1915 Letter 9
March 16, [1915]
My own dearest Mother,
Your letter of the 4th arrived this morning. I suppose I should
have cabled when we landed but I knew you'd see by the papers that we were safe.
Well we are still in London - but expect to hear that we move almost any day
now. We are all under control of the War Office now and just have to await their
arrangements. About 1/3 of our nurses are at work - 2 went to Cliveden, several
to Netheravon and 3 to Le Toquet in France.
We have all been feeling discontented and wishing for something to do, but
one of the girls said that Col. Winters in Ottawa gave her a message for us
when we were feeling that way. It was this - that we mustn't think we were wasting
our time - that we just as much as soldiers (as it were) when we were waiting
for orders as when we were working our hardest. That the War Office would complete
its plans for us in good time and we'd only be in the way unless all was arranged
beforehand. He said we would be here if needed and that was all we need worry
about. It made us all feel better, for like the boys at Salisbury all winter
we don't know when we are well off.
Sunday afternoon Miss Boultbee asked Miss Elliott and me if we'd care to go
out to Mr. Oliver's for tea. He is manager of the Bank of Montreal where our
accounts are, and he said to bring any of us who could come. We took a bus as
far as [Goldee's] Green and then walked. It is a beautiful part of London and
so near the open country that it seemed strange to reach it on a bus. His wife
is a Canadian and a very nice woman. He is a cousin of Miss Goodene's, I believe,
and Miss Boultbee knows them all. The talk began at once on nurses etc. and
we soon found out that Mr. Oliver was a veritable well of information - more
or less incorrect concerning everything. The first nurses and their trials were
dealt with at great length - all that Miss Goodene and a few more like her had
said. He told us we were fools to want to go to France, and talked about how
cruelly wronged the other nurses had been and how they simply couldn't get along
with the British nurses and gave us a very discouraging impression generally.
We were just about at white heat and after he said some more I said "Then
the kindest thing we can hope for our boys is that they'll be killed instantly
and spared all this" - for to hear him talk you'd imagine the wounded were
left pretty much to their own devices - while his damfool friends looked after
their rights. He didn't like it - but he shut up. I choked down about "3
swallows" of his tea and a bite or so of cake but we did wish it had been
neutral ground, to have talked back. Miss Goodene is a matron and is just as
boastful as ever. It did more to stiffen us up than it did to discourage us,
and I guess Mr. Oliver saw it, for the last while we talked about the Baby etc.
We aren't children and have a very fair idea of what we came over here for.
I am fed up on that crowd and their talk - The girls who came over here to work
are writing that they never were happier - and never a word of complaint. Thank
the Lord I have my military training for I have an idea I'm going to blow up
if I run into any of these superior ladies. If they didn't get along with the
English nurses - they weren't altogether free from blame. Miss Goodene couldn't
agree with anyone. This is a great business but I wouldn't back out for worlds
. I think our bunch will do well - for they have learned a very great deal from
the mistakes the others made and they aren't would be society lights, except
one or two. The older part of our crowd is simply splendid and they keep us
all in shape.
I am so sick of show. Miss Godard got unbearable and we simply froze her out.
We didn't bargain to bring a kindergarten with us and she certainly acted like
a spoiled kid. She is rooming with a very "low class" person now -
at least she thought so in Ottawa. However she is a very nice girl and I hope
Miss G. will learn several things from her. Three was too big a crowd and most
of all when one was not very congenial and inclined to tag. We felt mean but
now that she's away from us we can talk away quite agreeably to her. There have
been some great bust ups - for we are all around together so much we have seen
too much of each other. Miss Elliott and I are still together but we go our
own ways when it "suits" us and I hope we can keep on good terms.
As I am writing I am sitting just across from the Bishop of Nelson - a dear
old man with the face of a saint - and I feel very mean for having written all
this grouch. He is a very fine man - the Bishop - and looks it.
I wrote Papa all the news there was. This morning Miss Elliott and I went
on to the Tate Gallery. I wish you could go again with me - for all the pictures
are newer than in the National Gallery and therefore appealed to me more. Sad
to say all the finest ones are hidden away.
This afternoon Miss E. was tired so I went bus riding with another of the
girls away out to Twickenham Ferry - miles and miles out. The main object of
interest was Kew Gardens, where the almond and plum trees were all pink and
pretty and the buds of crocuses and little blue scilla or blue eyed grass or
whatever it is - made such bright patches all over. We rode steadily for 1½
hr. all for six pence. It was really too long though - 3 hours is too tiresome
- my eyes get tired.
Saw our pictures to-day - at least the negatives and I think they are going
to be very good. I think we may as well count the dollar I sent to Miss Savard
as lost. I asked her about the snaps at Levis and she promised to send them.
I'll write some time and mention it to her - but I expect all the films are
away by this time as they belonged to the soldiers, except a few she took. I'll
send lots more.
I am so sleepy after my day in the open air, that I can't write sensibly.
Tell Della I am ashamed to say I forgot her birth day until it was too late
but I'll write her to-morrow. Eric is in the office doing some work and is out
of the mud for which we may be thankful. I sent on his letter which you likely
have by this time.
I am feeling perfectly fine and the rest and quiet regular life is doing us
all a world of good and we are all getting to be terribly well informed people
almost "cultured". It certainly is an ideal way to see London for
we have nothing to do but amuse ourselves, and there is so much that is absolutely
free or costing 6 d. admission that one doesn't need to spend much.
Yes - the Miss Pautou is the one I know - she goes to Shornecliffe. I must
write her. Whatever will happen to the Children's.
I am very happy and contented and you mustn't worry about me. Just think what
I'm seeing. We have tea at all the swell places (when we can afford it), see
all the shows - and see London in a way we never would if we were paying our
own way and counting every cent.
Love to Papa - and kind regards to every one. With ever so much love - dearest
- I am -
Always yours
Helen