Diary of Mary Ann 'Bessie' Pocock, 1914-1918 vol 4 - Part 8
SISTERS' MESS DARTFORD KENT ENGLAND
CONVALESCENT HOME FOR OFFICERS
BESSIE WAS MATRON IN CHARGE HERE FOR TWO MONTHS
Photograph - see original document
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January 6th 1919
Monday: The sisters from India arrived about 6pm. Sr's Shaw and Muphy both gone
– Coombs to go Wed 8th.
14 sisters from India arrived – 5 for duty – others on leave – 14 more on 8th – 5 on
duty – rest on leave.
January 7th
14 more sisters tonight. 11/20pm – India. Message to say Sr. Mockridge is very ill –
operation today 6pm – clavicle incision – pus – understand may be better now.
Gave patients Whist and Bridge evening last night – very nice – about 80 – good
supper – nice hot tea – B&Butter – melon and lemon jam of Mrs McKays – plenty od
biscuits – M.O. Forsyth and Padre helped and played with the boys – gave prizes –
finished up 11pm – late.
Sent P.O. for five shillings – said there was only 60 Pounds in all – I'm sure there
must have been double – 3 huge parcels. However it bought some stamps for me.
S/N Murphy left for Australia, Transport 7/1/19. Sr. Coombs also left on 8/1/19.
9th – S/N Cowley sent to Southall Gardens for Medical Board, re remaining in
England.
January 10th
Reuben - Goodchild, off from today – embark leave.
Rather busy – good many cases – 1015 patients today. Pte. Prentice better – Sgt.
Barber still very sick in B18.
Invitation for 3 sisters – myself and 20 men to Anzac afternoon tea – Miss Fairfax –
men going – I cannot – don't think I can get any sisters – so many preparing to go or
get ready, in case they are sent for.
Monteply, A3, still very weak, miserable and nervy – was prisoner behind lines for
about three months – badly wounded – did not get to a good German hospital – says
they were not good to him – so near the lines – he did not get good food – very white
and thin – wound getting on now – will be alright I think – is W. Australian.
January 16th
Some sisters trying to get course at the "Rotunda" – others – Sanatorium – Public
Health appointment – masseuse – all want special courses in massage and electricity –
all fighting for this – so no doubt they will get it.
Report says that "Osterly" returned to port for repairs. Sister Coombs in charge od
hospital part. Sisters refused to nurse wives and babies on board.
Great excitement on shore here – 3 births in 3 days – great doings – I can't believe
any of these rumours.
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January 17th 1919
Nothing – same old duties – Sgt. Barber, little better – very bad leg still – some M.O's
want it off – others try to keep it on – very nice boy, but he is very ill with this wound
– S. Australian boy.
Prentice still very bad – emphysema - Sydney man – Monteplay also still very bad,
though improving now – very frail – 2 old men, making munitions, both very sick.
1, A10, Gadsby, very ill – sister in law saw him (22nd) which relieves us of a great
deal of anxiety.
A10. Pte. B.J. Harris, 27th, admitted – very ill – on...from furlough – half dazed, bad
throat, pneumonia? – died about 9pm. 22nd January 1919 – Padre with him –
Methodist, 26 yrs of age – Father, James Harris, Hayes St. Ironbark – Victoria.
B27, Pte. Nicholson worse – pneumonia, 104 on S.I. list today.
January 22nd
Telephone message from Miss Conyers to meet 30 sisters arriving from Italy – all
came – luggage etc. – put into 5 shack – also 50 from India.
30 more to come from Harefield tomorrow – orders me to be in readiness to
proceed on leave at an early date.
Several of the sisters who left here since I came, returned last night from Italy – they
seemed pleased to come home again and we were awfully pleased to see them.
January 23rd
Nicholson in B27 very ill tonight – special nurse put on 10pm. Mathews in B19 very
ill – only been in 3 days – gave him the Melbourne Auto Quiet?
Several pretty sick patients tonight – many changes among staff again – night nurses
have to be taken off and put on at all hours and days now.
16 more reported from Harefield (Indian staff tonight) S. McKurnell – Follington go
in the morning 9.44am – tons of transport and sisters' luggage – one actually sent box
– only initials at each end and unlocked – most awful nuisance these Indian staff –
helpless – and expect servants at every corner.
