Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 3 - Part 7
49
October 17th 1916
Very cold night. like snow today, the cold feeling. Very little doing today so far.
unless and cases come in during afternoon, our admission day.
October 18th
Col. has asked me to take Sister Shearer out of theatre - not suitable. Will leave her
here for a few days longer, then move her.
A good deal of firing today - some aircraft and machine gun. Reports say Germans
are shelling Armentiers today - all day.
Telegram from Mrs. Harvey, Newcastle-on-Tyne re son who died on 15th inst. Poor
boy seemed to be doing well first day. Leg worse and amputated on 15th, died later
(shock)
Written to his mother tonight - hope she gets it quickly.
October 19th
French interpreter. Mr. Beannan? Came back from leave - came along to see sisters-
thought they had been very good to him - nice man.
No letters, no anything, only rain and cold.
October 20th
Train about 11am. Sent Em. 4 Pounds-10 shillings. I owe her 4 Pounds- 4 shillings.
German plane about - constant firing all morning - much in night also. Everything
covered with ice this morning - awfully cold, ice on duck boards, sharp frost.
October 21st
Great excitement 3 pm. Our air balloon struck and came down in flames. So
awfully sorry. All day aeroplanes about and much firing after 1 pm. Air balloon went
up and looked beautiful in blue, clear sky - calm day. I looked at it so often - was very
close to us. We feel it belonged to us. Some of the officers come here. Mr. Notts to
tea last Sunday afternoon.
About 3, went to see aeroplane flying over our huts, pretty low. A German black
cross so plainly seen. She just soared over us and in about one minute heard machine
guns. Another minute and flames started at one end of our balloon and in another it
had burnt right out and falling quickly and fell.
We saw the 2 men jump out and we do hope they are safe, poor boys. None of our
battle planes about till the German had seen and done all he could. They came too
late of course. Report says we brought down one of their aeroplanes this morning,
quite close to us here. I did not see it.
Mr. Nott was killed, we are so sorry.
Came to our mortuary on Sunday 22nd. Buried at 12/30 from here. Is in the little
cemetery in our field.
50
October 22nd 1916
2 parcels of books from Sells Buckshire. Box chocolates Mr. Payne, 24 boxes. 3 gross
little blocks.
Mr Jack came to tea - told us all about Mr. Notts. He had an artillery officer up
observing position and when the balloon was burnt, fixed him up a parachute. Then was
too late for him to get into his, so fell and neck and back broken. Fired his rifle at the
German first - such a pity he did not hit it.
6 letters - home- Scobie- Chris- Jim Arnotts people, Benalong and Wise.
October 23rd
Sent Wal Scobie handkerchiefs and mittens by Reg Post.
Very sore eye again, appears to me that the tear duct gets blocked up and then
inflammation all round. Like the sting of a bee in the eye. Do wish that it would get
right. Has been weak since the time I got infection dust into it at Moussart Camp. It
will be dreadful for me if I have to go down - chance not returning or being returned
to No 2 again.
My cup of sorrow would surely be full and much overflowing.
October 24th
Raining a little today - not so cold- no frost or ice.
Eye still much swollen and uncomfortable, not painful.
October 25th
Hospital train, about 50 left today.
Eye still sore, a great nuisance and getting more troublesome, bathing and looking
after it and keeping out of cold. A little gathering formed in the tear duct, when it
broke was much better. Everything very light - Col. said not to go down.
October 26th
Some bad cases admitted today - head and abdominal. Barret (died)
German shelling Armentiers today. These boys were on sick parade and swimming
when a shell caught them.
Getting Mess Hut put up today.
Written mother, Alice, Fred, Lil, S.Jones, M. Mitchell and many others - eye much
better.
October 27th
20 patients left by Hospital train at 9am.
Sent 140 Francs for postal note to send to mother and Rube for Xmas. Cannot buy
anything here. Awfully cold wind. Dull, grey, like sleet and snow coming on. Is
lovely if you are warmly dressed.
51
October 28th 1916
Returned 7 plates, 4 cups and saucers, 6 forks and 1 knife to office, Francs 15.1/5
Went into Bailleul bought stuff for curtains (red) for cupboards in ward. Bought cups
and plates for Mess. Raining and awfully cold, now rain has stopped, suppose great
frost tomorrow.
Reg. letter to Rube and mother. 5 Pounds for Xmas.
Mess hut is up and will be warm. Cable from Mrs. Browning saying no letters from
Lt.B. for 2 weeks. How was he? He has gone back to duty close by. Very well. Gave
cable to Col.
