You never know what surprises await inside donated items about to be added into a collection.
One of these being a letter found inside a well-used copy of Handbook for Mental Nurses by Medico-Psychological Association. This seventh edition, released between 1923 and 1935, served as a “bible” for nurses training in mental health institutions, including Glenside Hospital. The handbook clearly outlined nurses’ roles and responsibilities, offering guidance on daily duties, like the correct way to prepare a bath for patients. Nurses who trained and lived on site each received a copy of this book, along with a key. When nurses left their positions, they had to return both items or pay a fee.
Inside this particular copy, a tender and lovingly written letter was found. The letter is addressed to Sister M A Burgoyne, a nurse at Parkside Hospital (later renamed to Glenside Hospital), from a F.D. Watson who was recovering in Block A of the 105th Military Hospital (later the Repatriation General Hospital, and now the Repat Health Precinct). Beyond what appears in the letter, little is known about their relationship but offers a glimpse into a different time.
The letter reads:
Dear Bungy,
You will get a surprise to hear from me from here. The story is I’m not well for some weeks in the tropics & when we got home I was really miserable, so on arrival in S.A. came in here. Diagnosed, anaemia & visceroptosis. Not very sick, in fact now I am up & about. Having liver injections & surgical corsets later. Now as I have not heard from you for some time I don’t know if you want to see me or not. If you do &care to come out one day I will be pleased to see you. Forgive me if I ask you not to have a spot clean before coming as my sister may be here. The sentry may try to stop you, but say Matron said I was to see any visitors any time. Some of the sentries are very officious. You were a dear writing & sending me parcels & I missed your letters. We did not get mail for months. I think I will be here for at least 2 more weeks & if you let me know a day or so before when you are coming I will meet the tram, it is at the end of the Colonel Light Gardens tram line. Drop me a line. If you do not care to see me I will not mind old dear. The morning is quite a good time to come. I only arrived in Australia on the 4th August & came home on the 6th. Cherrish Bungy.
From old Pal
F.D. Watson.
What happened next remains unknown. Did ‘Bungy’ visit? Did the two reconnect, or did their paths quietly diverge?
If you have any information on either M. A. Burgoyne or F. D. Watson, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out via email at Health.RAHHeritageOffice@sa.gov.au
Written by Anna Grigoriev, CALHN Health Museum
