Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 4 - Part 3

17
February 12^th 1918
I went down at 5/30pm tonight to ask about a cable – also asked a P.O. official had
they been sending all my letters up to me. –did they send any anywhere else? – said
they had sent all up to me – the officer in charge then came in and I asked him the
same question – said the same – then I said well one got to the Orderly Room - a
private letter and was opened there – Oh yes, Sgt Hanson gave him instructions to
send all my letters add: The Matron, to the Orderly Room he said that I said I
could not be bothered with them – which of course – is a lie. I feel so very worried,
because several of my friends here and the boys who are in France etc, only put The
Matron on all their letters to me. I have never known anyone dare to open a letter of
anybodies for even only add. Matron – they should never have got to Orderly Room.
I don't quite know what to do – for perhaps they have opened and destroyed letters of
mine – of course they would never have been found out – only the cheque was made
payable to The Matron. I can never trust anyone in the office again.
Never, never trust Col. Sutherland or Major Brown either – I'm sorry – of course
the staff I consider beneath one's notice.
I suppose they have been opening my letters for the past 10days – ever since I stopped 

getting them, which seems to have dated from the day I told the O.C. that the address
on the jam was put inside the jam tin in a little bottle – he was terribly surprised – said
he did not know there was any note or address given – he could hardly have known
where the tin was soldered up – but he is careful now.
Sister tell me today in several wards the jam is sent up in anything – tin perhaps – but
no tin is sent to wards unopened – so we can never tell whose labour and love, sent
our men the extras and jam takes some work and money and time, before we get
it.
February 13^th
Several bad cases in now – 1146 tonight. Williamson on still very bad – Chapman
also – Bell, a little better. Banks, haemorrhage again – operation midnight – opened
all up – very weak – very worrying – has a nerve case only don't know why they
should haemorrhage.
Great explosions about 5pm. broke all mantles round hospital – some globes and
window panes – several rumours as to what it was – some say factory – others
aerodrome – we shall probably know by paper a.m.
Col. told me he had permission to have Sister Hunter operated on here and to send
her on afterwards – I told home sister to get room ready etc. He came up about lunch
time and said he had just had a message to say that she was not to be done here – must
be sent to Southam.
February 14^th
Thursday: Went to London – took my letter – cheque etc to Matron – In - Chief, who
asked Gen. Howse if we might spend it on sisters – they said yes – also told her my
letters were being opened at the Orderly Room by the male staff there, which she
thought very dreadful as often they were personal. 

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February 14^th 1918
Sent a cable to the A.N.C.F. – Mrs. Mitchell 11/3d cost – also one to mother – 9
shillings – bought 8 pounds plain cake for boys on Monday afternoon – 8 pence per
pound – most likely sisters will share their expenses.
February 15^th
Friday: Sr. Gail sick T. 103.8 – P 126 – throat – may be diphtheria  - not likely I think
–is terribly sore and she looks sick – put on a day and a night nurse with her – is very
difficult to have sisters nursed properly in this little room –also not enough staff to
spare for the 2 extra in addition to the sick one.
February 16^th
Saturday: Sr. Gail still very bad throat, temp up 102.6, also pulse – another swab sent
– last negative.
Went to concert in Albert Hall at 2/30pm. – about 19 of us – Clara Butt – awfully nice
– we reserved our seats – lovely music and singing – got home by 7pm.
About 8pm., whistles to warn people that the Germans were over and an air raid on.
A great deal off shells and anti aircraft guns – one can hear the engines of the
machines but one cannot see the planes – they fly too high – the air raid lasted till
about 11pm. here – then seemed to be quiet.
February 17^th
Sunday: Major inoculated 11 sisters this morning – very short today and busy – each
of these have to be off for the day after innoc. – hope they are alright tomorrow –
nearly all of them went to London on the second day this time – so I am not going to
give them a second day this time.
Gail, Temp 99.8, pulse 104 today – better but looks weak and ill – very cross because
I told her she must go to sick sisters hospital.
I did not go to Church a.m. – will go tonight – thick frost this morning – very cold all
night and today, glorious sunshine all day through a calm – dare say there will be a
beautiful moon again and then of course another air raid, which must cost them
thousands of pounds in shells alone – no damage last night, they say.
Williamson still very ill – delirious but still I should thinks, hopes of recovery.
Chapman just the same – poor little boy – very sad.
Hear that there were several killed in London again – a wounded officer, his wife
and children – terribly sad – seems so awful that these glorious nights are so
awfully dangerous and is just the night for the wholesale murder of people not
in the fighting area.
Gail still sick – looks very miserable too T101 – O.C. did not change treatment.
I went to Presbyterian service 7/30pm. – not many – not nice music –but they all sang
the dear old hymns very heartily – I wish I could play or sing, I should arrange a
very hearty singing service. 