October 29th
Raining and cold wind, everything dirty and miserable all day till evening. Now
starlight and cold. Nothing doing today, only trying to clean up after men who put
Mess Hut up.
October 30th
Train today - not many patients left. Not much doing, a few bad cases - cold, wet and
miserable. Tent blew cupboard over and broke some of the crockery. New hut nearly
finished.
October 31st
Sent mother 3 Pounds for Xmas - registered. Nothing new. Reg. chocolate to Wal
Scobie - cost 4 Francs. Big parcel and parcel seeds to Lib. Received 3 parcels of
books and papers - lovely - from War Library. Lovely for the men.
November 1st
Not quite so wet today - very cold. Neuralgia bad again. Much strafing all round
tonight - many guns and noise. Cold, dark, wet night for poor boys to be out among
all this strife.
November 2nd
Went into new Mess tent this evening - very comfortable and warm. Several bad
cases this evening, one boy badly shattered elbow. Brachial ligature - much loss of
blood.
November 3rd
Train up - only 23 patients here - The sisters say that everywhere a little dull now -
not so many. A good deal of firing today. Aeroplanes up again. Not quite such violent
winds and no rain today. Everything very wet and muddy - our air balloon up most of
day. Pay book not returned - drew 100 Francs. Several bad cases in this evening and
night. Nothing new.
52
November 4th 1916
4 deaths, badly wounded - some came about 5.30 a.m. 1 officer, Mr. Collins admitted
3/30. died 5/45am. 3 men, al in raid, badly wounded.
Thompson, admitted 10/30 pm. died 5/30 am.
Church parade 9/30, very few there.
Carpenter returned for her luggage.
November 6th
Train about 10 am. About 15 patients only left.
About 100 left in hospital.
Admitted about 7 in am. Pretty badly wounded cases, heads, abdominal. Shot through
the chest cases the worst. Very bad, some. About 20 more admitted in afternoon,
Operating all day - very long cases, only 3 or 4 done up to 7pm. Very bad chest
wounds in A.3 ward.
Carpenter left by 3pm train with all her belongings for No 2 A.G.H.
November 7th
Col. Stacey sick in bed today - cold. Up again to tea. Father Clarke brought 2 other
Priests up to tea, some ..... from Mr. Deiner.
Pte. Fisher died this morning - 7/30am - came in about midnight - operation 2am. -
died 7/30am. Head wounds.
Mr Cowper, head wounds, very serious, op. pm. died 6pm.
Mr McIntosh, back here, only went out a few days ago, wounds head, shoulder, leg.
7 were having their tea in dugout when shell came over. Killed 2 officers.
Johnstone going to op room - arm to be amputated?, looks very bad.
Long Foot and leg very painful - very bad. Had a piece of shell removed from
bladder. Badly wounded, poor boy.
Cocksholt alive still. Seems a little better - chest case, came yesterday. Pulse is much
stronger. Still a little better, has not been moved and is taking nourishment well.
Pte. Morris, Australian. Admitted about 6/30pm. Wounds, head, legs, abdomen.
Taken to op. room. Died before anything could be done for him.
Terrible day - gales and torrents of rain - frightful. Cleared off suddenly about 7 pm
and now glorious moonlight clear night. Very much firing and strafing all around
tonight - very close.
November 8th
Received 223 Francs, 15 Centimes being the balance of my dress allowance to date.
Sister Sorely had letter from trenches, saying her brother was killed on 28th
October - awfully sad. Terribly wet day and a terrific gale - very few admissions.
Pte. Long into theatre again 5pm. Vomiting - 102' - opened wound, irrigated bladder
etc.
Received "Blighty" from Em.(Elliott), no other papers. This is the first copy of this
paper and dated Nov. 1st. Also box containing cakes, puddings and some chocolate.
Written and thanked her.
53
November 9th 1916
About 40 patients left by Hospital train 11am.
Mr.McIntosh wounds better - left by train.
Mr. Bragg and 5 other officers left also.
Cocksholt seems better, looks as though he is going to live. Asked Sister Shearer to
put air cushion under him and be awfully careful of his back.
Johnstone very well now, arm amputated.
Long , pretty bad this morning. Do hope he will get well - is so patient and good but
if he is to have so much pain and trouble internally he cannot do much good.
Pte. Johnstone left also - arm safe to travel, stump looking very well.
November 10th
Sr. Dickson off - a cold. In bed, not well yesterday,
Pte. Long, very bad today. Only 2 admissions up to 7pm. Very little to do today.
German aeroplane over several times every afternoon. Our balloon here again, fired at
each time, did not get anything.
An aeroplane came over tonight from direction of Bailleul, I think. Right over our
huts and over apparently German lines. Don't know what it was.
