Thomas James Richards, Diaries, Transcript Vol. 4, 9 November 1916 - 31 May 1918 - Part 17

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May 30th. Wednesday.
There is nothing much in the way of a temperature to-day
but I have a big head, dizzy, and nothing much to eat.
The English climate put up a surprise in the way of thunder
and lightning storm last evening. It is most unusual
occurance though by the terrified woman about the Hospital.
Mrs. Mabel Perry called on me and we spent quite a pleasant
1/2 hour. She wanted to do anything at all for me!! I regret
not letting her do my shopping.
1st May. Thursday.
My head is still bad and I am not allowed out of bed.
The lead swinging that goes on is appalling. There is an
English officer on each side of me with a wounded hand each.
One is a bomb instructor at a school in France and throws
with his left hand, his right hand is injured, but he cleans
his belt and boots each morning and works jolly hard with the
complaining member but when its time to go into the City the
Sister as to tie it up most carefully and put the whole arm
into a huge sling. The other chap is an artillery man (one
star) and opening tells me that he's going to work it as
long as possible.
A Scotch Capt. has a bearly marked arm and he also pays
it minute attention when he is about to go out to the City;
and moves off looking a suffering hero. It's perhaps not so
bad making the "very best" of a wound, but I think its over
the mark to make such a big noise about it.
June 1st. Friday.
It has been a day a many examinations by many Doctors.
There has been four of them here. A Major came along and
besides asking many questions gave me a thorough over-hauling.
I thought he would discover a strain about the heart after so
many years of hard football, but no!! he pronounced me absolutely
sound. My heart and lungs being absolutely sound. This is

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jolly good news indeed. Owning to the blured effect when
trying to read and the generally dizzy head troubles he
sent along the eye specialist who went to a whole lot of
trouble to find a weakness but failed badly. The surgeon
looked gravely at my wounds deciding to operate when my temperature
gives his anything like a chance.
I passed the day in day most miserably.
June 2nd. Saturday.
The papers are trying to make the trouble in Russia look
as if they are desperate to go on with the war. But taking the
general outlook and results into consideration it looks mightly
black indeed.
This is giving Germany high hope, and she is quite cocksure
at present.
I have seen Harry Dingles cousin to-day. A Newcastle
left a flask of whiskey and it is good. I am not allowed out of
bed and the using of a pan is the most humiliating job I know.
I have just made my pay-book up to June 1st and I find
£75.0.0 there.
June 3rd. Sunday.
Lily of the Vally in furtive simplicity throws out its
rich perfume; the imposing carnation and the beautiful roses
each add a distinctive fragrance to the cook airy ward, while
the vary tinted tulips stand in bold attractiveness on the
desk in front of me. Though the open window a tall and graceful
elm sways in the radiant sunlight. I admire it all and receive
entire consolation and sympathy therefrom: A moment later
my soul rebels I think of the bright blue Pacific Ocean with
its wonderful white coombing breakers throwing themselves up
in foam upon the golden shores and greive at my confinement.
I miss my freedom and liberty! I fret!! my ward is my cage,
my bed my rack. The free air and the open spaces call to me.
I crave for exercise and an appetite. My ravings are quickly
calmed and diluted, patience comes to my aid!! When the sweet,

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smiling Sister makes me take my dose of quninine or evil
tasting cascara. I stop a moment to reflect upon the appearant
unjustness when it dawns upon me that I must really be ill,
and besides, both quinine and cascara grows wild away back
in bonny Queensland. I love my country I will not be a traitor
to its natural products; my heart gladdens and my surroundings
brighten. My patriotic instinct triumphs.
I am content!!
June 4th. Monday.
A glorious day by the sunshine that has been shining in through
the windows all day but I have not been out, my temperature
is normal but I am not well, my mouth is awfully nasty.
June 5th. Tuesday.
I am feeling a whole lot better to-day, the Major gave me
permission to get up and walk about this afternoon. Which
I did and enjoyed it alright but my temperature went to 100
and I suppose there is going to be a whole lot of trouble to
get out again. A parsons wife came around Mrs. Duckett but
she was tame. Jolly good though to bring a flowing rose tree
pot and all.
June 6th. Wednesday.
I have a new fountain pen now. My old pen was worn out,
but it has done remarkable work for the 3 years I had it.
Lt. Flannery sent out some strawberries to-day they were
just lovely I did not think strawberries could be so lovely.
June 7th. Thursday.
I went into Clapham by bus this afternoon and came home
quite worried with the people and the noise. I bought two
pair of socks and 4 boxes of strawberries at 1/3 and came
away home much worried. Had their been a good looking tea or
ice cream shop about or a taxi car I could have sat down and
had a drink or gone to Mrs. Perrys.

