Thanks, Jules. I'm off for a look.
Marina

Hi All
I have lost count of the instalments but here is the next one. I have been typing all day at work and have done more than any of the other times I reckon, so read and enjoy and thank the lucky stars John survived to record this as he has a few more very close shaves !!!

Sunday June 6th
Things pretty quiet last night. 10am Church Parade. Captain Dexter, voluntary and poor attendance. 2pm went for dip. Turk prisoners navvying on beach. German spy in our uniform captured. 4pm. Issue of respirators but recalled by D.H 2 10 minutes later. 7.30pm. Moved off to reserve trenches. A peculiar scene, me in the gully, occasional shots fired, men on the slopes of the hills performing duties and nearly on the top, a little group of men singing hymns with Captain McK.

Monday June 7th
3.15am. Stand to. Quiet last night. 6am. Returned to camp. 2.M.Sgt R----ght joins us in our dug out and naturally he is a decided acquisition. Improvement in tucker. Return of captain Wallace. 2pm. Went for dip. Bomb makers making 1000 bombs a day. Sleep at ease. Rumours of a shift to firing line shortly.

Tuesday June 8th
Issue of tobacco and cigs. Return of Brigadier limping along with 2 sticks. My opinion of him has changed since Mena days, he is a man, and a game one at that. 2pm. Went for a dip. Getting decidedly hot here now, 1 case of enteric? fever from here. This? like clouds. In line picquet although not called out. CO roused our NCO’s.

Wednesday June 9th
Duty company. Log? the battalion to make road to firing line for bringing up bigger guns. Missed it, crook leg, sick parade, lime juice for 7 days, bandaged up. Down to beach in afternoon with Jim K, met 2 M Peters brother. Barge full of mineral waters (Tooeys’ of Sydney) being sold, 6pm Col McKay went through lines, speaking to practically every man. Told us we are going into the firing line on Friday. In line picquet tonight.

Thursday June 10th
Not called out last night, steady exchange of shots all night. We are to relieve the 1st brigade tomorrow morning, thank goodness, we are all sick of this. 1 Field Service PC? To 2 men, a shame. 10am. Parade full marching order for inspection. Went for dip in afternoon, sleep at ease.

Friday June 11th
Things lively last night. 8am. Moved off to relieve 1st battalion on left, a little to the right of Quins post. Poor trenches. 10 yards in rear of firing line, is a very steep slope down into Shrapnel Gully, have to pull yourself up with the help of a made fast at the top. Trenches very complicated here, owing to broken firing line, only 15yards apart at Quins post. Observing with periscope and sniping with periscope rifle. 1 hour on and 2 off. 6pm. 14 platoon relieved 13 and we went into support trenches. 7pm Turks shelled trenches for about 15 minutes, knocking down part of our parapet, we got heavy showers of dust only. Practically no accommodation for supports, sitting room only, close together. 1st battalion must have been asleep during the last 6 weeks.

Saturday June 12th
3.15am.Stand to till daylight. 6am retired to reserve trenches, which consist of ledges cut in the slope of the hill. Insufficient room again. Had to dig ledges for 13 platoon. Turks gave us a lively hour this morning with shell fire; damage very slight, although I saw one poor fellow bowled over, never to rise again. Went to old camp for 18ft facines and had some narrow shaves (with 50 other fellows). Cooks doing a bit of work just now. 15 and 16 platoons in trench tonight. Issue of cigs. Mail. 15 platoon left for garrison on Braunds Hill at 6pm tonight.

Sunday June 13th
3am. Stand to. Nothing doing. 7am. 2 cruisers came up here with an escort of destroyers and put broadside after broadside into something or other. 8.30 am. More fatigue after facines. We are improving tracks, trenches etc. 5.30pm. British aeroplane flew over hillside near Quins Post and dropped 3 bombs, probably on reinforcements. 6pm.
Into firing line usual reliefs. We got out to some Turks coming along a communication trench on the hill in front of us. Steady exchange of shots. 11pm. Told by Mr Fox to wake all platoon commanders and sergeants and warn them to prepare to stand to at 12 o’clock. Rumoured that we are going to blow up German Officers trench.

Monday June 14th
1-3 am. Things pretty willing. 3.15am. Stand to. Quietened down with the break of day. 8am. Stand to. A big underground explosion which shook our trenches. 9am. Retired to reserve ledges. A lot of work going on today, getting things something like. Issue of bread, the first since the “Ionian”. Turned in early and slept well till stand to.

Tuesday June 15th
Stand to 3.15 am till 4am. Nothing doping. In to firing line. We see very little of the Turks during the day, but they presented us with a few bombs and some shrapnel, just as a n appetiser, little or no damage done. Our Jap bomb throwers doing good work. Heavy bombardment going on in the south. 9pm. Relieved from firing line and retired to support trenches. Things quiet all night.

Wednesday June 16th
Stand to, 3.15-4 am, then retired to reserve ledges. Bombardment still going on in the south, expect to hear that we have taken Achi Baha any day now. Bombs and shrapnel all the afternoon, 3 or 4 casualties in the firing line and a few on the beach. 6pm. Into firing line, and repaired parapet between reliefs. 9pm. Brigadier through lines, possibility of attack, large bodies of Turks seen retiring Achi Baba during the day. We are said to be in partial possession of the hill.

Thursday June 17th
A mere steady exchange of shots last night, and of hand grenades at Quins Post. 6am. Relieved and retired to reserve ledges. Slept this morning. 2pm. Went for dip, a long way to beach. Just got out of water and shrapnel started; result a general scatter of nude soldiers. More shrapnel bombs on our position.

