Rachel Sargeant's Blog - Posts Tagged "cairo"
What are the truths of Muriel’s diary?
In my last blog I mentioned that I’d seen inaccurate quotes on the internet apparently from Sister Muriel Wakeford’s 1915 Gallipoli diary.
I’ve read the original and I would say two universal truths emerge:
• Ordinary people like nurses and soldiers involved in the grimmest ordeals just get on with it. They write about their experiences in a matter-of-fact way, not dwelling on the horror of it. In fact, in the first-hand accounts of war I have read, the word “horror” seldom appears. You can judge for yourself by reading the many digitalised letters and journals available at http://www.awm.gov.au/
• In amongst the times of action and death are hours, days or even weeks of waiting for something to happen. This extract from Muriel’s diary illustrates the point:
"Sun 14 Feb
Visited Cairo. Had a pleasant time.
Mon 15 Feb
Still measles, measles, measles, but they are diminishing. A number of the girls have succumbed. Fortunately for me I’m feeling very well.
Tue 16
Nothing new
Wed 17
No change
Thu 18
Had a pleasant afternoon. Visited the Zoological Gardens with Greig Anderson. They really are very fine. ... Came back and had dinner at the Continental. The night was gloriously moon-lit. We enjoyed the drive home.”
I’ve read the original and I would say two universal truths emerge:
• Ordinary people like nurses and soldiers involved in the grimmest ordeals just get on with it. They write about their experiences in a matter-of-fact way, not dwelling on the horror of it. In fact, in the first-hand accounts of war I have read, the word “horror” seldom appears. You can judge for yourself by reading the many digitalised letters and journals available at http://www.awm.gov.au/
• In amongst the times of action and death are hours, days or even weeks of waiting for something to happen. This extract from Muriel’s diary illustrates the point:
"Sun 14 Feb
Visited Cairo. Had a pleasant time.
Mon 15 Feb
Still measles, measles, measles, but they are diminishing. A number of the girls have succumbed. Fortunately for me I’m feeling very well.
Tue 16
Nothing new
Wed 17
No change
Thu 18
Had a pleasant afternoon. Visited the Zoological Gardens with Greig Anderson. They really are very fine. ... Came back and had dinner at the Continental. The night was gloriously moon-lit. We enjoyed the drive home.”
