Could anyone supply me with details of what naval ships or transportation were used to take this regiment to the shores of Turkey. And in the same context does anyone know the name of the hospital ship that took the wounded to Alexandria Egypt.
Have been looking at the service of CSM J Ruddick of that regiment who was wounded, returned to Gallipoli but died and was buried in Egypt.



Peter

RMS Andania took the bulk of the battalion to Gallipoli, leaving the UK on 17th March, the remainder of the battalion embarked in SS Duke of Edinburgh, sailing non-stop for Malta. On 28 March they sailed for Alexandria. Both ships accompanied by the Mercian left Egypt on 12th April for Lemnos and at dusk on 24th April. Mine Sweeper No.6 took the whole battalion to the beaches (X Beach) on 25th April.

Finding the hospital ship that took CSM Ruddick is a little harder. Ruddick I believe came out as a draft in August 1915 so was probably on different ships to those already stated. Another pal my be able to help, but first place to look is the National Archives at Kew for clues in the War diary and thus the logs of the hospital ships.

regards, Krithia

Many thanks for information Krithia


Peter

Peter

If he was an August 1915 draft then he had a bewildering string of events,landing at Gallipoli, wounded,extracted (to Alex?),returned,wounded again,extracted to Alex,died and buried on the 28th of the same month.
The War Diary for the 1 Border Regt is WO95/4311.

Sotonmate

I quite agree with you sotonmate !!

The actual newpaper report reads (I did try to attach it, but it kept saying it was too big)

"Information was received on Thursday that Company Sergt-Major Joseph Ruddick had been killed in action in Gallipoli. Sergt-Major Joseph Ruddick is one of the three soldier sons of Mr and Mrs William Ruddick, Mount Pleasant, Tebay.
Some time ago he was invalided home, having received a shot in the the knee during the first attempt at forcing a landing on the peninsula.
He was one to take part in that historic landing, but he was only allowed a few steps upon the beach before being wounded. He recovered, sufficiently to rejoin his reiment, but, unfortunately only to meet with death. At the time of writing there are no particulars as to how his death occurred."

Peter

Peter

The newspaper report seems unlikely to be the facts ! His MIC states first date into Theatre was August 1915 at Gallipoli,so quite how he landed from the outset of the Border's arrival on X Beach in April,came home with wounds and returned again,it is difficult to see. If the news facts are right his MIC would show an April date.
Souds to me like a relative's take on the situation and faithfully reported without any fact checking.
I will see what I can see in WO95/4311 later.

Sotonmate

There were some 1st Batt. Border Regiment on the "Royal Edward" but their numbers are higher than J.H.Ruddick's.

EG:
Private JOHN MALONE
16962, 1st Bn., Border Regiment
who died age 19
on 13 August 1915


Kath.

Thanks to Kath and Sotonmate for replies

I agree about the newspaper report, I wonder if it meant he was wounded, taken to a in firstaid post or hospital ship for a brief time and then returned to his company.
I agree he could not have been returned to "home" and then back again in such a short time.

I think it is called poetic license.

Peter

Peter

I have Dairy pages for Aug 1915 from WO95/4311. Please PM your e-mail and I will send them on.

Sotonmate

Thanks again for all help received

Peter

Hi Peter,

I asume you've looked at:

Glory Is No Compensation – The Border Regiment At Gallipoli 1915
Ralph May with Stuart Eastwood and Clive Elderton
ISBN: 1 85794 214 0
http://www.kingsownbordermuseum.btik.com/p_Books.ikml

If in doubt, see if Stuart or Tony can give you a hand with the info at the KORBR Museum.

Best,

Chris

Yes I have indeed.
Had great help from both Stuart and Tony when I was writing a dissertation recently for Lancaster University on the men from this area who joined the Border Regiment.

Peter

Hi Peter,
If your man was wounded in the first days of Gallipoli then the two hospital ships in service at the time were Gascon and Sicilia. However, many men were evacuated via transports having to be used as hospital transports or black ships. So difficult to know which ship he might have been put on to in 25/27 April.
cheers
Kirsty

Thanks Kirsty for the information
Peter

That was Great Uncle Joe. I lived with his brother Albert (one of the other soldier sons mentioned) until his death when I was 11. The newspaper cutting isn't quite accurate.

As I recall he was not injured the first time at Gallipoli but elswhere during the war (but will have to find and check my notes). He didn't die in Alexandria or was buried at Alexandria, but is commemorated there. He died on the hospital ship between Gallipoli and Alexandria and was buried at sea.

He was a professional soldier and I believe had seen action in the Boer war. Somewhere, I think I have his medals. I'll have a look this weekend and see if I can find them.

The details I have were obtained during a visit to the regimental museum at Carlisle Castle.

Hope this helps - apologies for vagueness - will try and find detail.

Jill

Many thanks for that information - have been away recently hence the delay in thanking you for information.
It does at least answer one or two queries concerning that newspaper report.