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June 8th. Friday.
On speaking to the Major about 30 grains of quinine being
too much. He said that he was well aware of that, but it was
a War Office order that every malaria case had to have 30
grains of quinine per day for 21 days. And so I will have to
go along taking it I suppose but I have already half emptied
the bottle and filled it up with water and besides I often
miss taking it altogether. I went into Horseferry Rd. and
drew £25 putting £15 into the bank making a total of £50.15.0
I missed Mr. J.M.Campbell and Capt. Moffatt coming back on a
bus at 6 p.m. to see the Hospital sports, which were a great
success.
At Berkerley's during the afternoon I spent £9.15.0 on
cloths boots shirts etc. and got good value the way things
go nowadays.
June 9th. Saturday.
I went into the City this afternoon and had a good time
visiting an Australian lady Mrs. Bruce at 52 Albert Hall
Mansion, where we had tea and came back with Capt. Hayward
Moffatt, and Gordon Tooth, to the Craven Hotel. I kept the
taxi and came on out to Wandsworth feeling none the worse for
the afternoon knocking about.
Mrs. Bruce has the finest little youngster I've seen; a
golden haired girl about 4 1/2 years old with a winsome manner
and tons of self assurance.
June 10th. Sunday. J. Pidcock
I am feeling very well the quinine bottle is well diluted
with water and even then I often miss taking it at all. The
Doctor say its Lord Derbys order that all malaria cases have
30 grains per day for 21 days.
In the afternoon I went out with Jack Pidcock and a
friend of his we motored around Battersea Park then onto
Rotten Row where we saw both men and girls riding in the latest
style with short leathers and knees high up, and awful looking

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position to be in.
We had tea in the Park and I motored back with Capt.
MacIntosh to the Hospital.
June 11th. Monday.
I am not feeling so well to-day, but when Harold Miller
called I went with Ted Sparke and he back to the Norfolk Hotel
where about 9 Australians, mostly cadets, sat down to lunch
and later went to the Theatre. Where we had two boxes, and I
regret to say the manager found it necessary to speak to us
about the noise; some of the cadets fellow were childish and
annoying. But the behaviour was good afterwards. I had a pass
for 10 o'clock but could not stay to dinner and hurried away
home in a car at a fare of 4/6 but I paid 7/6 it is hard to
get a car to run out so far at any price.
June 12th. Tuesday.
A day of soft diet and bed. I have no temperature but a
heavy tongue and a bad head.
There seems nothing of note for the moment.
June 13th. Wednesday.
A very quite day, nice and warm but I have not been far
away, only a run around the wards. The air raid is the topic
of the moment. Some 15 Hun planes droped bombs into the heart
of London during the middle of the day. This puts the "wind
up" the Londoners right enough. The latest figures show 100
killed and some 500 wounded. Only one German plane was brought
down out of 15.
June 14th. Thursday.
Mrs. Perry on the telephone this morning could give me no
more satisfaction than that conveyed in her last remark "If
I am not there by 2.30 p.m. you will wait, won't you." From
this I took it that she was coming up to the Hospital. Anyhow
I waited until 3.30 and then took a taxi to Chelsham Road and
spent the afternoon there with a splendid little girl from

