– very dark night, raining now.

[January] 29^th.  Truslove off duty with Influenza – gone to sick rooms.  Officers are having a Soirée tonight – about 20 Sisters have gone – only 3 from my staff.  It is No. 14 Stationary not General Hospital that has been burnt down.  Poor old Miss Congleton is Ass[istant] Matron there!  I expect had a bad time, she is so highly strung & has had a hard time through this war.
Went for walk toute seule to Bénouville, this morning.  Weather & country very pretty & enjoyable but under a thin white mist.  Heny has gone on leave & perhaps Truslove will go after flue – that gets two of them out of the way for when leave really starts.  Think I will make lace now, so sleep well & au revoir.

[January] 30^th.  Letters from my twin foster babies – must write to them – Hardly slept at all today.  Nurses are the most inconsiderate wretches under the sun – they tramped about slammed doors & pulled plugs to distraction, then the orphans were let loose to kick tins & play - & the paper man blew his horn – toot tooting - & yelling _ “Petit Parisien” – now – at 1:30 a.m., I feel I shall bust if I don’t say what is truly unkind – that the V.A.D. – who sits in this room – will drive me to drink – she talks tracts – gives tracts & is bulging with saintly & innocent holiness – till I could shriek.  I once met her equal at Cousin Walters, but thank Goodness – he went away by train.
Went for a walk toute seule – in a thick white, wet mist – at the top of the hills suddenly found myself – in hot bright sunshine – birds singing – blue sky - & below me – nothing – but fluffy whiteness, that I felt I could jump on to like a feather bed.  After a time that cleared & the day was perfect.  Sea dead calm - the fishing boats look so pretty – painted bright colours & with red sails – going out – in a long line one behind the other – making a vivid reflection in the sea – bunches of clean women standing about to see them off.  Letter from Miss Congleton – she says the fire was awful – too awful to write about.  No-one was hurt.  They are nursing the Enterics in the “Compound” wooden huts – My V.A.D. has just threatened me – with something aloud – from the Church Times – I can’t stand it – I must make my round early.  At 11 o’c. a Sick Officer lurched into the Plage - & asked “Plege ca’nyou te’ me where the shickossifers – hoshpital is?”  There was nothing for it but to take my lord by the arm - & gently lead him there along two streets & up a short hill _ I did not carry my lord’s alight as I did not want anyone to see me arm in arm – with the poor chap – distinctly, the worse for wear – how he got out, I don’t know.
10 a.m.  Poor little V.A.D.  It was horrid of me to feel irritated at her – she is such a good conscientious little soul. 

[January] 31^st.  Quiet night.  M. Parry Evans preached twice at the Anglican Church today - & was much appreciated by those who heard him.  I did not go.  Went for walk along the shore – found a secret passage running under the cliff towards inland went along it for some distance – then came back, bed early.  News of convoy coming in today at 11 o’c. so we shall probably be much busier tomorrow.
I see by today’s paper that bombs have been dropped on Paris – causing loss of life - & material damage.  That will annoy the French so should not be surprised if they did something big in the way of reprisals. 
Quiet night – news of a convoy for today, supposed to be coming in at 11 a.m. but I think I said this at first.

Feb 1^st.  Convoy came.  No very serious cases.  About 5 on the S. I. list (seriously ill).
Miss Garrett has got influenza now. T. 104  Everyone seems to be getting it.  No letters.  New shoes came from Sorosis.  Went for a walk alone, was much alarmed by hearing heavy-ish – firing, came in expecting to hear that a German submarine was at work off our shore but to my joy – found it was gun practise at Havre. 
Hear Paris has been attacked again – They are asking for it!  The G[erman]s I mean – Quiet night.  I went for long walk to Bénouville with Sister Thomas, bed in fair to middling time.  The Sisters of No. 3 C.C.S. are at No. 10 Stationary – for a rest.  Waiting to be sent somewhere.  No. 3 is now a Canadian Unit.

[February] 4^th.  Not a quiet night.  The wind has blown a gale tiles & chimneys have been flying, doors banging.  Craig – our new batman was put here to sleep – as he had a temp - & felt sick.
He rose up in his sleep & walked (as his habit is when ill) & tripped back to the quarters.  The Orderly & I chased after him in double quick time, and after much anxious & fruitless searching, found him fast asleep on his own bed – I didn’t know where the men slept - & had to hunt every coal shed & stable _ till I found their billet – a loft, over stores.  He seems much better this morning his night run in the rain has done him good.  No mail last night.  Have taken great care of my self the last 2 days – feeling a bit influenzaish, each morning been for a brisk short walk, then had a good hot mustard bath over in the Qrs. Rushed like a lunatic from the Qrs. to Annexe where I sleep – to my bed – between blankets. 

[February] 5^th.  All wards seem to be settling down.  One young Officer must be suffering badly from nerves – he is so restless in his sleep - & calls out – “Let ‘em have it – turn on the gas – give it them – now – more – more – get your bayonets to them the swine.”  Then he wakes up in a heavy sweat – fearfully disappointed to find no Bosches to gas & kill.  Weather muggy – starlight.

[February] 6^th.  Quiet night – no excitement so far.
5:30 a.m. I don’t think I told you that two days ago – we had a very sad death – A young lad 21 only who seemed not extremely bad - was taken to the theatre for examination - & died on the table. 5 pints of fluid found in his lungs.
P.S. I have put my exasperating little V.A.D. in a ward where there are two staff nurses - she is very happy there & I have an older & more woman of the world one in the Plage - so that’s an improvement.

Me going to the bath!

[February] 6^th. Quiet night - glorious walk - toute seule - this morning along the Canteen Road

[February] 7. Quiet night. Lovely walk - alone. Fécamp Rd. found no primroses, but very pretty ivy, gorse - & periwinkle. Wrote letters.

[February] 8. Quiet night, no fresh news, one man in the Plage - told me that once - they very nearly took the Crown Prince prisoner, but Von Kluck sacrificed his men - had them terribly cut up - to save the situation for the Prince.
Heavy showers yesterday - & through the night. Quite fine & starlight in between times.

