Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 2 - Part 6

28
Sept 28^th 1915
Went ashore – saw P. Matron, Miss Hoadly was in Ladysmith, has got R.R.C. – said
all Matrons of Hospt. Ships should see her as soon as they come in. No one told me
and it is not in any orders of ours. She was very nice, gave me some books and papers,
also a letter sent to her by a Brisbane lady Mrs. Smith? for an Australian soldier. I'll
send it to the trenches if I get any chance.
Bought some lace, bedspread, kimono etc. Spent about 8 pounds. Things cheap here I
think.
Malta. Went ashore, Saw St. John's Church, beautiful ceilings, paintings, carved stone
work in all sorts of shapes. Several Chapels on each side of body of Church, all
nations, Saw a room of another old Church full of skulls and bones of soldiers who
defended Malta from Turks in 15^th Cent. Vertebrae and all small bones made up into
Maltese Crosses etc. all round, skulls on walls, leg and arm bones stacked up on floor
underneath. Also saw Council Chamber of Palace present for Gov. Gen's residence,
lovely tapestry, pictures from old Italian Masters, all very beautiful.
Lovely painted ceilings. The skeleton of and old French General, also that of the first
woman who founded a Hospital in time of this war. Hangs on either side of this
room of skulls. Over the Altar is the Statue of the Virgin Mary, once the figurehead
of ship.
Sept 29^th
Left Malta daylight again for Mudros. Arrived Mudros 10am. 1^st Oct.
Left Mudros again for Anzac 7.30am Sat. 2^nd Oct. left 2.45 Anzac again 5.10.15 for
Mudros arr. 8pm. left Mudros 6.10.15 , at 6pm. arrived Malta 9.10.15, 5am. left Malta
12^th, 5pm.
Sept 30^th
Beautiful day, smooth sea, no work much. Everyone resting a little after cleaning up
after patients. Orderlies had concert, enjoyed themselves, I think. They have all
worked very well.
Oct 1^st
6.30am. Heavy fog – Steamer blowing whistle frequently.
7.30am. Still very thick fog, engines stopped altog. now I think. Seem to be moving
gently.
Whistles still sounding from time to time. Another ship also not far off. She is
whistling also, fog so thick can only see a few yards away.
Ships just moving only, very short distance from Lemnos , fog clearing a little last
10m. just close to Port of Lemnos – not much fog now – full steam again. Several
ships close to us all coming in now.
Arrived in outer harbour about 10. 10.30am.
No orders yet. Several H.Ships in – say no wounded, all sick. Saw no one.
Letter from Major Millard thanking me for parcels for men in trenches.
No letter from Tait today. Left Mudros. 7.30am for Anzac. 

29
Oct 2^nd 1915
(Saturday) Arrived here 1pm. machine guns, rifle and shell fire going on all day . Got
about 50 men 6pm. say their trenches are only about 20yds from those of the Turks.
21 Indian Troops with these me today, Staff Nurse Stacey better. I wanted to put her
on night duty as it was the lightest work. Mr Adams thinks she is not fit – says he
would sooner she did no duty only she wd. feel worried about it. Put her just to do
diets and supervise F. Ward 13 beds, overlook orderlies in G.& H. which are very
rarely filled. She still seems very jaundiced, has been off duty now from 18^th Sept. to
2^nd Oct.
Oct 3^rd
Still getting some men, shellings as usual, machine guns and over Ships. Have sent 3
sacks comforts, all kinds, some papers to Major Millard, N.Zealanders and Col.
Wiseman R.A.M.E. for men in trenches.
Oct 4^th
Great deal of shelling today 9am. where the search light was on the point, Gata Tefch
– Shells bursting everywhere, on beach and in water. Turks fired at an aeroplane
which was flying over us very high , shell bursts. 1 bullet picked up on deck – they
did not touch her, flying too high.
Great many badly wounded on today and yesterday – nearly full up so suppose we
will go tomorrow. Still sniping tonight – not so much as last 2 nights. Watched the
guns till 1am. each night since we've been here tho' my window.
6 men killed with one shell today – such a number each day that way, the men say
dreadfully wounded., cut right in half, heads blown off and all sorts of dreadful things,
blown to pieces too.
S.Nurse Stacey has 8 pts. tonight, not doing much work.
Left Anzac 2.45pm for Mudros. Arrived Mudros 8pm. 650 aboard. Glorious morning
aeroplane and airship flying about – Turkish shells trying to get the former – very
close to her but never touched. A French one we thought.
Quite a strange looking thing, the airship – large cylinder looking thing in the air as
we saw it quite close – just like an immense machine shuttle. They were still shelling
one another when we left.
Spoke very seriously to Nurse Wilkins about allowing orderly to service medicines all
round ward and not wash the men. Measure each time. Wards are full of dysentery
and enteric.
Orderlies do nearly all the work for Pts. and she should see that any drinks and
medicines are given in clean mugs or medicine glasses only.
Oct 6^th
Left Mudros for Malta 6pm. 599 aboard. All Indian troops gone ashore here at
Mudros (64) 

