30 June 1915

1st Bn left for Lemnos last night to re-organise and spell. High wind and dust storm after dark started heavy rifle fire from both sides. Search party from 11th trenches got in a few bodies. General Birdwood complimented 9th on Monday’s action. The object of the attack which was delivered by a squadron of 5th L. H. 2 troops, 7th L. H., 9th and 11th Btns, was to prevent Turkish Reinf. at Eski Kaio from going down to Achi Baba against Anglo French, who were assembling trenches here. Our Artillery fired 1400 rounds in 3 hours, and got onto several bodies of the enemy coming into the open. The 9th attacked across the razor-back ridge in the direction of the Lonesome Pine and Johnston's Jolly. L.H. took twin trenches, lower down Poppy valley.

29 June 1915

Heard 5th L.H. lost heavily in morning in yesterday’s action. They took “Twin Trenches”, but retired during night. Our artillery got onto some Turkish Reinf. coming up from Olive Grove. Many of our dead are to be seen lying up against enemy’s trenches, stripped of equipment and clothes. Saw burial of 17 men, Capt Le Treve and 3 officers of 11th Battalion. Some bodies were brought in during night. Impossible to get those on far ridge. British made good advance yesterday capturing a hill and 3 lines of trenches. Steady bombardment again today. Saw trench on left of 11th being blown up. Turks cross-cut under sap of 1st Btn Engineer and 2 men were killed. Many carried away suffering from fumes. Although the officers were told of the danger the sap was in and were thought to hear the tapping of the Turks’ digging tools, they remained inactive and did nothing to counter the enemy’s move. Some of our “heads” are mighty incompetent.

28 June 1915

Big bombardment on Achi Baba at 12.15 pm B and C coy 9th Bn supplied firing party to join in attack on Turkish trenches. We came back at 4 pm. Casualties not yet known, but saw many wounded. Glennie badly wounded, young Gabites missing. Men are dissatisfied with the operation, as no one was told what to do. The thing seems to have been bungled. D Coy was standing to in support. Poor old Corporal Joe Woodsby (the finest non-com in the 4th Reinf.) was killed early in the action. Also Farance, Sergt. Rainsbury hit in back. Volunteered for party, to go out and bring in wounded – hope we are allowed to go.
Heard this corporal’s evidence at enquiry. When he left the position his section had taken up he was the only one able to get back. All the rest were either dead or wounded.
Crawley wounded, but heard he got in after dark, having include 2 more?. Sg. Hepburn killed, Major Welsh wounded, Lieu Jordain and many others. Casualties total over 140 in B and C Coys. Mon. 4th Reinf. killed Collier, McDonald, Glennie (died of wounds). Wounded - Serg. Warner, Comalleth, big “Bung”.
Heard from Corporal Brown of C. Coy that he saw Gabites lying badly wounded with foot shot off in firing line. He spoke to him when company retired, but he did not answer. Volunteer search party was not allowed to go out by Brigadier. Hepburn, Hamilton, Sullivan Quartermaster Harvey killed, 20 missing

27 June, 1915

City of Glascow Arty one half battery (4 guns, 5 inch howitzer, 50 lb shell, 12oz cordite) put in position. Did good execution.

25 June, 1915

Some Glascow Artillery landed with howitzers. Balloon steamer observing this afternoon. Battleship with 5 destroyers bombarded some object over Olive Grove. Dense column of smoke (said to be Maidos in flames) rising in East this evening. Capt Campbell got slight wound in foot yesterday.

26 June, 1915

Last night changed papers with young Gabites, of Timaru, who is on gallery below me, in C Cy 9th. He was on same station in Q as “Pop” Gunn and joined original 9th. More shrapnel today from above Grove (5500 yds) and high explosive from howitzer on Gaba Tepe. English officer of Indian Mountain Battery on hill top above us killed by one shell. No mail for me today! It makes me envious to see other fellows getting letters. However, Gabites has a Timaru Herald. I think the work is wearing him out – he looks ill.

6 July 1915

In support trenches. Letter from Mary dated 16th April. More shelling this evening. Some of the “Glesco” Territorials belonging to the Howitzer battery hit. 10th Btn leaving for Imbros tonight to spell. 16th left yesterday. Said that monitor silenced big howitzer (11 inch) this morning early, 10th Btn, who are spelling in the galleries, we left on Sunday, had 1 killed, 20 wounded by shrapnel this evening, narrow escape myself. Shell cap went “plunk” over my shoulder. Allen of 15th Platoon had finger cut off by sniper bullet while holding periscope. Flynn issued with loaded rifle blew off finger of left hand (another “accident”?)

24 June, 1915

Shifted once more to another possie, right alongside dead Turk. No smell, as he is built in with sand-bags. More shrapnel among our possies this morning just when roll was being called and men were crowded together.  
McGuinness of D Coy killed outright. McGuiness rolled over and over down the hill like a shot rabbit. They carried him away on a stretcher. His head wobbled and blood trickled from hi sopen mouth. Death is not always beautiful. Serg. Dibble wounded in arm. Bugles Tommy White in mouth, and 2 more in leg and neck. Very safe position we occupy – I don’t think. The Major forgot his dignity and ducked as nimbly as the next man into shelter. All parades cancelled for the morning. 15 killed on beach altogether today - a big tally. The toll of casualties behind the firing line here is far too heavy. E. Galway sent to hospital ship with appendicitis, also Hogg. Sinclair court was jailed for being absent from duty from May 2nd till 26th. He was discovered living in dugout down on beach. Sentenced to two years hard labor. Officially announced that on Tuesday the French succeeded in capturing 600 yds of trenches, including “Haricot’ redoubt.

Popular Trench Song

Down at Anzac, In the night-time
When we go out patrolling
Down at Anzac In this moon time
You can hear those jam-tins rolling
And old Abdul’s rifles rattle,
you can hear his bullets crackle
Down at Anzac.

Chorus

Rollalong Beachy Billy,
Roll along
But you’ll miss us,
In the night-time.” [Popular trench song]

23 June, 1915

Quiet night. Reinforcements put to musketry drill BY NUMBERS
Incredible that such things – the very A B C of drill should be done in the firing line. Saw Dalzell, Carter, Hartley and Curly Evans of Sigs Reinf. Heard J Mann died in Suez on 26th May, buried same day, Military funeral.

22 June, 1915

5th Reinf of 9th arrived. Saw big Jim McConnell with them. Tommies have made another advance of a few hundred yards. Mail day. Got 'Workers' but no letters. A few Canteen stores that were allotted to our Btn, sold out in very few minutes. Secured tin of marmalade. Sold my issue of cigarettes to “raise the wind.” Reinforcements think I must have an awful wound with such a quantity of bandages round my face.

21 June, 1915

An old Turk sleeps with our Platoon
Each night beneath the silent moon
He’s DEAD, you see – but pray don’t swoon
He’s well tucked in with sand bags.

 Rather bad night with very swollen face, severe headache. Off duty again today. At 18.30 last night (2230 new time) 11th Btn and NZ sent up blue and white flares and rockets, which drew an outburst of fire and bombs from the Turkish trenches lasting ½ hour. Steady bombardment at south end of Peninsula attain this morning, big attack on down there. 29 th Divs. did well. Great chase in scrub here after young rabbit. Five men wounded in our “safe” galleries from shrapnel.

20 June, 1915

 More “spelling” in the shape of digging and sapping - “what a rest was are having!” Reported on sick list for poisoned lip caused by flying bit of gravel from shell burst. Treated with Carbolic fomentation. Mate and self had secured a lovely room-for-two possies with good head cover, sloping back and cooking convenience, not to mention fine view of beach and shipping, but when lots were drawn today we had to make room for another platoon and shift back to the galleries adjacent to the dead Turks. Issue with ration of beans today which are more acceptable that the dried vegetables we have been getting – and throwing away on account of the time it takes to cook them, and the scarcity of firewood. Saw some cases of dried figs and dates at A.S.C. depot, but we have not got out share yet. These little extras have to run the gauntlet of many quarter masters.