With all our rush, everything going on smoothly and comfortably in the home – heaps
of sick WAAC.s too – great deal of worry and work, because they would not put the
sisters in conv. huts which were empty – turned orderlies and working men out to
conv. huts and put sisters into their beds – I was wild – told the O.C. too – told him
also that they would have to be left scrubbed and clean – not like the last time, in a
most filthy condition.
January 25th
Whist Drive given by Mrs Farmer and party – everything smooth – much better with
the new Registrar.
Dance to Col. Sutherland – I did not go – 26th Anniversary Day – masseuse gave them
10 Pounds to a dinner for convales' men – about 210 – roast beef – cauliflower –
cabbage – baked potato – stewed prunes – custard trifle – jam tarts – oranges –
cigarettes (500 from Red Cross) – first I have ever had (from R.X) nice freshly made
tea – all enjoyed it very much – wrote a letter and many signatures – sent on to Miss
Miller
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January 27th 1919
Monday: Whist Drive – usual evening – I got 2 Pounds worth of cake etc, biscuits, 2
tins from S. Kitchener –2 from Red X – full hall.
January 28th
Tuesday: Went to London – saw Miss Conyers about a few things – says I am to go
on leave as soon as she can get someone to relieve me – several other sisters going
home.
Got my coat and skirt fitted again, very tired – had not been to London since 23-12-
18, when I took dolls to children at the London Hosp. – so busy lately.
January 29th
2 more deaths from influenza – several more very ill.
McIntyre died – Nicholson – Mathews very ill (improving 4.2.19)
Smith very ill, emphysema – lives at Hornsby – Sgt. Barber – little better (very well
now 4-2-19) – Pascoe very ill – Glasby, A10. Better today – several others in B31
which was opened yesterday.
January 30th
1011 patients today – 7 sisters off duty, sick – Indian staff don't seem to have any
backbone or life – nothing like the old 1914 – 1915 women – 5 to go to Weymouth 1st
Feb. – 13 to go transport to Australia 5th – 5 to come here from Weymouth – much
changes.
Mrs Ferguson gave Whist Drive today – about 14 Dartford ladies – good prizes they
say – I had not time to go down – asked them all up to my room for aft. tea. Really
very kind and well meaning of them.
Very cold – freezing – some snow last night – many colds etc among staff – S/N
Yeatman on 2 nights – feels sick again – was of 10 days last week – glands swollen –
to see specialist tomorrow – Col. Sutherland said she should have gone to Southall
Gardens, but did not send her as she did wish go – I kept her off duty for 3 or 4
days longer than he ordered – then she went to his dance on Sat night, so I put her on
duty.
Several deaths this last week or 10 days – seems to be no hope for them with this
epidemic.
February 1st
Saturday: Very cold still, some snow and freezing – very cold – not like this month
last year.
Some sisters came from Weymouth and some left for....? – Head sister Whipham for
Telbury – leaving on 5th, 7th and 9th – transport and other units.
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February 2nd & 3rd 1919
Mulcahy 103d-196P, cough – shivering. Parker 101d-112P of night duty.
Munday T101-116P – off night duty – all seem to be very sick – dry tongue –
brown...?
Sent to Southall Gardens 3/2/19. – got up safely.
1087 patients and 1070 patients.
Received my 2 cases from Comforts Fund – no time to open them yet – received my
Xmas cake 2/2/19
1031 patients today –several on D.I. list – 9 sisters sick – 27 on leave – 30 from Italy
on leave also – not enough regular staff – had to put on some Italian nurses – must
pay back the day Miss Conyers says.
February 4th
Miss Conyers told me they (Italian sisters) were not to go on duty when she sent them
– told me yesterday when I rang up for some staff, that they all could be put on duty.
Col. Kennedy saw Col. Millard – he said of course put them on duty – put some on
today, who now tell me Matron in Chief gave them 14 days leave, 23rd - I rang her up
again – she said, yes, I would have to give them 2 days if I used them today –
contradictory to all she ordered yesterday – Will stop all days off my own staff till
some of these people return – they have nearly all had leave to Rome – Venice etc
too.
Out of all these nurses not one solitary one has come to offer help look after the Aust.
men who are so sick with influenza.
Great epidemic just now and a death nearly every day last week – a few more likely to
die at any time.
No letters from Aust. for a long time – have not had time to write home for 2 weeks –
so tired when I'm finished, rarely before 10pm from 9am – I never go off duty – out
once to London only since Monday 23rd December 1918.
190 sisters have reported here since I took charge 2-1-1918 – 107 left for various
places.
February 5th
Orders today from Miss Conyers for sisters to be at Paddington Station 9.15am
tomorrow – must leave Dartford by 6am train to do this of course – all out in London,
found all but one – C.G.Jones.
Strike today – dreadful congestion travelling – snow and some rain – dreadful day in
town they say.
Following sisters should leave in the morning : I.M. Lumnins – M.A. Williams – N.
McMahon – M. Leonard – I.C. Bradshaw – A.I. Austen – J.T. Waldie – J.B. Currie –
E.G. Giles – D. Gordon – A.C. Jones.
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February 5th 1919
Cont.
Rang up Matron in Chief when Jones did not return, terribly worried but we really
cannot make these girls do what they are told – they just want pleasure and are not
thinking – she said to send luggage on with the others if she did not come home. Also
sent for Col. Kennedy – told him – he says we can't help it – they are a terribly worry.
Another ward B30 opened, 5/30pm – placed sisters (3) – only 3 patients so far, very
sick. Srs. Barry – Soloway put on special cases 10pm tonight – Padre Bates, very sick
– Sister Hooper, special. Padre Davidson also very sick – Padre Kelly better, they tell
me. Have not had a moment to go and look at him for he is in his own room and
comfy.
February 6th to 9th
Q.M. Sgt. Dobson, very ill tonight – died 12.25am, 6.2.19, on the staff.
Talbot died 9th Feb 4.20pm. – awfully sad – 150 Capt. Hood – 15378..Butt – 5915 D.
Reilly – 4200 Pte. Gibbs – 6028 Pte. Alksen – 270 Pte. Faux - got well after several
weeks in bed.
3634 Sgt. Johnson, H.Q. – poor boy died last night, 8th.
6183 L/Cpl. Lehon E.H. – Padre Bates – Presbyterian, very ill ever since admission –
dreadfully bad all day today – seemed to know, tried to talk but could not – so good
and so conscious up till the last – died this evening, Sunday 9th –2-19
L/C. Tresize. J.A. died 4am. 9/2/19 – so sad also about him, terrible pain in chest for a
few days and bad breathing – very ill – was a little better and pain had gone when I
saw him last evening – he felt comfortable he said, seemed better – I was so sorry and
grieved to hear this morning he had died – has a wife in Melbourne – poor thing.
Padre Davidson T105 & 104 for 2-3 days now – is very ill – do hope he gets alright.
Mr. Tweedie – Mr Wilkinson, both the same.
Capt. Sears – Xray room – ill tonight (got better 14-2-19).
Everyone getting a bit nervy – there seems to be nothing that you can do to save
them – that it is just that that they are going to pull through, they will – if their
turn has come, they go.
I hope and pray I keep well to look after my part of the work – God knows I
want to work for the poor things and I have been spared my health all these
years – I trust I shall go on to be a little comfort to others.
Very short on staff – Miss Conyers has them all on leave. 115 on roll – only 63 on
duty – I need 68 really – I am going to see her in the morning – Col. Kennedy says for
me to go and explain and ask her to leave a few permanent sisters in wards while this
dreadful epidemic is going on.
35 on leave and 11 sick out of my number.
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February 10th 1919
Padre Davidson seems better – going to do alright now I think.
Mr. Wilkinson – Red X worker, not very well – Mr. Tweedie – Red X worker, better I
think – (died 16/2/19). Capt. Sear better, but very nervy.
Went to London – saw Miss Conyers – got 5 more sisters – men very ill just now.
February 11th
1090 patients today – one of the sisters I got yesterday, gone to Southall Gardens
today – ill.
Miss Conyers came down – went all round – took her everywhere – not so worrying
today – have a few more sisters – men still very ill.
