Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 4 - Part 2

9
December 25^th 1917
Xmas Day  and everybody happy – I got a very nice large suitcase from officers, We
sent in Lord and Lady Darnley's gifts – a brooch for the latter and cigarette holder for
the former – very nice ones.
We all dined in the Guild Hall – turkey – champagne – wine – puddings etc. –
everybody said most awfully nice things about me – all sorry I am going – I can't
believe all these nice things at all – we all had tea 7/15pm in Officers Mess together –
Mrs. Knight and all of us – they seemed very happy together.
December 26^th 1917
Nothing special – fine day – cold – snow nearly all gone – light flakes falling –
melting quickly – a good deal of mud, snow and ice – Lord and Lady Darnley – Mrs.
Bligh –Col. and Mrs Knight and several others came up to me to afternoon tea.
Mrs Christopherson's sister left by 2pm.
Several officers went to Mr. And Mrs. Newcombe to afternoon tea and supper – had a
very nice time they say.
Some of the family coming here today, so I told the boys to bring them up to me to tea
at 4pm, instead of taking them out – very cold again – does not know whether to snow
or rain – heaps of fires all over the house.
Went to London – paid for Mrs. Wickham's brooch – gave the colonel the receipt –
left my suitcase to be changed and fixed up –got my dress – paid for it. 2 pounds 15/-,
left the cigarette holder we were giving Lord Darnley to be mended and inscription
put on.
Nearly everybody came to tea – Lord and Lady Darnley, Mrs. Bligh on Thursday,
also Mrs. Knight and O.C. – had a very nice time together – they said they were very
happy.
Foggy and cold of course – getting into real winter now. Mr & Mrs and the 3
Newcombe girls came this afternoon – had tea and looked at pictures – left about 6pm
– about 25 altogether – all patients came up, also O.C. (girls the attraction) our men
would go anywhere or do anything almost to be near girls and food. Mr Armit
brought his girl from train – gave them a.m. tea, then they went round – returned to
lunch 1pm. – away after for a walk and to train again – Miss Russell, very French
looking, think she is rather nice.
Mr Armit left today – he used to write for Daily Telegraph in Sydney.
December 31^st 1917
Last day of another year – my 4^th from home – only one more day here and then
to Dartford – Hope I get along all right and like it. I go in tomorrow night to dinner
with the Darnleys and Col. Knight.
Miss Gould supposed to come by the 11.45 train and I go by car as soon as I can after
handing over to her.
 

Photo – see original document
Dartford, Kent, England. 1916-17 Interior of a treatment area of the hospital
decorated with Christmas decorations. A number of patients are having wounds
bandaged by medical staff. Standing behind the table (third from the left) is the
matron of the hospital Matron Mary A. (Bessie) Pocock, Australian Army
Nursing Service (AANS), a veteran of the Boer War
Bessie was 2 months in charge Lady Darnley's home for wounded Australian soldiers
 

10
January 1^st 1918
New Years Day and my last day here – went into Darnleys for dinner – very nice
evening – they really seem sorry that I am leaving.
The Gordon family came and gave a concert to officers – very good – all in – and
enjoyed it.
January 2^nd 1918 Dartford
Miss Gould arrived about 1-15pm – left by the usual 11.45 from Victoria – met her –
took her up to my quarters – gave her lunch – then throught the wards and on the the
O.C. – then in to the Darnleys and introduced her there –I left – said goodbye to al –
left by motor ambulance at about 3.20pm Arrived Dartford about 4/20pm.
Mr. Ayres – Mr. Edmonston and Mr...? Came over with me – was quite cheery,
otherwise I would have had a miserable lonely hour. Went through some papers with
Miss Graham – went round wards – everything seems to be very quiet – all very
comfortable apparently – a few sisters I've met before – introduced to the O.C. Col.
Sutherland – not very much taken with him – maybe better than he looks.
Was very sorry to leave Cobham after all – Lardy Darnley declares she will get me
back –I don't want to go back of course – it seems so small for me – yet they are
awfully good and it is an awfully comfortable place and will be pretty in the spring
and warm weather – both are coming over to see me.
January 3^rd 1918
Appointed Matron –3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital – Dartford Kent England
I take over here today – Miss Graham left at m.d. for St. Albans Sister's Convalescent
Hospital.

