1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers
19 JulyBttn marched to Gully Beach, Helles.
The Royal Dublin Fusiliers were founded in 1881 by an amalgamation of previous regiments. The men who enlisted were largely drawn from Dublin, Kildare, Carlow and Wicklow, and the regimental headquarters were at the Naas Barracks, in Naas, County Kildare. The 1st Battalion was originally based in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and then spent the years 1886-1899 between England and Ireland. The 1st Battalion took part in the initial landings at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
Regimental diary for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers from June 1915 comes via Imperial War Museum.
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Bttn marched to Gully Beach, Helles.
Lt Col T Ward appointed to command Bttn temporarily and joined.
The 86th Bde moved to fire trenches (H11), the Bttn being in support.
88th Bde took over fire trenches prior to an attack on H12 to be carried out next day.
As soon as the assault was launched, the 2nd Roy Fus took over entire firing line, with 1 Munster and 1 Dublin in support and 1 Lancs in reserve. At about 8pm, the assault having failed, 1 Munster and 1 Dublin were ordered to move up to fire trenches and organise and attack to be delivered at 9.30pm. At about 9pm an order was received to stand by till 10.30pm. At 10pm this was extended to midnight as patrols had been sent out from Essex, Hants and Worcs Regiments to search for wounded and ascertain if any of the enemy’s trenches were held by our men.
2 am: Order to attack was cancelled. Units of the 88th Bde were ordered to withdraw and later at about 3am, the 1 Dublin Fusiliers were ordered to take over the whole fire line allotted to the 86th Bde. This was carried out and just before day break the Adjutant of the Essex Regt reported to our CO that a party of Essex officers and about 40 men were still holding enemy’s communication trench leading from our southern barricade. Essex Regt was relieved and withdrawn. About 8am a heavy shrapnel fire and bombing were opened on Lieut Harman’s party who were driven back followed by Turks, leaving some 30 dead and badly wounded in the trench they had held. Some 20 Turks got into our trench and were at once bombed out, good work being done by Capt Carruthers. In all 25 other ranks killed, 30 missing and 150 wounded.
The battalion remained in firing line while attacks were made from adjoining trenches by the 42nd Division.
Bttn withdrew to Y Ravine.
Battalion embarked at W Beach on Prince Abbas and landed at Sulva Bay, 6 am on 19 August.
Battalion improved firing line and communication trenches.
Battalion held firing line during the assault on Hill 112 by 1 Munster, 9 Lancs and 2 Roy Fus.
Repaired damage to trenches and at night battalion was relieved by the 5th RI Fusiliers and proceeded to fire trenches two miles north to a place called Kuchuk Anafarta Ova.
The battalion continued the improvement of the fire trenches and communication trenches of this area and also built a blockhouse at a salient on the Northern section of the defence line. An existing hut was used for this purpose.
On this date we were ordered to commence a new fire trench and ordered to straighten out our fire trench which was too much of a retreat. A new trench was therefore marked out and entrenching was recommenced after dark. To cover the working party and to create a diversion it was decided to seize and hold a small hut in front of one flank to protect new trench. About 8.30pm 16 men under Lt Tooth followed by 16 men under Capt de Wolf crept into position opposite the hut. The men under Lt Tooth then rushed the hut and Capt de Wolf’s party moved up with picks and shovels to place hut in state of defence. At 1.30 am Capt de Wolf had to be reinforced by 10 men from Y Coy owing to casualties. Previous to this Capt de Wolf had taken 30 of his company with sandbags to complete the defences of the hut. Meanwhile X Coy under Capt Carruthers had been entrenching hard. About 2.30pm the hut could no longer be retained owing to heavy fire and frequent casualties. The dead and wounded were all evacuated. The diversion was successful in so far that it drew the enemy’s fire and X Coy had no casualties while entrenching, and the essential part of the trench was completed that night. The casualties in Z Company were 4 killed and 8 wounded. Capt de Wolf, Lt Tooth, and Corp Doyle did excellent work on this occasion, and also Sgt O’Connor who unfortunately was killed.
