The Day Australian Nurses met the Commander of Allied Fleet at Gallipoli

HMS Nelson during the Gallipoli Campaign, 1915-16. Photo IWM

Sailors from the Lord Nelson on Lemnos, 1915. Photo IWM

During their over five months service on Lemnos' turks Head Peninsula the Australian nurses of the 3rd Australian General Hospital (3rd AGH) had had to endured summer heat and winter storms in their tents on the exposed peninsula. And they had treated thousands of wounded and sick Allied soldiers from the Gallipoli trenches and battles.

Staff Nurse Lucy Daw (second from left), rugged up against the winter cold at the 3rd AGH, Turks Head Peninsula, Lemnos. Photo Albert Savage, SLNSW

On a few occasions the nurses were able to enjoy a few hours respite aboard some of the great warships that came to Lemnos' great Mudros Bay during the campaign. Invited by the naval officers, they would enioy afternoon tea or dinner, sometimes with a musical concert. And most importantly an improvement on their rations at Lemnos!
We know about one of the most important of these occasions due to the surviving diary of one of those nurses - South Australian Staff Nurse Lucy Daw - who served with the 3rd AGH on Lemnos throughout the campaign, keeping a detailed and very informative diary of her experiences of Lemnos and the Gallipoili campaign. Historians are extremely indebted to Lucy for her diligence in keeping this diary as it contains many unique references to many events and experiences on Lemnos.
And so Lucy recorded the day she enjoyed a few hours respite on the HMS Lord Nelson, the flagship of the Allied Dardanelles Naval Squardon.
The afternoon tea took place on Sunday 5th December 1915, Lucy having been invited aboard along with twelve other nurses from the 3rd AGH.

Rear-Admiral Wester-Wemyss, photographed in 1918. Photo National Portrait Gallery (UK)

They were the guests of Rear-Admiral Rosslyn Wester-Wemyss, the former Military Governor at Mudros, who had recently assumed command of the Squadron following Vice-Admiral John de Roebeck’s return to England on Leave.
Lucy noted the Vice-Admiral’s monocle and wrote in her diary that he “was a Typical Englishman, they make very fine hosts.” They all enjoyed “a very nice” afternoon tea.
This is just one of such occasions where the Australian nurses enjoyed a respite from their work. And one of the only references to the event.

Thanks to Gil Daw for providing me with a copy of Lucy Daw's war diary.

Jim Claven
Secretary, Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee