Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 3 - Part 4
23
June 29th 1916
Lovely days here, sometimes showers of rain, then fine - glorious smell from the pine
trees after. Going for walks, gathering flowers etc. Such quantities of large daisies,
buttercups, cornflowers and poppies. Several other girls here. M.O. says not to worry,
no one is working much, very kind to us all and such a home for us, glorious beds,
bath and food and such kindness from Lady Gifford and Miss Inglis. Breakfast in bed
daily, which I love, hot bath also which is as good as dinner.
June 30th
Out for a car drive to the ocean. So pretty. Went for a walk through woods. Got such a
beautiful lot of daisies as large as very big marguerites at home.
July 1st
In car with Lady Gifford to town. Got some collars - no cuffs - had to get celluloid
ones. Measured for red cape. Some more letters - one from paymaster saying they can
only draw allowance for travelling when they are not supplied with rations. So the
sisters cannot draw anything.
July 2nd
Car drive to ocean - glorious day - lying on sand for a while. Lady Gifford decorating
church. Home again, afternoon tea and walk in the woods. Hear firing a long way off.
Do not know if it is practising or really fighting. Some car loads of men came to No.
25 as we waited at the church, but they seemed to be able to sit up. Not very badly
wounded or sick.
Written to mother, Alice, N. Wearnes and Ethel.
July 3rd
Glorious day, wrote to Fred, Chris and Alice, S. Jones. Went to some army sports in
the afternoon which were very nice. Beautifully warm in the sun on lawn. Lady
Gifford gave prizes - Veterans Race. Old men, one 67, another 54, 1st and 2nd.
Remount or Vet people.
July 4th
Another lovely day, did not go anywhere except round in forest.
Wrote to Alice Pinkerton and Holly (N. Holford)
July 5th
Lovely sunshine day again. Going back to hospital today, very sorry to leave but glad
to be well enough to go back to work. Left Lady Gifford's home about 6/30pm for
Boulogne, arrived at No.13 Stationary about 7pm. Say they have been busy. No word
of my hospital yet. Many sisters have left since I was here. Col. Butler also gone to
another hospital I'm to go to a tent tomorrow, Miss Walker tells me. Blowing a
horrible gale, hate it, Live Marseilles. Hope the next place I go to will be miles from
the sea. Think it must be that, that gives me colds.
24
July 6th 1916
Went to tent 8am. 50 beds. 31 new men just in from C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing
Station).
Nothing in tent to work with DREADFUL! Sister came to help about 9/30am. Such
bad cases, poor boys, so dirty and tired. Some had laid out for several days, they told
me. Jaw cases very bad, chest also. 5 operations - excise eyes. 20 operations on yes
today and 5 of those, both eyes gone. Poor chaps. Terrible - Terrible!
Got straight this afternoon. M.O.'s coming in all day - seeing eyes. Seem to forget
that you were alone, trying to do all the smashed up and wash some of the dirt of your
men.
Got a V.A.D. to help about lunch time. No time off for anyone hardly today.
Sent a great many cases out today to England, more at 10pm. Only one admitted
during night.
July 7th
Sent more men out to C.C.S. and England today again. Only 16 left, supposed
to be three trains coming in with wounded at 9pm. Have all my beds and ward clean
and dressings ready for them. Poor men. Do not mind what comes now. I have
dressings, clothes and clean beds for them.
Sister Carpenter kept the V.A.D. in her tent and let the poor orderlies manage all
those poor fellows yesterday. The Horrid Creature, she could have very little
conscious or care for poor wounded creatures. Matron did not let me go down till after
8am. Poor men. I do hope she does not come with me if I get my C.C.S.
July 8th
Still the same, got a few things together for working. Doing alright. So tired I can not
rest or sleep. Legs and feet ache and no time off duty.
July 9th
Just the same. Convoys in, day and night - some very bad cases come to tents.
Smashed faces, eyes and everything - big dressings. Dressed a lot with Usol and
every man nearly 3 or 4 foments. Terribly heavy and going out daily. Could not be
much more change at Clearing Station.
