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I suspect Sister Shepherd's offence
might be of a different kind.
Isn't that right, Mrs Cook?
Fit for active duty -
return to unit.
Thank you for the lift, Lieutenant.
Harry, Harry Moffitt.
Elsie, where are they all from?
Gallipoli.
At times like these,
men make rash declarations.
I was wrong.
I didn't mean to take advantage.
I just need a friend.
What shall we drink to?
Your safe return from ANZAC Cove.
Fate willing.
High Command want a general hospital
closer to ANZAC
so they're setting one up
on Lemnos Island.
Where's the hospital?
You're looking at it.
Sisters, get your personal supplies
together.
Antiseptics, bandages,
anything you have - quickly! Go!
Orderlies!
Get down to the supply ships,
tell them Matron Wilson
of No.3
has asked for all drinking water,
food and utensils they can spare.
Hurry!
How long have they been here?
Two days.
Ohh.
Sister.
There's no more water.
Sister!
Just lie back.
I'm here, just lie back, that's it.
Where's the other orderly?
Major Woolf had a job for him.
What? That's all they gave us?
Do they know how many soldiers
we have here?
They said their orders were to give
no more than two gallons.
Perhaps they were worried
we'd get carried away
and build a swimming pool.
Thank you, Sister Haynes.
Few sips each - that's all we can do.
Come with me.
Can I get some water?
Just a couple of sips.
Alright, alright.
They're in agony.
It's something.
Sit up. There you go, that's it.
I'll get you some more soon.
Lay back. Keep your eyes open.
Can you see me?
This man - he needs water.
Alright, OK, a couple of sips.
Tell me what you make of this.
Dear Alice, the slopes
of the peninsula are sprinkled white
as a shrub the boys call the
Gallipoli rose bursts into flower.
It's as if a giant
has shaken snowflakes
over these grim, green hills
and the bees, swarms of them,
all abuzz around us,
even as we go about
our dreadful business.
It's a lovely letter.
Harry writes beautifully.
He writes about bees, Elsie.
He writes about landscapes
and insects and sunsets.
He writes about everything
under the sun
except how he feels about me.
Do you really think his feelings
have changed?
I'm not even sure I knew
what they were.
Surely he wouldn't write
so eloquently to just any women?
Hmm.
I suppose not.
At least I know he likes bees.
'Spirits were high on the voyage
from Egypt,
my girls full of pride to be serving
so close to the gallant men of Anzac.
But the situation
when we arrived yesterday
was just too awful for words.
No equipment, no beds, no surgery,
no water.
a good many died, they were
beyond hope when they arrived.
If only we could do more
and had more to give.
As for our circumstances
..hmm.
Our CO, Colonel Fiaschi and his
contingent have been here a week.
And while they have their
own quarters erected,
there is still much to be done.
Colonel.
Excuse me, Colonel
..it's rather urgent I find out
where our supplies are.
They were sent from England
in different ships
so we are getting things
bit by bit.
I counted 167 patients,
is there someone from the War Office
I can contact in London,
see where they've got to?
We're doing all that we can.
Are the engineers sinking wells?
Given the condenser never arrived
and we haven't any fresh water.
There will be.
But we need permission
from British High Command.
But the two-gallon allowance
works out
at less than half a cup per patient.
Colonel, there is nothing here.
Sanitation - the nurse's latrines
are swarming with flies.
And we need a screen to shield them
from the men.
Matron, we have a lot to do today.
And frankly, a powder room is not
high on the list.
I never asked for nurses in my unit.
And if it were up to me we wouldn't
have women in a forward zone at all.
And yet here we are.
The medical orderlies
are as competent as any nurse
and far more resilient.
So if you're looking to change the
army's opinion of your profession,
Lemnos is your challenge.
They've opened
a second typhoid ward.
It's rife in the trenches,
apparently.
You and I are on the venereal
disease ward.
It's highly contagious, you know.
Be sure you practice
the utmost sanitation.
Sister Cook has nursed before,
Sister Halliwell.
But I'm sure she appreciates
your advice.
It was kindly meant.
She was trying to be helpful.
The women could complain
for her country and you know it.