Friday June 18th
Reserves last night, good sleep. Usual stand to. Nothing doing last night. 5am-6am. Things very lively around Quins Post. 6am. Into firing line. On post for 12 hours in sap? Connecting with N Z line, some good sniping posts in this sap, but Turks lying low. Saps being put out in all directions. All the “heads” through the lines today. Issue of 1 slice of bread per man. 6pm. Relieved and retired to support trenches.

Saturday June 19th
Things quiet last night. Returned to reserve ledge at 6am. Slept in morning as well as thousands of flies would allow. 2pm. Went for a dip. Landing 6 hourly on our beach. Mountain gun placed in good position in new sap, expected to silence a couple of Turk guns on Mortar Ridge. 6pm. Into firing line. Things quiet excepting for a willing exchange of hand grenades at Quins Post. Issued with cigs, matches and –lund? Outpost goes out ahead about 10yds every night.

Sunday June 20th
6am. Relieved from firing line. 11 of the 8th battalion wounded returned early this morning. 2pm. Went for dip, a few men killed or wounded every day on beach. Reserves tonight. 7pm. Warned to be ready to reinforce firing line about 10pm. Turned in. 10pm. Stand to and file into firing line on signal. 10.30. Destroyer fired 2 guns as signal, upon which the whole line fired 5 rounds rapid, to which the Turks replied well. Object; To ascertain approximately to what extent their trenches are manned at night. 11.30. Turned in again.

Monday June 21st
Usual stand to. 6am. Into firing line. 9-10 am. Mountain gun opened up fire, although they did little or no damage, whereas the mountain gun is said to have achieved its object. Heavy bombardment going all day in the south. 6pm. Relieved from firing line but 8 of us had to make 14 platoon up to strength for the night. 10-11 pm. On duty as advanced sentry, up through a hole in the sap and then about 6 yards to the left, peeping round corners of little hillock into gully where Turks are entrenched about 15 yards away. Could see them working and hear them jabbering. Bright moonlight night, but nothing doing.

Tuesday June 22nd
Usual stand to, very little sleep during the last 3 days, practically impossible to sleep in day time, heat and flies awful. More wounded returned this morning. Issue of bread and 3 Field Service PC’s per man. Slept in morning a little. Things slow all day. Turned in early, reserves tonight. Respirators issued.

Wednesday June 23rd
Things quiet, usual stand to. 6am. Into firing line. No 4 section in sap. Things awfully slow all day, the wretches did not give us a shot. Porridge for brek and “spuds” for dinner, this is worthy of note. The CO is certainly shaking things up. 4pm-5pm. A lively hour, as during this time the Turks lobbed 64 shells (shrapnel bursting on percussion) in on and around the knoll in which sap is. We all had some marvellous escapes, one shell bursting right over me, on top of the roof of the sap and burying me in the dirt. The Turks evidently thought that the mountain gun which fired about a dozen shots and then ran away was still there. The extent of the damage is not so serious that it cannot be repaired before day break tomorrow, except for three men being slightly wounded and 1 seriously. 7pm. A few “Jack Johnsons” burst over shrapnel gully, probably fired from a long distance. News of good progress down south. Relieved at midnight.

Thursday June 24th
3-4am Stand to. Slept in till 9 o’clock and lost my breakfast over it, worth it. A battery of 5” howitzers landed here today. 4pm. Our trenches shelled for a while, not much damage here. A shell laid out 12 men on the beach this afternoon. 6pm Into firing line.

Friday June 25th
Usual stand to. Nothing doing last night.. 6am. Turks sent us over a “salvo” of shells, no damage. Troops and artillery supposed to have been transferred from Achi Baba to here. Especially good sniping today. Improvement in tucker, nearly time. Mail today. 4pm. HMS “Lord Nelson” and transport with observation balloon aboard, with escort of destroyers arrived here and put a number of shells (about 12) into gully about 3 miles inland. Result:- Dense clouds of smoke arose and continued to arise, with occasional bursts of flame. Probably shelled the village of Khanak? 6pm. Relieved from firing line and then straight down to beach for swim. It was grand. Returned, very tired, to find that we have to stand to at 9.15 tonight to reinforce firing line. A real nark. Trench to be blown up I understand. 9.15. Stand to and into sap. 9.30. An underground explosion which fairly rocked the ground. Heavy fire followed. 10pm. Carry on.

Saturday June 26th
3-4pm. Stand to. Evidently the explosion yesterday shifted a lot of earth, but think it was only their sap. Rested all day. 6pm. Into firing line, 2nd relief. We are within 15 yards of the Turks trenches where I am on post now. Good sniping position.
Sunday June 27th
3-4 am. Stand to. The Turks wish us good morning by putting 3 shells right in to sap, which was followed by a burst of rifle fire from them. J J O’L wounded. 10.30 am. More shells in sap, no casualties. Lots of men going sick (chiefly with dysentery). Most of us are pretty weary and can do with a spell. A shell ploughed its way through the roof of one of the saps this morning and the case crashed down at my feet. 3 of our platoon laid out on beach this afternoon (1 killed, blown to pieces), also one of the 14th battalion killed. 6pm Relieved. Issued with cap shades.