Sapping and trench work. Lt Col O’Dowd arrived and took over command of the battalion. Arrangements were made during the day to continue the new fire trench but on a different plan. After dark a covering party of 20 men moved out in extended order and covered the line to be entrenched. Then 60 men carrying filled sandbags moved out from the two flanks and rapidly laid out the line under the direction of Capt de Wolf. The usual intermittent sniping went on along the line. The operation was quite a success and the next day there was a new section of trench 120 yards long with enough cover for work by day. There were no casualties.
Sapping and trench work continued. About 8.45pm the 1 Munster Fusiliers arrived in relief and by midnight the battalion was in the brigade support trenches 1 mile to the rear.
As the Coys were preparing for digging at 7.30pm the enemy suddenly opened a heavy & accurate shrapnel fire on our area. Luckily orders had been given for the men to shelter as far as possible when parading or to be well extended, and so, although the shelling went on for an hour intermittently, there was not a single casualty.
Digging in communication trench by day and night. On 4th Sept owing to shelling on our area between 10 and 11 am orders were again given for work to be done by night. On this night W Coy marched to the beach for 24 hours rest, washing clothes and bathing. About 10.30 am, 4th Sept, enemy shelled brigade HQ just as a party of our men were passing. One man killed (Pte Lovatt, Z Coy) and one injured.
9 men to hospital. Ordinary digging parties by night. 2 rejoined.
12 men to hospital including one man who got a bullet through the palm of his right hand while pressing his trigger while cleaning his rifle. Lt Bustard t hospital with dysentery. One man slightly wounded at number 3 well. Started work on new support trench.
Major Richard (dysentery), Lt Kennedy (septic knee) and 11 men to hospital. Usual working parties.
7 men to hospital, 1 rejoined. At night battalion marched to beach for embarkation to Imbros. Half battalion only embarked that night due to problems with lighters.
Battalion disembarked at Imbros during the day and went into camp for rest. Peace routine instituted. 3 men to hospital.
Drill and bathing. Parades. 16 men to hospital.
Drill and bathing. Parades. 12 men to hospital.
13 men to hospital. Drill and bathing. Parades. Machine gun instruction. Captain Carruthers to Alexandria to collect base kit etc.
23 men to hospital. Inspection by Div. Comd. Suspected case of scarlet fever. 6 men isolated.
13 men to hospital. Changed camp to a more salubrious valley from the sand heap first allotted. 2/Lt Rose Cleland returned from hospital looking very ill.
Lt Moffatt and 12 men to hospital. Rose Cleland sent to hospital but was not admitted. CO lectured to Y and Z coy on trench warfare and sanitation.
5 men to hospital. CO lectured to W and X coys on trench warfare and sanitation.
11 men to hospital, 5 rejoined. Holiday and regimental sports with concert in the evening.
8 men to hospital. Bde concert.
Capt Tyrone appointed Brigade machine gun officer and attached to Bde HQ. 9 men to hospital. Divine Service, RC 7 am and 9 am, CofE 10am. 1 man rejoined.
6 men to hospital owing to heavy cold. No sun and heavy wind. Baggage cart sent to beach at 6am but sent back at 1pm as too stormy to embark for peninsula. Sun came out at midday and temperature rose. Under orders of constant readiness to move.
14 men to hospital. Marched to beach at 12pm and embarked by 4.30pm. Sailed from Sulva and disembarked by 11pm. Marched to reserve nullah where batt passed the night. No unusual occurrence.
6 men to hospital. Stayed in nullah all day. Coy Comm went out and inspected new trenches and made all possible preparations for occupation at night. 2 new officers arrived and are taken on strength. Trenches taken over in one hour, no casualties.
5 men to hospital. Organisation of trenches: Fire trench W Coy, Support trenches Y and Z Coy, Reserve trench X Coy. Working parties except for fire trench company, day and night, 4 hours by day and 4 by night – excavating new line of fire trench, improving existing fire trench and communication lines.
During the night Lt JAH Taylor was shot in the back while moving along advanced, incomplete new fire trench by a sniper. He was buried at 10.30am near Batt HQ. Work during the night was as previous day. We had two listening patrols. 9 men to hospital, 2 rejoined.
Work during day and night continues on existing fire trench and new fire trench. At about 5.30 am Pte Murphy, Y Coy, was shot in the left support trenches and died in a field ambulance the same morning. 11 men to hospital.
