HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR

BY E. W. WALTERS Airthor of ' The Souls of the Brave,' 'Visions of the Red Cross,' &o,

WITH A MESSAGE ' SPFJCTALLY CONTRIBUTED BY SIR CHARLES CHEERS WAKEFIELD

Tonbon THE EPWOKTH PRESS J. ALFRED SHARP t: . -. - Ir ------PREFATORY NOTE WITHOUTgenerous help and co-operation ? these pages could not have been written. We are indebted in manydirections, to those who havekindly given direct in- formation, to the authors of various books, and to manymagazines and newspapers. All available sources have been consulted. There are so many excellent reasons why the heroic acts performedby women in the War should enjoy the full light of day. Theirnoble deeds, it has been said, are the rightful inheritance of the people-'a i I guide and inspiration.' A sincereeffort has been made to do justice to the stories of heroism here recorded. Yet howmuch remains untold ! Ourconsolation is that l' I

, 7.f there is an imperishableRoll of Honour, :t rh uponwhich are recorded al! noble and heroic deeds. E. W. WALTERS,

t'

'! , II CONTENTS

PAGN TRIBUTE TO THE HEROIC PART PLAYED BY WOMEN IN THE WAR - 11 CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY - II. NURSE EDITH CAVELL - .. III. EMILIENNE MOREAU : THE

/ HEROINE OF EOOS - - IV. SISTER MYRA IVANOVNA : A RUSSIAN JOAN OF ARC - V. DEARMERMABEL - - VI. SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON VII. MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL - VIII. THE RETREAT IN SERBIA - IX. HEROINES ALL - - - . X. WOMEN SOLDIERS XI. WOMENDOCTORS ANI) WAR DECORATIONS - XII. CONCLUSION - - - 9

? TRIBUTE TO THE HEROIC PART PLAYED BY WOMEN IN THE WAR

BY SIR CHARLES C. WAKEFIELD

IT is a pleasure to bear a tribute to the women who have playedso noble and heroic a part in the War.Their noble example guides and inspiresus. In how many ways have women laboured in the Cause ! Not only have they ministered to the wounded and sick as doctors, nurses, and

ambulance-bearers, butas munition- * makers and providers they have also aided our brave soldiers in the field. \ Theircourage and resourcefulness are wonderful.Upon women’s shoulders has fallen a large share of the burden of the War, yet they have provedthemselves 12 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR to call forth admiration and veneration. The story, for instance, of NurseCavell’s noble life and martyrdom moves the mind and heart likesacred music. And it has Heroines of the World- been said thatthe greatest thing Nurse Cavelldid for her country was to reveal War how many thereare of hernoble kind. In the heart of many women bwns the Sacred CHAPTER I: Flame. Their ministry is the ministry of INTRODUCTORY the angels, and it is no exaggeration to say that their noblebearing sustains and There is no heroism like the heroism of the woman whose actions are prompted by love. inspires the whole spirit of the nation. c BEYOND all wealth, honour, or even health,’ Dr. Arnold writes, ‘ is the attach- ment we form to noble souls.’ The aim of this volume is to gain a fullerknow- ledge of the women who have played so THE MANSION HOUSE, worthy a part in the War ; to gain, if LONDON,E.C. insightclearer possible, into their charac- Jane 12, ~916. ter, to learn to know them insuch a

The famousBelgian author, Maurice Maeterlinck,writes of a friend that he HEROINES WORLD-WAR I4 OF THE INTRODUCTORY 15 lived for twenty years by his sister’s side, we who were withher through the siege and saw herfor the first time atthe and saw her with the children learnt that moment of hermother’s death. How sheis not so very far removedfrom the many women in this hour of their country’s angels after all. ’ great trial have revealed their true What Sir George White said of women natures ! The War has cut deep into the during the South AfricanWar has been hearts of women.Upon their shoulders said of recent days, and to hiswords of has fallen the larger share of the great praisemuch has been added. Thecloud burden of sorrow ; yet how nobly they ís now darker, the need far greater. ‘ All have borne themselves ! Europe groans beneath the burden of war.’ Heroism in women, however, is no new Thereis scarcely a home in the great thing. Of their heroic conduct during the countries of Europe which is not directly South AfricanWar, Sir George White affected. On everyside is heard the call wrote : ‘ Let me here bear a tribute to forvalour and endurance. All fit and the good women who endured side by side able persons are called upon to fight-men with LIS the trials of the siege of Lady- with their stout right arms, and women smith, and set an example of sweet patience by their ministrations to the wounded and and fortitude to their sisters. It is not the sick, by aiding in the production of easy to name the best qualities ín a good munitions, by taking the place of men woman ; she is a combination of beautiful called to the colours,by acting as clerks qualities, and one might as well tryto and shop assistants, and in the various dissect the essence of a beautiful flower. other capacities to be mentioned later in Yet it is the custom of the man to say she is incomprehensible and inconsistent. But Seldom, if ever, before has the call upon I6 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR INTRODUCTORY 17 womanhoodbeen greater. It mayeven The spirit, for example, that prompted be said that the women hold the keys of the heroic deeds of Sister Myra Ivanovna victory. ' The sense of their gaze,' writes sprang from the same divine source. Lady Troubridge, ' is on the men ; they It has been said that patriotism-deep would not deny it. The traces of their' and sincere devotion to country and kins- work are around them" The incense of ifolk-may take a religiousform. Yet we their prayers rises like a cloud to Heaven. havefound that there isalways the In spirit they are on the battle-field like I something more. We shall see that a con- the legendaryangels of Mons, the hearts suming fire of heart-felt patriotism burnt of the heroesholds them asthe Holy 1 within the heroicEmilienne Moreau of Loos ; yet there is revealed that other Grail holds the wine of heaven.' 1 Here we shallread of manyheroines, fire-thefire qf a soulmoved by a firm some widely known,others not even known devotion to the cause of HeaveN. as yet by name. The story of the heroism , Not always is the light that inspires of Nurse Cavell is of course widely known, obvious at a glance.Yet we know that yet there isalways roomfor a fresh im- I the hour of need has called many willing pression.Nurse Cavell has added a glory self-sacrificing servants from amongst seem- to womanhoodwhich can never fade. ing lovers of ease and luxury. How many The story of her noble life and martyrdom, have thrown aside the old ways of life and as the Lord Mayor of London has said, rallied to' the cause ! There are mn.ny, it has been truthfully said, in whose hearts moves the heart andmind like sacred music. .-. --- burns the sacrgd flame-faint and-scarcely Andwe have seen that there are many c women inspired with the same keen sense disZmib1e;t one time, it may be,.but now of duty and noble spirit of self-sacrifice. a radiant light. Weihink of the thousands B

c INTRODUCTORY 18 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR IQ/ Many of the noble stamp of Mabel of women who have rallied to the aid of Dearmer have gone forth prepared to make the wounded and the sick, of those who the great sacrifice. We shall see how noble work under the Red Cross, of the many and heroic a parthas been played by engaged in relief work, and of the thousands Sister JoanMartin-Nicholson. This brave employed in supplying the needs of the Sister has been called upon to look death brave men who hourly face the perils of in the face on many occasions ; yet she active warfare. has retained an unbroken spirit, and is It should, moreover, be noted how many readystill, given physical endurance, to persons famous in the world of art and minister to the men of whose courage she lettershave sacrificed the pursuitsthey speaks in the highest terms of praise. hold so dear-theconsuming interests of It is not easy to believe that wornell their lives-andgone to scenes terrible have actually fought side by side with our beyond all description. We think of the brave soldiers in the firing-line, yet it is self-sacrifice of such women as Mabel established that this is actually the case, Dearmer, who left happy surroundings In these pages it will be seen that even and congenial work to nurse the afflicted in the severe trial of bearing arms wome12 in plague-stricken Serbia. In making the have earned distinction. Not on1y in supreme sacrifice she revealed how noble courage, but in other and equally valuable can be those who know how sweet a thing features in a soldier, they have in certail? is peace, how glorious a thing is love, how cases proved themselves equal to active good it is to live in sympathy with one’s warfare. neighbours. She thought all war wrong, In how many directions have women ~7etshe tlrent most willingly to minister to revealed wonderful courage ! We think thc victilns oil war. 20 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR INTRODUCTORY 21 with the warmest admiration of the valour The achievements of women doctors in shown by such women as Miss Phyllis the War are a surprise and a source of joy Campbell,who has faced, together with and satisfaction to all who have followed other intensely impressionable natures, thesteady though hampered progress of the sufferings and horrors sf a clearing- the women who seek to take a high place station close to the field of battle.Fre- in ministering to the sick. Thanks to in- quentlyhave wounded soldiers, knowing formation derived from Miss Beatrice how great must be the strain upon nurses Harraden's knolvledge of the work of women thus placed, besought them to leave their doctors, we are able to show in these pages terrible task. But we know, to the credit how extensive and how valuable laas been of those brave women, that they have held the work done. 'The smy of the achieve- faithfully to their post. ments of women doctors has indeed the To read of the ordeals and hardships complexion o€ romance, yet is established endured by "~vomendoctors and nurses dur- on indisputable facts. ing the retreai; in Serbia is a poignant Of the heroic conduct of nurses mention 'l-

It.sson ~ -11 Icsson be ~reeded-----inwxmn's has already been made, and must be made power of enclul-ance. It wjll be seeen afresh many tilnes belore these pages are brought in these p;?,gcs that there is scarcely a to a close. Their heroism is beyond praise. calamity whjkh -1-hosc brn17c women -wcrc We have seen daily how they have earned not callcd upon to hcc. l'et they endured marks of distinction at the hands of kings and u~crcamctkir terri bl:: privations, and and othcrs in high authority. Many

h\Te ind~xcl.in many cases exprcssed their heroic nurses wear honours of war. Their readiness -to suffer furthmer 3gonies if only decorations, which include the coveted thc g1 ea i c;tu3c: l1la.Y be SC1 ved. Royal Red Cross and the Frencll Military 22 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR Cross, reveal to the gaze of the world how

!<'l bravelyand how well theyhave acquitted b!# i- , , ,

,i' know how rich we arein heroic women. But there is a side not clear to all, and CHAPTER II there is still much to be told. If it is found possible to give in these pages fresh facts NURSE EDITH CAVELL and, more important still, to give fresh Than patriotism there are greater things ' ; impressions of the inner lifc and purpose of Even so Spake she, when to her vision clear noble and heroic women, a good purpose The prison shadows limned and Death drew near will have been served. To hide her graciousness for ever with his wings. EDENPHILLPOTTS. Thereis much material. We shall read af brave and daring acts--of scenes that WE honour the memory of Nurse Cavell move with feelings akinto horror, yet as theFrench honour the memory of

thrillwith a sense of pride. Above all Jeanne d'Arc, ' because of her valour, her should we catchmany glimpses- of- the tenderness, and herunmerited suffering J radiantand inspiringlight thatburns in --a gracious, beautiful, andstrong noble and heroic souls. character. Her foremost aim was to serve God and humanity. Lovewas her watch- word. Indeed, it washer devotion to the cause of love, her love for all men without bitterness in that suprememoment when she stood in view of God and eternity-, that endears her to us so strongly. 13 , - '1 (1 II, ~. ., I 9 , >,\I :t z I , 11 ' 11, (' .; :((p \ c I 3 I. \

24 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 25 Her life was spent in succouringthose capital of the first country devastated who had need,no matter of what by the Germans, yet to Brussels she bravely nationality. And we haveseen that she retúrned. opposed the cruel hand of Germany, simply It is noteworthy that she was not , as Jeanne'd'Arc opposed the enemies of ignorant of the horrors of war.She j i peace and goodwill who wasted her country, realized how great must be the difficulties in the Hundred Years'War. It was this' that awaited her. But she went forth

combination of sqintliness,heroism, and a undaunted. lofty patriotism that makes the great ' There are two sides to war-the glory strength of Nurse Cavell's appeal. and the misery,'she wrote on reaching -Her story has been told in many forms, Brussels. ' Webegin to see both. . . yet, as we have said, there willalways We shill see thelatter moreclearly as be room for the record of a fresh impres- time goes on.' sion. Her life anddeath were indeedas She revealed most remarkable courage ;

beautiful as those of the great saints, and I yet she was afrail, spare gentlewoman. will continue to move mankind. She asked At the time of her heroic deeds the bloom nothing better of life than freedom to do of her girlhood had passed and her hair was herwork. Her manner of living was turning to silver around her temples, whilst simple, unostentatious. men t& the lines around her expressive eyes told of pean War b&ke out, she happened to be severelessons ,inthe school of life. Her with heraged mother at Norwich; but brow was high, with well-defined eyebrows. the call to service-andshe knew well Her lips, though indicating sensitiveness, whatwasinvolved-was immediately were firmly set-a strong mouth for her sex. obeyed. Her work lay inBrussels, the But in hereyes was frequentlyseen d 26 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSEEDITH CAVELL 27 an expression of greattenderness and from Norwich. Here her father was recto1 sympathy. for over fifty years. The rectory stands Many pictureshave been given of her close to thechurch, with a private entrance early life and of the full and happy days tothe churchyard from the garden-a

*, of service uptothe time of herlast visit picturesque scene. Few wouldwillingly ,I ! to Norwich.One writer gives a touching give up such a home for life in the dark l picture of her in the English garden she places of a great town. But Edith Cavell

I loved so well, amid the scent of stocks heard the call of suffering humanity, and and the old-fashioned beds of pinks. decided that nursing was her vocation. She was atender, imaginative, home- . She became a nurse at the London Hos- loving woman ; yet onewho sought for pital, andlater was appointedassistant- love's sake thedark and troubled places matron of the Shoreditch Infirmary. In of life.Old poverty-stricken m'en of the all places in which she worked her ennobling slums of London, and bedraggled women influence was felt. There are still many in and little children, whom she followed to Shoreditch who havegrateful thoughts wretched homes after their discharge from of her. One tells of her tender concern hospital, knowwell her healing powers. for the aged poor, another of her great love She was iamiliar with the whole ofxher for--littlechildren, many others of her sym- country, and loved it well, boththe pic- pathy with all ' sorts and conditions ' of turesque andthe sordid, the high-lights people. andthe shadows, the hill-tops andthe Later, in Brussels, men learnt to look to dark low-lyingplaces-her love embraced her as ta aguardian angel. How many, ,211. faced bythe cruel German hosts, would She was bom at Sxaxkston. 5ve miIcs have acted as she acted ? How many

II I I, /.

,I

I, II 28 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR would have shown the same remarkable combination of strength and tenderness ? l Terrible stories of the cruelty of the Ger- mans swept over Belgium like an evil I wind ; yet her courage did not fail. Inthe lastarticle she wrote for the hTursing Mirror she described how on a certain evening Brussels lay breathless with anxiety. ' News came that the Bel- gians, worn oui- and weary, were unable to hold f~acl;the oncoming host, who might be with us timt night, Still we clung to the ilop thai- thc. English Army was bctwcen us and the unseen peril. . . . In the cvening came the news that the enemy were at the gates. At midnight bugles were blowing, sumnoning the civil. guard to lay down their arms and leave the city. Many people were up through the dark hours, and all doors and windows were tightly shut. As we went to bed our only consolation was that in God's good

time right and justice must prevail.' ~ How much is told in that last brief ! 30 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 31 to be speaking to Belgians, and could not io protectthem. The Belgian crowds understandwhat quarrel they had with watched this desecration in silence and them. I saw several of the men pick up wiih profound sadness ; some wept, but little children and give them chocolate for the most part they showed great self- or seatthem on their horses, and some c-ontrol, and noword of abuse or hatred had tears in their eyes at the recollection rsc:aped them. . . . of the little Gnes at home.' ' From that day till now we have been In foe, as in friend, she sought and found cut off from the world outside. News- the highest and noblest side. After the papers were first censored, then suppressed, German occupation, her nursing institution and are now printedunder German aus- was placed at the service of the enemy. pices ; all coming from abroad were for a Already many Germans had been tended at time forbidden, and now none are allowed the institution ; and remaining in control, €rom England.The telephone servicewas she now won afresh the admiration of all taken over bythe enemy, and we were who came under her care. But who could shortly deprived of its use. The post, ? be blind to the cruelty of the €oe l too, was stopped ; and though now In a further description of Brussels under I rcsurned to certain towns and countries, German rule she told how at the town hall l a11 letters must be left open and contain down t the brave tricolour was taken and 110 news of the war or anything of im- the German stripes of black and white portance. . . . and red were raised in its place. ' On the ' The few trains that run for passengers top spire still floated the Red Cross, which are in German hands, and wherever you go had been placed over all public buildings you must have, andpay for, a passport. ln which the ambulances had been opened Xo bicycles are allowed, and practically 32 HEROINES OF TIJE WORLD- WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 33 no motors, so the once busy and bustling strain. They walk about the city shoulder streets are very quiet and silent. So to shoulder with the foe and never seethem are the people who were so gay and com- or make a sign; only they leave the cafés municative in the summcr. No one speaks which they frequent and turn their backs to his neighbour in the tram, for he may to them, and live a long way off and apart.' be a spy. Besides, what news is there to Such was Belgium under the ' iron heel.' tell, and who has the heart to gossip, and The newspapers were suppressed, the tele- what fashions are there to speak of, and phoneservice was in the hands of the who ever goes to a concertor a theatre enemy, letters were forbidden, the inhabi- nowadays, and whowould care to tell of tants livedunder a suffocatingveil of their all-absorbing anxiety as to how to secrecy.All that happenedduring the make both endsmeet and spin out the next few months-may never be fully told. last of the savingsor to keep thelittle Weknow, however, only too well that mouths at homefilled, with the stranger Brussels was full of spies. ' Every one was close by ? suspect, as in the dark days of the Pans ' I: am but a looker-on, after all ; for it Terror in 1793.' And to our lasting sorrow is not my country whose soil is desecrated we know that Nurse Cavell fell a victim to and whose sacredplaces are laidwaste, a net cunninglyweaved andset for her I canonly €eel the deep and tender pity destruction. Shewas English, and to the of the friend within the gates, and observe mind of the enemy, poisoned with hate for with sympathy and admiration the high the English, the fact was sufficient to call courage and self-control of a people endur- forth suspicion.Indeed, her nationality ing a long and terrible agony. They have seems to have beendeemed sufficient grown thin and silentwith the fearful ground upon which to condemn 'her. C 34 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 35 Spieswere directed to watch her, with German soldiers,’ it is reported, ‘ broke th resuit illat she was discovered in the open the door with the butt end of their humane and kindly act of giving a great- rifles. At a sign from one of the men coat to a French soldier. Later she was Von Bissing, the Governor-General, had set seen giving a glass of water toan ex- to watch her movements, the corporal hausted Englishman. These Christian acts seized her roughly. He tore out of her led to closer spying, andthe menwho hand the lint with which she -was about watched and anxiously awaited her destruc- to bind the wounded man, and began to tion soon brought evidence to show drag her away. Greatly astonished, but that she had givenBelgians pecuniary calm and dignified, sheasked for an ex- assistance, and hadthus, it was said, planation. The answer was a cuff .’ Von enabled the men to escape. To putthe Bissing had not given instructions for any case simply, she was charged with having explanation. She now left her hospital performed acts of humanity. Such acts for the last time, and was marched through could not be denied. the dark streets to the military prison of Her woman’s heart, burning with brave design, St. Gilles. Forgot the law, and when a man desired Silencefollowed. Nurse Cavell’s friends To play the man, her woman’s soul was fired in England knew nothing of her plight. To help him joinagain his country’s battle-line. Not till the end of August did the news , The arrest was made early in the evening of her arrest reach England, and then only of the fifth of August, 1915. Five German by the good offices of one who chanced to soldiers and a corporal went to her hospital have journeyed from Belgium. The cir- in the Rue de la Culture, and found her cumstances of her arrest now being known dressing the wounds of a German. ‘ The to her friends, influence was brought to

I 36 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 37 bear on her behalf. At the request of the her deeds. What need was there to plead British Foreign Office, Dr. Page, the or deny ? She had but nursed and helped American Ambassador in London, tele- her fellow men in the hour of dire need. graphed for information to Mr. Brand Whitlock, the American Minister in For that she died ; the hands that she had healed Took her rare life ; the heads that she had bound Brussels. Plotted the giving of her own death-wound, Meanwhile, the German authorities in Not womanhood could save ; not womanhood could Belgium tightenedtheir grip upon their shield. victim. As for the so-called trial to which she was subjected, her captors even refused On October 18, 1915,Dr. Page wrote to her an advocate. Moreover, they pre- His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign vented communication with any soul who Affairs, enclosing a copy of a letter (dated could give her counsel. ' They surrounded October 13) receivedfrom the Legation her arrestand imprisonment with every at Brussels, together with a report on the secrecy, lest any warning of the terrible case. The letter reads as follows : danger in which shestood should reach ' LEGATIONOF U.S. OF AMERICA, her from the outside.' They aimed at and ' BRUSSELS, succeeded in keeping her absolutely alone. Awgust 31. But the truth is, this brave woman had ' EXCELLENCY, li no thought of resistance. Shehad done ' My Legation has just been in- nothing of which to be ashamed. Rather formed that Miss Edith Cavell, an English were her acts of a nature of which the subject living in the Ruede la Culture, noblest woman might be proud. She was Brussels, is said to have been arrested. ready and wiiiind to make a clean,breast of ' I should be deeply grateful to your 38 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDJTH CAVELL 39 Excellency if you would kindly let me greatlyindebted to His Excellency if he know if this is true ; and if so, what are will cause the necessary steps to be taken the reasons of arrest. Inthat case I immediately, so that he (Mr. Whitlock) should be equally indebted to you if you may cable a reply to the dispatch he has will let the Legation have the documents received. ' from the German Judicial authority em- Baron Lancken's reply was dated Sep- powering M. de Leva1 to see Miss Cavell, tember and was sent from the Political and to instruct some one to defend her.- 12, Department of the Governor-General of I have, &c. Belgium : BRANDWHITLOCK, ' American Minister.' ' M. LE MINISTRE, To the above letter there was no reply. ' In reply to the note your Excel- Later, Mr. Whitlock wrote to Baron Lancken lency sent me on August 31, I havethe as follows : honour to let youknow that Miss Edith Cavellwas arrested on August 5, and is ' BRUSSELS, at present inthe military prison of St. Sebternber IO. Gilles. ' The United States Minister presents his ' ' She admits having concealed in her compliments to His Excellency, and has home English and French soldiers as well thc honour to remind him 01 Ills lckter of as Belgians of military age who wished to Augr& 31 c~!n:cming the ai-rest c)€ Miss go to the front. She admits having given Cavell, io -~iiidl11cb has hacl no answer. these soldiers the money necessary for the As the hhistcr has hccn instructed by cable journey to France, and having facilitated io io t:d;cl cll:~rgoof her tE~+qw~,11c will be their escape from Belgium by getting than

I 40 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 41

guides,who rendered the clandestine sides with deception. On October 12 Mr. UI-O~WI~~11 t lx J)utch frontier possible. Hugh Gibson reported for the American l Her defence is in the hands of the lawyer Minister that, on learning early on the l II Braun, whois already in touch with the previous morning through unofficial sources German authorities. that the ' trial of Miss Edith Cavell had

I l I c In view of the fact that the German beenfinished on Saturday afternoon, and ,I Government for reasons of principle can that the prosecuting attorney - had asked

rL admit no intercourse whatsoever, I deeply for a sentence of deathagainst her, tele- regret to be unable to let M. de Leval go phonic inquiry was immediately made. to see Miss Cavell while she is in solitary At 8.30 it was learned from an outside confinement. source that sentence had been passed in ' I have, &c., . the coursdof the afternoon, and that the ' LANCKEN.' execution would take place during the night. Thus we see that as Nurse Cavell had ' In conformity with your instructions, been arrestedin secret, so her captors the report continues, ' I went (accompanied sought to judge her. Thetrial (if such by M. de Leval) to look for the Spanish it can be termed) took place belore a Minister, and found him dining at the court-martial, together with that of thirty- home of Baron Lambert. I explained the four other prisoners. circumstances to His Excellency, and asked Up tothis time, Mr. Brand Whitlock, that (as you wereill and unable to go with his Secretary of the Legation and his yourself) he should go with us to see Baron legal adviser, had been activein Nurse von der Lancken, and support as strongly Cavell's defence, but only to be met on all as possible the plea which I was to make 42 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 43 in your name that execution of the death am able to judge, we neglected to present penalty should be deferred untilthe no phase of the matter which might have Governor could consider yourappeal for hail any effect, emphasizing the horror of clemency. The Spanish Minister wil- executing a woman, no matter what her lingly agreed to accompany us. offence, pointing outthat the death sen- ' Baron von der Lancken expressed dis- tence had heretofore been imposed only for belief inthe report that sentence had actual cases of espionage, andth? Miss actually been passed, and manifested some Cavellwas not even accused by the Ger- surprise that we should givecredence to man authorities of anything so serious. any report notemanating from official ' I further called attention to the failure sources. to comply with Mr. Conrad's promise to ' It was of course pointed out to him inform the Legation of the sentence. I that, if the facts were as we believed them urged that, inasmuch asthe o€fences to be, action would be useless unless taken charged against Miss Cavellwere long at once.We urged him to ascertain the sinceaccomplished, andthat as she had facts immediately ; and this,after some been for some weeks in prison, a delay in hesitancy, he agreed to do. He tele- carrying out the sentence could entail no phoned to the presiding judge of the court- danger to the German cause. martial, and returned in a shorttime to . ' I even went so far as to point out the say that the facts were as we had repre- fearful effect of a summary execution of sented them, and that it was intended to this sort upon public opinion both here and , carry out thesentence before morning. abroad, and, although I had no authority ' We then presented as earnestly as for doing so, called attention to the possi- possible your plea for delay. So far as 1 bility that it might bring about reprisals. 44 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 45 The Spanish Minister forcibly supported stances in her case were of such a character all our representations, and madean that he considered the infliction of the earnest plea for clemency. death penalty imperative, and that in view ‘ Baron von der Lancken stated that the of the circumstances of this case he must Military Governor was the supreme decline to accept your plea for clemency authority inmatters of thissort ; and or any representation in regard tothe appeal from his decisioncould be carried matter. ’ only to the Emperor, the Governor-General Such are the facts-cruel and i-emorse- having no authority to intervene in such less. But, happily, above the painful story cases. He added that under the provisions shinesthe clear radiant lightof Nurse Cavell’s of German martial law the Military Gover- noblesacrifice. She has been pictured at nor had discretionary powers to accept or the trial in the nurse’s uniform in which to refuse acceptance of an appeal for shewas arrested-the white cap covering clemency. the back of the head, and revealing the ‘ Aftersome discussion he agreed to dark waving hair, turning to silver at the call the Military Governor on the tele- temples. On her arm was the sign of her phone, and learn whether he had already merciful calling. She knew her danger, ratified the sentence andwhether there but did not flinchbefore her accusers. was any chance for clemency. He returned Yet there was nothing defiant in her looks. in about half an hour, and stated that he Rather was her bearing calm and sub- had been to confer personally with the missive. ‘ Even in the supreme hour she Military Governor, who said that he had hadtime for a compassionate smile for acted in the case ofMiss Cavell only after those who were sharing her trial.’ The mature deliberation, thatthe circum- spirit, surely, and the bearing of a saint. NURSE EDITH 47 46 HEROINES OF THE FrrORLD-WAR CAVELL Between thetrial and the sentence tyrdom can never be forgotten. The sinister influences intervened. Her ene- British chaplain who visited Nurse Cavell mies, as we have seen, had plotted to bring in her cell found her trustfuland calm. allout her destruction, and were firmly ‘ Faith clothed her with the whole armour bent on realizing their cruel aim. It was of God.’ useless for the American Minister to point c I have no fear nor shrinking,’ she out that Nurse Cavell hadspent her life said. in alleviating the sdferings of others, and And not only was she full of a greathope, had bestowed her care on many German but even grateful for her hours 01 solitary soldiers. c ETer cause as a servant of imprisonment. humanity,’ Mr. Brand Whitlock wrote, c I thank God,’ she said, c for this ten ‘ is such as to inspire every pity, to call weeks’ quiet before the end. Life has for every pardon.’ Later,the American always been hurried and full of difficulty. Minister wrote to Baron Lancken in the Thistime of rest has beerc a great mercy.’ following touching terms : And then, with wonderful charity, she

added, I c All have been very kind to me c MY DEAR BARON,-I am too ill to here. ’ present my request to you in person, but Even of her enemies she spoke well ; I appeal to your generosity of heartto and in words that can never perish she save this unfortunate woman from death. raised the veil of mortalnature and Have pity on her ! ’ revealed the immortal andthe divine : But the appeal was made to a heart of c This I would say, standing as I stone. do in view of God andeternity ; I Tine rnon~entsthat preceded the mar- realize that patriotism is not enough. NURSE EDITH CAVELL 49 48 HEROINES OF THE WORLLJ-WAR But her measure of human endurance was I must have no hatred or bitterness to any one.’ spent. It seems, indeed, as though she would give her life andthus save the ‘ Than patriotkm tl~crearc greater things ’ ; soldiers from a. terrible stain. O ye who still un\:-itting desolate She now lay upon the ground. God in Tour hearts v;ith futilepassion, curse and hate, Hearken while her last word a moment chimes and His mercy hadtaken from her human rings. consciousness. Butthe brutality of the enemy hadnot as yet found its full The Holy Communionwas adminis- expression. The officer in charge shot her tered, then the clergyman repeated the as she lay helpless. words of the hymn, ‘ Abide with me.’ Her ministry is broken, and the blow Abide with me ! fast falls the eventide ; That laid her dead on the night-hidden earth, The darkness deepens ; Lord, with me abide ! Shall sound upon this present grief and dearth With louder thunder far than deep-mouthedordnance She joined inrepeating the words, her know. sorrowlined face lit,it is said, with the light of heaven : The first reports oi her martyrdom reached England on Trafalgar Day. On Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; the following morning the newspapels told Shine through the gloom, and point me to thc skies ; the story toa shocked and horrified public. Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee : From almost every quarter of the world In life, ln death, O Lord, abide with me ! came expressions of deep-rooted indigna- tion andsympathy. All felt that it was Later, her eyes were bandaged, and she was led tothe place of her martyrdom. I fitting that there should be personal memorials to Xurse Cavell’s noble life and Soldiers stood ready with loadedrifles. l D

. 50 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 51 sacrifice. Queen Alexandra initiated a plan for an Edith Cavell Nursing Home at the his King and country. Men famous in London Hospital. Other means of keeping art, science, andliterature werealso green her memorywere suggested and present, and many soldiers in uniform. found general acceptance. The desire on Under the dome and inother parts of all sides was to keep this noblewoman’s the cathedral were large numbers of nurses memory ever fresh. -a fitting tribute. The memorial service held in St. Paul’s c It was,’ one writes, ‘ essentially a Cathedral gave further evidence that her national service which had brought together martyrdom had moved men and women of men and women of everyrank in life, all classes tothe deepest roots of their from far and near, and from the highest beings. Rich and poor crowded the streets to the lowest. The greatcompany who were leading tothe cathedral to honour her present will not easily forget it. Earlier memory. Very many were unable to in the morning thesun had pierced the obtain admission inthe actual service ; mist of a typical autumnalday ; and butthey stood with heads bowed in the when the solemn service began, it transfixed crowded streets. showing that though the dim vastness of the dome and lit up absent from the service in body they were the gold decorations as with fire. present in spi&. Amongst the mourners ‘ The band of the First Life Guards in in the cathedral weresome of the most front of the choir gates discoursed appro- emir,ent persons inthe country. The priate musicbefore the clergy and choir Dominion of Canada andthe Common- entered, beginning with Schubert’s wealth of Australia wereofficially repre- “ Marche Héroique,” and following with sented. Tlrc BelgianMinister represented Somervell’s “ Killed in Action,” so full of a poignant sorrow. Afterwards they played 52 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR NURSE EDITH CAVELL 53 the overture to Verdi’s Joan of --hJ surely an inspiration, siuce Kurse Cavell sentiments of the words was told the whole so nearly resembled hergreat prototype. story of Nurse Cavell’s noble life and

Then came Massenet’s “ Angelus,” so simple heroic sacrifice : in its appeal ; and finally, just before the I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless ; service proper began, Chopin’s “ Marche Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness : Funèbre ” resounded through the church, Where is death’s sting ? where, grave, thy victory ? threadingthe aislcs and lifting itself up I triumph still, if Thou abide with me l into the dim recesses of the dome.’ After the procession of the choir and clergy, the congregation joined in singing the hymn repeated by Nurse Cavell shortly before her martyl-ciom. Thencame the Psalms, De Profundis and Dominus Regit Me, followed by the antiphon, ‘ I am the resurrection and the iife,’ sung to the music by Croit. But at no time Lhrough this great and solemn seivice, whether during 1

l the rendering oi the ‘ Dead >larch J or the moving- wxds of the preacher, were til2 moumers present so deeply moved as during the singing of the words uttered by Nurse Cavell shortly before her martyrdom. It was felt indeed that in the inspiring EMILIENNEMOREAU J5 we shall see how General de Sailly paraded the French troops, and intheir presence decorated the heroic girl with the Croix CHAPTER III de Guerre. Herstory, as first toldin the Petit EMILIENNE MOREAU THEHEROINE OF' Parisien and later in Lloyd's News, is of LOOS absorbing interest. Many detailsare No way is impassable to courage. given, touching her life from infancy on- OVID. ward-a story of considerable length. Its THEREis the ' reality of romance ' in the chief value rests in thefact that it is story of the heroism of Emilienne Moreau, related by Emilienne Moreauherself, and romance atits highest, revealing deep- gives a vivid impression of her personality. rooted lovefor kinsfolk and a wonderful It is with that remarkable personality of (-ourage. A heroine such as all men love. hers and with theactual scene of her During the retaking of Luos by the Allies heroism that we shall deal here. Butit thisattractive girl of seventeen tended is interesting totrace briefly her growth both French and British wounded regard- from childhood into vigorous girlhood. less of danger to herself. The battle waged She was born on June 4,1899,at Wingles, fiercely around her, but she would not leave a village of miners and farm-folk, in the wounded soldiers. Already she had the Pas-de-Calais Department. For some coped with the Germans, and made them years back the family had beenengaged respect her. Later with her own hand in mining. When she was a year old, her --he accounted €or five 01 the enemy ; and father was sent to Lens as a foreman. 54 ' We were happy,' the girl relates, ' in our 56 HEROINES OF THE IYORLD-WAR iamily circle. My elder brother, Henri, a tall handsome boy, intelligent and good, whose name I cannot write without my heart-beats quickening, was preparing for his examination as a miningengineer.’ He also was to be a miner, but on a higher +tep of the hierarchy. Men in his fiftieth year (June, 1g14), the girl’s father applied for a pension. He had a record of thirty-eight years’ service, and his hardtrade had already made a comparatively old man of him. He did not, however, fall into inactivity. .4t Loos a branch of a generai store was vacant:, and her(*he settled down, hoping for many prosperous years. At thistime Loos had a population of about five thousand, and was well known as a miners’ district.

