Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 4 - Part 5
36
June 1st 1918
Saturday: Went to service at St. Pauls – gave the other 2 tickets to sisters Green and
Clapp – saw Miss Conyers there – very nice service – great number of cadets – boys
and girls of all kinds, school units etc. – scouts – ambulance and Foundling Hospital
children – poor little kiddies – lovely gentle looking things some – all so clean in their
uniform – so smart and well disciplined – marching so beautifully – a girls band –
some very small children.
Went to club when I arrived about 2/30 – wrote 12 letters, had some tea and then on
to Church 5/30pm. – got back to Charring Cross for train 8/20pm.
June 2nd
4 officers came over from Cobham - sent them down to sister's sitting room to the
aft. tea – seemed to enjoy themselves – nearly all the married M.O's had their wives –
Col. Sutherland very cross about Mrs. Bourne, Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs Lowry not
being asked – like his jolly cheek – he could take them himself –I most certainly
would have nothing to do with Kennedy – she has been so very rude to me ever since
I've been here and does nothing until she was compelled – re giving men the things
they should have from the Red Cross.
Our relatives and the patients relatives make and give all for the men and then a
woman like that dares to be rude and impudent about giving them to the patients – or
the sister who goes for it.
June 4th
Tuesday: Went to Seven Oaks with Sr. Gaff – motor bus, very beautiful drive – lovely
day – got a lot of flowers. Went to the Sackville Castle "The Knowle" –glorious
grounds – many deer – absolutely beautiful grounds – trees etc. 365 rooms in the
house they told us – we could not get into the house as she was at home and it was not
the day for visitors.
Coming out the gate the keeper told us that Lady Sackville was very much disliked –
only had one daughter who was married – her husband was in Egypt at the war and
that she did not care whether he returned or not – only that she would have to leave it
all and she would not like to have to do that.
He said she was a most awfully selfish woman but everybody liked Lord Sackville –
funny old world! I'd like to put her where the German "Bertha" would give her
a few shocks – just wound her enough to give her a bit of feeling for others – so
that she might be for months suffering. Strange, a woman in the town where we
were buying things told us much the same about her.
June 5th
Wednesday: Miss Una Bourne and three others came – gave concert in 3 wards – first
class music but the men loved it – was beautiful – not one officer present again –
found the Presbyt. Padre in a ward and made him go and give thanks – sent a message
for the O.C. – gave them aft. tea, also dinner as they did not finish till 7pm. – left for
London 8pm.
A SOUVENIR POST CARD BESSIE RECEIVED FROM LIEUTENANT
ALFRED PORTER R.A.F. WHILE SHE WAS MATRON AT DARTFORD
Postcard - see original document
July 24th 1918: I am leaving for France tomorrow morning (Wed). Hope you are
quite well. Kindest regards. Alfred Porter.
The Matron
3rd Aus. Aux. Hosp.
Dartford
Kent.
Am leaving for
France tomorrow
morning (Wed.) Hope
you are quite well.
Kindest Regards
Alfred Porter
Postcard - see original document
38
June 17th 1918
Pte. Schwinghammer gassed badly – eyes very bad, nearly blind just now – very
depressed – will be alright later on though – some relative of Grafton people.
June 18th
Went with Sr. Gaff to Canterbury 9am. – had lovely day – saw Cathedral, St.
Martins – St. Augustines College – the old (Pagan Original) St. Pancraes – only
remains of stonework – Roman tiles left standing – King Henry used a good deal of
the Church building to make his palace – The weavers houses on edge of canal – old
wooden hand looms spinning – making tea cloths etc – Chair of St. Augustine – just
rough slabs of wonderfully strong and placed under where he sat, for the money.
St. Augustine died in A.D. 605 – also Chair of Cardinal Kitchellen – lovely pictures
etc – old table in dining hall of St. Augustine's College – very old things in rooms of
lower gate – hand chains on leg, condemned men stood round room fastened by
their chains to rings in wall – lovely brass chest armour – beaten brass – fine pattern –
an old sleeve, sort of leather splint containing 2 pistols at end which they fired first,
then just shook the thing and along dagger unfastened itself and layed between these
pistols – this they stuck into their enemy.
Men seem to have been barbarians always – glorious Roman and Norman
ceilings – lovely work.
June 19th
Concert people came 6/15pm. went to 2 wards – very good –Our weekly whist drive
about 90 men – very great success - men all very happy – nice prizes and Col.
Springthorpe very good giving them out – Church of Eng. Padre Ravery also played –
Pte. F.E. Hanson came up to see me – also played whist – Saunders gone, he says –
gave me a group with Fred's photo in on Court House steps.