Letter from home, too tired to write letters now - very well though and happy in my
work. Very nice M.O to work with.
July 10th
The same again today. All out again but 25. Suppose we will have 25 more in the
morning. I was not off duty from 8am till 8pm again.
Wrote to Lady Gifford. Letter from E. Elliott with R.R.C. ribbon. 3 of my party have
to go to Wimereux _for a time. Asked me would I like to go. I said no. I am waiting
for my own, (hospital) Really don't care much.
25
July 10th 1916
Good plain food and heaps of it always. We draw rations and pay 1 franc per day.
Tons of wine, Claret I think, both with dinner, also tea for lunch. English cooking, not
like the greasy French hashes.
Breakfast 7-7.30am. Lunch 1 - 1.30pm. Dinner 7/30 - 8pm. Afternoon tea 4 -5 Daily.
Plenty of bread and butter, Jam, cheese and often pudding for lunch and dinner. We
did not have to pay the Francs for the times we were there, 14th June to 11th July. Did
not cost them anything extra that month, Matron Says.
Always porridge for breakfast also.
July 11th
Only 25 patients today, all others sent out and to England. Sisters Haines and Peters
did not want to be separated, so I told Miss Walker I would go. Packed up ready to
leave 4pm as ordered. Carpenter Joliffe and myself. Luggage went about 6pm. No car
for us - had orders to wait for car - 7/30, no car, so had some dinner. Then luggage
car came back. Old soldier said "come on quickly, we'll run you up if you don't mind
luggage car", so off we flew. The other 2 sat on the floor in preference to of box. I sat
on box, my head rubbing against the top all the way, but that was quite a small matter.
Arrived about 8/15pm. When we got out of car Sister Cawood and 11 others met us at
the gate. They had been hurriedly sent for too - not wanted. Miss Greaves very kind. I
told her we had been sent. She explained that she wanted 3.
Thought someone had made a mistake. No one knew who, of course. I at once
concluded that we were all recalled to No.2. Anyway had a nice comfortable and
good sleep. Wait for orders tomorrow.
Col. Eames said he thought there was a mistake but of course we much wait for orders
from D.M.S. Very amusing all through
Not very busy, not nearly as busy as No. 13 Stationary where we came from
Major R. Dick there. I saw him for a few minutes. Very glad to see them both.
July 12th
10.30am. Miss Greaves put some in wards. Asked me to cut up dressings, pads etc.
Worked at that till 4pm. Orders then came to proceed to No.2 A.G.H. (Aust. Gen.
Hosp) Rotten luck, can't be helped. Do not mind what I do, but like a little peace.
Carpenter and self, Durham, Sorley, Cawood, Smith and Foreman returned. Nell met
us down the drive, rushing like a mad hare, said "What did you come back for?
I don't want you" Turned to Carpenter and said "Why did you send your
Cas.C.. people, I don't want you, you are much to Senior" and a little more.
I never spoke except to say, "I was sent and told to proceed to No. 2 A.G.H." - Major
Waugh then came on the scene. Carpenter told him what Miss. G. said on arrival. Of
course he could only say they did want us. Told Nell to get everything she wanted to
make us comfortable and so forth. All very Infra -Dig really, should never be like
this. Sorry, very sorry, but I like R.A.M.C. management much better. Turns out they
are not busy. We are all off till tomorrow night, then I, Carpenter and Durham go on
night duty. Old Johnston on just now - the first time she has done anything since I've
been back.
Nell says she puts me on, that Sister Johnson will be free to do other things,
which means halves with her in everything, including bed as usual.
THE BODY OF AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER KILLED IN THE GERMAN
2ND LINE WHICH WAS HELD THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT BY THE 5TH
AUSTRALIAN DIVISION DURING THE BATTLE OF FLEURBAIX WHICH
WAS FOUGHT ON THE 19 JULY 1916 AND 20 JULY 1916. THE
PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN ON THE MORNING OF 20 JULY AFTER
THE GERMANS HAD RE-OCCUPIED THEIR TRENCHES AND IS ONE OF
A SERIES A GERMAN OFFICER PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN CHARLES
MILLS 31ST BATTALION AIF AFTER THE ARMISTICE IN 1918. A
WOUNDED CAPTAIN MILLS HAD BEEN CAPTURED DURING THE
BATTLE AND A FORTUITOUS CIRCUMSTANCE SAW HIM MEET HIS
FORMER BATTLEFIELD OPPONENT WHO GAVE HIM THE SERIES.
