Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 4 - Part 1
ASSOCIATE OF THE ROYAL RED CROSS MEDAL
AWARDED TO MATRON BESSIE POCOCK
BUCKINGHAM PALACE LONDON ON THE 2ND MAY 1919
Medal photo - see original document
1
THIS DIARY SEES BESSIE LEAVING FRANCE FOR ENGLAND
TO COBHAM HALL - DARTFORD - TROOPSHIP 'ZEALANDIA'
HOME TO AUSTRALIA
Left Boulogne 8.45 am. raining in torrents - very smooth crossing - arrived Folkstone
and caught train for London about 11am. - others all went off - Sr. Williams and I
only left - got my luggage, put 3 cases in cloakroom -we took one and went on to
boarding house, rep. To sister near Bedford Square - had some afternoon tea and
dinner, bath and bed - very comfortable though I would have gone to Q.M. (Queen
Mary's) Home for nurses, had been alone.
October 1917
Reported to H.Q. this morning - orders to take furlough and then to Weymouth
- did some shopping - Westminster and some sightseeing. Very comfortable at Q.M.
Home in Bedford Place, several others we know coming and going.
Went to Temple Church - very nice service - lunch at Norfolk Hotel, near and then
on to Clapham to Mrs Bishop's for afternoon tea and supper. Nurse Molloy there -
returned about 10pm.
Left Euston Station for Glasgow about 8pm. train, lovely - comfortable - only we two
in it, so looked forward to a good sleep on the way, which we had - the O.C. of Es.
and Keb. (H.S.) came in -gave us books etc - very kind - arrived Glasgow 7/30am.
Tuesday, most comfortably -dark and night, so could not see the pretty country but
going at night saves time.
Arrived in Scotland 7/30am. Went to the Waverly Hotel - breakfast - then out to
Cathedral - municipal buildings - looked for some curios etc -trains up north -
Stirling and Falkirk.
October 1917 Scotland
Left for Falkirk - saw a little of the town - bought some fancy jewellery - shops shut
m.d. (midday)
Found Mr Wade in afternoon - lunch at "Golden Lion" - got 10 pounds from him in
case I was short, he will get it from Sydney - was awfully good - thought I ought to
have more - took us to see one of their convalescent homes for soldiers - Matron had
been in Serbia at beginning of war - had tea and was so nice - then train back to
Glasgow aft. seeing the place - rained nearly all day.
Early train to Stirling Castle - saw all we should see about - back - and afternoon
train to Loch Lomond.
Left Parbel Hotel for Fort William - had a glorious day travelling - I got in with a
lady who turned out to be Lady Cameron and she asked me to come and see her,
lunch - tea -or anything we could do - bring the other 3 with me - was awfully sweet
and kind - they got in with the Supt. Railways and a man who started the village of
Malllaig - a fishing village opposite Skye, knew every tree etc all the way
2
October 1917
Another 2 ½ hours train - glorious country - a Canadian officer who was Lord
Inverclydes son or nephew and they told him - had lunch together at Mallaig and
back to Fort William - they put us into our hotel and they had to return to Glasgow -
the Supt. To his home - the Canadian off to London and France - the other Scotsman
we left at his home in Mallaig - sorry we could not take him with us.
Left by motor 10/30am. for Castle Achnacary - the beautiful home of the head of the
Camerons. Lady Hemonia Cameron met me in the train yesterday coming up and
wanted us to see all the lovely home - grounds etc - full of historical things - Prince
Charlie - Flora McDonals - rings - laces - sleeve links and high top boots -each
weighing about 10 pounds, I should think - wooden pegs in them - Hall and rooms
full of horns - skins - birds - eagles - old beautiful pictures and flags taken by them
from their enemies.
A flag also that had been in N.S.W. in Gov. Macquarie's time - the Highlanders had
to put down some little rising in Sydney, I suppose
Wish I could remember everything - places etc - beautiful houses and the shooting
lodges of some of these people - beautiful - beautiful rivers - lochs and burns
October 1917
Left Fort William at 7am. by motor - drove 50 miles to meet train coming from
Inverness - joined Kinhusie on the Perth and from there to Edinburgh, arriving at
about 5/30pm. - took rooms at the "North British" Hotel - hurried off to church, St
Giles Cathedral , where John Knox preached once - all 4 of us - an old gentleman
took us in and gave us a front seat - back to dinner - hot bath and bed - lovely hotel,
400 rooms etc. Comfortable - nice day - glorious scenery - leaves all gorgeous
autumn tints - beautiful scenery - historical grounds - castles etc.
Up and down to "brekky", of and out -Edinburgh Castle - Holyrood - all the old
things - sights and places - dungeons - motored a little - then lunch and shopping -
lovely warm woollen things -boots - better than London - high tea at Mackies -
bought cakes and shortbread and back to hotel.
October 1917
Wrote many letters and posted in hotel - off to train again and feeling as this last
ends our nice holiday for this time in bonnie Scotland -bought nice brooches - pins -
views -postcards - all of which will try to send later on.
Nice day - not cold - just arrived back from our trip - left Edinburgh last night
9.40pm - nice comfortable journey - not able to get much sleep of course - 4 of us in
one compartment - 1st Class. 1 on floor - 1 on seat - our legs were in the way a bit of
course - another Canadian on our seat - otherwise we were alright - all so sorry that
our leave is over, in Scotland, particularly.
Photo - see original document
COBHAM HALL - DARTFORD - ENGLAND - HOME
OF LORD AND LADY DARNLEY USED AS A
CONVALESCENT HOME FOR OFFICERS 1914-1918
GREAT WAR
BESSIE SERVED HERE AS MATRON IN CHARGE
FROM OCTOBER 26TH 1917 TO JANUARY 2ND 1918
MRS WICKHAM WHO SERVED AS A DRIVER, WITH
SOME OF THE OFFICERS IN FRONT OF COBHAM
HALL - DARTFORD
Photo - see original document
3
October 1917
Orders now to go to Officers Convalescent Hospital at Cobham Hall - Kent -
relieve Sister Robertson.Sr. Williams left by 1/30pm train en route Boulogne and
duty.
I go tomorrow to Cobham Hall - Officers Conv. Hosp. Lent by Lady Darnley -
former Melbourne woman they say. Shall hate looking after Conv. Offficers - they
are bad enough when ill - all Australian - wish there were some Scotch or English
among them - they are not half as nice to one as the British men.
October 26th 1917
Arrived at Cobham Hall at 1/10pm today for duty. Left London by the 11.45am train
- got here about 1-10pm - great old castle looking place - old pictures etc -about 25
officers, none very sick.
Sr. Robertson left by m.day train for St. Reubens Con. Sisters Home.
Col. Millard arrived by m.day train - went all over place - thought it very untidy and
out of order - asked me to see to some of the places - try and get them tidied up and
into some order - stayed for a concert in Lady Darnley's rooms for Con. Officers -
left by evening train.
Had several of the men up to tea in our sitting room this afternoon - did a few
dressings etc for them - so little to do - they seem to like to go to Chatham for
afternoons.
Saw Major Byrne - told him I must know a few things when patients come - left etc -
numbers and so forth.The corporal in orderly room seems to run the whole hospital
there and the Staff Sergeant in the kitchen.
Everything pretty dirt round about - they never seemed to do much for Sr. Robertson
- she says she has had terrible trouble lately - things and relations very strained -
very funny to hear her version - then the beautiful Major's -then up here to Mrs.
Wickham, who owns and drives the car - and the masseuse. I say just about nothing,
for I feel sure they talk about me in the same way.
Moved all tables around in Officer's Mess room - tried to get the rooms for meat -
milk etc fixed.
Nice fine day but awfully cold - most of the men went out - some part of the day.
Stayed down till 9/30pm. saw that their cocoa was alright.
Wrote to mother - sent her 3 pounds to buy herself some things for Xmas as I could
not risk parcels from here.
November
Miss Roche and Col. Noel Knowles -Rifle Brigade came over hospital.
Went into Lady Darnleys with 7 or 8 officers for evening -Lord. D. very nice, awfully
nice old man. Lady Darnley was an Australian, also very nice.
