Tommy’s War: A First World War Diary 1913–1918

A small mouse was in the trap this morning. Agnes most melancholy. Sad times. It’s getting near Sunday. Poor wee man.

Saturday, 14 February

Caught another mouse. Weeping skies today. Doctor up at night saying he could not come tomorrow as his assistant doctor would be away, so we have put it off for a week. Another weary week. This is St Valentine’s Day.

Sunday, 15 February

Nell Ruth up for a little, also Lily and John.

(#ulink_b7433179-08c2-519d-818a-8118f7131fa7) Agnes just about done up, with the anxiety and worry, and then to wait another week. Still sad times.

Thursday, 19 February

Stuffed up the hole where the mice come in to see us, in case we are devoured.

Friday, 20 February

Wee man very restless during the night, so we slept not, perchance a flea was chewing him, or perhaps it is some new trouble. ‘Mon père’ here at dinner time, and Mrs and Miss Gordon in the afternoon.

Saturday, 21 February

It’s getting nearer tomorrow. My hair is getting grey.

Sunday, 22 February

Wild morning and wet. Mrs Gordon came up about 10.45. Doctor Drevor came up about 11.30 and then Dr Gardiner shortly after. We got shaky then. Poor Wee Tommy stretched on the table, chloroformed, and his tonsils cut and adenoids removed. It lasted about 10 minutes but left a poor wee sick sore boy. Mrs Gordon went away about 4.15. Andrew came in for a little, also Mrs Cormack, then Lily and Mrs Carmichael. Mrs Brown came to the door and wee John McCort was up.

(#ulink_7d53bc32-4377-5f90-9463-020c99775b1d) Sad times.

Monday, 23 February

Wee man had to be nursed all day, his throat very sore. Nell Ruth up in the morning. Mrs Gordon and Nannie here in the afternoon.

(#ulink_4b59566d-cd81-5efe-a22c-d8d34767a179) Josephine here at night.

(#ulink_405de5ea-9fa9-533f-93de-b98cc823a8d0) Wee man a little cheerier at bedtime. Mrs Cormack came up for a little at night. Agnes nearly all out.

Wednesday, 25 February

Wee man still finds it difficult to swallow and has a stiff neck.

Thursday, 26 February

Mrs Gordon up in the forenoon, also the doctor. Tommy got a very bad cold and his neck has to be rubbed with olive oil. Lily up for a little in the afternoon. Tommy very wretched at night. Not well at all.

Friday, 27 February

Agnes washed the stairs. Tommy’s cold much the same, but he is fearfully cross. Agnes ‘fed up’.

Saturday, 28 February

Doctor up in the forenoon. Thinks Tommy all right now except for his cold. He is not coming back ‘grâce à Dieu’.

(#ulink_a19e3261-0bc2-547b-8f7f-683f24dd58b6) Went to the library in the afternoon. Pouring wet day. Tommy behaving like a little fiend. Agnes got a sore back and shoulders. She is having her doubts about the operation now. Extra melancholy.

Sunday, 1 March

Very wet day (of course). Tommy seems in better spirits. Poor Agnes in a state of collapse today. Took a walk around the ‘100 Acre Dyke’ after dinner.

(#ulink_02c225eb-83d1-5af0-a692-5898e2a0ac5e) Agnes had to lie down for a little today.

Monday, 2 March

Cold, windy, wet day (again, of course). Wee man fine today. Did a little joiner work at night. Got my hair cut. Trout fishing begins today.

Tuesday, 3 March

Weather same as yesterday, only worse. Agnes washed the stairs. Tommy’s neck seems to have more joints in it now.

Thursday, 5 March

Weather beastly, heavy rain, the quintessence of cussedness. Tommy quite well now.

Tuesday, 10 March

Chased a mouse in the scullery last night, but caught it not.

(#ulink_4839f399-f5b2-584b-ab23-98919b33d2e4)

Wednesday, 11 March

Agnes very ill during the night and not at all well today.

Thursday, 12 March

Agnes in the wash-house in the afternoon.

(#ulink_368164f1-fc45-545f-87f2-c607753f29ae)

Saturday, 14 March

Agnes very ill at night, sick and vomiting and wild sort of pains inside. Am greatly alarmed.

Sunday, 15 March

Agnes very ill during the night and vomited a lot. It is the bile. Feeling a little better during the day. Jenny Roxburgh here about 2 p.m.

(#ulink_3ead3afd-83f5-500f-8d69-4add388a7305) She brought Agnes a nice white shawl. Jenny left about 8.30 p.m. and I saw her on to a Dalmuir car at Glasgow Cross.