i The miners’ cottages,’ Emilienne Moreau relates ‘ and the little gardens in front of them, stretched in lines over a considerable extent. There werealso a few farms, rather ancient in aspect, but where one 58 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 59 and belfry.The family were happy in alarming news first reached the family. their newhome. The girl delighted in Emilienne was now sixteen, an agewhen arranging the things ; and she tells how her a girl does not as a rule take close interest father, who adored her, was pleased by the in foreign politics, and it seems that she changes she made in the shop. Indeed, hadscant knowledge of what was really thefamily now enjoyed the gaiety of happening. Butthis may be said to honest folk, who are not worried with over- have been the case with many persons of much apprehension for the future. greater age and far wider experience. ‘ Our satisfaction,’ the girl records, ‘ was Indeed, the girl has given abundant heightened by thearrival of my brother evidence of a particularly quick and lively Henri, a soldier of the 8th Infantry Regi- mind. The few words from her pen already ment, garrisoned at Saint Orner, who came given, point to an impressionable nature, home on furlough. Themonth of July quick to see and comprehend. passed very rapidly and happily for all of Though only in her sixteenth year, she us. My brother had a sweetheart at Loos, had now grown to fine, upstanding young my friend, Julie Deneux, a little blonde womanhood, well and gracefully built, of twenty years, prettyand gentle, with with a face of remarkablecharm and beautiful black eyes. Julie and J were intelligence. Her large expressive eyes are passionately fond of wildflowers, and surmounted by brows that tell of keen many were the delightful walks we took perceptions. In the mobile yet firmly with my father and my brother to gather arched lips there are also indications of a them. Alas 1 which of us could have nature quick to perceive. A beautiful thought that they were to be the last ? ’ face, eloquent of high spirits and a fine It was towards the end of July that courage, is the feeling conveyed by the EMILIENNE MOREAU 61 ‘ My brother had to leave,’ the girl tells po“trai-is taken at the tine of her heroic US, to rejoin his regiment. My father with deeds. ,-T deep emotion embraced him and said 1he alarming news of the last days of “ Good-bye.” . . It wasmobilization- July spread, and was followed by the . war ! But the invasion-who then would cireaded word uay. The girl now read the have entertained the idea of it, and who ~mvs;npersanxiously, hut knew not what to hliew. Xot îi!] the first day oi August could have foreseen the woes that were to descend upon unhappy Loos ? Who did thc gmv,-j~~gfears become ;t terrible would have said that during more than a reali S)-. of ? The miners had gone to thí%- work as year we should be captives the enemy ’ Following theoutbreak of war a veil usual ; bxt zt 3 o’clock a long, strident of secrecyfell upon Loos. The railway whistle wds vnitted by thesyren. And the miners,’ the girl relates, ‘ carne up traffic was stopped ; newspapers only reached the inhabitants by chance and at from the mines, and on all sides people rareintervals. The people lived in the rushed out of the lniriers’ cottages. The dark, waiting in deep anxiety, and hoping farm-folk, notified by bugle-call, left . the in vain for reliable news. Later, news fields in haste.The peop3e gatheredout- side the Municipal Hall, wherc the secre- came, but of death. The Moreau family learnt that a relative had fallen in battle tary was pasting up a small square o€ at Dinant. Not till some days had passed paper. . . . The alarm-bell rang, and gen- darmes passed through Loos at a gallop. was it known that the French Government had moved to Bordeaux. And with the . , e The women tried to keep a good countenance, but wiped their i-ears. The news carne the fear that Paris was in danger 1 young men put m airs o€ determination.’ 62 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 63 No report reached Loos of the victory miss.” We raised ourheads simul- of the Marne. c Ah ! How the announce- taneously and exclaimed, “ Henri ! ” And ment of that victory would have consoled so we were compensated for all our trouble! us ! ’ Emilienne Moreau exclaims. c But What a joy to find my brother again ! We we heard only faint echoes of it, which passed a very happy hour. . . . Then the still seemed doubtful to us.’ clarion sounded the muster-call, and Henri The girl, however, enjoyed one consoling put his haversack on his back and left for hour. On September 15 she learntby the east with his comrades. . . . Alas ! it chance that her brother’s regiment was was to be the last time I should ever see passing through the neighbourhood, and him. . . . My poor brother ! ’ she had but one thought-to go and meet Many passages in the record of this him and embrace him. At 5 o’clock in brave girl’s experiences reveal a nature as the morning she setout with her father tender as it is strong and valiant. Of her and her brother’s fiancée. Arriving at mother,father, andbrother and other La Bassée, they searched for him in relativesshe speaks with the gentlest vain. Eutthey were not to be outdone, concern and the warmest affection. and so marched on bravely to Auchy, As time passed, refugees arrived at Loos then to Givenchy, thento Cambrin, from invaded communities and told of then on to Sailly ; but still they searched German brutalities. On September 25 in vain. some German companies camped around ‘ A little discouraged,’ the brave girl Lens, and on the next day was heard the records, ‘ we arrived at Béthune at 3 boom of guns. Later, glimpses were caught o’clock in pouring rain. I ran against a of the enemy, who advanced, then retired. soldier and he said to me, “ Excuse me, Then followed a lull,which lasted till 64 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR ERlILIENNE MOREAU 65 Cictobes I, when again came the boom of wouldfind shelter. Some of them were !-J !-J S . dragging hand-carts, wherein, with the Still ille brave girl continued to prepare remains of theirfurniture, were grand- for a teacher’s certificate, and indeed at parents or children incapable of walking. thistime she went to Wiggles to obtain A sad vision, prelude of the horrors I was her birth certificate, which hadto be subsequently to see.’ presented at thc time of the examination. A short whilepassed ; then came the On returning to Loos she found that a shelling of Loos. The heroic girl was further number of refugees hadarrived, about to go for a walk,when suddenly a who related with trembling emotion that detonation shook the honse. ‘ A shell ! ’ the Germans were pursuing them. her father exclaimed. And scarcely had ‘ Great pity arose in my heart,’she the exclamation left his lips when a second writes. L Hitherto I had seensolely the detonation came. Rushing intothe open, bright side ofliEe, and now I was con- the girl saw a shell fall upon the church fronted with so much distress. Thenext tower near by. All was so sudden,and day I went to Lens in the morning to take in a sense so unexpected, thatthe first my papers to t1;e school. The town, where effet \ was utter dismay. As for the result the Germam hadalready been, was in upon the population, there followed a anguish. The hospitals werefilled with strange absence of all normal human noises. wounded. Thestreets werebeing crossed All had taken cover. by 1e;;ions of poorpeople ladenwith The shelling ceased later, and there was packages, who had exiled theinselves from a periodof absolute silence. It was felt thcirthreatened villages, and were ven- thatthe Eight at least might be passed turing forth without knowing where they in safety. i Bu1 there was suddenly,’ the E EMILIEEjNE MOREAU 67 girlrecords ' a violent knocking at our motionless on the threshold. He glanced door. We looked at each other question- round the shop, and suddenly a sort of ingly. I went to oyen the door. My hideous smilewas outlined on his for- father came behind me. I admit that for midable face. He entered, making an a moment I was frightened on seeing before extraordinary noise with his sabre. In me a great big Uhlan. He had fastened spite of myself I drew back. Hissudden his horse to a rain-pipe that was separated air of contentment had increased my fwm the wail by an interstice. Heaven alarm. I thought that his laughing thus knows T was destined to see allsorts of alone augured nothing good. He banged Germans ; but this was the first one that himself down near a table so heavily that camc to our house, and I felt myself most of the articles that were on the table shudder. fell to the floor.' ' My heart beat as though it would burst, It so happened, however, thatthis and I did not even try to put on a bold Uhlan left the house, after being supplied face. By the lamppost he seemed terrible with articles of clothing ; but only to be to me,and hideous also. He was very followed by other Germans ! Returning tall, with a short red beard, an enormous later from an errand of mercy, the girl mouth, and harsh eyes. He produced the found her father's shop filled with Ger- effect of an ogre upon me, and I expected mans. ' I returned to our house,' she him to devastate everything in our house. writes, ' by side-roads. Near the house I But I knewmy fatherto befirm and noticed several hussars. Had the Germans courageous, and I feared an altercation alreadyreturned ? I wasovercome by between him and the Prussian. great inquietude. Whathad happened c The Uhlan remained a moment during my absence ? I opened the door. EMILIENNE MOREAU 69 68 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR The shop wasfilled with Germans. My subjected to all the horrors of invasion. firstglance was at my parents. They There were ‘ vileorgies.’ Articles of were surrounded by soldiers and were various kinds were stolen and taken away wry pale, butthey preserved their cool- in sacks, disputes amongst the enemy ness andtheir dignity. I realized that arising out of covetousness. In the midst they were being tortured with questions. of the orgies came the bugle-call of an On my arrival the soldiers picked up their alarm,and Emilienne Moreau tells how rifles, as thougha little girl like myself with apalpitating heart she witnessed a battle from the attic of her home. could have been redoubtablc, and they When the alarm was sounded, had immediately surrounded me.’ ‘ I the idea of going up to the attic, the attic L Where do you come from? ’ they asked. From the outskirts,’ the answer came. fromwhich I was to witness so many horrible sights, and whencewhen the ‘ Ah ! did you see the French ? ’ ‘ The French? No !’ weather wasclear my view extended as far as Notre Dame de Lorette. Later this brave girl was asked whether ‘ From the dormer window, with a she was French, to which she replied palpitatingheart, but unable to take my firmly, ‘ Yes, French.’ Her questioner folded his armsand eyes off the tragic picture, I watched a battle. was about half-past five ; the looked into her eyes, but she faced his It was sinking in a red glory, and in this scrutiny with firmness. Indeed,in the sun blazing atmosphere a cavalry engage- presence of all those Germans she was not ment wasproceeding on the heights of intimidated. Terrible days followed, during which Vermelles. The German horsemen, lances in rest, emerged from the thicket the Loos was sacked andthe inhabitants on 7” HEROINES OF THE WORLb-WAR EBCILIENNE MOREAU 71 hill of Lens. They rushed upon our Exasperated by these perpetual dra;-oons, who awaited ihem 5r~dyJand depredations,’ she writes, ‘ 1 revolted Wh0 d%tshd Ilp@ntilcin their tut-11. An ir1 and stoodin the doorway and triedto awful ml6e ensued, which the clouds of forbid themto enter the house. My smokt s:ldderdy hid from my view. IVhen resistance, which, I admit, was foolish, the smoke had c!eared a.tvzy, saw whole I did not last long.One soldier put his lincs of Ea!lcn men, horses leaping over bayonet to my throat, another swung me corpscs, men td10 had bcen unhorsed, around like a spinning-top. I believe that more cavalry arriviilg, and anothcr bristling this audacity of a young girl who dared to lane of lances, ~hikthere wasrenewed oppose them amused them more than it firing and a hail of machine-gun bullets.’ irritated them, for they burst into laughter. The tide of the battle ebbed and flowed, But presently I shuddered, for they had the enemy seeming to gain the ascendancy looked at my father with a disquieting air. one hour, thenmastery seeming to rest They had not yet finished hunting civilians, with the heroic French. Eut eventually who became their prisoners on whom they the enemy gained the upperhand, and imposed the most repugnant tasks, who Loos fell for a while under the iron heel of were at their mercy, and who were per- Germany. ” Terrible privation followed. In petually under the threat of being sent to a particularly poignant passage the heroine Germany. In Mme. Hay’s cellar, where of Loos tells how she resented the constant hewas hiding, the Germans discovered a robberies of the German soldiers. Every youth nearly eighteen years of age, young available thing was carried away, including Saint Georges. He was slender and mattresses, blankets, and various articles delicate, and appeared less than his age. of furniture. With touching precaution, his mother had EMILIENNE MOREAU 73 had iihc idea o1 rlrcssing himlike a child my father.He also was shortlyto be inkniclterhockers. r-9 he soldiers,however, exposed to great danger. One day, I think m dr-ag;in;; hin1 into the court-yard in it was Gctober 22, he and I decided to brmd dayliglrt, detectedthe stratagem, go up into our attic again, taking care not and onr of tl-ml pointcd a revoXwr at his to be seen from outside. Consequently tcmjAc. But Mme. Saint Georges uttered we did not go too close tothe window, swh .;hri4

deliverance would be retarded. 'f Oh ! the officer demurred, but eventually consented, \

gang of rascals i " muttered my father. and the family saw the poor victim at the

" They'll have to ray for all this ! " Our Place de la République, surrounded by affection for him made him a prisoner to guards. He toldthem briefly whathad the house. T?v'e hesought hiln not to show happened. Whereupon his wife broke into himsel .F, to Ici them forget him. Me resigned tears,and, wringing herhands, cried, himsel E, in hcf , to passing the whole day ' As you are taking my husband, I want in his room ; but one morning he could to die with him. You mmt take me with bear it 130 longer, and; escaping from our him ! ' uigilant watch so to speak, he went out.' The scene was intensely distressing. The At this time the &Iore,zus were without heroic daughter tells how she was dis- Eood o€ any khd, and the father had gone tracted, maddened, and could only weep. out in the hope of obtaining a few vege- But knowing that it was necessary to act tables. Imnlediately on reaching the open andnot lament,she managed to regain he v7as seen by a German soldier, who self-control. compelledhim to march toward German Suddenly an idea crossed her mind. She batteries near by. This, it was soon embraced her father, bidding him ' Take learnt, was a trap. The innocent man was courage ' ; then she hastened to an officer now accused of spying. He protested, but who resided in a house close by, and was surrounded by soldiers with fixed implored him to save her father. At first, bavonets, and wasgiven to understand however, she appealed in vain. Not till that he was about C o h shot, she had pleaded again and again, and had 76 HEROINES OF THE \q70RLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 77 gone down on her bendcd knees,was she but cautioned severely that she-would giver: a favourable hearing. be closely watched in the future. The officernow went to the house and The heroicgirl in relating her story questioned the prisoner andthe soldiers gives many vivid pictures of her expe- surrounding him. Hethen wrote a few riences with the enemy. Some of the wordson a piece of payer, andturning soldiers, it is true, showed that they were said, ‘ Remain at home. Don’tbe seen not devoid of commondecency. A few in the streetagain.’ even revealed natures comparati17ely Thus the heroine of Loos, by her courage gentle and considerate. Butthere can and presence of mind, saved her father be no doubt that the girl owes her life and from immediate death.Her heroic safety to her wonderful courage and self- character was indeed seen in numberless control. In virtue of her peculiar gifts ways,from the first terrible coming of character,she won protection where of the Germans upto the liberation of others would certainly have been sub- Loos. jected to terrible cruelty. In her own clear, Later her father’s lifewas again effective style she tells how she protected threatened, and she, acting in his defence, the children of Loos during periods of was arrested, imprisonedfor a while, bombardment : and subjected to many indignities. She ‘ I exacted from the commandant of managed, however, bythe aid of her Loos thatthe building in whichschool mother to obtain a hearing from an officer was to be held should have a good sound in high command, and again her courageous cellar, wherein, in case of danger, I might and outspoken nature brought about put my little pupils in safety. I did not the desired result. She wasreleased, mind being exposed myself (I was now 78 HEROINES OF TEE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 79 accustomed tothat) ; but I wasanxious wide door opening on to a small passage, that elvery possible precautionshould be and in the passage itself was the staircase takm for thelittle ones who were to be leading tothe cellar. A hunt was made under nqr care. for benches and tables, and even a black- ‘ Evenunder these conditions there boardwas found. This school furniture still remained a considerable likelihood of was necessarily rather rickety, but it was ill-chance. ’There had been more than notthe time to beexacting. In ‘brief, one example of a storeyed building collap- everything was ready for Wednesday morn- sing and interring under its ruins thepeople ing, inaccordance with the injunction of who lladsought refuge in the cellar. The the Kommandatur. The school hours were house selccted 2s a school was close to our also fixed by the Kommandatur-namely, own, being in the Rue du Cimetière, next from g to noon and from z to 5 tothat of Mme. Creton. It contained a o’clock. A little before g o’clock I was room that was neither too largenor too at my post,somewhat moved by the small, and which had been the taproom thought of the gravity of my task in the of aninn. This is equivalent to saying miserable timesthrough which we were thatthe Germans had exercised their passing. I was aboutto enter into close pillaging proclivities thereinmasterly communion with these little souls that had style.Nothing remained of theinn been wounded in their instincts by all the fittings, &c. What pleased meabout brutality and all the arbitrariness the Ger- it was thestructural arrangement, from mans had manifested. Could we now know thepoint of view which preoccupied me how long ourcaptivity would last ? It most. was my firm will to leave a truly French ’ At one end of the room was a fairly imprint upon theselittle souls. This 80 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 81 resolution would, I hoped, compensate for ' I told them that if we were at present my inexperience. isolated, greatFrance still existed, and Through all, Emilienne Moreau retained was thinking of us ; that weowed her the self-control that enabled her not only our love and our pity more than ever to think of others but to act effectively now ; thatthey weregoing to workfor on their behalf. And as the days passed her, for her whom they would all serve in andthe greattrials and sorrows of the their turn in one manner or another.' Put- inhabitants of Loos increased, horror fol- ting myself on their level within reach of lowing horror, causing many to die of their minds, simply, but imbued with the sheer misery and distress, herlove for sentiments I expressed, I explained to them France and loyalty to herkinsfolk why our country, by all it represented deepened and grew ever stronger. She tells throughout the world, was the most beauti- in touching language how she gave her ful of all. Yes, we were unhappy, we were first lesson to the children under her care : subjugatedunder an abominable yoke ; ' Oh ! my first lesson ! I m'as over- but the contrasts we had before our eyes whelmed by deep pity,and I felt great could only inspire within us more pride tenderness towards these poor little ones, in our mother country. They had seen the every one of whom had bcca close to French soldiers pass, soldiers whowere death, every one of wham had suffered the ardently eager, generous, ready for any worst privations. What mourning had and every sacrifice, and at the same time already afflicted them ! What did the still over-bubbling with good humour. morrowreserve for them ? So I didnot They had seen the Germans, brutal, greedy, need to prepare the words I spoke to them cruel, abject. How, spite of their trials, They came quite naturaíiy to my lips. could they fail to maintain the pride of B EMILIENNE MOREAU 83 t t :c i r !.n ( t: i $111 ! everything I said there previously saved from death, wascom- v# L-. rw.iwd engraved ir1 my heart ! mitted to the grave. 2 lm1 .T. spokc to tlmn of the joy we Later on, Loos wasagain violently shelled, shod¿! fcel when we were once again among but now by theFrench in an effort to carry Ei-mch pople. France wouldbe doubly the German positions. On May g came the clear to us ; and because we had been French attack, and Emilienne Moreau tells sepratcd f t-om her, our affection for her how Loos seemed to be in the midst of a v-odd be wen greater thanthat of the fiery furnace. ' Suddenly the shop door oth-s, those who had never been severed gave way. Our first impression was that WE her. Fi~~ally,recurring very gently it had been overturned by the bprsting of .to the reason of our gathering, I urged a shell. But at the same time, not- them to be attentiveand zealous ; there withstanding the fearful uproar, a few wo~~ld.be nothing boresome or arid in their words reached us : " Sacrament ! . . , work, since it would be devoted entirely to Franzoust ! " improving their knowledge of their own ' And on the first steps of the cellar language, andto learning the history of staircase appeared threesanguinary spectres.

t hcir own country. J They wereGermans, who, distracted, 3ravd;b- thelittle company waited €or demented by the furious bombardment, the turn of thetide of fortune, hoping, wereseeking a shelter. One hadan arm praying, looking daily for release from the almost severed from his body ; the second terrible grip of the enemy. Meanwhile waswounded in the head ; thethird, a this heroic girl was called upon to make KedCross man, was reddened with the with her own handsthe coffin in which blood of his comrades. Hehad been her broken-hearted father, whom she had takingthem tothe ambulance-station, S4 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 85 when the rain of fire had forcedhim to find ‘ On the evening of the twenty-fourth we a temporary refuge for them and for him- saw a considerable number of wounded men self.’ pass in an indescribable state of dirtiness Laterthe girl had the unutterable joy and attenuation. However, an officer, still of learning that theFrench were advancing. simulating pride-thosepeople, in reality, ?Jeanwhile Loos wzs subjected to further lie tothe very last-said to mewhen violent bornbardnlent, andthe Moreaus’ he cameclose to me, ‘‘ We have house was again struck by a shell. ‘ The taken a lot of Arab prisoners.” Now, artillery dud,’ the girl records, ‘ continued, opposing them, there had been no African and incessantly became fiercer and fiercer. troops. Grave events v+7ere evidently imminent. ‘ On the morning of the twenty-fifth there Tt may be opportune here to say what the came a sudden calm. I mean by “ calm ” position of the German defences was. The the cessation of the firing of large shells. first line o€ trenches skirted the Mount of But we noticed a strong smell of chlorine ; Vermelles, descended with twists and turns then we felt a sort of giddiness, followed forwards and rearwards along the Bkthune by headaches, against which we tried to road, and from there reached Pit II and react by bandaging our temples with cold- the Cité Saint-Pierre. The reserve trenches water compresses. However, I was so cut through the Rue deVermelles and anxious to know what was happening that, theLa Bassée road onone side, and on yet again, I climbed upto the attic, the other side the park of the Chsteau difficult though it now was to reach, and, Magnier(which we now always called the as I hadalready done, I lay flat on my

“ Burnt Château ”), the cemetery, and part stomach upon the beams that had resisted. of the iCue de Lens. But before my eyes I had nothing but a S6 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAL 87 dense fog, andit wasdifficult to under- little reflection that I: realized that these standthis phenomenon,for the morning men-I should have said demons at first- had been so bright. werewearing masks. These soldiers,who, ' At one moment I was absolutely supine. aided by the cloud produced infront of I could scarcely hold on any longer to the them, had been able to descend from the remains of the timber-work ; and as below Mount of Vermelles, advanced with irre- mc was the vacuum of the devastated sistible ardour.' house, I felt as though I were falling. The Germans werecompelled to yield Xhen I recovered -€romthis swoon, the fog before the furious onslaught, and the girl had slightly diminished, and I began to tells how she ranto the cellar in which see, though still as through a veil, forms she had left her relatives, and exclaimed, making furious movements. Then these ' Courage ! Help is coming ! The Ger- forms became more distinct and also mans are overwhelmed ! ' increased in size. In the Place de la République the Ger-

" I shall never forget that extraordinary mans were now hastening to remove their vision, the more €rightful because it was cannon, but many were left in the panic still relatively distant. Strange beings, that prevailed. Fleeing soldiers were seen, with indistinct features, grey in colour, and werefired upm bytheir officers. with enormouseyes, were rushing upon Wounded men, dragging themselves along, the German trenches. These monstrous- caused further panic. Many soldiers thew looking beings were wearing a sort of rigid down their rifles and their haversacks in tube over their moútl-r,nose, and eyes. the hope of fleeing to a place of safety. Their appearance caused a fantastic, mad- Then Germanwinforc Gening impression. It was only after a a defence was organiz

*a I) EMILIENNE MOREAU 89 the attacking Scotch regiment carried all fires. But ourselves,who were we to before it. them ? Could they immediately distin- The Allies’ first column had rushed the guish those whom their presence filled with trenches of the Mount of Vermelles and joy ? It was essential toact quickly, to the secondline of trenches at the end of find an expressive means of explaining our the Ruck deVernlelles, and nowwere feelings, of making ourselves understood advancing along the Place de la République. without pourparlers that would atthat