Went up to London by m.day train - reported at H.Q. - nothing special - Miss w.
very nice - seems to be a little more civil than the sphinx eyed Com. - bought some
flowers - returned by 5/30pm.
4
November 1917
Major Knight went around - saw everyone -explained all - took him to kitchen and
down stairs rooms, all very damp and wet - taps leaking etc - cold stones - things
much cleaner - though still terribly bad looking.
Nothing new - several people with sore throats - fairly nice weather.
Everything as usual - Lady Darnely expects you to go in just when she feels inclined
- men not very keen to go.
I went up to town to Red Cross - wanted some things badly -I saw Mrs. Mitchell,
could not see man I/C - she said she had nothing I asked for - must be got from
ordinance stores - as soon as I saw her, knew I'd get nothing - makes you wonder
why they can't give you little things you need. Said she'd send me some old linen - so
far it has not come.
Very nice day - busy - silly work all day long. O.C. goes round twice weekly - today
and Friday - sees and examines all - good thing - but takes all you time - only if you
don't do this, some of them are always out and you never know them hardly - come
home at night - merry too.
Mrs. Wickham takes men out daily in the car, sometimes lunch - sometimes
afternoon tea - cards etc. till 10pm. O.C. to London for day. Mr. Rickett came
back from leave with bad throat and sick - isolated -swab sent - nothing much -
infection but not diptheria.
Lady Darnley, cold - sore throat - they are isolated from us for which many are
thankful. I went in to see her - kept me a good while - kind, but I'd sooner not go in
when there are throats etc. here.
All the same - 2 orderlies left (positive) others all negative - ours also - nice day -
though rained a little - not so cold yet.
Got cake from Sydney - Mrs Mackay, also parcel of handkerchiefs, bags, cigarettes -
tobacco from Alice and the men.
Nice day - warm - busy - see all our people today. Mr. Ricketts negative -throat
better - coughing a little - sent to Fort Pitt Hospital today -got quite well - nothing
special -returned after a few days - eventually sent to Australia.
Got a telegram today telling me to go to Buckingham Palace on 21st November
for my Royal Red Cross.
Mrs. Wickham left about 10am.
November 20th
Went up by M.D. train - stayed at Queen Mary's Hostel - went to theatre at night -
had a box - took 3 others. Mrs. Reis Lavan got it for us. "Theodore and Co." - pretty
dresses - bright - we walked both ways - got in 11-40pm - had tea in town.
5
21st November 1917
Went with 5 others - N.Z. Sisters in a taxi to Buckingham Palace - 13 N.Z. and 3
Australian and a great many Q.A.? and others - great many officers and men.
1 naval man jumped into the water and saved 7 men.
They photographed us on the steps before leaving and again when we came out of the
Palace while waiting for our taxi - The King asked me how long I had been in Sth.
Africa - seemed pleased to see the ribbons - said he was.
Returned home - lunch and then to A.I.F.? to report and train at 5/30pm. - Saw Elsie
Smith there.
Sent a cable home - "Decorated Today - hope mother better and all well - best
love all" Matron I/C Cobham Hall 1 Pound -8shillings - 6d
Feeling tired - was raining all yesterday morning - pains all over me - suppose I
caught cold - everybody nice about my Red Cross - congrats. And good wishes from
all - Lady Darnly sent for me - sent me some roses.
Registered paper knife (shell case) to Lady Hermonia Cameron of Lochveil for her
kindness to me while in Scotland.
Sent a note to Lady Fortescue asking her to tell Queen Mary how much we
appreciated the nurses hostel as I promised Mrs. Ker Lawson.
Very nice concert - people from London - good singers - went in to Lady Darnley for
aternoon tea with them.
A little boy from Armidale amongst the naval men - have asked them to let him come
over one day and bring a couple of his pals - played cards till 9pm -then all went into
Guild Hall - patients sang etc, All the Darnley family in - they then came into us and
had supper together - say they enjoyed themselves very much.
Mr. Cox, Capt. Burden -left 8/30 am. H/Q and to go on transport.
Mr.Bruce - Taylor - Smith to a Hospital Ship for Sydney.
Very windy day - cold and unpleasant -my rheumatism still bad.
