Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 2 - Part 10
64
Feb 23rd 1916
Much better, have not been out yet though. Letter from McCarthy - says a new Staff
have been sent out to Bombay for the "Assaye". How strange they are in the army?
They must be going to carry British soldiers surely again. Am quite satisfied to be off
though. I think we were on long enough. I feel done up yet a bit, though perfectly fit
on board.
It is nice to feel the earth under your feet again and everybody here very pleasant and
easy to work with.
Feb 24th
Staff nurse Pullay left today for No1 Helipolis to be under observation, chest trouble?
Feb 25th
Some Canadian R.A.M.S. came to look at wards - say they have large staff. 49 sisters,
16 M.O's. and do not think this will be large enough. I do not mind much what
happens, only hope if there is any sort of movement or work anywhere, I shall be
sent.
Went out to Zestoun Aust. camp with 4 sisters to dinner with Mr. McGee - Mr. Fysh
- several other sisters and a few outsiders. The Adjutant, Mr. Corbett was in Sth.
Africa and many places I had been and a few others also. Was interesting to meet
them - had been in the same places I had.
Very nice dinner, plenty of comfort for active service conditions. Band played
beautifully. Came back by motor about 40 minutes, lovely ride - pretty fast pace too.
Arrived home 9.50pm.
Party for Sahara arranged for Tuesday next. Hope nothing prevents it. May not be
here though. Major Roberts getting some horses to ride from H.A.C. Should be lovely
going over desert. Hope it comes off. Have an order for riding skirt which will be
ready on Monday in case we do go.
Met Elsie Smith in street - is at No 1 and will come out later. Seems to be having a
good time.
Feb 26th
Elsie Smith and two other sisters came out - had afternoon tea. Gave Elsie 72
handkerchiefs for her sick men. Says she will write postcards to some of the children.
Bought some old Egyptian etc 10/-, pottery (450 B.C) some things 400B.C.I do love
the old things. Hope I'm able to get them home safely.
Letter to Mr. Yearling - had seen Mr. Olding, he says he told him I was here.
Feb 27th
Nothing new - Church service 4/30pm. Dreadful men here will not go to Church.
65
Feb 28th 1916
Went to see MissCougers, asked her about several things. Col. Millard came in - did
not seem to know that we would be moving out. Seemed surprised when I told him a
Major (Canadian R.M.C) had been looking round and was sending a report and he
told me that I would be going to NO.3 and not Heliopolis. Got my skirt 16/-, got
another cape - very dear stuff and making it, 8/-. Everything awfully dear.
Met Scob there - awfully glad - just down for a day from Alex. Is still on transport
"Letitcia" is supposed to be coming out to stay with me tonight.
Went to dinner with Col. Markwell, Capt.....? and Scob, she knows the former. Met
Mr. Helsham (old Charlie) - just the same. Going to lunch with 2 sisters he says. Saw
him after looking at finery with these 2 girls in shop window.
Saw Sister Ennis for a few minutes, also a Padre who came over with them. Got out
here looking for Queensland girl just at 7 and as it takes about 1 1/2 hrs to get back, I
had to ask him to dinner.
Feb 29th
Scob came out after diner, could not get out before, bought Kieth Buchanan with her.
We could not arrange Sahara. Cawood came out. We went for a camel ride round the
Pyramids. Had photo taken and I got some large ones.
Went into Cairo in car with Major Roberts at 2pm. Looked for parcel at Savoy Base.
Scob got one, none for me. Took the Major to tea at Groppins. Met a dozen other
Aust. sisters. We went to bazaar after we left them Bought some brass work. Went to
train at 6/30pm. Saw Scob off for Alexandria to join her ship.
Had photo taken on donkey too. Saw Miss Cougers, she did not know whether we
were leaving here.
March 1st
Nothing new - going in tonight to Zuitorim? Camp, dinner and concert. I hate going
where I do not know anyone - hate these social functions. Buchanan and Richardson
want to go, so I've got to go, Matron in Chief says.
