大象传媒

War-time memories of my time in India as a Nursing Sister in the Queen Alexandria鈥檚 Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve.
April 1943 to June 1946

Abbottabad
Before leaving the train at Taxilla, we changed into our all white uniform, shoes and stockings. We travelled by jeep to Abbottabad (North West Frontier), a hill station which is at the foot of the Himalayas, where we met and were delighted to greet a British Matron and her Deputy. We were given a delicious breakfast and sent to bed until the evening meal. Then we were sent to the Officers鈥� shop for bed linen, towels and a Topi. This was a very large Indian hospital with 1900 beds and as I was fever-trained, my first ward was for infectious diseases. Actually, according to their disease the patients were isolated in tents- there were many suffering from smallpox. I had several hundred patients to look after. When I did the round with the Medical Officer and a retinue of people including interpreters, sepoys and a sweeper, it could take up to four hours. Later I experienced both Medical and Surgical conditions in the same hospital.

Our living quarters were most pleasant. There were frogs hopping about everywhere and many lizards on the walls. Strangely enough this never worried me and yet I can feel scared when a moth comes into my room in this country. While there, our mode of transport was by Tonga (pony cart) -an attractive vehicle decorated with ribbons and bells which jingled as it moved. Officers had to see the Matron for permission to be introduced to the six newly arrived Q.A.鈥檚 but we were automatically made members of the Officers鈥� club wherever we went. We had Dinner Dances on a Wednesday and Saturday and were always invited to various parties.

Peshawar (approximately 1 year)
My next posting was to Peshawar Cantonment which is near the Khyber Pass. This was a combined hospital for the British and the Indian forces, and was surrounded with barbed wire.

We lived in a lovely house- the hospital was situated some distance away, but we were taken there by jeep or by Tonga. The work was arduous. Some of the illnesses were severe, for example, it was here that I saw the worst cases of haemorrhagic Smallpox in my experience.

Socially it was quite superb here also. During my stay in Peshawar we were allowed ten days leave which we spent in Kashmir. This was a memorable holiday. We went by train to Rawalpindi- stayed the night, and the following day travelled in an Indian mail van to Kashmir. The Sikh driver turned to be quite erratic on the road! We stayed in 鈥淭he Nedoes Hotel鈥� (lovely) and visited the Shalimar and Nichot Gardens, dancing every night. Our return journey was by taxi.

Karachi
My following posting was a Karachi, another large hospital of entirely British members of the R.A.F., Army and Navy regiments. Here again the work was strenuous but compensation was obtained from the highly organised social life, which included premiers and parties on yachts in the Arabian Sea. There were many cinemas here which we visited at various times and the main mode of transport was horse drawn carriage.

Asansol (3 months)
We travelled for two days by train from Karachi to Asansol where I was next posted. We had splendid living quarters in an American Millionaire鈥檚 house. From here I went on leave into the Himalayas- Darjeeling- and visited a tea plantation while I was there.

Various civilians invited us to their delightful bungalows- to the most wonderful 鈥楧inner鈥� parties. We also had parties in our mess and played Badminton outside in the evenings.

Rickshaw- 2 wheeled vehicle pulled by one coolie (unskilled labourer or porter)

Chas
My last posting was Chas.
From Asansol we travelled 500 miles by truck to Chas, sitting on our tin trunks. Conditions were not pleasant at this posting. For the first time we had to use our own camp equipment, as there was no furniture available. I have a vivid memory of seeing many rats and wild dogs. This was an entirely Indian hospital specialising in general diseases. Socially we had a lovely time here also.

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Sian Roberts of 大象传媒 Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Mrs. Gwyneth Jones and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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