Srs. Haines - Peters and Earl are not behaving very well. Making themselves
conspicuous with orderlies in the wards and going out, waiting about corners. Looks
awfully bad for nurses to behave like this. Is very worrying. Spoken to Col. Stacey.
Now I don" care what they do. He thinks the same as I do but we cannot do anything
really.
November 11th
Sr. Dickson better, up today but not on duty.
Written to M.O. re box he has for me. Postcard today written to tell him to
send my parcels on always.
Pte Long died 4am. Poor boy, bladder case as well as leg wound.
November 12th
Church 9/30am. Parade service. Sisters never will go to church Lovely band concert
2pm. N.Z. 3rd J. Artillery. Beautiful music.
Gave the Sgt. 6 boxes chocolate for the men,
Mr. Sheen, Jack Hulbert, Capt. Grant, Padre Tucker came along to tea.
Letter from Scob. saying she posted 5 Pounds to me at Armentiers, to call for it.
Silly girl, we are not allowed near Armentiers - it's always being shelled. We dare not
go, if found out we would be sent home.
Material from Carpenter, included 90 for postage (sent 8.70). I owe her nothing.
More papers from Miss Hill -Haines - Barton. Gerrards Cross.
54
November 13th 1916
S. Dickson on duty again - feels bad again tonight - afraid she won't be able to go on
like this.
About 23 patients left by train 10am.
Letters from home, cards from mother and Rube and family - Frank Elliott - Scob.
Nice day, not cold.
Bad head case in, Thomas, sent to operating room.
Hancock very bad head case who came in ....a good deal better and is able to take his
own drink and speaks a little.
November 14th
No wounded so far - some sick men in - very few. Col. Adam Dick O.C. No.1
A.C.C. now. Came in this afternoon with Col. Stacey. Very glad he is up this way.
November 15th
Sister Dickson in bed today.
Nothing special. Hospital train, about 15 patients, left a few bad cases again. Very
Cold - a good deal of noise and guns today.
November 16th
Several operations - bad cases - deaths.
Mr. Jack came - said my reg. letter from Scob had left Armentiers but I have not had
it.
Parcel to Rube and mother - reg - 5 Francs.
November 17th
2 deaths today, one boy who lost his eye, as well as several other wounds.
Sent home to Rube and mother - all my Egyptian things - fly whisk, 2, grey
cape, beads - fan, feathers, tray cloth - pair shoes, red, brass egg cup and little
ornament
To Lil - Fez - made for me in Cairo, tray cloth, handkerchiefs, basket made at Luxor,
fly whisks, 4 feathers.
To Alice - My bedspread, kimono, red shoes, 2 fly whisks, egg cup, brass in each I
think. I forget now.
Sending another parcel of my things tomorrow is possible. Costs much to register, but
not safe to send without registering.
Mr. Barry. G.S.W. (gun shot wounds) legs, arms, legs very bad, gas? -operation.
TROIS ARBRES, FRANCE. C. 1917
GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR AT THE 2ND AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY
CLEARING STATION, IN A YARD, WATCHED BY A BRITISH GUARD.
photograph -see original document
55
November 17th 1916
4 or 500 German prisoners just a few miles away from us. All look happy. Clean
towel around neck and just coming from baths (military) Whistling and singing some.
One man, as they passed some of our orderlies said "Good night," in the best of
English, he says, much firing -German machine over. Might be looking for the
prisoners.
Mr. going on leave today - getting me Xmas cake, candied peel and caraway seed, if
he has time, I told him.
November 18th
About 19 patients left by train 9/30am. 130 patients left in hospital - awfully cold,
snow, ground all white. No admissions so far. Mr. Barry, another operation M.D. on
leg -bad. Do hope he gets well. Afternoon seemed better. Quite sensible and
conscious -4 tubes, irrigation constant.
Everything covered with sleet and light snow - lovely and white, awfully cold.
Papers received - including "London Opinion".
November 19th
Nothing special - very quiet today - raining and cold. Dark now about 4pm some
days.
Capt. Higgenson, Major Guthrie and Capt. Grant came to tea.
Mr. Barry seems better.
Hancock - head case, much better. Talks sensibly now and seems very well. Sleeps a
very great deal. Wonder how these men's brains will be in after years?!
November 20th
Sister Dickson quite well now.
Hancock much worse - hernia of brain, still says he is all right.
Mr. Barry - leg very bad - terrible gash and opening. Eye also bad - losing sight.
Nothing special, only one wounded man, Hendrickson, many wounds - not chest as
they thought.
Received parcel, 2 pairs combinations (coms), 1 pair corsets, Scob bought in England
for me.