Photo www.awm.gov.au A01566 - see original document
26
July 13th 1916
Changed her mind again. I am to have a ward. Johnson is just used to her work and I
would soon be going she says. I'm much better pleased to have a ward. It keeps me
further away from her. Surgical Ward. 39 beds. Only 5 patients.
These people are dreadful, either can't, or do not know what work means.
I had 50 beds and always full and being emptied. Got 9 cases in at M.N. washed, did
all their dressings etc. Not so bad as some we have been getting. Chiefly legs, ankles
and wounds. Very dirty, tired and sleepy, poor men, when they come in, soon get
them fixed up. Tonight I came on 9pm. 5 patients only, others going to England they
say. So much to do and so busy. Pneumonia boy Benham, better a little. Comes from
Kyogle. R. River.
July 14th
No admissions - 5 patients - one night dressing, SPOOR, wounds both legs - gauze -
drain - Usol dressing. Slept all night.
Benham, pneumonia, better, is in A.M.C.
9 letters tonight.
July 15th
No admissions. Benham 100% better. Mackay, shell wounds left arm. Battle
yesterday or day before. Comfortable, slept heavily - very tired and worn out as
usual.
Says they took...........? lost a good many men. Germans also lost many. Says that
some Germans were shot by our men when they have no guns to shoot with. He
saw one of our men run his bayonet through a man's heart, who had no gun to
shoot with and was coming quietly. Some of our men told him not to do it, also
the officer. Rather dreadful. Think all these men are alike. Once they start
killing.
Several more sisters back to their unit. Everyone unhappy and miserable to come
back. Say they were happy and busy and liked being with the British.
There is absolutely no method or management here as far as I can see. Place very
dirty - orderlies seem to do as they like and what they like - some of them.
4 more letters tonight. Scob,Mr. Olding, Grace and Miss Holder.
Some guns firing about 4pm. They tell us that there were 4 destroyers out in front,
firing and looking for a submarine.
The sea is about 10 minutes walk away.
Am sleeping very well these days - better than I thought I should.
July 16th
No admissions during night - only 6 patients. Only 102 in hospital altogether. - later
figure, 131.
27
July 17th 1916
Number of patients in hospital tonight, 152. 20 admissions in night - some
Australians, not badly wounded. 2 0r 3 English Tommies pretty bad. One fractured
leg, bad. Very busy night, managed to get all done. Benham - pneumonia, much
better - he slept nearly all night.
Scrambled egg for breakfast, tea, jam, butter. No lunch - in bed.
Dinner - piece of meat, macaroni, rice, bread and butter, no tea, coffee or anything
but water. It is the rationist place in France to be in. Everywhere else they see to the
meals - draw rations and have heaps of good food. If rations are good enough for men
working in trenches etc. it is good enough for these women, I'm sure. Potatoes, once,
lettuce, once - very bad food here, neither tea or coffee for dinner of course.
On one morning we had toast, or fried bit of bread, 2 sardines - next, 1 boiled egg -
next, scrambled egg. For dinner, small piece quite raw beef, some lettuce, semolina
hard pudding, no eggs. For each other day we had raw beef, macaroni, boiled sago,
once. Rice once baked hard with milk and no eggs. Butter, jam and water for the
evening meal. We have to get up to that - go on night duty at 9 and come off at
8/30am.
Aeroplane over our tents this morning - so close to us.
July 18th
Number of patients in hospital tonight, 113.
5 admissions tonight - not very badly wounded. All left about 5 today. Leaves me 5,
is with new sister. Awfully cold. Wrote to Kirk, Lil Attwater - Holder, Lillie and
Renton.
