Diary of Mary Anne 'Bessie' Pocock, January 1917 - January 1918

Pocock, Mary Anne "Bessie" (Matron, b.1863 - d.1946)

- Series 2: Original diaries and notebooks

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Places	Europe: France, Nord Pas de Calais, Nord, Steenwerck Europe: France, Nord Pas de Calais, Pas de Calais, Boulogne Europe: France, Paris Europe: France, Trois Arbres Europe: United Kingdom, England, Dorset, Weymouth Europe: United Kingdom, England, Greater London, London Europe: United Kingdom, England, Surrey, Elmbridge, Cobham
Accession Number	RCDIG0001396
Collection number	PR05050
Collection type	Digitised Collection
Record type	Item
Item count	1
Object type	Diary
Physical description	105 Image/s captured
Maker	Pocock, Mary Anne 'Bessie'
Place made	France, United Kingdom: England, Western Front
Date made	1917-1918
Conflict	First World War, 1914-1918

Description

Diary relating to the First World War service of Mary Ann ‘Bessie’ Pocock, Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). This handwritten diary contains entries for the period 3 January 1917 to 3 January 1918, primarily detailing her service with the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station (2ACCS), the 2nd Australian General Hospital (2AGH), and an Australian convalescent hospital based in England. The diary begins with Pocock’s continuing service as head matron of 2ACCS at Trois Arbres near the French town of Steenwerck in Flanders. She describes her time with the casualty clearing station and documents the patients that they received, their injuries and the treatment they required. In particular, Pocock comments on those admitted due to the effects of mustard gas and she describes the blistering of their skin and blinding of their eyes. She also writes of the regular inspections, notable examples being conducted by Queen Mary and General Birdwood. In April 1917, Pocock rejoins 2AGH at Boulogne and in October she is transferred to England to take charge of an Australian convalescent hospital at Cobham Hall in Kent. There her entries concern her experiences in England, including her sightseeing in London.