Sister Cook, you're wanted
on the telephone.
In my office.
Sister Elsie Cook speaking.
I see.
Yes, yes, I see.
Thank you.
There's been a battle at Gallipoli,
a place they're calling Lone Pine.
Lieutenant Cook -
Captain. He's been made a Captain.
He's been shot
..in the head.
But he's alive?
Yes.
Yes, he's alive.
Where have they taken him?
Alexandria.
British No.19 General.
You want to go to him?
Oh, yes. Yes, right now.
This minute, if I may.
Now? Sister Cook, your ward.
I-I have to see him, miss, please.
We are so short staffed nurses
are already working 14-hour shifts.
I'll cover Sister Cook's shift.
I'm at the dressing station, but
the orderlies can take care of that.
I can be assigned to the VDA ward.
Very well. A week's leave.
Ah, thank you, Miss Gould.
Sister Cook.
God speed.
You'll make the 11:30 if you hurry.
I have to go back to the lodge,
I haven't any clothes.
I'll send you some clothes.
And here.
I can't.
Don't be silly.
Thank you so much.
Telephone when you get there
and you've seen him.
Oh, God, Alice.
Stay strong.
Excuse me, a single second class
to Alexandria, please.
Oh, please um
Please!
Ugh! This rotten fly.
Olive!
Sisters, I'll see to it that your
quarters are erected today.
It's a bit of a shaky start
but we must do our utmost for
our brave boys on the Peninsula
who are
..contending with
far fewer comforts than we.
Ow.
That's our convoy.
Olive, will you look out
for the others?
Just try to keep their spirits up.
You're all great nurses
but it's important that we all rise
to the challenge together.
As a team.
I know just the thing.
# Are we downhearted?
# No!
# Then let your voices ring
and altogether sing
We've run out of bandages.
What about our personal things?
That's what I mean,
we've got nothing left.
There are just too many.
It's alright, Sister Daley.
What about the supply ships?
They gave me all they could spare
this morning.
Sisters, follow me, please.
We need to improvise.
Make strips three inches wide.
We should be able to get 40
or so together.
Come on, Agnes.
No time for mock modesty.
They'll need to be sterilised.
Sister Daley
..I have to find the CO, so you'll
process the last few patients.
Oh, if any from the 2nd Light Horse
come in, could you let me know?
It's my brother's regiment.
I'll tell the other girls.
This one to S Ward,
I think there's room.
Excuse me, I'm looking
for a wounded Australian officer,
I believe he may have been
taken here.
Follow me.
Cook, you say.
He's 2nd Battalion, AIF,
Officer Commanding D Company.
You must have a record of him.
He was wounded at Gallipoli
on the sixth.
They were ALL wounded at Gallipoli.
Aw, Jesus. My head.
That's another convoy.
Try the officer's ward.
Where's that?
Who are you?
Have you a Captain Sydney Cook
on this ward?
How did you get in here?
He's my husband.
He must be here.
You're Australian.
Have you permission
to be in this hospital?
From my matron-in-chief, yes.
But not from
the IMPERIAL Matron-in-Chief.
You colonials.
I'm sorry
but you can't just turn up.
You'll have to leave.
Please, I must find Syd.
He's 29, he's tall with fair hair
and very blue eyes.
The chap in bed 12 has blue eyes.
Syd.
It's me, darling. It's Elsie.
I'm here.
What what's his injury?
Major trauma to the Broca's area.
Left motor cortex.
Is the bullet lodged?
No.
But he's been unable to speak
since he got here.
But with rest and care
he may recover.
May I sit with him?
Oh, sorry. Sorry.
I'd like permission to transfer.
I'd like to work here at No.19
and care for my husband.
Sister Cook,
I understand your desire
but specialling of patients
isn't possible, I'm afraid.
We simply don't have the staff
for one-on-one.
If you could just place me
on his ward
I'd pull my weight with
all the patients.
I've done surgical nursing, medical,
dressing stations, post-op.
How long have you been in Egypt?
Since January.
The whole campaign?
You're quite experienced.
Very well, Sister Cook.
I shall write to your Miss Gould
and square the transfer.
Thank you very much.
