Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 3 - Part 2

9

April 26^th 1916

Great upset today. I believe heaps of new rules etc and a paper for all to sign - no one

has signed it yet. There are terrible ructions and fighting over the food. They all

answer her back now.

Everyone wants their 24 hours to begin from the night before and let them have a

sleep in one morning of the week. She will not. Makes them go the wards till

breakfast time- 8am. Threatens to have breakfast at 7am. She is a Demon!

General Hospital supposed to be coming round. Orders to get into their white aprons -

rooms - wards etc, to be tidy.

I, being off duty since my arm was so bad, asked her whether I should also get into

my indoor uniform? She said first "yes", then that I need not change but I must not be

in evidence at all - keep out of the way. I said "Oh, then as I may not hide, I shall get

into a cotton frock and apron. Really meant to say that I shall not hide myself.

Sister bought me home 6 letters, 2 papers and the song "Follow Me Home" from Lily

Elliott, I asked her to get for me. Letter from home dated 29^th Feb.

Cleaned windows of our shack, got Indian to scrub floor and clean it up - frightfully

dusty after the great gales lately, sand and inch deep - dirty sand too.

2 long lectures - breakfast and dinner - said seniors were worst, did not stand when

Miss Gould came in, old Johnny (Johnstone) said. I did not and never do stand.

Am very much afraid I set a bad example that far. It is nor correct, as far as I know,

in the Army to do so.

Why does she come in the middle of a meal, when if one girl gets up from her form, it

probably topples up and down the end one goes. We only have very unsafe forms

each side of our two long tables.

April 27th

M.O. says I need not be inoculated today again. Capt. Lethbridge. Told him I had

been very seedy since I was done. He was very good, so they exempted me - put in

my book a note.

Short addresses again to both breakfast and lunch. Breakfast consists nearly of bread

and butter, jam or cheese. Think our rations should be more.

A compulsory meeting is to be held tonight - no passes. 3 M.O's are to be present to

inquire into it all. I will not be in any of it. Some of the girls asked me to allow them

to nominate me but I will not do it. The Matron's duties are to see that the proper

rations are given and cooked in the best way possible and I am not going to do their

work. Wrote and put in the bag.

Meeting: Majors Waugh and Ross, Capt. Lethbridge came.

Recommended Caterer 4/- per day. We pay 5...extra out of our salary.

I would not allow the girls to bring me into the affair at all.

Informal portrait of three nurses who accompanied the Second Contingent to the Boer

War as members of the NSW Army Medical Corps. Matron E.J. (Nellie) Gould, Lady

Superintendent of the first contingent of Australian military nurses to serve overseas, holds

a nurse's chatelaine containing essential tools of the trade (left). Miss Penelope Frater

(Sister), holding her Queen Victoria chocolate box, one of those issued to troops and nurses

to celebrate the New Year of 1900 (centre). Miss Julia Bligh Johnston (Superintendent)

(right), stands with a Rhodesian ridgeback named Buller, brought back from South Africa

in 1902.

NELLIE GOULD - MENTIONED MANY TIMES IN BESSIE'S DIARIES

NELLIE ALSO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918 AND WAS THE BANE

OF BESSIE'S LIFE THROUGHOUT HER SERVICE IN THE A.A.N.S.

Photograph - see original document

10

April 28^th 1916

Day off today - no work for me yet. When my arm was bad my line of tents given to

another nurse.

Sister and I went to see the Church of St. Victor - very old - all stone, musty and

damp place, just stone walls and stone forms and niches in walls. One where Mary

Magdalene hid, light comes in from above. 1457 the boy told me. No one could speak

English and we did not understand enough French. Several old tombs, great blocks of

stone covering them. All seems to be cut out of solid rock, later on built up with

bricks. Still have Altar and candles there. Must try and go with someone who speaks

English if I can.

Went to markets in town, bought some things to eat and when we are in our tents.

