CROWN COPYRIGHT: THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, WO95/3988
01.02.15
Boulogne
Went early to ADMS office to meet DMS who had not arrived
from Headquarters. Met him at noon, and
after lunch went with him to Red Cross to a meeting in connection with the
opening of the Refugee Hospital at Malassises
for Belgian men, women and children suffering from enteric and who are
being transferred from an infected area through which our troops will have
to move.
The building selected is a Monastery not far from GHQ
capable of accommodating 300 in the building, part of which the monks will not
give up. To expand under canvas. The Staff to consist of Lt.Col. Guise-Moores in charge, 12 Physicians, Miss Hartigan Matron and 2
Reserves all of whom speak French fluently and 60 Red Cross nurses.These will include those who have been
working in 13 Stationary since October, and who have been very favourably
reported upon.To begin with 50
orderlies and the question of 26 VADs under consideration, as well as Belgian refugees
as scrubbers. Left for HQ at 5.30
bringing with me list of equipment unable to be obtained at Boulogne or from
the Red Cross – to be applied for from Headquarters.
Met Mademoiselle Sauerwein who
had come with orders from WO to visit a Clearing Hospital and see our methods,
and who has to wait until she gets authority to proceed from HQ, IGC. Arrived at Abbeville 8pm, where I reported all that had
been arranged to Major Fell, with regard to this new Hospital.
02.02.15
Abbeville
Telegraphed for Mademoiselle Sauerwein to proceed, also to
No.2 General for Miss Plaskett and Miss Gardner who I am requiring for train
duty and as senior Sister for Miss Reid, Matron 6 General.
Wrote to Miss Watt re Indian Sisters for duty in
operating theatres of Indian Hospitals, asking her to give the names of the
Sisters QAMNSI who she could recommend for that duty.
Wrote to ADMS (Col. Skinner) Rouen about the new staff for
3 Stationary Hospital just opening in a fine building with Miss Bills as
Matron. Received official authority for
appointing the Senior Matron at each Base to act for me as Assistant Principal
Matron in addition to her other duties – a circular letter to this effect is
being forwarded to each base.
Wrote to Mrs Robertson Eustace about the Club which she is
proposing to open, a Club for nurses where they can have a bath, have
their clothes mended, have tea, rest, and where she hopes to have one or two
spare rooms where nurses could come for a weekend. Received a telegram informing me that Miss Hartigan and the 2
Reserves had arrived at the Refugee Hospital.
Mademoiselle Sauerwein arrived 6pm.
03.02.15
Abbeville
Obliged to wire for 40 more nurses, in consequence of more
being required at 13 Stationary Hospital in consequence of the departure of the
Red Cross and also for new Clearing Hospital and increase of Nursing Staff
required at other Clearing Hospitals. I
am arranging to have only a senior Sister QAIMNS in charge in each Clearing
Hospital, now called Casualty Clearing Stations and I will select suitable
Reserves for the remainder of the staff to enable me to have more Qs available
for all units now being established.
Received most kind letters from Lady Roberts and Lord
Knutsford with reference to the recent report forwarded for the Nursing Board.
Miss Fox QAIMNS took Mademoiselle Sauerwein to see 5
Stationary Hospital, the Red Cross Hospital and the French Hospital. She invited her to lunch so she had an
opportunity of seeing how the Nursing Staff were accommodated and of meeting
them all. She expressed herself very
surprised at the nursing arrangements.
Received a telephone message from Major Paine Wilson saying Mrs
Robertson Eustace had arrived.
04.02.15
St. Omer
Left with Mademoiselle S. for GHQ, arrived at 1pm. Drove straight to the office where we saw
Colonel Burtchaell and Major Barrett who invited us to lunch at the Mess, where
we met Surgeon General Macpherson also.
After lunch Major Birrell drove us to 9 Casualty Clearing Station where
we introduced Mademoiselle to Miss Pedler.
She having already arranged about her accommodation, we left her, Major
Birrell very kindly arranging to take her the next day to see the Convalescent
Camp and 10 Stationary Hospital.
We then drove with Col. Guise-Moores and Miss Hartigan to
see the Monastery which has been taken over as a Hospital for the Belgian
refugees suffering from enteric, and the accommodation for the Nursing
Staff. Everything is going on well, and
the Hospital has great possibilities and will be excellent in every way I think. A large quantity of equipment had already
arrived – annexes were being put in order, gas and water laid on etc., this all
being done by the French.