30
Oct 7^th
About 4.30pm passed 5 ships in the distance on the left side, some trawlers, man o'
war. Officers said they thought a French transport had been torpedoed She looked as
if she had been and was being towed along, perhaps steering for an island opp. where
there seems to be quite a large village. Such strange places the people live in this little
town or village, built on the sides of these great rugged hills just rising out of the sea,
a lighthouse and a few houses just always nearby. It must be surely more level inland.
When rain or snow comes it looks as if it must surely wash the village and people
away.
Quiet day in wards, most men improving, some typhoids very ill and 1 surgical case
very bad since adm. Afraid he is no better.
Oct 8^th 1951
No change – good weather –  thunderstorms in the afternoon  – first good rain.
Oct 9^th
Arrived at Malta 5am. Went into St. Pauls Bay again about 12.30.
Lighter came alongside, orders to go into Grand Harbour at once, coal at once. Left
as ordered, at once, arrived in G.H. about an hour after, very narrow entrance, wider
inside, dozens of shipping inside, we passed up between 6 large battle ships (French)
3 on either side, crowds of men, huge guns, many troops, top deck and sides, those
highest painted sort of khaki, all very clean looking, the great guns shining like
freshly polished grates and the brass work bright and beautifully polished. Coal barges
came each side and started to load ship, worked for about 2 hrs. then orders came
aboard to cease coaling at once. Now we are waiting for the next order.
They are strange managers ashore, surely. No one seems to know what we are to do
yet. Awfully glad they've stopped coaling for our poor patient's sakes.
All portholes, doors etc. have to be tightly closed up during the time coal is being
taken on, always. We had to depend on the few electric fans we have in wards.
I have a great many sick men, fans and handkcfs. With eau de cologne to try and keep
them cool.
5.30pm. Still waiting. 7 deaths this trip till today, hope we have no more.
S. White from "Dunluce Castle" came aboard to see someone this evening. They are
to move away to let us go to the wharf this time. They had to get their engines
repaired and we were to have gone to England instead of them, but they got finished,
so are going.
We send our men off tomorrow and return to Mudros. I am glad. I do not want to go
to England just yet.
The boats we saw altogether on 17^th did turn out to be a French transport, torpedoed –
60 men lost – about 400 saved. "Dunluce Castle" picked them up (after 12 hours I
think, in water). Wish it had been our boat that had picked them up. 