Sister Pullar came out today to say she was boarded for Australia - permanently unfit
lung trouble??
Sister Bowes returned from Alex last night to see her. Should not have come until she
was given permission by O.M.S. Looks real nervous. O.C. here will not let her go on
duty. Sister Wyse had lunch here - is on transport to Australia.
Went to dinner at camp - a great many there - I did not know anyone much. Very
nice dinner and concert by the men after. Very good - hundreds of men there - open
roof, picture show place. They bought us home by motor car, arriving Mena 11pm.
Buchanan, Richardson and myself.
66
March 2nd 1916
No fresh news for us. Our Scottish Horse orderlies are leaving tomorrow - all going
off - France? - no one knows. Pecket our bad pneumonia case is better, 2 days
without sleep, 7o down, now 98o, condition good, sleeping much now. Good to have
saved him.
March 3rd
No letters, no anything, very dull, just day to day business. Some Scottish Horse left
camp today - nothing doing anywhere it seems. Wrote a number of old letters up
today - many owing still.
March 4th
Matron in Chief rang up to tell me that I've been appointed Temporary Matron from
31st January, to bring in my papers for pay. I never had any papers except my book. I
asked her did my 6 months on the "Assaye" count. She said "no, they had nothing to
do with me then", I was under Miss Osram.
March 5th
Nothing fresh - Pecket - pneumonia patient better a little today - will be alright now.
March 6th
No letters yet - no news - hundreds of rumours - everybody going everywhere and
everybody else being left behind? no one gone though.
Went into Red Cross Stores - got some things for men coming tomorrow - got them
Gramophone.
Went to base - saw Miss Cougers. Col. Millard told me there was a question raised as
to my being appointed Temporary Matron , because I was working with the British
Army, not with Australians. After all my long service, pretty cool. Know it is not Col.
Millards doing. Anyway , got pay for the time being. Wish I could do something
worth doing, however no one is doing anything just now and I am just hoping to be
near the Front and busy some day again.
Concert for patients 5pm. Countess......very good - gave the 6 performers tea
6/30pm. Horrid woman, the Countess, as rude as she could be for her position.
March 7th
Letter from P&O Alexandria to say they have not received any goods for me.
A note from Lady Tullibardine asking for a few men to go with her to Museum and
tea after - have referred matter to O.C.
67
March 7th 1916
Went in for French lesson - came straight home.
Corporal Jones from "Argylshire" and his friend, just out from England came in and
had dinner. Gave them a good many handkerchiefs for their pals, also pickles and
sauce for their supplies.
An Officer was telling me about Kitchener's visit to Gallipoli.
Everyone was busy and about there. One Australian man who had a good deal to do
with him in the A.S.C. port, told him, when describing the visit, that he had a whole
Fatigue Party of Generals along, trotting after him.
March 8th
General Ford came round - very nice to staff and myself. Asked where I was before.
]Got 14 cases for Scob - sent her a wire to ask what I would do with them.
Opened one, as she asked me to do, which contained:
23 soft towels 1 night dress
1 pr. Nickers 1 man's shirt
1 tooth brush 1 tube cold cream
1 card darning wool 3 tins sweets
1 1lb tin baking powder 9 cakes soap
1 small bar soap 1 pkt. Hair powder
1 bottle smelling salts
From Aust. Gifts Committee. Woodstock Chambers, 88 Pitt St. Sydney
Sent Kellet 2 pieces soap and 4 towels.
Cawood and Dickson 6 towels - 2 soap
Smith and McCarron 1 piece soap - 1 towel each
Buchanan and Richardson " "
Hall and Shearer ...................?
Case of chocolate from members of A.T.N.A.
1 tin cocoa and 1 box chocolates to Buchanan, Carson, Shearer, Derror, Pullar, Carter,
Mire, Thompson and Baillie. Only 9 were in the case.
March 9th
Letter from P&O Port Said, saying that they had sent 2 cases of magazines addressed
to me on the ":Assaye" out to Bombay to meet the ship there.
That's after me writing and asking them to keep them here for me - do not suppose I
shall get them now.
Wrote to agent P&O Bombay to reship the papers here. Also to Port Said again telling
them I had sent them letters in Feb to ask them not to send my goods after "Assaye".
Promised they would keep them and let me know as soon as they arrived.
68
March 10th 1916
Went to French lesson 10.30am. Sent parcel to Scob. Left it at railway station with
Mrs ......? Said she would give it to Miss Smythe who was on Hospital Train, going
back tomorrow.
Sent Scob brass shell, also Turkish shell. Saw Miss Cougers about Luxor trip. Said to
ask sister to apply to me and I forward it to her.
Put special sister on with Capt. Elliott - during day - nurse Smith - sister Buchanan -
relieve one another.
March 11th
We all had papers (attention) to sign. M.O. only sounded one sister who is delicate -
Rec. her for Australia. All others he pronounced fit, mine also. I have never been ill
for years - not since typhoid 1902. Never before that, only measles when I was a
child.
Sent application to Matron in Chief re leave. Telephoned back to say accepted.
Letter from Suez P&O, no trace of my cases. Suppose they are on board the "Assaye"
March 12th
9am. we left for Saqqara, nurse Leinham, Mr. Eyre, Mr. Paul and myself.
Rode on donkeys 2 1/2 hours, then lunch. Then about 1 hour after to Memphis.
Glorious day, rather hot on the desert but cool under roof where we had lunch.
Being Sunday, many people there, bought some beads etc. Saw many things -24
Tombs and Sacred Bulls the people used to worship.
March 13th
Mr. Featherstone from Gladesville in pay office gave me my money today.
Went to see Miss Cougers, arranged for leave tomorrow for Luxor. Got 10 pounds
and 1 letter only, dated Feb 1st.
Met Miss Cougers on station and asked her about the pay for sisters during their time
in England. She has not heard anything from Major Crossthwaite or home either.
I told her that our Department questioned my Temporary Matronship because I was
under her, could she do anything? She said "no, that she had always told Miss
Cougers how well I managed etc"
Very funny just questioning mine and not the others.
Sisters Holloway - Durham - Tamkin - McKenzie to come out to relieve. The first
named is senior, so will take my place. Arrived 10.30am. 14th.
"Zoulia" is name of houseboat.
Dahabeeyah - a houseboat on the Nile, some beautifully fitted up. Rich Egyptians and
others in the tourist season from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, Faiyum in desert where
there are farms, reclaimed lands. Beasts, birds etc., is a great oasis on a plateau of the
desert of Libya. Everything grows here.
Map of Egypt - refer to original document
Photo - www.awm.gov.au J00487 - refer to original document
A Felucca on the River Nile Egypt 1916
Photo - refer to original document
The Luxor Temple, looking to the southwest. The monumental entrance of
Ramesses the Great (ca. 1279 B.C.), is to the right. Sections of the temple built by
Amunhotep III (1386 B.C.), to the left, include the double row of pillars of the
Colonnade Hall, and the square Sun Court.
FELUCCA SAILING THE NILE IN EGYPT 1916
Bessie enjoyed a trip down the Nile whilst on leave, she really loved it.
Photo - www.awm.gov.au J00487 - refer to original document
69
March 14th 1916
Felluca - sailing boat on the Nile, very huge mast towering above banks - sails along
beautifully. We went to the Orange Gardens in one. Sailed in evening past the house
where "Bella Donna" the woman mentioned in Robert Hitcher's book "Bella Donna".
She lived in the hotel the Family Pension "The Villa Andronica"
Mashrebeeyah = Egyptian work.
Shadoof - a long pole with a bucket on one end and weight at the other, placed at
intervals all along the Nile banks at Luxor and along the canal.
A native with just a loin cloth on, sings all the time he is hauling up the water and
pouring it into little channels to run al over their fields of grain etc. Other places very
close together are the wheels drawn by oxen, cows or camels going round and round,
a can fixed on each spoke of the wheel bringing up water for the same purpose.
