When the VADs arrived at the transit camp they discovered it was an unused wing of a hospital with just fourteen beds to a ward so they had plenty of space for everybody to spread out, which made a pleasant change. In addition Madge, Vera and Phyl were once again together and by 11.30 p.m. that night three very tired but contented young nurses were all fast asleep. Sally had been billeted in another ward.
It was the first time Madge had slept under a mosquito net and the following morning they were shown how important it was not to leave the slightest crack through which even the tiniest insect could slip through.
‘It is vital,’ said the sister demonstrating how to seal the nets, ‘that you ensure the curtains overlap because you can catch malaria from just one mosquito bite and could end up carrying it for the rest of your life. Once the curtains are overlapping make absolutely certain the bottoms are well tucked in.’
A smile crossed Madge’s face as she suddenly had a vision of a sari-clad Sister Crowley at Stoke Mandeville telling her, in that lovely Irish brogue, to make sure the sheets were very firmly tucked in. Also that there was a right way and a wrong way to make hospital corners ‘and then there is my way!’ she would say.
At breakfast the contingent were all lined up, given a series of injections and a few hours free to recover. As they walked away from the clinic Madge said to Vera and Phyl, ‘I’m used to being the one carrying out the injections, not having someone else stick needles in me.’
‘I know,’ Phyl agreed. ‘I’m not sure that nurse had the best bedside manner either. She practically stabbed me with the syringe!’ she laughed, as they all rubbed their sore injection marks.
That afternoon they were officially greeted by the Governor of Bombay’s daughter, Mary Colville, who cheered them up by saying that after the heat of Bombay they would find Kirkee a little cooler.
‘It’s almost two thousand feet higher and the humidity is nowhere near as bad,’ she explained. ‘Nevertheless, you will still find the heat a lot different from home. It takes a while to acclimatise, but you will get used to it over time and you’ll wonder how you ever coped with British winters!’
Miss Colville, in her cream linen shirt-dress with short sleeves and blue buttons from the neck to waistline, went on to say that there were two reasons she felt great personal pleasure in welcoming the group to India. ‘The first is because you remind me of the days when I served as a VAD in Lanarkshire in Scotland. They are fond memories of mine. And the second is that the Kirkee military hospital in which you are based is where I also help, and it is desperately in need of more nurses. Your presence there will be greatly appreciated.’
Because of the tremendous shortage of nursing staff Commandant Corsar’s VADs were given just three weeks to acclimatise, during which they worked one full day but otherwise only mornings. Considering the fact that newly arrived troops were given three months to get used to the new environment, Madge thought that was a pretty tall order.
A few days after their arrival the nurses were ordered to assemble in the hospital grounds. Miss Jane Amelia Patterson, Chief Principal Matron, had travelled from New Delhi to inspect the detachment.
‘It is important to set a good example and show everyone that British nurses offer total commitment as well as hard work,’ she said.
The smiling head of British nursing in India was in her fifties and instantly impressed Madge with her no-nonsense attitude when she told the VADs about her happy memories of training as a young nurse at Middlesex Hospital in London from 1913 to 1917. She also mentioned in passing that she had served in France in 1940. Her bravery in nursing on the front line at one of the most testing times for Allied forces during the war in Europe struck an instant chord with Madge. I’ll put everything I have into this, she vowed to herself, feeling in awe of this inspiring woman.
After making a point of thanking everybody for volunteering, Miss Patterson explained that some of the postings would be lonely. ‘Feeling homesick is inevitable. It will take time to understand the new culture and language. So if you wish to be posted alongside friends, please let the authorities know.’ Madge, Phyl and Vera raised their eyebrows at one another. Miss Paterson smiled as she continued: ‘There are long hours and hard months ahead so be sure to enjoy every minute of the good times in Poona, which is about half an hour away and where you should head to for a night out or to do some shoppmg.’
‘I thought she was very impressive,’ said Madge as the girls went for tea and cake after the invigorating address. ‘She was modest and I liked her straight-talking honesty, and she’s obviously a very brave woman. I thought she came over as very compassionate too.’
A few days later, the nurses were entertained at a dazzling formal Welcome Ball at Government House hosted by Sir John, Governor General of Bombay, and Lady Colville. There was a growing acceptance that the final years of the Raj were fast approaching but from the array of gowns and the glitter from numerous diamonds, sapphires