Monday June 28th
3-4 am. Stand to. 10 am. Prepare to stand to at 1.15pm. A new division to be landed between here and Cape Helles and the 3rd brigade, to turn right flank. Object said to be to stop supplies and reinforcements going south. 1.15pm. Stand to. An hours artillery duel, accompanied by some rifle fire, a few casualties from shrapnel. 6pm. Into firing line. 1st relief. 9.15. The whole firing line went generally mad, the object being to try to persuade the Turks that we were going to attack so as to hold their attention, whilst new fellows advanced to our right. Our object partially achieved. 11.30pm. Repetition at this time.
That's all for now folks, further epiodes to follow soon.
Regards
Julian

Well done, Jules - that was a marathon typing day! I cannot get over the swimming under fire - but I suppose on that awful heat and the flies were driving them mad to get cool. June 6th entry was a good vignette as John say himself - shots and sheltering in the gully while the hymn service went on.
Marina

Jules,
Stoked....very happy.

Rgds

Tim

Cheers Tim, is that an Aussie coloquialism or what, us Poms have not heard of it before, that's for sure.
Julian

It's also very Canadian and American eg. "I'm totally stoked man, that last run was just awsome!" ( In reference to a snowboard or ski run)

Brian M.

Thanks for educating me Brian
Julian

If you have anything that covers battles around St Julien,France on about 26/27 Sept 1917 I would be grateful.

Hi Jaypet01
I may well have some info on that period for you but it will take me some time to get that far through the war. I have been typing up the diary for the past few weeks and I have still only covered some 9 months. Keep reading the diary and I will see what I can fiind on that period.
Cheers
Julian

hi Julian,

The dairy is so detailed, it brings you right into the middle of things. Your granddad most of thoughed to write it down so that after he would be knocked of people who would read it could understand it all. What a dinkum billjim. Shure makes me feel that theyve landed in hell.
Keep it upp mate i am hanging on evry word.

coo-ee
patrick

HI Petrick
Welcome back to the thread mate I thought I had lost you. I very much value the comments so as yours. I am constantly finding myself gobsmacked as I am transcribing this diary, I have to read some of it over again and again due to the content. What did you mean by;

I took it to mean you thought he tells the story very well, it is almost as though he wants the reader to feel as though they are there with him.
I will type up some more tomorrow as I have had a very busy day and not much spare time, will try to make up for it over the weekend.
Regards
Julian

Get a good night's sleep, Jules - back to worl tomorrow!

Hi All
Here is some more for you to get your teeth into whilst I continue with the typing. Enjoy and please let me know what you think of it.

Saturday July 3rd
The bombardment continued all night. Showers of rain in early morning. Water fatigue today. Heavy showers during morning. 2Pm. Relief arrived 3pm. Moved off to 2 different camps , but both of them being wrong places we had to shift on. Eventually got settled down in a good position about 5 pm. Good dug out, covered in. 5.15. Fatigue on beach, fixing new hospital till 9 o'clock. A bit hot.

Sunday July 4th
Great relief to be able to sleep with clothes off, first time since we moved into firing line. No stand to. Things quiet except for a warship dropping an occasional 12” shell not far from here. 9.30am. A party of us pulled a water cart nearly to the top of a hill then NCO in charge discovered it was too far, and so took it half way back again to a well. Humbugged right and left. 10.15 am. Church Parade (voluntary, very poor attendance, a farce). 12.15. To beach for mail. The 3rd.4th and 5th reinforcements are considered inefficient and each battalions reinforcements makes a company of a battalion and they are drilling 6hrs a day as such on opposite slope of gully. 7pm. Beach for dip.

Monday July 5th
1 am. Fatigue on right flank on big artillery road, which is nearing completion. 10' wide by 4' deep. Returned at 4.30. Enemy's artillery very lively this morning. Our party had some narrow shaves. 8am. Big shells from somewhere, lobbing in the sea, it is to be hoped they do not shorten their range. No sleep today, heat and flies awful. 4pm. Hydroplane cruising around and occasionally descending to hold conflab with French warship (“Monitor”?) who eventually fired a few shots. 8.30-12.30am. Same job as the morning.

Tuesday July 6th
Slept a little during morning. Regular weekly issue of cigarettes and tobacco now, about 2oz. Nothing doing all day, issue of lime juice

Wednesday July 7th
12.30am – 3.30 am. Fatigue digging communication trench near BHQ. Night work, no good. Men going away sick in batches everyday. Very little doing all day. French warship has a cut at any troublesome gun there may be every afternoon. Warned for road guard at 7am tomorrow morning, a good job. Went for dip and came back through Burial ground, which is greatly improved

Thursday July 8th
7am Road guard. Trying to keep a lot of fatheads off a dangerous part of the road. Lots of abuse. 2 hours and 10 minutes on and 4 hours and 20 minutes off, till 8pm. Camped in dug out just off road. Read mail.

Friday July 9th
Return of Lieutenant Bennett. Things quiet last night except for 2 short sharp bursts of rifle fire. Artillery duels yesterday and today between 4pm and 6pm. Howitzers doing good work. 8pm. Went out last night and had a dip. Pretty cold.

Saturday July 10th
Slept in till 8 o'clock. Quiet last night. Return of Captain Kirby and Lieutenant Yates. 7th battalion man shot through the head on beach near here this morning. Usual routine. 4-7 pm. 2 warships smashing up fortification on biggest hill between here and Achi Baba and which we have been carefully watching for the past couple of weeks. Aeroplane and observation balloon directing them. 8pm. Went for a dip, decidedly cold. 8th battalion to go to Imbros for a weeks spell and to reorganise, tomorrow night. Bombardment at Achi Baba nearly all day.

Sunday July 11th
Our Brigadier, Colonel McKay, slips on beach and breaks his leg. Rumours confirmed. 2.30 pm Relieved. To proceed to Imbros at 2am in morning. 5pm. Inspection of dug outs. 7pm. Big cruiser put broadsides galore into something and got pelted at and so fled.

