In bed all day with severe headaches
Archives for January 2015
Wednesday 20 January 1915
Harry’s Birthday. 29 years of age. Letters from Harry and Sophie White and two from Bessie of Lynn Creek B.C. There are German Zeppelins over Yarmouth and Sandringham. They drop bombs killing many people and damaging property. On leave from 2 till 5 pm. Sent papers off.
Visited the Cathedral of Christ Church. The Bodleian Library, Divinity Hall, Convocation Hall, and Chancellors Court. Back to hospital at 4:30 pm.
*Zeppelins were used by the German Army and Navy during WWI for reconnaissance and bombing missions. The Zeppelins had to be flown at very high altitudes to be effective as they were susceptible to damage by ground fire. Their vulnerability and high altitude flight were to blame for limited success in bombing missions. The first bombing raid by Zeppelins on England took place on the night of January 19th 1914. Zeppelins L3 and L4 had intended to attack Humberside but were thwarted by strong winds. They instead bombed Great Yarmouth and Sheringham
Tuesday 19 January 1915
More letters. Maud of Seagrave. Cyril of Birmingham. Harry of Liverpool.
Sophie White of the Gables etc;
I obtain a pass to go into Oxford from 2 till 5 pm. Back again at 4:30 pm
Monday 18 January 1915
Same as yesterday. I receive letters from Sophie of “The Gables”, Wylde Green, Birmingham, Harry and Aunt Louise of Leicester. Aunt Louise sends me a bunch of grapes and some pears.
Sunday 17 January 1915 fine
Up at 5:30 as usual. No attention to my eye. Visitors call in afternoon. A Mrs. Isobel M Burrows of Oxford asks me to tea at 4:30 pm Tuesday
I have to decline as the hospital hours are from 2 till 5 pm.
Saturday 16 January 1915 fine
Up as usual. No dressing is given to my eye. Am getting “fed up”
Friday 15 January 1915 – fine
We are quartered in the Examining Hall of the Oxford University. Certainly a fine building. Paintings and carvings etc; feeling very strange and would give anything to be out of it. The nurses are territorials and not as nice as those in France. Some bad cases here; Arms and legs off etc; Have notified Harry, Ernest, Mrs George Draycot and Mrs Joseph Draycot (of Seagrave). In afternoon at 3 pm a theatrical company entertain the patients. I converse with the actresses. The hours in hospital are – up at 6 am (but nurses commence to wash patients at 5 am). Breakfast at 8 am. Dinner at 12 noon. Tea at 4:30 pm. Cocoa at 7 pm. Lights out 9 pm.
Wrote a letter to Captain Adamson Officer Commanding Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Winchester regarding new serge puttees, a new cap and trousers for Private White and self
*Territorial Force Nursing Service – Formed in 1908 as part of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act. This group of nurses was intended to serve the Territorial Force (British volunteer reserve forces). During times of peace the nurses of the TFNS worked in civilian capacities but were quickly mobilized at the outbreak of WWI. The TFNS nurses were initially intended to only stay at military hospitals in the UK but some volunteers did travel overseas with the British Expeditionary Force.
Thursday 14 January 1915 – fine
Feeling very sick and unwell. Headache. Nurses are very kind and considerate. The ships Company give all the sick some tobacco and cigarettes and a photo of the ship. We land at Southampton at 7:30 am. A patient died on board at 7 am. Hard luck. Waited around until 10:30 am until taken off the boat for a hospital at Oxford. Arrive at Oxford and driven to hospital in motor cars, Landau’s etc; Oh! You higher ups!
Wednesday 13 January 1915 – rain
Left Rouen Stationary Hospital at 8:30 am for train to Havre where we arrive at 2:30 pm and sailed on the Carisbrooke Castle (Hospital Ship) for England at 7 pm. One man died during the voyage. No sleep during the night.
Tuesday 12 January 1915 – rain
Stayed at Rouen Stationary Hospital all day. Rain.