Tea, buns cakes, new potatoes, eggs, asparagus. Had a great supper. Only had bread

and jam, butter and tea. Mostly have that twice daily. Hope we get more when we

have the caterer.

3 letters, Lil, Lil Attwater and Alice. Al says Father B proposed. Did not take him

long to forget mother. They seem to me to be all alike.

April 29^th 1916

On call this morning-off this afternoon. Not allowed our cameras here, had to send

mine into Cooks to store it. One paper from N. Wearne.

Made curtain for dress hooks and windows.

Nell taking particulars tonight. Why? Should leave begin early, now everyone is

waiting about in the cold after 10pm.

April 30^th

On call duty this afternoon, finished windows. Curtains put up. Got some nails and

tacks - great Godsend. You don't know the worth of these small things till you cannot

get them. It is so far into town - must be 7 - 10 miles I think

Cameras all to be in. Those found with one after tomorrow M.D. will be put under

arrest. Seem to be very strict regarding cameras. Why? Gave in names and all

particulars re ourselves also, before we left Mena. Seems to be wanted very often.

Length of service, position in civil life etc. Position held in Sth Africa and here.

Washed this evening, boiled them on small primus stove. Great wash Sat. night. Real

Mrs. Wiggs. 14 handkerchiefs, sheets (2) pillow case, 2 towels, 2 coms

(combinations) 1 bag, I nightie. Did more last Saturday. We wash in our shacks, some

out in front or back. Seems fashionable. The girls, some of them, carry water ever so

far. I get the Indians who do the disinfecting to carry mine and empty it for me and

give them a Franc or two. Scrub the shack also.

No letters or anything today.

Courtesy: Joy Cahill (nee Pinkerton) Fingal Bay NSW. Who sent a copy of

Bessie's War Records from The National Archives of Australia. Canberra.

NTW

95694

BASE RECORDS OFFICE, A.I.F.

Melbourne, 26th September, 1916.

Dear Madam,

I have much pleasure in forwarding herewith

copy of extract from Supplement No. 29565, to the "London

Gazette" of 2nd May, 1916, relating to the conspicuous services

rendered by your daughter, Sister M.A. Pocock, 1st Australian

Stationary Hospital.

X                       X                           X                        X

"HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve

of the undermentioned award for Distinguished Service in the

Field, with effect from the 1st January, 1916   : -

The undermentioned lady is awarded the ROYAL RED CROSS DECORATION

2nd CLASS.

Sister M. A.  Pocock, Army Nursing Services. "     

 X                       X                         X                        X

The above has been promulgated in Commonwealth

of Australia Gazette, No. 129, of 21st September, 1916.

Yours faithfully,

Major.

Officer i/c Bass Records.

Mrs. M.A. Pocock,

Care of Miss A. Pocock,

Grafton,

Clarence River, N. S. W.

Marseilles

C/. Cooks

My dear Alice

Only a line to tell you I

am very well trust mother is well & happy.

I know exactly what you do & feel like. I do
not think any one can make much difference.
Only hope nothing happens to the property etc that
should not, wish the boys wd. make up their mind
to get settled. that wd. leave you free for your
own home if you want it, Mother will want to
go with you then to look after father. I am longing
to go on to the front as usual. very little work
here wh is a good thing for our poor men. Great
surprise for me this morning.Admin came up to
Nell with a paper, presently she brought it into
the breakfast table & read out some names of
Sisters who had got the RR.C & behold I was one
of them. Imagine it? I can't realize it yet, the
girls here have all been beautiful, I did not
know they thought a bit of me or about me
but they have all seemed so genuinely
pleased for me to get this that I'm really
proud of it. Wish the girls I had at