[February] 9th. Roughest night I have known, heavy hail storms & a full gale. I could not breathe, or walk against it, was just blown hard against the walls of the houses. However - I enjoyed it - when I did manage to fight along sideways. Quiet night - am due to come off tomorrow - no letters. We have all been writing strong protests against having our allowances cut off. Don’t know if anything will come of it. Have just had a glorious deep bath - & a glass of Bengers food - (with brandy) & am going to get into bed. Hope you are sleeping well now-a-days.
10th. Quiet night - am not off night duty yet. Bought an old Normandy paste - a St. Esprit jewel (pendant) for 150 francs. Went for a walk with Thomas. Saw some beautiful little terrier pups at the Canteen. Mother will not be bothered to feed them so we bought the corporal a babies feeding bottle for them. Bed - bon nuit.

[February] 11th. Told to take over No 3 Casino tomorrow morning.
Poured all night - did not go out - went to night cottage to hear Thomas playing piano.
Mair, Gibbens & Johnstone have gone to Havre, Craig has to go this afternoon, so they will be a very tired family tonight.

[February] 12^th. Came off night duty this morning. Am taking Ritchie-Thomson [Ritchie-Thompson?] ward. Casino 3 & 4. Convoy coming tomorrow, so probably we shall all be called early. No letters.

[February] 13^th. Convoy of 400 - or 399 to be exact - arrived at 6 a.m. My one ward is quite full - & the other not as it was in quarantine after a case of Scarlet fever. So I was not so busy as most people. No church - no letters, no off duty - no inclination to write - Have felt very ill all day - always do changing from night to day duty. Hope for better things. Good night - Mother - sleep well. I wouldn’t mind being there too.

[February] 14^th. Intensely cold day - gale blowing - went for a trudge along the shore this afternoon & loved it. Convoy settling down, some wards very heavy - mine not at all so - at present. No letters, no news.

[February] 15^th. There is a big gale blowing shutters, glass, tin keep crashing down from somewhere & hurrying towards the N.E. This house is rocking & shaking & gritty stuff falls constantly. I am wondering if it is the mortar & the bricks come next. Bang! another shutter, there won’t be many left on the Blanquet! [ex-Hotel in Etretat] More glass - This is the biggest blow I have ever sat through - I got out of bed a long time ago. Only wish I dare open my shutters (which by the way - I had to put gum boots & a mackintosh on - to shut) to look at the sea - it sounds like high tide & a tremendous one. We have heavy zinc tins for refuse - outside our quarters. I think they have all made off. My room has French doors for windows. One large pane was blown out in a recent gale, & now with my shutters shut, the wind is blowing through with such force that the curtain is in a streak straight across the ceiling. If I wrote down every time something crashed you would be tired of it, because something is - about every few seconds. Now I must think about dressing. Expect you are getting it too - it is a big blow.

[February] 16^th. The enemy score one today - they have made a big attack near Ypres - & taken 600 yds of trenches.
Tremendously rough day - the place is strewn with broken glass - slate & woodwork. The natives say it is the same every year - & that is why the entire place is battened up & closed during the months of winter. Our English patients who left this morning are held up at Havre as it is too rough for the hospital ship to go.

[February] 17^th. Am dead beat with the weather. A gale has been blowing for days - without ceasing one minute, & the tremendous noise of sea & wind all day & all night - is really very tiring. Our E[nglish] patients are still held up, waiting for the sea to calm down. Lena Ashwell’s concert - on duty did not go - Convoy tomorrow I believe.

[February] 18^th. No convoy - storm continues - we are all dead beat.

[February] 19^th. News of convoy in early morning, all to get up early.

[February] 20^th. Convoy arrived at 7.15 (not a bad time) - not a heavy one. Filled No 3 & part of 4. One poor young fellow only 24 yrs. died after 4 hours - deadly gas gangrene, & another had his leg off at once - to save the same thing happening. He is such a nice man - with wife & 6 children - do hope he will do well (Faulkner by name).
One man tells me that the Station Master & our driver at Pop[eringhe] have been shot as spies - good luck! The more the better – no wonder – some of the shells – made decent shots for the station.  The place is riddled with spy vermin. – No letters – Good bye.

[February] 21.  Busy day – in a way – Mair off – also S. R. ward calm.

[February] 22^nd.  Hy Mother – this is a morning to be alive on!  Everything covered in snow - & the impatient cold sea beating itself into white foam at my very feet.  Cliffs & rocks – cold - & clear. (6:30 a.m.).  Now I must get up – good morning.

[February] 23^rd.  My view from my window this 6:30 a.m. – is beautiful.  Boats, rocks, boathouses, beach, all thick in snow.  There has been little of interest in the ward for you lately.  Raper & I went to the woods yesterday & picked primroses & catkins & were caught in two snowstorms.  My poor old amputation man told me about his wounding y/day.  He is a gunner & he & his mate had had a busy day dragging their guns over a ploughed field to a fresh pit & had finished firing & were waiting to be relieved when the enemy started shelling – It was too violent a bombardment for the reliefs to come up, so he & his mate stayed by their gun.  After a bit a shell came right in to them blowing his mate to bits wounding his own knee but never touched the gun.  The shock of seeing his mate in bits made him a little light headed & the only thing he could think of to do was to get someone to help him (his mate).  He cut off all his equipment & dragged himself to some stretcher bearers in a trench 50 yds off - & implored them to go & save his mate.  Of course when they knew he was dead they didn’t go.  They put our man on a stretcher & trotted him off to the nearest dressing station.  If he had stayed in his gun pit, he would probably have bled to death.

[February] 24^th.  Evidently the spring water on the shore is hotter than the sea.  I am watching the tide come up (7 a.m.) & as it covers the rocks, & stones where the springs are – huge clouds of steam rise –

It has been an intensely cold night.  Sleep was out of the question for a long time – Everything is frozen solid this morning – inside & out & oh! I have to dress.

