1915 Letter 33
Friday Aug. 13, [1915]. 8 pm.
My own dear Mother,
Some has just asked if an elephant had two trunks or one? and some else has just asked if it also had a hold all and a camp kit? So you know now what our minds are most on these days.
We have just transferred to the Delta - after sitting on the Asturias all afternoon patiently waiting. We made several starts and had several set-backs - but in the end it took about 2 minutes and we could have crossed in little boats just as well.
The Delta is not so large as the Asturias and at present I know nothing else about it - We are in a ward here too and the back of it looks out on a deck where there are thousands? of men. Everyone talks of "thousands of this or that" in this unit and it’s a habit that's catching. There are absolutely no curtains on the windows - so we undress under difficulties.
We had a wonderful afternoon planned if we would have gone ashore. Myra, Scoble and I were going to charter a cab for two hours - and if a Cook's guide was obtainable we were going to submit to a conducted tour as we were all too hot to think for ourselves what we wanted to see. Then after that we were going to the [Majeotis] for a bath and tea. Since we came into port of course we can't have baths except sponges and in the heat I want one every few hours.
Thank goodness, Lemnos will be cooler being about 600 miles north.
The rumour is that we are to sail to-morrow at dawn - so I'm afraid I won't get this posted after all.
Next day - Aug 14
It is now 10.30 and we haven't sailed yet and we are still sitting around waiting. We hope to be allowed to go ashore. I didn't cable you yesterday and am sick at the thought of not being able to to-day.
Sunday - Aug. 15
Well we sailed at 1. pm and I couldn't get my cable off. I shouldn't have left it - and I feel miserable. There was no censor at Alexandria but no one would guarantee that the cable wouldn't be censored and I hardly knew what to say and left it till I could find out.
The Delta is a much smaller ship than the Asturias but in some ways it is nicer. The meals are wonderful for active service - apparently they have sense enough to realize that their sisters can't work night and day without good food when they are slack. The Matron allowed us to dance last night too - a form of enjoyment not allowed by British Army Regulations in time of war. She explained that on the return trip she allowed her Sisters to do just about as they like to keep their minds off the horrors of the trip back with the wounded.
Oh {they tell us of the sufferings of the wounded at the Dardanelles - for want of enough hospital ships. It makes one heartsick to think of valuable lives being lost owing to the utter misunderstanding or failure to work together on the part of the authorities out here} - though they say things are improving daily. The people out here claim that no one ever expected such resistance or such casualties. It does seem terrible when you think of so many of us sitting idle in France with no work to be done- {Note: passage above in brackets was blacked out by censor but has been deciphered and is attached as a note to the letter}
We are about 3/4 of our way from Alexandria and if any of my letters got through from Alexandria you will have some idea of our destination.
No body of water will ever take the place of the Mediterranean in my memory. The water is of a deep ultramarine blue - so clear and lovely - In harbour at Alexandria it was muddy green and coming out to sea again one could almost notice the line of demarcation.
Of course I thank the Lord every night that I am one of the fortunate ones to be sent down here. Isn't it wonderful - Mother - to think of seeing so much of the world and in such an unusual and unforeseen way.
Personally, I think, we know the places we visit far better than ordinary tourist. For instance there were 85 Canadian uniforms floating around Alexandria - every one looking at conditions etc. in an entirely different way and having more or less varied experiences. And every one of the 85 benefits thereby - I think I know the shops pretty well - certainly I'd feel quite at home going back there - for we all had to buy so many things that we soon knew where the best value was to be had. I don't say I am a good shopper - but some girls have a nose for a bargain or a cheap shop.
The same way in sight-seeing and in getting to know the Egyptian money. I am sending you a few coins just for souvenirs. I intended getting a few curios - but decided not to spend the money at present - as we'll probably touch Alexandria again going home. It's rather foolish to talk about going home before we've actually arrived - though - doesn't it?
I hope my letters get through to you regularly - the last I had from you was July 6th - and I guess it will be as long again before our mail finds us down here - The people on the Delta were betting us that this last mail was posted to them in March and April.
We entered the Aegean Sea and passed Crete about noon today and ever since have been passing islands - some fairly large - others mere rocks. We'll land some time tomorrow I am told - and then work will begin in dead earnest.
I am keeping a book for people to write what they have been told about Lemnos, and some of the articles are very clever. We have heard so many varying reports - that is has become a joke. By most accounts - it isn't much of a place but I have been agreeably surprised at every turn since I came over here at the lack of real hardship and am not going to worry till I am in a position to judge for myself.
Later - Aug. 16
We have arrived and expect to go ashore soon. Can't say anything more - We are all well and happy-
Yours always,
Helen