7 men to hospital. Work continued on existing and new fire trenches. Sandbag filling and stone carrying for new alignment of trench. Weather slightly warmer. Flies very bad and dysentery still rife. Very little firing has gone on during the last week, simply intermittent shelling but consistent sniping.
Conference of Cos of units with Brigadier at 10am. Discussion of coming events. Work in forward fire trench had to be discontinued at 11am as one man was killed and two wounded (one since died of wounds) and one man wounded by accident. Arrangements made for night work. 6 men to hospital. One man of Y Coy, Pte H Wilson killed about 6 am, 29th, in forward fire trench.
Work organised for next 24 hours. No casualties during last 24 hours. Orders received to move to new lines, no details. Work continued on forward trench and new sap. 4 to hospital.
Orders to move to reserve nullah tonight. Day spent cleaning up trenches ready to hand over and explaining details. 5 men to hospital, 1 rejoined. Handed over to 11th Manchesters by 9.30pm and spent night in nullah.
5 men to hospital. Ordered first to take over line of part of the 39 Bde. This cancelled and ordered to take over our old lines, on south side of old blockhouse. Very extended front. All coys in the firing line. The lines were in an indescribably filthy condition and the whole battalion was set to work at the Aegean task.
During the night a very severe task was given us to establish a new firing line. A blockhouse in our possession had to be connected to existing line. A start was made on North side and good work done. One man was badly wounded by Turkish bullet and Sgt Cooke, W Coy, was shot through the stomach. Both died and Sgt Cooke was the greatest loss as he was an invaluable reconnoiter by night. Three men – Byrne, Irwin and McGuire – behaved in a very gallant manner and brought in the 2 wounded men from the open under a heavy fire. Captains de Wolfe and Hawes directed operations and it is to their splendid efforts and courage that only 2 deaths occurred.
Work continued in the sap to blockhouse and at cleaning the lines and filling sandbags for further operations tonight. One man wounded today by our own artillery due to defective Australian communication.
Sandbag filling, digging drains and communication trenches and clearing area. Fire lit 6.30pm by 1 R Mun Fus on our right, failed to ignite properly. Covering party out all night. Heavy hostile sniping and firing when fire lit. A heavy fusillade broke out in division south of us. Casualties: Hospital 3.
Work continued during rest of day and at night actual connection with left of blockhouse established. RE work in blockhouse poor, also wiring most skimpy. 400 rounds fired by Battalion at snipers and working parties of Turks. Casualties: Hospital 4, Killed 1 Pte Cassidy, Wounded 1 Pte Fagan.
Work during day continued in rear trench, also drain digging and sand bag filling. Attempt to fire grass in front failed. Sniper very active. Turkish working parties stopped by machine gun fire. Body found near trench.
Work continued till 4pm when naval bombardment followed by field artillery bombardment took place at the Turkish trenches. The shooting appeared to be accurate. Very excellent work done at night, particularly by W Coy. Casualties: 1 killed Pte McLoughlin, Wounded 2.
Work continued on drainage system, communication, support and new fire trenches. Very little sniping last night and today. Several hostile snipers have been accounted for this week. Casualties, 2 wounded, 1 hospital.
During day work went on in new firing lines, blockhouse, communication and support trenches and drainage system. About 7 pm heavy rain came with thunder and lightning and continued in gusts until 1am. The greatly impeded sandbag filling and digging. One man of X Coy was killed at 1.30am. Capt Carruthers and a bombing party tried to clear the bush but it only got rid of snipers for a short time. Casualties: 1 killed L Corp Fagan, hospital 3.
Soon after midday, a hostile airplane, flying very low, came over our lines. Rifle fire was opened and it sheered off. Great chance for artillery who did not fire. Work continued. In afternoon Capt Hawes fired 8 rifle grenades with good effect against hostile barricades, and Capt Carruthers from his sap threw one bomb into a snipers barricade. Casualties: Hospital 2.
In the afternoon enemy fired 4 trench mortars into X Coy lines, only 2 exploded and no damage done. Work continued. Sniping quite subdued during day, but extra galling at night. We destroyed 3 snipers posts with bombs but fire was continued from thick bush all around. Rain started just at noon. Casualties: 1 killed, LC J Harold, 1 wounded, to hospital 15.