[February] 25^th.  Up at 3 a.m. to receive new Convoy.  Very tired now.

[February] 26^th.  It was not a big Convoy yesterday only about 300 but as we were fairly full before – it gave us a very busy day, poor beggars! They were cold – 3 a.m. is a chilly time to arrive, & Étretat was well under snow, & becoming more so.  Today is the same – everything is thick in white unmelted snow, only little edges of shelter round each boat show brown beach.  Cliffs, huts, houses, boats, breakwaters all thickly covered & looking very beautiful & unsuggestive of war; but the nights are cold & I could not get warm enough to sleep for such a long time.  The night is silent here – not even a clock strikes, so perhaps the time seemed longer than it really was – The Sentries change at 2 a.m. & I didn’t hear them!  All leave is stopped.  Looks like work ahead – Alors – We can only do our best.

[February] 27^th.  I am frozen stiff so won’t stop to write more now.

[February] 28^th.  Ditto – Snowing & pouring all day – Bad headache –

[February] 29^th.  The mail boat has not been allowed to cross lately as the Channel is thick with mines & submarines.  6 vessels have been sunk in the last few days & sad to say, lives lost.  This morning (6:30 a.m.) it happens to be a little less icy, there is no sign of snow about.  Everything including the sea is lead colour, & all looks calm - more snow perhaps.  No. 3 ward is light – No. 4 very heavy really although the ward has only 18 patients, it is a back breaking one to work in, they are always so very heavy.

March 3^rd.  English mail in – we are really very busy – Convoys in & out constantly, & we are very much under our complement of Sisters (about 20 short) V.A.D.s the same - & 40 Orderlies short.  Went for a short walk last night first for a long time – Delightful!

[March] 4^th.  Have a good old fashioned cold – went straight to bed - & Madame brought me Bengers with brandy in.

[March] 5^th.  All things have conspired to make the day seem long.  Convoy – cold - & horrid headache – but oh! Joy – it did end - & I found home letters awaiting me.

[March] 6^th.  Busy day – poor Kerr (Pneumonia etc – etc).  I am afraid will not weather the storm, & poor old Sgt. Middleton is as bad as he can be & so is Rudman, poor dears – I do wish they could get better.  Was off duty in afternoon – walked up cliff, caught in snow storm, back early – bathed - tea with Madame.  Very tired – don’t know why?

[March] 7^th.  Slept  through the first bell - & woke at the second – to find my room aglow with a beautiful pink light.  The outside world was a foot deep under snow.  Telephone wires looking like those fluffy bell pulls about 3 inches round in snow & all glittering in the early morning sunshine.  Truly beautiful & unwarlike.

Telephone wires covered in snow.

Now I must quickly dress or I shall be late for breakfast, but by tonight – if the snow thaws – I may forget what the morning was like – as there is plenty every day to drive out all thoughts but patients – wards – etc lists, & Convoys.

[March] 8^th.  I want to write to you today – but whether I shall or not is a different matter.  We have a big Convoy to get off to England - & another arriving – supposed at 10 a.m. so we shall not be slack – but – the difference – here we have about 12 hrs. notice of a Convoy coming - & up the line they just tumbled in at all hours of the day & night.  My heart is very sore for one poor boy, or for his Mother – We have had him 10 days – & he is no better & is in a state to die at any moment.  I am writing to his Mother & telling her so, she is evidently a refined old lady – writes back to say she is “so glad to hear Charlie is with us – the rest & good food will do him good”.  Have my letters not reached her? Or won’t she understand that the boy is dying.  I think he must have been gassed – he is purple & just like a gas patient.
Étretat is beautiful – this is Ash Wednesday - & I ought to be at the 6:45 service but some horrid crank always takes me in Lent.  I miss more services & eat more nice things & smoke more than any time of the year. Étretat is really beautiful now.  Yesterday’s snow, thawed a little in the sunshine, but is still deep & frozen again with the night’s frost.  My Western horizon is just tinged with pale pink which suits the soft clouds & pale blue sea to distraction & the cliffs are a picture in themselves all snow covered & rugged – No letters from England last night.  Now I must get up!  If only I could sketch I would make the most lovely little pictures in this diary.

[March] 9^th.  I was to have been called at 2 a.m. to help in with a heavy convoy, so went to bed & to sleep at 9 p.m. & the next thing I knew it was 1/4 past 6 – broad daylight - & no one had called me & even now - here I sit in my night attire - 7 a.m. trusting it is all right & that the convoy has been held up somewhere & that we are to go to second breakfast as usual.
The morning is as yesterday, the sea perhaps a trifle calmer & more shimmering - tide further off, & the brown rocks glowing red in the light of the rising sun. Yesterday was a delightful day of calm between the storms, of despatching a large convoy & receiving the one that didn’t come. My pneumonia boy benefited from the quiet & perhaps… the creature has a chance, & feel he must get better - for his Mother, poor thing, she wrote to me - & said she was heartbroken - however, it was no good for me to pretend he was not dangerously ill. He was - & is. I must get up now, for Matron Miss E. M. Denne – [see http://rcnarchive.rcn.org.uk/data/VOLUME058-1917/page007-volume58-6thjanuary1917.pdf] had sudden orders to go to Havre to relieve Miss Steen invalided home. She was sorry to go - & we to lose her, although it is a great promotion. She will be Principal Matron of the Havre district soon. Get up.

[March] 10^th. Very big day Convoy arrived 7.40 - 590 men chiefly sick - only about 30 badly wounded.  I had in a few wounded - but the greater part - fully all my beds - & extra mattresses on the floor were such things as trench foot. 1 CT & one advanced Ø. The day was very busy & poor Kerr worse - I am sure that boy has been gassed & will die. Shouldn’t be surprised to find his cot empty when I go on duty. Poor Mother - how will she take it? No letters - no off duty - weather - I hardly remember - not so cold - I think.

[March] 12^th. Too much sadness to write about, besides being dead beat.

