Is there a list of troopship names that served at Gallipoli? I have some photographs that show ships with large letter/numbers painted on the side, in particular B12, N10 and N6.

I have seen the list on the Gallipoli Association website and also the list under http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/%7Ermallett/Transports.html that shows HMAT 'A' reference numbers.

Does another list survive? Can any Pal help?

Steve,

N10 is the ‘Royal George’ and appears on IWM photograph Q61123, see page 88 of ‘RND’ Issue No.2 Sept 1997

Sorry can’t help with B12 & N6

Rob Walker’s book ‘To What End Did They Die’ offers a list which he says "cannot be described as complete.” He names there some 120+ ships; and that’s excluding the French, the sea-plane carriers etc., but unfortunately he does not give their id letter/nos.

Regards
Michael D.R.

Steve,
I have sent a PM.

Kath.

Michael,

Is this N10, the RMS Royal George as a troopship?

Kath

Rupert Brookes' biography in his "Collected Poems" says that he and Hood Battallion RND sailed in "Grantully Castle". He died on the French hospital ship "Duguay-Trouin"

Adrian

Kath,

Yes N10 was the ‘Royal George’
The IWM picture below [ref Q 6112] shows the SS Royal George at Mudros on 24 March 1915. The ship’s number is seen on the side of the forward superstructure

If I have understood Steve correctly, then his object here is to tie up the number of each ship with its name. As pointed out by Steve, lists of names exist in various places, however the lists seen up to now do not give the numbers. Alas, when dealing with old photographs, the numbers are sometimes the only form of recognition possible.

Adrian is correct that the ‘Grantully Castle’ carried the Hood Battalion. Also on board were the 2nd Brigade [RND] HQ and the Anson Battalion

Other ships carrying the RND from Avonmouth on 27th & 28th Feb 1915 were

‘Franconia’ – Div HQ., 1st Brigade HQ, Ordnance Detail, Drake Batt., Nelson Batt.
‘Royal George’ – Howe Batt., 1st Field Ambulance
‘Gloucester Castle’ – Portsmouth Batt.
‘Ayrshire’- Div Signals Co., Grooms
‘Alnwich Castle’ – Deal Batt., 2nd & 3rd Field Ambulances, RMA.
‘Somali’- Cyclist Company, Engineer Unit
‘Cestrian’ – Divisional Train

Above details from ADM137/3088A [papers marked Schedule B] as published by Len Sellers in ‘RND’ where Len also gives details from WO95/4290 which lists Allotment of Troops to Transports which shows sailing on 6th Feb 1915

‘Braemar Castle’ - HQ 3rd Brigade, No.4 Sec Signal Co., Plymouth Batt
‘Cawdor Castle’ – Chatham Batt.

If anyone can add the Numbers for these ships [as in N10 = Royal George] then it would help and a full list for all the Gallipoli transports would be ideal

Regards
Michael D.R.

This is probably a red herring (or 2) and nothing to do with WW!.

I've two postcards of the Soudan which was a hospital ship at Gallipoli.

The one titled "HMTS Soudan" has No.5 on the side of the ship BUT it was written 16th-20th. Dec.1906

The other, just "SS SOUDAN", has No.7 & refers to arrival home from South Africa.
The 7 looks as if it has been painted over another no.

Kath.

Some more names:
3 Wing RNAS sailed to Gallopolli on the Harrison Liner 'Imkosi'; their aircraft and equipment on the 'Moorgate'.
[Source: 'Sailor in the Sky', autobiog of Vice-Admiral Richard Bell-Davies VC]

Adrian

Thanks all

The 6th Lincs, sailed from England onboard the Empress of Britain to Mudros, and from there on the transports Osmanieh and Elkatura to Cape Helles.

Jim

Here's HMT Plassy - No. 3

And it is No NOT just N, as in N10.

Wonder if this is peacetime practice.
Kath.

A footnote on page 118 of the British O.H. gives some useful information regarding the allocation of the numbers used, but unfortunately it does not tie in names with those numbers.

“The Anzac transports were numbered A1 to A35,
the 29th Division’s B1 to B15,
the French F1 to F23
and the [Royal] Naval Division’s N1 to N12.
Similarly the supply ships were numbered S1 to S10
and the ship to convey Sir Ian Hamilton and his headquarters was numbered H1.”

