FRANCE
From 10th August
1915 until 12th August 1915
My mind is rather hazy as
to what took place during the two days I was in hospital in France.
I remember that I was given
a bath in bed, and in the clean sheets I felt very comfortable, it was the
first time for a year that I had had anything like comfort.
I remember the nurses,
which at this stage seemed like ministering angels. The way in which they
attended to me I shall never forget. I had not seen an Englishwoman for many
many months, and the tenderness and devotion which they showed was most kind.
Whether it was that which
brought tears to my eyes or not, I cannot say, but, remember that I cried
without ceasing, and could not stop myself.
12.8.1915
I remained in bed until at 6.00
O'clock in the morning, Thursday, August 12th, when I was placed in a stretcher
and told that I was going to England that day.
I was feeling much better,
and cannot remember more of the incidents which took place at this time.
I was then bought in an
ambulance which went to Camieres, four or five miles away and then put in a
beautifully equipped hospital train which left about 8.30 and arrived at Calais
about 11.00 O'clock.
I then set to work to enter
up in my pocket diary as many of the incidents as I could remember from the
time I went into the attack until I arrived at Calais.
I embarked on the H S
"Brighton" and left the shores of France at one o'clock.
On our way we past two or
three French submarines and other vessels of war.
I left my stretcher on the
Quay, as I felt that I could walk, and I very much wanted to get on my legs,
and it was by these means I was fortunate enough to get to a hospital, about
which I will state more later.
The journey across the
Channel was vary circuitous on account of the mines, but eventually the crowd
of eager anxious faces, staring for the sight of England were rewarded by the
outline of the cliffs of Dover.
We raised a cheer of the
most heartfelt nature, and from this moment I felt better and began rapidly to
mend.
I had, however, got very
thin and week, although in France I had got quite fat.
We arrived at Dover at
about 3.00 o'clock, and I heard that the men on the ship were going up to three
different hospitals, one in the Midlands, one in London, and one at Walmer
which was only a few miles away.
I felt terribly fatigued
and not at all up to the journey, and I was fortunate enough to be able to
arrange that I should go to Walmer.
France
has now been left behind and once more I have set foot on English soil. How
many times whilst in the trenches, have I thought that I would never again see
England.
*****