’l‘he second column, aiter capturing the moment have been diflicult. . . . trenches of the Béthune road, encountered ‘ I advanced, and by a sudden inspira- a stubborn resistance, but pushed valiantly tion commenced to sing “ La Marseillaise.’’ forward . . . Mine was a very frail voice, weakened Loos hrdseerningly been conquered and by emotion amid all this tumult. It never- I-egziixi! ; but the British troops were theless vibrated, owing to the magic of the still assailed from hidden places by a storm tones of the anthem with which I saluted of bullets. Eater the attacking columns our rescuers. . . . An acclamation answered united, and soon heid the key to complete me, “ We’re British ! We’re Scotch ! ” victory. , . . Our meeting had taken place.’ The girl, who approached the Scotchmen, An English officer approached the girl, records thatthey made astrange and and leading her into what remained of the terrible spectacle. Indeed, she says, ‘ they shop unfolded a map. She furnished hin1 appeared terrible to such a point to some with particulars ; then insisted, entirely of theinhabitants, that the latter, not regardless of personal risks, on accompany daring to recognize them as friends, took ing him. Leading the officer, with a know- fií@ and hul-led themselves between two ledgewhich proved of the utmost value, ()O HEROJNES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 91 she pointed outthe hiding-places of the My mother spread our blankets and bed- enemy. coverings over the flooring of the shop, so At manypoints there were desperate that these soldiers might stretchout encounters, and again fighting broke out. their weary limbs upon them. . . . But we The girl was in constantdanger; but in had very few, and we were soon at theend spite of the officer’s keen anxiety, she of our resources. . . . If only we had had rehzsed to seek safety, and continued to some straw ! . . . I went to fetch some play the partof an heroic and most valuable other woundedmen. Thebrave fellows ! soldier. There were some among them who, on see- The ground was thickly strewn with ing me arrive, surmounted their sufferings corpses, and the wounded lay on all sides. to thank me. But I was in despair over ‘ Oh, those womded men ! ’ she exclaims ; the slowness with which I might possibly ‘ how could one avoid essaying everything bring them somerelief, when fortunately possible to succour them, to prove to them a an ambulance arrivedunder the com- our gratitude ? I was able at least to try mand of a doctor with the rank of major.’ to give them “ first-aid.” They were very Withthe doctor’s ready consent, numerous, and I felt thetask to be an hilienne Moreau continued to assist the extremely heavy one ; but I thought only wounded, rendering most valuable service. of their sufierings. Thus I summoned the Later she searched amongst the ruins for strengthto help some of them tostand woundedsoldiers, who might otherwise up ; and making them lean on my arm have been left to aterrible fate. After or on my shoulder, I led them to our house. a while word came that some of the Ger- . . . You willsee that it was not a very mans were still inhiding, and were prevent- sak shelter, but there was no other. . . . ingwounded men from being brought to 92 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILIENNE MOREAU 93 a place of safety.But the forces avail- caused by a German shell. Then came able at the moment were small. Indeed, the German counter-attack, whichwas the n7ork of clearing out the Germans was valiantly withstood. But it wasdeemed undertakcn by a number of wounded advisable to remove all civilians, and, to British soldiers accompanied by the heroic the joy of the long-suffering inhabitants, girl. Together they advancedtoward the a detachment of French soldiers arrived cellar into which Emilienne Moreau had and directed the movements. seen the Germans creep. Moving stealthily On September 28 the Moreaufamily- forward, the girl at great personal risk the mother, the heroic Emilienne, and the led the way, and played a part, indeed the little girl Marguerite-cast their last back- most active part, in ridding the British ward glances at the blackened ruins of of the hidcien foe. She thenreturned to their oldhome. The journey to a place the shop, which had been turned hastily of safety proved a terrible ordeal. Again into a hospital, and was now so crowded and again they were shelled by the Ger- that to minister to the men she had to mans, andthe scenes of battle through step over their wounded bodies. which they were compelled to pass were of Later the place was again subjected to a nature that completely unnerved many shell fire, and the girl now assisted in of the suffering company. Torrentialrain removing the wounded to a place of safety. added to their sufferings, and the wounded Ijuriag this bombardment the heroic girl’s child Marguerite was now in such a state little sister Marguerite was womded. A that it was feared that further progress was shr-zpnel bullet entered her wrist. But impossible. the child showed wonderfulcourage, and Fortunately they sighted a cart caz‘qing only regretted lhat heï injury had been a French officer, and were driven to the EMILIENNE MOREAU 9 5 village Mazingarbe, where they were given Rutthe wonderful valour and fine a warmwelcome. From Mazingarbe they humanity of this heroic girl was not to go journeyed to Beuvery. Here also they unrewarded. A littlelater, whilst return- werewelcomed withgreat kindness. But ing on foot from a visit to her distressed their journey was notyet atan end. relatives at Halincourt, she passed an At nightfall they reached Béthune, and automobile in whichwere some British arrangements were made by an officer for officers ; and,to her astonishment, the them to lodge in comparative comfort vehicle suddenly slackened speed, turned at Manutention. The child Marguerite’s round, and came up to her, and an officer wound was here carefully tended, and in- called her by name, ‘ Mademoiselle Moreau.’ deed the clouds seemed at last to belifting. Looking closely at the occupants of the But the Moreaus’ cup of sorrow was not car, the girl now recognized the doctor to yet full. They now learnt that Henri whom she had rendered assistance after Moreau had been killed in action at Berry- the taking of Loos. He told her that he au-Bac on June 4. ‘ My mother and I,’ had been looking forher, and requested her Emilienne writes, ‘ were in consternation. to enter the car, so that she might be inter- Even tears failed us. It seemed that this viewed by a British officer. was really too, too much ; that the cruelty She readily assented, and reference was of fate was concentrated upon us. . . . now made by the doctor to the tragic day6 My father had died, my brother was killed, at Loos and to the girl’s valuable assist- my sister was wounded ; for a whole year ance and heroic conduct. On reaching unsupportable suffering and incessant their destination she was seen by an officer humiliation had been our lot ; our home in high command, and was told that was destroyed.’ arrangements would be made for a reward

------96 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR EMILJENNE MOREAU 97 worthy of her courage. The girl, who v7as pleasure in bringing your conduct to the greatly astonished that her deeds should favourable notice of theFiench military have become known, learnt that the doctor authorities. had made a detailed report. A few days ' I am, afterwards she received the following ' P. E. J. Hosss, letter : ' MAJOR-GENERAL, DEPUTYAD JUTANT, AND QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL,FIRST ARMY.' ' HEADQUARTERS, FIRST ARMY, The outcome was that, in a memorable ' BRITISHEXPEDITIONARY FORCE, 'October 7, 1915. ceremony at Versailles, Emilienne Moreau was decorated with the Croix de Guerre by . I have the pleasure to inform you General De Sailly. Amidst valiant soldiers that the assistance you rendered tothe wounded in battle, she was lined up and medical officer attachedto the 9thBat- had the War Cross fastened to her bodice. talion Black Watch at Loos on September Seldom has reward or recognition been 25 and 26, 1915, and also the courageous more richly deserved. Her valour amidst way in whichyou assisted to attack the scenes of unspeakable horror, and in spite enemy, have been brought to the notice of heart-rending sorrow, is of a nature that of the GeneralOfficer Commanding the must surely inspire allmankind. So long Firs t (British) Army. as deeds of heroism are told, thestory ' General Sir Douglas Haig has directed of her wonderful courage and fine humanity me to write to you, andto express his should find a place. sincere admiration of the patriotism and courage shown by you on the above occa- sion, and to say that he had much W SISTER MYRA IVANOVNA 99 able staying powers. No undertaking seemed too large for the wonderful, courageous spirit within her frail form. Onelongs for astill closerknowledge of CHAPTER IV her personality ; but we know sufficient to picturea womanmoved by deep SISTER MYRA IVANOVNA A RUSSIAN JOAN religious instincts and a burning desire to OF ARC minister to sufferinghumanity. The goal Her inspiration came through her intense pity, of her vision and effort was not the valley not the pity of a woman who expends her feelings of death, but the gates of life-a Sister of in tears, but the compassion of a heroine who feels Mercy in the truest sense. she has a mission and who wieldsthe sword io succour When warbroke out,she accompanied the un€ortunate.--Sm. BEUVE. her brother, a military doctor, to the battle M. KUPCHINSKYof the Bourse Gazette of front, and did valuable service amongst Petrograd speaks of Sister Ivanovna as a the sick and wounded. Hertouch, it is true heroine, a type of womanhood that is said, healed as if by magic. Her presence guiding Russia to victory. ‘ In her heart,’ was as the presence of angels. No service another writes, ‘ was the holy flame that was too small, no effort toogreat. The burnt in the heart of the Immortal Maid.’ rough Russian soldiers were her brothers, At “ce time of her sacrifice Sister Myra to be treated with the gentlest care. By Ivanovna was only twentyyears of age, the will of God their souls and bodies were in her keeping. She was God’s and was small of statureand frail. Her ! temperament, however, was such that it ministering angel. produced great activity and most remark- Added to her deep religious faith was a 98 t

IO0 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR SISTER MYRA IVANOVNA IO1 strong and abiding lovefor her country by nurses. Many of themhave worked and kinsfolk. Mighty Russia was her and died at posts of duty' of which the earthly mother ; and the Russian soldiery, world knows but little. We honour them, who were children of the same great yet know not their earthly names. - mother, were her brothers.Her active To Sister Ivanovna it was given to make imagination saw herbrave comrades in an open, shining example of the heroism every light, yet always as men whose souls of her sex. Many hours had been spent it was her duty to love and protect. by her in hidden wg!k and - -/ In- Russia was, shefelt, fighting in a deed, with her work and prayer were one. righteous cause. She desired most ear- She knew but one path ; and when that nestly and prayed constantly that victory path led her to the firing-line and into the might crown her country's arms ; and so very face of the enemy, she went, without bold was her spirit, so intense her purpose, a thoughtto self, valiantly, most wil- that she avowed her readiness to lead the lingly,rejoicing in theopportunity to soldiers in battle. There were some persons serve actively in a good cause. who laughed at her aspirations. ' So many She was told that theenemy was advanc- talk like that,'they said. But in her ing, and that for a woman the danger was heart, as thefuture proved, burntthe immediate and terrible ; but she did not bright, inexhaustible flame of a soul truly waver. She was implored to seek safe inspired. Her endurance was amazing. quarters ; yet still she withstood firmly Men wondered how one so frail could with- all such pleading. ' My place,' she said, stand so great a strain. But, to the glory ' is with the wounded.' of womanhod, we know that many seem- Nearer and nearer the enemy ap- ing superhuman acts have been performed proached, and again warning- came of the fierceness and cruelty of the attackillg I I mes ; but this brave Sister still held to her post.Soon it was known beyond question that the enemy ~17e1-eclose at

hand. A deadly fire fell upon the Xussian I ti-enchcs and upon theambulance with which the heroic Sister worlccd. Still closer the enemy advanced, and now threateried the flank of the Russian troops. The fire was now ' scorching the Russian soldiers as in ;t fiery storm.' Orders came for the ambuiance near the 10th Regiment to witldl-aw. But the in- structions wcre j!ot followed. Later the 1 heroic Sister was disco-vcred bandaging the wounded in the wry thick of the fight. i The order came again thatthe ambulance I must be removed to the rear, and the order, I it seems, was cow obeyed. Eut Sister i lvanovna I-emained -#.ii th iiw wounded. The ambulance-stit lionmay go back,' l she said ; ' but I sllail S iay hel-e, where my hands are wanted. ' l The cnenly now opened ;c si.ill war? 104 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR SISTER MYRA IVANOVNA 105 was such that ìt hears the complexion of followed by all who still remained in the Mion, of things imagined ratherthan ranks, even as Joan of Arc was folkwed, actually performed. But the heroic deeds by soldiers proud to be led by a maid in of Sister Ivanovna arc, arlmlgst the great whose heart burnt a heavenly flame. Still and swe facts that cannot be disputed, waving the sword, she pressed forward, Fron1 incontestable sources we learnt that straight into the face of the deadly fire of this COIZ rageous woman, seeing the the enemy's machine-guns. At every step l

-- __r MABEL DEARMER 109 Mrs. Dearmer thought all war un- righteous, but her views did not deter her from playing a ministering part.Rather CHAPTER V did her point of view lead her to greater willingness and higher sacrifice. At the MABEL DEARnlER outbreak of war she was deeply affected. Although for a while she followedher ordinaryhabits, theWar moved her to the deepest roots of her being. c For her, STEPHENGWYNN, in a memoir1 of Mabel harmony was not possible between natural harmer, reminds us that in the July life and those unnatural times ; she found which closed the first year of the War, a peace and perfect happiness only when preacher, dwelling on the part played by she went out with a lovely humility as the women on thebattlefields, said : ‘As I lowest of those who served. She had done speak a singlefigure seems to embody to manythings, and all with distinction ; me the glory of woman in this great War, she had been courted alike by men and by That woman is Mrs. Dearmer, who went women who had themselves no mean share to that point of the fieldwhere the need of the world’s envy ; she had achieved was most agonizingand thepersonal danger much, yet counted herself as only laying greatest. . . . God has compIeted and the foundations of a career. But never in crowned her sacrifice by asking her life.’ all her varied energies did she turn more joyfully to any labour than when she 1 Letter5 from a Field Hmpital, by Mabel Dearmer, w~tha Memoir of the Author by Stephen Gwynn. went out, not to nurse, but to fetch and (Macmillan & Co.). carry for nurses in a hospital unit.’ 108 110 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR MABEL DEARMER,‘ III A woman of vivid intelligence, and, it the living of St. Mary’s, Primrose Hill, may be said, of daring enterprise, she made and she now entered into the enjoyment many excursions in the land of thought, of the pleasantly appointed house in Eng- and was equally active and bold in the land’s Lane. She took keen interest in realm of living reality. As a child she her husband’s work, and made many was extremely impressionable, and indeed appreciative friends. She had, it seems, a throughout her Me. Girlhood found her genius for friendship. ‘ As shematured *l

I precocious and fired with ambition. At she was less interested in expression than l’ fifteen she held views that startled her in life itself, and above all in one aspect of Y friends, and led them to havestrange life-religion. Wherever peoplewere with 4 fears. She was so bold in her opinions, whom religion was the passion of life she so daring. At eighteen she became an art was of their Freemasonry ; and when she student at Professor Herkomer’s school at was inreal difficulty, a difficulty of the Bushey. Two years later she was married, soul, she fell back always upon the thought\ and on her twenty-second birthday was of God.’ I the mother of two children. Already her Her Chdd’s Life of Christ is widely known, life was full, as the lives of women go ; and gives a true, clear view of the deep but she was only on the threshold. and sincere side of hernature. A free In he;. interesting and able book, The soul, bound by no conventions, following Di@& Way, she describes the transition the immediate gleam, driftinghither and from Bushey to South Lambeth. Indeed, thither, yet always bound by unbreakable many of the episodes in the book are links tothe truths that are immortal- sketched from her life. Later, her husband, such was her nature : at its rootstrue, th< Rev. Percy r)eal-,ml-, was appointed to tender, lovi~g-religious in the best sense. MABEL DEARMER 1x3 1x2 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR %mda. When, some time since, I had c All the time,’ she once said, c life is lovely and the air is full of angels.’ hurried to London for a hot and crowded As time wen t on her passion for work two days, I hadattended a City dinner deepened, and she produced, amongst other given to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, works, the Nativity piay-The Sod of the and he had talked gravely of coming Wodd, comprising the three acts, ‘ Bethle- disasters-war ! I hadthought only of hem,’ ‘ Getlwmane,’and ‘ Calvary.’ Her Irish dificulties, which I hoped would be wonderful activity of both mind and body soon settled, and dismissed the speech wasseen in many directions. Hernature from my mind. But now-war. . . , I was restless, but of a restlessness prompted asked myself if any horrors could be greater by noble aims. She must bedoing, and thanthe horrors of peace-sweating, the doing w dl. daily lives of the women on the streets, When war broke out, she was at her the cry of babies born to misery as the cottage in the Cotswolds, busy as usual in sparks fly upward. . . many ways. Everyminute was occupied, c Later I began to realizehow London and she had hardly touched a newspaper. was taking the news. . . . People did not Then suddenly came a card from Mr. want to leave town ; a strange passionate Stephen Gwynn, posted .from the House of excitement seemed to possess everybody. Commons : ‘ There is war, and we are I could not enter into it. War ! I did not in it.’ hate the enemy ; I hated the spirit that I knew nothing,’she wrote later, ‘ of made war possible, and this spirit I seemed European complications. . . . The murder to catchin our own newspapers. . . , of an archduke meant no more to me than Only the evenings gave me back the peace some tale of an imaginary kingdom in of God, which held in its quiet armsH the II4 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR MABEL DEARMER 115 w’t~ok s!cq-ing world,working outits the nations, when they seek each other’s ~LSS::\:J icr th(: stars.’ good rather than their own gain-but not r .. il\: r s. 1:‘tarmer afterwards received a yet. 1111 then we must learn OUI mistakes lett W fmm het. son, who was spending his through great suffering.’ vacation in F‘iance : It is fitting that stressshould be laid ‘ I an1 coming home to enlist, on the fact that she went forth notwith- ‘ Your loving son, standing her views as regardsall war. It is easy enough,’ Mr. Stephen Gwynn

‘ CHRISTOPHER.J ‘ comments, ‘ to go into danger whencon- It was all real then. She began to think vinced that your country’s cause is over her position. And here is a point of righteous ; shethought that all war was great iliter’cst : this brave and capable unrighteous, yet she went. She went on wo-nan felt that i€ she liad been a man active service, not because she was an shc, could not have fought. ‘ I read,’she Englishwoman, but because she was a sai4:. ‘ thatthe Kingdom of Heaven is woman ; not because Serbia had fought ì;~~ixdby different method altogether. gallantly, but because in Serbia help was ‘‘ ot by might J nor by power, but by . . . l4 needed.’ wjrit, said the Lord of hosts.” . . . It is a Up to this time she had only thought of mcthod tliat has never been triedby Serbia as a country penetrated by disease diploma,isis. If an individual attempts that brought death to those who went to it in his own Izfe and plunges into deep minister to it, andshe wondered how many seas, it sutains him alìd he walks on the of her companions would return at theend waters in great amazement. What happens of the expedition. Later she learnt to her to an individual will some day happen to surprise, and a joy that found expression

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116 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR MABEL DEARMER 117 in tears, that her hushand had been and Colonel Harrison, then back to the appointed chaplain to ihe Britishunits train to pass the night. The place looked working in Serbia. desolate and poverty-stricken, with hospi- On reaching Salonica (April 17, 1915), tals on all sides. Every big building is a she wrote : ' We have just arrived,and hospital. The Serbians are kindness and have met theother half of our unit. On gratitude itself, both officers and men.' MondayMrs. Stobart and someof us go Later she told how her husband, the on to Kragujevatz, to get up thetents Rev. Percy Dearmer, held three services- and establish the hospital. , . . This is a an early one in the tent, and matins and curious place ; it seems to be crowded with evensong in the open air.The Serbians 'the sickness arid deformity of the world. and Austrians were tremendously in- Everybody marked with small-pox-some terested. ' Some of the Austrian prisoners people without noses or ears. . . . The who came up to dig our trenches round the place needs cleansing.' In anotherletter tents and our pits are very nice,' she wrote, fromSalonica she told how six of their I ' and some can speak alittle English, mit had fallen sick. She was, however, ! and they all laugh and joke and will do able to report that she personally was feel- i anythingfor us.' Inthe same letter she ing well, in spite of a bad knee and other recorded that her husband had a memorial minor troubles. I I servicefor British and Americans. ' We Writing onApril 27 from Kragujevatz, all went down,' she wrote, ' to the church- she said : ' I have literally not had a yard, and Percy read a short service and moment to sit downsince I arrived. . . . prayed over each of the graves. . . . I feel We arrived on Friday night, and at once it wouldbe horrible to get typhus. . . . drove up to the camp to see Mrs. Stobart I have been put in charge of the linen-tent

-...... _ 118 HEROINES OF THE WQIILD-WAR MABEL DEARMER 119 for the whole camp, and am, in addition to to be-.bearing more and helping more : this, doctor’s orderly.’ c Somehow it seems quite wrong of us to She was now held responsible for the linen be so well and healthy ; but if we are to of the entire hospital and the clothing of be a field hospital, we must rcot have two hundred patients and orderlies, and the typhs. . . . We have our tents full, and teut and boxes in which the clothing was send away men every day.’ stored. ‘ In the event of marching orders In another note she said : c We have had coming,’ she wrote, ‘ I n~stbe ready in more than a hundred patients a day at the siu Ilours. I !LSW in;~n~:nsestores of wayside dispensary, ill with typhus, stai let chthhg hew, and a ho~~scis bci12g disin- fever, intermittent fever, and diphtheria. fecI:(:d €or m.: to-day, so that 9 skall pack We are going to have six of these dispen- most of n137 stufi in readiness. I have saries between this ad Belgrade, and, learned to strike and pitch my own tent. what is more, a hospital of 150 beds . . . I can hammer in my own tent-pegs for any cases that need opration or and lift packing-cases that a month ago I who are too ill to return. At that shouldn’t have dreamed of touching.’ hospital we shall take anything and every- ‘ We are friends and enemies all to- thing. We are also adding another hun- gether,’ she said in anothhcl- letter. ‘ Half dred beds to this hospital.’ our wounded are Austrians, and, strangest Her intense sympathy with suffering of all, the head doctor of the Serbian humanity is again shown in a letter written hospital is an Austrian prisoner. He is from Stobart Field Hospital, dated May 22, a wonderful man, and looked after and 1915 : ‘ I am not at all hardened to the treated two hundred wounded ail alone.’ sight of wounds. They don’t make me Later she wrote that she felt she ought feel sick or disgusted, only passionately I,

