I'm trying to find out more about the New Zealand medical contribution to the Gallipoli campaign, particularly during the Landing, and the operations of May 2/3 at Bloody Angle.

A.D. Carbery mentions a "short account" of the operations of May 2/3 written by the Otago Battalion's MO, Capt Baigent. Does anyone know if Baigent's account is in the Otago's war diary?

In the bibliography of Carbery's history he says that "for more detailed information on the Medical Administration and Operations of the NZEF at the Overseas Bases, in Egypt, Gallipoli and France, the student is directed to the collators' typescript notes and compilations bound in four volumes quarto to be found in the Library of General Headquarters at Wellington."

Does anyone know where these four volumes are now kept? I've done a Google search for the Library mentioned but came up with nothing.
If Baigent's account is not in the Otago's diary, I presume it is tucked away in the Gallipoli section of these volumes.

I'm in Western Australia, a long way from the action, and would greatly appreciate a hand or some advice from any Kiwis (or others) in the know.

Thanks in anticipation,

good on you,

Grant

Hi Grant,

Another Grant here!.

I cant answer your immediate question, but you can purchase a copy of the NZ Medical Corp history from Naval & Military press for a reasonable cost. I havent looked, but the NZETC may have an online copy also.

Another book, The New Zealanders at Gallipoli (I believe by F Wait..but thats from memory) may also have information, this may also be online at NZETC.

Cheers
Grant

New Zealanders at Gallipoli by Fred Waite.

I understand that when they started writing the NZ Second World War series the source materials for the GW were sent to them in 4 wicker baskets. Try the publishers.

I have photos of some NZMC graves from Gallipoli if these are of interest

Chris

Couldn't find that diary but found this Gallipoli diary Clicky Click by Capt. E. P. Cox Wellington Inf. Reg't N.Z. Exp. Force.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I did get a fair bit of general information from NZETC, including Waite and, obviously, Carbery (missed Cox)...... the archivist at the National Army Museum is making some enquiries about the specific report, and the collators' notes; no word yet from the NZ Archives about the Otago war diary.

Thanks Chris for the offer, but I'm just trying to get some info on the medical arrangements for the operations at the head of Monash Gully on May 2/3.

Thanks again,

Grant

Grant

A very interesting first hand account on the medical aspects of the landing and the period up to June 27 1915 is by Dr (Lieutnenant Colonel) Percival Fenwick called Gallipoli Diary. This book is published by Auckland Museum.

Zack

Thanks for that, Zack. Just been viewing Fenwick's photos on the Auckland Museum website -- fantastic.

Grant

The Diary of Charles Mackie Begg of the NZMC is held by the Hocken Library in Dunedin. Begg became the senior medical officer for the ANZAC sector for a period after the death of Manders.

I have a copy and is well worth reading. Begg also wrote several reports on the Medical services at ANZAC which are also held by the Hocken I believe. He was quite vocal to the say the least!

Hi,
Baigent's report is tucked away in the appendices to the NZMC's 1915 Gallipoli reports, which themselves are appended to those of the NZ & A Div war diary. If it's of any interest, I interviewed Baigent's medical sergeant, 8/488 George Skerrett, who was taken from the 8th Southland Company and attached to the NZMC with the Otago Battalion from April-August 1915. I also have the diary (photocopy) of FJ Cardno DCM who served alongside George and Baigent, fro the most part at Courtenay's Post. If memory serves me rightly, the book In the Shadow of War contains a chapter relating to a NZ medic on Gallipoli, albeit a later reinforcement. THe book was published in NZ so should not be too difficult to find. ANother book is The Great Adventure, which includes correspondence of one Walter Carruthers, a private in the NZMC on Gallipoli but later commissioned and attached to an infantry battalion. There are also some 1915 diaries and letters of NZMC soldiers held at Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington.
Andy M

Andy,

Thanks! Yes please, I am very interested in Skerret & Cardno info, particularly any references to May 2/3. I downloaded the NZ & A HQ war diary and read through 'May' & 'December' -- which I thought the most likely places to find Baigent's report -- but without success. Any chance, please, of pointing me in the right direction? Look forward to hearing from you.

Grant

Did read this diary, thanks for the lead, Mart; seems a lot more sensible than some (e.g., no bathing ANZACs being eaten by sea monsters), but I did not find anything fitting into my rather specialized Gallipoli interests. Still, a good read.

Bob Lembke