Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 4 - Part 6

45

August 20^th 1918
Sr. Crossing left for Italy – sorry to lose her – gave her the address of Jean Elliott for
which she was glad – stayed the night – tried 2 hotels and could not get in – lucky I
gave her Mistress Jean's address – boat sailed 2 hours before she got to Southampton
– never sail at the hours they say they will, on A/C of submarines?
August 23^rd
Srs. Redman and Bell left for transport to Australia.
Rained a good deal last night – alright this morning – may cool the air a bit, no doubt

it will soon be cold enough.
One of our lady drivers had an accident yesterday, 22^nd. A boy did not see
them and she could not stop the car in time – though stopped it in about it's own
length – the boy died and all are upset of course, but she has been found
blameless – could have done nothing more and the poor boy just got out of a cart or
something and stepped in front of the car – she had an M.O. and man with her who
saw it all – of course she is very upset.
Went to see Mrs Smith on Tuesday at Stone Castle – nice old house – rambling
garden – trees etc. So good to our boys – had about 12 to tea – takes them every
Tuesday – trying to get her to come in and play whist with them, or debate night – tok
a sister with me – had a very nice afternoon – got some flowers – a Mrs Starkey was
there – seems very nice – anxious for us to go and see her etc.
August 28^th
Wednesday: Took Sr. Kumill?" To call on American Matron – met Lady Limerick
there, several others – very nice matron, does not look very professional or smart –
nor sisters – thought they would be awfully much so – matron wears no cap – does
not seem to care much for base work – have had such a lot of work etc getting wards
ready for patients – poor things – Lady L came home with us to dinner – went to the
patient's debate – enjoyed it she says – very Irish, but we all like her – Major Bean
took her home.
Some letters from home this week –end of June.
September 1^st
Sunday: Another month gone – time flies so dreadfully – 1260 patients mostly all the
week – many dressings – small generally, but great many R.F.C. officers again – sore
throat – just sent 3 to Woolwich last week – they really should go there – only the
accidents we are supposed to take, but they all seem to come over here – two of the
boys who went last week came over today – not happy there – say all sorts of things
about the place – they really are spoiled here and get so much liberty – but when they
have been in a crash, as they are, you don't seem to want to do much but spoil and try
to cure them, poor boys – you know they end in being killed.

46
September 1^st 1918
Lady Limerick rang up, wanted me to go over – took Srs. Mckinnell and Brown –
lovely old home and grounds, glorious old things – very nice aft. – tea and kind.
Several others there – had a nice time – a Mr. Cooper, wife and daughter there – the
former very anxious for us to see his garden – has lived there 47 years – an old man –
son killed in France lately – poor things – we all went round such a lovely garden –

I have neve seen such abundance of roses – flowers and shrubs of all kinds – they
were so kind – gave us such a number of roses – nice flowers – it was lovely – we are
going to try and be great pals – I like them really – a very old place – little hut kind of
thing where they found under the ground a bricked in bath – say that Wesley used to
immerse and baptise people – date from 13^th Century – most interesting – the most
glorious old world garden – so huge – such beautiful flowers – made me quite
happy.
September 4^th
Went to H.Q. about a few matters – fixed up – told me to put Sr. Leake in Op. Room
instead of Sr. Douglas, leaving for Weymouth – M.O's will not have any of these
sisters – say they have no experience and they hate going – it is such a nuisance –
Leake very upset – does not know instruments – could not do it – hates it – never had
any experience – has a heart murmur – would not stand strain and would go and ask
Miss. C. to go to Aust on transport if I put her there – she looked such a miserable bit
of humanity.
I could not put her on duty under those conditions – sent Hunter there.
September 6^th
Miss Conyers rang up to say not to put Leake in theatre – had looked at her notes and
M.O. said she was not in a good state of health.
September 9^th
Campbell going to France – does not seem very keen to go.
Earl, A.W.L. – has not returned from leave – sent no message – Sister saw her on
Saturday at Edinburgh – quite fit.
September 11^th

Returned – said she had been sick.