Monday July 12th
2 am. Left camp. 2.30 arrived beach. 3.30 Embarked on barges and were towed out to trawler. A pleasant trip to to Imbros, where we arrived after several stoppages about 8am. Heavy bombardment of Achi Baba commenced at 4.30 and is still going strong. Expect we shall take hill shortly. Only 4 cruisers anchored here today. A good camp in tents, a few stalls, and the luxuries obtainable there are very acceptable, although the prices outrageous. This island is very much like Lemnos. Bombardment going on all day., the flashes of the guns can be seen from a high point here. Tucker quite good. Saw first woman for three months. Fair sized village 9 miles away but it is out of bounds except for officers. Turned in early.

Tuesday July 13th
Slept well, good breakfast. 8am. Shifted out in full marching order and had to strike and re-erect tents in improved manner. Living like kings. Could see shells lobbing on Achi Baba, this afternoon from here, with glasses. Had a bonza tea and turned in early. The bombardment today has been spasmodic.

Wednesday July 14th
6am. Reveille. 6.15am, Bathing parade, with drill en route. Water splendid. 7.30. Rifle inspection. 8am. Breakfast. 9am. Fatigue baring hedges etc.10.30am. No parade sounded. Frightfully industrious after dinner. Indulged in many luxuries today including mulberries, which are plentiful on this island. 7.30pm. Inoculated against Cholera, which rages at this time of the year on the peninsula. 8pm. Battalion paid, and not before it was wanted. 14th battalion returned today. Heavy bombardment has been going on all day.

Thursday July 15th
Reveille 5.30am. Battalion paraded at 5.45am when we were talked to by the Colonel and told we would have to go back tonight as there were other battalions to come. Marched down to beach, bathed and returned. Canterbury (N.Z) battalion arrived. Duty company today. Went for a stroll with Sergeant Rolston just the other side of the camp boundary and on the edge of a small village. Composed of farm houses and buildings of roughly broken bluestone. Arrived back only to find that orders for return are cancelled. 2Pm till 5pm. Fatigue, pitching tents for another battalion. Bombardment going on all day but not so severely as yesterday.
Well thats all folks for now, more to follow.
Regards
Julian

I am always out there luring for the next story; carry on Julian- excellent job!

Seems like the bombardments are getting worse. Was the lime juice to prevent scurvy, I wonder?

BTW, Jules, did you read the 'Ballad of Suvla Bay'? It's on the poetry thread on the Other thread - a first hand account of the Gallipoli landings. Might be of interest. And also some pictures of the ANZAC Cove in the battlefields In Danger thread. What a place that was by the look of it.
Marina

Hi Marina and Egbert
Nearly ready to post the next bit of the story people. Can someone enlighten me with regard to the regular lime juice issues, oh and Marina can you post a link to the other thread you mentioned as I can't seem to find it.
Regards
Julian

Hi, Jules - the Suvla Bay ballad is posted far down the page - Piscator's post. And there are a few more verses on the next page of the thread. I think he's going to post us some more as well...
http://1914-1918.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=15299&st=90

And here's the link to the Gallipoli pictures. Click on them and they have directions and such.
http://users.skynet.be/Gallipoli/anzacgone/anzacgone.htm

Marina

Hello once again all, and here is the next thrilling instalment

Friday July 16th
Reveille 5.30 am. 5.45. Left for bathe. Did not go in, my knees are a mass of blisters from sunburn. Did not sleep much last night on account of 20 or more confounded donkeys braying simultaneously at painfully regular intervals. Got knees dressed. 3pm. Still a few big guns pelting Achi Baba. Orders to move off at 5.15pm. 4.30pm Roll call. 5Pm Parade in battalion order. CO lined up about 20 men in front of the battalion, who had, broken camp and got and got into the village, some pretty drunk. Held them up as a disgrace to Australia and expressed his intention “socking it into em”. Finally he asked any man who had any thing to say in in defence of himself, to step out and say it like a man, but not a move. To rejoin their companies under open arrest. 5.15 pm. Moved off. 7Pm. Embarked on trawlers from landing stage, the latter consisting of an old tramp which had been sunk (seacocks opened) in the required place. Disembarked at Anzac and got settled down in the old bivouac by aboutmidnight, after a rotten hill climb with full marching order up.

Saturday July 17th
Completion of 5th reinforcements, and some wounded have arrived, including Tom Polter?. Strange to be back again where the “whips are cracking”. Understand that today there is to be a big charge down below, which should just about give us entire possession of Achi Baba, about 300 yards to take. 9am. Sick Parade, knees pretty bad. Turks artillery is getting decidedly stronger here, having done a lot of damage to the trenches we were in, and caused a great many casualties especially in the 7th battalion, who cannot muster more than about 300 now, including reinforcements. 4pm. Warned for water guard. 2Am off duty, but would sooner go on, good job. 40 of us are posted to a well, good dug out. 4 hrs on in 24. Return of Captain Dobbie.

Sunday July 18th
Saw doctor this morning, fomentations knees very stiff and sore, but don't want to go into hospital if can help it. 3-6 pm. Several big shells burst around us, one burying some of 8th battalion reinforcements practising rifle shooting. Bombardment down below more or less constant now. 4 days reserve rations and water in firing line just now, something doing soon.

