Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Ethel Qua reminiscences mainly concerning World War 1, ca. 1973
MLMSS 7316

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I was born in 1883 in Hartley Vale, N.S.W. , the second youngest of a family of eight. Our father was killed taking food to Little Hartley in 1886 to help the miners there after the mine had closed down. We have a letter from Lord Carrington expressing sorrow over the sad accident.
My mother was left with an insurance of only £200. - all she had to raise her family.

My first memory was of a small pub in Hobby’s Yards, where we lively happily. One of my sisters played the piano and a brother the violin. There was always music and singing and open house for the neighbours. We were a musical family.

When we bathed in the river old Tom, the rouseabout, was always around to count heads.
Our next move was to Dubbo, for education I suppose, as we had to go to boarding school from Hobby's Yards, and there was not sufficient money for that. With the exception of my two brothers we all attended the Convent school. I do not remember much about it except a beating I got from my brother for refusing to take my lunch to school in a serviette, whilst the other youngers were taking theirs in paper. I threw the lunch at my brother and rushed off to school. There was a terrible fuss when my mother returned from her pub minding, and I was still well marked on my bottom.
Another thing I remember - someone told me a man was kicking the bucket. I was curious as to why and although I peeped through the window I could not see a bucket. I told mother and she said not to talk about it. It was years later I under stood what it was all about.
We then moved to Mendoran. - Five adults and three children with the driver in a large dray piled high with luggage. We lost my brother Fred on the way - he had slipped unnoticed off the luggage. The driver had to go back and we found him, very disturbed, walking towards us. I think the inhabitants of the town thought a circus had arrived. . As I remember we were happy there until an outbreak of dyptheria. There were no doctors nearby and as we children were curious enough to visit the contacts, my mother packed us all in a room and fumigated us with burning sulphur. We coughed so much that Fred, our youngest brother, almost choked and in his alarm broke a window. Mother, seeing the bloody hand was terrified, she stopped the fumigation but we were made to remain in the room.

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I think she was so scared of it all she decided to move again. This time to Gulgong near a Dr. It was a very pleasant place 12 miles from Mudgee. We went to a country school and all seemed well. However, as Mother was not a particularly good business woman, and if she saw a man drinking a little too much she would try to persuade him to go home to his good wife instead of wasting his money, we never seemed to get ahead. The local policeman, who called in when passing by, said she would never make money. I think there was only one public house in the town so we should have been comfortably off. Very soon we moved again ~ this time to Riverstone, a»d after a short time there to Sydney where we had a small hotel in Liverpool St. near the junction of Oxford St. From there we went to Underwood St. in Paddington to the Grand National, however we did not do any better there.
We learned Shakespeare whilst washing dishes and heard stories of Dickens from Mother. In spite of the lack of money we were a happy family.
In those days ladies did not go to work, but eventually something had to be done. My sister Kit went to the Melbourne Hospital and took up nursing. Tess & Gert also went to work - Tess to millinery in Queanbeyan and Gert a governess earning 7/6d. a week.
My eldest brother, William Loneragan, who suffered with asthma was advised by the Dr. to go to Western Australia and after some time in Perth was much better. The youngest brother, Fred, started in the Post Office as a messenger boy and finished up being a very eleven chamber magistrate.
-Eventually I went to Melbourne. - By this time Kit had a Nursing home and took in a few patients. I went to the Melbourne Hospital to train, although I was not keen to become a nurse. Before the three month's probationary period was up I called on Nellie Stewart “ she was playing "Sweet Nell of Old Drury". I thought she was lovely and to me very kind. After a cup of tea and small talk she asked whether I could dance or sing and I said no. She then said you can walk and you speak well and she advised me to stick to nursing which I did and finished my training in December, 1908.
Whilst Kit took a trip to England another graduate and myself managed the private hospital very nicely. We were paid £1 a week.
As we were getting quite a few maternity cases, we engaged a midwifery trained nurse for the first three days, after which we carried on alone.