19 June, 1915

9th relieved by 5th L.H. Shifted round into another gully to “spell” for a week. First days spelling consisted in digging galleries and possies for the whole battalion, clearing scrub, sapping in the trenches and shifting dead bodies from the trenches we have to sleep on. One of our boys was reburied decently on the top of the hill.He had red and white signalling flags (8th Btn) numbered 1081. 5 casualties today in 9th from shrapnel. Also saw two men killed near Hqrs on beach. My lip cut by flying stone.

18 June, 1915

 Heard we are to shift from this position tomorrow. Volunteered for party going out tonight to attack trenches on Gaba Tepe. Notice that most wounded men who return are “nervy” - officers included. Today is 100th Anniversary of Waterloo. At this instant one of own shells has burst prematurely hailing fragments of metal right amongst us. The same gun slaughtered some of the 9th a fortnight ago.

17 June, 1915

In support of trenches “Stand to” from 3 am till daybreak. In afternoon many shrapnel burst among our possies, narrow escapes, plentiful but not a man hit.

15 June, 1915

Signallers reorganised but still have to do duty in trenches like the rest. 24 hours in trenches in firing line. All night the rattle of incessant musketry came up on the wind from Achi Baba. The Tommies must be attacking again. Had short sleep from 4 to 6 (or in the new naval time from 0400 to 0600) when Abdul’s reveille came along in the shape of a 10Mll shrapnel shell which fell in our trench but failed to explode. My mate on observation post is one of returned wounded – not fit for duty for weeks yet, wound only partially healed, but declared “cured” by some incompetent doctor in the base hospital. Wounded men who can use their hands have to hobble about and act as orderlies for their sick mates- 13 in a tent in hospital this chap was in. They must be short of staff.
When the rum came ashore from the wreck all the hard cases collected every dixie and tin they could lay hands on. But one officer was ahead of them, and he staved in the tops of the barrels.
Heard one case were stitching broke loose through want of attention, and patient bled to death. Another lost a foot through wound being left undressed for days, till mortification set in.

14 June, 1915

Shrapnel caught one of our own water party last night. Posted P.C. (a piece of cardboard) home to Molly, and letter in "sugar" from ration packet to F.C.H.. Envelopes very scare here.

Destroyers again shell Gala Tepe from close in shore. Abdul dare not show his nose now but another long range gun from the other side (Gallipoli) still whistles first thing every morning.

(read more - this may have been a 12 inch naval gun at Canakale on Asian's side of Dardanelles)

13 June, 1915

Awakened by the cheerful sound of big guns from a battleship and cruisers lying off Gala Tepe and enfilading the Sari Bair and Bukoli trenches with high explosive, which sent clouds of dust high in air, like Rotorua geysers after two hours engagement squadron with escort of eight scurrying destroyers made back to Imbros base. The navy is very careful with the big boats in these waters since the Triumph and others battleships were torpedoed. In afternoon went round to left flank. Saw W. McConnell and other of the N.Z. boys. Robin Caskey wounded by splinter from periscope. Turks again occupy No. 3 outpost and snipe along beach. Saw six dead mules, result of well -aimed shell.

11 June, 1915

 Another heavy cannonade and attack in centre last night. "Scotty", an Engineer, struck by spent bullet while sleeping in possie next to mine. Flesh wound 4 inches deep. Scotty thought someone threw a stone at him. "Head-acher" a gun with noisy bark posted on ridge behind us, demolished a new gun pit over near Olive Ridge.

10 June, 1915

Wrote letters home - no envelopes, posted it in "Wild Woodbine" packet. Shifted into new possie. Discovered some "greybacks" [lice] on shirt & spent pleasant half hour in the sport of "chatting" a very popular sport here.

9 June, 1915

Abdul fired not one shot a long beach yesterday. Must be husbanding his arm. Quinn's post is still lively every night. Our btn likely to get a turn out there soon. Shrapnel burst among our possies this evening coming from new direction. Many shells dropped harmless into sea.