I HEROINES OF WORLD-W--AR L20 THE MABEL DEARMER 121 pitiful ; and I patthe patients hands stood and realized from the first. . . . One ancl say, l‘ Dobra Voynick, ’’ which means bas tostop some day,and personally T

‘c Good Soldier,” andthey say, “ Dobra would ratherstop heredoing this work J sis ìel-.J ’ than anywhere else in the world. There is With the coming of the dreaded typhus nothing terrifying or agonizing in typhus, to the camp (June S), she wrote under great you sleep most of the time, and just drift l strain : ‘ I have been very tired. . . . I away intothe unknown quitequietly. T 4 am greedy for sleep. . . . They shelled the am not dwelling on all this, but justtelling town herefor practice to-day, and I was you, so that you maynot beworried or I so tired I slept through the whole thing. 1 unhappy about me.’ ’\ The reason that my work has been heavy I She sought to comfort her friends. But ’l is that the dreaded typhushas come into on June 6 came ominous news, and later 1 the camp. . . . Our Serbian interpreter y: came this message : ‘ We have ten nurses l was the first to get it, . . . then Nurse down. . . . Everybody is doing everybody Red,and yesterday Mr. Stobartand else’s work. My two helpers have gone. i Dorothy Picton were isolated. . . . If I . . . I have a temperature every night to I should get it, willyou always re- which I seem to have grown accustomed.’ i member that I am very strong, . . . so Then she wrote : ‘ Eleven people are down that there is every chance of my pulling with this deadly fever.’ through ? I should send you a wire, as A few days afterwards came the grave of course you would want to know. I news that she wasdown with typhoid. shall send it, not feeling that I am inflicting Reassuring reports followed later, but only a heavy blow, but just telling you of some- to give place to deep anxiety. On July IO thing, the possibility of which we under- a telegram was dispatched bearing the

I

-. -7 --m --_I.I Y22 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR MABEL DEARMER 123 fatal words : ‘ Relapse, critical hours.’ die €or the boys.’ There are many reasons On JU~YII, 1915, she passed to her reward. forbelieving that she bad no thought of Back to mind comes the beautiful mes- self when writing those words ; but in simple sage sent by her to a dying friend : < Tell yet moving language they give a faithful him that at last one sinks back on God.’ picture of her heroicservice. Her loving, And so Shdied, in perfect faith, and with pitiful care was wonderful. . . . She died the glorioussense oÎ having attained. In for the boys. , onc of her books she wrote : ‘ The attri- butes of women are courage, wisdom, for- titude ; it needs courage to love, fortitude to guide, and wisdom to endure.’ Thus in her own words we see the nobility of her 1 character and the main purpose of her life. On October 6, 1915, her second son, Christopher Dearmer, died at Suvla Bay. He too had followed his vision to the end. Under different inspirations, he bythe broad beaten track, she by tracks that few have trodden, reached the same goal.’ Lovewas her watchword, service her main purpose, and atthe end came the supreme sacrifice. The loving, pitiful care of the nurses here is wonderful,’ she wrote in one of her letters ; ‘ 1 think they would SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 125 Militaire. But on the very dayshe arrived the Germans took over the hospital, and turned out the Belgian sta€f, including Professor Haeger . Sister Martin- Nicholsonwas, nevertheless, retained for CI3APTER the purpose of nursing Belgian prisoners until the arrivalof German nurses. ' The Germans desired the hospital,' Her-c is great coulage linked with great tenderness she writes in the Womaa at Home, May, ---a herolnc such as all men revere.----3'. Q. 19x6, ' as a lazarette, i.e. resting-house \VE are fortunate in having direct informa- combined with hospital for their soldiers. tion regarding Sister Martin-Nicholson's . . . I picked up my cloak and gloves, thrilling experiences. This heroic English- feeling a distinct desire to see the outside woman was trained at the Royal Victoria of the building, when I felt rather than saw Hospital, Belfast. On August 19, 1914, a small steely-grey eye fixed on me, whilst she went to Brussels, and travelled on the a professor in a hardly discernible whisper lasttrain allowed through from Ostend. said hurriedly : On the same day the German advance ' " Get away, Sister, as quickly as you guard occupied the city with fifty thousand can. Get away ! " troops. ' A voice as steely as the eye broke in Sister Martin-Nicholson served, however, upon my plans : " 1 am told that the with one of the ambulances of the Belgian Gnädige Fräulein English is ! Our nurses Red Cross, and passed later to the assist- have not yetfrom Germany arrived, so ance of Professor Kaegar at the Hôpital she will stay and look after the Belgian 124 126 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 127

prisoners until they do ; the less severely c LL Y our key, Schwester ! ”

wounded of the belgians will to Germany ‘ “ No man has the key of my room,”

~-ernovedbe ! ” I replied icily.

‘ I very stupidly repliedin German, ‘ ‘‘ But I have orders ! ” and he crashed stating that 1: hadn’t the slightest desire the butt end of his rifle on the stone flags to remain. within an inch of my foot, in a vain ‘ “ Ach ! the GnädigeSchwester our endeavour, I suppose, to Aood my being

hnguage speaks. We shall togethervery with “ frightfulness.”

wcll get on. But she must understand that ‘ “ Well, bring the officer here who gave she a prisoner is, and must hersell’ resign, them, and don’t rattle your rifle like that ; and be not afraid if she a sentry outside it makes too much noise.” her door finds. For is she not the enemy, ‘ The soldier looked at me with astonish-

though ? ” and herc the huge man with ment, and gave a grunt of satisfaction as chest covered with ribbons drew himself the colonel,Graf von B-, came along up and saluted. the corridor. Here at any rate was some ‘ There was nothing for it but to walk one who would enforce order and bring out of the room past the ci-her officers, who this obstreperous person to heel. But all said something pleasant to me, the only his short-lived satisfaction gave way to wornan who was to pass so manydays astonishment, as T, in spotless white and alone amongst more than a thousand of blue, gave orders in my turn. “ Donner the enemy. und Blitzen ! ” I heard him exclaiming ‘ Outside my door I found a soldier with lateroutside my window to a group fixed bayonet, who put out his hand as I of incredulous friends as the colonel approacld took his orders uncomplainingly, leaving

- - 128 IIEROINES OF THE WORLD-lT.TAR SISTEK JOAN MARTIN-NICROLSON 129 the I;py inthe posscssion o€ the English.

crucifix, intothe chapel, moving benches woman. J Days of storm adstress followed. All andseats to seekfor an opening, one soldier ripping and stabbing the curtain the nuns were EOW banished. Two prisoners had escaped during the night, before the confessional. Nothing was found, which Lut added and the nuns were under ;t cloud of sus. picion. to the wrath already deepening the purple of the angry faces.' L I was talking om molning,' Sister ~lartín-~~,:i;.:,loIsongoes on to relate, ' to Sister Martin-Nicholson protested strongly the venerabk Lady Superior, who had for and at great risk to her personal safety. sixty years ruled thc cmvent, when the In virtue of her courage, however, rattle of a sy~lord uyon the oyen door she was treated with comparativekind- brought us to the steps. Three officers, ness. Indeed, she was invited to sit at and four soldiers withcays firmly fixed mess with the German officers. ' But I upon shaven heads, brrzshed past us with- looked,' she writes, ' at my brave patients, out a word, strode into the hall, and in who joked so cheerily about their hunger guttural German-French called loudly for and sufferings, and I looked over my bowl the head of the house. at theorderly. ' Very quietly the Lady Superior ap7 ' " My sincere thanks to the officers, but proached. I prefer to eat with my patients." ' And well had I chosen, as the snatches ' " Take us through the house ! " ordered the senior oficer. of song and shouts of ribald laughter, the ' Right through they went, bursting into outcome of overmuch champagne, told me ; and how grateful were my men, showing cells where the 11~11s knelt before the their appreciation by offerings of theirI l-IEROISES O? THE VitCRLD-WAR -130 SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 131 y:icI‘-. diminishing stores of chocolate and the doctor,” I answered,whilst the ward jam, the latter beingadded to the gruel, seethed with excitement. making it, if possible, moreindescribably *q Ach ! but he will strafe you if he finds disgusting than before, but which I ate you disobeying, Sister ! ” \vitilouf a siga. ‘ The first time I heard the word, which ‘ I worked from 6 a.m. to midnight with- doubtless in years to come will be found ouf a break-alone. Strict orders had in the English dictionary.’ come that I was not to touch a dressing A terrible scenefollowed. All Sister until the doctor had seen the cases. I Martin-Nicholson’s patients - fractures, stood it for twelve hours ; but after that, paralysed, no matter what-wereAung with -the aid of two soldiers whocould on to the floor and told to get up and walk, hobble, took thematter into my own to see if they were well enough to be trans- hands, and did them every three hours. ferred to Germany, and if they were slow IVht sights ! and yet nothing compared in obeying, a heavy Germanboot would to what I found later in Poland. act as spur. ‘ I was in the middIe of onewhich ‘ They came to the bed of the man I had Ixgarecl description, when a plump little been dressing,’ the heroic nurse writes. German corporal, who had. constituted ‘ ‘‘ No you don’t l ” I said. himself a kind of 147atch-dog, and who was ‘ “Hold your tongue I ‘I shouted the aln;aj?s anxious to help,came rushing up doctor. excitedly, exclaiming : ‘ I shall not,” I replied,lifting the ‘ Quick, Sister-quick ! Thedoctor dressing off the patient’s back. “Look comes. 1 will hide these things ! ” at this, and tell me that even you would ‘ lí W3atever for ? I don’t care about daxe to move him I ” 132 II’SROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSOF- 133

‘ DU liebe Gott ! ” exclaimed the man. changed every two hours, a I’resh one And then I said a thing which migli€ arriving with a new password, which, taking have landed me in Germany for the dura- everything into consideration, was sinl~ly tion of the War. absurd.Here is a sample of onenig%t. ‘ “It isn’t your liebe Gott who will make Suddenly my slumbers would be disturbed a fuss about this,” I said as best I could for by my window (which I kept open) being the rage which hadturned me white. flung back.

‘‘ The AmericanConsul knows that I am ‘ ItWho sleeps here ? ” here, so I am perfectly safe ; butthis ‘ I would spring up in bed to see the kind. of thing ’J---and 3_ pointed to my men faithfulbayonet glittering in the moon- lying huddled ali over the floor or crawling light.

back to their beds amidst the jeers of the ‘ I‘ I do,” I would murmur inanely. German soldiery--‘rwon’t addto your ‘“Who are you ? Give the watch- reputation, will it ? Wounded menbeing word ! ”

kicked and ill-treated ! ” ‘ “An English nurse. Wachtam ‘ There was a moment of utter silence, Rhein ! ’”-or whatever the word had whilst I saw the vision of a fortress before been before I went to sleep. my ‘eyes,and then with an oath the doctor ‘ English what ? ” hurled himself out of the room.’ ‘ “Nurse ! ” During those terrible days Sister Martin- ‘ “ Give the correct word or I fire ! ” and h’icholson was constantly watched. ‘ My he rifle would be trained right uponme. nights,’ she mrites, ‘ were a burden to me. ‘ ‘I Oh, don’t be so silly ! ” I exclaimed. Xy window was French, opening about r‘ Fetch the officer ! ” a foot: from the ground. My sentry was i ‘ So after a longdiscussion the officer I34 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 135 was fetched, and beholdme conversing Dowager Empress and of being made mem- over the sill at 2 a.m. whilst the fears of thesentry were quelled, allowing me to bers of the Russian Red Cross. From sleep until 5.30.’ Petrograd they went to Warsaw, journey- ing on a troop train via Vilna, Grodno, and On thearrival of the German nurses Sister Martin-h’icholsonwas sent to the Dvinsk. At Warsaw valuable services were rendered, and here Sister Martin- King’s Palace to nurse woundedGerman Nicholson continued to nurse till her soldiers. Here a memorable meeting came presence was required in England. about with the heroic Nurse Cavell. At Still with undaunted courage she pre- a later date all the English nurses and pared to undertakefurther work in the doctors wereexpelled from Brussels, and great cause, journeyed bravely sent under armed escort through Cologne, and to France to nurse typhoid ; and at a later Hamburg, Essen, and Kiel Canal to Den- date she went to a clearing-station, and mark. Thence the journey to Copenhagen rendered further heroic service. In was made, where Prince Gustav, nephew Pearson’s Magazine (January, 1916) she to theto Dowager Empress of Russia, gives in her own poignantstyle her im- suggested that Sister Martin-Nicholson pressions of the station, situated close to and her companions might offer their actual scenes of battle. services to Russia. They gladly followed c In a cottage, more or less intact,’ the suggestion, and travelled to Petrograd she writes, ‘ sits a doctor, with his orderlies via Sweden and Finland. around him, gettingready dressings, At Petrogradthey were entertained at bandages, and all the necessaries to rende1 Kaufinan Yiospital, and whilst there enjoyed preliminary aidtothe wounded. The the honour of being presented to the moment is approaching when, with the

.,-L+i ---.?.:L--T-ry- -- I -. ---- \ 136 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 137 dusk. the first men will be brought into stand-by in time of stress, and a most able that room in that cottage, and from that assistant. moment the work will tax the doctor’s ‘ Ambulance coming in, Sister,’ he said. aad !xder.-lies’power to the full.Skill ‘Here are your overall and boots.’ and speed are the only essentials when They knew only too well what was space and time are limited ; for the meant by the coming of the ambulance. ~v-wndwlmust be sent on as quickly as Silentlythese two, the Sister and the pod)lt?. so that serious cases may reach orderly,shook hands, as though to give a place where tile attention and treatment one another courage and make a sacred required may be ohi ained. compact of mutual support. The orderly ‘ And time means life in many cases ! now buttoned up the Sister’s mackintosh c As you can we21 imagine, in this spot, overall, whilst she put on the high rubber car thc figh king lines, it is not possible boots ; then with an encouraging smile to do more than clean up a little and put be preceded her with a lantern down the a dressing on the wounds, and alleviate stairs. tbe pain of those who are suffering intense ‘ We passed through the big hall,’ the agony, and prepare them for their excru- Sister writes, ‘already full of wounded men, ciating journeyover rough roads which some sitting, some standing, some lying they have to take in the horse-ambulances down, either waiting to go to the wards waiting to carry them on to the clearing- or to be taken on to the base in ambulances ; station. * outside it was drizzling, mud ankle-deep Sister Martin-Nicholson goes on to tell in the churned-up yard, as the ambulances how an orderly came and. broke in upon turned in at the big iron gates with as little heir thoughts-a splendid man, a great jolting as possible, drawing up in a line 138 HEROINES OF THE WORLDWAR SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 139 whichreached far away down the road, and my own particular spot to overflowing. bringing a remark from a wounded sub- This sad stream of battered men had each altern, with a gallant smile on his ashen and every one to have attention. . . . grey face : “ Look at the line of carriages ! ” ’ We worked hard, willingly, yes and even Sister Martin-Nicholsonlooked atthe cheerfully, through the entirenight, so line, and thought of the operating-theatre, that the wounded might have a little peace i such a far-stretching line of tightly and comfort before the breaking of dawn, closcd-up \r~ag(~ns,through the flaps of whichwould see them once more on the \I hidl would somctirnes come an exclama- road towards the base. . . . t ion wl~enthe agony hac1 passed the limit ‘ I shall never forget the hall. We nf hx~l;lncndurancc, even of those men knew that the dawn was coming, for the who will lie with clenched teeth and nails murmuring ceased a little, and every now cmlxddcd in -their flesh to keep back the and then a fitful sigh would tell us surely guans, and who yet will force a smile thatthe vitality had sunk to its lowest when I go to them, and wring my hands ebb in this one hour when the lamp of life silently, while great tears stl-eam down grows dim, and that quietly, with a broken their white faces. . . . word-“ Mother,” “darling”-some soldier’s c Slowly, tenderly the woundedwere hearthad just slipped over the border ; lifted down, until the hall was filled. And a heart that had ceased to beat so that you then began the most strenuous work of and Lall the women of England, in fact all--the stupendoustask of sorting out -may pass that one hour at home in the cases and sending them through the security and sleep whilst the whole wide wards, woundedmen pouring in from all world is at war. directions, filling every part of the building c one morning, I remember, our door 1 HEROINES THE WORLD-WAR 140 OF SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 141 blew open, ktting in a ray of sun. Tt, faintly-whispered, Right ho, Nurse ; I’ll fellupon the heads so near the floor, be good ! ” ’ making a glorious halo round those gaunt Again, Sister Martin-Nicholson tells faces, and I thought how proud their how, whilst passing in and out among the mothers and wives, thcu sisters or their wounded, she felt it faint clutching at her sweethearts would have been of them overall and heard a still faint whisper : if they could have seen the stoical ‘ ‘*For Heaven’s sake come to me next, endurance with which they awaited their Nurse.” turns. ‘ ‘I I’m only two away from you, Tommy ; Further touching pictures are given by 1 shan’t be long.” this brave yet gentle Sister. Shetells ‘ A little weary smile broke over the how one night, just after a piercing shell lad’s begrimed face. had tom the night air, the orderly flashed ‘ ‘‘ All right. . . . Say, Nurse, ’ave yer a lantern round the court-yard, the strong seen a bloke wìv red ’air, my regiment, ray shining brightly on the face of a lad ‘ ginger-nuts ’ we calls ’h,-pal of mine, lying on a stretcher : You,safely at he an’ annuver chum, ’Awkins, was ’urt home,will never hear just that one cry yesterday, my turn to-day-I’d loike to which above all others wiU turn your heart know ’ow they’re a-doing ! Shan’t mind to ice ; but neither can you have the utter this so much if I knows as they’re or1 sweetness of being able to go to the lad, right ! ” and by taking his hands firmly in yours, ‘ I smiled. and sayingvery clearly, “ It’s all right, ‘ “They are both quite all right, so you boy ; you’re quite safe here, it’s all right, ” mustn’t worry ; just lie quiet, and wait see him turn to you with a little sob and until I come to you.” SISTER JOAN MARTIN-NICHOLSON 143 I42 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WXR quick to feel, ever ready to sympathize; ' I did not think it wise to tell him that and~~ withal she has proved herself strong1- his pals were indeed all right, lying peace- and courageous--a Fyeroirce s~chas ab1 fully, with folded handsand closedeyes, men revere. having wended their way Home,' Surely all women engaged in such work as this should be hailed as heroines ! And here, to the virtue of onewho ministers, is added a spirit brave in adventure. It is noteworthy that, two days after the burning of Louvain, Sister Martin- Xicholson went through the ruins disguised as a peasant girl--a strange and thrilling experience. It is dso worthy of note that this heroic Sister, who was in Germany shortly before the M7ar broke out, is one of the very few Englishwomen who have been in the air in a Zeppelin. But soaring above the flight of the Zeppelin, and out- shining the brave spirit of adventure, is the noble spirit of one who serves because she loves. It may be seen that Sister Martin-Nicholson's portrait tells of a sensitive and most refined nature, highly imaginative, intensely impressionable; MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL I45 welcome opportunity of seeing the author and hearing from her own lips an account of similar incidents and experiences. I CHAPTER VI1 have beenshown the various documents which prove that she was an accredited MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL nurse with the FrenchRed Cross. I Sensitive, highly strung naturcs are found amongst have seen her photographs, her medals, l the braves!. ---M.Q. her diploma, and the insignia of her office. IN his introduction to Miss Phyllis Camp- . . Above all, I have read some of the bell's moving little book, Back of the Front, numerous letters which shehas received (andstill receives) from her grateful MI-.W. L. Courtney says : ' I have found it a very pathetic and interesting record. patients inwhich the taleis told of a nurse's . . . It bears its credentials on the very 'devotion and of her exceeding great surface. P do not think that any one who reward. . . . It is the merit of Miss peruses these pages will fail to believe that Campbell's book that it is full of pictures. a narrativeso simple and sincere is precisely She makes us see the little town and the what it intends to be-a straightforward forest through which the soldiers pass and the trains which come back with their account of certain poignant experiences loads of wounded. We get to know the men undergone by a Scotch girl when she and the women by whose side she worked was nursing French and British wounded and whose gratitude she earned by her during the opening months of the Great devotion. And the horizon is always War. But I may be permitted to say a lighted by ruddy fires, and the ear is per- few additional words. I have hadthe petually stunned by the ominous sound I44 IC 1.41) €IEKOTNES 01; THE WOKI,D-WATi MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL I47 of approaching battle. ï'he very atmo- speed." Thepavements werecrowded sphere is tense with apprehension and I withfathers, mothers, sisters, lovers, and suspnse. Only five miles separated the brothers; and again there was that strange nurses from the oncoming Germans in all-absorbing silence. 1 There was no thcil- dcsyrate rus11 01-1 Paris. Only by b chatter,no weeping, no comment. In this :;light interval u7as their safety won.' L silence the Cuirassiers came out of the 13~1yiu July, xgq, Kiss Campbell was greatbarrack-yards, still andstraight studying in Germmy. Suddenly, ancl and soldierly. Many of these men were without apparent reason, her aunt arrived known to us. One was our baker, another from Paris, and insisted on her immediate the son of a multi-millionaire, another a retul-a, and on the fourth of July she 117as priest ; yet thesegrave, noble faces had with her relative inParis. Then with all a likeness to each other that was very seeming suddenness came the declaration remarkable. It was the expression I had of war, and Miss Campbell tells how she seen on the face of the drummer on the witnessed the marching past of the French church steps, a kind of exultation, a fierce Army : joy. We, too, werespeechless in face of ' Horse, foot, and guns. The first troops it. It was as if these great knightly men wenton Sundaynight at midnight. And were each exulting inwardly at the prospect there in the sadd'lc we saw for the first before them. They were going out to wipe time that new and splendid France, the stain of conquest from off them. They before ~110111,as before Belguim, the whole had found themselves. France was world bows in admiration, in respect. suddenly strippedbare to the soul, and, ' It m7as midnight, but all the world was behold ! the soul was a pure white light o11 the Koute de Paris to hid them 'l God of knightly splendour. Now in silence