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On Melbourne Cup day a patient in labour came in and we tried to get her Dr. , in fact any Dr. or a Double Certificate nurse, but could not get anyone. They were all busy at the Cup. Sorin desperation we got a midwifery book and as one of us attended the patient, telling her to be calm, not to press down but take things easy, the other read feverishly. We knew if everything was normal we had nothing to worry about and thank heavens it was. We delivered our first baby quite satisfactorily. She paid her Dr. and we had a few grey hairs.
Patients paid in those days $.2. 2. 0 weekly including all but the Dr's fees.
I decided when my sister came back and took over the hospital I would go on a working holiday. I wrote to India where a position was vacant and wanted a nurse right away for a three year term.
In the meantime a Miss Cappin came in as a patient. She had just returned from Hawaii and told me what a dream place it was and how I would like it.
By the time my sister came back she did not want to take over the hospital again. She was a wonderful nurse but it took too much out of her as she was chief mourner at every death and worried herself sick. It was then decided that I should stay another year and she would look around for a buyer for the hospital and find other work for herself. Eventually she took over a cake shop "lThe Cabin" in Centreway, Melbourne, and was happy there.
In March 1911 we left Australia - two nurses to work and see the world. We travelled on the Makura bound for Honolulu and then Vancouver. We had letters of reference all over the place but only used two, meaning to return to Australia in two years. I was away from 1911 to 1934 and I certainly saw the world.

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It was in 1911 that we landed in Honolulu despite the warnings of the Captain that we could not return to the ship as there was an outbreak of cholera. Fortunately, we managed to get accommodation at Cottage Grove, right in the midst of the nursing staff, but things were quiet and we came to the conclusion we might yet end up washing dishes at the Alexander Younge Hotel.
Following the day of our arrival we called on several Drs. who gave us a very nice reception but little encouragement. However, within two days I was called up and asked if 1 would go to the cholera settlement, to which I agreed. There were few patients and little we could do for them but keep them clean and push fluids - the poor things died very quickly. I had asked the Superintendent at Kalihui detention camp for a night nurse and one was supplied immediately, so we were able to look after the many contacts who were kept apart. Strict hygiene was observed - hands washed before meals- all drinking water boiled - vegetables cooked and only fruit with peel was allowed. The native's bread "poi" was kept in separate dishes and not left in the bowls in which fingers were washed.
We stayed three months, delivering babies and doing general nursing.
We got to know the Hawaians well and liked them. We saw some of the native dancers, were probably shocked but did not show it. Today we would not turn a hair. They were a very happy people who gave us much pleasure.
On return to Honolulu there was plenty of nursing to be had and in between cases we toured the different islands. Went to Molokai and, at a distance, talked with Father Damien and Brother Joseph Dutton.
It was the latters Silver Jubilee 1886-1911. What wonderful men they were and I was glad when Robert L. Stevenson wrote letters giving them full credit for the work they were doing for the lepers. At the same time in Honolulu there was cruel gossip going around regarding their morals.
Also visited the famous volcano of Kilauea on Hawaii. It was quite a trip to get to Volcano House. Firstly by boat, automobile and lastly a donkey. This was 1912. One would expect a volcano to be situated on top of a mountain, but Kilauea is about 3000ft above sea level and you look down into the boiling fire. A spectacular sight and well worth a trip.
It was early in 1913 when Elizabeth Hunt and myself decided to go to Vancouver. She was an Australian nurse and had a small private hospital in Honolulu. We booked on the "Niagara" in March, which was her first voyage. Had a great send off with leis, streamers and the native band playing ‘’Oloho Oi", as they do when all ships leave the mainland. We felt sad leaving the Happy Islands.

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Nursing was quiet in Vancouver, but after doing the rounds of the Drs. we eventually got busy. It was harder work than on the Islands as we had more help from the natives.
Vancouver, I think, is the nicest place in which to live in Canada.
The Marine Drive is well planned with beautiful spots all the way.
Victoria Island is most pleasing and a special place to retire.
In 19 14 when war was declared I decided to join up. I called on the Recruiting Officer for Nurses (Major Hart) if I remember correctly - who said I was an alien and their own nurses would be taken first. I immediately contacted Drs. and any influencial friends I knew to wire Ottawa on my behalf. It was on 18th January, 19 15 I was called up to join reinforcements for the first contingent of nurses. On 21st Jan. we 3 other nurses, I left for Ottawa. We passed through the Rockies -wonderful scenery, I had never seen anything like it. We got out at several stops along the way but it was too cold. Through Calgary with the scenery changing with the beginning of the Prairies and the immensity of the land was almost unbelieveable. On arrival at Winnipeg at 7. 30 a.m. it was 32° below zero. It was there I got my first chilblains, which were to plague me all through the war. Near Kenora we passed through some beautiful country, dotted with hundreds of little lakes.
On 26th February we finally arrived at Ottawa. Following our inoculations we were taken to the Chateau Laurier were we stayed whilst in that beautiful city. Saw a lots of sports there that I had never dreamed of. It was there I met Col. S. Hughes and he asked who the Australian was who was so determined to go to War. I stepped forward and he said enough wires had been sent to send a regiment much less a small nursing sister. There was much laughter.
February 4th we went along to the opening of Parliament -it was all very interesting.
Left Ottawa at 11 p.m. and arrived in Montreal and travelled around the city in a sleigh, was interested in everything as it was all so different to life in Australia. Arrived in Halifax on 8th and sailed on the S. S. Zeeland for Liverpool. Enjoyed our trip and lots of boat drill. After leasing Liverpool we travelled through a very peaceful country with no apparent signs of war. Nice green fields - all so clean & tidy. Eventually we arrived at Euston Station. We booked in at Thackeray Hotel.