I'll start ward work right now.
You look quite done-in, my dear.
Why don't you start in the morning?
'Dear Olive, since you left
for Lemnos
we have been very much down to it.
So many new wounded from Lone Pine.
And with Elsie away caring for Syd,
we are pretty well flat-chat.
I hear that your new
No.3 Australian General Hospital
is getting your share of Gallipoli
casualties too.
Though, of course,
you only receive the lightly wounded.
The worse come to us here in Egypt.
Lucky you.
I can picture you enjoying your
island in the Aegean,
luxuriating
in your trusty deck chair.'
Luxuriating?!
- Anyone in here?
- Helen of Troy!
I can't hold on, it's Lemnositis!
Alright, I'm coming.
Clearly it's not just we Canadians
who are coming down with Lemnositis.
I don't have dysentery.
Only this time every day.
Well, I hope you don't mind us here,
our latrines had a queue
three yards long.
Lucky hygiene isn't important
in our profession.
I wonder what they're lining up for.
Agnes!
Is that were they're hiding
the lemon pudding?
I heard there was
a transport coming.
So I've signed up to nurse invalids
back home.
You should both apply.
You can't leave.
I'd come back to Egypt on
the next transport.
Yeah, but you'd still
be leaving Lemnos.
The men on those ships
need care too.
We are desperately under-staffed,
you really musn't leave.
'I solemnly pledge myself
before God
to practice my profession faithfully
and devote myself to the welfare
of those committed to my care.'
The Florence Nightingale pledge.
Agnes, we all took it.
I'd like to know
how we're to uphold it here.
What about the nursing services one?
'I pledge to do all in my power
to alleviate the suffering
of the sick and the wounded
sparing NO EFFORT to bring comfort
of body and peace of mind.'
Don't preach at me, Olive.
You made a pledge, Agnes.
No. We made a promise
..we made a promise to these
boys signing up
that we would care for them.
I didn't sign up to be humiliated.
To strip off my underthings
and sleep on bare ground?
I didn't sign up
to watch men suffer and die.
And to just stand by, useless.
So you're running away.
Don't you care
..what they'll think of you
back home? Your family.
No.
Colonel.
Supplies.
I thought the officers
had fresh fruit?
I eat the same
as the men in the trenches.
When is this order likely to arrive?
A week. Maybe more if the weather
turns and the ships can't land.
Given our situation, could
your superiors get this expedited?
Do you think we are the only
hospital in the Allied forces?
No, but we're the closest
general hospital to Gallipoli.
The closer to the front,
the stricter the rules.
This is your first war, correct?
Yes, Colonel.
I fought in the Abyssinian War
and the Boer War.
We cannot - and we will not -
save everyone.
But the sooner you come to accept
military regulations,
the easier your job will be.
A disciplined approach -
it's the only way.
How is Mrs Fiaschi?
We met on the voyage over
from Australia.
Hope she's keeping well in Egypt.
I stayed till evening rounds.
And the MO seemed hopeful?
Hopeful, yes.
Well, that's good.
Of course, there's the concussion
and the brain bleed.
The threat of infection. But
What's the wound like?
I
..I haven't seen it yet.
Are you alright?
I'm staying strong.
'Dear Father,
well, here I am
on my barren little Lemnos
with its beautiful ocean views.
We now have a very nice mess
and we're getting plenty
of fresh air.
Father, I know you feel
my being here is foolish,
that you and Mother had
different hopes for my future.
But doing whatever my 'bit' is
in this war is a duty.
A duty as serious to me
as is my duty to God and to you.
I hope you'll understand.
As for your concerns
for my well being,
I'm very well
and getting quite fat on
the quality grub they're feeding us.
No mail from home
since I arrived on Lemnos,
but I'm hoping
for some bonzer letters soon.
Heaps of love
from your loving daughter, Olive.'
You'll be fine.
Oh!
Right.
We need to get her to Major Sherwin.
You should have come sooner.
Dysentery can be fatal,
as you well know.
How long do I have to stay here?
It depends how many days
you ignored your symptoms.
We'll start you on twice daily
emetine injections
and fluids every two hours.