19
February 18^th 1918
Monday: Busy again – rather short of nurses on a/c night duty changing – sick nurse
taking up 2 – couple of sisters sick after innoc. Too – Miss Kirkcaldie left for Joyce
Green – infectious.
Another very fierce raid tonight, beginning about 9pm. lasting till M.N. very very
cold clear night and you can hear to vibrations of the engines so distinctly –you would
wonder why you can't see the planes with the search lights and the bright moonlight –
pieces of shrapnel falling on the roof all over head – very small by the sound – I went
to bed 11/30pm, very tired.
February 19^th
Tuesday: Srs. Allan and Chataway left for France 9am. Gail for Sister's Hospital,
London. 1 pm. – message to say Miss Kirkcaldie was comfortable – may be chicken
pox. W.A.A.C. cook left today for hospital – measles – trust it does not spread
anywhere else.
O.C. brought up a paper dealing with recommendations for Honours and Mentions
for nursing staff. I made a list and then went through it with him – glad to say he was
sensible about it – rec. the right ones – of course be sure the best get it – for so many
have done good work out of the 7. We recom. 4 A.A.R.C. and 3 Mentions – don't
suppose they will give half.
Terribly cold and thick fog - the latter will keep the Germans off and we will all have
a quiet peaceful sleep tonight, unless the fog clears off.
Williamson very bad tonight – did not seem to know me –poor man died – no air raid
– everybody had a nights rest.
Sister Duff and I sent a nice wreath of flowers for Williamson's coffin – poor boy
– away from all his own.
February 20^th
Sister Hunter left for Southall to have foot operated on. Sr. Thompson very ill – staff –
Williams returned from leave – have plenty of staff again now.
Williamson died about 6/30am. this morning –so dreadfully sorry for I feel always
that we should not lose either a typhoid or pneumonia and he had been here a long
time. Very, very sorry – night sister Duff and I sent some flowers.
Letter from Claude, written from home – so glad he is up for leave – also glad his
father and mother are going up now that mother's there and not well – hope they will
fix up everything comfortably and happily – letter also from Lil.
Letter from Claude dated 4-1-18 –very quick – glad to hear all the news and that they
were all at home and happy together. Mother very feeble I am sure – wish they could
get some good help to help mind her. 

20
February 21^st 1918
Letter from Miss Wilson saying D.M.S. will not allow us to keep the cheque from
Mrs. O'hanlon – sorry for the girls sake but we expect nothing and never had – glad
Claude and his mother and father got home at Xmas – 2 letters from Alice, 1^st Jan and
1^st Dec - 1 from Chris - 1 from N. Wearne dated 7^th Jan.
February 22^nd
So glad to get letter in my mother's handwriting – 20 letters today – several from home –
Lil – Rube – mother – the bank re my deposit renewed – Lil Attwater –Claude – Mary
Hill – The "Sydney" in Wearne – some from home dated Oct and Nov – others Jan 1
to Jan 7^th which is very quick – mother fairly well – sorry Rube's step daughter is
so bad – very sorry.
Not very busy today, fairly quiet – a few sick ones – wrote to Mrs. O'hanlon,
returned cheque – D.M.S. would not let us spend it on the sisters – I did not care
– I would have got none – but would like my girls to have had it to spend on them
– if those men had got it am quite certain they would have used it.
Wards getting a few things from Red Cross store lately – has been a disgrace the way
they have given things to the Q.M's Store instead of letting wards have all the little
extras which are sent to and meant for the men out here.
February 23^rd
Saturday: Nothing very special – Dr. Dagmar Byrne's brother in hosp. Here – rather a
rover I should say but very nice creature – several men from places we know but I
have never seemed to have met them - we gave them a whist drive and they enjoy it
they say. Keeps them from the dirty village of Dartford for a bit.
February 24^th
Sunday: Did very little today – Church am – not many there – fair day – a bit breezy
and colder.
February 25^th
Monday: Our whist drive went off very well – the tables are full –Col. Springthorpe
gave me 10 shillings, 1^st prizes – he played with them and the men liked that very
much –he is really very good always.
February 26^th
Tuesday: Very cold day – I have not been out since I went to London – Chapman still
very bad – poor boy – losing power of both arms and hands now – I do not see how he
can last long enough to get home to Aust. though a ship might be going soon. 

21
February 26^th 1918
Tuesday: Miss Wilson came down this morning, went all round – very satisfied with
most things – very nice, met the O.C. he gave her a few of his impressions – told her
I was a most shrewd woman – I wanted to make him tell why because I had told
her about him – the horrid common fellow.
Gen. Howse came in afternoon – I went all round again – very cold - wind nearly cut
your head off – he was taken everywhere – the best places etc. asked me a few
questions which I answered in his own sarcastic manner. Came over to me when
he was leaving to whisper did I want him for anything etc – was I wanting
anything –I said "Oh yes" – don't want anything but if you need a good strong hard
working woman for foreign service of course I'm ready to travel – said I was
doing good work here – wanted me to stay here a bit – would not move me just
yet – very pleasant and gushing but I can't bear him – I never can bear a horrid
man whom I do not trust – I would not believe a word he said.
I've a very sore throat today – just going to try and be careful – won't go about much
– wards very quiet.
March 2^nd
Saturday: Had to stay in my room most of the day – throat very sore – nothing to be

sure like rheumatism – just swelling and choking me – stupid thing.

March 4^th

Monday: Up today – feel very seedy – throat a little better – not much – went to my

room 5pm.

March 5^th

Tuesday: Up today – working – feeling better – tho' throat very sore, seems to be

swelled – did all my work except go round wards – not nice days – very windy and

cold.

March 6^th

Wednesday: Bit better – went down ramp – very cold so did not go to wards – gale

blowing and as throat was very sore still, there is no use risking anything.

March 7^th

Thursday: Much the same –did all work today – much writing to do – everybody to

write about – all particulars finished and sent to be typed. 

March 8^th

Friday: Nothing important – another raid last night – several killed and wounded in

London and many houses broken up

22

March 9^th 1918

Saturday: Glorious day  - much flying done – they look so lovely up high in the

sunlight and gorgeous blue sky – turning over and swooping in and out. Mrs. Percy

White – Greenblythe, called – 15 sisters vaccinated today – glorious sunset and quite

warm.

March 10^th

Sunday: Went to Church – Presbyterian service – Capt. Pethericks last Sunday – full

room – very nice service – throat much better now – seems alright again.

March 11^th

Monday: Several home letters - 1 from Regg – Seymour – so glad to hear a little of

all my old patients. Presb. Padre came to aft. tea with sisters – several official papers

– returns of duties – positions and working of staff to be sent in for war diary.

March 12^th

Tuesday: Vaccinated 11 more sisters this morning – 6 night nurses – 7.15pm and 

myself. O.C. brought up with him about 5 med. Officers to be done when we were –

saved them the trouble of preparing – our things are all prepared so nicely.

Col. and Mrs Barber came to see the place – I took her to our Mess and the O.C. took

her husband. I had to go around wards and show her everything  - kitchen – laundry

etc. They came back to my office for tea and left 4.18 train.

Several ladies brought prizes and gave the men a whist drive from 5 – 7/30pm – very

nice and they all seemed to enjoy it – also 10 sisters.

Very hot day – like a summers day in Australia – lovely blue sky – clear and still –

good many whistles tonight – seems as if the Germans are about –or else a fog

coming on 11pm.

March 13^th

Wednesday: Had reserved seats for "Louise" at Drury Lane – Sr. Buchanan and I –

very pretty music and pretty scenes – arrived home about 12-30am. very late – but

then not able to see the finish of the last act. Always many of these go late and a car,

otherwise one could not go as it is a very doubtful long journey from R. station, home.

