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Hi all As so many people requested the poem about the VAD nurses I thought I'd just post it below. The V.A.D. Brigade by Angel Davis I thought I knew each regiment, battalion and brigade Until I got Bristol, by Red Cross train conveyed, And saw upon the platform a company in blue, Of goodly wives and daughters, a little flappers too. I whispered to a comrade, “Pray tell me who are these With smiles upon their faces?” He answered, “V.A.D,s They’re called the ‘Pillow-smoothers’, they have another name. The ‘Very Artful Darlings’, and well they play the game.” I am but a shy young ANZAC, not used to women much, I’ve always dreaded nurses, and hospitals, and such; How was I going to stick it, until my wounds were well? A crown of them all fussing - far worse than short or shell. I lay upon a stretcher, a little girl tripped up. My cigarette she lighted, and held my coffee cup, And “Could she write a postcard to send to any friends?” Or, “Would I like a pillow?” She bucked me up no end. I had no friends in Blighty, and when the pain got worse, I never could have stood it, without that little nurse; A father, mother, sister, and sweeheart all in one. If I had not adored, I must have been a hun. But what if I should lose her? I know, I’ll put a ring Upon her wedding finger, to claim my little thing; And when the war is over, if I should lucky be That ‘very Artful Darling’ perhaps may cross the sea. From Co-ee, The journal of Bishops Knoll Hospital, Bristol Vol 1 No 4 (February, 1917) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + GEM list: Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask] For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=GEM + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +