大象传媒

An Army Nurse on leave in Asmara

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.

August 24th 1941
We left Gebeit station at 10pm after rather a hectic farewell party.
Capt Chignell, Margaret Hingston, Lieutenant Col. Debenham, Maj. Monteith, Miss Lake, Miss Gannon, & I 鈥� a very oddly assorted party. 鈥�
After a very long train journey through the desert we arrived at Kassala. 3p.m. the only interesting sight on the way being the mirages 鈥� simply wonderful.
Our leave really started when we crossed the 鈥淕ash鈥� which is a raging torrent 鈥� the rails being washed away, we had to cross it and cross it quickly as the natives will not work after sun down. Both Gannon & I sat on a native bed which is composed of a wooden frame & a pattern of string. Four natives lifted us on their shoulders & away we went 鈥� terrified to say the least, more so when the frame gave ominous creaks & had to be held by one of the natives - & at one point the two first natives were almost submerged & I found myself sitting in the water. Eventually we all crossed safely & no one fell in & the luggage was safe across.
We got in a heavy lorry driven by the Cape Corps & drove to Tesenei, about 2录 hrs 鈥� during the drive we saw the most beautiful sunset that I have ever seen, of course the setting of the hills at Kassala greatly added to the beauty.
We spent the night at a transit camp 鈥� and at 10 am we all travelled down to Agordat 鈥� a 5 hour drive. After a wash and a drink at the officers mess, we left Agordat at 4pm by the Diesel train. The beginning of the journey was not particularly interesting but as we began to climb towards Keren, it was a grand sight, glorious brightly coloured flowers, and gorgeous birds 鈥� Scarlet 鈥� Orange, such as I had never seen before. We were very thrilled to see the hills and valleys around Cheren, and marvelled that the troops had taken it from the Italians.
We arrived at Asmara 9.30pm & at the hotel 9.45 exactly 48 hrs travelling.
Wed
Spent a quiet day 鈥� Hairdresser & shopping in the Morning 鈥� went with Miss Lake by taxi to the 53rd at Myabe.
The road being a most marvellous feat of engineering, twisting road cut out in parts at the side of the cliff, dropping all the time.
I had dinner with Chig & Margaret, and declined an invitation to the Odeon with a party.
Thur
Spent the morning at the shops 鈥� Lunch at the tennis club with Chiz & Margaret 鈥� left at 2.30 with the manager & had tea with Miss McEwen, who greeted me most affectionately. I met Col. Wardle & Capt Lacrosse, who has not changed a bit 鈥� Capt Winslip had not received the message. I returned to the C.I.A.A.O and accepted an invitation to go out with Chiz, Margaret & Sprinbok. We went to the Savoie for dinner.
Fri.
We four 鈥� Ciz, Margaret, & I left in Sprinbok鈥檚 car at 10am en route for Massawa 鈥� the road drops 7.700 ft in 80 miles & is a marvellous feat of engineering 鈥� sheer drop on one side as it is partly cut out of the hills 鈥� as 1.30 drew near we were reminded of Gebeit 鈥� we overtook the convoy of 30 lorries which Sprinbok was taking down, and had lunch under a tree 鈥� served by Benson, the black servant, It was great fun. We began to notice the difference of the land, at first it was fertile & now it was becoming more barren.
We tasted our first prickly pear 鈥� treated and cut in the approved style and enjoyed it.
We arrived at Massala very hot and thirsty 鈥� we went straight to the Aubergo & had huge glasses of mineral water, filled with ice.
We all went to sleep for an hour 鈥� 6.30 made our way down to the swimming pool, where we spent an hour & a half before dinner.
Immediately after dinner, as the heat was so terrific that we went careering around the quays & docks 鈥� we saw the sunken ships* & at 11.30pm we were rowed for an hour round the harbour by a little native.
Altho鈥� the heat was pretty intense I managed to get some sleep 鈥� the port being the most hottest port in the world & next morning immediately after breakfast we made for Asmara.
It was lovely to get cool again - & we arrived very faded and dirty at 2.30 for lunch.
After a rest we went to the cinema and had dinner altogether at the C.I.A.A.O.
* (scuttled Italian NAVY) [the asterisk and this comment were later additions. JD]
On Sunday
Miss Lake & I went to church & on to the tennis club for lunch with Chiz & Margaret. 鈥� Back to the hotel for tea & a lazy evening 鈥� walk and dinner 鈥� told ghost stories & played Slippery Ann & then bed.
Monday
Shopping in the morning 鈥� Lunch at the C.I.A.A.O. and tea at Miss McEwans. Col, Debenham Major Monteith took us in their car which they had hired for the week 鈥� we met Capt Winship & Capt Telfer-Smollet 鈥� whose father was Lieutenant. Governor of Guernsey 鈥� they entertained me after tea 鈥� Col Deb, Major Monteith, Miss Lake & I went for a ride along the Keren Rd.
I met Chiz, Marg. & Springbok for dinner & we went to the cinema and had dinner at the Vesuvio
Tues
Spent the day in bed. Not at all well. Got up at 5pm fpr a little air & then went to the Hamasier for dinner with Capt. Desch. Afterwards we all went to the Savoie to hear the music.
Wed
Went to Cheren with Col. Deb. Mj. Monteith & Miss Lake, we had a lovely picnic lunch and was amazed at the scenery around Keren. We returned at 6pm & met the others in the lounge & went to see the German and Italian propaganda films 鈥� as the Vesuvio was closed down we went to the Savoie.
Thursday
Sprigbok left for Abysinnia 鈥� wee were all sorry to see him go, he was about the nicest man one could wish to meet. We hope to meet him again.
Jack, Telfer Hubbard [Shakesmith] arrived 鈥� Col Deb. & Monty took us to the Carnival night at the Odeon Night club, it was all amusing.
Friday
Shopping in the morning with Jack. Riding in the afternoon wearing Col. Deb鈥檚 jodhpurs 鈥� with Col. Deb. & Monty, thoroughly enjoyed it. A party at the Augustus at night. What fun it was altogether.
Saturday
Hairdressers in the morning. Coffee at the Savoie 鈥� Lunch at the C.I.A.A.O. grand opening by Sir William J Peatt of the Service Club, to which we had been specially invited.
Best of all
Dinner with Capt. Lacrosse & James Winship at the Tennis club 鈥� and then at 10.30pm we went on to the Odeon.
Ends a grand time
Sunday
We left at 8.40 am arrived at Agordat 2pm, lunch & left at 2.45 by coach to Tesserei 鈥� we arrived thare at 7.45pm, had dinner & then bed.
Monday
Had lunch at the Signal Officers mess.
Left Tesserei by train 3pm, arrived Kassala 6.30pm.
Spent the night in the train until 6am, when we had a picnic breakfast under the trees, being careful of snakes until 11am when we entered a train bound for Gebeit.
Arrived Gebeit Wed 4a.m. after a very lovely holiday.

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