[March] 13th. My poor little boy Kerr died yesterday, he had been in 15 days suffering from gas - pneumonia, bronchitis & has been extremely & dangerously ill all the time, but only the day before yesterday he realized that he was not going to get well. I am glad to say we never left him night or day & he was fond of us all. Yesterday was a difficult day to be “Sister” - He kept whispering all sorts of messages for home & his fiancée - then he would call “Sister” & when I bent down to hear - “I do love you” “when I’m gone, will you kiss me?” - & all the time heads would be popping in “Sister - 20 No – so & so – to - - - -.” “The S. Sgt wants to know if you can lend him a couple of men to…” This & that - but in spite of all - I did kiss the boy first for his Mother & then for myself - which pleased him - then he whispered “but you still will when I’m gone.” The night before he asked me what dying would be like - & said it seemed so unsatisfactory - he felt too young to die - & not even wounded - only of bronchitis. Then another time he said, “They wouldn’t let me go sick every time they said it was rheumatism & would wear off - & marching with full pack & dodging the shells was dreadful. Thank Goodness - what I told him dying would be like happened - exactly - a clear gift of Providence. I told him it would be - that little by little his breatheing would get easier - & he would feel tired & like going to sleep - & then he would just sleep - & with no morphia - that is exactly what did happen - without a struggle. He was quite conscious up to 20 minutes before he died. I just asked him now & then if he knew I was still with him. “Yes” - & you’re quite happy - aren’t you? & he distinctly said “Yes, quite” Then the last & very trying part for the Sister was to walk along to the other end of the village - beside the poor dead thing - to see him decently put - in the mortuary. With hundreds of French eyes turned “full on”. Our own people always clear out of the way when they see it coming. We sent 13 to England yesterday & are getting a new convoy in today, so I must dress quickly. This is really the only time I have for my own writing, every day is busy - & at night I am too tired - now I must get up.

[March] 14^th. View perfect, sea dead calm & reflecting the deep rose-yellow & blue of the Western sky. The sun will soon be up. 6.30 a.m.
A bugle has just gone - which means an ambulance train in - & I expect we shall be called for early breakfast! 7 a.m. instead of 7.45. We have much to be thankful for that many patients went to England the day before yesterday, & Convoy did not arrive yesterday - 3 more Sisters went down with measles, making our staff about 26 under number. The rest of us have been spread out to the best advantage but it has meant precious hard work - & no off duty times. Imagine my joy - when I was in Constable’s room - telling her - she must report her rash - out of fairness to other people etc. - to see - 8 beautiful fully trained Sisters arriving at the Quarters - all in the pink of health. (Three fishing boats have just launched - & look like an old Bible picture - with their dark red sails - & making a long reflection.) Dear things - we nearly fell on their necks with joy. They have just come home - from a slack time in Egypt so ought to be good for work now. (Another boat just off - the four of them are racing.) As is always the way - everything in the way of relief happens at once - my three heavy cases died - the Convoy did not come - & 8 new Sisters did. Did I say Sgt Middleton died the same day as Kerr - & they were buried together, & chose a glorious sunny afternoon for it - both had been in about the same time.
The third was an abdominal - poor creature came in in an agony - & remained in it till he died - having been operated on - & all things possible done. P.M. exam showed it was typhoid. No new Matron yet & poor Miss R. not at all well - & worked all yesterday with a T. of 102.4.

This quaint liner is just scurrying past for dear life, as if it trying to dodge torpedoes.

[March] 15^th. We were all called for early breakfast & got on duty just before the Convoy arrived. Not a big one, only 300 odd - we filled right up in 3 - & 5 fractures in to 4. 3 are on the S. I. list but I think there are good hopes for all of them. Sam Murphy has both legs broken & his left eye shot out - Burke one leg badly broken - & Moules - in 3. gas gangrene of shoulder - badly wounded. It was a great relief having these 8 new Sisters & I was able to give 3 of my people off duty time. No mail last night. The morning is blue grey today. We were all struck with wonder at the change & glory of our sea view from the Casino - Colours! sunset reflected in the water - lights on cliffs perfect!

[March] 16^th. 3.15 Quiet day yesterday - Off evening - raining - short walk - bath, odded about - morning misty.

17.3.16.  The orderlies of this Unit are chiefly Irish & we shall have a glorious time with them today - St. Patricks Day. They have started by marching down to Parade WITH A BAND!  & such a band – whistles & drums – playing Irish airs – at 2 p.m. there is to be a football match England v. Ireland. After that we will draw a veil!
The sea is angry about something this morning, can’t imagine what – there is no wind at all – may be because the fishing boats are late in getting off.  The men are chasing round now - & won’t be long, but when they heard our Irishman’s band it was too much for them – they ran to see the excitement.
Yesterday it rained incessantly all day – In the afternoon Constable and I walked along the beach – the only clean place & watched the fishing boats come in.  The fishermen live a very sporting life – they race to get off in the morning & race back in the afternoon.  First boat ashore sells its fish first.  There is a salesman who goes from boat to boat as the fish is unloaded - & sells the haul by auction.  It takes the men about 2 mins to arrange the fish, all cod together soles – plaice – dogfish crabs – all separately.  Then the salesman - & crowds of women with baskets follow on & hold the sale.  It is most entertaining to watch.
Before the war they used to throw dogfish away now they get 10d each for them.  One of my V.A.D.s has been taken to go to another ward – as 2 more folk – a Sister & a V.A.D. have gone sick, so we are under staffed again. However we won’t cry out till we are hurt  - Leedam –1/2 day yesterday.