Nurse Graham sick – sent to Southall Gardens – great concern now at A9 about the
dreadful outbreak of pneumonia and influenza – if it does not cease, this will
have to be a General Hospital.
Very sorry I am leaving now – however I have earned my rest – have not been
anywhere except the wards since 23-12-18, except 3 times to London
H.Q. have been really very busy since and short of staff – always changing.
She told me I would be going any day now for my 75 days – would send someone
to relieve me – Miss Ross, all the hardest worry – shortage of staff and I think
worst of epidemic is nearly over – things straightening out – so it will be smooth
sailing for the new one – there have been many changes since I came on Jan. 2,
1918.
205 sisters reported – 138 left. Col. Kennedy making many alterations and seems to
be taking some interest in everything – was a great comfort while hardest work was
going on – also Capt. Fay.
So glad that awful Major Brown and Col. Sutherland had gone.
February 15th
Only 2 letters from NSW – none from home – one from Fred – all well – received
lovely parcel – raisins, currants – Xmas cake – biscuits – 2 cases of nice comforts
from Mrs. Russell and friends – sent cable.
Major Henley wrote saying he had 10 Pounds from Queensland funds – would he
send it or spend it for me – I wrote and asked him to send me 10 Pounds worth of
apples for Sisters' Mess – had not arrived when I left – but he said he would do that
with it.
Miss Ross came on – 11 away sick now – staff very short – more wards and many
bad cases of influenza – Padre Davidson very ill. Poor little Pte. Lucas died – I left 15
shillings for Sister Williams to buy a wreath for me for him – I saw him many times –
he had a hard struggle all through – breathing so terribly bad – died 16/2/19.
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February 15th 1919
Handed over on 15th Feb, 19, to Miss Ross. She says she thinks there should be
an Assistant Matron and Head Sisters – trying to get 80 permanent staff – I dare
say she will get it – I could not.
I wish Miss Wilson had been here – she would have been fair to me and this
creature never was – I suppose she does not like me – I tried to help her all I
could – though I never liked or trusted her.
I often wonder whether it is any use being straight and doing the best you can for
these creatures – those that give them the most trouble, seem to be the most
admired – get all the help and best places and so forth .
I often wonder if there is a Judge of small things in Heaven still.
February 17th
Left Dartford this morning 10-4am train - 75 days leave.
Influenza men much better – those coming in not so serious, sisters tell me – a few
bad cases left of course – saw all my old patients, all seem fairly well, except Padre
Davidson – Buckingham - have promised the latter that I would go and see his brother
in the 4th London General.
Arrived at 137 Ebury St, temp. Nurses Club – very tired and worn out – awfully
good to me – hot water bag, hot tea and bed – did not know how tired I was really –
will have a few days rest and then see some friends – have been 2 days now trying to
get my money and pay before going, but the Matron in Chief had not notified the Pay
Office – so I have to go tomorrow again.
Scobe came to see me last evening – glad to see her – glad she is getting some other
branch of work while in London.
February 19th
Have been trying to get my money fixed up – Miss Conyers did not send my pass to
Paymaster –so I've had 3 days running round after it – hard luck – so wearying and
tiring going from one place to another – however I got it today – 94 Pounds 15/-.
Met Scob. – lunch at Club – proposed her as a member, which will be useful while
she is studying.
Sent cable to Alice – Address envelopes to Elliott – Southbourne – Al knows. Wrote
Claude – S. Staff Williams.
Very comfortable here – no letters, or news of any sort.
Fitted for coat and skirt at Army and Navy Uniforms – hope they don't spoil it –
bought another uniform hat – other so shabby – Scob. came with me – so nice to have
her – went to her lecture at 5/20pm.
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February 20th 1919
Stayed in all day – wrote many letters - to go tomorrow to get fitted for coat –
meeting Scob. also – no letters yet – few messages and call from some Dartford girls
– missed them – though am wondering whether they are getting their half days yet or
still doing 3 hours.
It is really not long enough off duty for those who are nursing influenza – they are so
much in the wards and about the poor boys beds – such awful coughs and bad breaths,
some have.
February 21st
Got fitted for coat – great nuisance – hope it will fit when it is finished – such a silly
old fitter but I told them that if it does not fit, I will not take it- they charge too much
and then think that if they tell you it fits you, you believe it, if you feel most
uncomfortable even.
