Friendship and support
Troops and personnel laboured long and hard, but they also found time for social activities. They sought passes to visit villages, held concerts and enjoyed social events at other camps. Rugby and cricket were popular among recovering soldiers, and New Zealand walloped Australia in one rugby game, winning 43–0.
During their limited free time, nurses would visit the men at Sarpi Rest Camp. They shared meals and sometimes participated in activities, including sports.
When their ships were at anchor in Mudros Harbour, Royal Navy crew and officers would often help the Australians. Delighted by his visit to HMS Vengeance, Private Harry Gissing happily received a parcel of meat and bread from the crew. ‘Nothing is too much trouble for them’, he wrote in his diary.
‘The ship herself is wonderful. Electric Elevators etc & the fittings are splendid. From here we went off to HMS Vengeance & asked permission to go aboard. A young fellow showed us round & everywhere we went they treated us splendidly shewing us the Guns, mechanism, shells, magazines etc. Then nothing would please them until we stayed to tea. They cooked us eggs & feasted us splendidly. Many of them had been working with our chaps on shore taking off the wounded & they could not do enough for us.’
– Private Harry Gissing, diary, 30 May 1915
Hospital staff routinely tended to patients’ emotional wellbeing, including through providing entertainment. Patients who were able took part in recreational activities such as football and boxing. A weekly concert was held in the store tent.
Genuine friendships were also made. 3AGH’s Matron Grace Wilson and Staff Nurse Lucy Daw both write of visits from medical staff of other Australian hospitals. Likewise, Harry Gissing mentions catching the ferry from East Mudros to eat and drink with hospital staff. Personal letters and diaries also mention socialising in cafes and inns in Mudros, Castro and Therma.