The animals are blindfolded and go round and round. This is called..........?
A Muezzin, a priest who calls the faithful to prayer at daylight, calling Al - La - Haar
- Akbar!!, stands on top of tower or some high place in Mosque, shouting this at
prayer time.
Left Cairo for Luxor 8pm train - went in motor to station. Arrived Luxor 9.20am. 15
Very pretty scenery all the way when it got daylight about 4am. Beautiful bright
moonlight night. Had a sleep in train, sitting up and curled up. There were 6 people in
our compartment - 4 sisters came with me.
Arrived Luxor hotel about 9.20am. Had breakfast - rest - then went to Temple of
Luxor about 11am. Built by Ramesses 2nd, 19th Dynasty. Marvellous stone columns
and writing on walls. - obelisks - 2 statues of Ramesses everywhre and Gods they
worshipped.
Another part of Temple built by Amenophis, the same huge columns etc. A 3rd built
by Ramesses 3rd Dynasty.
Another built by Seti 1st and finished of by Ramesses 2nd. 136 columns. Really these
are one big Temple.
Two high Obelisks built, one by Latnins? And the other by Queen Hantso? his wife
,here also. A little further on is the Sacred lake. They used to take the bodies round
this lake 7 times before burying them. At one side on a high block of stone is the
"Scarab" in stone. Just an ordinary looking beetle, it was sacred also. The Scarabs
worn by the Mummies being sold now for a very high price.
Of course, always many slaves. One King is in many places seen with prisoners of
war - hands tied together - tried, then hands cut off. All kinds of things like that.
Everything so full of interest. All these carvings etc. done so long ago - 1200 BC and
before.
Went to see the house where the author of "Bella Donna" stayed when writing the
book. The guide of the author of "The Garden of Allah" was also at this hotel but we
did not have him. Everyone must take a guide. I am awfully sorry I could not
stay a few days longer to see things more thoroughly, but it is beautiful to have seen it
for four days.
70
16th March 1916
I had some morning tea 6am. Breakfast at 8 and at 8.30 left for Tomb of Kings, 7
miles on donkeys across the Nile.
The Temple of Amenophis 2nd, a King of Egypt, 18th Dynasty. His great huge
Sarcophagus, his Mummy still in it. In this room also, in a great dark hole in the wall,
protected by wire netting in front, lie 3 skeletons, close, side by side.
The forms - hair etc. just as perfect as the day they were put there. No name, no one
knows who they are, no writing found to say.
Second Temple, Seti 1st father of Ramesses 2nd, beautiful walls covered with paintings
- perfect - animals, birds, fish, serpents, men and women and slaves. All denoting
who, what rank, wealth etc. 1200 BC.the man who was buried there and explaining
the way to the Sarcophagus when the Mummy was hidden away so far down in the
earth where no one could or touch them.
Now everybody sees them and takes them bit by bit to every corner of the earth.
Tomb of Medinet Habo! Built by Ramesses 3rd. Some built by Amenophis 2nd.
These places cannot be described properly. Lit by electricity, great stone coffins and
dungeons where the bodies lay.
Everything in the same perfectly preserved state as when put there new.
Beside the Tomb of the Prince, lying on the ground in a corner, huddled up, is the
body of a little baby about 4 months old - just lying in dust. No one knows who it was
- nothing left to tell.
17th March
Behind railings are many Tombs - walls covered with writings about the people.
Took some photos of walls, paintings etc. by magnesium wire light but hey did not
come out. Only wish they did, for it was beautiful. I did not understand my camera
properly. I think really of course, the room is in black darkness but for one's lantern
or the electric light, which only comes on certain days and it was not on in all the
Tombs the day we were there.
The dress of Queens has sash tied round, just as the women of today wear. The
animals beautifully done, all at work as you see them in Egypt now.
The storks and birds also beautifully done. Four cows yoked together pulling a plough
just as they do now. Sometimes only one horse and chariot.
All these things and animals denote the man or woman's wealth or position in the
World.
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