Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 3 - Part 8
58
November 30th 1916
Capt. Austen and ....? Brought a car and took us to the pictures and concert. Very good
this time, better than before. Came up to our quarters for us, which was the proper
thing to do, not like the last time.
December 1st
Mr. brought Xmas cake, peel and caraway seeds. Very good of him, we would not
have got it for ages. We had it made and on it "Making the Best of Things". Not A
Merry Xmas.
Stayed to tea. Capt. Collins and Craig came – had Bridge with sister, Capt.
Higgenson, Mr. Butler also came for afternoon tea today.
December 2nd
25 patients left by train.
Frightfully cold today, dull and gloomy like snow. Very few patients today – only a
few surgical, small. Some medical cases came in. Things seem quiet now.
December 3rd
Train, about 60 – this last train.
Very cold but not as bad as last week. Put the pieces of matting on floor today. Made
Powell nail them on. Mr. Jack and Mr. Harris came to tea – everybody in afternoon – 8
people altogether.
Everything still ice in rooms and out of rooms. No kerosene for lamps or heater now
for days. Say they can't get it in France. Coal bad too. Only dust.
3 officers, Aust. 3rd Division came in. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Withers. The former
promised me some iron or canvas for our Mess Kitchen. Everyone gets drenched in
wet weather.
December 4th
Not so cold today – about 1 hour of sun, then rained a little all day. Lovely moonlight
when not raining. Some firing today – machine guns. A god many casualties at
Armentiers in the 3rd Division Aust. Troops from snipers. Men look over parapet and
are sniped. Mr. Jack says they are not accustomed to trench warfare yet. Some men
told me yesterday that the O.C. halted crowds of them in a square where they are
always being shelled. Germans could have killed dozens of them.
December 5th
Hospital train am. 15 patients went down No. 1 A.C.C.C came here to go down.
Nothing new – nice morning – some rain – got most awfully cold from 4pm – icy
cold. Nothing urgent today, good many sick men from 3rd Division.
Rec'd 2 parcels of books from Marble Arch Library.
A CONCERT PROGRAM FROM NO 2 A.G.H. ON APRIL 5TH 1917
Bessie enjoyed these concerts and always wished she could sing!!
The brown paper cover has been hand painted, and shows an Australian magpie.
The word "programme" has been written at the top, and No 2 A.G.H. 5.4.17 at
the bottom. 1917
[Photograph: see original document]
59
December 6th 1916
Several people came to tea, did not ask anyone. Very nice, they come as if they were
coming home. I don't mind how many come in that way.
December 7th
No change – 2 sisters went to dinner on R.E. Train –cold. Major Cox and Capt.
Austen came up. Putting a new stove in for us. Room awfully cold. Will be very glad
of a stove that will burn. Col. Stacey went on leave yesterday.
December 8th
Raining a little and cold to so bad. Not very busy, few bad cases – dull and dismal
weather. Haines and Peters out to dinner with Major Butler, 3rd Division. Some
relation of former.
Mr. Jack called to see if we could go earlier to concert and have tea with them in
Bailleul tomorrow. If nothing serious in may be able to.
Stove splendid – very warm. Got a couple of men to clean up. Things look tidy and
clean around about now, at last.
December 9th
Went to Bailleul to concert 6pm. Left home at 3. Mr. Jack sent tickets. Took us to
"Signallers" R.E. Mess, afternoon tea. All of them coming to pictures or concert.
Thank goodness, no pictures this night.
One of our M.O's also went in. Very good, singing splendid. Dickson, Sorely and
Shearer and myself. All took a great deal of trouble to make things pleasant. We got
home about 8/20pm.
Nothing special – no urgent work while we were out.
December 10th
No church – Mr. Tucker on leave.
Several people came to tea. Capt. Higgenson and Mr. Jack as usual – latter seems to
like living here in his spare time. Did not go home till about 10pm – only has 20
minutes walk now. Is very good and a very nice boy. Out 2 years and now only not
quite 19. Has his own sections command, cable. He should be a good man later if not
killed like all the rest. Is over 6' tall.
Got parcel from Horderns and Alice. Don't think all could have come – cake,
anchovy, sweets.