Miss Barbier returned from Boulogne where she had been to
meet the Nurses. Wrote to Major Watson
to say I would meet Mrs R. Eustace on Saturday at Boulogne.
Arrived HQ 8pm.
05.02.15
Abbeville
Spent the day attending to correspondence and arranging
more staff for 3 Stationary Hospital which I have obtained from various
hospitals. Received a telegram from
Dehorted* informing us of the arrival of 31 nurses on 6th, so sent
Miss Barbier by train to Boulogne to arrange about accommodation.
The question of allowing Matrons’ pay and charge pay for
Sisters in Charge has been forwarded here.
I have not recommended it – reasons – no establishment of beds –
appointed only temporarily – staff only small.
Actual Matrons’ duties very small.
* The telegraphic address of the Matron-in-Chief's office, War
Office, London
06.02.15
Boulogne
Arrived Boulogne noon.
To ADMS office – saw Major Watson – found he had arranged for Mrs R.
Eustace to be at the Louvre to meet me.
Found her awaiting me with her cousin, a very nice practical woman who
is anxious to do all she can for the Army nurses independent of any Society,
but so far has been unable to find a suitable house in a suitable position.
Saw DADMS Ambulance Trains in connection with the moves I
am making on the trains, where I am substituting suitable Reserves in charge,
so as to relieve QAIMNS who are urgently required elsewhere. Now the trains are running well and the
arrangements good, I feel Reserves carefully chosen ought to be very successful
in charge.
Visited Lady Hatfield’s Anglo-American Hospital now known
as No.5 British Red Cross Hospital. A
nice Hospital, well arranged and well managed I should say, by Mrs de Winton,
the Matron. The difficulty being Mrs
Kennard a friend of Lady Hatfield’s with 6 weeks training at St. Thomas who
apparently was causing much trouble, and Lady Hatfield who not being trained,
did not understand the necessity (if a Hospital is to be well managed and
successful) of rules and regulations which must be kept.
Some Lady VADs were doing most excellent work as
housemaids - Misses Gore, Annesley,
Seymour. I noticed on their bedroom
doors their names in very plain letters so: HOUSEMAID Gore, and so on. Miss Gore is the head housemaid. They get up at 6.15am and do all the
housemaids duties for the Nursing Staff!!!
Saw Major Green and Col. Carr RAMC, both attached to this Hospital. Saw Miss Knowles who is about to join 5
Casualty Clearing Station [and] Miss Plaskett who is taking Miss Knowles place
on No.1 Ambulance Train.
Miss A. B. Smith RRC who came to report about the heavy
work they all are having at 7 Stationary Hospital, and the number of seriously
ill officers.
Arranged for a circular letter to be sent to all Bases re
arrangement of leave for the Nursing Staff.
07.02.15
Boulogne
In the morning called on Sir A. Lawley the new Red Cross
Commissioner, during Sir C. Thomson’s illness, with ADMS Boulogne. Met Sir A. Stanley also, who is anxious to
arrange for 12 VADs to go to Belgian Refugee Hospital. Undertook to get
sanction for their employment when I return to HQ. Saw Miss G. M. Smith about to be moved from Ambulance Train to
Casualty Clearing Hospital and Miss Carr who is replacing her.
Received a letter from Miss Oram saying she was coming
here – nothing official has arrived yet, nor did Matron-in-Chief refer to this
when she wrote – her letter was also awaiting me.
08.02.15
Abbeville
Moved into an office which is for the Nursing branch
entirely. Busy all day with
correspondence. Mademoiselle Sauerwein
returned from GHQ very much impressed with all she had seen. She was at the Refugee Hospital when the
first 100 patients were being admitted.
She said it was inexpressibly sad as they had been so neglected
especially the children – none of them spoke French, all only Flemish.
Telegram from Miss Wilson saying that she thought she had
been able to secure Hotel du Nord which would enable her to have all her staff
under one roof. I am instructing the
Matrons at Boulogne to try and make like arrangements. Received news of arrival of 31 nurses on 10th. Wrote to Miss Wilson in consequence.