31
Oct 10^th 1915
Saw Red Cross people. Saw Miss Hoadley, gave me gramophone, some things that
were sent to her for the trenches wh. I will take to them if I have the luck to go back
near them.
Oct 11^th
Saw about Sister's pay. Bought more lace, very nice, 7yds. The engine driver of our
launch was coming off when he slipped off the plank, fell in water and never rose
again. His mate saw the splash. Poor man had a wife at home and just as the ship was
leaving too.
Oct 11^th
An Irish gunner from the "Exmouth" here, came to see an Irish sister. Said he would
take us over his gunboat. He saw the sister going over to look at submarine, the one
that sunk all over the ships. Capt. got V.C. – all men D.S.M.
Some of the girls went inside. She was high up in dry dock. He said he watched them
but did not see me go down, that I was getting up in years, I could not be climbing
those sorts of places, only a sort of manhole to get down a ladder but coming up was
the worst. Of course the men had to come first. You wd. think it dreadful to do this
where you were known but here it does not seem to matter.
I nearly had a fit when he told me to my face I was getting up in years and sd. not to
climb.
Oct 12^th
Taken on all pts. today........men........officers.
Orders to England. Call at Gibralter for further orders. Left Malta at5pm.
So far nice smooth sea.
Oct 13^th
3pm. – passing coast, very pretty. Some sailing boats (fishing?) can see no village or
any house.
Lighthouse Tunis, Algiers , several lighthouses. Very warm, very smooth sea.
Another death –pneumonia – makes 9 during voyage, 3 others very ill – dysentery
No one seems to be able to cure the poor things with dysentery.
Oct 14^th
(Thursday) Another poor man died today, so sorry to lose so many of our medical
cases like this.
Oct 15^th
Beautiful coast line all day – along the coast of Spain, houses and
apparently orchards and gardens – the clouds and mist, every colour on can imagine,
hanging over all. Smooth sea. 

The hospital ship HMHS Assaye preparing to leave Alexandria to sail to
England
Photo – see original document
Bessie was 6 months in charge Hospital Ship Assaye from July 15^th 1915 to
January 1916.
Travelling from Alexandria to Gallipoli – Cape Helles – Suvla Bay
Malta – England – Salonika - Anzac 

32
Oct 15^th 1915
7.50pm. lighthouse at Gibralter, orders sign over, proceed to Southampton and
disembark patients. Take ship to London, refit.
9pm. Searchlight playing on all about the rock. Not very many bright lights.
Orders sent across – proceed into harbour, one never knows how long one order holds
good nowadays. I am glad we are going in here. Not too keen about England yet. Wd.
sooner have gone back to Suvla Bay where our poor men are working under such
hard conditions.
2 more deaths. I do not know why we can't save our dysentery cases – do wish
someone would try and discover something to relieve and cure them, it is dreadful.
Another order almost at once to proceed to Southampton, not call in Gib.
Not feeling very well –T. 100deg. Pains, small rigors. Staff Nurse Stacey off again for
2 days. Still feeling very seedy.
Oct 19^th
Had to see the Major as I could not get up. T. 102deg. Gave me a med. And some
phenacetin.
Oct 20^th
Arrived at Southampton. Got up – still weak and seedy, cd. Not do much, really, not
much for me to do. Pts. all disembarked by m.d. ward equipment tidied up as far as I
could. I had to leave it to each one, not well enough to run after them. Major said not
to worry, let each one do it. Stayed on board. – 2 nurses left.
Ship going into dry dock at 5am tomorrow. We must be off by 7am.
359 men only, this trip, - 10 deaths.
Sept 21^st
Cup of tea 6.30am. Nurses not ready, so got a taxi, went up to London by myself.
Only 2 hrs. in train, arrived safely. Comfortable hotel. Some breakfast 11.30am. and
then went to the War Office to see Miss Beecher. She did not want me for anything
or my staff. Asked how they all behaved etc. They are very particular now apparently.
Saw the 2^nd in Command. She was too busy.
Very comfortable room and bed – lying down aft. since 3.30pm. Maid brought my
dinner up so I shall not go down in the cold for anything and may feel quite fit
tomorrow. Still T. today.
Oct 22^nd
Went to George Reid's office to see if they had any tickets , anything for sisters
coming unexpectedly to London. Absolutely nothing. Nothing of any sort.