Regards
Michael D.R.

The Australian Embarkation Rolls, available on the AWM site (large pdf files) detail the ships upon which soldiers embarked.

A sample check shows that 11th Infantry Battalion 8th reinforcements embarked at Fremantle 2nd September 1915 on HMAT A68 "Anchises"; the 9th reinforcements on HMAT A20 "Hororata" on 5th October 1915 (again from Fremantle) etc. etc.

More ships from 17th & 18th AIF embarkation rolls:

A32 is Themosticles
A23 is Suffolk
A54 is Runic
A8 is Argyllshire
A14 is Euripides
A29 is Suevic
A60 is Aeneas (a Trojan link here??)
A15 is Star of England
A71 is Nestor
A40 is Ceramic
A55 is Kyarra
A18 is Wiltshire
A72 is Beltana
A38 is Ulysses

Perhaps we can get a list together?

SS Novian carried the original 5th Bn AIF from Egypt to Gallipoli (via Lemnos) in April 1915
SS Galeka carried the 6th & some 7th Bn troops
Maihalia also carried some 7th Bn troops
A46 Clan McGillivray carried some 7th Bn & the 8th Bn AIF

Menominee carried the 8th LH to Gallipoli in May 1915 - arriving off Anzac Cove they were then transferred to the Foxhound

The B11 Southland was carrying amongst others, the 21st Bn & B Coy of the 23rd Bn AIF to Gallipoli - when it was torpedoed 2/9/15.
The Haverford was carrying the rest of the 23rd Bn.
The hospital ship Neuralia was in the vicinity & helped in the rescue.

The Osmanieh was being used as a hospital ship in April 1915
The Devanha in August 1915

From the 15th Bttn Embarkation Roll (some, of course, post Gallipoli)

A40 is Ceramic
A35 is Berrima
A48 is Seang Bee
A46 is Clan Macgillivray
A49 is Seang Choon
A17 is Port Linciln
A55 is Kyarra
A20 is Hororata
A63 is Karoola
A31 is Ajana
A9 is Shropshire
A67 is Orsova
A33 is Ayrshire
A69 is Warilda
HMAT RMS Orontes appears not to have an ID code
A64 is Demosthenes
A62 is Wandilla
A73 is Commonwealth
A16 is Star of Victoria
HMAT SS Hawkes Bay has no code
A50 is Itonus
A36 is Boonah


Martin

Martin

If you check out Ross Mallet's webpage in Krithia's original post you'll find out why the RMS Orontes & the SS Hawkes Bay have no codes.

Cheers, Frev

DISPOSITION OF UNITS OF THE 1ST DIVISION (AUSTRALIAN) IN THE CONVOY AND PLACES OF EMBARKATION.

No. Name. Tonnage Speed Embarked at- Troops Officers Men Horses

A1 Hymettus 4,606 11.5 Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide ASC and horses 5 106 686

A2 Geelong ... 7,951 12 Melbourne and Hobart Mixed 47 1,295
-
A3 Orvieto ... ...12,130 15 Melbourne GOC, Infantry & details 94 1,345 21

A4 Pera ... ... 7,635 11 Sydney Artillery horses 5 90 391

A5 Omrah ... ... 8,130 15 Brisbane Infantry and ASC 43 1,104 15

A6 Clan MacCorquodale 5,058 12.5 Sydney Horses 6 113 524

A7 Medic ... 12,032 13 Adelaide and Fremantle Two companies Infantry, 28 977 270
Artillery, ASC, & AMC