# Are we downhearted?
# No
# Then let your voices ring #
At this rate, the sick will soon
outnumber the wounded.
Major, come quickly!
Matron Jaggard's not breathing.
Roll her over.
Griggs.
We've lost the matron.
I'm so sorry.
Ready?
It doesn't appear to be closing.
His level of consciousness
has improved.
Should we Is there more
we could be doing for him?
We're doing all we can.
Keep up the current treatment regime.
What is the current regime?
We haven't enough staff
to do it more often.
I could have seen off Sister Cook's
luggage on my own, you know?
It's very nice of you
to come with me.
What are friends for?
Shoe shine? Shoe shine?
Besides, I imagine I need a breath
of fresh air as much as you.
How are things
at Luna Park Auxiliary?
Busy - I was hoping I might
lure you down there, actually.
We have a few newly-arrived nurses
who could do with someone
of your experience.
I don't think
Miss Gould would let me go.
Especially now with Eslie -
Sister Cook, away.
Of course not.
Are you keeping well?
Very well, thank you.
What ward have they got you on?
VD.
Ah, another losing battle.
Merci beaucoup.
Merci beaucoup.
Matron Wilson.
Good morning, Colonel.
I heard about the Canadian matron.
Jessie Jaggard. Mm.
I know you have a large number
of nurses out of action
and I wanted to make sure you know
there are places
on the next transport to England.
Fresh food and better sanitation
would go a long way
in lowering our morbidity rate.
Unfortunately war does not allow for
luxuries and you need to accept that.
Half of your nurses will die
before this war is won.
But not on this island.
And not while I'm in charge.
I hope you're feeling well, Colonel.
I know a large number of officers
have fallen ill as well.
It is a thorny path
we are travelling.
But those with the right disposition
will prevail.
The flies are the limit.
I wouldn't be surprised if there
was a colony of them in my hair.
They say we've taken Achi Baba.
That hill we've been aiming for?
Oh, I wish I was doing
something useful.
Sisters. There's a transport in.
Would anyone like to apply
for duty in Egypt.
Or be invalided home?
I will, Miss.
And me, Miss. I will.
Yeah.
You've been very ill, Sister Haynes.
Better now. I'm ready
for the four-minute mile.
You've improved
but the sanitation on Lemnos hasn't.
If you get sick again
you mightn't bounce back so easily.
Let the delicate ones go first.
Clarice! I thought
I heard the mail bugle.
Sister Watson.
Thank you.
Three for you, Sister Tait.
Sister Denton, news from Ontario.
There must be a stack
of unsorted mail in Cairo.
# Nobody loves me
Everybody hates me
# Think I'm gonna eat some worms
# Big ones, small ones
Round ones, skinny ones
# Watch them wiggle and squirm. #
Are you hungry?
Bed three has been
asking for a drink.
Actually can you do them all?
There you go.
Syd
Again.
No appetite?
Excuse me.
Well, Matron, it looks like
you're doing a splendid job here.
Thank you, Colonel.
How is the Brigadier?
Very well, thank you.
Miss Oram, may I have a moment?
You'll have to wait, Sister.
I'm afraid I can't.
Excuse me.
I trust you have
a very good reason to interrupt.
I want to special my husband.
Sister Cook
He needs four-hourly foments,
not 12.
He needs more frequent
dressing changes.
He needs help with eating.
And I have already explained
that we don't have the staff
for that kind of intensive nursing.
I'll do it.
You're already here
as a special dispensation.
Miss Oram, without thorough going
nursing, my husband will die.
His wound will become infected
and he'll die.
If he's specialled,
he stands a chance.
Please, let me
give him that chance..
Eat up now that's better.
There.
Now let's have another go.
What are you doing?
I want to be discharged.
My temperature hasn't been
above 99 in four days.
I'm back on solid food
and in terms of movement -
I take it you didn't apply
for a transport?
Matron Wilson has a hard enough time
staffing these wards as it is.
It's too soon for you
to go back to work.
I feel better.
If you work a 16-hour shift
you'll be back before you know it.
What am I supposed to do here?
Just look at you all day?
Well, I can't be that hideous?
What if I was to take you
to one of the local villages?