33
Oct 22^nd 1915
No one knows anything abt. sisters, - officers and men - not sisters.
Like Miss Beecher's secretary at the War Office – said they were not responsible for
us, did not belong to them in spite of the fact that there were some of her Q.A.I.N.S.
with us.
Then went to the Pay Office. Got 20 pounds. I had 15 pounds but have had to lend
some more to the sisters who can't get it here. Told him the Major said we were
entitled to 15/- for keep while ship is in the dry dock. He was quite funny – no such
thing, they might get 3/6, he would not even give that.
A man from George Reid's office insisted coming with me to show me the place in
spite of me telling him I wd. take a taxi. Kneebones, I think they called him.
Told him a few home truths but said I wanted nothing. I had friends.
Posted 17 letters - hope I get answers to them - then I will get to some places of note,
perhaps Dr., hope so. Of course I've seen so much before but I'd like the others to see
things.
I told him that everybody said to go this office and they were able to give you motor
journeys to places of interest. Apparently they took 50 nurses who were sent home
from Egypt for 3 weeks holiday to many places. They stayed at the Ivanhoe,
Bloomsbury.
Oct 23^rd
Went for motor ride, posted letters. Got letter from Mrs. Bullock with telegraph for
me to let her know when I would come. Told her Monday aft.
Telegram from the Parker Jervis asking me for a few days or a week. Want me very
much, I know. Too shabby to go to any nice places, Clothes torn and worn. Told
them I wd. not be able to go so far away from the ship, awfully sorry not to go too.
Lilly Elliott rang me up tonight, coming tomorrow, is at the Paddington Hospital
doing a bit of nursing she says.
Housekeeper just in to shut my shutters, says they all must keep their houses as much
as possible in darkness, no bright lights about.
Oct 24^th
Lily Elliott came 11am. Frank came a little later with another man friend,
very funny, neither he nor Lil knew the other was in London. Lil had lunch with me
and we spent the aft. at a cousin's house of her, a Mrs. Wahl.
Written a note to Mason Kilner asking him to let me know the best and cheapest
places to get cakes and sweets. I want to take them to Suvla and Anzac and get them
to the trenches.
Letter from the Major re business - answered. Rumour says that when they wanted to
fire on the Zeppelin a few days ago, guns wd. not go off, had been put out of action.
Several places in London where bombs have fallen, frequently killing many people.
Theatres to be closed at night now, report says.

34
Oct 25^th 1915
Swynfen, Mrs. Lowsley and Emily Elliott. Went to see abt. dress being made, also
bonnet, veil terribly torn and shabby – such a nuisance.
Captain Elliott called when I was out.
Spent afternoon with Mrs. Bullock. She is very ill. Mr. Bullock very frail, does not
look at all well. Both awfully kind as usual, took them shell case from Suvla Bay.
Both delighted.
Oct 26^th
Capt. Edgar Elliott came. Lily and I came home early.
I went to see about Red Cross stores for my ship.
Oct 27^th
Mr. & Mrs. Fred came up to see me. Also Lily came in aft. -out all morning.
Saw W.H. Down, manager London S. Western Bank, gave two guineas towards the
Old Veterans the "Six Hundred", only 6 left. Some wives making 16, he told me. I
asked that they might be given some extra luxury while the money lasted. I hope it
will be done. Poor old men.
Oct 28^th
Mrs. Bullock and Miss Douglas came to see me. Mr. B. still very poorly. Lily Elliott
came in for a few minutes.
Wrote many letters home to everyone. Sent Dorothy's shoes, handchfs. Several letters
since I arrived from people in England, lovely to hear from them all.
Oct 30^th
(Saturday) Saw Lily Elliott again. Cd. Not go to theatre. Went to Whitleys, bought
cake, 40 lbs. and other things to take to trenches.
Oct 31^st
(Sunday) Left London and went to Southampton, stayed with the Walter Elliotts.
Went to Red Cross Monday and on board ship. Ship not sailing till 9^th.
Nov 2^nd
(Tuesday) Went to The Gordon Hotel to see Emily, found all well and wanting me
very much, very kind to me.
Had a lovely restful time with Em and everybody. 