Monday July 19th
Greater part of 8th battalion to relieve 7th battalion in firing line this morning. Our platoon to go to Braunds Hill, when relieved from water guard. 16 howitzers and a 4.7 naval gun recently landed here. There will be great slaughter when Turks are driven up from below. Usual nightly artillery duel. 5pm. Relieved from Water Guard and went to Braunds Hill. Aeroplanes dropped bombs on left flank.

Tuesday July 20th
3-4 am. Stand to. Bust it ? 9am. Got dressed at 4th battalion, knees have got to the raw meat stage now. Have to see 8th battalion M.O. Tomorrow. Off duty today. Aeroplane dropped more bombs this morning in about same place. Turks said to be reinforced here. Most of the lads been repairing damage done to trenches. A big shell burst very near to my abode tonight but, fortunately , did not
hurt me or anyone else. Heavy bombardment in the south all day. Turks opened up a heavy rifle fire here tonight, probably to draw our fire, and ascertain to what extwent our trenches were manned at night.

Wednesday July 21st
3.30pm. Stand to. 9.30 am Sick Parade off duty, and to go up this afternoon and get knees dressed again, but as there is to be a bombardment by our field guns ( there are dozens that have not yet spoken ) from 2pm till 8pm, I may not bother. Received cigs from 6, issue of lime juice. Bombardment did not come off, more letters today. Men here relieved by 6th battalion lads and ours placed in firing line and supports, I did not go.

Thursday July 22nd
Stand to 3.30am. 4.30am. Sick Parade at 9.30am. Off duty, knees improving. Several big shells flying around close enough to us before dinner. Little or no damage. The “heads” (especially General Birdwood) predict an attack on our position before Sunday next. Turks largely reinforced. 7pm. Stand to. 8.30pm Moved off as before, I remained behind.

Friday July 23rd
Turkish Holy Festival. The lads were “standing to“ nearly all night. Turks opened up a heavy fire about midnight but nothing came of it. When our lads returned it was only to find that some of the 7th fellows had been through several of their packs, what men ! A fair amount of artillery firing during the day. Our howitzers doing splendid work. Down to beach for water in afternoon. Not allowed down there now without a pass signed by an officer. Extensive preparations being made in firing line to repel attack tonight. 8.30pm. The 3 platoon moved off to the same place, i got all ready to go, and was on my way, when I was politely told that I had better remain behind, although, I am not officially off duty. Still it is a rest for me and goodness knows I can do with it.

Saturday July 23rd
Saw quack this morning and he wanted to send me to go to hospital and so I told him I would rather see the thing through to a finish now. Big shells lobbing around here all day. 3 casualties in A company, some narrow shaves. Prevailed upon them that we go up tonight. 8.15pm. Depart for trenches, some narrow shaves going through firing line. We were reserves in sap, plenty of bombs, but not at all effective. Double issue of rum.

Goodnight all time for bed here in Pommie land !!
Regards
Julian

What a life - braying donkeys and those knees - that made me wince! John's got plenty of spirit, hasn't he? Not going into hospital because he's going to see it through to the finish. And I never heard a tale like the men of the 7th thieving from other men's packs - bet there was trouble about that!

Did you get a look at the photos in the link above ? Puts it all in perspective.

Pommieland? I thought you were an Australian, Jules!


Some more pics at the same site as before. You have to scroll down and enlarge on the norfolk page, but the piscs are great.

http://user.online.be/%7Esnelders/thennow/thenanzac.htm

http://user.online.be/%7Esnelders/sand.htm



Marina

Hi Marina
I could not find any link in your last post, only an entire reprint of my post!!!
By the way I am most definately a Pom, living down here in Portsmouth on the south coast of UK.
Julian

Fixed now, Jules. And there are some in the previous post as well.
Marina

So chuffed with myself - just discovered the edit button - SO handy when you make as many mistakes as I do!
Marina

Hi Jules,

Just one quick query - what happened between Mon Jun 28th & Sat Jul 3rd? - 4 days missing!

Keep up the good work.
Cheers, Frev.

Hi Frev Marina et all
I don't know what happened but as spotted by Frev I seem to have missed out a few days in the diary so here they are for you all. My sincere apologies to all my readers.

Monday June 28th
3-4 am. Stand to. 10 am. Prepare to stand to at 1.15pm. A new division to be landed between here and Cape Helles and the 3rd brigade, to turn right flank. Object said to be to stop supplies and reinforcements going south. 1.15pm. Stand to. An hours artillery duel, accompanied by some rifle fire, a few casualties from shrapnel. 6pm. Into firing line. 1st relief. 9.15. The whole firing line went generally mad, the object being to try to persuade the Turks that we were going to attack so as to hold their attention, whilst new fellows advanced to our right. Our object partially achieved. 11.30pm. Repetition at this time.

Tuesday June 29th
Things quiet on our front last night but a terrific bombardment has been and is now going on either at Achi Baba or midway. 3rd Brigade took 2 lines of trenches yesterday and retired to their own firing line, and the new fellows did well. 10.30 am. 13 platoon to proceed to Braunds Hill, to relieve 15 platoon. Probably an act of providence so far as I am concerned as I am very much run down and cannot last much longer at this rate. Braunds Hill may prove easier. 12 noon. Relieved from firing line. 3.30pm. Started off. An awful trudge through narrow trenches with wide, heavy and generally cumbersome packs containing everything a man possesses; a glaring sun. However I got a good dug out, and at 8pm went for dip. Great scenes of activity on beach, troops embarking (probably to reinforce some other party). Thousands of men on beach, some unloading stores, ammunition etc. Just down the beach could be seen the flashes of warships guns which have been going hard all day. A mercy that the Turks did not shell the beach tonight. 9.15pm. Stand to. 9.30. Heavy rifle fire on right, centre and on left.

