Description
Object description
American nurse served with American Red Cross at Base Hospital No. 27, Angers, France, and at Dr Joseph Blake's hospital in Paris, 1917-1918
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in Pittsburgh, US, 1917: description of work as nurse; story of joining the American Red Cross, 22/May/1917; formation of Base Hospital No. 27; signed up for five years' overseas service; description of uniform. Aspects of voyage aboard troopship SS Lapland from New York to Liverpool, GB, 9/1917: description of ship and passengers; story about English officer with artificial leg; opinion of living conditions; amusing story about chicken pie. Aspects of period in GB, 1917: story about policeman; billeted in Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool; moved to hotel in London; description of voyage from Southampton to Le Havre, France; opinion of food; problem of seasickness; nicknames. Aspects of period in Le Havre, France, 1917: learned French from wounded French soldiers; story about meeting Australian soldiers; billeted in hotel.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of accommodation; problem of fleas in bed; story about two Women's Army Corps members; description of train journey to Angers; marched to Base Hospital No. 27, 10/1917. Aspects of period at Base Hospital No. 27, Angers, France, 1917: description of hospital; opinion of accommodation and food; story about Miss Stimson; story about death of first patient from influenza; working hours; number of staff and patients; daily routine and duties; story about CO Maj. Miller; reason for being transferred to Dr. Joseph Blake's hospital in Paris. Aspects of period in Paris, France, 1917-1918: story of Dr. Blake setting up hospital in Rue Piccini, Bois de Boulogne; description of treating badly wounded officer with Carrel-Dakin antiseptic solution; method of applying solution and dressing wounds; story of marital scandal surrounding Dr. Blake; story about Dr. Blake's wife serving cake to wounded soldiers.
REEL 3 Continues: description of masks made for disfigured French soldiers; story about French Algerian soldiers being treated for frozen feet; duties at Dr. Blake's hospital changing dressings; memories of French fighter ace Georges Guynemer; attitude to working at Dr. Blake's hospital; amusing story of teaching French sergeant English; story about taking French soldier with amputated right arm and leg for tea in Paris; amusing story about French conundrums; story of treating Sgt. Lethon and visit to home in Angers.
REEL 4 Continues: story of post-Second World War reunion with Sgt. Lethon; number of patients in ward; description of patients arriving on hospital trains; story about American officer having foot amputated; entertainments provided by US Engineers; story about American pilot Lt. Coles wounded in neck by bullet; attitude to discipline in ward and calling patients to order; description of patients singing; story of treating baseball player's arm; story of patients singing during inspection by senior officers; received gramophones and discs from sister in America; memories of song 'The Rose of No Man's Land'; description of treating patients with gas burns; story about one soldier losing voice and another losing all his teeth after being gassed; number of flu cases and method of treatment; story of taking Nurse Hadelsey out for lunch; opinion of chief nurse Miss Rulon; question of jealously among patients.
REEL 5 Continues: story of visit to front as part of medical team, c.3/1918; billeted in mayor's chateau at Compiegne; description of nursing duties; story of meeting future husband while patient at Base Hospital No. 27, 1918; story about Maj. Pearce; relationships between patients and nurses; social life including dances; story about raincoats; description of Armistice celebrations in Angers, 11/1918; attitude to work as a nurse; opinion of patients; story about American officer leaving hospital after Armistice; story of protest meeting about chief nurse; opinion of doctors; story of returning unused medicines to pharmacy; opinion of nursing aides; story about American officer at the Folies Bergere; story of visit to Paris with Dr. Seabert and two US soldiers; story about diamond locket; increased number of wounded towards end of war.
REEL 6 Continues: problem of treating wounded German soldiers and officers in same ward; story of German speaking nurse telling German patients about Armistice; attitude to treating German wounded; relations between German and American soldiers; story about ambulance driver committing suicide. Reflections on work as nurse.