09.02.15
Arranged about various moves. Wrote Miss Hartigan in reply
to her letter asking her to write officially about camp kit, pay and allowances
etc. for Red Cross Nurses.
Sir A. Lawley and Major Stocking came – wanted list of
requirements for nurses, as Reserves are expected to be provided with when
coming on Active Service. This list I
made from memory so was not iam sine [sic] complete, but consisted I know of
the most important articles.
Mademoiselle Sauerwein left for Paris – a most interesting
and amusing woman, who spoke good English.
Sent orders for QAMNSI to proceed to Indian operating
theatres and wrote to Miss Watt on the subject, also said it was not possible
to move the 4 from Marseilles where they are needed unless more Nursing Sisters
were sent from India. Telegram from Dehorted instructing us to send Miss Pagan
home to report in person to Matron-in-Chief.
This was reported to ADMS Boulogne.
10.02.15
Abbeville
Miss Steen from 3 General Hospital came to see me. The Hospital is to expand to 750 beds
including 100 for officers and 50 for infectious cases.
Nurses wired for for 10 Casualty Clearing Station – sent 1
QAIMNS and 4 nurses.
Miss Wilson is meeting 34 nurses arriving from England
today at Boulogne – have arranged that those who have already been doing good
work in England should go to Casualty Clearing Station, Train and 10 Stationary
Hospital, the remainder are being sent to various hospitals for temporary duty.
Major Watson rang up from Boulogne to say that Mrs Watson
had arrived and was going to inspect in Dunkirk Boulogne and that the
Commissioner of Red Cross thought it would be well if she met me. I arranged to meet Mrs W. at noon tomorrow
and in consequence have postponed my visit to Etretat until later.
11.02.15
Left for Boulogne – arrived noon. Saw commissioner with reference to Mrs
Watson’s inspections, then to see Mrs Watson who had intended inspecting Lady
Hatfield’s Hospital thinking it was for French, but decided not to go once she
found it was for the English.
Was going to meet the Matron Mrs de Winter at 5 at her
Hotel. Saw Sir Bertrand Dawson who spoke
again in very high terms of the nursing at 14 Stationary Hospital. Miss Close QAIMNS suffering from
pneumonia. Miss Rebara CHR admitted to
14 General from 11 General, with high temperature NYD.
Saw Miss Wilson who reported the arrival of the Nursing Sisters.
Learnt staff for 1000 bedded Hospital arriving – 1 Matron, 26 Sisters, 46 Staff
Nurses.
Saw Mrs. Robertson Eustace. Has taken house and is going to England to bring furniture and
all necessaries for the house which she is opening as a Nurses’ Club and
Home. A very charming and a very nice
woman. Returned by 7pm.
12.02.15
Very busy completing nominal rolls and arranging for the
staffs of the new hospitals arriving.
Authority from War Office for me to draw allowances according to my rank
– those I was unable to draw until War Office authority had been received even
though my pay had been notified.
Miss Rob… reported
seriously ill.
Colonel Skinner wrote to know if there was a convalescent
home for nurses at S. of France.
Replied no – one at Hardelot and that I was going to arrange for Sisters
to go to Versailles where No.4 has a certain number of beds set apart for Sick
Sisters, where they could be accommodated. Col. Leishman returned from the front with good reports
from Clearing Hospitals.
Letter from Matron in Chief. Staffs for new hospitals to be met with what Nursing Staffs here
at my disposal, and the weekly instalment of nurses arriving. In this arrangement the difficulty of
Matrons will be the only question which may need serious consideration in
consequence of the size of these new units, and the number of units already
established requiring people of great experience at their head.
Wire from DMS Canadians re staff for Canadian Casualty
Clearing Stations – wired for them.
13.02.15
Left midst wind and rain for Etretat. Went via Dieppe, St. Valery and Fecamp –
arrived 4pm after a very trying journey.
Etretat a beautiful seaside village. No.1 General Hospital seems to
occupy most of the town, the Hospital occupying 2 Hotels – The Casino, a
private house as an officers’ building and another building where there are a
splendid arrangement for bathing of Troops – 60 bathrooms where the men on
arrival day or night can have hot baths – this is a great boon, and the men
revel in this luxury when arriving from the front in the Ambulance Trains. The Nursing Staff are well accommodated in
another Hotel, where they are most comfortable, and where they run their own
Mess. Miss Hodgins the Matron is doing excellent work and the CO is loud in his
praises of many of the staff, especially Miss Perkins who is managing one of
the Hotels excellently and Miss Jacob who is managing the Officers’ Hospital in
a very businesslike and satisfactory manner.
