TRANSPORT DUTY.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XI, Issue 2, 1 April 1918, Page 67

TRANSPORT DUTY.

On Christmas Eve I went on duty at 8 p.m. at 17th General, Alexandria, and having ten patients to look after who were the most ill m hospital, I had planned my work accordingly. At 10 p.m. the sisters and medical officers came round carolling to the patients . Night superintendent came along at 10.30 p.m. and told me I was wanted, and orders were handed to me that Sisters Greensill, Sutherland, and myself were to leave for Suez on 27/12/17. It was a big surprise as we had been looking forward to going to England m the spring, and naturally felt very disappointed, yet there was nothing to do but accept the inevitable. We could not get any money as Christmas and Boxing Days were holidays. Packing was rushed through, and good-byes said. I had made many friends after being amongst English people over two and a half years. We left Victoria Hotel 7.30 a.m., and motered to Sidi Gaba, where we took trains for Suez, arriving there 5. p.m. An ambulance took us to H.M.T.S. 98, "Tofua." It did seem a small ship after being on an Imperial ship for eleven months, going between Suez and Bombay, Persian Gulf and German East Africa. Patients and officers and men on leave came on board the next day. Some of the men were very ill, and could not be left during the night. Fractured femurs on extension, and one with a Stimins pin through the knee, necessitated very careful handling, but they had to be put m the top bunks for convenience, and worst of all was the hospital being m the extreme bow of the ship. The sea was rough from Colombo, so you can imagine the awkwardness of dressing wounds and the effects on sisters and patients. Personally, I had not that experience, having charge of the dressing room, helped by two orderlies, where we put through between sixty and seventy dressings every morning. Septic cases were done twice a day. The majority of the patients were Australian officers and men, and it was a pleasure to look after them. Our own officers and men were only ninety, but the very best, and many of them who came on as stretcher cases were able to go off the ship on crutches. The trip oiit was uneventful and enjoyable. I said uneventful, but one of our

returned officers, Mr. Braithwaite, became engaged to an Australian sister who was on sick leave. It caused quite a bit of|excitement, but we wisli them every happiness. We called at Albany, where all were entertained to tea m the Town Hall.

Melbourne was our next call, and all Australians disembarked. A band heralded our approach, and the Red Cross sent motor cars after lunch to take all New Zealanders out. They took us all round Melbourne, then on to a reception at Government House. Lady Ferguson gave us a warm welcome, and we had tea. There were many returned Australians sick there also ; 5 p.m. we were entertained to high tea in the city, after which we went to see the pantomine " Aladdin," most enj oyable and pretty, and arrived back at the " Tofua " at midnight. We sailed next day, and it was not long before we saw shores, calm as we thought we were, a feeling of excitement thrilled us at being so near home. We arrived in Wellington on February 6th ; were in the harbour for two hours before getting to the wharf. All had friends to meet them, and patients were soon disembarked, and in all parts of Wellington, and returned early next morning to have dressings done. We stayed on the ship on account of cot cases. Three weeks' leave has been granted, which will go too quickly. We reported to Miss Maclean, who was kindness itself, and received us as though we really belonged to her. I hope this will be interesting to readers of the journal, but life on the ocean waves has its ups and downs Still, it is all a part of the great work and war, and we, as sisters, are proud of the men and privilege to be able to do so much for them. Yours faithfully, Mabel Kittelty, N.Z.A.N.S. Letters from Walton-on-Thames mention the difficulty of preparing for Christmas. "I little thought I Would be again preparing for the feeding of 6100 men. Everything is so expensive and so difficult to get ; one hesitates before on^ purchases anything unnecessary in these days. Clothes, and in fact, everything is frantically dear in England just now. To-day eggs are quoted in the paper at 7d each ; We have paid 5d this Week, and even with the money in our hands they have been unobtainable,

except m twos and threes. Tea and sugar are a great difficulty, neither can be bought . The Weather had been so cold, the tents at Walton had to be taken down, and therefore the numbers reduced for the Winter. The convalescent camp at Hornchurch had been quite full, a»d so prevented -many semi-convale cent patients being sent on, and convoys from France had to be refused for five weeks, but they were then beginning to admit again. Several members of the first fifty si- tors had returned to Walton from France. Sisters Ingi am, Mitchell, Sutherland, and Stewart. They enjoyed their Work m France very much, but Were thankful to have the comforts of England again.

45th Stationary Hospital, E.E.F., 10/12/17. Dear Miss Maclean, — I'm afraid I have been a very poor correspondent since starting out on active service now two years ago. NoW that I am the only representative of the N.Z.A.N.S. Working so far up the line, I felt that I really must Write and tell you a little of our life and work m the above hospital, through Which so many of our mounted men have gone through during the last operations m Palestine. I Was orie of the nursing staff of fifteen (matron, eleven sisters, and three Y.A.D.'s) sent to this hospital at the beginning of November, previously to that it had only M.O.s and orderlies. Our accommodation is for 1050, and for a little time We Were taxed to the utmost, every available bed m use, so you will understand, on both medical and surgical sides of the line, We have had a very strenuous time. Convoy trains Were arriving at all hours, and for a time We got our rest m snatches. Nevertheless it has been a great experience, and one I Would not have missed for a great deal. Another thing m our favour is that the Weather is beautifully cool — m fact, very cold at night — but it makes the Work easier than m heat. Our camp is facing the sea, and until the last Week We have endeavoured to find time to go m for a bathe, bath Water being a scarcity on the Desert. At present I occupy the position of home sister. The matron thought I should pro-

bably be able to make a home m the Deseit, knowing something about housekeeping and Colonial life. Shopping is a great problem, we draw rations, but that does not provide us with much m the Way of change, so we have to use the canteen to supplement our i equirements. All our provisions come on camels, and makes a most interesting sight. Our quarters are very comfortable ; a row of mud huts With verandah m the front. I am enclosing a snapshot to give you an idea. A nice mess-room, "which We are gradually making very homely with deck chairs, Which I have covered with some native linen, camp beds covered With some Oriental material gives quite an Eastern effect to the place. In our bedrooms We have beds provided, and the rest is our camp kit. I have met many friends amongst those who have been wounded m the last fighting, and although I am home sister I keep a good deal m the surgical wards and dressing tents. Naturally I Would rather do Ward Work, but as matron could not find any one Who knew anything about housekeeping, I had to take it on. lam rewarded fo ■ endeavours to make the sisters comfortable, and keep them well fed m that they all look better for the change, m spite of the hard work, and to do honour to our country they are calling the middle block of huts, Where the mess and several bedrooms are, ' ; Te Hinemoa." The matron's hut is called " Coblbeg," Gallic for "My little Home," and the huts on the hill are called " Tredemock/' meaning the " house on the hill," rather pretty and appropriate I think. Our nursing service m Egypt gets smaller every day now, there are only a very few of us oiit that came on the first voyage of the "Marama." Although I have been out East all the time, with India and Persian Gulf as Well, I have kept remarkably Well, and can say I have never had to be off duty for one day from ill-health. I sincerely hope that the New Year will bring us peace, and that our boys will soon be able to return to the land they love so Well, and are longing to see. If any of them are m the Wards they always bail me When they see my badge, and we have quite a talk over where We each come from . Several poor boys have not got any further

than here, their Wounds have proved fatal, and they now lie on a sunny hill facing the sea. Mat. on is very charming, and always sends me down to those Who are very ill m case I may be of some comfort to them, talking about their home.

My kindest wishes to Miss Bicknell, if she is still With you, and the same to you for your good health m all your hard work, and for the coming season. Yours very sincerely, 22/247 Edith M. Lewis.