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Next morning 35 of us went to Schoolbreds to be outfitted. Our uniforms were very colorful (so much so we were often asked to book tables for officers in hotels & restaurants), navy blue, double breasted with brass buttons down e*ach side of the jacket, stars on the shoulders (rank of lieutenant); a high collar edged with red and the medical emblem on the collar. Our working uniform was saxe blue with white collar, cuffs and apron, and navy blue cape lined with red and also brass buttons. There was quite a mix up with so many of us but it was a pleasant one. We were measured up eventually and then proceeded to see London, or as much as we could with such a short stay.
On 1st March we went to Victoria Station, took train for Folkestone and sailed for France. After a pleasant crossing we arrived at Boulogue.
We made an early start in the morning to visit the Australian Hospital / and nurses at Wonereaux, but unfortunately there was not enough time or our driver could not understand our bad French. We returned at 2pm and left for destination unknown. !
Arrived at L.e Trepoit, after passing through some lovely country. It was a delightful day - blue sky and sea. We drove up to our hotel in an ambulance and got settled in. In the afternoon walked up 350 steps to report to the British Hospital No. 3 General. It had been the Imperial Hotel situated right on the cliff edge, a magnificent site, but all those steps were hard to take although, there were landings where one could rest and look at the glorious views. Twice a day, in order to attend special or very ill patients, we walked up those steps. We liked the work and the English nursing sisters.
Our tents were put up about March 29th and others partly ready for patients. It was not very satisfactory with such strong winds blowing they were frequently down. Even our mess tent came to grief at times. We were never sure whether the winds were to blame or the orderlies, who perhaps knew little about them. Just prior to winter we had orders to leave L.e Trepoit, taking only one suit case. However the situation improved and we stayed on. We knew little about the war, only what the boys could tell us about their own sectors.
Before it was too cold a hospital had been built for the patients, with operating rooms and an administration block (picture enclosed) and the nursing staff was installed in huts.
Nursing was sometimes very hard in Le Trepoit and in between convoy we tried to keep the patients in hospital as long as we could. The troops were very sick of the trenches and most of them had trench feet When considered well enough to return to the lines, we still did our
best to keep them even to pulling a Scotch cap under their arms in their hospital blues, and if lucky enough to have a Scotch Major doing the interviewing, they would often get an extension. The trenches were

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particularly bad in the winter of 1915-16 (as Lord Kitchener remarked "if the nurses had their way he and the French would be holding the lines".
In April a Colonel Thompson from England came to inspect the personnel. He asked our Officer-in-Charge, Col. Bridges, to have us ready for inspection in full working uniform on top of the hill. This was difficult as our veils kept blowing off. The Colonel was looking most uncomfortable and said "what will I do with them?" Both laughed and after the inspection we were dismissed for the afternoon.
A small boat was sunk at the bottom of the cliff and the boys found a half drowned dog. They rescued him and he became a great pet with all. The Orderlies made a cart for him in which he proudly carried red cross supplies to the wards. A few of the Drs. and nurses took our snaps as we sat in the cart and Major stood there proudly.
The YWCA was very good to us and the patients. We also got extras from the Red Cross, especially the Australian branch. Coming down the lines one day I had a couple of lovely blankets when I met a Col. Rudolph and he asked what I was doing. I said I needed them and he looked shocked. A week or so later I met him again staggering along with a small supply, and he told me he was scoring from the same place. We all did it and we were lucky when we got a good scrounger as an orderly. They were usually older men, and it was surprising what they could turn up with from the Q. M. Stores.
In April a few of the patients went to England and were glad to go.
They had very little comfort during those winter months in the trenches. It was always wet and we wore rain capes, sou~westers and rubber boots, slithering around in the mud, especially on night duty, whilst carrying our hurricane lamps. We had a lot of convoys in and sometimes there would be a departure at the same time. It was most confusing as the patients had to stay on the floor whilst the bed patients were evacuated. |
Like the men we had lice, but unl,ke them we had to wait until we were off duty to delouse. Night duty was a real problem as we had five tents, later huts were built, with 35 patients in each. An orderly was supposed to stay on duty till morning, but had a habit of disappearing around midnight and could not be found. Feeling that we might land ourselves in trouble we did not report them, instead arranged with the nurses to put a well man next to a very sick patient, who might be likely to haemorrage or get out of bed. This way and with frequent visits to the wards we managed.
One man who had a shocking wound in his elbow refused to have his arm amputated (he was a violinist in civil life) started to haemorrage but luckily we were there. The M. O. for the day had been celebrating