[March] 18^th. It suddenly struck me at breakfast y’day – that I might take a half day myself – so asked for it & did.  At Sisters’ breakfast we fermented a plan – Allen, Wilson, Marcey & I to hire the old Ford & go to Caudebec en Caux – The morning was wet with fine rain falling, but it was a chance in a hundred.  Car rolled up at 2 sharp & off we went.  Wilson had been in the theatre all morning & did not come to either lunch – so the other 3 of us flew along – hoofed her out to get some food – cleaned the place & instruments for her & all were ready to start punctually.  The rain cleared after we had gone a few miles – Sun shone brightly & all went “merry as a marriage bell.”  The scenery was glorious, first part through pretty country lanes carpeted with primroses.  (I threatened to get out at every fresh patch, but was not allowed to.) & small villages, & old villages, all interesting Criquetot, Bolbec – Colbec, Gon – I can’t remember the names.  Then through a long & wonderful stretch of country overlooking the Seine.  The lights & shades on the river & country on the right, & high cliffs on the left, overgrown with beautiful vegetation, gave us much to do to realize.  We drove slowly & silently through it all, at one place nestled in the cliffs, we saw a homestead, well kept with an aviary of rare birds, peacocks & creatures whose names I don’t know who squawked & strutted about, & looked very pretty.  The wild birds were singing beautifully but not showing themselves much.  The next village – Lillebonne – very old – was interesting for its old Roman ruins – of which I will send you p.cs – much more good description than I could give of the Theatre & Palace.  It was evidently an open air Theatre.  We drove slowly all round & about the place & then on through equally pretty scenery in Caudebec en Caux.  The Seine is navigable here - & we saw 6 quite big steamers on their way to Paris.  It is a very favourite place of English visitors in the Summer.  Our driver told us the winter population was 2,000 – summer – 6,000.  We put up at the Hotel de la Marine – ordered tea – omelette – toast & tea – then looked about the place – Cathedral, shops - & town itself – all very interesting – some of the streets are very narrow - & one street is a canal – It is very pretty to look down it, with its very old houses on either side.  Then back to tea, over which we lingered – the view was so pretty – across the Seine to dim hills beyond - & right in front of us the Ferry boat, which was busy.  We on-loaded at 10 to 6 & returned by Ivetot [Yvetot].  A few miles out the engine stopped dead, the other three sat tight, but as I had to get down – being in front, I stayed down - & went for a ramble in the woods.  After tinkering about for some time our man discovered that we had run out of Petrol.  So back to C en C we went - ran down hill with no engine working, bought up all one man’s petrol – on to another village – bought all we wanted & then started again - & had a fair run home – through pretty scenery & old villages all the way – first in twilight then in bright moon & star light, having had a glorious feast of fresh air - & pretty country.
The football match ended in a win for us – England 2 to 1.  Patients who were able were allowed to attend the match & 12 Irish men – in their hospital blues – faces blacked & gay turbans – got up a wonderful band – of whistles & drums - & headed them.  Such a procession of the maimed the sick the halt & the blind! & men in wheel chairs – you never saw.  No home letters.  Must get up.

[March] 19^th.  Quiet – sent many patients to England yesterday – are now reduced to 4 in 3 & 5 in 4 – Being so empty – I turned everyone on to work yesterday & had every bed & every scrap of everything put out in the Parade - & the whole place cleaned from top to toe – It looks lovely now.  We made lunch for them at11 o’c - & made them call a halt for refreshment.  They seemed to love their job better than slacking about, they are good creatures.   (I mean the patients), the Orderlies are good too.
Went for a walk in evening picked primroses & watched the sun set.

[March] 20^th.  Miss Denne & the A.D.M.S. & a couple of civilian lady visitors came round yesterday.  My No. 4 ward – is for – “fractures of the lower extremity.”  One visitor remarked after I had shown her round – that they all seemed to have broken legs in that ward – I suppose she didn’t realize what lower extremities are.  She was a charming woman - & so nice with the men.  Gave all my three extra off time yesterday – if no Convoy comes – shall take some myself today.

21/3/16.  Leedam & I both had the half day yesterday.  Marcey - & Truslove too. We – Marcey Truslove & I – walked to Benouville in the rain – picked primroses – they are hanging from the banks like yellow tufts now & never seem to get any fewer – very pretty.  At Benouville, we looked around peeped into the church – found service in progress – so went to the Café for tea – we had bloaters – boiled eggs – toast & tea – after tea the woman showed us her old china & pewter.  Such a nice little woman her husband is at the War & she was busy making herself a coat out of an old one of his - She turned the stuff & piped it with black velvet - & made a strap for the waist & sleeeves - & it looked very smart. These people are marvels - on no money they always look smart - rather like a certain maternal relation of mine I think. Walked back through heavy rain - bathed - visited Burnett, who is better. Bed early - no letters.

23/3/16 - The day before yesterday - I went for a walk with Marcey & Truslove - to the woods - & lost my pen case with pen & nail cleaner in - if I am off today I shall go & look for it. Now I am reduced to one of the old fashioned dip-in-each-time. Yesterday we had in a big Convoy - filling us right up - Some very serious cases amongst them. The man “Moules” in my Ward of the shoulder - had another operation yesterday. They found pus in the joint & a good deal of necrosed bone - poor man - he has a painful time between him & recovery I’m afraid.
In 4 - we took only 3 fractures but filled up - to relieve other wards - one - an old man of 59 such a dear old thing has both legs badly wounded
& may have to lose one - but we hope not - Letter from Miss Cong[leton].

[March] 24^th. Busy day - y’day. Off in evening - Walked to woods to look for my pen etc - Did not find them. Heard that THIRTY FIVE new Sisters are arriving today - from a hospital in Egypt - that has been closed - They will only be here for the time being - & be sent where they are wanted - we could do with 12 ourselves. Wonder if leave will start on the strength of it.

[March] 25^th. Lady Day. The 35 did not come y’day - although every preparation was made for them - The sitting room gutted of furniture & 20 camp beds erected & made up - the rest 15 - in bedrooms - thank goodness - not mine - at night we got a message to say only 10 were coming - they didn’t turn up - so perhaps this morning we shall hear it is all a hoax  - we have built such castles in air on them too! 6 or 10 to go on leave at the same time - Days off - Got wot not - Off in evening spent money - books - for my Godchild - & my foster babies - an interesting mag - & another [?] pen - a vase for Constable, & ordered a clock - 5 inches across the face - hexagonal - very old - hope it will go well - comme ça - took my fancy.