No change - lovely sunny morning - warm - then got quite dark - gale and cold -
some snow and rain - after dinner fine again - several officers came to tea - Lady
Darnley had taken them over the cruiser "Sydney"
Parcel received from Anthony Hordens - 1 shortbrread - 1 biscuits - 3 soap
(carnation) paste - cigarettes, 2 tins tobacco. Mjr Mitchell on soap box - all as usual
December
Very busy - cold - some rain in evening - no letter or card in parcel - Alice said she
was sending me these things.
Col. Knight and several officers - Lady Darnely and self went to band concert - R.E.
Hall in Chatham - very nice, went into Lady Darnley's for tea after.
6
December 1917
Parcel received today from A.Horden again - tin sausages - chewing gum - cocoa
and milk - chocolates, 12 tins assorted paste.
Going to concert at Chatham. Lady D gave me 4 tickets -awfully good concert -
enjoyed very much - had tea after - got back about 6pm. Met Mrs. Wickham - she
was waiting for us - staff told her we were going there - I asked her out to tea but
when I returned O.C. came up to tell me she must not come - so had to write a note to
her, rather a nuisance.
Went to London - gave orders for the brooch which the officers are getting made for
Mrs Wickham to cost 10 pounds. I bought a miniature R.R.C. and got them to sent it
to mother from the shop - bought lining for military coat and stuff for house dress.
6 more home letters - about 18 from Sydney now these past few days.
Wednesday - went to town today - ordered brooch we are going to give Mrs.
Wickham - collecting for something for Lady Darnley and the Colonel.
Saw Miss Wilson - told me I was leaving here and Miss Gould was taking my
place. Col. and Lady Darnley both knew and told me were very sorry,
Both she and Lord Darnley have written to H.G.G.P House, do not want me to go - I
don't care - I would if there was a chance of Italy or the French Front - go at once.
I had dinner with the Darnleys - very kind really - of course I suppose if I remain
here I shall just be kept a sister still - get no Matron's pay.
2 tins of lovely shortbread from Edinburgh. M Robson - Scott. I had asked them to
send a cake over to him - saw Mrs. Scott just before she left for France.
Another air raid about 1/30am. till 4am. not much noise here - no damage they say -
some damage in London again.
Nothing special today -Lady D sent a note to tell me General Howse was coming
down on Sunday and it was about my going - rather fun- anyway they will not be
able to say that I was not wanted here after all this.
General Howse came around (Sunday) inspected wards, asked me was I prepared to
forget all my chances of promotion and stay here - if I stayed here, I would do that.
If I left I would be sent somewhere as temporary matron and if found satisfactory etc I
would be promoted -has just gone in to Lady Darnley to talk to her.
I don't care what they do really. I told him I certainly would not forfeit, that it is my
right.
I had to be waiting for promotion for 3 years and others had got promotion much my
junior. So, I suppose I spoiled my chance of promotion - he seems, as he was
when I saw him last - very shifty.
7
December 1917
O.C. just up to afternoon tea and tells me that I'm to be left here till after Xmas - told
Gen.Howse I should have been made Matron and left here. Lord. D. tells the same -
very good of them to speak so well of me.
16 Pounds towards Lady Darnley and the Colonel for Xmas gifts - nice sunny day -
cold - plenty of fires. O.C. and several patients to tea -all seem very happy together.
Several of the patients came to afternoon tea now - Col. and Mrs. Knight also.
Nothing new. M.O. of W.A.A.C. supposed to come - did not turn up - see kitchen
staff.
December 14th 1917
Got a wire to meet them but found they had gone to Cobham in Surrey - so far have
heard no more.
Went to town - bought brooch for Lady Darnley - 10 Pounds - Miss Christopher 4
Pounds- 19 shillings - suitcase for Colonel 5 Pounds 17/6d - brushes 19 Pounds -
paid my bill at Garrards - paid for my photos at Bassans 12 pence. 6 others -all sorts
of rumours - Col. Yeatman leaving his place - Miss Graham leaving here and
many other changes.
Miss Wilson down - went all over - says if I stay I lose rank - would like me to go on
27th but if Lady D wants me badly I can stay till 2nd Jan - will see Lady D in the
morning - hope I get something good when I do go.