September 12^th
O.C. saw her – says he will send letter to Miss Conyers – nothng much wrong.
Put her on duty with special case Crossley at isolaton – came to me this afternoon –
said she was not satisfied – going to H.Q. – told her "very well" – no M.O. wants her,
it is so trying – she can't get on with most of them – told O.C.

BESSIE'S DIARY OPENED AT ENTRIES FOR SEPTEMBER 1918

Photo: Courtesy Kate Thomson - Grafton

Photograph:  see original document.

47

September 14^th 1918

She was in the same place today – don't know the result of her visit to Miss Conyers 
and don't care – will play her with some of the men who asked me not to put her in 
their wards and they can do as they like. I seem to be getting all the people who 
can't get on anywhere else – suppose they have got to have a turn round.

Social and dance tonight at the U.S.A. Hospital – sisters were invited, Major Brown 
said – I just ignored him – put up a notice to remind us all that it was against 
H.Q. rules.

September 10^th

Went to Windsor Castle with Sr. Gaff – arrived 11am, several of the sisters U.S. 
and N.Z. – over 100 soldiers – about 18 offices, chiefly Australian – had morning tea 
– bread and butter, cakes, etc. Ladies in waiting poured out and waited on all.

All at tables in one room. Prince Arthur of Connaught, Princess Mary, poured ours 
– talked for 10 minutes to sister and I – would have stayed longer only was reminded 
that there was someone waiting for her – she was sweet, girlish and simple, yet most 
interested and well informed – put her name on our tickets. 
Went all over State Apartments – glorious rooms – ceilings – furniture etc – horses, 
carriages and stables – Royal Family all ride grey horses – the King has a 
beautiful black charger, who plays through the bars – is spoiled and petted and 
knows it – is a perfect animal.

King and Queen stood in Banqueting Hall and bowed and smiled as we passed 
on – they should have come amongst the men and had a chat – they would have loved 
it – so would we – they looked like pictures or statues except for the gracious smile – 
sooner see a picture, for then you could gaze and admire – pick to pieces, just as 
you like.

September 12^th

Had dinner with Mrs Dick – first time I have been able to see her.

September 14^th

Got letters today describing poor dear old mother's end – I am happy that it was 
so peaceful and I know that all would be done properly – she is at rest and that is 
one blessing.

Went this afternoon to Lady Limerick – she is very good – very Irish and impulsive, 
but kind to me – Lad O'keefe and her daughter Eileen, who is nursing at Woolwich 
– both very nice – had a nice afternoon.

3 parcels tea – sugar and milk from Alice – 1 more today – wish Al could get some 
currants – butter – biscuits though – something in the way of fruit, but know it is 
impossible. 

48

September 14^th 1918

Letter from all at home – also Dr. Henry – all about poor mother's end – I am happy 

to know that there was such perfect peace at the end, instead of much suffering – also 
that all were there with her and everybody so good – have written to all long ago, as 
soon as I got the cable.

Saw Mrs Dick and Jean this week – Jean so big – hope the former can come down on 
Saturday next week.

I was going to afternoon tea at Shooters Hill with Lady O'Keefe, but last night Lady 
Limerick rang me up and asked me to go to her – that she is getting the former to come 
and meet me there instead – she would explain to Lady O'Keefe.

I went up and had a very nice afternoon – left about 7/40, the O'Keefes coming to 
station for their train with me – very gushing Irish but very kind and nice.

September 15^th

Church am. – very nice service. 

September 17^th

Rev'd. Cassells arranged to take us over a paper factory here – manager said to 
go about 3pm. today – very interesting – saw the sheets and rolls of paper, first from 
trees – slightly prepared and washed etc with chlorine many times and thoroughly.

Then at the last, the finished paper – office newspaper – illustrated paper – coloured 
paper for covers of "Answers" – such a quantity of it – such huge furnaces – so 
frightfully hot for the poor men feeding the fires – gave us some pulp and lovely 
paper – very interesting afternoon spent – I took 3 sisters and all enjoyed it – went 
along.