Pretty morning - white horses on a blue grey sea - bright sunshine making the rocks gleam red & green - & all colours - 1st fishing boat just gone off - won’t say it looks… it would bore you - should love a life on the ocean wave at least just now I think I should - Am leaving Casino 3 & 4 today - & going to Roche D. Ritchie Thomson [Ritchie-Thompson] coming back - to her room from night duty. Bugle - get up.

[March] 26^th. A day of quick change - handed over Casino 3 & 4 to Ritchie - took over D. Roche - 3 hours later - was sent off to be ready for night duty. Thomas (T.F) had an operation suddenly & I am doing night duty. She is so far doing well - & a good patient. She had a lb.2 cyst removed from her inside - not off duty yesterday - none of the threatened sisters have come. There are two tiresome little V.A.D.s in the room next this coughing their heads off - I never did like coughs - I have filled them up with glycerine, lemon - & given them hot milk - but still they bark. Yesterday was the Annunciation of the B.V.M. The R.C.s had a great time - They had a wonderful procession all round the town - & I suppose had a great time. Thomas was sensible. Colonel Gray was called in to examine her - & when he said she must be operated on at once - she trusted on him doing it. It would be too truly awful to be operated on by a man you know well & are working with.

[March] 27^th. Second night 2/3s done. My patient is very good & doing well but sleeps very badly. She likes to lie with me in the room & the light out, so many good hours I spent sitting & doing nothing more than thinking - can’t even make lace to pass the time. However - it is not wasted time.
The 10 Sisters arrived yesterday. All Terriors [Territorials?]. They are supposed to be a new Unit - but cannot find a place to settle. Amongst them is Hindle - a Bart’s contemporary of mine - By the way did I tell you that Thomas, whom I am nursing, is a Nottingham Children’s Hosp - friend of mine. I wonder if they will let us go on leave now - same old motto “wait & see”.

[March] 28. Thomas has not had a good day - but seems inclined to sleep tonight. My 3rd night - there is a terrific storm in progress - shutters being blown down - These windows have just blown open in spite of the shutters being fastened. Tins - I can’t image what sort - but they sound heavy - are racing off down the street for dear life - went for short walk bath & bed - slept rather more than the day before but is is an aggravating business trying to sleep in the daytime.
The 10 new Sisters are to be made use of while they are with us. They have done no work for a long time - 8 are wards - 2 in the Qrs. 3.45 a.m. I have just been to the kitchen for my supper! Cats! Poor - mangy starved looking creatures stealing what they can find to eat - Quite 12 of them. Really one would think this was the only place in Étretat where there was food. 11 of them are for destruction today. One very mangy one - was 1/2 in the stock pot eating meat off a bone! I think I will be off soup for a bit. Local tragedy. Our hairdresser’s maid stole off to the woods at 1 a.m. yesterday. Some children - plucking [picking] flowers early, saw her staggering back - & a little later found the body of a newborn baby - still warm. The girl has been taken to prison - poor thing.

[March] 29^th. Nothing to say - Patient doing well - thank God - No tea left out downstairs, so have had milk & water for supper - nice but not refreshing as tea - Tremendous gale still blowing - more shutters down - It is quite the thing in Étretat - apparently & they don’t come gently. Went for a lovely long walk to some woods to find daffodils, found carpets of primroses but no daffs. Am too sleepy to think straight & the hospital is getting very empty. People are having days off.

[March] 30^th. Quiet night so far - (4 a.m.). Thomas is still doing well. Letter from Hilda tonight telling me Basil Blogg has been killed - How terrible for poor Mrs. Blogg - let us hope the other two will keep safe. Went for lovely walk - alone - this morning - miles along the Canteen Rd. Beautiful hilly country - both sides of me - some parts thickly wooded, some smothered in primroses & daffodils - The air was sweet with their scent - larks singing - the colouring of the whole sky & country wonderful. It would have been a perfect feast for an impressionist!
How some of the sisters can spend their half days off - in going to Havre - I don’t know - the car we have is an awful old broken down thing. Yesterday they got back at 11 p.m. instead of 6.30 - car had broken down on the way back - & was stranded until another car came by - & towed them in - they used blankets knotted together for a tow rope.

[March] 31^st.  My 6th night 2/3s  done – not much like active Service.  My patient has slept all night - & I have sat in a chair.  I am looking after a sick V.A.D. too, have been to her room twice, both times the door has made a disastrous noise but she has not stirred.  Marcey & I went for a glorious walk to the woods - & brought back a big basket full of daffodils, primroses, blue & white violets, anenomies etc.
Children would think they were in fairy land – Elizabeth would be in her element – the sky was intensely blue & the birds singing ecstatically – No letters no news.  Smith (D) has gone on leave – after measles.  No news of us getting it.

April 1st.  Very foggy – yesterday – went for walk – bed – Patient doing well so far.  We have such a charming cook for our Mess – He has fits & is very small – yesterday – I was asking him for a fried potato to take to eat before I went to bed - & as he turned round to say “yes” pulled the whole tin of gravy – for both lunches – off the stove on to the floor – about a gallon – all wasted.  I was terribly sorry - & told him I would keep out of his way at meal times – so last night he said – “Aren’t you coming no more for a snack before you go to bed?” so I said “No” – Tonight – when I went to get my tray of things for the night – I found a wonderful – fancy cake – made for me – He was a pastry cook in peace time.
Fog horns have been hooting all night until about 1/2 an hour ago – now it is clear, must be 4 o’c.  Ward is just changing.

April 1st:

Some of the glowing coals in my fire”. Very weird but it is just like them –
This is a case of Satan finds some evil still – for idle hands –
My patient is asleep - & I have only the fire light to do things by.