Very nice concert - we got the tea for everybody - performers and all, about 70. Lady
D came in - everybody nice to the Tommies and we had heaps of nice things for
them.
Nothing new - nice days - cold - wrote home - Col. Knight and most of patients
came to tea - his wife left last night - seems a very nice sensible woman.
Col. Knight and 3 others came out to a sale of Red Cross stuff - very nice people -
husband and brother - naval me. Mother, Mrs.....? daughter Mrs. Taylor - 3 nice
children, eldest 18 - in some ship now - gave our men very nice tea - cakes in plenty
- they all do love cakes. Went in our car - open - very cold but had rugs etc. Lady
Darnley made me put on her fur coat - a beauty - 100 guineas - lovely thing - was
frightened to put it down - O.C. and I bought her a nice little bag back for her
handkerchiefs - silk - 6 shillings - very pretty.
Heavy fall of snow - frost and now many degrees below freeing - no thaw yet - very
hard still - awfully cold in spite of all the huge fires we have.
Mr. Stamp left for Australia - took my trunk and my curious from Canal and Gallipoli.
Capt. Thompson (Sydney M.O.) left for Australia - sent home my china cups - jam
dish etc, bought at south of France. - Turkish shovel - shell cases, shell and many
other things - trust they arrive safely.
8
December 1917
Mr. Keys also left today for Aust. Capt. Rodda M.O. left for Australia - took small
parcel -Scotch Jewellery - little frock for Chris - lace collars - Scothc brooch for M.
Mitchell. Said he would give it to Sister Mitchell for me - tell her all the news - then
post on the other box of treasures to Alice for me. I went up to town with them - very
cold - foggy day - could not get half my commands done - dark - foggy short days -
too tired for anything and cold when we got back - ordered uniform dress at
Selfridges - leaving here on 2nd Jan.
Nothing speical - same routine - Mackies (Edinburgh_ cannot supply Xmas cake I
ordered for the orderlies and staff Xmas gifts - say they have no butter.
Received photos from Bassans - very good - sent one to mother = AI - Lil - Ethell
Elliott -Chris - Claude and Fred - best I've had for a long time.
Choir from Cobham Estates came and sang Carols 5pm. - one man has been coming
here for 54 years - been working on the estate since he was 11 years old - very cold
again - not much thaw yet - letters from home and Rube - old, dated Sept.
All as usual - very cold still - snow on ground. No thaw yet.
December 24th 1917
The staff had their Xmas dinner at 8pm. They all sat down and I carved and helped -
got several officers to come - some carved - some took around - waited etc -
Col. and Mrs. Knight and Miss Christopher also helped - we did all except wash up
after - speeches and all sorts of things - they were nearly 2 hours - Lord and Lady
Darnley came in later - it was quite a heavy day and I was so tired - standing about
working but everything was so splendid and there was no trouble - all worked so
willingly - officers did not mind what they did.
Not so cold - rained a little and during night, thaw set in - hard ice on roads - wet and
snow lying everywhere. Went into Chatham , car skiddng about a bit - pretty
dangerous - got home safely. Took Col's 2 boys - I bought some handkerchiefs - one
each for officers and orderlies - cake - sweets - toys - flowers - got back 2pm. Such
a busy long day - feet tired.
Wet and muddy - cold - had lunch - went into hall to entertainment which was very
nice and bell ringer, very good. Xmas Tree - many toys for children - great rejoicings
- aft. tea. Lady Darnley sent me a lovely cushion by her husband - they really are
both awfully kind. I got all our little things together in bundles - Miss Christopherson
helping me - then got night orderly to come up and get them and put them round to
each bed - very amusing - h'chiefs - sweets - toy - fountain pen from R.Cross in
some of the bags Alice sent me from home. Got Col. and Mrs. Knights other
children's presents all made up - such a work - got to my bed about 1am - gave the 2
Christopherson children h'chiefs. Cooks, Hilda, butter - Miss Rettick and Miss
McKenzie next door, the former, cigarettes - the next souvenir spoon (France) the
latter , h/chiefs.
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