Life on the ship went on generally 
so peacefully that to us 
war was far away.

Only when listening
to the news or caring
for its casualties 
we thought about it.

We gave little thought
to any danger we might be in;
even the time we heard 
we were in mined waters.

On reaching a foreign port 
as many of the personnel 
as could be spared 
were allowed shore leave.

If no patients or anyone in sick bay 
all of us nurses were allowed off.

My first foreign port was Bristol,
England.

We were there only about three days.

Some of us went ashore hoping
to do some shopping 
but found it was a English holiday,
Whit Monday.

Only one or two stores were open.

Still,
I did find a souvenir
to buy.

We did some sightseeing;
took pictures of the
“Christmas Steps”,
and walked along a little 
of the English hilly country side.

The next trip we docked at Southampton,
England.

Perhaps it was the fact we would be there 
only two or three days 
but rumor had it that we would,
not be allowed to go to London 
because of its notorious red light district,
Piccadilly.

I had told our chief nurse 
that I had relatives living near London 
and that if we ever got
to a port close enough I would like
to see them.

Lt. Jean Roberts said she,
too,
had relatives living just outside London.

Capt. Thorpe got us special permission
to leave the ship but we were
to travel together.

I called my cousin and he met us 
at the underground in London.

It was late when we arrived 
at my aunt’s home so we had Jean stay 
until daylight then my cousin took her
to the underground station 
and saw her off to her relatives.

It was the end of June,
I had worn my heavy winter uniform 
and trench coat.

Several times during the night 
I was asked if I was cold.

I kept saying no hoping 
they would not see my teeth chatter.

It was such a damp chilling feeling.

As my aunt had some volunteer work
to do at a nursing home 
in the morning it was suggested 
I take a nap.

Having been up all night 
I welcomed the chance.

They gave me some blankets 
and once I got warm I went off
to a pleasant sleep.

Later that day 
and before taking me back to the ship 
another cousin came and took us all
for a ride around London and
to dinner at one of the hotels.

The war with Germany was over 
but much destruction could be seen.

London was starting its clean up 
and rebuilding 
but it would be a long time 
before its people would