About 5pm 2 Turkish trench mortars were fired into our lines. Both failed to explode. We fired 8 rifle grenades into Turks snipers barricades with good effect. Work continued. A storm of rain at midday delayed work for two hours. Hostile sniping much subdued by our bombing and expert riflemen. Casualties: to hospital 7.
Work continued on blockhouse area, communication trenches and drainage system. Sniping by enemy much more relaxed. Some of the working parties in front of our left centre held up by machine gun fire. Our artillery opened up with HE on hostile trenches to our right with good effect. Casualties: hospital 1.
Work continued on blockhouse, communication trenches and drainage. Hostile sniping mild. Our machine gun stopped hostile working party. Battalion constricted its front by 200 yards to make room for Royal Fusiliers. Casualties: hospital 4.
Work continued till 3pm on blockhouse area. Telephone installed and improvements made including new traverse and dug outs. Progress made on main drains, bridges, and communication trenches.
Work continued on blockhouse area. Work stopped on saps from 4-8pm by order. Hostile snipers quiet by day but active early part of the evening till driven out by bombs and rife brigades.
Work continued on drainage. Sandbags were carried out and a barricade built under Cop. Sgt Major McCann. Trench improved by day. Sniping by enemy insignificant by day but very galling during the night work. We accounted for several enemy killed or injured.
Work was concentrated on Dublin Castle which is rapidly being consolidated. Some minor work was done on drains, shelters and communication trench. 2 men wounded by hostile bomb. A heavy shell fire was directed on Dublin Castle soon after noon and at 3pm.
Enemy again shelled Dublin Castle about midday. 2 shells hit the huts which were unoccupied, they are now being demolished.
Improvement and consolidation of Dublin Castle position. Bundles of wire were thrown into ditch over barricade. Removal of the Castle’s huts completed. Our artillery kindly dropped 3 shells into our trenches at 3pm, by mistake, while cutting enemy’s wire.
New main trench E of Dublin Castle practically complete. Bomb protectors fixed to barricade. Brushwood cleared in front of support trench. Communication trench CQ complete. General improvements to parapets and sanitary work. Hostile sniping vicious in front of Dublin Castle only. New sniper post discovered up ditch. Heavy shell fire twice during the day. Casualties: Hospital 4, rejoined 1.
Parades built behind barricade in ditch and bomb protection improved. Work chiefly consisted of improving fire and communication trenches. Bridge built across main drain outside parapet. Sandbags filled. Very little firing on our part. Our area was heavily shelled at periods between 11 am and 3pm. No casualties except one man bruised.
Heavy shell fire opened on our area from Dublin Castle. Most shells failed to explode. Trench improvement, pathing paths, raising and rebutting firing line. Hostile sniping subdued at around Dublin Castle at 8pm. Casualties: Hospital, 6.
Work done was improvement of trenches and pathing paths. Shelters continued and new sanitary measures taken. Filling of sandbags for new work. We bombed and grenade the enemy snipers posts at 8.20pm which silenced them for a time. Our snipers fired steadily through the night. Casualties: Hospital 10, rejoined 1.
Draft of 2 officers, 9 NCOs and 90 men arrived at 9.30am. Work: new sap started from ditch north of Dublin Castle to straighten line. Hostile sniping very severe. Hostile aeroplane flew low over our trenches at 10.30am. Our artillery failed to fire at it! Casualties: Wounded 1, Hospital 4, rejoined 5.
Work on the new sap continued day and night. Fire trenches round barricades improved. Work on drainage and shelters continued. One of our machine guns dispersed a Turkish working party. Our fire was normal. Casualties: Wounded 1, Hospital 11, rejoined 2.
Work continued on new sap towards dead tree. Shelters, drainage and sandbag filling and carrying, sanitation, repair of parapet, firing step and parades continued. The wiring NE of Dublin Castle was attempted but the enemy threw four bombs over the heads of the covering party wounding Lt Holland and 3 of our men. The covering party behaved with gallantry and coolness, bombing the Turks in return and dispersing them, and then with great steadiness and courage carried the wounded to safety. Casualties: Wounded 3, Hospital 8, to Bde HQ 2, 1 man at Cape Helles struck off. 2 officer’s servants, whereabouts unknown, also struck off. Rejoined 3.