I'd need a chaperone
but Sister Daley has the day off.
Dooley, get three donkeys ready.
Yes, Major.
So your father's a clergyman?
That would explain
why you're such a martyr.
They must be proud of you
becoming a nurse.
My parents weren't enthusiastic
about it.
But they didn't try and stop me,
either.
Story of my life, really.
'Don't encourage her.
She'll give up eventually.'
Hmm.
I've been curious since I got here
Where in the Bible would I find out
about St Paul's visit to Greece?
'Cause I'm sure he came to Lemnos.
I don't think I know.
Well, you ought to know.
I'll tell your father on you
if you don't.
Acts.
St Paul's visit to Greece.
It's Chapter 20, Verses 2 to 3.
You read the Bible, Mr?
Dooley. Yes.
I was taking holy orders in the
Church of England before all this.
Has it always been your calling?
Oh, well, no, I was
..part way through law at Melbourne
University when war was declared.
So you traded in the Church
to work for the Devil?
It's time to be getting back.
You need to rest.
Dooley, could you bring the donkeys?
Yes, Major.
Anyone for the last fig?
See that star up there?
The real bright one?
It's rumoured to be the star
The Star of Bethlehem.
I know.
Where have those wise men got to,
anyway?
Look, I know you're still too ill
to have it, but
..you must try the horse flesh.
Horse flesh?
Mmm.
Oh!
Turkish delight?
Thank you.
Uhh
You didn't think I'd make you
eat that one?
I'm hungry enough to most days.
I've never seen a sunset like it
in Australia.
Me either.
You've been ill, Sister Haynes.
We should get you back
before another storm hits.
You should call me Olive.
I'm Norval.
But everyone calls me Pat.
Come on.
Ohhhh!
Have you still got pain
passing urine?
Make sure to drink plenty of water.
I hate the stuff!
Fish poop in it!
Milk, then.
Or have a mate bring up
a jug of Evian.
That's a fancy drink
for a pretty girl like you.
Well, handsome men
can drink it too, you know.
I haven't got the dosh
since the army stopped my pay.
Withholding the wages of men
who contract venereal disease
is a deterrent, Private.
A deterrent from what, Sister?
Immoral behaviour.
Immoral behaviour, hey?
I reckon they'd do better
to deter us from breathing.
They do, Bob. Only that deterrent
comes out the end of a Turkish gun.
You should be ashamed,
making jokes!
What would your wives
and your mothers think
when they hear
you're unfit for service
from dallying with the French girls
in the red light district?
Hello there.
From your friend at Gallipoli.
How is he?
Fine.
As far as I can tell.
Seems you and I
are ploughing the same field.
I'm giving the new recruits
a lecture on the dangers of VD.
Oh
Didn't realise you had an interest
in the subject.
Oh, well
High Command's keen to reduce
the number of non-efficients.
But they're stuck on the moral, rather
than the medical aspects of the problem.
I felt I could contribute
some science.
Well, I think
that's marvellous of you, Xavier.
Yes. It's important that the medical
corps pulls together on this.
Oh and how!
Those boys need to realise
that VD is not the common cold.
You're working a VD ward.
Don't suppose you'd been interested
in helping with my class?
If you think I'd be of use,
I'd be happy to.
Really?
That'd be marvellous.
Thanks. It's a bit of a sea of faces.
Hello.
Good evening.
Sister Cook is who
I was telling you about.
From the Australian army
nursing service.
She's specialling her husband.
I hope he is improving?
Ah perhaps, I think. Thank you.
Sister Cook, your Australian
Army Nursing Service
It's a reserve service?
It is, yes.
So you're not members
of the regular army?
Suppose not.
Yet you wear the scarlet cape.
All nurses do in Australia.
Oh, I see. In Australia
In England, only Imperial regular
nurses may wear the scarlet cape.
Civilians, reservists and VADs
don't wear them.
At all.
Please get better.
Please come back to me.
And so if the malady sufferer seeks
medical advice
swiftly upon contact
with the gonococci bacillus,
provided the subjective symptoms
are slight,
treatment can be limited to
an abortive application
of a 5% solution of protargol.