[April] 2^nd.  I am looking after a sick V.A.D. tonight – an elderly woman – the image of Hartigan who has traveled & read - & lived – I have just been chatting to her.  She is from No. 10 Rouen - & has been working in the German ward – because she speaks German.  One of the men told her that they were giving themselves up to the English in big numbers in some places – but that the English wouldn’t  take them, sent them back to their own lines – where they would be shot for desertion.  Another told her – that before Christmas the Kaiser called up I forget how many men – but was not able to get nearly the full number – thank Goodness – perhaps they are running short at last.  Yesterday was a perfect day – hotter than many summer days.  I took a piece of cake – a cigarette & a book of poetry – (in case I fancied any of them) & went to the prettiest spot of the woods I love.  It was an hour quick walk to get there – but once settled on a carefully selected spot – where I shouldn’t crush the daffs - & primroses – I just basked in the hot sunshine – fancied all three things cake – then cigarette (about the 5th since Nov.) & book - & listened to the hum of insects & the songs of birds, & reveled in the sun - & flowers & everything until I was nearly asleep then home & to bed.  There were no human beings near – but millions of live things butterflies, bees – creeping things & birds – all busy with their day’s work - & taking not the least notice of me.  All happy except a couple of silly ass blackbirds who were quarrelling over a bit of dirty looking stuff all the time. 
4 o’c. Guard has just changed which means that 2 sleepy Frenchmen stagger out of the house which is open for the men on duty – about 2 mins before changing time.  Two come up from their billets take over - & when the late guard are well away – the fresh ones – go into the house & to sleep!  The little dog calls them if by unusual chance anyone should pass - then if he barks loud enough to call them one comes out & curses him & goes in again.

[April] 3^rd.  Think there must have been some spirit influence at work this morning that made me do a thing I hate doing & quite against my own will – but which gave me great pleasure – It was – I met the Ambulance train – started for a country walk as usual - & then hating every step - & the thought of the crowd - & strange sisters I should run against went straight to the station.  I found that the two Sisters of the train were old friends of mine – one – was one of the 4 St. Bart’s I started the Campaign with – was with one at Chatham – on the Palm Branch (same cabin) No. 14 Gen.  She only left there to join No. 19 train at the end of Jan – so she has had a less moveable time than mine – We had a great talk about old times from St. Barts onwards – I brought them both up to Matron – then out to coffee – then showed them over the hospital & bits of Étretat, then back to their train [at 1 a.m.].
I had given my camera up for lost  - but Paterson has sent it to her own home to be kept for me!  The Convoy was not a big one – chiefly wounded – some from poor old Robert’s hospital No. 18 C. C. S. at Lapugnoy.  Miss Rentzsch donned red cuffs today denoting the rank of Matron.  I began to feel like perpetual night nurse to the Sick Sisters – have another one to look after tonight – with an abscess in her ear – I know it is a most painful thing, but she was a bit hysterical about it.  I gave her Asp & a good tot of Whiskey – after treating the ear – the last I heard of her was heavy snoring – whisky is good stuff.  This is my NINTH night - & they said for a night or two.
Good news – a Zepp – has been brought down by the Thames. Mr. Boyd has left for 2nd Army – all are sorry to lose him.

3 a.m. I have just been promenading on the verandah - the shape & size of a ship’s bridge - It was pitch dark - except for stars - & the sea beating at my very feet made it seem like being on the Capt’s bridge at sea - & I wished I were.

[April] 4^th. To think! I may be going on leave in 2 weeks or so - No news.

[April] 5^th. [But written as 4^th.] Do not feel inclined to write my diary - & anyway there is nothing to say. These blessed submarines are a nuisance! Havre harbour is closed again, & the two who went on leave yesterday - are still in Havre - it may affect all our leaves. Still on night duty. Thomas doing well - so far - Stitches taken out today. Saw the new moon - not through glass. Did not go for a walk yesterday morning - was too tired - tumbled into bed & slept soundly from 12 to 6.30 - with only waking once - delightful. No mail in - hope to Goodness - there have been no boats torpedoed. 4 a.m. The monotony of the night was relieved at 3 a.m. by the coming of the Night Super - to say that the Staff nurse in Casino 5 - fearfully heavy surgical ward - had fainted badly so we decided to tell Matron & have her brought along here where I could keep an eye on her - She is fixed now with hot bottles - Soda & Salvolatile - & the Night Super will be coming back in a few minutes to take a friendly plate of porridge with me. Poor Sheard had to be rudely awakened & sent on duty in place of Bell. the sick one.

Midnight, 6^th & 7^th. Nothing has happened at all exciting the last two days & I have not even been for a respectable walk. Felt tired for some reason & went to bed early. No sign of coming off night duty yet have done 12 1/3 nights now. Two submarines have been caught at Havre - & 1 at Folkestone. Our English patients who left today are held up at Havre - as the port is closed. Watson is hoping she will get off for leave tomorrow all right - & we 3 for next week are hoping we shall get off all right too.
Every morning at day break the crows amuse me very much. They come up in battallions of about 1000 each to over the cliff on the left - & they drill - & exercise & squawk for about 1/2 an hour - & then fly off again to their various feeding grounds - but they do everything exactly like one bird - swing round together, ascend - alight - It must be drilling.
Great consternation in the dovecote tonight because the CofE Padre - has called to see me - two days in succession - I did see him tonight - but if they had only known - it was only to talk about the chapel arrangements - & to get two photos of graves - for relatives of two of my men who died.