Came along and brought 14/6 worth of badges for Claude – will register and post
tomorrow – posted 4 ties and 4 hat scarves to Al. Today, for 8 of them – I hope she
gets them safely.
Scob came out with me today – posted 7 letters – raining heavily again.
February 22nd
Went with Scob. to see Mrs. Slater – had afternoon tea and she says it does not matter
my not coming now, but will be pleased to have me on my return from Cornwall –
very glad, because I am not ready to go to friends – am just having a good rest and
going about doing odd calls etc.
We went on train to see Miss Stobo, stayed to dinner and had a nice homely time –
nice dinner – not like the Club – of course one can't expect things. Mary Stobo is very
nice, talks much though, the girl she is with, very kind – nice rooms they have.
February 23rd
Letters from Em. – Lily – Mrs. Bullock – went to Church, close by – too lazy, I'm
sorry to say to get up early enough to go the Abbey.
Scob. came up after lunch and we went to the 4th London Ferguson Ward to see Pte.
Buckingham as I said I would do – poor boy – he had been to his brother's funeral the
day before – he died on 17th, this boy told me – I was so sorry – poor Buckingham. I
was afraid he was not going to pull through – he had just got 6 months leave, the
brother told me, to Patent some thing he had done – it is so awfully sad at this time,
but I suppose his call had come and none of us can wait a minute after that.
Scob. gave him and another Aust. boy 10/- from her fund to buy cigarettes.
Then we went on to friends of hers – Mrs. Sawyer – had aft. tea and nice evening and
returned about 7pm – I got home about 8pm.
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February 24th 1919
Went to H.Q. to get some particulars if possible of Mrs. Doyle's son – she was told he
was alive after being reported dead – they say he is dead – gave me a slip with date
and place of grave, so I will write to her.
Also went to see about Ration Tickets – found I had not got my pass for leave – Miss
Conyers did not tell me – she either does not know her duties or she cares nothing for
her staff – I was given a pass and instructions, also one free warrant which she never
mentioned – the man advised me to have it for Edinburgh, as it was the longest
journey I was taking – so I would not have had that either.
There is no doubt she is a horrible person to some of the staff under her – of
course I always felt she did not like me from Egyptian days and I most certainly
thought she got all she had by toadying after the Imperial Matron in the hospital
– however perhaps I shall do alright.
Went to the Club – wrote a couple of letters and then out to Mrs. Bullock – had
afternoon tea – he is dreadfully frail – loses memory now – Dorothy, Maj. Seals eldest
girl was there – only a baby when I saw her last – such a nice girl – very tall – good
skin – got home about 7pm – did not see Scob. – today fine – not cold – no letters
today. Meeting Mrs.Hood tomorrow at the Club.
February 25th
Met Mrs. Hood and Mrs. Slater at Club and had lunch afterward – went to get dress
fitted on. Scob. came tonight – is going to try and stay here – hope she is able to stay
for the 3 months – goes to B.P. for her R.R.C. tomorrow – wish I was getting a 1st.
tomorrow too – only have a miserable old 2nd class. – seems sad and so many
others with first class. I always tried to do my very best – however I suppose it
will not hurt me really – thought I was worth more – so it has made me feel that I
was not much value.
February 26th
Went with Scob. to Buckingham Palace – got 2 tickets from the Lord Chamberlain's
Office for 2 friends – she got a boy to ring up her friend and we left a ticket with the
Policeman at the gate in case she came – she did not turn up – I went with other
peoples' friends straight to the Ballroom – got a lovely seat as we were early – in
quite close to the King – heard what he said to most of the men – especially nice to
limbless men and V.C.'s – one man got 3 medals – Admiral Cush (I think), anyway
some Admiral read out what all these men did for their V.C.s – most of them killed
several of the enemy.
So funny tho hear when there is no war on of men having killed one another –
only 3 women and those, Australian sisters.
We went then to Queen Alexandria – she saw the other girl but of course I could not
go in – I had not been getting a medal and had no invitation – was sorry, because
when I got mine, she was out of London or not seeing sisters anyway – none of us
went – perhaps the British ones went.
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