November 21st
Sent parcel to Lil and Alice - registered.
Hancock worse. (poor man died on 25th, lingered on till then)
Mr. Barry much the same, leg a little better, eye better also.
Went to Steenwercke this afternoon, bought some lace for the girls at home.
Parcel from Em 6 cakes, some scarves, 2 parcels of books, Marble Arch Library.
Good deal of strafing tonight. Very dark, cold and muddy. Poor men , to have to fight
under these conditions.
56
November 22nd 1916
Patients, about 19, left by motor car to Bailleul.
Train 7/30am. Mr. Barry left also, stronger and better.
Sr. Peters could not go on last night - a bad cold. Haines put on. I took Haine's tents.
Very dirty and untidy - very light duties, so no excuse.
November 23rd
Peters still off. Better - poultices to throat, Medicine and bed.
Asked to go to a picture show by Mr Tucker and the Dentist, Mr. Amphlett. Closed
in cart sent by Major Cox for us. Very comfortable and returned home by same. No tea,
coffee or supper. Left 5/30pm. returned 8/30pm. Not so cold, but dark and dreary.
Letter from Pte Long's wife - answered.
November 24th
Peters up this afternoon, day duty for few days. Still have the tents, fairly busy days
with that and seeing after sick nurse and the house also.
Nothing special today - very few shots fired, cold. Wake up at night and find one's
bedclothes all damp. Wet comes through canvas huts.
See by papers that the "Braemar Castle" Hospital Ship was mined. All lives
saved. Sick and wounded aboard. That is the boat Mr Adams and Major
Crossthwaite transferred to I think. There were no wounded on the "Britanic"
they say now. Only staff - 76 nurses.
Peters on again - Earl off. Temp 102.6'.
Hancock died - head case.
November 25th
Accepted magazines from Marble Arch War Library. A box from Mrs. Russell for
staff containing the following:
2 towels 1 box chocolates
1 pr Pyjamas 1 tin tea
3 torches 1 tin biscuits
2 thermos flasks 2 clocks
4 prs stockings 4 tins milk
1 comb 3 tins milk powder
3 singlets 3 pots of cold cream
1 handbag and mirror 2 tubes toothpaste
2 cakes soap 4 tooth brushes
1 smelling salts 1 tin cheese
1 lavender water 1 plum pudding
3 tins marmalade 2 tins baked beans
3 tins sardines 1 tin pineapple
(Written to Mrs. Russell)
57
November 26th 1916
Earl better today.
Raining and cold. Busy morning for me. Much firing. Piece of shrapnel about 4
inches long and half or 1 inch thick, fell between my tents. They say we bought
down a German plane but it fell just inside German lines.
November 27th
Earl on duty - is quite well she says, but has a very bad cough - she is not for this
climate.
Hospital full up - no evacuations today again. Home letters and from Mrs. Mitchell
saying she posted some parcels.
Mr. Butler sent me around the table the men made. It is a beauty, with drawers and
little places for letters and pigeon holes etc. Nicely varnished.
November 28th
Aeroplanes very busy in A.M. Seem to have brought down a balloon of some sort.
Looked just like a great round ball, almost out of sight, so far up. One of our
aeroplanes few round and about it. Put machine gun on and down it came, we never
hear really what happens after, or know for certain what it is. Machine guns going in
air all day. It is very foggy, cannot see much.
Our bedclothes very damp - nearly wet each morning. Fogs and frost seem to
penetrate, even though we have felt on the outside of our canvas huts.
Sent Mr. Butler and Capt. Higgenson each a soft cushion today for getting me the nice
table made. Will give the Sgt. Something for the men also. He would not take
anything when he bought it.
Mr. Barnes, from Air Balloon, says he does not know for certain what the balloon
was this morning. Some say Bosche, some say ours up for practice? No one really
knows here.
Peters put back on night duty to finish her time - 5 days, maybe a week more to make
5 weeks, as done by others.
November 29th
Train in am. Patients went down, 37 only today. Freezing everywhere - frightfully
cold in our rooms and Mess Hut. Have to be very careful with oil and coal. Difficulty
they say with transport. Wish I could get a big stove for the sisters.
Mr. Jack came back this morning, came in this afternoon. Says he has caraway seed,
peel and cake. Is only about 19 now and has been out 2 years - sanitation work.
Sister Earl put into tents, Haines with A.2. The former very seedy, must let her do the
lightest work I can. The latter, untidy and careless as ever. Will do her good to work a
bit harder.
Letters - 2 pages from mother again today - hands seem much better. From Alice and
M. Mitchell, saying they sent me a parcel from Sydney.
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