Progress made with new sap. Wiring up to barricade ditch completed. Work done on shelters, parapets and fire steps. We bombed the Turks at 6.15pm and reduced their sniping. Casualties: 1 killed Sgt Maj P Byrne, by shrapnel, 1 wounded, hospital 4, rejoined 1.
Digging continued on new Batt HQ and place for cooker, also on shelters and repairs of lines. The new sap was extended and improved, 8 coils of barbed wire put out under a covering party without incident. The enemy’s sniping brisk early in the evening but died off later. Casualties: Wounded 3, Hospital 3, Rejoined 1.
Work on new sap continued and 2 other saps started. HQ and Coy shelters, washhouse and sanitary measures continued with. Our fire was normal, that of enemy brisker than normal. The enemy shelled us between 3 and 4 pm but was ineffective. The enemy were active in scrub around Dublin Castle and one got a shot in and killed a man in our barricade. Casualties: 1 killed Pte E Hayden, wounded 1, hospital 1.
Work was continued on sap now fit to call a fire trench and comm trench started to connect with same. Each company was issued with sterilised earth boxes for cleaning canteens as MO thought cleaning of canteens etc with surface earth was cause f dysentery to great extent. Sniping by enemy much less severe. Casualties: killed 1 Corp A Bells, wounded 1, hospital 4, rejoined 1.
Wrk continued on new fire trench. Shelters all improved and sanitary cleaning done. Sniping by us less than usual and enemy’s much quieter except at barricades. Hostile guns shelled lines about 11 am to 12.15 and 5 to 6pm. Casualties: killed 1 Pte J Devine, wounded 1, hospital 3, rejoined 3.
New fire trench advanced almost 10 yards from each flank and 20 yards consolidated. Very little sniping, either hostile or by us. Enemy shelled us for short time at 11.30am and again at 3.30pm. Regret to report that chance shrapnel bullet killed 2/Lt HRT Hackett while he was at tea. Casualties: killed 2, wounded 1.
New trench extended 25 yards and communication trench 25 yards. Sanitary work continued. Hostile sniping very slack and easily kept under. A few machine gun bursts against our snipers who were silenced. Spotted Turkish officers dug out and a kitchen by lights and fires. Casualties: wounded 1, hospital 4, rejoined 1.
New fire trench advanced 35 yards & comm trench 15 yards. Consolidation of trenches continued. Work also done on Batt HQ. shelters and wash house. Hostile artillery fire at 11am, and 2 & 4pm quickly silenced by our own artillery. Sniping by enemy very small. Casualties: 1 killed (Pte Cooney), Hospital 3, Rejoined 1.
New fire trench actually connected up, and also comm trench. Drainage improved and work done on Batt HQ and wash house. Our fire was slight, some sniping and 2 or 3 machine gun bursts. Hostile artillery dropped about 3 or 4 shells at 9.30, 11 am & 3pm. Casualties: Killed (Sgt D Murphy), Wounded 2, Hospital 5.
Work chiefly concentrated on consolidation of new firing trench. Some French and apron wiring was done. Sniping very slight on both sides. Sgt Fitzgibbon accidentally shot and wounded L/C Pointer while the latter was on patrol. Result of nerves! Enemy shelled our lines about 1 pm.
Consolidation of new trench continued. Main drainage continued. Very little sniping on our part owing to two covering parties being out. Casualties: Killed 2 (Pte T Fitzpatrick and Pte J Donald), Wounded 1, Hospital 5.
Excellent work done on consolidation of new trench. More wiring done in front of our line, now nearly complete. A Turkish patrol dispersed by bombs near our wire. Hostile sniping heavy near barricade until snipers chased off by bombs. 2 casualties from snipers in new trench both through carelessness. Casualties: Hospital 5.
Consolidation of new trench, paving of comm trench and attendant sanitary measures continued. Digging carried out in ANZAC nullah. A little more sniping by enemy than by us. Enemy’s patrols dispersed by machine gun fire. Hostile machine gun located and reported.
Work continued on new trench, Bde HQ, washhouse and ANZAC nullah. Sap made for ingress and egress of patrols. Sniping on both sides heavier than usual. Machine gun fired on and hit a sniper. Enemy threw 6 broom stick bombs between 5 and 6pm. Our artillery replied on demand and stopped further ones. Casualties: Hospital 9.
