struck him. Others coming tomorrow.
Men do not seem very sick. Still shelling going on.
 

26
Sept 20^th 1915
Taken on many more sick and wounded. Shelling fairly heavily all aft. and evening. 
About 30 badly wounded 8pm. – 10pm. 683 pts. on board, several sent over to 
Hospital

Ship just in – cold sleeping on top decks.

Sept 21^st

Going tomorrow, probably full up. Many on decks, is getting too cold and windy for 
men to sleep on decks now.

Sent some chocolates and handch. by an orderly who came with R.A.M.C. Off. For 
men in trenches – he promised faithfully to see that they were delivered. Gave him 
some warm things for himself and as much chocolates and sweets, tins of treacle and 
many sundries to share with his mates, was awfully grateful , poor fellow. 
Also gave some comforts, wear things, hchfs. pipes and sundries for himself and his 
men.
He took large bag of all sorts, papers, books, etc. for Major Millard – promised to 
give them to him.

Came along again, brought me some shells and bullets for which I was very thankful.

Sept 22^nd

Left Sulva Bay at 5am. A Pte, Pte McDonald ,Scottish Horse went up on deck in his 
pyjamas, threw himself overboard. Orderly O'Brian saw him, ship went back, boat 
lowered, no trace of the poor fellow.

Arrived at Mudros again abt. 10am waiting for orders. Infectious cases taken ashore. 
1 mental and 2 other cases taken on. Reported we are going to Malta. I do hope so. 
3 or 4 of the cases. op. on last night. appear to be dying. Poor boys, wd be better if 
they had just been left alone in peace
I feel sure but these Drs. will want to op. 
They must know that all the dragging abt. and cutting only tend to do more harm in 9 
out of 10 cases. I wish 2 of them wd. get dysentry or fract. skull themselves.

Stacey still sick – jaundiced now, off duty 18^th ( all day ) want her so badly in the 
wards too.

The 3 St. Aust. nurses I've had have all been gastric, not fit for this work. Sh. Have 
been kept at home.

Sept 23^rd

Left Mudros for Malta at noon today. Orders from "Arragon" that no Matron or 
Nursing may sit with Officers at meals. Sisters must sit at a separate table. Everybody 
sorry here. Some names also of Nurses who may never do transport on ships again. 
They must have done something dreadful. Awfully glad to be going to Malta. 
Hope we get there safely – fairly rough tonight, not sea sick.

27

Sept 24^th

Nothing special – same routine work. Smooth sea now – rough during the night and 
a.m.
Have had bad neuralgia for 2 days – think strong winds at Mudros.

Sept 25^th

Arrived at Malta about 12 m.d. barren looking coast, plenty of horses, very pretty in 
the sunset. Glorious moonlight night, going in to berth 9.30 am.

14 deaths so far, a good many for our number but some are so ill and some badly 
wounded.

Sept 26^th

(Sunday) About 3pm Lighters came along to take pts. off to hospt. 2 on each side of 
ship, crane at each end working constantly.

Lord Methuen came aboard, looked round, talked to me for a little time, asked me 
where I had been in Africa etc., all abt. trip., told me a little about the hospitals ashore. 
– very nice to me.

Sept 27^th

Ship coaling today – in frightfully dirty state. We all went ashore but the sick Nurse 
(Stacey), drove to see Mrs. Cotterell whose husband asked me to see her if ever in 
Malta. Was out.
Went to see the Armoury and Council Ch. At Govt. Palace
Beautiful tapestry pictures and so much armour – a carriage of Napoleon, old china 
and many things of the old Knights of the Red Cross.

Visited the Chapel of Bones. A large room with thousands of bones, skulls all round 
the walls and grinning at one. All the other bones made up into all sorts of fantastic 
forms, chiefly Maltese Crosses all round. Whole skeleton of a General and a woman 
who built a hospital. These bones are the remains of the Maltese soldiers who were 
defending Fort St. Elms during the siege of Malta by the Turks in1565 The skeleton 
on the right of the altar was a French General commanding the Maltese troops and the 
one on the left was an Italian lady who built a big hospital for the poor. The 5 skulls 
placed under the lady's  skeleton were 5 Revolutionists executed by the French Govt. 
in 1798. The wooden statue of the Virgin Mary on the Altar was once the figurehead 
of a Maltese Battleship and it dates from the 15^th century.

We had not time to see all the old historical things and places. Wish we cd. Stay till 
tomorrow night and spend the morning ashore again.

Sent for our Red Cross stores yesterday – hope they give me all I asked for. 
I want to send to the men living in the trenches again this time if we go to Suvla or 
Anzac.