[April] 9^th. ’Ad ’orrible day on the 7th - Went to Havre with Allen (Day off) - because she was alone - Hired the bootmaker’s car - & started off 10 a.m.
Got to Havre - saw a great congestion of shipping in the Harbour - held up for submarines, & the masts of a torpedoed vessel

Then we did some shopping - & lunched - & went to the Galleries - where our car was to meet us - 1 p.m. no car - 1.30 - no car - 2 - the bootmaker bustled up in a heated condition to say the car has broken down & would not be repaired for 3 days. No cars to hire - no ambulances - no train to Étretat until 4.30 p.m. Went to H.Q., saw A.D.M.S. who told us a car was coming from Étretat to meet the mail boat (Smith returning from leave ). 3 o’c. Car came - 3.15 up strolled Smith - having been lunching since 1 in the Garden Tea Rooms. 3.30 - crept to the P.O. for mails - 3.40 - picked up a horrid young Y.M.C.A. man - who wanted a lift to Harfleur - “won’t be much out of your way” - only 10 kilometres. Left an old tyre to be mended - bought a new one - & at last left Havre - for Harfleur - dropped the young man - then on to Étretat & to bed at 4.30 - & had a little more than 1 hours sleep - before night duty. Made up my mind to get a sleep in the night. Fate said “No.” McBride - night Super - off with throat - I had to take her job - & am doing it again tonight - Matron said she knew I ought to be off night duty - & would take me off soon - I said I was pleased to fill a gap but had a horrible feeling of being in a web - of night duty - as if I never should get out - I have done 7 weeks this year already. Watson went on leave on the 8th - Am afraid I shan’t see Hilda - she will be on a walking tour when I have my 10 days leave.

[April] 10^th. Night chiefly remarkable for having lost a sick officer. He was out at lock up time - & could be found nowhere - We reported it to the MO [CMO?]. - Major in Charge - & the Ward Master - no one could find him - Finally he turned up at 12.30 having lost his way in the country. Very glad he is back.  Have put in for leave - & wonder if it will be granted - Letters from Mrs. Sharpe - Hilda - & one from Mother saying she is not well - hope she is much better now. McBride better - hope she will be fit to come on duty tonight.

[April] 12^th. Came off night duty 10th, took charge of Thomas y’day - Raper had the day off - I am having it today - Thank you - have slept well and long and have just had breakfast in bed - intend to write letters, go through all my kit thoroughly - pack, read the Westminster, a book called Oud Bob [Owd Bob]- & a French book - Lunch in bed - (Madame will cook me something nice) - then get up & walk to Gonville [Gonneville] with Constable.
12 - 13 - 14 - Oh I do ‘ope it won’t be very rough. Hope you are better - hope to see you soon!

[April] 13^th. To------morrow------. Enjoyed my day off yesterday very much it poured all day - & I turned out everything & repacked (sure sign of a move they say). In the afternoon I had Hilda Hindle & Constable in to tea & cards - we had a cosy toast & boiled eggs - honey & cake tea in the kitchen - did not go to a single meal in the mess room - had all over here. Stormy day.
Hope you are better. Matron got orders yesterday to take duty on the Asturias - don’t fancy she will care for a seagoing job - & there are no allowances on board ship!

[April] 14. All leave stopped - 10 Australians - sorry – Austr i lians - arrived.

[April] 17^th. Palm Sunday yesterday. Went to Early & 11 o’c services - good sermon - church full. We heard a rumour last night of heavy fighting at La Bassée & Verdun - & that we had taken La Bassée. I am afraid the casualties will be terribly sad - whatever happened.
Yesterday an airship & a torpedoe destroyer were up & down to & fro, round & round - like a couple of terriers after a rat. The airship sighted the quarry later - & the steamer blew it up - crew & all complete - i.e. a German submarine.

A letter from Hilda - she is in N. Wales.

[April] 18^th. Marcey, Constable & I had half days – weather very heavy.  Blowing 1/2 a gale with occasional gusts of rain or hail – We walked to Benouville - dug up a basket  full of primrose roots – then went to the Inn for our usual boiled eggs & bread & butter tea – then went home – to the Cemetery - & tidied up 9 graves – took away all the dead flowers - & planted primroses – Col. Thackery, Capt Hammond – Kerr - & Sawden – came under my special care.  If everybody does a few we may have them all tidy for Easter – the Cemetery is very beautifully kept.

[April] 19^th.  Raper & I saw Thomas off to England  Went in, in professional style in a long convoy – at night our Ambulance carried 4 stretcher cases – Thomas, an officer & 2 Tommies – she stood the journey well – when we got there, the boat was not in – signals against her, some left her in charge of a Sister – screened off in a corner of the Officers hut.  They were about full up - & very busy at Havre.  The Padre went to see some Officers off – so we all rattled home together in one Ambulance – At about 12 midnight some New Zealanders – hailed our car & asked if we were going – anywhere in particular!  Nice thing to ask at midnight.  They wanted a hurt man taken somewhere – so we took him - & after that sprinted for Étretat at top speed – so fast that the pipes inside the car burnt holes in our rugs – we got back about 1:30.

[April] 22^nd.  Miserable wet weather – slight idea of leave starting after Easter.  Dug primroses for the graves yesterday.

[April] 24^th.  Easter Day yesterday – we & I hope you all, had a very happy one.  The three early services were packed with patients us & men of the Unit.  I went to the 7 o’c.  Morning service at the big church was very well attended - & evening service they were packed out.  The Church looked very pretty, & Mr. Parry Evans gave a good sensible sermon – short – & one that appealed to the men.  I did not go in the evening – went for a walk with Wilson - & landed at the church after the congregation had left - & I played & she sang – great joy – it is a dear little organ.  We of La Plage clubbed together & gave our 100 men fruit salad & whipped cream for tea – they all enjoyed it very much indeed – much better than the sticky cakes one buys here – besides I have finished with the woman at the cake shop – she would not sell cake cheaper than 2 francs each for things the size round of a breakfast cup – for our men at Xmas time – so I didn’t buy them there - & never have spent a penny in her shop since.
This creature was out scouting yesterday – shiny dark grey – big one – no steamers in attendance.

[April] 25^th.  We have been called for early bkfst – so I must be quick – A convoy came in about an hour ago.  They called some people to go & help receive it.  I started scratching my head yesterday – to think about equipping the new theatre that is to be in my charge – along with the two hernia wards - & ended by giving the Dispenser a list a yard long – of things to be getting ready for me.  I have had my staff nurse changed three times since I took on this job – it will be quite useful to know – which one is to be the right one.  It is a glorious morning – of sunshine - & fishing boats – sea dead calm rumour of leave starting – which does not excite me – because in the next breath it will probably be stopped again – now I must get up.

Volume Two ends here.

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