More sisters done – only holiday ones left to be done – finished my notes of hosp.

Articles – not satisfied, but one can't mention or make things interesting, when you

mention things and people as they are and that is not allowed of course.

Asked Padre Beveridge to get me some tickets for a Nurses Memorial Service in "St.

Pauls" 10^th April and have just had a memo from "Records" for Matron In Charge to

let them know how many wanted to go – Queen Alexandria said she would go, so

we might see her – don't suppose they would let her look at Australians.

23

March 13^th 1918

2 more raids this week over Hull – Sheffield and a few other places –some damage –

also Paris a good deal of damage – they have not come over our heads the last, twice

– dark nights too and no moon yet – apparently they can travel in any light now – we

hear that our planes have been into Germany in daylight.

March 14^th

Nothing special – nice day – very cold wind –another Hospital Ship "Guilford Castle"

torpedoed in Bristol Channel – 450 wounded on – from German East Africa. Ship

bought into Port – all wounded and staff safe.

March 15^th

Letter from Scob. She has been at Rocquebrune where I was last year, for 14 days –

she gives no particulars of anything – no news of my cases of comforts – I do wonder

when I will get them.
Col. Sutherland worrying again about silly small things – he says one thing one

day and then again he tells you he never said so – I let him finish then quitely tell him 

my views –  often wait till an opportunity comes and then tell him what I think – he is

peculiar sometimes – I'm tempted to believe all I hear of him – I try not to – never a

good word for sisters – no management – spoil patients and all sorts of silly things –

always praising up the W.A.A.C. and how well their chief has them under control etc

– he is going to give them another dance – he says – silly old idiot

Wrote to Private Sec. Queen Alexandria thanking her for the card and book.

March 18^th–23^rd 

Saturday: 734 patients today – 449 empty beds.

Nothing of importance last week – still sending out patients – not many coming in –

same old routine – work etc. – 1 case mumps in B27 – isolated 10 days – no others –

nearly all sisters re vaccinated – very few took – I had also to be done again.

Went to H.Q. today – Miss Conyers there – Miss Wilson away also.

Sister Dickson gave some instructions – still a good deal of the Sphinx about her –

new uniform instructions which she will send – said I should not have pockets in my
coat, wrong buttons –wrong brooch.

March 24^th

Sunday: Church am. CofE. Presbyt. after tea – very large congregation at night. 710

patients – 472 beds – very quiet.

Advance begun in France – do so wish I was there. 

24

March 25^th 1918

Monday: Gave men their whist drive, very good – 3 nice prizes – pocket books –

fountain pens.

2 more lovely cases of foodstuffs from Comforts Fund per Mrs Russell – chiefly

tinned things – no clothing this time – divided 4 cakes out between 66 – biscuits – tea

– sugar – sheep's tongues – herrings – cake – biscuits. I took up to Sr. Dickson and

Miss Wilson – all other stuff, put into Sister's Mess for use in Mess Room and all will

share alike.

March 26^th

Tuesday: Bad news from Western Front – Germans advancing –taking villages –

trust it won't last.

March 27^th
Wednesday: 791 patients only tonight, 379 beds vacant – got some patients who were

wounded 6-7 months ago from British hospital today. One boy with sore back.

News little better today – do wish I was there – my heart and soul is there and I

could do such a lot .

I wonder shall we be able to do much here – I don't think so for the British take the

cases first and we don't get them till they get all they can take – all the best cases –

always.

Sr. Thompson returned to duty today – 8 days off – pain in side – nothing there –

aperiant given.

Hunter off 5 days again with her toe – opened up – could not have been healed –

should not have been allowed to return here till fit for duty – they forget how much

work and bother they make in the home and you always worry for fear they don't get

enough attention – nursing – food etc. and half of them are not worth the worry.

March 28^th

11 patients today – let 2 more go on leave.

Very windy – cold again – a few bad cases but nearly everyone

convalescent...admissions from the hospital today – clearing out English hosp. Ready

for new patients, I suppose.

March 29^th

Good Friday: Went up to the Albert Hall with Sr. Green – heard the "Messiah"  –very

lovely music.

Met Capt. Peploe in train who told me Lady Dally had a son – he looks very ill.