8 June, 1915

Met C. McDougall, of Timaru just over with N.Z. Reinf.  Capt. Houlkey not dead only wounded. I saw him in Rest Gully.)
Heard result of big bombardment last Friday after fleet and massed batteries had shelled Turkish line, British and French charged, capturing all trenches except extreme left where shell fire had not destroyed entanglements, as a result of this Ghurkas were enfiladed and forced to retire from their captured positions. In centre British Territorial's and Naval Div. made advance of 500 yards along double line of trenches, extending 3 miles; on Right French captured "Haricot" redoubt which they still hold. L.H. went out again last night to try and bring in Lieut. Hanley's body from the twin trench but it had been shifted by the Turks.

7 June, 1915

During night 5th L.H. patrol lying in outpost along beach came under fire officers killed, his body still lying out there. Surprised to meet Alex Jameson, who is in the 5th LH machine gun section. He joined from Proserpine. LH officers name was Hanley; wife and 3 young children. Patrol found more Turks in outpost than they bargained for and had to beat a retreat. One trooper had jaw shattered. Turks get most of their water for trench use from Boghali. The periscope rifle they consider a terrible weapon. Prisoners state they are tired of the war and wish to return to their families. If they retreat their officers shoot them. If they advance to our lines with rifles, our men shoot them; if they come forward without rifles, their comrades shoot them.

6 June 1915

Very quiet night. On N.Z. flank saw J. Trotter, C. Cowan, young Dines. Turks have very strong position in centre, thus -They have 5 consecutive rows of trenches enabling them to fire over the heads of those in front.

Some men are cutting short the time fuse on hand bombs to prevent enemy throwing them back. Noticed artillery pulling big 6 inch howitzers up the hill 40 men hauling on the rope. 

"ANZAC" cove- derived from Australian New Zealand Army Corps
Five more men but on the beach by shrapnel this evening. Our guns seem quite helpless to silence this battery in Olive Grove. 450 Turks captured by British in southern Zone.

5 June, 1915

Attack on Turkish enfilading trenches resulted in this being captured, lost and recaptured. Losses, I fear rather severe. Another narrow escape this evening at A.S.C. depot. Heard shell screaming along beach so fell flat on the sand. Just in time debris scattering over us. One of the 11th had a great gap torn in his side. Several shells have burst over this spot today. 3 killed while bathing, several wounded. Even with the warning of dead men in front of their eyes, some men are not to be deterred from swimming in this place. They seem absolutely callous and indifferent to danger. 31 Turks captured at Quinn's Post.

4 June, 1915

 Booth, Bull buried this morning. Booth pierced by shell. His mate Corporal Knight who lost his leg, bearing up well. Serg Braithwaite compound fracture of arm, Capt Melbourne- shattered hand, Hawker - Haemorrhage of lungs (since dead).
Increased rumble of heavy guns down the coast since 10.30 am. Big bombardment in progress. Slackening off in afternoon. Up Shrapnell Gully for water. Big attack on tonight.

16 June 1915

Spell from the trenches – 24 hours resting, then a day sapping, a day in the supports and trenches again. This routine is monotonous but we must put up with this trench work till the time for advance comes. Strong winds and high seas yesterday which threw up on the beach a number of casks of wine and rum from some wreck. Then news spread like wild fire, and men risked their lives broaching the liquor, 2 killed, 3 wounded by shrapnel while staving in one cask.