3 letters – Alice – Lil – George – Claude – mother no worse thank heaven – I wish
she was young and strong – do trust that Rube will not have a nervous breakdown
after all this.
June 26th
Parcel from Hordens about a week ago – this is second only – 25ld tea etc.
9 sisters now ill –3 M.O's off – so much more work for others – some T102 – others
not so high – Molloy T92.8 - still very neurotic – trying – as soon as fit she is to go to
Hosp. Sth. Gardens – tomorrow probably – Thompson T98 – silly as usual – very
trying – not really sick – letter from home today – written 9th May – very quick –
sorry mother so helpless but must just not worry – I know all possible is being done
for her.
Lady Wilson came to look up patients – met Col. Springthorpe – would like me to go
and see her hospital at Eastbourne – will try and go sometime.
Photograph - see original document
DARTFORD, KENT, ENGLAND. 1918. THREE SISTERS AND MATRON
MARY A. (BESSY) POCOCK (SECOND FROM LEFT), AUSTRALIAN
ARMY NURSING SERVICE (AANS), STAND BESIDE A DINING TABLE IN
THE SISTER'S MESS OF THE HOSPITAL. (DONOR P. MCCARTHY)
BESSIE WAS SISTER IN CHARGE NO.2 ARMY GENERAL HOSPITAL
DARTFORD – KENT 1918-19
39
June 27th 1918
Sr. Thompson playing the fool – 3.30am went out on the ramp – said she did not
know what she was doing –wanted the O.C. –upset and wakened everybody in the
shack – have had her bought up to sick sisters room tonight – think she will play up
till she gets leave at hosp. with Pipper – Molloy sent up by motor to Southwell
Gardens – S/N Graham sent with her – got up quite well – stretcher case.
Stopping alternate half days off – giving 3 hours from tomorrow. 28th.
June 28th
Several sick men T 104 - influenza etc. Price very bad lately – Officer...? Dying,
3 more letters from home, Rube and Chris.
Sr. Chaplin reported to H.Q. for duty at Gloucester England.
June 29th
17 sisters sick now – 7 M.Officers – only 4 really sick – Capt. Shaw T103 – Capt.
Black not well. Sisters better – still in bed – Sr. Buchanan, S/N Bulmer sick – Sr's
Keppel – Rodgers went to St. Albans – I am beginning to feel awfully tired and done
up – so much running round – up and down ramps all day – trust I keep well.
June 30th
Sr. Morey 101.8 P 96 – very sick – taken off duty – Sr. Robinson sent to bed again –
sore throat T 98. – terribly hot day today – 160 patients left by train for Hosp. Ship en
route to Australia.
July 1st
Monday: Still about 19 sisters off duty – about 1150 patients in – not serious – one
boy arm off at shoulder joint – comes from Tamworth.
July 2nd
Tuesday: Capt. Glen came to ask me to go their concert show – I was sorry, for I
did not want to go and when he came that way, as it was a staff thing, I could not get
out of it – and that horrid little puss, Kennedy, who does not give out the Red
Cross stores properly – was in it – I could see and hear all the rude things she has said
and done to the Home and myself since I've been here – all through her part.
The others were very good – all staff men – pretty strong as well as far as lifting –
dancing etc – yet, some have never been over to France.
July 3rd
8 pounds loaf sugar from home – 3 sisters left for St. Albans – 2 returned, 2 more sick
– Earl – 101 – Hocquard - the latter 102 – very busy – short but able to manage.
40
July 4th 1918
Thursday: Went to H.Q. – Miss C. fixed up a few things – said I'd better get my leave
soon – Douglas coming - Menhennet to go to France after furlough – several letters
from home.
Bought 6 yards grey dress stuff, 18/2d per yard – got measured by tailor who will
make it he says for 3 Pounds & 3/- - left alpaca dress at a shop to be made – I gave the
stuff – they will charge 35 Shillings – everybody awfully dear – terribly so – bought
whist drive prizes – supposed to get 2 Pounds 10/- a month for that now – the 2nd
month only – have had money for 2 whist drives only before this from the Regiment
funds which O.C. gives me – in all One Pound 19/3d.
July 5th
Friday: Srs. Earl and Hocquard still 101 – left for South Gardens today – Sr.
Buchanan for St. Albans – received balance of money owing from Scob. today.
July 6th
Saturday: Things much quieter – no more sick sisters or M.O.'s – everybody very
tired – some look ill but say they are alright.
July 7th
Sunday: Church twice – no more sick ones, trust we have seen the last for a time – 2
returned from leave – Earl –Reuben – must let some others go now or I shall not be
able to manage – 9 still away at hospital or Conv. Home.
