Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 19 March 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Marie Martin

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Lewis Martin (née Moore). At the outbreak of war in 1914 Marie (1892-1975) joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment, a division of the Red Cross. She returned home briefly in 1916 following the death of her brother in battle until being called to serve again two months later in a field hospital in Heraldo France. Marie later founded the Medical Missionaries of Mary. In this letter Marie thanks her mother for her letters and the shamrock sent be her brothers and grandmother. She informs her that there have been some concerts on close to where she works for St. Patrick's Day and that the men are longing to be in Ireland again. Marie tells her mother about their new matron who is very kind to her. Marie asks for news about her brothers Charlie (1895-1915) and Tommy (b.1891) who are serving on the front.

 Medical Missionaries of Mary BF135 https://letters1916.ie/item/1650 English Marie Martin 1916-03-19 St. George's Hospital, Malta Mary Martin Greenbank, Monkstown, Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland Female 1975 World War I (1914-1918) World War I (1914-1918) Personal Relations

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 19-3-16 3 A.M. My very dearest mother, A thousand thanks for your letter dated the 5th of March, also one the 27thsuperscript text of Feb: which arrived the same day. I was delighted to get them, also the shamrock from the boys & Nana. I gave it round to all my men & they were delighted with it although it was quiet dead. I was the only Irish person who got some in time. I sent off in Corotsies to High Mass on St Patrick day which they were all delighted with. There was a concert not very far away from here that evening & on Saturday another concert & Sunday a tea or Bun fight as the men call it of course they all longed to be in Ireland & the day & took great delight in telling us that if they had been at home they would have got drunk, they look on it as by far the best way to enjoy themselves. One of my orderlies who is an Irish Rifle had really had a good day of it but I had not the heart to report him on St Patrick's Day but then I had all the trouble & worry that he was not seen or I should have got it hot but I got the other orderly to put him to bed in our empty ward & when the Ward Master & Orderly Officer came round he was always doing something for a patient in a ward. I am glad to say it went off alright & I gave him a good talking to next night & said of course if it occurred again I should have to report him. He seemed so sorry & ashamed of himself & is altogether much more satisfactory. As I say I spend most of my time going round seeing all the patients are asleep & waking up the Orderlies. I have 14 new patients since I last wrote, a few Irish but not quite so many as last time. I really do not know what is going to happen about this hospital they all think now it will be kept open. Did I tell you we have a charming new Matron it is the greatest pleasure to work & try & please her. Her one thought is that we should all be as happy as we can. She is a Territorial./p> You need not worry about me as she will be the 1st person to take me off night duty if she thinks it is not agreeing with me. She has been sweet to me & askes me every morning how I feel & like it. I think it will suit me alright natural I feel very tired in the mornings so far I have been able to get quite a good sleep by day. I nearly always get about 5 hours sleep, so that is not too bad. It is ages since I saw A. Lily so am ringing her up & asking her up to tea at 5 Ock. I shall be in bed but that does not matter. I want to hear her latest news. I am so glad you did not miss seeing Gerald. I have not heard from him since. I am looking forward to his next letter very much telling me how he found you all. I suppose there is no more news of Charlie & what about Tommy has he left Alexandria yet then he is supposed to be getting a rest. I hope this is true. I have a Srg. Connaught Ranger & a Pt. How are they all at 28 Clyde Rd it is ages since I have heard from any of them. I hope tht Charlie is very well & got my last letter tell him all about Paul, the Captain we met on our way back from West Indies. I think it will be nearly time to go home in May or I shall be walking out of all my clothes. My uniform dresses are going to ribbon & underclothing are nearly rags, the washing must be very hard on the clothes. & as for shoes, tell Nana the Greenbank parcel is not in it. my combination are a delightful bit of patrol work, but it all only add to the excitement of the whole thing - it is not worth buy any thing we're getting things sent out. Did you get my coat done? I spend my nights mending. Will try & make myself some nice camisoles when every thing is mended. I was just delighted to hear you & Ethel went for a few days change to Kilkenny I hope it did you good & must have been a great treat for Aunt Eileen — I hope she is quite strong now. The new lot of V A D have not gone home yet. How funny about old W Gravely turning up, he has not come here yet. Now I must close with every loving thought, good wish & luck. Your most grateful & loving daughter, Marie Greenbank, Monkstown, Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 29 December 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 1915A Postcard from Marie Martin to Miss Martin, 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 18 December 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 17 January 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 31 January 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 22 February 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 27 February 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 19 March 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 22 March 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 4 April 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 13 April 1916 St. George's Hospital, Malta Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 29 December 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her brother Tommy Martin, 26 November 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 1915A Postcard from Marie Martin to Miss Martin, 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 18 December 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 17 January 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 31 January 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 22 February 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 27 February 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 19 March 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 22 March 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 4 April 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 13 April 1916 Marie Martin Letter from Marie Martin to her brother Tommy Martin, 26 November 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 1915A Postcard from Marie Martin to Miss Martin, 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 18 December 1915Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 17 January 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 31 January 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 22 February 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 27 February 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 19 March 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 22 March 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 4 April 1916Letter from Marie Martin to her mother Mary Martin, 13 April 1916