September 18^th

Several sick men – wounds breaking up again – Pte. J.A.McCann – hydaid?, very sick 
after operation (up again) on 11-9-18 – done very well – out of danger now.

H.C. Hammond, buttock wound – suspect tetanus – isolated for some days – no 
symptoms – returned to ward, still very seedy and not doing well.

Pte. Crosley -Q'Land some redness of face – cellulitis – terribly swollen, red and 
painful – sent to isolation, 5-9-18. Several anaesthetics little better now – cousins 
visited him from Yorkshire.

Pte. Hardwich F5497, bullet wound of neck – nearly well – sudden rigour this 
morning – high temperature, Pulse 140 – very cyanosed – on D.I. list today 18-9-18, 
comes from Victoria – only 20 years of age –(got well again) 
Higgenbotham – also sudden attack today- (he is well again now)

49

September 18^th 1918

Miss Conyers came down with Col. Millard today – did not know she was coming –

drove – everything very nice – clean and tidy in my part – visited all rooms – isolation 
– sister's rooms – wards – operating theatre – things not very nice in sterilising room 
– chairs – orderlies bread and butter – food about – but there is no place for their food 
etc. I will ask the O.C. if some arrangement can be made for them – not a single thing 
in my part dirty or wrong as far as I could see – wards all very tidy – I had been all 
round between 1/30 and 3 pm. – every spot in the building – never dreamed they 
would be down – glad for sisters' sake they had left their rooms nice. 
O.C. away – sorry he was not here.

Nice little parcel from the Stockyard Ck. League – very good of them – sugar - tin 
broken again – must tell them – things are knocked about so badly in coming.

Padre Wilson Smith gone – sorry, very good to the patients here. Padre McCook 
arrived – he used to live in West Maitland – so think he will be good to the men and 
help.

Lovely day, though it poured rain about midday – we really have had very good 
weather – days getting shorter and dark early – sorry, I love the lovely long twilight.

October

Nothing much of interest since last entry 3 weeks ago. Things happen so quickly 
and time flies so dreadfully that the weeks have gone and it seems like days – I've not 
been out much – once to London – Col. Millard came down again last week about 
sisters' sitting rooms, to have another look – shack – sitting room – writing room and 
more sisters' bedrooms.

Several ops lately – several rather bad cases transferred from other hospitals – spine 
cases – hope they live till they get home, poor things.

October 7^th

Cold since last month – winds and rain – very cold winds – dark days now – no hot 
water or steam on here yet. 
Crossley much better after countless incisions in face – head and neck – poor boy.  
Miller – scarlet fever 105d – very sick but will be alright I think – from Sth. Australia.

Went up to Queen Mary's Hostel yesterday to see Scob. Going today to France, she 
says – looks much better now.

Padre McCook gone today – very, very sorry – his wife and Mrs Gurpon were down 
last week.

Lady Darnley and some officers came over today – was awfully nice to everybody – 
brought over large bunches of flowers and some grapes, which I gave to the sick ones 
– would like me to be back again – was very kind to me when I was there – had lunch 
with us.

50
October 7^th 1918

Letters from Rube – Lil – Lil Attwater – M. Mitchell – postcard of Alice – no letter 
from Al – only Memorial card.

Some bulbs from Mrs Dick's relative – very useful – hope I'm here to see them grow. 

Going up to Miss Conyers tomorrow – few things I want to know – circular came to 
ask 1914 people if they would like to go to Australia for 6 months – some want to go 
– others think they can get 2 months here.

October 8^th

Letter from Mr Buchanan from France – said in paper today (8-10-18) that Lt N. 
Buchanan had died – of course we were all very worried – sister came in to tell me 
about 5 minutes after the mail came in, with a letter from him written on 3^rd – so he 
could not have been ill – such a relief to us all – I would have been awfully upset, for 
I owe him a letter now – poor boy.

Saw Mr. Heward at H.Q. today – looks well after going on leave. 

