TIGNE HOSPITAL – Wed 22 Sep 1915

Private -E. H. Ely, writing to his relatives at Harcourt from Tigne Hospital, Malta, on July 20th, says:—

You will see by this address where I am anchored at present. We arrived here in the harbor on Sunday morning at 7 o’clock, and got off the hospital ship on two barges to be towed ashore at midday. We got a good reception when we landed. Several officers’ wives were there to give us cigarettes, matches, chocolate, biscuits and a glass of lemonade, which we were very pleased to get. From there we were brought in motor ambulance to this hospital, 1 1/2 miles from the wharf. This is a flat of buildings, built as barracks, 5 years ago; there are four blocks of them. There are 12 patients in the room 1 am in. Each patient has a single bed and a little cupboard to keep his things in, and for his own use. It is nice to get between sheets again. Last night, about 5 o’clock a couple of us went for a walk down to the small town called Salima: here we got all most any kind of fruit, and cheaper than in Australia. I think Peaches were about 1d each, apples 1/2d each.

From there we went along the Strand, where a British band was playing. There was a pretty fair crowd about, the nationalities most, conspicuous being English, French and Maltese. The Maltese women are a fine looking lot; a fairer crowd one would not meet in a day’s march. Quite a change from dirty old Cairo. The harbor here is only a few hundred yards across. On the opposite side is Valetta, the capital of Malta: it is only 1/2d for a ferry across, but we have to possess a pass from the doctor. We get looked after splendidly. The sisters here are English and are very good, although not as good as our own sisters (Australian) in the hospital ship. I have just found that Perce Pellas is alright and went back to the firing line about a fortnight ago. so I have just missed him. Bob Thomas, 1 believe, got a bullet through his mouth and broke a bone in the jaw. He had to be fed with a glass tube for weeks. I heard he was to go to England for treatment. I have got no tidings of Snowy yet he was wounded at Cape Helles and I have not been able to find out where he was sent. Colonel Ganside as you know was killed at Cape Helles while leading our battalion the 7th in that famous charge there on May 8th. I believe he was doing splendid work when he fell he was taking his place in the firing line, and was sharing the same risks as his men. Les. Clapham did not land the first Sunday April 25th, as he was not well enough. I have heard nothing of him since. There is an island called Embros to the west of Gaba Tepe (where we were fighting). When the men are run down they are sent there for a few days spell. It is only two or three miles away. Bert Biggs is getting along slowly; he is having a rough time with his knee. Gus Pegler is also here with the same complaint as myself he was buried with a lot of dirt, and is very stiff in the side. I am getting along splendidly. I have a bit of a limp on account of my stiff hip, but that will soon get better. We are to have a long spell before going back to the firing line, so I may still be in a convalescent, camp when you receive this. I will try and get some views or here, and send home. We are getting well looked after here.1 will try and have a good look around this place before I go back. 1 can hobble about but slowly, on account of my stiff leg. Bert. Biggs went under an operation, and his leg is now in plaster of Paris. Lord Methuen. The Governor of this island, was through the wards the other day, and had a cheery word for all of us. The doctor came the other day, and was giving us our diet, and this is what we had to choose from for extras, cheese, fruit, soup and lemonade. The apples are sweet but not like Harcourt apples. Today we had plums for a change.