Nova Scotia Archives

Archibald MacMechan

Halifax Disaster Record Office Materials

Personal narrative - Warren Maddin

3 pages : 30 x 39 cm.

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MG 1 volume 2124 number 180a

HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
Chronicle Building
Halifax, N.S.


house, the other girls had bound up the children's wounds and they had been carried into the house next-door, which had been turned into a first-aid station. As there was nothing more to do, Miss Maddin went on to Camp Hill Hospital. Walked in "very brazenly". Was met by a Red Cross man called Waken[?], who asked her if she was a nurse, or had taken first aid. Kept her busy all afternoon, assisting in dressing wounds, some times would leave her to finish the dressing. About seven o'clock a surgeon from the "NIOBE" came in--[fiar] fair and wears glasses--(Dr. Irwin). She assisted Dr. Irwin till late. He was very thorough. Examining the condition of every patient, and going [throu] through all the wards. Miss Maddin had something to eat about half past seven and continued to work till twelve-thirty. When she went outside in the dark, she hardly knew which way to turn. Soldiers in a Ford runabout said "Want a drive, lady?" and took her home. They did not know the city. Miss Maddin had to direct them. When she reached home, she was unable to sleep. Felt glass pricking her. Got up and remade bed, under the impression that glass was in the sheets. Had taken glass out of patients, but not much. All rooms in the house were uninhabitable except two. Five were trying to sleep in one (kitchen) room. About two o'clock the landlady's husband, Frank O'Connell, barber, came on relief train from Sydney. Miss Maddin left for Sydney on the seventh.

NOTE Miss Maddin did not know the name of patients. Took the names of some children and put them on "tabs" for identification. Saw young officer with broken leg,--dark and looked well--ladies talking to him.
(Q. Could this be Balcom, of the Composite Battalion?) Saw a Mrs. Cotter with flesh [gougged] gouged out of her arm. Wounds were black and could not be washed clean. Miss Maddin was sure that she suffered, but she was brave and never even flinched while eleven [stitche]


Student at Dalhousie College, boards at 32 Morris Street.

Reference: Archibald MacMechan Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 volume 2124 number 180

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