Saw Matron in Chief – settled up all business – bought all whist drive prizes – very 
hard to get now – awfully dear and things not so good – these tradespeople seem to 
think we are made of money – the munitions workers and others get too much money 
now to spend and they think we can afford the same things – Whist Drive tonight.

October 9^th

Very cold and wet today – no hot water here yet – steam pipes put on for the first time 
this year.

Orders came through to day for Sr. Hunter to go to Southall – also Sr. Buchanan – 

very sorry the latter is to go – she has always been good. I have recommended her 
twice since I've been here for the R.R.C. or some honour.

Miss Conyers does think that 1914 sisters can get leave in England and if they have 
been home on transfer, they cannot have it. So I shall only have about 2 to go, others 
don't want it. – I do not want to go till all is over. 
Letter from Lil Attwater, July 18^th, also received one dated 16/10/18.

October 12^th

Saturday: Sr. Lee – Archer, left for Dartford, Wed 16^th.

Srs. Buchanan and Hunter left for Southall – Srs. Coombes and Kennedy arrived – 4 
S/N ( senior nurses) arrived.

2 bad spine cases – 1(Ramsey) awfully bad sore on back, large as a soup plate – feels 
very weak – so good. His sister came from Glasgow to see him.  I bought him some 
peaches 2/6 each, but would give these poor helpless me anything.

51

October 15^th 1918.

Whist Drive tonight – going round Capt. in charge, Hall, - said he had got all 
crockery etc for social in Whist Drive room – that Sports Committee were having 
dance etc – 
I had already asked O.C. to give out prizes and Capt. Glen for piano – no one spoke to 
me about this and we were all ready for Whist and prepared and I intended to go on – 
a ring later on from Q.M. asked me did I not know it was being used for this social – 
certainly I knew nothing – told him I wanted it and suggest some other room for  
outside people and the sports and dancing – presently Major Brown, the Registrar 
(my snaky friend)  Col. Campbell  - sorry and so forth – could not have the room – the 
people who had been nice to the Cricket Club were coming to a social and it was 
forgotten, to tell me – of course I quietly and forcibly  - most politely, told 
him my opinion – particularly as I had found him out in an untruth in the first 
few minutes of his conversation – anyway, he left.

Great excitement trying to get messages to Sister in Charge and party – could find 
nobody – another ring and Capt. Glen said we were not to put off the patient's 
evening whist – just seems the O.C. and we were to have the room  - that the 
Sports Club party could go to the Sergeants Mess or anywhere else they liked, as 
they had not asked me if we would mind them taking our night.

The first time I have ever had any standing or been dealt with straight, since I 
came here. 
I asked no questions or explanations, but know that Capt. Glen and Col. Campbell 
fixed it up. – We had a splendid evening, 100 men stayed in. Col. Springthorpe gave 
prizes. 
It will teach the Sergeants that they can't quite ignore me altogether – of course 
when Col. Sutherland returns it will be the same old story, I suppose  - Anyway, 
right came out on top for once.

Sr. Green played pretty bright music all the evening for them too and they loved it. 
I have also succeeded in getting tea and some biscuits for them after the one next 
week and for the future, if I know anything about it. I have been trying for this for 
months – Capt Glen also fixed this.

Capt. Glen, am. tells me today that he has arranged that the men get a cup of tea and 
some biscuits after each Whist Drive – no hope we can get this all the winter for 
them – they should have it and things from the Red Cross are theirs by right – not 
charity or personal, as the awful Red Cross person here tries to make all believe.

Sir Peter McBride sent me a letter with his card, invitation to theatre – their box.

1300 patients going from all hospitals – about 150 from here I believe – lovely for 
them – hope some sisters go too – I took my letter at once to O.C. Campbell to try and 
get invitations for them – he was afraid it could not be done, for some reason – 
railway passes? – Capt. Glen, Q.M. told me the Registrar was too lazy to make out 
passes properly for the men.

52

October 18^th 1918

Went up to meet Mrs Dick on station, Charring Cross – had a lovely day – lunch at 
Maples – Russian Ballet afternoon – shopping – St. James Club – dinner and home – 
must make her come down here again.