If, however, treatment is deferred,
anterior urethritis can evolve into
the more critical
posterior urethritis -
Swallowed a dictionary, mate?
These are the proper terms, Private.
I advise you to listen.
So, the great difference between
acute anterior and posterior
urethritis rests in the fact that -
Speak English!
Major Leopold,
perhaps at this point,
you might like me to display some
of the equipment used
in the treatment
of venereal disease?
The hypodermic for injections
of hydrogen peroxide
and potassium iodine.
Ow!
Three times a day.
The catheter,
which is inserted into the ***
so that a solution of various
chemicals
..can be sluiced up urethra
for a complete bladder wash-out.
Four times a day.
The syringe
For a daily,
deep urethral cleansing.
Thank you, Sister.
Yes, and we use this for
lancing *** gonnorheal abscesses.
You were most inspiring.
They'll all think twice before
heading to the French girls now.
Your lecture was the thing, Xavier.
Very educational.
That's not true.
You're very kind.
Though we do make a rather good team,
don't we?
We do. Yes.
Sure you can't use me in the wards?
You're on light duties,
Sister Haynes.
Doctor's orders.
Only on Lemnos could clearing out
a tent be classified as light duty.
What we have here
is a modern design.
A rustic, yet harmonious, blend
of canvas and rope.
Stepping onto the porch,
one is immediately struck
by its spaciousness
and its commanding harbour views.
This is undoubtedly
the finest dwelling on Lemnos Island.
Why, this island's
no place for sisters.
Specially one as pretty as you.
Ernest! You're here.
I'm with the 1st Light Horse -
at the rest camp.
We'll be back to the peninsula
after the spell here.
Ah! Beg pardon.
Sergeant Lawrence, Sister Haynes.
We were pals back in Melbourne.
Looks like you could use a hand.
Thought we'd never get here!
Did you see all those warships?
It's a lovely view.
Wonder if we'll be stationed here?
His father's a mechanic.
Must have been terrible
to give him up,
but I suppose one must abide
by one's parents' wishes.
Well, listen to you!
Ernest is a nice enough fellow,
but he is no Major Sherwin.
Hey? He seems rather keen on you.
He's kinder than most MOs,
but that is NOT what we're here for!
Mr Dooley seemed nice.
The orderly?!
Good evening, Sisters.
Please welcome the NZANS.
New Zealand's Army Nursing Service
has officially come on board.
Matron Cameron and her staff
will be billeted with us
for a few nights.
Please, sit down.
Sit down, sit down.
Thank you.
But I'm afraid
that's where the good news ends.
Due to the rough weather,
we haven't been able get a boat
out to the supply ships.
Consequently
we're at half rations.
I ask you to remember
the men in the trenches.
Remember with what high ideals
of service you started out.
We're all part of the army now,
be it Australia's or New Zealand's.
We're all working for a victory
that will come.
Excuse me, I wasn't expecting
Lime juice, to prevent scurvy.
Certainly lucky to have a dentist
on the island.
What's happening?
All sisters to the wards!
There are 200 wounded
coming from the harbour.
You don't have to -
you're not in our unit.
We're helping.
Mmm. What do you intend to do here?
This will require
a transverse incision
so the wound can drain
as freely as possible.
But we'll see that
in the operating theatre, sir.
Alright, look at me. That's it.
Suspected brain injury.
If his pupils dilate or you notice
any other changes, notify a sister.
Are you inoculated for typhoid,
Poppy?
Yeah, on the way over.
Matron!
Yes.
Watch him closely.
Matron Wilson.
Yes.
Thank you.
The copper's out.
Who's not doing anything?
Griggs, you.
I'll light the fire, sir.
Go on, then.
Miss Wilson.
He's labelled as a head case
but the wound is healing.
I think it's typhoid.
Right.
Yes, we'll move him
to the infectious ward.
Are you alright?
I'm fine.
Mr Griggs
I asked you to stay with him!
I sent him outside.
That boy's life could have been saved
if Mr Griggs
had followed my direction.
Nurses do little toward
the actual saving of life in war,
though they may promote
a more rapid recovery.
My nurses rank as officers.
They don't act like it.