The Nursing Staff health is good.
Everything appeared satisfactory and running smoothly. These scattered charges increase work and
anxiety considerably. The Matron has an
excellent Red Cross store which she says is kept well supplied with goods
mainly by her friends.
14.02.15
Havre
Left after breakfast for Havre – arrived noon – reported
myself ADMS office, then on to the Quai, where I found Miss Richards and her
Commanding Officer. The Hospital was
very full with patients waiting to go home who had been delayed by the bad
weather, and the inability of the Hospital Ships to come in. Everything here as is always was in
excellent order, and since my last visit the nurses’ accommodation had been
very much improved by a wing being added so that all have now a bedroom to themselves. A bathroom also had been provided. The Staff here consists of 20, more nurses
now being required in consequence of the beds for officers now being constantly
occupied.
After lunch I visited the Casino, the Palais de Regatta
and the Officers’ Hospital, all in excellent order. Miss Lyde, Miss G.G. Wilson and Miss Barber being in charge.
Then went to No.6 Stationary Hospital where Miss C. Mackay
is in charge – a fine building.
Everything was in good order and seemed well managed. The Staff accommodated in a house which had
just been taken and which was I believe very comfortable – this I did not see,
there was not time. I have arranged for
Miss Richards to be responsible for this area and to visit the Hospital Ships
on arrival so that I can be kept in touch with their requirements. I stayed at the Officers’ Hospital where I was most
comfortably accommodated. 27 officers
were in with only 1 empty bed. No-one
very serious ill. This is a very well
managed hospital – everything being in first rate order.
15.02.15
Rouen
Returned via Rouen.
Saw the ADMS before leaving.
Had lunch at Rouen with Major Becher who is waiting to go to the front
and where I also met Sir Bertrand Dawson and Sir Berkley Moynihan.
Arrived Abbeville 5pm where I found many letters awaiting
me, including one from the Matron-in-Chief who apparently thought we were still
employing Red Cross Nurses in Military Hospitals, and had also taken on
VADs! The mistake originating I imagine
in consequence of the VADs being taken on in the end at the Refugee Hospital
after their order being cancelled and their being sent out in spite of
receiving the order not to come. Replied explaining the matter.
16.02.15
Abbeville
Busy all day with correspondence. Wire arrived informing us of the arrival of
34 nurses on 17th. Instructed
Miss Wilson to meet them. Extra nurses
required at 2 and 3 Clearing Hospitals. Telephone message from Mrs Watson –
arranged to meet her tomorrow.
17.02.15
Boulogne
Left early for Boulogne – arrived in good time. Called to enquire for Miss Close who has
pneumonia. Had lunch with Mrs Watson, who talked a great deal about
her trip to Dunkirk, where she had been inspecting the Anglo-French Hospitals,
some of which she considered very satisfactory and others indifferent. Saw Miss Wilson and told her about her
orders to return to England. She had
intended to go on leave – this she has had to postpone as Miss Tunley who I
have arranged to relieve her cannot come until Miss Lyde has arrived at 10
Stationary to relieve her. Miss Smith
at 7 Stationary was busy opening a third floor for officers. Miss Plaskitt from No.1 Ambulance Train came
to see me, she just having relieved Miss Knowles who is going to a Casualty
Clearing Station. One of the Sisters
not suitable for train work who I changed – the OC of 6 Ambulance Train also
found his new Sister i/c not suitable – Miss Wilson-Jayne.
18.02.15
St. Omer
Left after lunch for GHQ arriving about 4pm. Went to Headquarters and from there to 10
Stationary where I saw the OC and told him of the impending changes. He is very grieved to part with Miss Tunley,
but would not stand in the way of her advancement in any way, and said he had
been so fortunate in the Staff he had, that he was sure that I would select
someone suitable to fill the vacancy.