Wednesday June 30th
3-4am. Stand to. Turks attacked in three places last night but were repulsed. Think the crisis is nearly over now, as Achi Baba is, by all accounts, nearly surrounded. 3 fatigues today, the last of which lasted till midnight, loading s
tores on mules, and unloading. Decidedly rough out at sea tonight. Any amount of thunder and lightning, and showers. Things have been comparatively peaceful all day.

Thursday July 1st
No stand to this morning and so slept in till 9am. Things quiet last night. Fatigue this morning. 12 noon. Warned for brigade messenger. 5.30 pm. Reported to BHQ. 1 hour on and 7 off. Spy in lines, a few messages. An enterprising sentry mistook me for the spy and held me up at the point of the bayonet for a while, hard to satisfy.

Friday July 2nd
No stand to, things quiet last night. 15000 Turks killed in attack yesterday. Several messages today as the firing line is to be relieved shortly. Bombardment in the south all day. 5.30pm. Relieved from BHQ. Turned in early. Issue of Rum.

Saturday July 3rd
The bombardment continued all night. Showers of rain in early morning. Water fatigue today. Heavy showers during morning. 2Pm. Relief arrived 3pm. Moved off to 2 different camps , but both of them being wrong places we had to shift on. Eventually got settled down in a good position about 5 pm. Good dug out, covered in. 5.15. Fatigue on beach, fixing new hospital till 9 o'clock. A bit hot.

sorry about that folks
Julian

That sentry must have been blind or very very nervous indeed - how could anyone look at John and think he was a foreign spy?
Marina

Hi Marina
Not only did John have the Turks and Germans to contend with, but also his own side thought he was a spy as well !!
Regards
Julian

Hi All
Welcome to the 21st instalment in the John Pitt story

Saturday July 24rd
Saw quack this morning and he wanted to send me to go to hospital and so I told him I would rather see the thing through to a finish now. Big shells lobbing around here all day. 3 casualties in A company, some narrow shaves. Prevailed upon them that we go up tonight. 8.15pm. Depart for trenches, some narrow shaves going through firing line. We were reserves in sap, plenty of bombs, but not at all effective. Double issue of rum.

Saturday July 25th
3.30am. Stand to. 4.30 Carry on. 6am. Left for Braunds Hill. More 8th battalion wounded returned, 3 D company including “Ling”? 9.30 Sick Parade, Light Duty. Knees going on well. A short but heavy bombardment of trenches this morning, a few casualties. 4pm. To AMC again. Occasional bursts of naval gunfire in the south. Big shells round here again today. 8pm. Left for firing line, same place as last night.

Monday 26th July
Usual stand to, but nothing doing. Returned 6pm. 9.30 A.M.C. Knees going on well, but old trouble breaking out on legs again, with a vengeance. A number of big shells lobbing 200 yards down the gully from here and on beach, several casualties. Prunes figs and rice for tea, what has happened? Did not go up with the lads tonight. Several more big shells (proved to be from trench mortar) in trenches and near here during the night. Captain Harltand? buried alive under parapet, and had succumbed to shock when dug out. Trench mortar reported put out of action by our artillery.

Tuesday July 27th
Did not stand to. Saw doctor and he asked me to try and stick it out to the finish. Healthy rumours of us all being relieved soon. Tommies gradually taking over A.S.C. on beach. A few more 8th battalion wounded returned this morning with some reinforcements. I am excused nearly all heavy duties, thanks to Sgt. Bill Colven. Any amount of big shells today. Lads moved off at usual time. Issue of Rum.

Wednesday July 28th
3.45am. Demonstration on the part of the Turks, bugles blowing, bayonets brandished etc. Apparently there are plenty of them there. A German aeroplane flew overhead about 4.30 this morning. Poor Gordon Crocker was killed this morning by a shell bursting on the parapet in front of him. Lieutenant Bennett got some dust in his eyes and went to hospital. What next ! Gen Birdwoods' aide-de-camp killed in his dug out by shrapnel. Our howitzers have kept down the fire of their mortars today. Big shrapnel shell laid out 13 on pier today, killing 3. 80,000 troops said to have landed at Cape Helles, probably be something doing there the day after tomorrow.

Thursday July 29th
Knees etc going on well, dressed twice a day. More 4.7” guns landed, also howitzers and tommies. English mail today. Warship (with big guns) and observation balloon transport, with escort of 2 destroyers arrived about 4pm, dropped a few 14” shells on some unfortunate thing or other. The lads on beach fatigue today, I did not go.

Friday July 30th
Nothing doing last night.6am. A little fatigue. 9am. A.M.C. 11-1pm. An observation, nothing to do. 3.30pm. A.M.C. 5-8pm. On observation, could see our 6” howitzer shells bursting over the “Chess Board”. Speaking to Captain Dexter today and he tells me there are 113 guns here at Anzac at present, and that an enveloping movement will shortly be commenced and that this campaign will shortly finish, although he thinks we will have to see it through. 5pm, 1 round per man fired right along the line, on receipt of the news of the victory at Baghdad. 8pm. On guard over packs, 3 hours on. Big beach fatigue party called out from the 6th battalion, here about midnight.

