Heightened vigilance in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the SS Santa Helena
Heroes Remember
Heightened vigilance in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the SS Santa Helena
Transcript
Description
Ms. Whittaker describes the safety measures taken aboard SS Santa Helena, because of the risk of torpedoing, once she reached the Mediterranean Sea. These included sleeping in full uniform and frequent lifeboat drills.
Geraldine Whittaker
Geraldine Whittaker was born on March 12, 1915 in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. Her father was the local doctor, and she would accompany him on his rounds. Ms. Whittaker decided to become a nurse after graduating from school, entering the nursing program at Montreal General Hospital. In 1937, after three years of training, she decided to enlist in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. After war was declared, Ms. Whittaker went to England where she served in hospitals at Farnborough and Horley. She was deployed to North Africa, but her ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescued personnel were landed in Naples, Italy. Ms. Whittaker served in a hospital in nearby Caserta for eight months. She volunteered for service in France, was transferred there, and later served in Belgium and Holland. After her return to Newfoundland, Ms. Whittaker continued her nursing career.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 1:07
- Person Interviewed:
- Geraldine Whittaker
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Occupation:
- Nurse
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I had no idea of the danger.
Ms. Whittaker describes a relatively peaceful crossing to England, even though depth charges were occasionally fired off to thwart submarines.
Toughening up
Ms. Whittaker describes her hospital experience at Horley, England as being pleasant with little contact with war wounded. Her introduction to army drill brings her back to the reality of war.
Torpedoed!
Ms. Whittaker discusses the events prior to, during, and immediately after the aerial torpedoing of the SS Santa Helena. She gives a detailed account of how the ship's crew kept passengers calm while moving them to lifeboat stations, for which she offers them high praise.
Rescued!
Ms. Whittaker describes being adrift in a lifeboat, the laying of a smoke screen to protect against German strafing, and finally being rescued by the American troop ship, SS Monterey.
They were marvelous patients.
Ms. Whittaker describes the very modest hospital where she worked in Caserta, Italy. She observes that despite having very little with which to treat the wounded, they were brave men and wonderful patients.
Hard eggs and a soft nurse
Ms. Whittaker describes hard boiled eggs as being a rather unpalatable dietary staple in Italy. She prepares a special treat, a soft poached egg and toast, for one of the badly wounded. He is very grateful for this act of kindness.
'S-Hertogenbosch Hospital
Ms. Whittaker describes the removal of all of the patients from 'S-Hertogenbosch Hospital as a precautionary measure, during the Battle of the Bulge. After that the hospital's role becomes that of a casualty clearing station.
A positive impact on her nursing career
Ms. Whittaker discusses how the misery she dealt with during the Second World War positively shaped her attitude in her career as a civilian nurse in Newfoundland's outports.
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