Alison's diary

Alison’s Diary

                                         

10 October 1918

I have started this diary because my teacher told me it will improve my writing skills.

Also I would like to tell my feelings to someone, (even if that someone is a black, leather bound book that I spent my half penny on.)

12 October 1918

Today my father's ship the Niagara finally arrived.  I hardly recognised him for I have not seen him since he left when I was six.  Mother says not to talk to him about what the war was like.  Though she does not give the reason.  Our Prime Minister was also on the boat.  Father says he is very glad to be ashore, for many of the sailors and passengers were ill.  Most of the evening, we all sat around the fire, talking about all that happened in Devonport while he was away.    

18 October 1918

Father has fallen ill.  This morning he was unable to breathe well.  By evening he looked so pale mother called Doctor Hillsborne.  Father protested saying he was fine but he may as well have been saying that pigs can fly.  The doctor left a poultice to place on father’s chest, and said he had visited two other returning soldiers today.  Mother did not cook tonight, and did not let us see father.  I made jam and bread for John and I and we went to bed early.  I am writing this under the bedclothes.

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28 October 1918

Father has been very ill all week.  I have been doing all the work of the house when I come home from school as Mother spends all her time with him.  I have had no time to write in my diary.  Today Bertie was coughing in class and sent home by Mrs Guthrie.  Ten others in the school have become ill.  

5 November 1918

Father was taken taken to hospital yesterday.  Mother looks very weak. This morning we had news that the school has been closed as half the students and teachers have fallen ill.  John and I do not know what to do with ourselves.  I am writing and he is reading.  Now he is trying to read over my shoulder which I find aggravating!  Time to search the cupboard for something to eat, I have put mother to bed and she did not argue.

8 November 1918

At midday, Bertie’s aunt came around with the terrible news that Bertie has died.  She said she had been worried, as she had not seen mother for days and they are very good friends.  When she saw that Mother was ill she immediately took us to her house and fed us. I am worried about our food stocks. All that is left is one loaf of bread, 2 apples and a bottle of milk, luckily, the chickens keep supplying us with 4 eggs a day so we won’t starve. I can’t stop thinking about poor Bertie and Father.

9 November 1918

Little John is getting very worried with having to stay away from mother. I have started coughing and am too weak to write munc. Will try tomorrow.

By Mille Rea

Clyde Quay School, Year 7

millie@clydequay.school.nz