62 staff – about 1150 patients – not very serious cases in – some small dressing – a
good many come and go very quickly – out, or to Weymouth – waiting for Australia –
no officers just now – generally only R.F.C. Off. From accidents.
Miss Graham left by m.d. train – I was so sorry to see her go and feel that I had taken
her place when she did not want to give it up. I told her and asked her to come and use
the spare room whenever she liked – poor thing – she seems to be so frail –God is
very good to me, to keep me so well and strong – though sometimes I feel my
heart going backwards and all over the place – I do pray that I may be kept well
and strong and able to do my work well, till the last minute.
January 4^th 1918
Went all round wards – know the bad cases now – very few – all convalescent nearly.
Sisters very good and thoughtful – feel I shall like it and be happy and feel that I shall
only be here a very little while – I don't know why – the same feeling I had at
Cobham Hall.

COPY OF A SONG BOOK BELONGING TO BESSIE PROBABLY
FROM THE 2^ND WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945
Photo of song book page - see original document

11
January 5^th 1918
Went to a concert tonight – fairly good – great many patients and sisters – same 
duties.
January 6^th
Church today – good many – very fair service – special message from the King.
January 7^th
All round everywhere – everyone comfortable – 7 more sisters – 4 going tomorrow – 
went to ward where patients gave Sr. Whiting a little send off – music and supper and
an autograph book – very nice – no home letters.
January 9^th
Went up to London H.Q. – got a few ......etc – nothing special – ordered 12 more
photos, 3 Pounds paid – my suitcase not quite finished yet – looks very nice – frost
bitten toes very painful – a little black.
January 10^th
Not quite so cold – feet still very sore – just the same little black spots on the swelling
on the bunion part – go round wards daily – rooms – see patients twice sometimes.
January 11^th
No change – operating hall, rooms etc, terribly dirty – dreadfully dirty still – told
O.C. when I came – told him again today – got him to go and see the place – he has
made some arrangements now – also about night sister's lanterns – they had only
10 for 16 people. 3 sisters fell off boards.
Letter from Lady Darnley – Mr. Armit – Sr. Bedwell – Red Cross, saying there is a
case for me – Scob with my tablecloth – very nice – 70 Francs – never got the 20
Francs I sent her.
January 12^th
Mrs. Farmer and 3 ladies gave 60 patients whist drive this afternoon – 2 – 5/30 – 
bought cakes and we supplied the tea – gave some nice prizes – I played and 29 other
sisters – was very nice for the men.
January 13^th
Church 11am. – band music – very nice – nice address but too long – still cold but
rooms all heated and beautifully warm – really nice weather for England for this time
of year.
No home letters yet.
 

12
January 14^th 1918
Rained a little – also snow.
Wrote to Red Cross for some things for sisters sitting and writing room – cushions – 
carpet – curtains etc.
Reply said they would give things – to see Red Cross Stores here and send in request,
which I did.
January 15^th
Letter from Lady Darnley and Col. Knight – rang up the former – both she and Lord
D. spoke – both say they miss me very much – so glad. I miss them too really – they
say they are going away for 10 days from Monday next and will come over after – 
will be glad they do – would love them to come and see hospital here – will have
lunch and afternoon tea with me.
January 16^th
Wednesday – More light snow last night – some rain – not too cold. Miss Ross from
Harefield came over to see our place – how we managed about W.A.A.C's doing
orderly work and other branches.
January 23rd
Had letter on 15^th Jan from A.N.C.F. telling me there had been a case of goods arrived
for me and had been given to R.Cross – wrote at once to them – they wrote asking me
what I wanted them to do with it. I asked for it to be sent at once as I wanted to give
some of the contents to sisters who were leaving for France. Rang them up again now
today – there is no sign of it.
January 24^th
Just had a letter from Mrs Russell saying she had sent 2 cases – wonder where the
other is – it is really too bad. I have so little faith in Red Cross –The Comfort Fund
people send things at once and are so good and thoughtful about everything for you.
10 letters from home today(24^th) glad mother has gone home for a while – wish Alice
could get a girl in to help. Hope Chris will not be an extra trouble – she ought to be a
help to Alice now by helping herself in every way –I'm sure poor Rube is worn out.
2 letters from Claude, pictures of Dorothy – lovely unspoiled looking child – hope she
grows up nice – says his father is going to Tumberumba near Wagga – don't know it
 – nice for the people to have given them both such nice presents.
Letter from Capt. Thomson and Mrs Stamp – Sierra Leone – I think they should be
well on their way to Aust. now.
Letter from Mrs Dick – also sorry she is so far away, I can't see just now. 10 letters
from home people – last dated 30-10-17.
 

