Date of birth? There I would come unstuck. My euphoria plummeted. ‘Sir, I came here to tend the sick. This is a full-time occupation so I think it would be best to forgo the temptation of joining the Olympic team. But I thank you for offering to assist me.’

*

Time passed quickly. Besides our chores, we practised various forms of bandaging and endless sterilising. Such was my naïvety, during our first lifeboat drill, I thought we’d all be ordered into the lifeboats and lowered to the sea. I soon discovered the drill only consisted of fetching our lifesavers, which were twelve cumbersome cork blocks stitched inside a canvas tabard with tapes at the sides. We had to put them on properly, and gather at our designated muster stations. A simple procedure. What could possibly go wrong? The entire exercise was a waste of time in my opinion.

After passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, we entered the Mediterranean. The air grew warmer and we spent more free time on deck playing cricket and deck quoits. I continued to spend at least an hour each day improving my swimming.

The ship arrived at Naples on 17 November and embarked coal and water. The port seemed overwhelmed by battleships and troop carriers, both moored up and anchored off. These ships were served by barges that offloaded supplies. The vastness of the war started to enter my perception.

Amorous soldiers and sailors swarmed everywhere, and we enjoyed their wolf whistles when we were together. My heart pitter-pattered and my cheeks burned when they accosted us with this absurd flattery. However, if alone, I hated the raucous attention and flew back into the company of my colleagues. Of course, we all stuck our noses in the air and marched away; I admit to swinging my hips with a little more gusto than usual.

Our first patients boarded; six non-combatant soldiers destined to stay with us until they recovered or HMHS Britannic returned to England.

A storm whipped up mountainous seas, keeping the ship in port longer than planned, but on the Sunday afternoon, Captain Bartlett decided to take advantage of a break in the weather.

Matron Merriberry, who both inspired and terrified me, gathered a group of us to E deck as the ship prepared to leave port.

‘Nurses!’ she cried, her full bosom quivering. We stood to attention, matching her upright stance, chest out and head up. ‘I selected the eight of you to attend our new patients.’

My heart pounded; how marvellous to be chosen. I would be exemplary, people would say so.

Matron glanced at each of us in turn. ‘Look on it as an honour and an opportunity to gain as much experience as possible. Staff, or myself, will be available at all times. I want you to make the most of this unexpected chance to improve your skills.’