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Wales and Mrs. Perry, getting back to Hospital feeling splendidly
at 7.40. I made an appointment to spend tomorrow afternoon
at Hampton Court with them.
June 15th. Friday.
I have had a jolly good day's outing to-day. I engaged
a taxi-cab for the afternoon and at Chelsham Road picked up
Mrs. Perry and Miss Day, and away out through some pretty
Park lands to Richmond and on to Hampton Court through Bushey
Park. The chestnut trees were not blooming, but they are
splendid trees. The whole Park is of fine big trees. At
Hampton Court the picture gallery was closed, but we wandered
round through the grounds to the hugh grape vines then back
past the dark coloured Yew trees on to the "Maze" we had very
little trouble in getting to the centre where photos were taken.
After taking a good look at the remarkable clock in the courtyard
we motored around to the balcony tea room where we had
some strawberrys and tea overlooking the River which was rather
quite.
We motored through the dirty town of Brentford to the
lovely Kew Gardens. Here we remained from 6 until 8 p.m.
returning by ferry to Isleworth and by motor bus back to the
Plough Inn. I hurried the girls away in a taxi and rushed back
to the Hospital after an excellent day. Kew Gardens glass
houses were closed which was a drawback but the lawns and the
trees were so nice.
June 16th. Saturday.
I went out with Capt. Rowley (English) and meeting Miss
F. Dingle at 1 o'clock Charing Cross, we then had lunch at
Simpsons, quite a good lunch, but £1.2.0 seemed a lot of
money, there was a bottle of wine and 2 cigars extras. Miss
Dingle and I then went by Tube to Belaize Park and as it was
Mother's birthday I bought 2 lbs. of cherrys and a large bunch
of grapes for 7/9. When we got home the old lady was very
pleased indeed. Later we taxied around Hampstead Heath, and

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the old lady was in her glory at the outing; but at the same
time she disapproved of spending so much money. Hampstead
Heath is a very rugged and hilly piece of land, from its high
points a good view of the City is obtained. I had always
pictured the Heath as a huge flat common on Bank holidays so
that its uneven, hilly natured pleased me very much.
There was thunder and lightning and much rain at about
6.30 which will do the City a whole lot of good as drought
conditions reign.
I got back to Hospital by 10 o'clock after seeing some
tennis and having ice cream with Miss Day and Perry.
June 17th. Sunday.
I left the Hospital with Ted Sparke at 12 o'clock had lunch
at Clapham Junction. Sparke went onto the City, I picked up
Chas. Perry wife and Miss Day and went by train to Kingston on
the River. We had afternoon tea and after a whole lot of running
about and waiting we got a boat and went for a row. I was
surprised that both of my shoulders worked so well when rowing,
though I did very little of it. The river was a pretty sight
with its different kinds of craft and the gaily dressed occupants.
The girls were very fine indeed, and I liked the easy
style in which they went about, looking quite free and happy
regardless of the intense heat.
We returned by 10 o'clock after an interesting day.
June 18th. Monday.
Lunch at Simpsons with H. A'Bbeckett Ted Sparke another
Australian and myself. We had several drinks and a good meal.
At 3 p.m. I called on J.M.Campbell Queensland Tourist Office
for a few minutes, and then picked up Hilda Day at Victoria
Station, going by Tube to Hampstead Heath. Afternoon tea at
the famous old "Bull and Bush," and a walk over the Heath,
getting back to Highgate Tube by 7.30 p.m. and returned to
London. Dinner at Simpsons and a taxi back to Clapham and to

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the Hospital. It was quite a good afternoon although the
girl is very countified and not over interesting. 
June 19th. Tuesday. 
Enquiries from Bristol concerning my transfer and when I 
am likely to be coming down there. I am going to try and do
it by obtaining sick leave, then I will be able to do the 
South of Wales and perhaps Scotland also, I will have to find
out more particulars from Major Colvin this afternoon. 
I drew £20 this afternoon and after having tea with J. M. 
Campbell promised to go to dinner with him one day. I went to
the Cadet school and saw Jack Pidcock had dinner at Simpsons
and went down to "Dirty Dicks" and back to Hospital by 10 p.m. 
Tea at the Regent Palace was very fine. The tea room 
was full of finely dressed men and women. 
June 20th. Wednesday. 
I saw the Major this morning and he is having me go before
the Medical Board tomorrow. I went into Horseferry Road and 
saw Major Colvin. He will send me anywhere I wish to go. I
hurried back to Clapham Road, had lunch picked up Mrs. Perry 
and Hilda and went into the Gaiety Theatre where a good show was 
running. Tea at the Strand Palace Hotel, a nice place. Dinner
at Victoria Street Station and back to Hospital by 10.30. 
It has been an expensive day I will have to go slow. 
Three seat in Theatre £1.14.0 and dinners 18/6. This is no
good at all to me. 
June 21st. Thursday.
I just missed being "Boarded" to-day; this is a pity as
I could have gone to Bristol to-morrow. I will be a certainty
for the next "Board," on Monday. 
I called at the Queensland offices this afternoon and then 
walked up to Oxford Circus picked up a woman and had afternoon

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tea with her. An English officer came along and said he knew
me. He turned out to be Brain of Kimberley S. Africa. I am
sorry I did not find out where he was in Hospital as I have 
very pleasant recollections of him. And would like to meet him 
again. 
I left the woman and strolled down through Picadilli to 
the Cock Tavern in Fleet St. where I had a good dinner. I
met a business man who went to a whole lot of trouble to tell 
me of his hard times why he couldent enlist etc. 
June 22nd. Friday. 
Nothing much doing to-day. I saw some fine prints of the 
indoor photos taken of the woman by myself. I find indoor
photography easily the best, and most satisfactory. I sent
Mrs. Bruce the negatives of her drawing room. I tried to write, 
but failed badly. 
The weather has now changed to fairly cold with light 
rain showers. I went down to Chelsham Road picked up Hilda 
Day and went for a bus ride into the City and to a picture
show. I got back to the Hospital by 10.20 p.m. 
June 23rd. Saturday. 
I met Mrs. Duckett the parson's wife in the Ward and went
away with her for afternoon tea. We than went out to Wimbledom
Common by bus walked across the Common, very pretty, and returned
for supper. The parson, like his wife, have been wandering
all their lives in a narrow groove and are rather dull people 
for a savage like me to have a few hours to spend with. As 
a curiosity it was quite alright. 
June 24th. Sunday. 
I went out and had lunch at the "Crighton" Clapham Junction
 with Capt. Rowley and called on his relations at Crystal Palace. 
Miss Chilton Griffen 10 Thicket Road "Penndenis." The old

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folk were very good and considerate, and the young lady was
quite charming in her many accomplishments. Fancy work, 
photography, swimming and piano playing. At the latter she 
is a champion. We played billiards for a time, had supper
and enjoyed the girlie on the piano very much. We missed going
first for one train and another until 10.30 p.m. arriving
back at the Hospital about 11 p.m. which is too late to come 
through the gate without trouble, so we climbed the wall and
on the inside were caught by a "picket" and will be tried in 
the morning. 
June 25th. Monday.
A day of much uncertainty and "wind up." Capt. Rowley 
Capt. Oswald and my self appeared before the Colonel this
morning and in a few breif words he told us that our conduct 
as officers in climbing the wall last night was extremely bad
and he could do nothing but send us before the General Commanding.
This was notified us by letter later with a command to
attend at the "Horse Guards" at 11.15 a.m. to-morrow. I can
hardly imagine that it means other than a severe talking to. 
I was allowed to go before a Medical Board this afternoon
when I was granted one months convalescence. Major 
Colvin arranged for me to go to Cobham in Kent and after 7 or
8 days I was to write him and a transfer to Bristol would be
arranged. The Medical Board were liberal to me; due, I think,
to long service. Bob Miller was there and arranged to return 
to Australia. 
June 26th. Tuesday.
At 10.30 this morning the three of us were driven in a
ambulance car to the Horse Guards where we were told to take 
off our belts and proceed before the General, Sir Francis Lloyd. 
We saluted and he over hauled us one after the other, then
on asking if we were under arrest Capt. Rowley told him that
we were, he wanted to know where the escort was we had none so
he ordered the orderly officer to take us away. So where we