Episode 5: 23rd September to 29th September, 1914

No two days or nights the same. Nan Reay is only about six weeks into her work at the AVH hospital. The medical staff anxiously spend their time receiving and evacuating the wounded and her life is full of constant adjustments to the incessant “rush” that brings wounded soldiers to the clearing hospital.A man’s chances depend on how quickly his wound is treated. 

Oh, but the joys of the Grand Hotel and a trip into the country! A welcome respite for Sister Reay and her friends and colleagues.

Nan Reay’s entries are punctuated with postcards from her walks along Boulevard de l’Ocean and the beach at St. Nazaire, a port on the northwest coast of France. St. Nazaire became a significant port to transport soldiers and the wounded to and from the Front.

World War 1 Timeline for Episode 5

The most significant battles of World War 1 began around 22 September.. They were known as the Battles of the Somme and included First Battle of Picardy (22-26 September 1914)

A famous song of the era was “Roses are shining in Picardy” whose refrain was often printed on postcards below a picture of a of woman.

Roses are shining in Picardy, in the hush of the silver dew,

Roses are flowering in Picardy, but there's never a rose like you!

And the roses will die with the summertime, and our roads may be far apart,

But there's one rose that dies not in Picardy!

'Tis the rose that I keep in my heart!

For more information on Dispatches from the Frontline project, go to: www.dispatchesfromthefrontline.org

Dispatches from the Frontline is brought to you by:

Geraldine Cook-Dafner – Narrator

Naomi Edwards - Director

Alex Dafner – Voice recording and editing

Zoltan Fecso – Music composition, sound design and editing

Tristan Meecham – Creative Producer, All the Queen’s Men

Image – Sarah Corridon

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