Miss Lyde has been instructed to proceed from 2 General Hospital
forthwith. Stayed at the new Sisters’ Mess – a very comfortable one where a
room has been set apart for me, the OC very kindly providing a bed. The Staff using their Camp Kit.
After breakfast visited the refugee enteric hospital,
report attached.
Returned to GHQ after arranging to send a substitute to 9
CCS to fill vacancy made by Nurse Cook contracting SF. She is being transferred to 14 Stationary
Hospital. Returned to Abbeville
4pm. Found a telegram from 14 General
Hospital saying Staff Nurse E. H. Cole was dangerously ill, later one saying
her condition critical. Wired for news
as to what was the matter – received reply ‘cerebro-spinal fever.’ Immediately Col. Leishman heard he
telephoned to GHQ for some special to come to be sent at once to 14 General
Hospital, and arranged that I should go with him the first thing in the morning
to 14 General to see her.
20.02.15
Left with Colonel Leishman for Boulogne, arrived
11am. Went to ADMS office and then to
14 General where we saw Miss Cole. She
had a headache on Thursday 18th.
Friday 19th while dressing evidently fell unconscious on the
floor where Miss Clements the Matron found her. Sir Bertrand Dawson was sent for. She had every care and attention including vaccine treatment to
which she was beginning to react, giving a small ray of hope. Her friends had been informed. She had specials and a comfortable quiet
room quite to herself, where she was lying quite unconscious apparently out of
pain, but breathing heavily.
From there we went to 14 Stationary Hospital which we went
over. The Hospital is expanding and the
enteric and various infectious diseases increasing. More huts are being built and the OC Major Evans is most anxious
to be the only Enteric Hospital in the district and to take all enterics. He is able to expand to a very great extent
by going on building huts. The Matron will be requiring a much larger staff and
she is arranging to have all her staff together and entirely under her
control. The nurses who have been there
since October I am now moving and replacing them by fresh nurses as I consulted
the Medical Officer on this subject and though he will be, like the Matron,
very sorry to part with many of them, he thinks the change is necessary. The whole staff have been working very hard,
and have come into contact with every sort of infectious case since October and
not one of the staff have contracted any infectious complaint nor suffered from
any illness of a serious nature. Before returning we called in at 14 General Hospital to
get the latest bulletin. She was about
the same.
Abbeville
Got back about 5pm, to find everyone very excited about
Sir J. French’s despatch and those who had been mentioned and those who had
received honours. A certain number of
the Nursing Staff had been mentioned which will give great pleasure to
everyone. All have worked well I hear
on all sides and many most excellently, in a truly devoted, unselfish, nurse like
manner and are continuing to do so.
21.02.15
Abbeville
Heard early in the morning that poor Nurse has died. Busy all day writing letters and arranging
about the Staff. Miss Fletcher the Red
+ Matron called in the afternoon on her way from Rouen about the Matron of the
Red + Officers’ Hospital who doesn’t seem to be satisfactory. Miss Bills only left there Feb 1st
after wheeling the place into line.
Miss Fletcher suggested that the present Matron should be replaced by
Mrs de Winton now at the Anglo-American Hospital, apparently a busy, capable
woman, but who had had some difficulty with the Lady Patroness, Lady Hadfield,
who had discharged her before this Hospital had been placed under Military
Control.
22.02.15
Boulogne
Left early with Miss Barbier for Boulogne to attend Miss
Cole's funeral, which took place at Wimereux.
A large number of Officers and Nursing Sisters attended the funeral and
a large number of beautiful wreaths and flowers were sent. Miss Barbier returned to Abbeville. I remained and inspected Sir H. Norman’s
Hospital, where the whole Staff including the Matron is anxious to join the
Reserve. The Commanding Officer is
going to forward their applications recommending. The Hospital 100 beds in a Hotel – small but those well arranged and
comfortable.
Then to Rawal Pindi Hospital which is established in 2
Hotels, with Col. Carr in charge, nursed by Indian Nursing Sisters and
Reserves. Then to the Anglo-American
Hospital (Lady Hadfield’s} where I went with the Commandant Col. Carr to see
Lady Hadfield with reference to the appointment of a new Matron – Mrs de Winton
the present Matron is being transferred to the Red Cross Officers Hospital
Rouen. Much friction had existed between Lady Hadfield and the
present Matron. I pointed out that unless
the Matron had complete control of her Staff it would be quite impossible for a
Hospital to work satisfactorily and that it must be clearly understood that
only trained nurses could work in the wards.