3 June, 1915

. “Alphabetical” Davies, a slummocky dull-witted fellow, missing this morning. Heard later he is under guard in the trenches - arrested in a gun pit waving his arms in suspicious manner. There is some one in our lines giving information about gun positions but, “Alphabetical” has not the wit for that game. An Artillery officer has been caught signalling morse through a loop-hole with a glowing cigarette lighter. In the heavy fighting in their trenches lately the 15th lost a Major, and Captain Hughie Quinn, a fine man. Heard Serg Kenyon has been awarded D.C.M; Dr Butler D.S.O. 500 Reinforcements landed early yesterday including 15th. German “Taube” dropped bombs on us yesterday. This ‘dove’ lays high explosive eggs weighing 100 lb. More experience of whizzing shrapnel this morning on the beach. Fragments went screaming past us on the beach, scattering the bathers. At sunset every evening the sea frontage at hqrs is like a popular bathing resort so crowded with swimmers is it.
Watched 11 shells dropped round supply ship. The twelfth scored a hit her stern.
This evening cruiser is sending in broadside after broadside to the north, flames leaping from her gun turrets, wonderful how the roar of these heavy guns cheers us up. Heard graphic yarn from 2nd L.H. of the hand to hand fighting round Quinn’s post. Bombs and hand-grenades used freely. L.H. lost 25 killed 70 wounded in charge two nights ago. Trenches only 10 yards apart in places. Turks scrawl messages in English and throw them into our trenches. One ran like this "If the Australians do not surrender tomorrow we will declare war!" Another asked if it was true the infantry ate their prisoners. The infantry replied "No, it’s the light horse who do that.
This evening very unfortunate accident to 9th. From some as yet unexplained cause, a gun of 9th Btry (Tassies) fired a charge that burst short striking ridge among our posses. 3 killed, 14 injured, including some officers at Hqrs. Officers wounded by premature burst. The Major, Capt Melbourne, Lieut  Wilden and Williams.Ernie Booth who arrived only yesterday killed outright also Bird (both legs blown off). Another of the Divisional signalers Hammond chest and arm, Hansen chest and leg Lit in 4th 9th. Booth was my tent mate at Broadmeadows, also came across on same boat to Egypt. Alarm at 9 pm heavy fire in centre all support ordered to stand to but attack slackened off by 10 pm. One man who was in ration fatigue earlier in the evening pulled out of the trenches in drunken condition -evidently stealing rum, robbing his mates of their ration. A signaller who was talking "Borthy" round the telephone connections when the shell caught them, lost one of his limbs. Good bye, left leg, he said as they lifted him on the stretcher.
Heard that the result of the evening bombardment was the blowing up of a new battery the Turks were putting in position. One Turkish shell picked up contained beach pebbles - evidence of shortage of ammo.
Turkish numerals 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 __-

2 June, 1915

Another rather quiet night on our flank, but centre heavily shelled, with shrapnel, high explosive and bombs. 15th Btn are now only 360 strong, reinforcements included, and have been withdrawn to the beach. Some hundreds of Turks were mown down at Courtney’s and Quinn’s posts Friday night by machine guns. The bright moonlight assisting our gunners to pour belt after belt into the bee-like stream of attackers.
This morning enemy's guns sounded uncomfortably close, Our artillery seemed unable to keep them in check and rarely replies to Abdul's raking fire. There is incompetence somewhere. The cheeky little destroyers, with cool impudence, draw the enemy's fire daily, and are of great assistance on our flank. At dinnertime today the enemy committed a gross crime in deliberately firing on a newly arrived hospital ship. She is painted white, with green bands, and red cross conspicuous, and was well away from the rest of the shipping, so there can be absolutely no doubt about the intention of the gunners. In all four shrapnel were fired at the boat one bursting right above her, with what effect we do not yet know.[Surprising incident, as the Turk fights fair as a rule]
It is reported that a destroyer has rammed a submarine but not yet confirmed. Took off puttees and boots for a while this evening - quite a luxury, but dressed again before turning in. Heavy rifle fire again in centre after dark, with muffled explosives.

1 June, 1915

Capt. Campbell appointed Bat. Quartermaster. Yesterday aeroplane dropped bomb near submarine and destroyers, buzzed round for hours afterwards, without any success. Heard 1 submarine caught in nets at Lemnos. Issued with 2 pkts cigarettes, 1 tin tobacco, box matches, which I gave to mates as the end of the week approaches matches become rare and valuable.
  In attack on centre Friday night when 15th had trench blown in, Turks lost heavily, artillery firing into their columns at known ranges demoralised them and they fired on their own men. Hand grenades were used on both sides, also rifles on stands filled with periscopes. Reported Turkish loss 1500. Had narrow escape on beach this afternoon while carrying ammo from A.S.C. Shell-case ricochetted across road right in front of me, kicking up the dust. Howitzers and Jap bomb throwers busy in centre Hughes battery posted among 9th Battalion trenches, very quiet lately. When in action these guns draw Abdul’s fire and invariably some of our fellows are hit on their possies. Big guns should not be posted so close to the firing line. Heard there is to be an advance very shortly. Our flank it to act as pivot to general movement. Snipers on Gaba Tepe still annoy beach travelers.