Half of them
can't tell the difference
between the call to attention
and the call to mess.
I know the orderlies
have other responsibilities.
But I need to know where they are
so in situations like that,
I can redeploy my resources.
The medical orderlies must stay
under my and my nurses' command.
Mr Griggs, you will not
leave your post again
unless the order comes from myself
or the sister in charge.
Yes, Matron.
My word, those tommies drill well.
We couldn't do it like that.
And I'm not going to try.
I'm sorry?
I said those tommy soldiers.
They put us rough-house Aussies
in the shade.
Right! Left! Right! Left!
Miss Wilson?
Yes?
Can I make you a cup of tea?
No, thank you.
I'm fine.
I feel terrible.
I didn't even know she was upset.
Imagine losing your brother.
She just kept going.
Excuse me, Sister Halliwell?
It's Sister Ross-King.
Sister Halliwell's in the stores.
Oh righto, then.
Is there something I can do?
I-I was just wondering if you
might have time to do my eyes now.
But I can wait.
Let me have a look.
She's been real busy.
I can wash them, if you'd like.
Would you? That'd be bonzer.
It's Jimmy, isn't it?
Mmm.
What part of Australia are you from?
Townsville, Sister.
You've been there?
Yes, I have.
When did you last clean his eyes?
Jimmy's your patient.
When did you last clean his eyes?
Sister Halliwell?
Do you know how infectious
gonorrhoeal conjunctivitis is?
The slightest transfer of matter
and my own eyes could be at risk.
He could lose his sight.
The orderlies should work this ward!
I mean, we shouldn't
have to risk our health
for these filthy men,
their filthy habits.
Jimmy's not filthy.
He's a nice, clean boy
who contracted VD
from using his tentmate's towel,
as you could've discovered
if you'd bothered to talk to him.
Yes, well, we're not all of us
coquettes with the patients,
Sister Ross-King.
I beg your pardon?
I've seen you
being familiar with the men,
glad-eyeing every officer.
I've seen you playing the field.
Keep your beady eyes closed, then.
Lorna!
Did you get your marching orders?
New Zealand command
wanted us here on Lemnos
but we've heard British High Command
have a different plan.
We're off to Alexandria
on the morrow.
Then, after that, who knows?
You'll have to excuse
the lack of milk and saucers
..and sugar spoons.
You'll find shabby is in vogue.
The Shabby Sisters.
Not at all! I just hope
the cake hasn't turned.
We pinched it from the ship
so I'm not sure how fresh it is.
Any baksheesh is good baksheesh.
Mm-hm.
What's baksheesh?
Now I really feel ancient.
I wish we could just
stay here with you lot.
No, you'd rather be anywhere
but here.
It must've been hard
adjusting to camp life.
It's nothing compared to what those
boys at Gallipoli are going through.
I just hope I can be as strong
as you, wherever we end up posted.
That's what
you've gotta be worried about -
a tentmate
that snores like a trumpet.
I'll miss you.
Don't miss the food too much.
I mean, I know that you will.
But, you know,
we'll be keeping some for you.
I'll miss you terribly.
Are you absolutely sure
there's no room for a stowaway?
Not even if you really
tried to squeeze
In the meantime,
I want you to have this.
Oh, Poppy!
Come here!
Write straightaway, won't you?
I'm starved for mail.
Speaking of being starved
Got you some more baksheesh!
Thank you!
N-nineteen
Syd?
Did you say something?
Nnnn
..nnnineteen.
Today's the 19th.
Do you want me to read the paper
to you?
Ssss
..eleven months.
That's right!
It's our anniversary.
We've been married 11 months today.
What did you say
to make her do that?
Good evening.
Thank you.
Would you mind passing the salt?
Harry.
Alice.
I need to sit now, dammit!
My husband isn't just anyone.
He's the son
of the Honourable Joseph Cook,
former prime minister of Australia.
I know Harry's a good man.
But is he the right man for you?
Sister, will I lose my feet?
Prep him for surgery now.
Our boys are getting slaughtered
at Gallipoli
and the ones that pull through
get sent straight back to be killed.
I feel like a chewed-up
piece of string most days.