Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 2 - Part 7

37
Nov 24^th 1915
The British O.C. Suvla, never wrote to tell me that he received the last sack of extras I
sent him before going to England. I wish I knew whether he got it safely.
Col. Millard wrote and told me he had got his 2 cases and would send them on to the
New Zealanders for me, said his men would be glad of them and that they would
really get in to the trenches.
4 lbs. currant cake and one cake the people gave me for myself I sent to 13^th Hants.
CONTENTS OF CASES I GOT AND BOUGHT FOR MEN WHILE IN
LONDON.
2 plum puddings
2 gross 1 bottles Yorkshire Relish
12 tins baking powder
12 jars potted meats
12 tins biscuits
12 jars honey
buttons, laces, shaving brushes
8 lbs. sultanas
14 lbs raisins
6 boxes dominoes
30 small sponges
several daily London papers
notepaper, envelopes and pencils
12 packs cards
4 jars Bovril
24 pieces soap
20 pyjamas
20 hand towels
50 treasure bags
12 cholera belts
 8 caps
36 doz. Boxes chocolates
18 pipes
12 tins tobacco, 50 pkts. Cigarettes
36 shirts
48 handchfs.
12 mufflers, 12 razors, 12 shaving soap
Nov 25^th
11 am. Another trawler alongside, few wounded, many sick. 4 med cases in my ward
now - came in much closer to shore, very close. Much smoother here, men got aboard
very comfortably and easily.
I sent the 4 cases ashore, 2 add. To Brigade. Major R.N.D. the men of a General
Trotman who came aboard sick yesterday. Asked the Adj. Lane, Landing Officer to
send, other 2 on to Col. Millard or Christian, at Anzac.

38
Nov 25^th 1915
Also Mr. Tollimache - parcel for Suvla, hope they all get them and enjoy them, gave
each of crews and 2 R.A.M.C men one box of chocolates each.
Nothing special, very little firing, everything ashore very quiet. Nice day, but cold,
cold wind blowing on men on trawler as they came over, tho' well wrapped up.
Nov 26^th
13 pts. tonight. Temp. 104 deg., some.
Another trawler alongside - same sort of cases.
Many officers, not very sick.
Col. Prescott R.A.M.C wanted things for his sick men and officers. I had very little
left, gave him some warm pyjamas, shirts for them in bed, mufflers, 12 hdchfs, soap,
shaving etc. material. He had plenty chocolate.
2 boxes biscuits
1 tin shortbread
6 lbs. raisins
1 tin baking powder
2 jars honey
3 boxes chocolates
6pm. great storm came up, lightning, thunder and torrents of rain. The poor men in
trenches and ashore must have been quite washed out again, lasted until about 9pm
then ceased suddenly, gale and waves went quite down.
Nov 27^th
Lovely morning, bright warm sunshine, storm all gone. 11am. more pts aboard.
11.45am. leaving for Mudros.
3pm. arrived Mudros, great gale and raining heavily, torrents, too rough for launch to
go in for orders.
No orders out.
Nov 28^th
(Sunday) No change, gale still blowing, we came into the inner harbour which is a
little further in, great many ships of al sorts, sheltering probably.
1 death yesterday, abdominal case.
Gave conv. men in bottom wards gramophone this aft.
Some small ops. done, very little, no big wounds or bad cases in surgical. No
wounded officers, all medical and some sore hands, same as men, a great many
officers, 1 priest, 1 C. of E. parson among them.

39
Nov 29^th 1915
Another windy day. Slight snowflakes falling all the time, very soft, pretty and cold,
plenty of warm clothes on and inside ship heated with steampipes, wards nice and
comfortable.
Sir James Porter from "Liberty" came aboard to see General Trotman a pt. On
board. Surgeon Gen. Babtie came on board, going to Alexandria with us. Also Capt.
Gilman. 387 pts. aboard.
Left Mudros 5pm. for Alex. - wild night, ship rolling a good bit, hope none of us are
seasick for we have plenty of work, trust I am able to keep well.
Took dose Bromide gr. X44 Major ordered.
Buried our poor man who died from abdominal injuries (tonight at sea 8pm)
Nov 30^th
General Babtie inspected wards and said he was very pleased, everything was nice
and the pts. comfortable. Capt. Gilman told me he was pleased and said they would
not take me away from this ship, he was sure.
Dec 1^st
Arrived at Alex. about 11.30am. tho ' Gen. Went off in launch. We came in to berth
at 2pm and disembarked our pts. finished at 7.15pm.
Mr. Tanner went ashore, brought our letter from Cooks, I got 28 only. - after all this
time. Satisfied tho' to that all were well. - Mother, only rheumatism.
Going ashore to see Miss Osram in the morning. Hear Scob. has been recalled to No.
2 Cairo, also all Australians.
Dec 2^nd
Went ashore, saw Miss Osram. She is sending a N.Z sister on extra - was very good
and seems to think I do right. I like her ways very much, hope she is satisfied and
leaves me on ship. 20 more letters.
Dec 3^rd
Went ashore, took Miss Osram her shell and the particulars about sisters she asked
me for - said she did not hear whether the Surg. General was very pleased with our
ship, only saw for a minute, so hope he was.
Went to 15 Gen. To try and find out about Corp. Lampen's death, belongings, and
where he is buried, found out very little.
Had lunch with Mrs. Douglas, the General is on Cape Helles.
If I had only known when we were there.