Silver Queen airship over again. Seems to be always about here. Say she takes
despatches daily over. Looks lovely. Wish I could go for a fly in one before I go back.
Dreadfully cold tonight - like frost - must try and get a fur coat.
July 19th
Number of patients in hospital tonight, 166.
Did nothing yesterday, only wrote 1 letter after dinner, no admissions - quiet night -
very cold - lovely morning, foggy - much dew, but very nice warm sunshine.
Finished by 6am. 8 sisters on night duty - 2 taken off today - had only been on 2
nights. No one knows why? - Always changing.
July 20th
Number of patients in hospital 119.
My birthday - nearly forgot. Lovely morning but was very cold last night.
No new patients last night - 7 bad ones from night before. One poor boy in next ward
lay out for 4 days before being brought in and dressed and looked after. Shattered arm
and of course, poor little chap very nervous. One of mine recently had laid out for 6
hours. A good many of the wounded I got in on 1st were wounded by our own shells.
8 admissions - Australians - not badly wounded, only one - Miller - right leg -
femoral exposed for about 2 inches in groin.
28
July 21st 1916
7 more admissions at 7/30am - not so badly wounded but bad enough. Heavy guns
firing - loud reports. Shakes the shacks and tents here. Great reports from guns all day
- much firing. they say that there has been a bomb dropped by German Zeppelin on
munition factory close to.......26 patients in ward tonight.
Written 7 letters and got them signed, will post in am.
July 22nd
Only one admission - wound of leg. 16 left for England 6pm. Miller, the man with
bad abdominal wound and femoral artery exposed, I would like to know how he does,
not very well here, poor man.
Very cold again. Did not sleep so well today. Cup of tea bought down to us at 4/30pm
which was very acceptable. We do not get enough to eat - 2 sardines and one boiled
egg alternately. Awfully bad food and not enough of it. No vegetables, no potatoes,
only occasionally. . Chisholm and Leman are Mess President etc. They should see that
there is enough food. Should get rations and pay 1 Franc per day like all the other
hospitals here and put a junior mess sister in charge to see the meals being served.
Believe an order has come round to say they have got to do it.
June 23rd
Number of patients in hospital 153.
No admissions last night - only 11 patients this morning - quiet night.
Nothing new - only 4 patients when I came on at 8/30pm tonight.
Godfrey, leg amputated today, above knee, very collapsed after operation - very well
now - no more danger. Should leave for England soon - 27th?
July 24th
No orderly round the past few nights - cannot find out how many patients in hospital
- very few. Only 4 patients here, 7 next ward. Some men came to tents last night -
walking cases.
Dull morning - like rain again - Godfrey much better.
Murray, Australian, Victoria, bad leg. Very painful last night.
Have not been out since I came on night duty.
Dinner at 6 which takes an hour, though there is so little to eat. Then go on at 8/30pm.
Gives no one time to go to town, as town is half an hour away. Must go soon, for I
want several little things.
Seems to be no hope of me getting away now.
Some buttercups blooming at my bedside in the tent. Grass a foot high about 6 feet
by 4. Every other place I've had a tent the floor has been covered with boards, both
for patients and sisters, nothing is done here like any other place though.
Only 104 patients in hospital tonight.
TROIS ARBRES, FRANCE. 1916.
SOME OF THE NURSING STAFF OF THE 2ND AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY
CLEARNING STATION NEAR STEENWERCK OUTSIDE PREFABRICATED
HUTS USED AS THEIR SLEEPING QUARTERS IN THE WINTER OF 1916.
SISTER ADA SMITH KNEELING ON CUSHION (RIGHT FRONT)
BACK ROW CENTRE SISTER LOOKS LIKE BESSIE
Photo www.awm.gov.au P00156.068 - see original document
29
July 26th 1916
214 patients in hospital.
7 admissions. Mumford - Canadian, huge gaping wound between shoulders - very
deep.
Gerrard, only 19, English, shot through buttocks, very bad, anaesthetic and opened
up a little more - others not very bad - all wounds dressed.
Richardson still bad, slept a little, arm bad.