A8 Argyllshire ... 10,392 14 Sydney Artillery 32 800 373

A9 Shropshire ... 11,911 14 Melbourne Artillery 42 794 433

A10 Karoo ... 6,127 12 Sydney and Melbourne Signallers and A.M.C 13 388 398

A11 Ascanius ... 10,048 13 Adelaide & Fremantle Infantry 65 1,728 10

A12 Saldanha ... 4,594 11 Adelaide Horses 4 52 274

A13 Katuna ... ... 4,641 11 Sydney and Hobart Horses 5 94 506

A14 Euripides ... 14,947 15 Sydney Infantry 29 2,202 15

A15 Star of England 9,150 13.5 Brisbane Light Horse 25 487 457

A16 Star of Victoria... 9,152 13.5 Sydney Light Horse 26 487 461

A17 Port Lincoln ... 7,243 12 Adelaide Light Horse 19 35I 338

A18 Wiltshire ... 10,390 14 Melbourne Light Horse and A.M.C. 35 724 497

A19 Afric ... 11,999 13 Sydney Infantry, A.S.C., and Engrs 48 1,372 8

A20 Hororata ... 9,491 14 Melbourne Infantry 66 1,986 118

A21 Marere ... 6,443 12.5 Melbourne Horses 4 80 443

A22 Rangatira ... 10,118 14 Brisbane Arty, Infantry, & AMC 15 430 450

A23 Suffolk ... 7,573 12 Sydney Infantry 32 979 8

A24 Benalla ... 11,118 14 Melbourne Infantry and A.S.C. 49 1,185 10

A25 Anglo-Egyptian 7,379 12 Brisbane and Melbourne Horses 6 105 492

A26 Armadale ... 6,153 11 Melbourne Lines of communication - - -

A27 Southern ... 4,769 10.5 Sydney and Melbourne Horses 5 136 281

A28 Miltiades ... 7,814 13 Sydney and Melbourne Imperial Reservists - 600 -

No. Name. Tonnage. Speed. Officer Commanding Troops.

lst Division.

A3 Orvieto ... 12,130 15 Lieut.-Colonel D. S. Wanliss (Flagship of G.O.C.)
A27 Southern ... 4,769 10.5 Lieut-Colonel R. T. Sutherland
A4 Pera 7,635 11 Lieutenant E. W. Richards
A26 Armadale 6,153 11 Major P. W. Smith
A12 Saldanha ... 4,594 11 Lieutenant P. A. McE. Laurie
A13 Katuna ... 4,641 11 Major S. Hawley
A1 Hymettus ... 4,6o6 11.5 Major A. A. Holdsworth
A23 Suffolk ... 7,573 12 Lieut.-Colonel C. F. Braund
A25 Anglo-Egyptian 7,379 12 Lieutenant W. Standfield

2nd Division.

A18 Wiltshire ... 10,390 14 Lieut.-Colonel L. Long (Divisional leader)
A7 Medic ... 12,032 13 Major A. J. Bessell-Browne
A11 Ascanius ... 10,048 13 Lieut.-Colonel S. P. Weir
A15 Star of England 9,150 13.5 Lieut.-Colonel R. M. Stoddart
A2 Geelong 7,951 12 Lieut.-Colonel L. F. Clarke
A17 Port Lincoln 7,243 12 Lieut.-Colonel F. N. Rowell
A10 Karoo ... 6,127 12 Captain H. L. Mackworth
A21 Marere ... 6.443 12.5 Captain C. H. Spurge
A6 Clan MacCorquodale 5,058 12.5 Major A. J. Bennett

3rd Division.

A14 Euripides ... 14,947 15 Colonel H. N. MacLaurin (Divisional leader)
A8 Argyllshire 10,392 14 Major S. E. Christian
A9 Shropshire ... 11,911 14 Colonel J. J. T. Hobbs
A19 Afric ... 11,999 13 Lieut.-Colonel L. Dobbin
A24 Benalla ... 11,118 14 Lieut.-Colonel W. K. Bolton
A22 Rangatira ... 10,118 14 Lieut.-Colonel C. Rosenthal
A16 Star of Victoria 9,152 13.5 Lieut.-Colonel J. B. Meredith
A20 Hororata ... 9,491 14 Lieut.-Colonel J. M. Semmens
A5 Omrah ... 8,130 15 Lieut.-Colonel H. W. Lee
A28 Miltiades ... 7,814 13 Major C. T. Griffiths

NEW ZEALAND TRANSPORTS.

No. Name. Tonnage. Speed.

lst Division.

3 Maunganui ... 7,527 16
9 Hawkes Bay ... 7,207 13
8 Star of India ... 6,800 11
7 Limerick ... 6,827 13
4 Tahiti … 7,585 17

No. Name. Tonnage. Speed.