Mudros - Lemnos Greece. 1915
Bed patients and staff at the 27^th General Hospital West Mudros
Hospital ships bought wounded and sick men to Mudros from Gallipoli
Suvla Bay etc.
Photo - see original document

40
Dec 3^rd 1915
Says for me to be sure and send him a message and he will come on board to see me
if we go again.
Letter from Miss Short saying she and others sent me a case of books and something
for myself. Not arrived yet.
Dec 4^th 1915
Found Corpl. Lampen's grave - no No., nothing on it, on map 1578 - put some 

flowers on in a dish of water, white roses and jonquils, also a few 3 or 4 graves

beside him. Wrote to his sister.

Wrote many letters. Bought puddings, raisins, to send to the trenches - Two pounds,

11/3d.

Dec 5^th

S.Mcnab and S. Radcliffe came over, very glad to see them, liked them so much to

work with at Ismalia. 28 officers and about 300 orderlies they say, coming with for 

Anzac ?.

Col. Howse on board also, never met him before. S. Speedy arrived for duty - N.Z

sister, seems quiet, hope she gets on alright. Is not very giddy looking.

Left Alex. Again for Mudros 3pm - very smooth sea, lovely and calm, beautiful

night, tho' very dark.

Dec 7^th

Arrived Mudros, beautiful passage, sea smoother than ever before, warm.

300 officers and orderlies, Australians and N. Zealanders. All seemed very happy, did

not like leaving ship. Very fine men and many very nice men among them. Gave them

all the chocolates, cigarettes etc., I could spare, books, writing paper, like N.Z's so

much, mostly manly, nice fellows. 2 Aust. sick men left on board - one from

Goulbourn way. Both better - mumps. 2 others did not hear the order to go off, were

with the engineers, so were left on board. Now working with our men on wards.

Left Mudros 5pm. for Suvla Bay - coming thro' boom we got too close and rudder or

propeller became entangled in net - another ship coming thro' at same time. Captain

must have given them too much room. Lowered a boat with crew and Chief Officer

and got off in about a half an hour. Good thing we got off so easily, had to take all

night to do the 3 and a half journey, as the auth. wanted us to get to Suvla at daylight

to load up quickly, gloriously smooth sea, warm and fine weather.

Arrived and got thro' boom before 7am. anchored closer in this time abt. half mile, I

shd. think.

41

Dec 8^th 1915

Arrived Suvla before 7am. - daylight. Crossed in thro' boom before 7am.
About 10am pts. came along, coming all day at intervals, half full now. Many badly

wounded this time, many very sick. Several terrible sore feet, dreadful frost bite - 

have been standing 24 hrs .and longer in 3ft .or more of water, very dirty, poor

fellows. Many tell me they haven't had a clean shirt on for 7 weeks.

Sent Mr. Tollemache a plum pudding, 12 boxes of chocolates.

Pte. W. Tilsley 17884 - head case, died 8.45pm, Ch. OfE., not conscious since

admission. Nth Staff, Regt.
Dec 8^th 1951

Pte Holmes transferred from C. Supply, tetanus, very ill, Temp 106 deg. P. 152,

sponged w. water, in an hour reduced to 104 deg. Evening Temp. 101 deg. Pulse 126,

sores fermented, sleeping, seems better. Ran his jack knife into palm of hand some

days ago. Temp. 104 deg. Fairly well 9th.

Pte Buston 16852 abd. Case, died this evening Nth. Staff. Regt.

Several badly wounded and sick and frost bite.

Pte Holmes better 102 deg., 101 deg. Not any sign of tetanus. Chest trouble M.O.

says.

Other pt. today 105 deg., 104 deg. Very high, the sick ones.

549 aboard tonight. Sleeping on both decks and hatch way down in wards. Nice and

warm and comfortable.

Dec 10^th

More pts., nothing new, shelling a little, smooth sea and warm day. Got some more

men am., same cases, many very worn out, bad feet, exposure, frost bite.

Left, called at Imbros abt. 11.30pm Took on a few sick, 2 bad enteric. Left again at

once about 2 for Mudros, arrived at 6pm.

632 aboard, 607 men, 25 officers.

Pte. D. Daniels 3867 1/4 Welsh Regt.Inf. Bdge. died.

Pte. Brazier 17960 6^th Lincs. Died 3pm.
Pte E.G. Smith 9768 2 C 1/5 Wilts. Regm. Died 4.35 Dreadfully bad frost bitten

feet

Pte. F. MOrris 2513 7th Regt. Welsh Fuseliers died 9am, Dec 11^th. shrapnel wound

both legs.
150 walking cases got off at Mudros. 1 officer - 481. Left Mudros for Malta. Capt.

Gilmour came aboard before we left, inspected wards, always very kind and nice

lately.

Mena, Egypt. c.1915.

