World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula
It is now 9.30, and I have bathed and shaved and had breakfast, and am
in bed awaiting the doctor.
They are wheeling bad cases to the dressing-rooms. A hospital is most
depressing.
Went out in the afternoon and did some shopping.
_July 11th._
Very nice day. An Arab procession passes outside our hospital, headed
by a band making a most infernal din. All blowing brass instruments
as loudly as they can and beating drums, and all marching anyhow.
Difficult at first to make out what the tune is, as it is such a
discord, but on listening intently we made it out to be Sousa’s “Stars
and Stripes.”
Procession consists of a whole convoy of wagons loaded with what looks
like “Manchester goods.” What it is all about no one but the Arabs
appears to know.
Found out afterwards they were going to a fair and they were taking
goods along to sell. Went out in afternoon and called at Club. Saw
Chief Padre of the Forces, Horden, and had a long chat with him.
Later saw Shuter, Captain of the H.A.C. “A” Battery. Curious running
across him.
Called on Mrs. Carver at Ramleh for tea, and found several convalescent
officers there and a few other people.
Lovely house and garden and hard tennis court. But give me an English
garden every time.
Ramleh is very pretty, and is a very big suburb of Alexandria,
stretching along by the sea. Very fine white mansions standing in
lovely grounds. Also several lovely public gardens, beautifully laid
out. Much more picturesque than the English public gardens. They have
no railings or walls around, and consequently no entrance by gates;
they simply join on and run into the neighbouring suburbs.
Passed a very fine Arab cemetery, full of magnificent mausoleums of
marble which must have cost thousands.
_July 12th._
Went out in afternoon into town. Plenty of troops about. Feel fit, and
so applied to go back to Peninsula, as the atmosphere in Alexandria is
not unlike the feeling of being in khaki in London with all your pals
at the front.
_July 14th._
Went before Registrar at twelve, and sent into convalescence. To report
to-morrow morning.
_July 15th._
Left hospital.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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