Trench Journal-Battle Orders

October 27, 1917

Even though this terrible war is happening all around us I still admire those who are out on the war front saving lives instead of taking them. I've heard about a French nurse named Helen Burrey because my sister read an article about her in the paper. She has a journal all about her experience through this war so far. It contains detailed explanations of the condition of the hospital trains and the condition of the men being treated. She talks about how her job can be dangerous at times. Once they had to turn out all the light on the train to avoid being detected by enemy (our) planes and while this was happening they had to load many gas victims on board to treat them. Her journal describes the pain the soldiers are bearing, how their wounds are infected, their bandages tightening, flies everywhere, a terrible smell, bedsores, etc. She and the other nurses try to spend as much time with each patient as possible but there are so many wounded. I admire her patient and courage to help save the lives of the wounded. If only we had orderlies and doctors like her out here at the front. Then I'm sure the soldiers would be in a better condition then they are now.