Very hot the past week, no rain for days – so hot and dry and dusty as Sydney, here
now.
July 8th
Monday: Nothing new – awfully hot.
July 9th
Tuesday: Whist drive - Padre and wife came - full hall - Col. Springthorpe played
and gave prizes – all came up and had some supper.
July 10th
Wednesday: Got my uniforms fitted on – went to H.Q. – rained very heavily – paid
for 1 at Thompsons shop Tattenham C Road 2 Pounds 3/-.
Padre Smith – Presbyt. Came in about 8pm – asked me when I had heard from
home – an unusual question – I felt something was wrong – then told me that my
mother had passed away and gave me the wire – was very nice about it – poor
mother, I hope she did not suffer at the last – died 3rd July, wire said – I received
it on the 10th.
41
July 11th 1918
Went to opening of Billiard Room at Y.M.C.A. Dartford with O.C. and Col.
Springthorpe. The Adjutant General Connelly for W.A. coming down with his wife
for the purpose – I had to go – did not enjoy it much, though it was very – fairly good
– snapped and flash lighted several times –I was in a few – took Sr. Martin with
me.
July 12th
Sunday: Went to Church twice, as usual – nothing special.
July 15th
Mrs. Hughes with Miss Conyers supposed to come – disappointed us again –
everything looked so nice everywhere in home and wards.
4 letters from home dated May 17th.
July 18th
Sr. Keppel left for Italy – wish I had been going also – Sr. Lloyd going on 25th –
Menhennet going o to France 23rd – Graham going to France 26th.
July 19th
Visited Seven Oaks and Knowle – the home of the Sackvilles, which is thrown open
to the public 3 days of each week (some of it) , 2/- charge for being shown over –
dates back several hundred tears – old silver tables and ornaments – beds that Kings
slept in – all the old draping etc – old valuable pictures – Van Gogh – Gainsborough –
Reuben and others.
Only one daughter and she is married – they say no likes the lady of the house — the
present owner on active service.
July 20th
My Birthday - As I was such an age, I did not publish the event.
I went up this week to the A.M.P. – made arrangements to have the money which has
accumulated on my Policy sent to the office here and I'll see what I'll do with it after
– there should be a good sum – help to keep me when I am too old to work – hope I
get it safely fixed.
July 21st
Church this morning – went around all the wards in afternoon.
July 22nd
Monday: Went to see Miss Conyers – told her about leave – she said all must go after
expiry of 6 months from last and if it suits the hospital – Hunter will have to go on
Wednesday and not Thursday – Duncan put on to finish night duty, then leave for
France.
42
July 25th 1918
Sr. Lloyd left for Italy today – Graham going to France tomorrow – Brown and Reid
came today – too many sisters now – went up this afternoon about my outdoor
costume, was not fitting too well – bodice was 1 Pound 1/- to make – very
uncomfortable fit – but he may be able to alter it – that would be 4 Pounds 4/- for
making and 5 Pounds 15/- for material — sent a wire to E. Elliott to come down on
Saturday for a couple of nights – I go for leave on Monday.
Asked some Americans sisters to come to tea tomorrow, also Padre Castle and his
wife – some sisters and the Padre here now told that Mrs. Lady McBride is coming to
give patients afternoon tea – confound her – she might have come a week ago.
July 26th
Lady McBride and Mrs Brooks came – brought nice tea – cigarettes etc for 50 men -
quite enough – no shortage – I fixed up all the tables – about 22 – white covers and
got the men to gather red poppies – some of my flowers – looked awfully pretty – had
the band – everything very nice – all helped – several sisters – asked them all up to tea
in my office – O.C. Major Barber – Padre, Col. Springthorpe – a Minister and his wife
from the tour – M. Castell also – all seemed to enjoy themselves.
The O.C. said Lady McBride said she was very pleased with her reception – the first
time she had been treated so well – got no tea or anything at Southall or Harefield -
did not leave till about 6pm.
July 27th
Saturday: Col. Millard and Col. Riley came up to see sisters and home – also had tea
and said they stayed longer than they should – O.C. told us they would not take tea so
we told them.
Mrs Elliott and Logan came out, I met them but they missed train and I did not know
– they had sent message they were coming by next – I sent them back to the station in
Ford about 10pm. Sorry Em. could not stay all night.
Still stormy and heavy rain at times – Flying Corp. officer in about 9pm – fairly
broken up.
July 28th
Sunday: Fixed up all duties etc as far as possible for Sr. Douglas who does my work –
Sr. Brown – Night Duty Officer – McNaughten day duty for present, maybe to go to
H.Q. 10am tomorrow en route to St. Albans – sending 1 tin tea to Em. – hope she gets
it – sent receipt for 11 shillings to Sr. Stewart, 2 A.G.H., Mess money refund.
July 29th
Monday: Left by 8am train – arrived Euston and got about 10am train for
Windermere – arrived about 6/30 – very tired, very hot and crowded trains – hotel
very nice – very crowded.
43
July 30th 1918
Tuesday: Went for days drive past Ambleside on to Great Langdale – very pretty –
very desolate looking in some places – passed Mrs Herman's cottage – also
Wordsworths', very lovely spot – lake in front and very pretty spot.
July 31st
Wednesday: Went for a walk about town – not very interesting – an old church.
August 1st
Left for Wales - Bettisy - Coed ? very pretty – got there about 7pm – stayed at the
Waterloo Hotel – comfortable, everything one needs – fresh butter – cream – cheese –
heaps of everything –so different from London – walks – climbing hills – glens – falls
etc – very quiet and happy holiday.
Walked 2 to 4 miles a day – met several nice people.
August 10th
Had to leave Glasgow tonight to get me in 4/30pm – then I could not have got home –
arrived in London 7/30am on 11th – reported H.Q. – arrived Dartford about M.D. –
lunch and hot bath and went to bed for rest of day.
August 12th
Fairly quiet everything – did little work today
August 13th
Thompson – Ripper, left for Harefield.
August 14th
Very hot again today – lovely moon tonight – Mr. King, another R.F.C. officer
smashed about face – very swollen and black – swallowed much blood – very sick on
admission. (Much better and doing well) – Mr. Taylor better also.
August 15th
Kitcher came for duty – M. Manson left for France – May Duggan came to relieve
her.
Sr. Morgan – Jones and I went with Major Bean to dinner and concert in Queens Hall
– was lovely music – very nice altogether – got back from London at 11pm.
August 16th
Sister Justice left for France
44
August 17th 1918
Sports etc for patients, visitors – rained a little –great preparations , many visitors –
many events – nice prizes – races etc for sisters – I was one judge of 3 for best fancy
dress, W.A.A.C's.
Major Bean bought Lady Limerick and Lady O'Keefe about 11am – had lunch – saw
few wards and then on to Sports Ground – they spent the day – had dinner at 6/30,
went to concert – supper on finish and train at 10/40 for home – very nice really
and seemed to enjoy it all – they said they loved it – Miss O'Keefe and Mr. Nimmo
came for the concert and left with the rest.
All the Agent Generals for Aust. I think. Sir. C. and Lady Wade and the 2 daughters –
Sir Peter and Lady McBride – Mr Hughs (Australian Prime Minister –Billy Hughs) –
the nurse and little girl – he made several speeches and so forth – gave prizes – a
patient did a caricature of him, which was auctioned on platform – bought 3 Pounds
for Red Cross – had his photo taken about 10 or more times – numerous auto. books
and short addresses – I was snapped twice with him – he sent for me to be taken once
– hope it's decent – but as the wind was blowing me about terribly, not doubt it will be
terrible too – looked for me when leaving to see a ward or two and to ask me to tell
the men he was coming down very soon to stay longer.
Col. Hockman and Col. Millard also came – stayed to dinner and concert – said they
were glad and enjoyed it very much.
Everybody did their best and everything from my point of view, very successful and
not any hitch or trouble – the tea and refreshments very nice – heaps of it – the
W.A.A.C. department splendid – great many people I did not know but tried to see
that all were comfortable and had tea and someone to speak to – Mr. Fairfax – Col.
Lamb, Red Cross, asked a few, of course we get very little. I want cushions for Sisters
Mess Room but will see them later on – officers from H.Q. all looking to see how
things were being done, I think.
August 18th
Went to the service am. tonight – good many patients and sisters – neuralgia all day –
did not go to the aft.tea. I really can't be bothered – I have enough people other days
to entertain – invitation from Americans to a social on Tuesday for 15 sisters and
myself – dancing, I suppose – accepted for them and Sr. Plane will go for me – I am
going to town.
August 20th
15 sisters and many M.O's and O.C. etc went to the U.S.A.social – foxtrot –Boston
etc – delightful evening. I asked Matron in Chief might I allow the sisters to dance –
she says NO most emphatically – General's Featherstone and Howse will not allow it
and for me to ring up and tell the U.S.A. Matron this – too late this time, I tell her –
but will see her before they go again – O.C. told them to dance, so I see some
unpleasantness, for which of course I will get the blame no doubt – though al my
sisters know that it is not.
Jen This 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.