Godfrey alright, amputated leg.
Have not been out since I came on night duty. Time too short. Quiet well, though
content working away out of sight of the whole show in day time. Things not
managed like the R.A.M.C. Orderlies not made to keep things clean.
Rowe - new patient, Englishman, was at Moore College Sydney. Joined the A.I.F.
very badly shot buttock, all shot away - head of femur exposed. Dreadful wound, had
chloroform, cleaned and drained in theatre. Bad al night.
July 27th
2 admissions m.n. Colquon from Gladesville, one of the stretcher bearers tonight and
in the morning awfully good, much better at lifting and making men comfortable than
many of the others.
Rowe, little better this morning, very low in afternoon - anaesthetic - now improving.
Sent to England at 6pm. Hope he gets there safely. His people are there, poor boy -do
not think he can recover.
July 28th
Only 9 patients tonight. Rowe gone to England. Gerrard - wound smells dreadfully -
gave him some morphine again and he is easy.
Message to say he will go if alive, to England 8am. tomorrow. Hope he is alright and
will get home to his people again - just to see them.
He cannot possibly live long, I am sure.
7pm. dinner.
Miss Gould said orders had come for us to go to No.2 C.C.S. and would relieve me
at 12 m.n. Major Waugh said they have to be at the D.M.S. office at 9/30pm. - Back
to tent, packed up again, left with 6. Joliffe, Gibson, Durham, Carpenter, Sorley,
Porter. Train all in darkness, had candle to get in, black curtains over windows - no
lights on station where they could be seen by enemy aeroplanes. Had cup of coffee at
R.R. Rooms - very kind there - very nice at R.T.O. office to me about luggage etc.
Train left at 4.40am. arrived at Hazebrouk at 8.15 am Sat. Left by motor car for No. 2
C.C. Station Trois Arbres. Was a farm or field, all swamp. Col. Stacey's men have
transformed it into a most beautiful Stationary Hospital. R.T.O. at Hazebrouk very
kind and fixed up everything. Captain............from the D.M.S. Office came out with us.
Handed us over.
30
July 29th 1916
Arrived about 9am. Some tea in M.O.'s Mess - then to our quarters. Lovely quarters
away from hospital. Large green field, grass, trees ! 7 nice huts, one each. Everyone
specially kind here. Of course 7 sisters coming, where they had been doing without,
made a great difference. The men never like it at first.
Great concert tonight, a very nice one really. Men had supper after. Great number of
men there. The happiest day for ages.
Luggage all arrived and stretchers put up, we all scrubbed out our own.
Very hot today - nearly like summer in Sydney. Such a change from dull, rainy
Boulogne. Hear the guns quite well here. Only about 3 miles from firing line straight
across.
German machine flying about - several shots from our guns, tried to get it and of
course failed. Very hard to get near, they are so high and go so very quickly.
Just been told, many spies here. Man had a mill and the wheel went round etc.
When they investigated, found nothing it was doing, only sending signals to the
Germans. The Australian shot him.
Another woman had 2 horses ploughing just behind trenches. Gave information by
using grey horse. When they found out they shot the horse. Found their movements
were not quite so well known to Germans.
Some women had 3 clothes lines, depending on the moves of our artillery, which time
they hang the washing out. Say the place is full of women spies.
July 30th
Very hot day again - plenty of guns again - not on duty yet - only about 4 men in
hospital
Col. and staff took all sisters over camps. Explained everything and where everything
was, cooked dinner, Sgt. Bought it over - very nice.
Drawing rations, paying if required, 1 Franc per day. Belgian girl looking after table
etc. Also going to do laundry. Salary per week.
Mr. Murdock, R.T. Goods Sup. Wanted to know what we wanted. Will send the
things I asked for. Want to see the Col. now and see where I am to put the sisters.
None on duty yet, are to go on tomorrow, taking work in turns, her and No.C.C.C.
July 31st
A few patients admitted. Srs. Joliffe and Gibson put on night duty.
Carpenter - Office
Sorely - Tent
Durham - A & B Tent
Porter OP.room, very little to do yet.
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