Work in progress. A few machine gun bursts to disperse hostile snipers, otherwise no firing by us except at barricade till 3am. Hostile sniping moderate. 4 covering parties out front. Casualties: Hospital 7, to England 1, Rejoined 2.
Work done: new battalion HQ, main drainage and firing line shelters. Gas gongs received and placed in position. We fired more than usual and thereby subdued hostile sniping. One man killed (Pte W Comisky) by hostile broomstick bomb in C57 support trench. No working parties or patrols out front.
Btn HQ completed except for roofing. Firing lines and winter shelters well forward. Very little hostile sniping and artillery fire. Latter promptly replied to by our guns. Parties patrolled our wire throughout the night. Our sniper’s post discovered beyond the wire and marked down for attention. Enemy fired about 30 broomstick bombs the last 24 hours, no casualties.
Work: winter shelters, firing line and supports. Our sniping was constant during the night and machine gun fired a few bursts at snipers. Hostile firing practically nil on left, but brisk on right. One hostile sniper accounted for at dawn. Our patrols in front found the enemy very inactive.
Work: winter shelters, main drainage and repair of trenches. About 8pm a violent thunderstorm broke, and lasting 40 minutes, flooded the trenches in part. Hostile sniping small, also ours.
Day spent in draining, levelling and pathing paths. At 3pm the HQ of 3rd London Rgt and 1 company came up from Essex nullah and relieved our HQ and Z Coy. At night 2 other Coys London Rgt relieved X and Y Coys who marched to Hill 10. The Battalion had been 56 consecutive days in front line trenches.
Work was continued by Z Coy on ANZAC and Essex nullahs, improving dug outs and drainage. W Coy in trenches supporting X and Y Coys. Casualties: Wounded 1, Hospital 4.
Work was continued by Z Coy on ANZAC and Essex nullahs, improving dug outs and drainage. W Coy in the trenches completing the support line. Casualties: Hospital 3.
Work was continued by Z Coy on ANZAC and Essex nullahs, improving dug outs and drainage. W Coy in the trenches completing the support line. Casualties: Father Hogge rejoined after sick leave. Wounded 1, Hospital 4.
Work was continued by Z Coy on Essex nullahs, improving dug outs and drainage. W Coy in the trenches completing the support line. Casualties: Hospital 5, Rejoined 2.
Work was continued by Z Coy on Essex nullahs, improving dug outs and drainage. W Coy in the trenches completing the support line. Casualties: Wounded 2, Hospital 9.
Work was continued by Z Coy on Essex nullahs, improving dug outs and drainage. W Coy in the trenches completing the support line. X and Y Coys at Hill 10. Casualties: Hospital 8.
W and Z Coys moved to Hill 10 at 5.30pm, the move being completed at 6pm. X and Y Coys continued work under the CRE. All surplus blankets etc were sent to Little beach West during the night. Casualties: Wounded 1, Hospital 1, Rejoined 2.
All four Coys spent the day digging latrines and improving the communication trenches. At 6pm a violent thunderstorm broke and flooded out the Battalion. The rain ceased at 9pm, and the men had to start work on new dug outs. Large numbers had to be sent to hospital for temporary treatment.
Rain and violent winds throughout the day. No work was possible. Many men went to hospital. Private Blakesbly died of exposure.
Snow and violent winds all day. Snow stopped at 4pm when it began to freeze. Captain Oulton, who has been sick for two weeks, was sent to Mudros to take charge of the kits of the 29th Division. Private Kennedy of Z Coy died of exposure. Many men went to hospital and a few returned. Impossible to know the number of sick at present.
Fine day. Battalion employed in clearing trenches and collecting kits. Lieutenant Harrison injured by shrapnel.
Fine frosty day. Battalion employed in clearing trenches and collecting kits. Captain Moffatt to hospital.
Lieut Byrne and 25 NCOs at Well 4SB. Remainder of Battalion remained at Hill 10 and continued improving the communication trenches. A fine frosty day, the men are recovering.