11
April 30^th 1916
Opened 2 cases jam - sent to Scob from W.M. by Mrs. McKay. Lovely home made
jam in billy cans. Given some to several sisters. 2 cans to men of No.2 who come
from West Maitland, Newcastle and Kurri. Giving 2 cans to a friend of Sister Wyse
who also knows Mrs. McKay. Hope he will write to her.
Church 11 am - Presbyterian
May 2^nd
No change - 4 letters, 1 paper - been sewing - wrote some letters
May 3^rd
Went into town - sent mother 5 pounds to get herself extra for birthday -
got 3 more letters from Cooks dated 14^th March from Alice.
May 4^th
Had French lesson - 2 F. 1 hour. Went to Dr. Datta's lecture on India up to the
present date. Very pathetic, must love his country and countrymen devotedly,
splendid lecture - every minute interesting. I spoke to him after and told him how
sorry we were that it was his last. Hope he lectures again later on. Most awfully
retiring man. Very cultured, shy, sensitive. Also got the poetry that he read out. One
lecture written by a countrywoman of his. The most beautiful lines, beautifully written
and expressed
May 5^th
Breakfast today. I got a great surprise. Half way through. Miss Gould read out a list
of names Admin. Dick had just bought her a paper. We saw him go to her tent. She
read out some names, then my name for the R.R.C. (2^nd Class) It was like a
thunderclap. All the girls round me, congratulating me and shook hands. They were
awfully nice. I did not dream that one half of them cared whether I was here, dead or
alive. I was so proud of the girl's congratulations, as getting the honour itself. I was
nearly howling. I wish some of the girls I had on board ship had got something too.
6 of them came into supper 8/30 tonight, the shack I was in. I was so pleased to see
them again. Gave them all a tin of jam Scob gave me for their patients.
May 6^th
Great excitement about we Sisters getting the R.R.C. 3 other girls who were in
hospital ships - Peters, Spalding and Richmond. I wish some of the girls with me
had got it also. They, most of them, deserved it so much.
The sisters have been so apparently genuinely pleased about my getting it. Makes me
feel so happy about it.
Awfully glad for my hospital's sake and at home.

12
May 6^th 1916
I did not get it at N0 2, but for working amongst the R.A.M.C. and strangers, which
makes it doubly precious, because Nell said I could not agree with them. She must
feel small now. They always told me how much they appreciated my work and I was
always happy with them.
Went for a day to Toulon - lovely journey down. Left here 9.30 train, arrived there
10.40. Got the 5pm back and got to Mousset camp 7/30pm. Nice long day - not much
in the town itself, pretty gardens - little farms, green stuff of all kinds growing.
Nothing new, went to Band concert 8pm. "Anzac Men" N.Z. and Aust. very nice -
too short.
Did all my laundry, always the Wiggs. Do washing Saturday night - lines full all day
as well as Sunday. - Go to church twice - had a French lesson - 2 francs, this is the
third. I think I am learning a bit.
May 7^th
Church of England 11am. Very few there - not 30. Miss Gould. She and others left
before it was over - terrible! I was the only sister stayed till the finish and about 10 or
12 men - sad. I do not know why these Clergymen don't give just a plain service
while on active service. Service that all the men could join in - very simple.
Review tomorrow - do not know anything. Nell said I would be on duty. She did not
know whether she could spare me and I'm only on call as crowds of others. Anyway
when the list was put up, my name was down. She was not game to keep me back, I
believe but would not please or gratify me to tell me I could go.
Got 2 letters from London asking for my photograph and to sit for one. Daily
Mirror and Bassans Ltd. 25 Old Bond St. W.
Say they have been asked by several illustrated papers for it but as I am in Marseilles
it is not probable that they will see me. I do not think we are allowed to send anything
of the sort. We may, as it is in connection with the R.R.C. conferred on us.
May 8^th
My name up on list with a few others, going to the "Show" this afternoon. As not in
the wards, pass not considered, so I go, 5 others and I. Got motor. Seats which had
been kept for sisters were taken by crowd, so we stood. Did not see much, some of
them Indian troops, lined in front of Prefecture. Then the French invalid soldiers, then
we. A frightful crowd (holiday and socialists) The men's hats, rifles etc, all had
flowers, bunches of them. All supposed to have had a glass off champagne. Also the
S.A. looked splendid. The Indians on their horses, splendid. In fact our men altogether
looked finer than the French. One Officer, old, retired evidently, came and spoke
to me. Picked up my medals and shrugged his shoulders very expressively ,
meaning that he liked them and wished he had them. He had some decoration also.
Spoke English very well. Many poorer class, nice looking women stood and looked at
me as I passed and bowed most reverently, not at me, but at my medals. In fact most
people look much at one's medals. I do myself. I love them. We went and had
some tea and then came back to hospital. Thousands out. Had to stand in train as
usual.