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and was finding it difficult to get the artery, he swore at me for using the tourniquet. I looked at the Orderly, a wise old soldier, and at that moment our own ward Dr. walked in and took over. In a few minutes all was well. The Medical officers were wonderful, and things like this seldom happened. At times the Drs. were just as worried as we were but were always helpful.
The Ministers and the priests were a great joy to the soldiers. They would play cards, make jokes and one Padre was very popular because of his clever card tricks. They seldom talked religion, but there was always service on Sundays.
We knew when the patients were taking cordite. Very often the M. O. didn't or pretended they didn't. At last we would quietly tell the patients to go easy as they would go to England anyway.
One day Col. Rudolph said he had put an Australian boy in my ward, I hurried along to the ward and saw 34 patients in perfect order and one as though a cyclone had struck. I read the report to see how sick he was. He was a very young Corporal from Queensland. I suggested, before inspection was due that he get up while I made his bed. After some days we became very short of clean shirts and I asked the orderly why. He said the blooming Australian was cold and had several on.
I couldn't believe it. I watched the Corporal and he did look fatter, so I suggested that he take a bath and wear one shirt under his blues. When I walked up the ward to make the usual afternoon cocoa he came towards me, saluted briskly and said "I'm clean and sweet ~ kiss me Sister"
I said "I'll see you in my office'. There was much laughter and it was a great joke in the ward.
Often when a convoy came in and beds were not ready, the patients would go to sleep standing resting against their rifles. It was terribly heartbreaking. We played and joked over very small things.
If we hadn't seen the funny side I'm sure we would have gone mad.
One night I was wakened up by one of the nurses and she asked me to go down the lines with her as she had ordered some [atropine?] and was sure she'd written a dram instead of 10 drops, and she thought
the nurse on duty so dumb she'd give the dosage as written. We went along to see the C. O. on duty but met up with the M. O. and he told us to go back to bed and he would attend to it. We hurried into the ward
next morning in time to hear the Capt. ask the patient how he was -his reply was "I'm alright in myself Sir, but I can't see and I'm itchy all over." He was sent to the Eye Dr. (a very clever one) who sent him in the next convoy to England. We said nothing. The patients we nursed were mostly British, and the personnel Canadian.

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In November I, with two other nursing sisters, went on leave to England. Had a wonderful time seeing as much as we could in the few days, then returned to Le Tripoli and night duty. We organised a concert for Xmas which was a great success. We were asked to repeat it at Dieppe, which we gladly did in a real theatre. Saw the old year out and the new one in, celebrating with champagne with the nurses and officers, and our wish was for a better year and the end of the war.
April 14th. transferred to Moore Barracks No XI Canadian General Hospital near Folkestone. In England we nursed mainly Canadians, whereas in France they were mostly British with just a few Germans.
I worked there until Sept. 29th when myself and about ten Nurses had movement orders to go to Salonica. We left London the next day for Southampton, saied at 5 pm on the "Brittanic" - it was a grand ship, most comfortable and although we had a complete blackout we enjoyed the rest and the luxury after our hard work.
We steamed into the beautiful harbour at Naples. The town was most picturesque, blue sky above, houses with coloured shutters and the fruits hanging from the windows and balconies. The Corso Vittoria Emmanuel commanded a magnificent view of the city and the bay. Had tea at Bertitmioves, drove around the town and watched cameos being cut from shells. All very interesting.
The Soffalura, about seven miles from Naples is a volcanic crater from which sulphurous fumes rise, the ground is warm. In many places the mud is bubbling - southward lies Vesuvius. Matron slipped into one of the pools (thank goodness it was not a boiling one) and came out a muddy mess, cape and all. We cleaned her up as well as we could and she then said it was a good thing it wasn't one of us. We heartily agreed for we would have got the very devil for looking too much at the scenery and not watching our step. We left Naples after seeing many places of interest and sailed at 6 pm Oct. 1st.
Wednesday we steamed into Meidros Harbour. There were six hospital ships there and some British ships. The searchlights were wonderful that night - probably no U“boats around. Thursday we left the Brittanica"1 and sailed on the S.S. Nandilla - not nearly so luxurious. Friday we arrived in Salonica, a lovely sunshiny day, the harbour full of bright little boats, and the mosques and minarets clustering up the hillside looked most picturesque and romantic. We stayed on board all day and landed in Greece at 8 pm. We were met by Captain Bastian and taken to No. 1 Canadian Stationary Hospital starting immediately on night duty.
About two weeks later went on relief duty work. Some days later went into Salonica where we had coffee at Flocas - a well known place to go. We got coffee served at little round tables, but it was not to our liking.