A draft of 3 officers and 168 NCOs and men joined and were taken on the strength. The trenches at Hill 10 were cleared and improved and work continued in the firing line. Hill 10 was heavily shelled between 5 and 5.30pm.
The post at C51 and C50 were relieved by the Lancs Fusiliers while we relieved the other posts taken on 1/12/15. A misty day with light rain in the morning.
Lt Scott 7 RS Fusiliers and Lt Robertson 8 RSF working with 56 NCOs and men joined and were taken on strength. Lt Jacobs continues to hold post no. 8, the trenches being thick deep in mud and water after the thaw of yesterday. 84 men went to hospital (exposure).
Very little firing. Turks are busy clearing up their front line trenches. Lt Jacobs was relieved by 2nd Royal Fusiliers at Post No 2. The remainder of the Battalion was placed at the disposal of the CRE for completing the second line of defence at Hill 10.
We continue to hold Post No 1, the men being employed in collecting equipment, rifles and blankets from the support trenches and evacuating them to the beach. Continued work on 2nd line.
We continue to hold No 1 post, men employed in building flood post to hold 20 men each if we have another flood. 21 to hospital (exposure).
The trenches are greatly improved. We are now holding 700x of trench with 5 guards of 6 men each. The remainder of the men have been employed building up parapet and fire step. Turkish deserter surrendered to the first sentry guard of the night.
We continue to hold No 1 Post, everything very quiet in the front line. Work continued on 2nd line. Hill 10 rather badly about noon.
We continued to hold No 1 post and have established communication with Royal Fusiliers on our left. Very little sniping.
We continue to hold No 1 post.Lt Jacobs with X Coy moved up to the firing line. Very little sniping but heavy shelling of Hill 10.
Work continued on the 2nd line. Casualties Nil. Heavy shelling.
X and W companies were relived by the Hampshire a regiment and moved to the reserve nullah. Orders received that we will evacuate tomorrow.
X and W companies were relived by the Hampshire a regiment and moved to the reserve nullah. Orders received that we will evacuate tomorrow.
The Battalion left the reserve nullah at 19.00 and embarked on the HMS Hazel about midnight and arrived at Mudros the next day.
In Mudros harbour aboard the HMS Hazel. At about 17.30 we landed at Helles and made bivouac at the French HQ
Spent the day cleaning and improving our lines. We had some big shells in our lines. Casualties: Nil.
Battalion moved into lines of Royal Fusiliers above X beach.
Battalion moved onto lines of 1/Royal Marines.
Battalion employed cleaning up lines of 1/Royal Marines. Officers commanding companies were asked to reconnoiter lines held by Scottish Regiments.
Continued improving 1/Royal Marine lines.
The Battalion moved up to the firing line at 7.30, the relief completed by noon. Part of trench only 30 yards from Turks. Heavy firing along the line at 17.00. Our support and reserve trench wee heavily shelled throughout the night.
Severe rain storm during the night resulting in trenches being 2 and 3 feet deep in mud and water. Our front and communication trenches shelled intermittently during the night and throughout the day. At daybreak the Turks bombed us out of two positions in Z Coys lines, but were at once driven out again by a bombing party Lieut Ridley.
Casualties: 12 OR killed and 18 OR injured. Enemy: 20 dead bodies either brought in or seen in No Man’s Land.
Batt relieved by 1/KSOB. Trenches in very bad state – mud and water – relief slow as a consequence. Relief complete by 20.30. Batt settled in RND dug out in reserve.
Batt resting and reorganising.
Batt resting and reorganising. Glorious weather – clear sky and bright sunshine all day.
Batt working improving lines and training in specialist classes.
Batt working improving lines and training in specialist classes.
Whole Batt working on Mule Track and the Nullah. Both tracks and trenches very bad indeed – mud and rain.
Whole Batt working on Mule Track and the Nullah. Both tracks and trenches very bad indeed – mud and rain.
Batt working on the Mule Track and the Nullah.
Whole Batt working all night on new 3rd line trenches. Preparing for evacuation of peninsula.
After much delay finally embarked via the River Clyde at about 04.00am. Sea rather choppy and considerable difficulty experienced in transhipping from tug to transport. All aboard just as day was breaking. Transport Ausonia. Reached Lemnos about noon and disembarked during afternoon. Marched to camp at Mudros East.