Saturday July 31st
Things quiet last night with the exception of a “Monitor” which put its searchlights onto something and lobbed a few shells in at intervals. A German Taube? has been buzzing around here 2 or 3 times lately and must have a landing place not far in rear of the Turk lines. This morning she dropped 2 bombs, 1 dropping about 200 yards away from us. I was having breakfast, and it quite took my appetite away. It is rather an exciting experience to hear a bomb travelling through the air, gradually getting nearer to the ground, whilst you are debating in your own mind whether you will go this way, that way or stay where you are. Knees doing well, 1 dressing a day sufficient now. 8.15pm. Up to firing line, 3rd brigade to push forward right flank. Several bursts of fire on left. We were reserves in the sap. There has been a heavy bombardment in the south ever since early this morning.

Sunday August 1st
Usual stand to. 5.30am. Left for Braunds Hill. 6.30am Fatigue. 10am. A.M.C. Discovered capt D holding a service in rear of our line. A good address, text; “Stand fast in the faith”. Bombardment in the south continued till noon. Enemy's artillery active all the morning, especially on beach. Down to beach after dinner, things quiet. Left for trenches at usual time. Reserves in sap. Issue of rum.

Monday August 2nd
Midnight till 2 am, observing on No 1 post, nothing doing, things quiet. 4am. Stand to. 5Am Carry on. 6Am Left for camp. Elaborate rumours of an early departure from here, may they be true !. Heavy bombardment in the south all day. Issue of lime juice. Left for trenches at usual time tonight. Reserves in sap again. 11pm. New Zealanders blow up Turkish sap, which, as usual, was followed by heavy rifle fire from the Turks.

Tuesday August 3rd
Usual stand to. Arived back in camp about 6am. There will certainly be something doing here shortly. 3rd brigade took 2 lines of trenches the other night. General advance expected this week, troops to be landed before then. To return to battalion tonight. 6pm. Took rifle and kit up. 7Pm Helped the cooks with their stuff. 8Pm Digging communication trench in 2 relief's. I am 2nd relief.10pm heavy rifle fire, rockets, flares, shrapnel etc for about 15 minutes. Demonstrations whilst new troops are landing. Issue of lime juice and rum.

Just so as you are all aware I have nearly finished the first bookk of the diary and currently I do not have the next one that follows chronologically in the series. The only other book of the diary I have starts from 28/5/1916 and runs to 18/9/1916. Do you want me start transcribing this period or shall I wait until next week when i should have the correct book in the series??
Regards
Julian

Better have a vote on that one - much to be said on both sides.
It would be a shame to break the chronological order since we're all involved with what's going on here. On the other hand, I at any rate have been looking forward to his arrival in France. And I've also got used to my daily installment and don't really want to stop now. Who can resist a man who thinks being bombed is 'rather an exciting experience?'
How about going to France in a new thread since you have the diary to hand, and those who wish to keep to the chronological order can give it the go-by until the rest of this campaign is up and read it later?

Marina

YOu could call a new thread

8th BATTALION AIF DIARY cont.
- John Pitt goes to F&F
Marina

Hi Marina
Well now you have really set me thinking, I will get the next book in the diary, next Friday when my parents come to stay. So I could carry it on when I get the book but I can be swayed either way depending on what Blackblue, Frev, Brian M, Petrick and any others who read this, in the meantime here is the bit up to the end of the first book.

22nd Instalment
Wednesday August 4th
Usual stand to. Large number of Kitchener's army landed last nigh. More to come, Gloucester's, Warwick's and Stafford's here. Camped on ledge half way up hill, very hot here. I ---- got quite right, going on well. Things very quiet all day. To be prepared to move at 9am in morning. Our platoon off duty tonight. Turned in early. More troops landed while we made demonstrations.

Thursday August 5th
Usual stand to. 10.30am Moved off inn full marching order to Courting's Post?.The second brigade are apparently to thinly man the firing line, or a large part of it, for observation purposes. The New Zealanders we relieved going out on left. It is more plainly seen from here that we have some very difficult country over which to advance.10-12am On post, 1pm Put in charge of fumigator?. Do not think 2nd Brigade will be in the advance. Issued with 3 pieces of white flannelette to put on back of sleeves of tunic, probably to guide artillery. Heavy bombardment in the south during the afternoon. 5pm Short of men, taken off fumigator and put on post. 8pm On post. 10pm. Turks howled , shouted “Allah Mohammed” etc and laughed etc, by way of demonstration, but drew no fire. Trenches all close to one another around here, plenty of bombs. Poor Jim Coulter gets his hand blown off and knee shattered, through poor judgement in throwing. 2 others wounded. Issue of rum.

Friday August 6th
12-2am. On post, nothing doing. 4am stand to. Heavy fire on right just before daylight. Turks counter attacked on position they lost a week or so ago, regained it and lost it again. Firing lasted till about 8am. An artillery duel all the morning enemy's artillery active. A lot of troops here now. The big move expected to start tonight. 6th reinforcements arrived this morning. 8th battalion nearly up to strength now.5pm. The whole of our land artillery opened fire on the Turks trenches and gun positions on the entire front here, 4 cruisers giving valuable assistance. 5.30pm. Heavy rifle fire broke out tonight and we gave the 1st and 3rd brigades who were advancing there, supporting fire. 6.15pm. Some battalions of the 1st and 3rd brigades have taken Lone Pine Ridge. Artillery going steadily all night. 9pm. Supporting fire for the Light Horse who are to attempt to take a position on the left. At midnight , there were 4 underground explosions which were followed by heavy rifle fire from the Turks. The 6th battalion unusually failed in an attempt to take the German Officers trench. Issue of rum.

Here endeth the first book.
Regards Julian

I agree that chronologically is the best bet Jules.

Rgds

Tim

And what a point to break off at! Don't much like the sound of the white flannel to guide the artillery - that would make me very nervous indeed!