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But we did enjoy the surroundings. The officers clapped for service which they didn't get and eventually dropped a cup on the floor. Much to our amusement the waiter came along and in a most pleasant manner put the cup on their account.
Later we saw over two submarines E12 & E14. It was most interesting even though we did not understand too much about them. Met Captain Bruce who had been decorated for work at the Dardanelles. His submarine had been caught in a net from which they had escaped after two hours. On surfacing they were almost struck by a torpedo. They managed to sink a few ships but were most modest about it all.
On Oct. 30th we had a masquerade dance, prior to being transferred back to No. 4 Canadian General. The ten of us who had joined up with No. 1 went as orphans in cotton dressed with our hair done up in plaits. Mine being curly, would not stay put so the nurses ironed it. We look perfect frights, much to the amusement of the visitors, but the original staff did not appreciate it at all.
In November we went to No. 4 Canadian General Hospital. This was a much bigger hospital. By this time we 10 nurses were great pals. In our time off we saw the town and went for ambulance picnics. There were quite a fe enteric cases and of course the usual war casualties, but nothing like the trench feet and war casualties in France.
Christmas came and we made the wards as pleasant as possible. We had a happy time and once again drank toasts that the war would end. There was a blizzard blowing that day, an unusual happening in Salonica.
Now nurses are always called by shortened sirnames and it was so in the war. I was known as Loney, and the name stayed with me long afterwards. On Feb. 27th my friend Georgia MacKenzie (Mac) and I went to see the Old Wall, some 2000 years old. While we were there twelve Bulgar plans came over and bombed the No. 1 Stationary Hospital, the hamlet and Sowerhill camps. One hundred of the tropps were killed and three hundred wounded. On Feb. 30th five nurses and myself went to N. 1 Stationary to help. The boys were in their blue uniforms and could easily be seen from the air, but the Germans put the excuse forward that there had been a munitions dump nearby.
In the ward I was in, a little donkey would come around and we got very fond of him. As the boys got better I noticed that the donkey was acting in a very queer manner. One afternoon I watched. They dressed him up in a hospital shirt and gave him methylated spirits. After a while the donkey enjoyed it, he would show off a bit at first jumping around - great fun for the boys but we felt sad for the little donkey and wondered what his end would be.