13
January 24^th 1918
Lovely days for the past week – not cold at all for here – beautiful sunset – should be
a lovely spring – rooms – wards etc warm and cosy, heated by steam pipes – so unlike
my last winter in Flanders, yet I did not mind and loved the work and surroundings.
January 26^th
Letter from Mrs Stamp – says they do not like the Matron much and so forth – they
were spoiled at Cobham but as it is Frater, I feel sure that my men would never like
her – am glad too – shows I don't think and work as she does – am pleased.
Just got home – the suitcase they gave me at Xmas – it is lovely. Col. Murdoch
came down today, also Mrs Mitchell – says there are 2 cases there for me – he will
see and send them down – very good.
Showed Mrs Mitchell the rooms that I want the carpet and cushions etc for – getting
them – they are also giving me a sewing machine, which is awfully good. 
No Aust. papers – magazines – writing paper in wards. Col. M says he tld Mrs

Kennedy (things seem rather mixed) a good many things not quite right.
January 27^th
Sr. Thompson reported this morning that she had some misunderstandings with
he M.O.
She ordered diets which he would not sign or think necessary – she told the O.C. and
asked him to remove the M.O. which was of course out of the question – I told her
that the only thing for her to do was take another ward, so I moved her on 28^th –
moved several as I had 2 new ones – so no one was any the wiser.
January 28^th 
Church a.m – nice hymns – part of band very nice.
Large tins of jam, home made – melon – variety of flavours – pineapple – ginger –
lemon – given to wards today by Q.Master from Red Cross – sent from residents of
Singleton N.S.W. through Red Cross there – Jan 1916 – the address on some.
Some had little bottle inside with a note from maker asking whoever opened the tin to
write – sisters are getting some of the men to write – I will also write first mail.
I love to let the people know when we get their things they make or give us.
Busy morning and afternoon – sisters coming and leaving so much. 2 for Aust.
tomorrow, leave here 7/15 – 8/40 tonight.
Much shells, anti aircraft fighting and guns – Germans must be over. Fancy I heard
some bombs explode – great noise and much search lights etc. Ceased about 10pm for
a while – can hear the engines quite well – men say our planes – but I think German
 

14
January 29^th 1918
Germans over – several got to London – many bombs dropped they say on "John
Bull" paper office – several killed by bombs – also trying to get to shelter – one or
two whole families – 1 poor woman and 5 children all killed.
Supposed to be over again tonight – do not think they got in.
Got in 3 R.F.C. boys – officers – 1 very badly injured – spine –O'Hanlon. Mjr.
Avery from America not so badly – Mr Geasspoole only shaken – he unfortunately 
was the innocent cause – flew too low getting in and the other 2 were just rising when
he crashed into them – hope the other boy gets alright – seems very bad – not much
use legs or arms – perhaps only concussion – his father and mother came to see him
on 30^th.
January 30^th
No change
January 31^st
All quiet – foggy up till 1pm then lovely sun.
Una Bourne. Sir Sam McAugheys niece and 2 other Australians came to give a short
concert to 3 wards – I had to take them for aft. tea and dinner – not a sign of O.C. or
M.O. in the place – speaks well for Aust. officers.

Asked Q.M. for a little extra milk and jam, biscuits for concert party – our rations were
a bit sort today, 4 extra besides sister's friends, were a good lot – can get nothing
from Red Cross store here – he sent me ½ pint of milk, a jar of jam and a plate of
Arnotts biscuits, which shows that the Red Cross have these things but we cannot get
them. 
Patients never get any sister's pay – never a paper in ward either.
Sat: Gave convalescent patients an afternoon whist in the recreation room – about 120
players – several, about 15 or so sisters also – gave them 1 Pound worth of prizes –
good leather wallet, 7/6d each – necktie – silk handkerchiefs (khaki) – 8 cakes of nice
soap and a little mascot man and bird for booby prize.
They all seemed to enjoy it. Col. Springthorpe played and gave prizes for me. O.C.
came in at the end for half an hour, looked on – I also asked the O.C. for cigarettes
and boiled sweets from Red Cross, which he said I could have.
Sent Sgt. May of band for them.
Several letters from Aust. and home – went to concert – dreadfully poor – no one
could sing either – nothing vulgar like last show. 
February 3^rd
Sunday : Went to church – very few men.
 