Hear the King and Queen and Princess Mary were at the American Hospital – wish 
they would visit ours.

A parcel for me forwarded on by Lady Darnley, 16 tins cigarettes – 50 in each – 
collected by Alma Jones of Denman N.S.W. – lovely for the men – written to thank 
Lady D., writing to thank A. Jones also – will get some of the men to write too when I 
give them out.

Bought a war coat – not quite uniform cut but colour good. 3 Pounds 9/6d. Would 
not make one under 7 ½ Guineas.

October 19^th

S/N Follington and Mass – Mrs Powell sick – colds – several patients high 
temperature – Pte. Veitch very bad arm – says he has a brother, a Doctor Watson from 
Temora – very sick tonight.

October 20^th

Sunday: Nothing special – Mrs Powell – masseuse, cold and chest – sent up to 
Southall Gardens Pollington, still throat sore – not bad – off 5 days – returned to duty 
24^th.

October 21^st

Went to theatre – midday train – Sir Peter McBride and daughter – wife sick – Mrs. 
Hood, Red Cross and another worker – General Hughs – Gen. Monash and others 
were apologised for – very nice – 1300 or more patients – officers and sisters – each 
patient had large cup of tea – paper bag with sandwich and piece of cake – packet 
cigarettes – when they had finished, nearly every man blew into his bag and banged it 
– so it was like a lot of guns going off – they all seemed to enjoy themselves.

October 22^nd

Several people sick – influenza – 1 boy, Pte. H. Watson, 43^rd Battalion – transferred 
from conv. ward at night to B27 an attack of asthma and cold – pneumonia – died 
midday 23/10/18 – poor boy – so good – patient and helpful al the time – I got a 
wreath – wrote to his mother – sent her the card and a piece of ribbon tying the 
flowers – admitted 16/10/18 – died 23/10/18

October 23^rd

5 W.A.A.C's in bed – temp. – colds – sent 2 to Woolich hospital – returned – said 
they had no beds – some very sick.

53

October 24^th 1918

Still the same – maids and Mrs Lowrey sick – most lovely day today – also yesterday 
- warm and glorious sunshine – we shall not have such a long winter now after this 
month being so nice. 
Mrs Lowrey transferred to Woolwich – 1 girl.

Letter from Alice - my AMP notices – copy mother's will – must go to AMP office – 
when I insured, the man said it always doubled itself, but I insured for 250 Pounds 
and only get 333 Pounds 8/-.

October 25^th

Srs. M. Brown and Minogue transferred to Southall Gardens – the former temp 104' 
Goodchild sick – sent to Southall Gardens 28/10/18 – not very bad. 
McCormick boil – opened – sent to Southall Gardens 26/10/18. 
About 7 girls sick – W.A.A.C's – one shack opened up for them and the sisters.

October 26^th

Another R.F.C. officer, fractured leg – (not much wrong with either of them but must 
keep them I suppose)

October 29^th

Another Private – Russian – died today – had been married about a week – got leave 
from here to go up to be married – wife came to see him at the last, so were not so 
worried about him –poor man – had some meningitis trouble at the last.

October 30^th

Several others in now – some very ill – some just returned from leave – very bad case 
in A.10, from Sydney – Capt. Agutter – pneumonia – Mosman boy – 110. 
How, Battery – died 8/20pm, 31/10/18 A.E. 34686 – cousin with him. 
Mrs. Phillips – masseuse – 102.6, day of – never reported till 6pm – treated at once, 
the M.O. asked to see her.

Summons – (W.A.A.C.) – pneumonia – transferred to Woolwich.

Several letters from home – Rube – Lil – Claude – the former sent ½ sovereign - a 
wonder it came through – cannot be spent here. 

October 31^st

12 M.N. Sister Shearer fell off ramp, broke rib – great nuisance – only on 3 nights. 
Strapped up and sent to Southall Gardens this afternoon. 
Miss Phillips 99.6, also sent to Southall Gardens today – another W.A.A.C., chest 
trouble – sent to Woolwich.