ANZAC Girls

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.

1st AGH in Cairo, I got a message.

Have you permission to be in this hospital?