World War I Roll of Honour - The Clove Club Hackney Downs School

It was impossible for me to be dull - things were continually happening in the ward, and my
companion patients were always entertaining. I will endeavour to give you a brief outline of the
happenings of the day. (I can almost hear the Editor saying “Dry up.”) However, here goes, and to
those who are not interested, a thousand apologies.
Of course, patients need attention in the night as well as in the day, so the ward is visited at several
intervals by the night nurse. After being used to snoring at home all night, it was very strange to
occasionally lie awake and listen to the grunts and snores of other folks. Needless to say, the appearance
of the night nurse with her little light and sometimes a cooling drink was very welcome.
At 5 a.m. blinds were pulled up and morning ablutions performed. You would have laughed to
see some of the men having an early morning bath in a bowl of water.
Next, breakfast was brought in, all the chaps who were on ordinary diet having as much as they
wanted. I was very lucky! My wash and breakfast were always left till last, therefore I was not
awakened at such an unearthly hour, though everyone understands that a certain amount of work has
to be done before the day nurse comes on duty, which necessitates work being commenced at so early
an hour, Of course, it is a good habit, but unfortunately I seem to have forgotten it since leaving
Hospital.
At 7 a.m. enter the day nurses (always punctual, of course?). Now the work of the day commenced
in real earnest.
First, all the beds are made and our temperature taken. Then the ward is swept and dusted and flowers
arranged to make things look cheerful; it is surprising how one learns to appreciate these efforts to
create a bright atmosphere, and it does make a difference when one is not feeling fit.The next part of
the programme is not quite as entertaining, namely, Dressings. Well, this was not so bad as one
anticipates, unless the former dressings had become rather too affectionate and refused to leave me
without some gentle persuasion, though I think I preferred my dressing being done to the prick of the
hypodermic needle (every five minutes it seemed to me).
Lunch was at 9.30, and after this nothing of much importance, except the visits of the various doctors,
which in my case amounted to five or six times a day for the first week.
Dinner was served at 12.30; our beds were again tidies, and from here till tea time, at 4 o’clock, we
rested or read as we felt inclined.
After tea we were again washed, and our beds made comfortable for the night. Then our temperature
again taken, followed by the most horrid part of all. Nurse appears with an enormous bottle filled
with an anæmic looking mixture, simultaneously heads disappear under the bedclothes, but there is
no escaping their doom. All defaulters have a dose!
Supper at 7 p.m., and prayers at 7.45, end the day, and lights are put out at 8 p.m.
I think the siren went off on nine occasions; this with the sound of machines and guns continuing for
hours did not enable us to settle down for the night as easily as we might have done.
One of the great privileges allowed me was, during my stay in Hospital, my parents visited me almost
at any time. For this I was most grateful, especially on such nights as I have just mentioned, when
very often it was one or even two o’clock before they left the Hospital.