13
May 9^th 1916
Had French lesson 9.10am. do all my washing - ironing, also been sewing - no work
- several not in wards and those in wards doing very little, chiefly looking after all the
equipment of their wards - only a very few sick men.
May 10^th
Did a little sewing, washing etc. getting a great hand at the washing. Boil them in a
small basin on a spirit lamp. Iron also on small primus. They all leave great washing
out daily. Preferably Saturday night and Sunday. The Indian men also at it on
Thursdays.
May 11^th
No letters, nothing so far of any sort - very dull, not been out since I went to Toulon
last Friday. Had another French lesson today. Beginning to see where I make mistakes
badly. I wish I could remember better. Gave 2 more large tins (billy cans) of jam to
Pte. Ben Hook. His aunt sent it out, which is very strange. Several other Maitland
men here. Got 2 Trans? Today. Written to Scob, gave her some of the men's names.
These men are sending out a letter of thanks signed by many of them.
May 12^th
5 letters, latest dated 24^th March. 1 paper ,Nurse Johnson. Not on duty yet. Still on
call, which means staying in alternate mornings and afternoons. Am not worrying
very much as there are others doing the same and those on duty have so little to do. 8
0r 9 in bed - full diet - 1 to wash. Others all get up and 6 sisters. Ridiculous! Take
their fancywork and French books down.
By a notice , I see there are three set apart in their wards for 28 days. Superintend 
patient's cooking. They all say the food is not fit to eat - milk burnt etc. M.O. does
not look after patients food and so forth. A few make rather scathing and rebel
remarks at meals about the O.C. and M.O. Say they would rather cook for patients
altogether, than that they should get such badly cooked food as at present.

Get rather weary at meals, listening to all these grumbles, just a few who happen to be
nearest one.
May 13^th
No news lately, some rumours, say we go to Wimereux - Weymouth. Nothing
seems to happen. I do wish I could get away to the Front. Somewhere where I could
do something. Nothing to do here. All Nell's lectures stopped at meal times. These
girls made a great fuss, nearly a rebellion, went to Col. and Officers. Now she is not
allowed to speak at meal times and never gets them together at any other. It is very
amusing, she writes yards of notices and so forth on foolscap and all have to go to her
office to read other special notices in a book. She has a few very troublesome women
certainly but she should treat the rest differently. She is, as she ever was, a clever
fiend and when blocked in one way, gets in another way - like an insane person -
never speaks to me by any earthly chance, nor I to her, unless I must.

14
May 13^th 1916
Wrote to Daily Mirror and Bassans re photo. Sent old one to the latter, told the former
they could have the loan of it.
Sent letters to Em Elliott to post for me. Told her she could send me a couple of
puddings for the men here.
May 14^th
No change - message to say 9 or 10 Sisters wanted for No.1 Clearing Hospital up
north. Nell came and told me to hold myself in readiness.
May 15^th
No Sisters picked out that I know much of. She has picked out nearly every girl who
has given her trouble just recently. Three being coarse, noisy ones, she is sending. She
is a beast. How glad I am to get away from her and No.2 No one knows the smallest
petty ways she and Johnstone persecute me. Think it is killing them to know I have
the R.R.C. even only 2^nd class. Wish to heaven I could get something, French, Indian
or Egyptian that they cannot get. Something - medal, mention or something for some
very brave or good deed that they could not do. I do wish I could. No hope though.
unless I get into the firing line of trenches. 3 girls will be no trouble to me. The rest!!
May 16^th
Eye sore again, never been well, quite, since cold and dirt I got into it a few weeks
back. Several letters from everybody, some congratulations, wishes etc that I might
get more decorations etc.
May 17^th
Eye very sore still, no news re our moving away to No1 Clearing. Do wish I could be
off at once - trust I have some opportunity of doing much for any of the poor sick and
wounded men. Do not care what they are, colour or rank, if they are very ill or much
cut up. I love looking after them.
May 18^th
Saw Capt.Finn about my eye - of course had to ask Nell's permission first. He thinks
it is pretty bad - opthalumicitis and a few other things he mentions. It really feels very
bad today. The only thing that keeps me from breaking up, is the thought that I am
getting away from the place. Trust nothing happens to keep me back. Bathing - drops
- foments 4 hrly. See me again this evening. Hard luck, anyway he says he will not
keep me back if orders do come. I must look after it carefully.
British Consul sent cards of invitation to great many of staff - Nell never said I could
go but at 7pm tonight she sent a card to me by a Sister with my name on, knowing
well that even had my eye been fit I could not have arranged to go at that hour. Just
what she does to me. Surely she can't have luck always.

15
May 19^th 1916
Seem to have done nothing but treat my eye - awfully sore. The most terrible feeling
when your eyes are bad and you can't see. Slept last night better - only woke me up
three times. Easier today, though still much inflamed. Dr. thinks it's better but will
take many days to get well. Asked to O.C. to allow my box to be taken to Cooks when
the ambulance goes in. Says he will or have it sent in his own car "the old useless"
Also put in my note that he might have sent one girl I knew or had had before, to take
on with me. Of course he said Nell had done it all. Never interferes.
Letter from Alice, cllipping of old Eric's enclosed, re leave from my hospital. Really
very kind.
Great many men from Transport camp in our camp here, infectious diseases amongst
them of all sorts, including smallpox. Mr. Rigby in charge - so glad. Hoping to see
him when I can see anything. Cawood and Dickson met him, both sides delighted they
tell me. Am longing to hear all his Bombay news.
Just hear from a girl that Scob's ship has been to Cypress - may call at Naples. Very
nice for Scob - am glad. Some of our people still in Egypt. Kellet at Choubra?
May 20^th
Eye better, letters - lovely letter from Jean.
Great excitement this evening. Anzac Band concert. We always go, Y.M.C.A. These
things awfully good. The O.C.Major Jeffries is much disliked by all ranks of the
men there (detail camp) when he took the chair the men "counted him out" which
means they start at one up to ten then "out". He went out but returned again -
they did the same, all went out of hall. Some sisters getting up saying "We're
Anzacs" - nearly a riot. Order from their O.C. and other O.C's. to all return to their
lines. Very serious I should think. Sisters were really inciting the men to mutiny, one
girl told me.
My eye was too sore to go out or I would have been in it, but never to make the boys
disobey, it is not worth it. Three of the ladies Nell gave me to take away with me.
How glad I am they played up in this way this time. Now surely I can refuse to take
them - going to try anyway. The detail O.C. says he blames the Sisters for it all - very
serious indeed I think, when Sisters try to make such terrible disturbances. The men
are punished so severely. Do hope they will not shoot any of them.
These troublesome women should be sent back to Australia at once.
How I hope my orders come early next week.
May 21^st
Sister tells me that three of last nights girls are to be court marshalled
tomorrow. Porter and the 2 Lemans, Durham should also be. This girl tells me
that they walked up and down trying to make the other Sisters all go out and do as the
men were doing. That the men would really not have acted as they did , only for these
girls actually making them start. Surely Nell dare not send them with me now.