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At the end of March when the casualties had improved we went back to No. 4. It was like going home.
We were busy in the Isolation ward when a parcel arrived from Harrod's - my very good friends in Honolulu sent it. I wondered how it ever arrived as it followed me from France to Salonica. The troops and I were very excited about opening it, and we all sent letters to say 'thank you'.
Divisions in Salonica - English 4. French 8. Greeks 9. Serbs 6. (very small)
Sat. April 7th. received order to leave. We were being taken over by the British hospital. Forty new nursing sisters arrived, we took inventories and left all in order. Got final orders to leave at 9 a.m. so packed our stretchers and slept on the floor. April 17th. still sleeping on the floor so decided to put stretchers back again and then on to duty in the dysentry ward. Our sailing was cancelled as too many ships had been torpedoed.
Had afternoon tea at 605, were we met Miss Flora Sands, an Irish woman Sergeant Major in the Serbian Army. A most interesting person. She was a V. A. D. in Serbia for 18 months and when the Serbs were retreating and had lost their leaders, she picked up a rifle and told them to follow her. Ever since she has been called the ’Joan of Arc' of the Serbian Army. She had been wounded 17 times with shrapnel and was just out of hospital on her way back to the front. When I met her she had been decorated with the Cross of Kara George for conspicious bravery on the field. We had a long talk in which she told us of her experiences. She mentioned how she missed the English papers and books, so we were happy to help out by giving her any we had. We saw her several times and always enjoyed her company.
June. 2 1917 had a very good time at 605. Went to the Base M. T. concert, met Captains Rule, Collas and Burfitt at the 3rd Achelon. Also visited submarine E14. and had tea with Mr. Dickinson. Returned to No. 4 Hospital where 50 English patients had arrived, the M.O. was a Mr. Cato. The first few days were chaotic but eventually things straightened out.
Whilst waiting for transportation we were sent where needed.
Several officers and nursing sisters went for a picnic up the Monastir Rd. to the Cherry Farm. Had an interesting time* and met the celebrated Serbian officers and invited them to afternoon tea with us. The conversation was limited as our french was bad and their English worse. They were interested in the songs our troops were singing. We sang most of the patriotic ones, but they said "Teep-a-ree -ree", and so we all joined in with "Tipperary". We had come in an ambulance, but they suggested we return to the Camaderie Mess in their car, so that they could get acquainted with our Colonel. Frequently afterwards the Royal Serbian band gave a concert in the open for the patients and ourselves.

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June 3rd. We received our injection of Cholera. Afterwards whenu to Kaulorun Point for a picnic, followed by a concert at 605 ~ quite a celebrated affair. We had a whole week off.
August 11th. saw Miss Bigley at 66 General Hospital, and 50 Australian
nurses arrived at our camp. Very nice girls. Guess we looked frazzled and worn out grappling with bed bugs. We tried everything - putting our stretcher legs into tins of kerosene, fumigating huts, but
the bugs were that much smarter and evacuate into the next hut _ we couldn't win. Even in the wards as we'd life down a chart, they would crawl away. One nurse said she spent her spare time making them form fours.
August l5th had orders once again to leave, and boarded the transport H. M. T. “Aragon" on Aug. 16th, escorted by two Japanese destroyers, '‘Scorpion" and "The Comet". There were over 100 from No. 5 General and No. 1 Stationary Canadian Hospitals. Sailed at 7 p.m. sorry to leave the old town and the White Tower, and the very nice people we had worked with.
We arrived at Skyros, had a very pleasant day swimming and sunbaking.
Next day we saw Nulos Island but did not land. At Sudda Bay we went on shore. Went for a ride in a funny little buggy (Padre Morton and about 8 nurses managed to squeeze in) to the town of Baise. A clean place with very nice markets, and the cleanest kiddies we had seen in this part of the world. Venezelos was born on the Island of Crete.
Two difference Japanese boats are to take us the rest of the way. Our next stop was Navarine ~ the prettiest little bay we had seen so far - unfortunately we were not allowed to swim. We anchored about 4 miles from Corfu, but the lovely coastline was the only thing we could see.
We were longing to land, in order to see the wonderful palace of the Kaiser which was being used as a convalescent home for Officers.
There was a good concert on board that night. The Captain was undecided about leaving Corfu, as our escorts had left us dny many rumours were around. However, at 7 pm. we sailed. It was a wonderful moonlit night. At 7 a.m. passed through a boom and waited outside the harbour of Taronto. At noon we passed through a tiny opening with high houses on one side and an Italian Fort on the other. It looked hardly wide enough for the "Aragon" to pass through. Such a sight greeted us - a large harbour inside with all sorts of battle ships and dreadnoughts ~ it was most unexpected. In the evening we were taken out in an old barge to see the harbour. The water was almost pink from the reflection of the sunset. We all began to sing and suddenly a sailor hopped us and called on us to praise the Lord. We duly did and returned to the boat after having a rollicking good time.

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That night the No. 1 Stationary Hospital girls left and the rest of us were leaving the following day. Had lunch on shore and left by train about 3.30 p.m. The countryside was dry, but fruits, olives and grapes grew right to the top of the hills. The roads were wonderful.
There were six of us in a carriage and we made up beds using the luggage - a most uncomfortable situation. When one turned all had to follow suit and needless to say got very little sleep. We had no dinner but at 9 p.m. bags of sandwiches and some wine was handed through the window. We did not enjoy it at all and missed our cup of tea.
We arrived at Bologua at 10. 30 a.m. and after a wash and lunch at the hotel saw the town and the Cathedral. It was most enjoyable but we were all feeling very weary. Left at 3 p. m. for another long trip.
The scenery was better than the previous day and the fruit trees looked healthier than the others. Also there were less olive trees. Quaint terra_cotta stations marked the way, and we were out of the train at every chance. We were shunted to sidings whilst troop trains passed us by. The men waved gaily but we felt sorry to see them go, even tho1 their destinations would probably be better than those in France.
At 12 p.m. we arrived in Turin - tired and bad tempered. We had spent five nights on the train not sleeping properly. However, we liked Turin ~ the gardens were lovely and the air much cooler. We left again at 4. 30 p.m. It was rugged scenery crossing the Italian Alps, and the roads were like white ribbons.
There was no waste land at all it all being cultivated to the snow level.
We crossed the boundary at Mondane at 8. 30 p. m. It was cold and wet but a spJendid supper helped. At last, tired out, we reached Paris.
After a clean up went down to lunch but the Manager was a bit doubtful as to whether he could feed us all. We naturally thought, when the salad and sardines were handed out, it would be one course only. The waiters were as astonished as ourselves when other courses followed, and they looked tantalising but we couldn't eat them. We had learnt a lesson.
We stayed in Paris 11 days and left with many regrets on Sept. 1st. at 7. 30 a.m. for Rouen, where we only spent 15 minutes, then on to Le Harve. We learnt on arrival there they were experiencing the highest tide in 20 years. We boarded at 8. 30 p.m. but were all so seasick that on learning that the boat had scraped a net and almost capsised, we were not even frightened. Arrived in London at 11. 30. a.m.
Whilst waiting for Matron McDonald on Liverpool Station, we looked and felt like a lot of refugees. As she did not turn up we decided to go on to the Kenilworth Hotel where we had a lot bath and slept till 6 p. m.

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After dinner off to bed again. We needed lots of sleep as we looked a white faced miserable lot.
Matron Bolter gave us our next orders. The two Mac's are to go tp Basingstoke and myself to Brighton. I arrived at the Kitchener Hospital at 5 p.m. It was not busy but there were such a lot of limbless boys, who spent most of their time in wheel chairs on the pier. They were happy in spite of everything.
Met more Australian nurses, but none I had known. We palled up and went to Arundel Castle - a wonderfully preserved old estate belonging to the Duke of Norfolk.
At the end of Sept. I was boarded in London and got six weeks leave.
Several nurses and myself decided to visit Scotland. Firstly we went to Winchester, saw the town and Cathedral, had tea at the God Begot Inn - the quaintest place which was built in 1057. We then returned to London where we went to the theatre and saw Irene Vanbrugh in "Trelawney of the Wilds". There was an air raid during the performance and the noise was terrific. Several bombs were dropped on Tottenhan Court Rd. and we had a time getting back to Kenilworth Hotel in the black out. There was
another raid the next night, also very frightening but thank goodness there were no casualities.
The following day five of us left St. Pancreas Station for Scotland. Passed through some lovely country to Melrose where we stayed at the George Hotel. We were the only guests and the food and service were both excellent. We visited Melrose Abbey and then on to Edinburgh where we had a sightseeing spree. Later we visited Tarvet and went walking in the Scotch drizzle, well wrapped in coats, sou "westers and gum boots. Enjoyed it all especially around Lock Lomond. There were some lovely drives around these parts. On our return we saw the Preachers Rock, where the congregation used to drink whiskey. It was still raining when we got the boat for Inverswald.
After walking to Rob Roy's cave, the two Macs, myself and some other nurses took the train for Glasgow. Saw all of Loch Long and the head of Loch Goyle (where torpedoes were tested). Rowan berries appeared to be growing all over Scotland, but unfortunately the heather was about finished. We managed to pick a little to send home.
In October we left for Ayr. Went to the Station Hotel where Mac gave the wrong number for our room. She was really insisting it was correct when an officer walked over to our table and said he had room 45, but if we wished he would move out and let us move in. We were all amused.