35
Nov 7^th
Left Southbourne for "Assaye", Southampton.
Nov 8^th
Saw Jean – bought puddings and sweets and things for my men if I can only get them
into the trenches, if we only go to Gallipoli first and then I don't mind.
Everybody thinks it will be Salonika. Do hope it will be Suvla or Anzac first and
soon surely, Alexandria for letters.
Got a lovely lot of chocolate from Mr. Payne, 3 cases – he was most awfully generous
and good and I do hope I am able to get it to the men.
Wrote Alice, Mrs. Bulock, Mr. Payne, Lily Elliott, Emily Elliot.
Nov 9^th
Left Southampton – same staff. Bad weather from crossing out. Everybody
dreadfully sick for 4 days, then sea smooth and we all got up.
Arrived at Malta 17^th Nov. – nothing special, daily routine, no pts. 300 R.A.M.C.
orderlies going to Malta, 3 sick ones.
Nothing special each day. Sea very smooth and calm. Beautiful moonlight night.
Nov 14^th
(Sunday) Church Parade 11am. - again Church 6pm. lovely singing, all men, nice
service.
Nov 17^th
Arrived at Malta 7am. No orders yet. Took 59 Sisters on. Lady Methuen sent some
lovely fresh cut flowers aboard. I sent a note thanking her and a little piece of lovely
Holly from England, told her she might like and accept it.
Nov 19^th
(Friday) The 59 Canadian sisters taken on board supposed to be for Salonika.
Yesterday I had nothing to do so went ashore. Saw Miss Hoadley, had a fall, is in bed,
strained her arms, had lunch there, she got a dressmaker for me.
Sent home to Alice to mind or divide up, my lace (Regist. Box).
4 yds lovely wide trim Maltese, I paid 15/-
14/-  4 "  narrower caps
11/-  4 "      "            "
4/-    6 "  Cyprus narrow 

36
Nov 19^th 1915
1/6                1 handkch.
1 Pound 5/-  1 collar
2 Pounds      4 yds. Cyprus table cover
1 Pound        4  "         "         "       "
Nov 20^th
Left Malta for Salonika Sat. aft. Very rough, gale, sea not so bad as crossing the Bay.
Arrived Salonika non Tues. 23^rd. Sisters all disembarked it to join their Hospital Unit.
Left Salonika again 5pm same day for Mudros. Very smooth sea, not a move, such a
change, feel awfully well.
Great many ships, gun boats, destroyers, transports etc. One destroyer brought us in
thru' the Boom. 3 "S" shaped course, very difficult and slow, careful steering, one
also took us out.
4 transports arrived safely today for Serbia – said there will be 100,000 French
and British troops here in a very few days. Also said that the Greeks are very
frightened of the large gun boats.
Nov 23^rd
Said that 3 or 4 British battle cruisers waited, moving up and down near the King's
abode to wait for his answer to some matter concerning the war and what he was
going to do. Also that these cruisers have all the Greek battleships locked in
somewhere.
They feel very confident of winning their way into Germany this way, our men say.
Very few wounded here, many sick.
A very pretty place, lovely wide harbour, tower near water's edge, many large, many
stories buildings on the very edge it seems, from where we are. We can see the old
walls that were once round some parts of the city in olden days, very old they tell us.
Very thickly covered with houses, the hills behind rather bare, a most lovely sunset, a
light violet, glorious shade. The hills and buildings covered, the most beautiful
colouring and lovely again tonight again in the moonlight. We hope to reach Mudros
tomorrow morning early. Arrived 7am 24^th.
Nov 24^th
Mudros 7am. left again 12.30pm. for Cape Helles. Arrived Helles 5pm. – just a little
shell fire going on both sides. Machine guns several times during the evening. Ours
near beach it seems to be. Many more tents, huts and dugouts than when we were here
before. Seems to be many more troops. A most lovely red sunset, quite unlike the
purple of Salonika and Mudros. Very cold, no wind, hope the winds keep off till we
get out men on board.
Sorry that we did not go to Suvla or Anzac that I might get my 5 boxes for the
trenches, have re-addressed 2 of them to the troops in trenches here at Helles. I don't
mind who gets them as long as those men get them who are not able to buy anything
for themselves. I shall have enough to make up another box.