2nd Division.

10 Arawa ... 9,372 12
11 Athenic ... 12,234 12
6 Orari … 6,800 12
5 Ruapehu ... 7,885 13
12 Waimana ... 10,389 14


New Zealand Transports of the Main Body.

Tons Knots Port of Departure Units on Board Nos. Carried


N.Z.T. No. 3 Maunganui 7,527 16 Wellington Headquarters Staff. N.Z E.F. 38 Officers
Headquarters, N.Z. Infantry Brigade 528 Men
Field Troop, N.Z. E. 204 Horses
Wellington Infantry Battalion (West Coast Coy.)
N.Z. Mounted Field Ambulance

N.Z.T. No. 4 Tahiti 7,585 17 Lyttelton Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regt. 30 Officers
Wellington Mounted Rifles Regt. (1 Squadron) 61l Men
Canterbury Infantry Battalion (1 Company) 282 Horses

N.Z.T No. 5 Ruapehu 7,885 13 Port Chalmers Otago Mounted Rifles Regt. (1 Squadron) 31 Officers
Otago Infantry Battalion (less 2 Companies 785 Men
& Machine Gun Section) 214 Horses


N.Z.T. No. 6 Orari 6,800 12 Wellington Wellington Mounted Rifles Regt. 16 Officers
(East Coast Squadron and 2 Troops) 269 Men
Surplus horses from other transports 728 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 7 Limerick 7,207 13 Wellington N.Z. Field Artillery Brigade (in part) 21 Officers
Wellington Infantry Battalion (No. 7 & 8 Platoons) 495 Men
348 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 8 Star of India 6,800 11 Auckland Auckland Mounted Rifles Regt. 30 Officers
New Zealand Field Ambulance 652 Men
395 Horses


N.Z.T. No. 9 Hawkes Bay 7,207 13 Port Chalmers Otago Mounted Rifles Regt. (less 1 Squadron) 40 Officers
Otago Infantry Battalion (2 Companies & Machine 930 Men
Gun Section) 569 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 10 Arawa 9,372 12 Wellington Wellington Infantry Battalion (less West Coast Coy. 59 Officers
7 and 8 Platoons) 1,259 Men
Wellington Mounted Rifles Regt. (less 2 troops) 215 Horses
Field Artillery Brigade (in part)
Signal Troop, N.Z. E.

N.Z.T No. 11 Athenic 12,234 12 Lyttleton Headquarters, Mounted Rifles Brigade 54 Officers.
Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regt. (2 Squadrons) 1,259 Men
Canterbury Infantry Battalion (less 1 Coy) 339 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 12 Waimana 10,389 14 Auckland Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment 61 Officers
Auckland Infantry Battalion 1,400 Men
NZ Signal Company 496 Horses
NZ Divisional Train

In addition to the units mentioned each transport carried the usual details - Naval Transport Officer, Medical Officers, Chaplains, etc. N.Z.T. No. 1 (S.S. Moeraki) and N.Z.T No. 2 (S.S. Monowai) took the Samoan Force, in August, 1914.

Transports Carrying the New Zealand and Australian Division from Alexandria, April 1915.

Name of Transport.
O.C. Troops
Adjutant
Units on Board

ACHAIA
Major H. Hart Wellington Battalion
Lieut. A. J. Cross Wellington Battalion
Wellington Infantry Battalion (2 Companies).


ITONUS
Lt-Col. W. G. Malone Wellington Battalion
Capt. M. McDonnell Wellington Battalion
Wellington Infantry Battalion (less 2 Companies)
Canterbury Infantry Battalion (2 Companies)

KATUNA
Major F. Simon RNZA
Capt. Clyde McGilp 1st Battery N.Z.F.A.
Headquarters, Field Artillery Brigade

LUTZOW
Lt.-Col. A. Plugge Auckland Battalion
Capt. A. G. B. Price Auckland Battalion
Divisional Headquarters Auckland Infantry Battalion
Divisional Signal Company (HQ No. 1 Section)
Canterbury Battalion (less 2 Companies)

GOSLAR
Major F. Fergusson Royal Engineers
Capt. F. Waite NZE
Headquarters Divisional Engineers, N. Z. Engineers
No. 1 Field Company, New Zealand Engineers
Headquarters New Zealand Infantry Brigade
No. 1 Field Ambulance New Zealand Medical Corps
HQ No. 2 Coy Divisional Train & Details, NZASC

ANNABERG
Lt-Col. A. Moore Otago Battalion
Lieut. J.S. Reid Otago Battalion
Otago Infantry Battalion

HAIDAR PASHA
Lt.-Col. Pope 16th Battalion
Capt. R.T. McDonald 16th Battalion
16th Battalion Australian Infantry (HQ &d 3 Coys)

SEEANGBEE
Major H. B. Carter 15th Battalion
Capt. C. P. Corser 15th Battalion
13th Battalion Australian Infantry (1 Company)
15th Battalion Australian Infantry (2 Companies)
16th Battalion Australian Infantry (1 Company)

AUSTRALND
Lt.-Col Cannan 15th Battalion
Capt. W. C. Willis 15th Battalion
4th New Zealand Howitzer Battery & Ammunition Column
15th Battalion Australian Infantry (less 2 Companies)

SEEANGCHUN
Lt-Col. R.E. Courtney 14th Battalion
Capt. C.M.H. Dare 14th Battalion
Headquarters 4th Australian Infantry Brigade
14th Battalion Australian Infantry

CALIFORNIAN
Major I. T. Standish R.N.Z.A.
Lieut. C. Carrington N.Z.F.A.
3rd Battery New Zealand Field Artillery
Ammunition Column, New Zealand Field Artillery Brigade
4th Australian Field Ambulance

ASCOT
Lt-Col. G. J. Burnage 13th Battalion
Capt. J.H.A. Durrant 13th Battalion
13th Battalion Australian Infantry (HQ & 3 Companies)
4th Australian Coy Divisional Train (HQ & Supply Section)

SURADA
Major F. B. Sykes Royal Artillery
Lieut. V. Rogers R.N.Z.A.
2nd Battery New Zealand Field Artillery
No. 2 Brigade Ammunition Column

Quote from my previous post
“Jan 5 2005, 06:48 AM Post #2
Steve,
N10 is the ‘Royal George’ and appears on IWM photograph Q61123, see page 88 of ‘RND’ Issue No.2 Sept 1997
Sorry can’t help with B12 & N6”


Steve,

Can now answer re ‘N6’
This was HMT Braemar Castle
See photograph in Len Sellers magazine ‘RND’ Issue No.19, Dec 2001, page 1885

Regards
Michael D.R.

B7 = HMT Alaunia

See pictures facing pages 17 and 41 of ‘With the Twenty-ninth Division in Gallipoli’ by Rev O. Creighton. As was common practice at the time Creighton only gives the initial letter of the vessel’s name however his text refers to the ship taking the RFs, the LFs and 1 company of the Munsters
Ref to Westlake gives the Alaunia as taking the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers and ‘D’ Company of the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers

Regards
Michael D.R.

See ebay item #6183015029 - 1911 USED CARD OF TROOPSHIP

No. 2 DONGO.....

Dongola?


And: http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/PO_Liners2.html#anchor781189

Kath

The transport Menominee had the no. X2.

Question:

Did "Menominee" have 1 funnel and 4 masts ???

If so, it looks as if she was attacked by the german UB 7 with 2 torpedoes on 17.06.1915 off Hellas Burnu.

UB 7 reported transport with 1 funnel, 4 masts

According to french destroyers log it was transport "X 2" !!!

Oliver

Oliver

The Menominee did have one funnel & four masts.
Was she actually hit? - if so - she couldn't have been too badly hurt as she seems to have continued throughout the war - finally being reconditioned in 1919 & eventually scrapped in 1926.

Does the report give any more detail?

Frev.

Hi Frev !

Thank you for confirmation!

No, "Menominee" was not hit, UB 7 fired two torpedoes at 10.12h and 10.25h, both of which missed.

Only additional info I have is, that there were french destroyers as screen and the pistol of one of the torpedoes was recoverd !

Oliver