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We saw Scotland and loved every bit of it - the country of Robbie Burns and Mary Queen of Scots. We found the people charming and. as we were in uniform all were interested in talking to us of their wonderful country. Went by coach to the Trossacks, returning via Aberdeen and. then back to London.
When I went up for my board I was posted to Moore Barracks at Shorecliffe. I was on night duty in Ward 34 and very busy as there [are] many very sick boys. It was Xmas 1917 and we made little gifts for the patients, wrapped them in coloured paper and tied with, red ribbons. They all agreed it was the best Xmas they had bad. We enjoyed it too, singing Carols through the wards witb the patients joining in, and all expressing the wish that by next Xmas the war would be over.
I had a young lad from Canada in my ward (far too young to have joined).
He was very ill with rhumatic fever and when the painl got bad he would swear and nothing would stop him. One night I sat on his locker and as he swore I repeated the words after him. After a few moments he said "Sister I cannot stand it" and I said ’’neither can I". It was not so bad after that and if he did start up again I only had to walk towards his locker and he would stop. He was such a small person his blue trousers kept falling down. We finally had him well secured with safety pins, much to the amusement of all, including himself.
Dec. 26th transferred to Ward 19. These had been married quarters for the Army in peace time, and we found it hard to work there.
There were about 14 whitewashed fire places and each ward held 14 patients.
In February had three days leave and went to Chester to see Sister Hunter, an Australian Matron in charge of the Officers' Convalescent Hospital. Hawarden Castle, the home of the Gladstones had been lent to the Government for this purpose. There were a few patients, but the place was so large it was impossible to find one’s way around without an escort.
On Saturday night the Officers gave a concert and afterwards we danced.
I met Miss Gladstone, the youngest daughter of the Rt. Hon. Gladstone along with other ladies present, a Mr, Donaldstone and Capt. Thacher, the M.O. Elizabeth Hunter and myself had supper with the Colonel and Mrs. Beethon. (When Miss Hunter returned to Australia she became the Matron of The War Memorial Hospital in Sydney “ a delightful woman and a very good nurse.)
On Monday we left the Castle for a visit to the town, a quaint interesting place and more so to Miss Hunter, who knew it well. Left in the afternoon for London and Folkestone.

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February 3rd at work again in Ward 17 - busy but had a good staff.
Moore Barracks housed some extremely sick troops. A number of the boys were invalided back to Canada. Some had been there since the beginning of the war and were more than happy to go.
In March transferred to the Officers Ward, No. 23. The orderlies were difficult and the wards dirty. I gave an order it was to be cleaned before I returned to duty. On my return it had not been touched so I spoke to the Sargeant Major, who said he would see it was done the following day. I immediately said I would get Colonel Scott, giving them the impression I meant what I aaid. We all got busy and worked till 10 p.m. when all decided it was better to work with me than against me.
I met Richard P. Qua (my future husband) there, Mr. McGarr and several other officers. Mr. Heron and Mr. Carmichael went AWL for a week. I had to report them as I had covered up as long as possible. They finally turned up and the Colonel, in front of the other patients, gave them a good dressing down. It was the young ones mostly, but when they found we too got into trouble, they decided it was not worth it. .
After two months I was made Supervisor on Night Duty. It was the time of the outbreak of the flu epidemic which made the going harder for all. Extra beds went into the wards where possible and some patients had to be put on the floor. Quite a few of the nurses went off duty with the flu. In about 10 days they were with us again.
Sept. 24 R. P. Qua went back to France, 3rd Cav. Machine. I was worried when all letters from the front had almost ceased.
Nov. 11th. Great noise and great excitement as Armistice was declared. Privates and officers going AWL and no one taking any notice. When out of cash they would turn up.
We decided to prepare for one Grand Xmas. Our wards were decorated, and the patients preparing for a big celebration. Engineers stationed at the back of the hospital sent over drinks which were given to the boys in the ward. We took extra care of the very sick boys hoping to get them safely home. The troops were getting restless, since peace had been declared they were all anxious to return home and start afresh.
We were all a little on edge.
After Xmas lots of mail arrived and we were glad to hear most of the officers and men we knew were coming back from France. A map enclosed shows the route they took into Mons.

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We had a little time now, since lots of the troops had returned to Canada, to learn more about our patients. One in particular we thought rather sissy. He was always making "housewives" for needles and thread and giving them to the boys. We were very ashamed when one of the officers told us he was the most decorated man in his battalion. He had never said a word or wore his ribbons. Finally all the officers departed and the ward closed down.
April. 6th sent off duty on sick leave.
May 5th decorated by King George V. at Buchingham Palace. Had 2 days' leave in London.
June 20th left Buxlow, where I had again been on sick leave, for Liverpool. Left on the Hospital ship “Essequita' arrived Portland June 21st. it was a pleasant and comfortable trip and the end of the war for me. June 1919.

[Transcribed using OCR software. May contain typographical errors]