25

March 30^th 1918

Saturday: Raining fairly heavily for the first time in some weeks – will do ground

good – I will try and get some lettuce plants etc. for my garden – though the O.C.

has not allowed the men to dig any more up for me – he says we have to buy them

from the hosp. – he is not a very manly man as far as we are concerned – he never

seems to speak of my staff very kindly and often almost forgets he is speaking to a

woman at all – when he comes to find some fault it is as much as I can do to keep

my hands from wiping the floor with him – the only was is to be quite silent – he

must feel it, I should think, when I never speak – only give him a look.

Very serious news from the Front – Germans seem to be taking everything as 

they go along –our people forced to retire – long ranged guns shelled Paris again

– killed 75 in Church – wounded 90 – London will be next, I expect.

Capt. Petherick, Presbyt. Padre leaves for France on Monday – I asked him up for aft.

tea with the sisters who go to his Church – he has been so good to the men – spends

all his time nearly in wards, talking to them and getting to know them – so many go to

Church – giving him a French souvenir spoon for his little girl, he seems very proud

of her.

March 31^st

Still some anxious waiting – longing for news from France – seems bad for some days

– though papers say we are just holding our own – no casualties published yet and 

expect many Germans killed – I am sure we must have lost heavily also, though we

hope not.

Communion 7am. a good many there CofE. - 11am. Presbyterian, I went – great

many – nice service and again in theatre at 7/30, when it was nearly full – a very nice

service for the last one for Capt. Petheric – he goes tomorrow – France – has been so

good with the men – always amongst them – I asked him and the Presbyt. Sisters to

aft. tea with me – had to ask the O.C. and 2 M.O's – they seemed to enjoy one

another's company.

April 1^st

Nothing special for me – usual duties – a dance for the patients W.A.A.C. and some 

outside people, to which of course we do not go.

Col. dances everything, the maids tell us. I can't imagine how he gets around with all

his condition – he seems to love the W.A.A.C's. too, if all the stories are true they tell

one.

April 2^nd

Tuesday: Rain – cold – horrid winds and beautiful sunshine all in turn today – very

strange weather – do trust it is better over there for our poor fighting fellows.

Mr. Buchanan who has a brother in A10 came over from Cobham Hall.

26

April 6^th 1918

Saturday: Nothing very special since 2^nd – several home letters – 2 from Fred and

Claude – none from Rube – Alice says mother feels the comfort of her chair for which

I am very glad.

April 7^th

Sunday: New Presbyt. Padre, very good speaker – hope he is as good going round the

men as Capt. Petherick – he was devotion itself to the men and got the great theatre 

almost full at night for his Church.

April 8^th

Monday: 330 patients left for hosp. Train and Australia – had to let 2 sisters go – they

went on ship which was very nice – returned Tuesday M.D. Sr. Brown and Sr.

Gallagher, both very nice girls.

April 9^th
Tuesday: Miss Conyers came down – went all over wards –shacks – sister's bedrooms

etc – said I must get out all sister's boxes, luggage etc. which is a great trial –

everyone loves their boxes in their rooms to look over things – I do, myself – I have

to move mine also which is worse than a trial for all letters – papers and everything I

want frequently, are locked up – nothing else looks so......? I don't know what I'll do

really.

Going to London tomorrow – St.Pauls – service for nurses who have fallen during the

war – should be very nice – 12 of us.

April 10^th

Wednesday: Went up to service for nurses at St.Pauls – had the 4^th row from the
pulpit – 1^st row of nurses –the Canadians had corresponding row on right side.

Queen Alexandria and all 6 Princesses sat in front chairs under the pulpit – we saw

them all through the service – all in black –well but plainly dressed – the Queen had a fur

round her neck  - small muff –ermine – looked so gentle and ladylike – bowed to us

as she passed down the aisle.

Lord Mayor, very gay in his robes escorted the Queen in. A few High

Commissioners from overseas – but I never had a thought or time for them –

they are rotters – never have a  moment for anyone else, so long as they get what

they want for their own and themselves – have the best of times here and ruin

the country out in Australia for our poor relatives – they are worse than Ireland

and the Sen Fein and they are the last thing in civilised life.

April 11^th

Thursday: Bad news from Front – I think our people retreating – hope and trust

they are saving the lives of the men.