Sister Mary A. (Bessie) Pocock, Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), with

a camel handler and his camel in front of the sphinx and pyramids. Her nurses

coat is draped over the camel's saddle.

Photo - www.awm.gov.au P01840.010 - refer to original document

MENA, EGYPT. C.1915

NURSING SISTERS, INCLUDING SISTER MARY A. (BESSIE) POCOCK

(FAR LEFT, BACK ROW), MOUNTED ON CAMELS IN FRONT OF THE

SPHINX. (DONOR P. MCCARTHY)

Photo - www.awm.gov.au PO1840.009 - refer to original document

42

Dec 10^th 1915

Gave all wards and every patient piece of chocolate, cigarettes. 6 very bad enterics in

my ward, delirious, 105 deg., 104 deg., Splendid cases if they all get well, I hope they 

do.

Homes better today, temp. 104 deg. Still, but certainly better, no sign of tetanus, so

our smart surgeon Williams was quite wrong.

Dec 12^th

Church Parade, not very good singing, Aust. & N. Zealanders thousands times better,

they had lovely hearty services several times.

Dec 12^th

Glorious weather still, sea so smooth, very warm and again bright moonlight nights.

All men had cigarettes today. The Capt. gave me his extra ones.

Pickles 105 deg. Allsop, Gru, Medley, Holmes, Webster, all 104 deg. And over.

Still delirious and terribly dry mouth and tongue, poor fellows. Think they will be

quite right if moving does not shake them up too much.

Would like to take them myself ashore. Except the M.O. will hope to reach Malta

tomorrow.

10am. - 7 deaths from Suvla to Malta - 2 days.
Dec 13^th

Arrived Malta abt. 10am. Disembarked pts. -21. Some very ill, worst days of enteric - 

hope all will be alright. Went ashore, Red Cross, Miss Hoadley. She went to Sicily

yesterday, not well yet.

(Arrived at Alexandria - Mina House - Pyramids - Cairo.

Left Mina House for Canal, Ismalia and returned to Mina House. Left again for 

Abbassia. Ret. To Mina. Left Mina for Alex. 17^th. General.

Left 17^th General for Hosp. Ship. Left Alex. On ship for Acha Baba, going between

Cape Helles, Anzac, Imbros, Suvla Bay. Going to Alex, Malta, London, calling

Salonika on the way. Send July 27^th )
Back at Malta with 481 pts. Pts. going back again tomorrow, they say.

Dec 14^th

Ashore again, bought some cushions, calendars and cards. Cake, plum puddings, 2

pounds, 7/5d.

Left Malta again about 4.30pm. Crossed out 5pm. Ship rolling a good deal, big swell 

on with, bit sick.

43

Dec 15^th 1915

No work today - stayed in bed all day, was very tired.

Dec 16^th

Up today, had good rest. Transports and destroyers in line with us this aft. passed on,

going faster than we. Expect to reach Mudros early tomorrow morning. Orderlies had

a concert tonight, beautiful moon last night.

Dec 17^th

Arrived at Mudros from Malta - no orders yet.

Went ashore for first time in launch. We 11, 5 out of 6 M.O.

Saw Sister Taylor - Pidgeon - did not see Dr. Harris. Saw Dr. Jock Morton but

did not know him. Tents and marquees very comfortable & cosy. Sister says they are

very well off now - were badly at first.

We have had nice days lately but for 10 days before, dreadful weather.

Went to the wrong landing at first - French hospital, they were very funny, never

heard of an Australian hospital etc. 3 nurses there - red crosses on - did not look "first 

rate" - may have been.

Had quite a nice afternoon - got back to ship 6pm. Have never been allowed to go

ashore before, so were pleased to get on land to say we had landed.

Seem to be hundreds of ships of all kinds lying in harbour. Report says that all men

are coming away from Suvla and Anzac. Hope we go tomorrow - say we are to go to

Imbros for orders. Came right on to Helles.

Dec 18^th

Left Mudros for Cape Helles 2.30pm. - about 60 men came on board - none very bad.

General Davies and Captain Rycroft came for night. - Very gay old man - fond of

sisters, his man says, had proved it too, says he is Irish. Thank goodness he is not

travelling with us. All Miss B's War Office rules would be ignored. He is good fun

but an old fool I think. I have no time for him. Left after breakfast 19th. Farewell of

Irish sisters specially. I never saw a man show himself such an utter fool. He in

command here too and bombardment expected 2.15pm Old idiot! If I had been nice to

him suppose I might have had R.R.C.

Dec 19^th

Sunday Before Christmas. Had a note from Gen. Douglas - would come over, only

very busy, I'll see his wife when I go to Alexandrea and tell her. Sent some cake and

pudding for the trenches - also one for himself - the last I have now. Wish I had more

in case any Aust. men turn up. Hope he sends them into trenches.

2pm. Terrific shell fire began -lasted 1 hour, reports, clouds of smoke and dust - 

some tents blown up - hope no men - our guns started, so perhaps they were trying to

get away from Anzac - say all men are away from Suvla. They had 3 or 4 mines laid

there - they set them off first - machine gun and rifle fire firing also - stray shots all

afternoon. Always seem to do these things on Sundays too.