3rd September 1939

11:30 PM

I am writing this huddled under the sheets on my bed with a torch in one hand and a pencil in the other, my diary balanced on my knees. I can't turn the light on or I might wake the other two girls in my dorm, and there's also a blackout to think of.

I've only been at Havenbrook Military for a day, but there's already so much for me to write about!

I'll begin with a description of the hospital; the building is old, Victorian I think, and quite large, as it goes outwards rather than upwards. There is a very good garden around it, with plenty of flowerbeds and even a tennis court at the back, hidden between some rather big Oaks!

Our sleeping quarters are in the actual hospital; not in a separate building as I had thought would be the case. Some girls have been lumped in a dormitory of up to ten others, but I am lucky as there are only four, including me, in my room. I met two of them as I started putting my belongings away into the small boxes provided as cupboards and dressing tables. Nurse Greene came in first, and I introduced myself immediately. She was quite shy to start with, but she soon warmed up, and I learned that her first name was Anna. She came down on a different train to me, from Glasgow. She seemed very nice and sunny.

The next girl arrived a few minutes later, and I can't say I know what to think of her. She glanced rather disdainfully at the mess me and Anna had created, before doing her own unpacking in a much more organised and orderly fashion than I had. I get the impression she is very tidy and neat – she might have a hard time bunking with me, and I with her! Anna pulled a face behind her back, but I don't want to think badly of her before I properly know her. She might turn out to be quite nice for all I know!

I was told that my third dorm partner would be arriving tomorrow, as she is coming from abroad! How exciting!

As soon as we were done with our cases, we had to assemble in the main hall, where we were addressed by Matron and a QA sister. The QA's are members of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, and are our superiors because- unlike the rest of us- they are fully trained professional nurses. There are regular QA's, who are full time nurses, and Reserves, who are civilians and who joined when war broke out, like me.

Last of all, we had a long talk by the Sergeant, who listed off about a million different rules and regulations that I know I will have trouble remembering! There seemed to be so many of them!

Another person we were introduced to was the Commandment. She's a sort of head VAD, as is very fierce. She calls us "Members" and we have to call her "Madam. She says we are supposed go to her if we ever have any problems, but I doubt I will ever have the courage to approach her!

When it was over, and everyone was going, I felt a little lonely and lost standing all by myself. That all disappeared when I heard a piercing cry of; "Chelsea!" from the other side of the room, and I turned to see Delilah, my best and truest friend from London, weaving her way over to me!

"Oh Chelsea! Am I glad to see you!"

I hugged her tightly, very relieved that someone from my former life was here with me.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were being posted in Leeds, with Tabitha?" I asked and she shook her head dolefully.

"No, the Army transferred me at the last minute-typical!-and now I'm here!"

We linked arms and made our way to the dining hall, which the Army calls a "mess." It was quite a large room, with long wooden tables and lots of chairs. We sat down at the end of one of them and waited for our meal to arrive. It was horrid! Cold beef and grey potatoes! I hope it is not like this every day, or I will surely starve!

Afterwards, Delilah fetched a box of chocolates from her dorm-a going-away gift from her Mother- and joined me and Anna in our room. My other dorm mate – the very tidy one- burst in when we were still having our little party, and I blushed pink in embarrassment as her cold eyes flicked over us.

"Would you like one?" Delilah offered, holding out the chocolates, and she looked at them with a peculiar expression on her face.

"No thank you."She said finally, before preparing her uniform for tomorrow. Delilah leant over and whispered in my ear that she thought the other girl was 'a bit of a cold fish,' but I refused to comment on it.

Exactly on the dot of nine, one of the QA's knocked on our door and told us it was time for us to sleep, so Delilah left with promises of seeing me tomorrow. I snuggled down into bed, only to find it was the most uncomfortable thing I had every lay on! It was all lumpy and hard! Anna told me it's called 'Army Biscuits." I thought she was joking, but she added that her Father is a Colonel, and he says it is true.

I quite like Anna, and I think she will turn become a rather good friend. She is one of those people that smiles and laughs all of the time. It's quite refreshing. I'm still not sure about the other nurse, whose name she still hasn't told me, but I think (hope!) she will turn out all right.

I start work tomorrow, on a medical ward, and I must admit that I am jolly nervous! Anna will be with me though, which is something.

Chelsea Everton

How is this going so far? Do you want me to continue?