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An Army Nurse in Cairo

Annette Le Page was a nurse who had trained in London. She came from Guernsey, which had been occupied by the Germans, so she was out of contact with her home and family. The following is an extract from the diary which is in the form of the letters which she could not send to her family.

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Feb 8th.1942
We have arrived at the 63rd Gen. Hospital after five days journey from Gebeit, through the desert and up — or rather down the Nile. The desert part was rather boring — the 48 36 hrs on the steamer was more interesting — then more train journey, and eventually arrived here at 7.30am.
We were free for the rest of the day, so went to the 15th Scottish hospital, where we met several old colleagues of the 16th. Cash, Cleves, Ridge & Bere. We had tea on their most luxurious houseboat. Margaret met an old friend so we, that is Hubbard & I wended our way to the cathedral — but the trams were full to overflowing & we did not like it at all being in a city, so we took a taxi there. The Cathedral was packed, mostly from the Forces & after the service which was most helpful, we set out into the dark, alas we knew not the way & no taxis available, feeling very cold and miserable we waited & waited — eventually a native hailed a taxi & we set off for the hospital to unpack our kitbags before we could go supperless to bed.

March 6th.
It is Hilda’s birthday & we are settling down to life in a city once again.
On Saturday we went out to see the Pyramids — at Memphis, the old capital of Egypt B.C. we enjoyed the experience.
I have been working in a surgical ward — it was great to be able to do some real work again - & we do appreciate the flowers. We have Sweet peas — Larkspur, Antirrhinums - & even roses growing in the garden, whilst I saw some gerberas growing at the Y.M.C.A. last week.
I bought some Gerberas a few days ago for my room. — I could scarcely bear to see them at first, they reminded me so forcibly of Oneida.
I was so thankful to read in Hildred’s letter that you are both well & that you are leading normal lives, walking, knitting & reading.
I think of you all, Aggie, Auntie Lav, Doris & Frank, Auntie Emma — Henry, Wyn & Diana. Eileen & Cis & Stephen
Oh — how I wish to be with you all — I am not allowed to send messages from here to any except my own family otherwise I would send to all.

Nothing startling has happened — we have just been carrying on as usual

May 12th.
Today we — Margaret & I went to a Methodist Rally in Cairo — which I thought was most unlikely that I should attend a Methodist Rally in Cairo.

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