Parcel: Flannelette, Sister Robinson's. Scob must have bought. Parcel from Miss
Satchell – woollen things, tin cigarettes. Miss Mitchell "The Gordon" tea, soup,
cocoa, pudding, toffee.
60
December 11th 1916
Train 9/30am. 30 patients left.
Sorely put on night duty last night. Peters to A.1 in her place. Not much change,
things quiet. Patient Maggeson G.S.W. (gun shot wounds) to chest – died last night.
3 bad pneumonia inA.2. Several medical cases – mostly Australians from 3rd
Division, all getting sick.
Rev'd Mr. Cook from Maitland came in to see me. Friends of Scob and he is with
3rd Div. Gave him her address.
December 12th
Pte. Davis from Cessnock N.S.W. died this morning. Chest wounds. Poor boy was
conscious up till yesterday. Some thought he would do well but I and 2 others thought
he could not live. Was admitted 11/30pm on 30th Nov.
Mr. Jack and Mr. Shaw came to tea and played bridge till 10/30pm. Sister Dickson,
Sister Shearer and I.
December 13th
Nothing new – very quiet day, no aircraft about – letter from Lil dated Oct 20th.
Trying to get a dinner and tea for Colonel, patients Xmas and am making a large
Xmas plum pudding with money and buttons in. Lots of ½ Francs.
December 14th
Went to concert and pictures with Mr. Jack, Christa and Bartholomew, Shearer and
Sorely, in the latter's motor car. Did not get out, met at door and told engine broken
down. No concert, came home, all had cup of tea 7pm and the 2 men left for their
dinner. Mr. Jack stayed to tea with sisters.
Miss McCarthy, Miss Conyers came very unexpectedly. Met them half way up to our
tents. Awfully glad. Took them straight back to wards. Were very tidy and everything
clean and looked awfully well. Took them to Doyle's day room. Showed them tents
and quarters, nurses bedrooms and everywhere. The best of luck I had ever had, there
was nothing dirty about. All looked comfortable too, also my own room and Mess
Tent. They had tea, cake and seemed to be very happy and satisfied. Admired my Red
Cross quilts. Told them what I was doing for Xmas for the men. Took them to
my room , which also was very tidy. Showed them the new quilt I was making.
December 15th
Mr. Browning and Williams (Col. Gordon, South Australia) Earl and Shearers'
friends came late and stayed to tea. Played bridge till 10pm. Come in very often now.
O.C. said they would not take out of course, because they went out with orderlies,.
Sr. Haines told me they had to go with orderlies , their own officers never took them –
told the O.C. I did not want or expect them to take sisters out. They each had a sister
to go out with – we're all friends – each two. nothing new – wards quiet.
61
December 16th 1916
Hospital Train left 11am.
Cold days still, fires, no rain, nothing special –a few bad cases, shot through head,
chest and legs. Several medical cases. Getting some decorations ready for Xmas.
December 17th
Church parade 9.30am. – very few. Sister Dickson and myself. Several people in for
afternoon. Mr. Jack going away. Bailleul first, then Rowen. Very sorry for many
things – awfully good and such a boy, only 19 now – out over 2 years.
Major Guthrie and Capt. Grant also came, say they are coming to find patients for a
concert on New Years Eve. Capt. Higgenson and Mr. Butler going to fix up our fire
place and stove for me for Mess Hut.
December 18th 1916
Nothing special, a few bad cases, some pneumonia. Bad head cases having fits.
(Clarke).
Scott, pneumonia, good deal better.
Mr. Scott. Y.M.C.A. from Killara, Sydney, came and offered me some cake for Xmas
Day. Glad men shall have a splendid day. I am making the pudding – hope it turns out
well.
December 19th
Col. Stacey back today.
Frightfully cold, no fires in Mess Hut – no coal, am nearly frozen. Wood will not burn
in our oil drum stove.
Col and Major Pitcher came up to fix up Xmas dinner etc. I have had it altered and
fixed for the tie I want it, which is the most fitting. They wanted it at 4pm, having it
at 1pm. Tea at 5pm. Chicken, ham, potatoes and vegetables. Will try and get some
jellies too. Hope my puddings turn out well. Put some buttons and ½ Francs in.