Telegram received stating that Miss Oram is temporarily medically unfit
to proceed here for duty. Miss Tunley
arrived to take over from Miss Wilson, who leaves tomorrow for War Office,
taking with her a letter from me, asking if she might have a few days leave before
joining as she was about to proceed on leave when her orders arrived. Nurses telegraphed for for Casualty Clearing
Stations and Hospital now opening in Rouen.
24.02.15
Before leaving went to 7 Stationary Hospital where I saw
Miss Smith about her new duties. Also
visited Miss Blakeley who was off duty with a cold and told her how extremely
annoyed I was about Miss B. G. Smith and impressed upon her the importance of
seeing that her Staff were dressed according to regulations and wore Regulation
uniform only. Found also that the times
of going on and off duty were varying at different Hospitals and determined to
send definite instructions.Everywhere heavy snowstorm. After many delays and
difficulties arrived at Abbeville 3pm.
Saw DMS reported matters. He
with Col. Beveridge leaving for Marseilles tomorrow.
25.02.15
Abbeville
Busy with correspondence and moves all day. Miss M. S. Smith called on her way to
England on sick leave. On her return
will be put in charge of one of the Hospitals if she is then fit. She has been very seedy and run down –
should have liked to put her on one of the ships but unfortunately she is a bad
sailor. Moved to new office.
Now have quite a good room.
26.02.15
St. Omer
Left early for GHQ arrived noon. Found DG was at Boulogne to return at 5pm. Had lunch at Officers’ Mess and then went to
Malassises Hospital. Saw OC and Miss
Hartigan. Hospital quite full. Now going to expand with marques. Many of the Red Cross Nurse contracts fall
in this week. I have suggested Matron
to let me know whether all are willing to transfer on to the Reserve if
eligible and to let me know without delay.
No more Red Cross are to be sent from England – it seems important to
keep all those who are working well here and to be judged by their work here
and when unsatisfactory have them sent home at once. However I do not know if this suggestion will be considered a
sound one as Miss Grant, Cockburn and Taylor-Hay have and are working
excellently here though not accepted by WO.
Saw DG before leaving St. Omer and found that all
personnel for Hospitals in future will be sent through the War Office, and that
the Red Cross Nurses now employed at the Refugee Hospital are being paid by
Government also as this Hospital increases more nurses will be required. Marques are now in readiness for more
patients arriving tomorrow. The VAD
cook and her assistant are found most valuable in the Sisters’ quarters.
Abbeville 9pm. Got back late. Saw DDMS and reported what I had done.
27.02.15
Abbeville
Busy all day in the office. On the 25th arranged for Miss M. S. Potter to proceed
to Havre to take over Matron’s duties on the Carisbrooke Castle, and Miss
Stronach to proceed to Rouen for Matron’s duties at one of the hospitals now
opening. Letter from Matron-in-Chief
War Office saying Miss Stevens, Matron i/charge of S.S. Asturias was looking
very seedy and overworked and suggested that she should be relieved for a time,
but not yet. I have written that I had
meant to do this for some time. Will
now wait as she wishes for the present, possibly she has some change in view to
suggest.
Had a wire from Dehorted
requesting Miss C. ... return forthwith
to take up her duties again as Matron, Isolation Hospital Aldershot. This I arranged at once – I am exceedingly
sorry to lose her, as she was one of those I had intended to put in charge of
one of the new hospitals. All leave
Home is cancelled after March 1st for the present. Miss Burkitt’s and Miss G Wood’s sick leave
has been extended.
28.02.15
Busy all day in the office. Completed all official returns and claims for the month, ending
today. Received official report of Lady Gifford’s Home for the 1st
month. Everything most satisfactory in
every way, and all sides I hear how delightful it is. A perfect rest in beautiful surroundings and meeting with nothing
but kindness and a hearty welcome on arrival – always a difficulty to find a
vacant bed and always some hoping to go next.
Mrs Robertson Eustace Home should open this coming month. The Hon. Mrs Cyril Ward and Lady Ponsonby’s
Nurses’ Club at Wimereux to open on Tuesday next, March 2nd.
***