A Lovely Day, Northern Lights and a Big Bird

All material produced or reproduced here and throughout this work is the sole copyright of the author and the family of Doctor D.C.M. Page MC.

“Saturday, the fifth, turned out to be a beautifully, warm, sunny day. At night it was very frosty, and there was a fine display of Aurora Borealis. In one of the larger houses near the hospital I established a convalescent hospital with accommodation for about thirty patients. I transferred six patients from the main hospital there in the forenoon.

In the afternoon several barges arrived bringing a company of Americans – D. Company. Col. Gavin, D.S.O., M.C. also arrived. He succeeds Col. Henderson. Col. Haselden of B. Force fame, and eight other British officers also arrived with signallers, wireless operators etc. All was bustle and stir getting the new arrivals settled down. Col. Haselden is going to take command of the left column on the other side of the Emtsa River.

Anderson and I had tea with Col. Shevtoff, and some tea it was too. I could hardly move after it all! We had soup followed by wild Gluhar (a big bird) and vegetables, rice and jam, and then tea and cakes!

At night Col. Gavin put a guard of Royal Scots on my hospital!”

Find out about our connection with Dr Page and an introduction to his diary here