. HEROINES WORLD-WAR I48 OF THE MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL I49 they departed to lay down their lives for 4 sound so terrifying that I would wake France. dripping with terror, and shriek for pro- ' Horse and foot and guns, thearmy tection.' poured through the forest, night and day, Laterthe terribledream came true. day and night, for three weeks. The Nurse Campbell found herself with several forest throbbed with the reverberation other assistants at a post amidst piles of of lnarching feet, with the rattle of guns bandages, utensils, and sterilizers, and rows and wagons, and the trains were like the of bottles.Eventually a train bearing

breakers on a coral reef. J wounded soldiers arrived. Some of the As Miss Cam2bell continues torelate doors were shut, and a red stream oozed herexperiences, she gives many moving slowly under them. Other doors were open and poignant pictures. In one part she with a littlestraw here andthere over tells how in her childhood she had a recur- the wounded. ring nightmare. ' I used to dream,' she As the train drew up, this brave nurse writes, c I was standingin a little lonely stood facing an open wagon. At one side stationin a forest, waiting for a train- of the door sat a soldier who had lost both the railway line ran out of the forest on his legs. He was supporting a boy whose one side, and into it again on the other- armshad gone, both werebleeding and I waited for something : something copiously and unconscious. teniMe, and harmful, that was to arrive ' But in all the horrors of that night,' at the platform. Presently a train would Miss Campbell writes, c the cry for water mme creeping, creeping, out of thedark clings in my memory. How long these trees towards me, and as it came a sound poor shattered soldiennen had been lying mould run before it oi sobbing and wailing there. heaped up,many dying with the 150 HVOINES OF THE WORLD-WAR MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL 151 dead, we never knew. Nor did we even seemed to still look at an awful something knovr7 whence came that first terrible load beyond us. ‘‘ Oh, woman, dear,” he said of suffering .’ weakly ; but he could say no more. His Miss Campbell only knew that she was hand lifted feebly and pointed to the moved with the deepest admiration for forest. I thinkwith his latest breath he the heroic soldiers. ‘ One man,, she learnt, urged us to escape.’ i who had lost his right arm, had carried But Nurse Campbell and her companions his comrade, who had lost a leg from remained bravely at the post. the knee, for twenty kilometres. Another Describing anotherdark and terrible hacl bandaged his captain under fire, and night, Miss Campbell speaks of the angel carried him to the ambulance with a great visions of which so much has been heard : wound in his shoulder. There was no end ‘ A train came in with a load of badly to the tales of what they did for each other, wounded.We were fighting a rearguard and their gratitudemade one want to weep.’ action, and the wounds were terrible. But Later,this valiant but tender-hearted though these menwere worse physically nurse assisted at a post at Pontoise. than those of the night before, their spirit ‘ The wounded,’ she records, ‘ poured was totally changed ; and they all talked through the post. . . . One Highlander of Joan of Arc-Joan of Arc had appeared implored me to run away. All thetime to the troops and saved them from disaster I was assisting with his ;hnsemenl, he kept -they begged for medals or holy pictures, urging usto fly. “ Getawa’, lassie,” he and repudiatedany idea of weakness or said heavily. ‘(They’re nomen-they’re dying. One man would notlet me touch devils. All hell is opennow.” him till he had related how he saw St. L His dying eyes,wide and clear blue, Michael the Archangel.’ rgz HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL 153 This is RO place to discuss the angel c I, the undersigned, head of the Poste I visions. But it is interesting, and indeed de Secours de l'Association des Dames imtrwtivc", to ;.ecall &h.J$'. L. Courtney's Franpises (French Red Cross) at the WKKV 11: : ' Tt is a beautiful legend, Grande Ceinture railway station at -, far too beautifrd to be vulgarized by certify that Miss Campbell gave me her rx5onalistlc comment or a too inquisitive help from the fifteenth of August to 1 press. In moments of extreme nervous thetwentieth of September, 1914, in S:I'C:SS maq men in historyhave seen giving the immediate attention required 1 visions or dreamed drearns, and found by certain of the wounded in numerous ;t real hpiration therein. Shall we hospitaltrains asthey went through. daw to tell them that they are tile She &o rendered us real assistance in victims of a purely subjective delusion, actingas interpreter for the English when in the strength o€ their faith they trains. have won the victory ? ' J have pleasure in commending the Miss Campbell's credentials are beyond zeal, enthusiasm, and skill of which she dispute. Clearly she has rendered most has given me continual proofs during our valuable and heroicservice. The Vice- five weeks' close collaboration. President of the Associationdes Dames ' (Signed) G. BOURGET, l Fraqaiscs has written to her inthese 'CERTIFIED NURSEOF THE ASSOCIATIONDES DAMES terms : ' To the bedside of ourwounded 'F~AN~AISBSAND OF THE SECOURSAUX BLESS& came your kindness and your smile to MILITAIRES.' warm theil- hearts, bringing them a ray It is also interesting to recall the words 1 of sunshine.'And to this warm note of of Gabrielle AIaurice Larroque : I m-aise may be added the following : I, the undersigned GabrielleMaurice

_A.--_.--. , 154 TTFROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR ;$ Il L MISS PHYLLIS CAMPBELL I55 I

Larroque, chief superintendent of Ward I.:i C at the Auxiliary Hospital --- of the herself and a fellow nurse,she says : 4 Association des Dames Françaises, certify ‘ All the soldiers implored us to run away. Theyall told us that the Germans were that Yiss Carw,hell has served in our ward ,, brutebeasts and devils. At length si!m Se:,tember 19, assisting at operations I and doing the dressings in serious cases. Nancy and I replied in the same words. 1

‘ She has proved herself to have the We would work so long as we were neces- ,, necessary capacity lor this work, and has sary, but we would never fall into the shown the greatest devotion. Germans’ hands alive, they might be sure of that. . . . Thebrave, kind boys ! In ‘ (Signed) GABRIELLEMAURICE LARROQUE.’ all their agonies they thought of the safety (Stamp of the Association des Dames Françaises). of the two English girls, who could do so Tt should be added that Miss Campbell, little for them. But that little, how gladly in addition to rendering heroicservice we did it ! ” at animportant post for the wounded, has nursed during the War cases of typhoid, erysipelas, gangrene-gaseous cases, and various contagious diseases. A girl of only twentyyears of age at the time of her valuable service, she displayed wonder- ful calmness and courage ; and though of a highly-sensitive nature, she faced the most terrible sights and passed through I the most trying ordeals. Witing of

I THE RETREAT IN SERBIA I57 was a great .blizzard. At Ipek, however, they were able to get somepack-ponies, and with these they continued the journey. The leader of the party suffered so much CHAPTER VITI from the cold that she rode her pony with THE RETREAT IN SERBIA greatdifficulty and was wrapped round withblankets to keep her warm. At Here was the spirit that endures. . . . A story times on the narrow edges round the telling of true ancl lasting cuuragc.-EalLrr PRESS. precipices‘ the horses would fall over into MOVING and poi~pn~tpictures have been the stream below. This happened to givcn of the terribk experiences of our both horses and men. It took the nurses heroic nurses in Serbia. The retreat of six or seven daysto traverse the moun- the Scottish WonlenJs Hospitalunit was tains. There was no track manyin made through Montenegro and over the places owing to the snow, and sometimes Albanian mountains .to Scutari and San this was so deep that they were up to the Giovanni di Medua. The nurses retreated waist in it. The blizzard blew the snow with the Serbian Army, and had an escort into deep patches on the precipice-paths, over the mouni aix In view of the and made them very difficult and dangerous disturbed state o.€ tile country andthe to negotiate. Throughout the whole frecpency 01 atiacks IJF- hnds of marauding journey food was procured only with the hillsmel~,this was a very necessaq~measure. greatest difficulty,which addedgreater There were always heavy falls of snow discomforts tothe already sorely tried during the journey. The day the nurses party. Afterpassing through Podgoritza started ta trek over the mountains there and Scutari, the party arrived at the 156 I C;fi HEHOlXNES OF THE WORLD-WAR THE RETREAT IN SERBIA I59 seaport of San Giovanni di Eledua, where pell-mell a whole nation before it, robbing they werecompelled to wait for a few them of home and country, robbing days before being taken off by boat to children of theirparents and parents of T taly,eventually reaching London on their children, a nightmare of horror. I Uecember m. heard the telephone-bell ring, and presently Such are the leading facts, briefly stated, Borivoy, my interpreter, came to say of theretreat o€ tllc Scottish Women’s that J must prepare io leave at once. 1-1ospila1 Unit. ’l’he ordeals endurcd by Gathering our Icw packages together, we these women were faccd by many or‘ their managed to get a vehicle to take us to the heroic kind. railway station.What a scene ! Hun- Mrs. Hanltin 33ard~7,for example, has dreds o€ wounded men in most terrible told in the lWetlrodist Xecmder (January 13 conditions werelying about on theplat- and 20, 1-916)llow she looks on October 24, forms waiting to be taken to the hospitals ; 1915, as aday never to be forgotten. while hundreds of others, not so badly ‘T stood,’ she writes, ‘ in the bare and wounded, werebeing brought from the empty buildinglmotvn as the Gendarme- hospitals to be taken to some safer place. riska Kassarna (Gendarnlerie Barracks) , Thousands of reiugees, old men,women, thar had been the scelle of my labours and children, thronged the roads outside for ncarly twelve rnonf-hs, all through the the station, all waiting for the trains that t21-cad, I :waging typllus epidemic that were to take them out of d2n~;er. Parties broke out among the brave sddicrs of of the English and Scottish Hospital units 11:~ Sel-bian Army, swecping away tens had already left by their motor-cars. of t1:ousa~tds of mm, worn-cn, and children. ‘ After waiting some hours, I: was told SI N- another :-uthlcss euemy was driving that I could not leave until the morning, 160 HEROINES OF TEE WORLD-WAR THE RETREAT IN SERBIA I61 when a special carriage had been arranged direction. We passeci through IA~OVO, to take the hospital staff and myself away. a junction on the main line for Belgrade I returned to my lonely room, after seeing or Nish. Here the railway traffic was many poor children departwith their greatly congested, but in time we moved friends. A strange night in an almost on. Earlynext morning it was found deserted town ; the boom-booming of that we were on the way to Nish instead guns plainly heard ; the Austro-German of Krushavatz, m7hich was our destination. Army rapidly advancing onone side, and Strong objections were made, and after the Bulgarians on the other.’ waiting two hours we were put on the Mrs. Hardy goes on to tell how early righttrack, andjust escapedbeing held on the following morning a message came up by the Germans, who had cntercd that she must go to thestation at once. Lapovo during the night.’ Hurryingwith her interpreter to the Three and a half days elapsed before station, she found two railway officials the party reached Ihushavatz. The whowere utterly unable to advise her. weather was terrible. Thunderstorms

In course of time, however, a train was m’ and continuous rains made theroads made up, and at last moved slowly away. muddyin places up to the knees. These c Veryslowly we travelled,’ Mrs. Hardy brave women,however, pressed forward. writes, c stopping at every station, and so ‘ Through it all my interpreter and I,’ long at times that we feared the enemy Mrs. Hardy writes, ‘ made our way up to wouldgain upon us and prevent our the town, where we met Mlle. Draga going farther. Nearing Balachnia, enemy Arangelovitch, a Serbian lady friend, who aeroplanes carne into sight, and we were had left Kragujevatz ten days previously thankful when they iuriled off in another to look after the truck-loads of goods, L I62 HEROINES OF THE R70RLD-WAR THE RETREAT IN SERBIA 163 the gift? of many hiends from all parts pelled to leave. Railway comnmnications of the world, with my own personal were cut 08, and Mrs. Hardy. realized baggagc, whichwe had packed and sent that a lonely and terrible journey was on before, hoping to save it from the hands before her. ‘ After a great deal of diffi- of the enemy. Alas ! only a part arrived culty,’ she says, ‘ I obtained two ox-wagons, in safety. Those containing my own on which I packed cases of corned beef, things never came at all, leaving me with a case of tea, and a bale of blankets. only the clothing I stood up in, an extra Fitting myself up with apair of men’s coat, a few business papers and letters, boots, No. Io-the only things I could and a handbag I brought with me. There get forwalking, the pair I was wearing was 110 possibility of getting rooms, so beingworn through-a few tias of I was thankful to get a shelter on the condensed milk, a loaf of black bread, bales and boxes in one of the magazines and a small tin of biscuits, I started on where they were stored. At 8 o’clock at my journey close in the wake of the Scottish night the pavements were covered with Women’s party, sleepingeach night sleeping men, women, and children- worn- cramped up on the baggage in the wagons. out. homeless wanderers. Therestaurants Two small loaves, with tea,constituted werefilled with men and women,who mydiet for a wholeweek ; but I was woulcl take their places early in the evening thankful for that, although it was not at the tables, so as to secure a shelter for very substantialto keep the cold out, the night,although it only meant elbow- The journey to Preshtina was cold and room cznd a scat.’ stormy ; we travelled up and down steep On the sixth day inKrushavatz the mountain heights, forced to do a certain situation became terrible. Allwere com- distance each day. Wewere glad when ‘ THE RETREAT SERBIAIN 165

;I. halt vias (:alh! mcl wo co111d get off to move on ” ; but unfortunately I caught thc road away lrvm the long stream of a chill, the result of the exposure on the people that ~7ereevcr moving on. At journey, which made me feel sick and ill. Preshtina no proper accommodation could However, it was necessary to obey the be fmwd ; thenight of arrival I spent orders of the authorities ; so I went to seek on the sick of a street in the wagon, while my oxen andcarts, but found theyhad all the other peopie oî ihe party crowded been stolen. The other party had already into a room together.Bkxt morning at gone. Two more days were spentin try- daybreak I was sw.rounded by poor, ing to get some conveyance. Several starved-looking nlcn and women, to whom Serbians who knew me urged me to leave I distributed the blmkets,cutting them at the earliest possible moment ; but what in half to make th.em go further ; the was I to do ? The doctor’s wife at the tinnedmeat I had given away along the hospital put her hand across her throat journey to many a group 01 hungry men.’ to show what would be the end of us if During ’che morning Hrs. Hardy found we did not get away-especiallymyself, the Military Head Quarters, and presented so well known as thefriend of the Serbians. her papers, signed by the chief of the I certainly should not escape the vengeance Head Quarters commando. The outcome of the bloodthirsty Germans, whowere I~S;i snail room one of ihe hc,spitals gaining upon us al too quickly. Standing was placed at her disposal. ‘ H thanked outside one of the public buildings, wonder-

God, J she writes, ‘ for that shelter, which ing what I should do, I heard a voice say, enahled me to take oEf my clothing, which “ We are just going on foot ; will you join

I had not becn able to do for over a week. us ? ” It was Dr.Henry, with his wife, Qn the second day we were again pressed also a doctor. Telling them I was too Il)() IJFT

I 1 THE RETREATSERBIA IN 169 1 c> ' Soon we were on the road,' she writes, ' with thousands of others all going the same way, the weather againbitterly cold, with driving snow. Often we had to wait half an hour at a time to get '' dis- 1 entangled," until at lastthe cart I was in with two Serbian passengers turned ! over and rolleddown the embankment. ,I Fortunately I escaped with only a dis- located wrist and a good shaking. After a time the cart was dragged to the road again, and we took our seats. Jacovitza was reached late at night, all of us chilled to the bones. Shelter was takenin the tiny room of a hut. Sleep was impossible ; my body was aching from head to toes. It waswell in one way that my appetite was not good, for it was difficult to get food of any kind. Borivoy, the horse, andthe donkey were left behind some- where on the road, and did notarrive before we left next morning for Ipek, another long day's journey, very trying l 1 to man and beast. The roads were so

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170 HEROIXES OF THE WORLD-WAR THE RETREAT IN SERBIA 171 bad, it was only with the greatest difficulty 1.30 p.m., and made a very slow descent the animals could get along ; every one owing to the block of horses, cattle,and had to walk.’ cannon that had taken days to drag over Eventually lpek ~7asreached, and here the heights. It was another terrible part Mrs. Hardy was again treated with remark- of the journey ; scarcely a foothold, men able kindness by the Turks. Once more and animals sliding, tumbling, cutand setting out in fxc: of grcat difficulties, bruised,some falling over the precipices the loot of amountain 8,000 feet high dead, every few yards dead horses, some- ”as reaclxd. At this pint another times six or seven together in a heap ; terrible uigllt was sycnl. ‘ At daybreak, oxen with flesh cut off, andthe horses stiff and culcl ,’ Mrs. Hardy writes, ‘ n7e tried skinned to wrap round human beings for to move, but thc clothing of madame warmth ; but more heart-sickening were ad myself was Irozen to the ground. the men lying here and there by the way- ~dyn’sbeards werc hmging with icicles ; side, dead and dying. A prayer went up even the lire 11~1-CIS lookedcold. More from myheart for strengthand courage WOO^ v7as piled on, more sno~7melted for to go on. For fourteen hours I tramped nother piece of bread, and we were as best I could ; then, footsore and numbed, ready for another day’s tramp. Soon the I fell by the wayside exhausted. I was mountain-side was ‘’ alive ” oncemore half carried over to a fire where a number with struggling men, women, and children. of men sat ; my boots were taken off, and The whole thing seems a terrible nightmare my feet put near the fire to thaw. After to me now. Then it was stern reality, half an hour’s rest I was urged by the party andthe farther we went the conditions to try again. I begged them to leave me, became worse. We reacilcd the summit at but they would not. Three of theparty

------f72 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR THE RETREAT IN SERBIA =73 helped :ne up, but my feet refused to carry we had to be. AEother small village mc. I-Iowever, tnmbling and falling, I sheltered 11s in a stable. Here wewere was drag-ged along. We got to a place 01 separated again from the party ; the two ‘jarcty at 9.3)pm., the only refreshment boys and myself, with the two animals, by th(: n-al-sic!c being frozen snow to quench going on. The weather was notquite so my thirst. At last a room was found in bitterly cold as we journeyed nearer the a- snla!l1-1a111let. All slept on the floor, three coast. Muddy roads, rivers, and mountain- \rnmen and nine teen men. ’ streamshad to be waded through,and Tior tunatcly a, doctor saw Mrs. Hardy l a great deal of difficulty was caused by nexi Inorning, and through his kindness l the dcnkey refusing to follow our lead. ;I rough sleigh was made for her use. Delay l On more than oneoccasion we had to wait was out of thc question, and they started ! until help came, when the donkey and the again almost immediately. c My impres- packages would be carried over to theother sion (III mewing from Ipek,’ Mrs. Hardy side of the stream.’ writes, ‘ was that when we were over Nearing Adrianovitza, feeling terribly the mountain in front of us our difficulties exhausted, Mrs. Hardymet with another wouldbe over, and no more mountain- accident. She managed, however, to con- climbing. But, alas ! on we went, day tinue the journey as far as Podgoritza ; after day, two days with the sleigh, sleep- and here she enjoyed the great luxury ing on the mountain-sides, no bread to of a night’s rest in a fairly comfortable be got. The tin of biscuits I started with bed. Next morning the journey was con- werenow crumbs, crushed in the falling tinued. ‘ In six hours,’ she writes, ‘ we of the animals on the first day. We had were at the lake-head, where we hoped to to live on the crumbs, and very sparing I get a boat to take us to Scutari. However, ! 174 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR THE RETREAT IN SERBIA I75 no boat came in sight until the second to thelittle port of Medna. Here at last day.Hundreds were waiting on the was boarded anItalian steamer, which wharf, and ~ttnight slept in the large goods carried many hundredsof refugees, amongst shed huddled together. I sat by the lake- them being a number of members of the side the whole night, damp and chilled, heroic hospital units. but finding it preferable to theover-crowded Much might be added, but our space is atmosphere of the shed.The only food limited. The full story of the hardships obtainable was the fish caught by fishermen endured by heroicwomen during the (who went up and down in theirboats retreat would fill many volumes. We ì in front of us showing us their wares), have, however, learned sufficient to fulfìl and water from the lake to drink. Dozens i l the main purpose of these pages.We have of little fires were lighted to cook the fish, seen afresh that woman's part in the War whichwas eatenwithout bread or salt, calls for the warmest admiration. In no making many of us sick afterwards. . . . place has her courage and endurance been Imagine the shout of joy that went up from putto greatertest than in Serbia. In that motley crowd, men and womenof . no place has she shownfiner qualities. all nations, when a small steamboat arrived, .J and eventually towed us off in barges down to Scutari, where we landed late that same evening.' Five days were spent at Scutari waiting for the arrival of an English party from Montenegro, then two more days in stormy weather and ova- muddy roads on the way

------HEROINES ALL I77 automobile-driving, agricultural work, police work, they have been found efficient beyond precedent and intelligent beyond precedent. And in the munition factories, CHAPTER IX in the handling of heavy and often difficult

L machinery, and in adaptability and inven- HEROINES ALL tiveness and enthusiasm and steadfastness, their achievement has been astonishing. More particularly in relation to intricate mechanical work is their record remark- ,T1 HE full story ol' the great part played able and unexpected.' Indeed, there is by women in the War can never be told. scarcely a sphere of labour in which women, Only by glimpses, as it were, may we form having beengiven a chance, havenot a picture of the heroic conduct of our sisters proved equal to the task. in the great cause. The behaviour of Many pictures have been given of women women, as we have seen, hasnot only ! engaged in war work. Mr. Twells Brex exceeded expectation but hope. ' It is has given in the Daily Mail an exceptionally not simply thatthere have been enough interesting and effective sketch of a @J women and to spare for hospital work and engaged in shell-making. every sort OE relie€ and charitable service ; c Her hair was coifed in a linen cap ; her that sort of thing has been done before, bonny face glowed with physical toil ; that was in the tradition of womanhood. her hands that, until she entered the shell It is thatat every sort of occupation, 1 factory, had never known work of any clerking, shop-keeping, railwaywork, sort, were grimed with indurated grease, 176 M 178 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR HEROINES ALL I79

She had toiled at her lathe since early tinues, i these women munitioners, who SO morning. and it was now late afternoon. strenuously carry out the cry to act, act, She straightened her back to hand act. Nearly sixtyhours in a.working- tnc a half-fmishecl “ 28 lb.” shell. She week does not frighten or weary them. lifted the shell as i€ it were a bagatelle, Theyare ashandy at lifting steel billets this woman Vulcan o€ the munition works. weighing 30 lb., asthey are handy She handed it so lightly that I took it at finishing off delicate work tothe lightly -- -mg wrist sagged, and I nearly micromoter’s exaction of a thousandth dropped Zlw sllell. The u70rks manager part of an inch. They work in a medium laughed. ‘’ You are surprised atits of steel filings,engineers’ grease, and in weight,’’ he, said. “ The sawn steel the atmosphere peculiar to all places of billets for the first process of the shells driving belts, hissingnozzles, and metal weighhalf as much again, 30 lb. each, that bites into metal. But still they keep and these women thinknothing of bright eyes, lissom figures,and rosy cheeks ; picking up a couple of billets and carrying and, needless toadd, woman’s recondite them to the lathe.” Even at that moment secret of remaining attractive in engineer’s

one of the women munitioners, a slightly garb. J built figure, carried two of the billets from They take their work very seriously, the saws to her bench. She stood laughing Indeed, it has been claimed that it is the and talking for a moment to a fellow-worker, women who will win the war. Little wonder and, halfunconsciously, she poised her if men have welcomed women to the work- two 30 lb. burdens like dumb-bells above shop. ‘ Even on the Clyde,’ writes a her head. Special Commissioner, ‘ they are beginning ‘ Thcy look so happy,’ Ur. Brex toll- to realize that they cannot win done, T80 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR HEROINES ALL 181 and that thiscan no locger be a war in the great cause ! In a series of photo- between men. Every day that becomes I graphs published in Pearsort’s Magazine clearer. You have only to go intoa we have seenwomen acting as porter, munition factory when many women are ticket-collector, bus - conductor, motor- working, where indeed in some shops they driver, road-sweeper,milk-woman, light are in the great majority, to realize that J porter, post-woman, butcher, horse-clipper, the war is inevitably passingfrom the €arm-hand, gardener, &c. And accompany- hands oi n1cn into those of women. You ing these photographic records is this see t’housalzds oî women workingon tens comment : ‘ Pick up a newspaper- of thousancbs of shclls which will some day published any time during the last twelve be aimed at the encmy. You see a pretty months or so ; somewhere in its columns girl, slight, v-ichgolden hairand playful you willfind words to this effect : blueeyes, quietlyputting the finishing “ Woman has buckled to in her millions, touches to a bomb which some day in the and shown that there is hardly any work llext few weeks willcause havoc in an of man that she cannot do. She is driving enemy trench. And these women in the motor-lorries, she is twirling milk-cans workshops kEowhow much depends on into guards’ vans, she is doing the post- them. They work hard and forlong man’s round, the liftman’s gate-clanging, the hours. They know thatthe women of ploughman’s furrow, the sweep’s chimney, , Gernlany arc doing the same, andthey the windowcleaner’s mountaineering, know too that e17ery day the Allies are the carman’s deliveries, thebank clerk’s depending on them andthe women of I lightnbg arithmetic. She standingis France in a greater degree.’ hours at the mechanic’s lathe.” ’ In how many ways have women helped ‘ All this new activity,’ Israel Zangwill HEROINES ALL 183

-l* remarks, L ancr i!: tilis reiaterpretation and the soldier ; warriors both. The War :-ecognition takes place in the fierce light 1. Loan carried on the tale. ‘‘ Do you want that beats up a boom. . . . But in addi- to save our sailors’ and soldiers’ lives ? ” i women no less than men were asked in tion to the many ways i;~which woman is ! actually seen s.to!!ing the furnaces of was, l great Governmental advertisements. “ Do I there is a growing recognition that even I you want to bring the war to an end ? ” thc woman at home is playing her part in i ‘‘ You can make your money fight for you.” \ the War. That n-rcn must fight and women “ If you cannot use the sword for your w nu st weep was lo~gthe stock argument country, you can use your pen by filling of f;he a~zti-suff;-agists--Eor who would give up this form.’’ One of the latest and most a votè to tears ? In vain we suffragists decorative of these posters, thoughbrist- tried to make them understand thatthe ling with cannon and bayonets, is headed iìgkting part of a nation was only simply, “ Appeal to Women.” The silver the white-crested wave that throws bullet, in short, can be sped by a woman’s itself furiovsly on the shore --behind hand, and the sinews of war are sexless.’ it was the wholeocean of national No sphere of woman’s part in the War energy. In vain we pointed out that a is more pleasing or more inspiring than cation was, alter all, only a collection of that of British Red Cross and the V.A.D. homes, and that it was from these homes What France, Russia, and Italy have that all the nationalstrength issued. done in the direction named, England has To-day- pxss megaphones and flamboyant done, and with a will. Interviewed by posters have proclaimed this. truth to the Percy Alden, M.P., for the Star news- dullest. Every hoarding has shown us paper, November, 1915,Mrs. Lloyd George the in:lnition-nla!ier hand in ilad with said : The story of what women have

- _. HEROINES ALL 185 donc through the Red Cross is simply Speaking in the same interview of the amazing ; 1,800 trained nurses are working Women's Voluntary Aid Detachment, Mrs. to-day in England and on the Continent in Lloyd George said : The idea was that connexion with the British Red Cross. In they should actas temporary nurses to additionthe V.A.D. has supplied 1,500 look after the wounded in improvised women to serve undertrained nurses. hospitals. The R.A.M.C. approved of this They are posted at hospitals inEngland work, and conducted examinations and and in France, andthe effect of their inspections of the women volunteers. It aid is to set free fully-trained women was thought that they would fill the gap for higher posts. All these haveobtained left by the War Office, since the War Office certificates in first-aid and home-nursing, machinery made no arrangements for rest- while many have certificates also in stations or sorting-hospitals fordealing hygiene, sanitation, and cookery. They with wounded or sick comingback from the

'' call nothing common or unclean " ; they dressing-stations. A detachment consists are just as willing to scruba floor 01- to of a commandant, a quarter-master, and a wash crockery as theyare to nurse the superintendent nurse, with twenty nurses. sickor actas orderlies. If youwould 'It was naturally found necessary to supple- like to see some of the hospital work, you ment the work of amateurs, so trained can find it either at the large Red Cross nurses werecalled in to supervise ; but hospitals for the British at places like La the greater part of the work of the hospital, Toquet and Rouen, or you can go to Calais whether it is cooking or washing or scrub- and see the Anglo-Belgian hospitals there, bing, is carried out by these women, who, or the Queen Alexandra at Malo-les-Bains, without payment and with wonderful self- or the Elizabeth at Poperinghe.' abnegation, have accomplished a most 156 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR HEROINES ALL 187 valuable piece of public service. There them. The result of theirenterprise can are in England over ahundred British now be seen everywhere in the country ; Red Cross Auxiliary Home Hospitals ; for, apart from what one may call the you can easily see how great a drain upon main service of war, thousands of women the women of thiscountry the work of have been placed in situations in connexion these hospitals must have entailed.' with trams, buses, and railways, thousands We have seen how nobly many of these more are taken up by the big commercial women haveacquitted themselves. With- undertakings, and a very large number are out their help the sick and wounded cer- engaged in munition works. tainly could not have been giren the care Useful work, moreover, has been accom- and kindly attention of which so many plished by women in connexion with can- soldiers have spoken in praise. teens. These bave been run not only at Also of great importance is the work of Woolwich and Enfield by Lady Lawrence, thc Women's Emergency Corps, which was but also at Euston, Victoria, and other started only two days after the declaration stations in association with the Y.M.C.A. of war. It originated with the Women's Labourhas been supplied through the Suffrage Societies, andnaturally it has Labour Exchanges for the making of tents, swept into its ranks largc numbers of respirators, and clothing ; and a large women of independent means. Inthe number of clerks have beea sent to Govern- first fortnight it received and classified ment ofiices. The clubs €or the wives aboutten thousand candidates, doctors, of soldiers and sailors are carried on nurses, interpreters, motorists, and the by three organizations -the Women's untrained who desired training and were Patriotic Clubs under Mrs. Parker(the willing to do anything that was offered to sister of Lord Kitchener), the Tipperary

'i

. -- 188 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-IVAR HEROINES ALL 189 League under Lai$ Jellicoe, and the in fight, it will be stirred no less by the Women’s War Clubs urder Lady Henry uprising of our women to support those Somerset. Lady French has also given men.’ very valuable assistance, and has been Day by day thepapers record some fresh cspccially active in connexion with the direction in whichwomen aretaking up snpp1y of comforts for soldiers at the the work of men gone tothe war. It is front. difficult yetto get a general view of all Indeed, the directions in which women that is being done by the newwomen have toiicd in the great cause are almost workers, still more difficult to realize all without number. Writing inthe Daily that theywill probably do before the war is Chvonicle, Xoveniber, 1915, Mr. Frank over. As the men havedeparted women Dihot remarks that when the history have volunteered for occupation after books come Po tell of Britain’s great war occupation, and great drafts of them con- in the twentieth century, part of the story tinue to come forward at every opening. mill show how, in face of the insistent draw- So remarkable, in fact,has been the ing- away of ow m;inhod, the girls and response of women that up to the time young women pressed forward, first in of writing the supply has always been group^,^ then in crowds, to do the mea’s greater thanthe immediate demand. work here at home and carry on the life Indeed, waiting lists have been made, and of the nation which our men were in battle thousands of willing hands placed in reserve. to preserve. These young women are the It need scarcely be said that the great forerunners of Critain’s future gewrations. majority of the women employed on war If intime to come the blood of people work arepaid a fitting wage. But this, is stil-red by the gallantry of OW men now as Mr. Frank Dilnot has remarked, implies I90 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR HEROINES ALL 191 no derogation of their patriotism. c Only countries has come a menace to her free- a favoured few possess any ouiside means dom. True, the fear of losing this may not of support. Withalthey work very long be the chief motive-power that has led hours for none too princely a remunera- women to labour from dawn to sundown ; tion. And no one could have been amongst butthe menace to the homes has been them in various parts of the country with- felt, and in manyways. out realizing that beneaththeir steady Above all, hasthe feeling come that labours is the ardent and instinctivefeeling women must work, becausethose they that they are he1;:)ing their country. They love best are fighting in the great cause. do not say rnuch about il, but it is there all Theiraim, then, is noble, lofty. They the same. Indecd, ii finds revealment serve became they love. not so much in those who are at work as in those who want to join in -the work.' To each and all we would givecredit fornoble motives. The chief aim,the central purpose, may not alwaysbe obvious ; but we believe thatthe work done is very largely the outcome of a pure and simpledesire 'io bt--ve. Scarcely is there a wonIan inthe great countries of Europe who has not a friend fighting- fathers,husbands, lovers, sons, brothers. Surely these call forthe ulmost support! hioreover, to every wonml in the Allied WOMEN SOLDIERS I93 that a number have remained in the ranks of soldiers on active service. We have reliable information of a daughter of CHAPTER X Russia, and a child of Serlk-a girl of eighteen years-having faced the ordeals WOMEN SOLDIERS of this terrible war. And thereare The spirit of woman is in all semes equal to the good reasons, as we have intimated, for spirit of man. . . . In courage, in endurance, in believing that the women soldiers in point high and noble aims woman is man’s equal.-M. Q. arenot by any means the only women IT might have been thought impossible who have seen activemilitary service. for women to fight side by side with men We shall, however, do well in fixing our under modem conditions of warfare, had attention for a few moments upon the we not incontestable proof that they have woman known as ‘ The Russian Amazon ’ ; actually played such a part. Shortly for in her case there is trustworthy in- after the outbreak of the great European formation, and moreover an instructive War many womenwere found amongst photograph. the belligerents. Their burning desire to Seen in her portrait, she is a fine, up- serve theircountry led them to disguise standing woman, evidently of muscular themselves as men and seek a place in the build, clad in the high hoots and loose active ranks. trousers and the military smock of the Such women were in the majority of Russian soldier of the line. The uniform cases sent home or put to war work more is complete in every particular, from the in keeping with their sex. Yet we know service-cap to -the thick soles of the high 192 boots. She looks indeed remarkably like N 194 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN SOLDIERS 195 a man, a well-built, stout-hearted, soldierly soldier in point, is a character of different male. For her sex her features are heavily stamp,though she too has without ques- and strongly moulded. The expression tion played the part of a real soldier. As in the eyes betokens great determination. seen in her portraits, she is a tall, closely The lips are firm-set, and fromnose TO knit girl, having indeed a figure that mouthrun ‘ lines of masculinedecision.’ suggests an activeathletic boy. Her The chin also is remarkably firm. Indeed, face, too, is suggestive of the high, bright the expression of the face as a whole may spirits of a boy. But there is a gentleness be said to be stronger thanthat of the and kindliness about her expression that average male. Yet withal there is a speaks of a girl’s sympathies. certain something in her expressiolr and As in the case of the ‘ Russian Amazon,’ bearing that betokens the peculiar charac- she wears the full uniform of the soldier. teristics of her sex. One can imagine that In this case the closely fitting cap of the this strong, determined woman has at heart Serbian Army is worn, andthe familiar gentle maternal feelings. service-tunic, buttoned close across the In the photograph she isseen between chest, with straps at the shoulders. On two German soldiers---a prisoner The her tunicare marks of distinction. For fact of her capture shows that she is EO this young Serbian girl can not only claim ‘ toy soldier.’ She went into the very thick to be a real woman soldier, but also a of the fight, sharing the most terrible hard- soldier of marked courage and sagacity. ships, the severest ordeals, the full brunt She has seen no less than two years’ service, of thebattle, a soldier in thestrictest and now ranks as sergeant. Surely a sense. unique position for a girl of only eighteen Slavka Tomitch, the secondwoman years ! WOMEN SOLDIERS 197 She has been wounded in battle. But There are other cases of women soldiers; the wound. though by X~Qmeans slight, but the two given will su&ce to show that did m~tdamp her ardour or queil her even in the act of bearing arms and facing wonderful courage. All the world knows the terrible ordeals and hardships of of the terribie hardshipsendured by the battle, women have in certain cases proved Serbian soldicrsd-uring theretreat over equal to men. thc Albanian highlands. The indescrib- We may deplore, and rightly, a condition able ordeals and hardships of that retreat of affairsthat permits women totake werc r.;h;t~-ei'l by this young Serbian girl part inactive warfare ; butthere is a sergeant. One rnarvels that she hadthe lesson in the fact that in no direction has strength to endure. Hut her rich share their courage failed. The mind naturally of high and buoyant spirits, her great shrinks from the thought of women being courage and quiet yet firm determination, subjected to possible mutilation and death carried her through. by the cruel fire of modem warfare. c The The latest news of her to hand is that battle-field,' says one writer, is noplace she is with her Serbian comrades at for women, save as nurses and ministering Salonilta, and enjoys the distinction of angels. ' being ìmow1 as ' The Fighting Girl Mascot Yet we cannot fail to think with admira- l of the Ha1ka.n Army.' As seen in one of l tion of women whose high-soaring courage her latest portraits, she stands at the salute, and deep love€or country and kinsfolk her well-knit figure erect, her lips smiling, have led them to face battleand death. ready it seems for many iurtherbattles, , Certainly it is fitting that they should be and indeed for any ordeal she may be bailed as heroines and credited with the I called upon to face. noblest aims. WOMEN DOCTORS I99 Jex Blake, whowas one of the women bent on becoming a doctor, ‘ we passed through the howlingcrowds atthe gate CHAPTER XI and reached home with no other injuries than those inflicted on our dresses by the WOMEN DOCTORS AK3 WAR DECORATIONS mud hurled at us.’ The idea that the medical education of women is That wasonly little more thanforty an experiment must pass away. It hasproved its years ago. How great the change to-day ! worth, and nobody can doubt that it has come to Of recent datethe Prime Minister, Lord stay-and tostay for the public good.-GENERAL Curzon, and other men of distinction have ALFREDKEOGH. I SIR made an appeal for funds for the London In the record of women’s activities in the War no chapter is more interesting and significant than i School of Medicine for Women. Comment- the work achieved and the part played by women I ing on thisfact inthe Windsor Magazine doctors.-BEATRrcE HARRADEN. I for Christmas, 1915,Miss Beatrice Harraden Women are everywhere stirred to heroic deed in this epic time.-IGxmIus PHAYRE. remarks, ‘ No instance could be more illus- trativethan this of the complete change RATHERmore thanforty years back the in conditions, outlook, and valuation ’ : first group of women in Edinburgh who a change, as we shall see, from a blind folly went up for a medical examination were to complete enlightenment. surrounded bya crowdwhich menaced, The first unit to reach the battle front hooted, insulted, and threw mud, and was the one under the guidance of Dr. were only kept from violence by a number , Flora Murray and Dr. Louisa Anderson. of chivalrous students forming a body-guard. They left for France on September 15, ‘ Encompassed by them,’ says Dr. Sophia 1914, with complete equipment, including 198 200 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN DOCTORS 201 X-ray apparatus. The very first unit thing like what one might expect to happen to be organized, however, w7as that under in a disused ranch-house inthe wilds of the layadministration of Mrs. St. Clair the West. Finally, the hospital was ready Stobart, with Dr. Florence Storey as head to be inspected by theFrench military of the medical staff. This unit reached hospital authorities, who gave their the frontshortly after the first-named, cordial approval, and recognized it as and has done most valuable service. Hôpital Auxiliaire 301. It was equipped The third unit to go abroad was that in with an X-ray apparatus, and had attached charge of Dr. Frances Evans,under the to it a fleet of motor-ambulances driven auspices of the French Red Cross.This by women chauffeurs. It is the only hospital made itsquarters at the old Abbaye de in the district fittedwith an X-ray apparatus, Royaumont, about twelve miles from Creil, andpatients have been brought from all an importantdistributing-station for the l adjoining neighbourhoods to have bullets wounded. The Abbaye,which dates from l extracted.' the twelfth century, had been in disuse for The staff of the hospital, over fifty in ten years, and was found to be ingreat number, is composed of women, with the need of repair. The staff set to work, exception of an electrician. Originally and, Miss Harraden records, ' in an amaz- there wereone hundred beds, but the ingly short time grappled successfully with number has beenmore than doubled, a whole host of difficulties. It was almost and laboratorya has been added. As impossible to getoutside help, and there a practical proof of the value set upon the were no stoves and no coals, and there was work by the Frenchmilitary authorities, no hot water. The story of their experience it may be stated that it has been set down in getting the premises ready sounds some- that Hôpital Auxiliaire 301 should take