Here endeth - well, it's been a magnificent effort from you, Jules - but a labour of love. Am looking forward to the rest, whichever comes first!
Marina

Hi Blackblue and Marina
Ok Tim I am swayed to your way of thinking, I will wait for the correct following on book before I post more and in the meantime I will start typing up the book I have yet to do. Perhaps some discussion on the contents posted to date would be appropriate. Goodnight all, or good morning to you Aussies reading this !!
Regards
Julian

I'm still here and reading ... do you think "Courting's Post" is Courtney's Post.

Excellent read, can't wait until the next bit ...

Hi Jules,

Thanks for all your efforts so far. I agree that posting the diary in chronological order is the better way to proceed. We'll all just have to be patient. Till next weekend. Bye for now.

Stuart

I noticed this thread the other day, but have just read it all tonight. Cant wait for the other entries. This stuff is great, your grandfather must of been a great man. Keep up the good work!

Regards
Ben

Thanks for all your wonderful work!
Phhh, now I can take a couple of days off- finally =until your next batch arrives

Marina,
The white patches were actually worn so that the artillery could distinguish between our guys & the enemy - and hopefully therefore not shoot ours.


Jules,
I hope you enjoy your break - you probably need it more than you realise! You still have a long haul ahead of you after all - that is if you intend on sharing your grandad's entire diary with us.


July 26th:
Captain Harltand? - This was Lieut (Hon. Cpt) Leslie Richard HARTLAND, age 24. Buried Shrapnel Valley Cemetery.
[his 19 yr old brother William of the 14th Bn, was KIA a month later on the 20/8/15, and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial]

July 28th:
Poor Gordon Crocker was killed this morning ....... - Sgt Crocker (age 28) was very popular amongst his men, and his burial at the Beach Cemetery was well attended.

Aug 5th:
Poor Jim Coulter gets his hand blown off ....... - This was actually Sgt Jason Leslie Boyd COULTER, age 37. He died of his wounds 5 days later (10/8/15) and is buried at the Chatby War Cemetery, Egypt. He had been wounded at the start of June & had only just returned to Gallipoli on the 27th July.

Looking forward to the next Gallipoli diary - but no hurry Jules - after all you might want to spend some time with your parents!!

Cheers, Frev

Morning All
Many thanks for all the nice comments, both about the diary itself, and also about my grandfather. I have really enjoyed seeing all the comments about the diary. I just wish as many people had commented on it as have apparently read it. I will start typing up the latter book I have, so as I do not waste any time, but I shall try to do it at work so that I can have some spare time to myself!! It will be very interesting, the next book that is, as it is written in pencil and is much more difficult to read than the first book which had been written out from the original by my grandmother. This one is in John's hand and I take it was written on the battlefield. Keep the comments coming I would welcome soem discussions on the content of the diary so far. TTFN.
Regards
Julian

SO relieved to hear that!
Marina

Julian, thanks for the reply.I have read and re-read the diary,totally absorbing.Thanks goodness for people like your grandfather who had the foresight to commit to words, in this case for posterity what life was like in those times.Keep up the good work.

Hi All

Hi Krithia
It could well be Courtney's Post, I am just trying to decipher the writing without having any knowledge myself of the places involved.

Frev I will most certainly enjoy the rest although I will miss the finding out of new facts about my grandfathers incredible wartime experiences, can't wait to get the new book. I certainly intend sharing the book with all of you, after all you really appreciate it as much as I do. I have loads of memoribilia which I am hoping to scan in the next few days with a view to letting you all see it, so keep checking this thread !!

Thanks for the kind words Jaypet01, I too am very relieved he did.
Bye for now all
Regards Julian

What kind of memorabilia, Julian? I'm curious...
Marina

Julian
So sorry to have missed out on the vote bur I concur with the others that it would be a shame to break the chronology. While we're waiting, this page might be of interest as it is a hamoge to one of the heroes of Gallipoli who, like everyone else, felt he was just doing his bit.
http://www.anzacs.net/Simpson.htm

Cheers
Brian M

Sorry, I meant to type homage.

B.

Hi Jules & Krithia,

It was indeed Courtney's Post.

From 'Cobbers in Khaki':
"In preperation for the attack, the 8th Battalion extended its perimeter from Courtney's Post up to Brown's Dip. In order to find sufficient men to hold the 'thin red line' the battalion cooks were brought into the line as riflemen."

I guess the men had to make do with biscuits (& rum) for their meals that day!!


Jules, I've just realised that the photo you recently posted, is in the above book - but your grandad hadn't been named [I've added his name in pencil]. Out of the four seated - the one front right is Percy Lay - the most decorated soldier in the 8th Bn.

Cheers, Frev.

Hi Frev Brian and Marina
Thanks for filling us in on the historical facts Frev, much appreciated. I must admit I was a bit miffed to find my grandads name missing from the picture in"Cobbers In Khaki", I'm sure others must have noticed it and wondered who it might be. As regards the memorabilia Marina, I have some signed cards from a reunion dinner that took place in 1919, together with some info on the visit of HRH Edward Prince Of Wales, who visited Australia in May 1920. Will be able to tell you more when I get it all from my parents this weekend. Take care one and all.
Regards
Julian

Jules,
Fascinating stuff. Enjoyed every minute of it. Can't wait for the rest, well done!
Bob

Hi Bob
Thanks for your kind words. I should get the rest of the books of the diary this weekend so I will start typing it up next Monday all being well. Look out for the next instalment after that, looking forward to it myself apart from the typing !!
Regards
Julian

I'm suffering from diary withdrawal symptoms.
Marina