15
February 3^rd 1918
Lieut. O'Hanlon died at 8pm tonight – very sad – poor boy – nothing could be
done for him – his back must have been broken with the smash up of the aeroplanes
and was conscious up till a few minutes of death – gave all sorts of messages to his
mother and friends – said goodbye to her and said he'd go now – asked for his C.O.
who was there – also M.O. and his own people – talked to his mother – almost the
last words were plainly said. "God Save England" and tried to ask his mother by
little sighs in his breath – poor woman – she was nearly mental – did not realize I
don't think – Sister Keat very good to her – washed her – put her to bed – gave her a 
drink and tablet for head – hot water bag and bovril.
Opened my two cases today – full of good things – distributed some – sent to Mess to
all to have together. Wrote to Col. Murdoch.
February 4^th 
Put by parcel for Sr. Dickson – Lt. O'hanlon's people came to see his mother – just
the same – is a Quaker – going to have body cremated.
February 5^th 
Not such nice days – cloudy – raining a little and cold – have had lovely weather

really – nice sunshine – letters from home – all well.
A few very sick men – another Gladesville A? stopped and talked to me am. Numgay
– some name like that – says I finished his lectures off when I went to G,
February 7^th 
Received rest of photos from Bassans – nothing new since Tuesday – rang up Col
Knight – Darnleys not back yet – so they won't be over for some days yet.
February 8^th
Some sisters inoculated – those ready for France (6). The O'Hanlons sent the flowers
from their boy's funeral – few - but lovely ones – sent them all around, a little bunch 
to each ward – men loved them, sister says.
February 9^th
Very windy miserable day– such a change from the sunshiny days of last week –
orderly officer came up about 7pm to borrow our cups and plates for a dance party – I
told him we could not lend – he must get their own Mess things or the sergeants – said
they had not enough – O.C. did not tell any one till then – no one in wards knew and it 
was supposed to be given for the patients – sisters not allowed dancing – had to lend

out cups after all – great fun really – squabbling with the O.C. and Sgt. Over lending
our things for a dance we know nothing about and to which we were neither asked nor

allowed to go.
 

16
February 10^th 1918
7 more sisters inoculated today – Col. asked me to do him – I gave him a good big
dose too. – Pte. Williamson from Melbourne – very ill indeed – no one knows what
is the matter apparently – Also boy named Chapman from S.A. – lower limbs
becoming paralysed – legs being drawn up.

Very windy day again - I get neuralgia so badly with winds blowing always.

Went to Church this morning.
February 11^th 

Gave patients another whist drive this afternoon, about 96 patients – we gave 3d –

each towards prizes which bought 4 very useful nice things – they were all delighted.
Patients gave a concert in one of the wards at 7/30.
February 12^th
1111 patients tonight – good many admissions – one poor creature – Wooding – so
bad. Sent from another hospital in England today – leg – pelvis – back septic – bad
pulse – colour bad – (got well – returned to Australia)
Pte. Williamson in 27 seems a little better – M.O. thinks he might have Pava Typhoid
now –very ill still – little boy Chapman not nearly so well either – very ill – and is
being downhearted today.
Orderly room rang up and told Home Sister that there was a letter for me – had
been opened there and the Col. would see me. I came back from Ward and found
a letter on my desk – open – a personal letter from Mrs. O'Hanlon thanking
sisters etc for being good to their son – also a cheque for 25 Pounds which he
asked me to spend for sisters some way in remembrance of their son – and their
gratitude – the letter was addressed to the Matron – plainly.
I went down to Col. Sutherland for an explanation – firstly to see why any letters
addressed to the Matron or me should go to the Orderly Room at all and secondly, if
they got there – why they should have been opened – he told me that he had a perfect
right to censor all letters going out and coming in and he had asked recently for some
letters to be brought to him.
I thought no one had the right to censor or open a letter coming in and told him so – 
he said he could have them both ways and give them to the Orderly Room.
I asked him who would censor there? –his staff? – he could not answer me straight – 
I told him very quietly that my letters were often personal and that he must order the
P.O. staff to m send them to the sister's quarters and if I was away ever – the sisters I
leave I/C must open all my correspondence and if found relating to hosp. to send to
Orderly Room for reply. – Asked him if I would tell the P.O. Officials or would he
give them orders – said I need not –he would do so.