i 202 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN DOCTORS 203 the most serious cases and discharge them Girton and Newnham Unit. Dr. Louise as soon as theyare convalescent. It is Mellroy, i of Glasgow, and Dr.Laura interesting to note that the five wards of Sandeman, of Aberdeen, are in charge, this hospital are named after Joan of and Mrs. Harley is layadministrator. Arc,Margaret of Scotland, QueenMary, The hospital is directly under the French t Millicent Fawcett, and Blanche of Castile. militaryauthorities, at whose request it General Joffre has taken apersonal interest came into existence. It hasan X-ray in the work, and has sent throughhis aide- apparatus and a fleet of motor-ambulances. de-camp a gift of 300 francs for the men, A bacteriological laboratory,under the out of a gift entrusted to him for distribu- management of Dr. Ellen Porter, of Edin- tion. burgh, is animportant feature of the To returnto the second French unit, hospital. It differs from the Royaumont we learn thraugh Miss Harraden that it and all other French hospitals in that it has been established at the Chateau is the first hospital in which the French Chanteloupe, Troyes, ninety miles south- wounded have been nursed under canvas, east of Paris. ' It lies within forty miles and consequently it has aroused a great of the firing-line, andits situation thus deal of *attention everywhere. The forms one of the principal stations for the Minist6re de la Guerre has arranged with reception of wounded from the seat of war. the Scottish Committee that this hospital The hospital is a two-hundred-bed one, should continue workfor the duration of and is, with the exception of the operating- the War," and General Joffre's personal theatre, entirely under canvas. The approval has been received that it should students of Girton and Newnham sub- be a military hospital and under military scribed EI,~oo,and it is known as the control.' 204 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN DOCTORS 205 Of the terrible hardships endured by other towns, Belgrade,Nish, even distant women during the retreat through Serbia Uskub. But atthe moment of writing, we have writtenin a previous chapter. the need of Serbia is not for surgical but Here mention may be made, however, of €or€ever hospitals. Thereare still in the the first Serbian unit, which, with Dr. countryvery many wounded menwhose EleanorSoltav and fivewomen doctors, ultimate recovery depends on the surgical nurses, dressers, and orderlies, arrived treatmentand nursing they receive, but at Kragujevatz on January 6, 1915. Con- they are less numerous than all the thou- cerning thisunit Miss Douglas Trvine sands who lie ill of typhus. When the staff haswritten that it waswelcomed by of the first Serbian unit became aware the authoritieswith eagerness, and found of the seriousness of the typhus epidemic, a need for its labours such as exceeded they desired to help to fight it, and cabled all that had beendescribed in Western to their committee in Edinburgh for fever newspapers. ‘ The stai3 began work nurses. The committee almost at once immediately in a hospital of 150 beds ; sent out the equipment of a fever hospital and soon, in order that these beds might and two contingents, each of ten fully be’ continuously devoted to only serious trained nurses, and also five doctors, asked cases, they undertook also the super- for bythe Serbian Government. The vision and surgical treatment of 150 authorities in Serbia gave a building in convalescent wounded. The X-ray ap- Kragujevatz, whichwas fitted up as a paratus of this hospital was in constant typhus hospital, and contains ZOO beds.’ use, and our operator exanlined men This has now been transferred to Mlavado- who came not. only from ail the hospitals vatz, and is working under canvas. It in Kraguj evatz, but also from all the has been reportedfurther by Dr. Eke 206 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-UTAR WOMEN DOCTORS 207 Tnglis that this unit has been responsible A member of the last-named unit writes : for a remarkably large number of beds, c The most terrible sight I have seen and that the chicf medical officer of the here is the big fever hospital, a huge Serbian Ar~nyhas spoken of it as the best barracks, where thereare said to be in Serbia. I ,500 cases of fever, mostly enteric, Out o€ Serbia’s great needcame urgent typhus, and recurrent. Among the requests for still more assistance, and in patientsthe acknowledged death-rate is April of the same year a second Serbian ten aday. With a fellow member of the Unit, in charge of Dr. Alice Hutchinson, unit I went over the typhus ward one set out. On the arrival, however, of this day. You really cannot imagine what unit at Malta, it was commandeered by ít was like. There were only a few doctors the Governor to nurse wounded British for hundreds of cases, and otherwise only soldiers from the Dardanelles. When the orderlies. . . . All along the corridors unit left Malta to take upits allotted place patientsare packed together, and one of at Valjevo on thenorthwest frontier of the corridors was so dark one couldn’t see Serbia, Lord Methuen wrote : ‘ It is not the patient’s faces at first.’ in my power to express my gratitude for Miss Beatrice Harraden, to whom we are this help givenme by the Serbian unit. indebted for many of the facts here given, They leave here blessed by myself, sur- writes : ‘ A question frequently asked is geons, nurses, and patients alike, for they why the Scottish women’s hospitals are have proved themselves most capable not working for their own country. The and untiring workers.’ answer is of course that they wished to do The Scottish units have, in particular, so, but were given to understand that the been called upon to face terrible conditions. needs of the British Army were fully 208 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN DOCTORS 209 met by established organizations. So they support the praise we would give to the offered themselves to Belgium, France, womenwho with great courage, coupled and Serbia. Since then, however, our own with remarkable gifts, have brushed aside War Office has taken a different attitude the cobwebs of prejudice and convention towards the women doctors, andDr, and rendered in the hour of Britain’s great Louisa Garrett Anderson and Dr. Flora need services which have proved of the Murray now rank as majors in the British utmost value. Army, andare in charge of the military Little more than forty years back the hospital in Endell Street for 550 British would-be woman doctor was, as we have soldiers. ’ seen, hooted and besmattered with mud. It shodd be said tha.t a unit was Now all persons hail her as a figure of great organized by the doctors named and called worth. Her conduct in the War has been the Women’s Hospital Corps. It consisted nothing if not heroic. With remarkable of seven doctors, three womenorderlies, initiative and resourcefulness she has and anadequate staff of trained nurses, brought success where success seemed im- and left for Paris on September 15, 1914, possible, whilst her courage and endurance at the request of the Union de Femmes de have earned the warmest admiration. France, and has done most valuable work. Mention should be made inparticular Similar success has been enjoyed by various 3f the achievements of Dr. Louisa Garrett other women’s hospital corps, notably the Anderson and Dr. Flora Murray. It has corps statio-rled for a while at Wimereux. been said that, ‘ by the success of their Here we can only touch the fringe of work and the recognition they have won the valuable work performed by women from theWar Office, theyhave made a doctors, or at most give a few facts to contribution of the utmost value to the O ZIO HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN DOCTORS 211 woman movement all over the world ; tember 20, 1914. There we had a hospital widt; there is no doubt that their initiative, with IOO beds, the number of whichwas alertness. and attainment have stimulated increased later to 135. Our staff con- and encouraged further activities amongst sisted of six women doctors, tentrained the French medical women.’ nurses, as well as several women orderlies. Mrs. St. Clair Stobarthas also earned We wereworking therejust over a the right to special recognition. She was fortnight,during which time we had among the very first to go to the battle- more than zoo cases, most of them h!d on theoatbreak of the War. Her straight from the trenches. They were first post was at Brussels,where she Belgians and a few British. Inthe did admirable work till arrested by the latterdays surgery was rendered difficult Germans as a spy. Her great courage because the water-supply was cut off, and and clear defence, however, brought about for this reason water for the whole hospital her rekase, and she managed to return to hadto be fetched from a well. On the England. Still undaunted, and indeed eighth of October, the bombardment took more determined than ever to serve the place. We were eighteen hours under great cause, she organized a hospital unit shell-fire before we could place our patients with the vicw of rendering most needed incomparative safety. During thistime assistance in Belgium. not a singleone of our party was hit, Dr. Florence Storey, who was appointed though the ground was littered with shell hwd of the medical staff, gives the following ! and houses round were burning. . . . ac;count of the work of the unit : ‘ We ourselvesfinally got away across We started for Antwerp, at thc invita- the bridge of boats on London motor- of the BelgianCroix Rouge, on Sep- tion i- buses, sitting on british ammunition-cases. WOMEN DOCTORS 213 5512 HEROINES OF THE WORLDWAR The road out of Antwerp was one sad pro- stuff these women are made. The worst cession of fleeing peasants, troops, cattle, of cases were sent to them ‘ straight from guns, wagons, children, carts, all moving the trenches.’ No call upon their skill in the same direction as rapidly as possible. and resources wasdeemed too severe. As we left Antwerp the city was blazing And to theirtrials and great difficulties in over twenty places, the oil reservoirs were added the horrors of shell-fire. Their by the river being a pillar of fire anxiety for the wounded under their care IOO feet high ; but nothing elseseemed musthave been intense. Eighteen hours to matter once we got away from the elapsed before the patients could be moved whiz of the shells, and for two nights to a place of comparative safety. we were thankful to get a wooden floor It is well that we should dwell upon the to sleep on.The bridge of boats across picture ; that we should realize that these the Scheldt was bZonm up by the Belgians women have not only been called upon to twenty minutes after we crossed. exercise great skill and resourcefulness, ‘ Our hospital unit was next invited by but also to face conditions whichcall for the FrenchCroix Rouge to go to Cherbourg ; heroic qualities. Howwell theyhave ful- and there we established ourselves on the filled their mission has been clearly seen. sixth of November in Chateau Touraville, Fromall quarters have comewords of as the Anglo-French Hospital No. 2, under praise and high recognition. Many have the sanction of the British Red Cross and enjoyed the honour of receiving war St. John Ambulance.’ decorations. The foregoing simple, straightforward account of the ordeals endured by the unit Amongst the women doctors who have under Dr. Florence Storey shows of what been decorated, special mention should. 214 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN DOC be made of Dr. Isabel Ormiston, who haas Mrs. H. C. Mitchell, who received a decoration at the hands of of the ill-fated hospital-ship ANgZia.

King Albert of Belgium for her services Mr. Phayre gives in the War Bm@t, \ to the wounded at Ostend ; and of Dr. May 18, 1916, a thrilling picture of the Elsie Inglis, 01 the Scottish Viomen’s wonderful heroism of Mrs. Mitchell and her Hospitals in Serbia, who has been invested staff. c The ship,’ he writes, ‘ is nearing by the Crown Princc of Serbia with the Dover, a great white ark with the regula- Order of the White Eagle, in recognition tion green band and Red Crosses of the of her work through the typhus epidemic. Geneva Convention. It is the ArYgZia, It is noteworthy that this is the first which, by the way, brought over the time the Serbian Order has Ixmbestowed wounded King when he sustained serious upon a woman. injuries on the battle-field through the fall Coupled with women doctors, their of his frightened horse. The vessel now in disper~sable co-workers are of course caries 166 cot-cases and 200 L‘ walkers,” the mrses. Their dccorative honours every man of them dreaming of home with are many. The best known and most eager eyes on the white cliffs, which every highly coveted is the Royal Red Cross. turn of the screws brings nearer. MThat Amongst the nurses who enjoy the great happens ? With a deafening crash the ship’s honour of wearing this decoration is Miss fore part rises clear of the sea in sudden Vivían Tremaine, a Canadian. Another columns of flame and d6bris. The ArtgZia 1 heroic wma~F’J~ wars the Cross---- has struck a floating Germanmine ! Her which is, by the way, of scarlet enamel freight of helpless humanity is now savagely with red-and-blue ribbon, and bearing the menaced with dreadful death within sight three words Faith, Hope, Charity-is ” nf +h promised land. ‘I Menfirst ! 216 HEROlNES OF THE WORLD-WAR WOMEN DOCTORS g17

$ criesMatron Mitchell. The foremost women of the Artglia deserved the highest wards of the hospital-ship areshattered. honour. Their memoq‘ is as the memory Mensick-the limbless and newly ampu- of the blessed, and cannot fade.’ tated-crash down upon one another in Amongst other nurses who have received their swinging cots. war decorations are Sister Ferguson, who ‘ The Anglia’s bows melt away, her has been decorated by His Majesty King spotless decks are already under water. George with the First-class Royal Red ‘ ** Now, Matron. . . . Come on, Sister! ” Cross, and MissMuriel Thompson, of the ‘I‘ No, lad, not till we see the last of you F.A.N.Y. Corps, who has been honoured safely off. It’s our right to be thelast by King Albert with the Order of Leopold this time ! Over you go ! ” And a shell- II. Another to receive honour at the shock case, Sapper Ball, of the Engineers, hands OP King Albert is Sister Mary White. suddenly found his legs.All thepatients Special mention must also be made of areaghast atthe Matron and her staff. Nurse Bell,who was buriedwith full t There they stand as the hospital-ship rolls military honours at Le Mens, after suffering for her last plunge beneath the wintry death from a mortal wound,inflicted sea. White, calmfaces and blowing hair, whilst ministering to the wounded. with hands and aprons stained with blood Of another nurse it is recorded that she from tender work at the dressing-stations. submittedin Paris to a new and most Never was war’s callous horror so crudely dangerous inoculation with the hope of revealed.’ the possible cure of gas gangrene. This The brief but moving picture needs no brave woman’s name, Nurse Mary Davies, further touches. In a few clear-cut should be inscribed upon the roll of heroic phl-ases it is shown how richly those brave women with such names as Esther M’Neill, 2x8 HEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR '1 whowas wounded in Flanders, and Lady Dorothy Fielding, who has frequently undergone the dangers of shell-firewhilst acting as a surgeon'^ assistant. To Mrs. Harley,another heroic and most capable CHAPTER XII woman, has come the honour of being l decorated by General Serrai1 with the CONCLUSION French Military Cross. Above the Cross is a Crown. The list of honours grows asthe time passes. Eachday brings fresh news of ONE great world-shaping victory is com- heroicdeeds. HOW much has been plete. Woman, as we have seen, has come endured in the War by women, how much into her own. When the full story of the achieved ! In places of which we have great European War is told, one fact will little if any knowledge at present there shine clear and supreme-theheroism of are no doubt being performed deeds of woman. Gently, unobtrusively, woman valour. But we may rest assured that has become the keystone of the arch of deeds of true heroism, wherever performed, peace.' And, it may be,when all else cannot pass without reward. C There is aboutthe War is forgotten, when the cz Roll of Honour that can never fade or names of field-marshals and generals are perish. known alone to thestudent--6 as thenames of Crimean heroes escape the memory to- day, while Florence Nightingale is still a householdword '-that the names of the heroines whose deeds are recorded in 2x9 220 HEROINES OF TUE 1VORI.D-WAR CONCLUSION 221 these pages will survive and rest in the arch of peace like jewels in a crown. equal ! ’ Indeed, it has been said that Upon women has failen the greater part of women have taken to every kind of war the burden of sorrow created by the War, work with a rapidityand adaptability yet how greathas been theiractivity ! that have certainly not always been shown Whatthe heroicwomen of the North by all the ruling sex. and South of the United States of America On January 17, 1916, Lord Sydenham did during the Civil Warthe women of wrote : At last thenation is beginning Europehave done in recent days. They to realize the great extentto which the have shown the same high and courageous industries of our country depend in this spirit, the same subordination of their time of grave emergency on the patriotic personal grids, tile same cheerful relin- work of women.’ From all quarters, as quishment of ease and luxury. ‘ A united we have seen, have come warm terms of womankind, says Mary Rinehart, c united praise. ‘ It is true,’ writes Israel Zangwill, in spir-it, in faith, and high moral courage, c that long before the War seven million looking toward theland beyond the womenwere gainfully occupied, butthe horizon. ’ State had never discovered their employ- But perhaps one of the greatest surprises ment or unemployment in socialpheno- of the War (for heroism in women is no new mena. To-day every eye is upon Venus feature) is the great sharewoman has taken rising-as in Botticelli’s picture-on her in what in the past was considered man’s shell. TheState includes women in the work. c How many men,’ says one writer, national register. The Timcs devotes to ‘ must now admitthat they have been their services a chapter of its Histwy of performing tasks to which woman is quite the War. The War Office publishes the names of dead nurses in the casualty lists.’ a

222 !IEROINES OF THE WORLD-WAR There is an arresting, heart-touching note in that last brief sentence : the War Ofice publishes Ehe 'Izames of daad mwses in the casmlty lists. To both mind and heart flash tender and grateful thoughts of the heroic dead. We picture the brave women who, with a courage beyond praise, with an endurance seemingly superhuman, with an utter disregard of self, have faced the hardest and most terrible side of the War. There are no further words. We can only kneel, asthough in the presence of a sacred shrine, knowing beyond all shadow of doubt that the heroic deeds of women in the World-Wal- will stand for all time, growingeven more glorious and inspiring as the years pass.