Going to try and get to No. 1 C.C.C. this afternoon.
Capt. Basset brought car. Earl, Dickson and I went. Beautiful drive, cleaner town than
Bailleul. Bought some plated for Mess and soap etc. Went through a church. Same
style everywhere in France. Began to snow and walked about it in, so soft and nice.
Not nearly so cold. Had tea, they put sugar in the teapot. It is so scarce, won't let you
help yourself.
Came into Bailleul on way home, got some flowers, holly, carnation, 2 ½ for each.
Back home 6pm. Left 2 pm. Lovely afternoon, my 4th time out since July.
Everything covered with snow – looks beautiful.
Gave Capt. Bassett a cable for mother. He goes to England on Thursday and will send
it.
Written cable to send home. 12 words, 18F. sent 1 sovereign or rather gave Capt.
Bassett the gold. He will send cable from London tomorrow, he says.
62
December 20th 1916
Glorious appearance all round, snow over all. Not a very heavy fall, though sun came
out a little about M.Day. If it would only come hot for about a couple of hours.
Mr. Butler, R.E. putting fireplace in our hut and a stove. I do hope it will be a success.
It would be such a help to be able to cook anything nicely without having to go to
patient's cook always. They never have any fire or anything when you want it – or
have time to make things.
December 21st
Y.M.C.A. came to see whether cakes etc would be useful for Xmas –very useful
indeed. He sent 1 cast Lipton sandwiches, 1 box chocolates, 1 Frys, 1 Lipton
chocolate – 1 Abdulla cigarettes – men had heaps for Xmas day. I had enough to to
keep and give of New Years Day.
Wrote to P.O. about registered letter from Scob, sent with 5 Pounds, 2 months ago –
she only told me today – afraid I won't get it now. Great gales today and cold. Sent
Wal a parcel – cake, cheese, sardines, chocolates, towel, soap, handkerchief and soup
tablets. Also wrote to him. Gloves from Jean – warm and very nice.
December 22nd
No letters from home for a few weeks, sent cable to mother by Capt. Bassett,
England. No sign of boats or reg. 5 Pounds from Scob.
December 23rd
Nothing special – a few bad cases – stray shells and snipers. Several of the 3rd
Division come along often. I do not know any of them. Chiefly S.A. so far.
Great gale – roof off one of our buildings. All tents blown flat – convalescent patients
put into huts. Were just decorating Recreation Hut – all blown flat.
December 24th
Lovely day – no Church. R.E. and a few others came to tea but Mr. Jack's Xmas cake
– a lovely one – never lasts long with us.
Very changeable weather – strangest I have ever known.
December 25th
Gave all 140 patients Xmas dinner in new Recreation Hut –only just up. Everyone
working on it yesterday to get it finished.
My puddings turned out so well. Heaps chicken, ham, roast beef and puddings. Went
to Communion Service 9.30 am. – a good many men. Some also went 7/15am.
Asked to dinner at Officers Mess 7pm. Great display, very nice dinner. Each sister got
a lace hanky and all, very nice Mena card (unique) We left 11pm, very nice evening/
Now raining a little – not a nice day.
PORTRAIT OF SISTER MARY JANE DERRER, OF THE 2ND
AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY CLEARING STATION NEAR STEENWERCK.
SHE WAS ONE OF SEVEN AUSTRALIAN NURSES AWARDED THE
MILITARY MEDAL.
[Photograph: see original document]
63
December 26th 1916
Rather a miserable day again. Tea and concert and pictures in A.2 by staff. Only for
patients in ward.
December 27th
Hospital train today – about 30 patients left.
Glorious sunshine day – quite warm – very still, no gales. Great deal of firing – much
worse. Some aircraft and big guns about. A good deal of strafing at 2am also.
December 28th
Major Sneddon from Newcastle has 12 wounds, pretty bad. Came in on 24th. A few
others are badly wounded also. Chiefly sick men.
Sister Shearer fell and sprained her ankle. X Ray shows fracture of fibula. Wired to
O.M.S. Hope they send someone to relieve her.
December 29th 1916
Sr. Shearer left for No. 10 Stationary. Sr. Omer 2pm. Sr. Dickson and Sr. Sorley took
her down – leg on splint, very well otherwise. Sr. Peters applied for leave from 6th –
not yet granted. Haines applied for leave from 10th. O.C. would not send it on as they
cannot relieve in that way, he says. Must wait until other sister comes back. No
one to relieve Sr. Shearer yet, I have to do her ward but very little to do there. Leaving
it to orderly, only feed them.
Gave 3 men going back to units a parcel of cake, pudding, chocolate, coffee, milk and
cocoa and milk, cigarettes, other things, toothbrushes.
December 30th
Major Sneddon better – wounds doing well, pretty bad yet but he will be able to go
down when train comes I hope.
Wretched day yesterday – cold wind and rain. I've had a dreadful sore throat for about
10 days. Sort of swells up at night after being in the wind and rain all day I suppose.
Today is lovely, strong winds but the sun is shining and it's nice and warm. Wish it
would keep so for a few weeks.
December 31st
Sr's Peters and Haynes leaving for No. 2 A.G.H. 1st Jan. Sr's Cawood, Carson and
Derrer arrived for duty 12 m.d. today. Put Cawood in A1. 2pm. Carson in A2. Derrer,
A.3. Others returned 2pm.
Gave Pte. Stewart a parcel, cake, pudding, cocoa and milk, coffee and milk to take out
with him today. Sent cake etc to trenches, New Year.
J.W. Lewis B.Coy 34th Btn. A.I.F. Sent to Matron Mitchell to show her their thanks.
64
January 1st 1917
Sr's Haines and Peters left by 3pm train for No2 A.G.H. Very glad to let them go –
have been very rude and troublesome at times lately. Ever since being spoken to about
orderlies following them about out to their wards etc. Orderlies down to see them off.
Also Co. Stacey and Major Ritchar. R.T.O. said patients may not travel with men but
Colonel Stacey asked him to let them go. They were looking after the sisters.
Earl's orders also to go and will leave as soon as relief sent for Sr. Shearer. Nice day –
warm but dull.
January 2nd
Lovely day, warm and sunshiny. Col Clagston and two others from H.Q. came round.
Said they were told that sisters were uncomfortable, cold etc. Told me to write to him
if I wanted anything.
Money Scob gave me for N.S.W. troops from people of Maitland. Butter bought for
men in camp: April, 4 Kilo –67.30 per Kilo – plum cakes 2/6 each. May, plum cakes,
butter 2K, towels – 1 box soap, toothbrushes 4 1/2d each, 2 of shaving soap 2.35.
5/- given to boy going to England from Boulogne who had not a penny – lost it all.
4 Francs for reg. parcel of chocolate to Wal Scobie (large parcel)
3 Pounds sent to England for Em. to buy me cakes and puddings for men.
4th, 2 chickens for both Major Sneddon, Mr. White and A1. 5th men 10 Francs each.
Feb 28th, Bananas, 5 Francs, 12th, 1 chicken for both Duffield and Mills in A.1.
January 3rd
Nice day – warm and gale – looks like rain.
Major Sneddon – haemorrhage from arm – rushed to theatre, pretty bad all day. Better
this evening.
Mr. White, Tasmanian, abdominal wounds, did not expect him to live on admission -
seems a bit better tonight. Very cheerful and such a good patient.
Wrote a note to Col. Clagston telling him he could build a shelter and raise bathroom
floor for me if he had time. He seemed to be very worried about the conditions,
yesterday.
January 4th
Nice day again – little rain, feet very sore, chilblains. So weary at the end of day.
Sr. Sorley had 4 men in to tea. Capt. Amphlett and his brother and 2 other Sydney
men. Played Ping Pong afterwards, seemed to be very happy – left about 10pm.
TROIS ARBRES, FRANCE. C.1917.
TENTS AND BUILDINGS OF THE 2ND AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY
CLEARING STATION, NEAR STEENWERCKE, UNDER SNOW.
[Photograph: see original document]
H.BoutellThis transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
This lock will be automatically released after 60 minutes of inactivity.