1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers
23 AprilSS Caladonia. Sailed for Lemnos.
The Royal Munster Fusiliers were formed in 1881 following the amalgamation of two regiments. Their regimental depot was at Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee, and the regiment traditionally recruited strongly from the counties of Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Clare. The battalion was called back from Rangoon at the outbreak of World War One, and stationed at home prior to its despatch to Gallipoli where it took part in the initial landings of 25 April 1915.The Munsters would remain in Gallipoli throughout the campaign, and would be evacuated in January 1916.
The regimental diary of the Royal Munster Fusiliers via Imperial War Museum.
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SS Caladonia. Sailed for Lemnos.
Arrived at Tenedos. Considerable wind and very choppy sea.
3pm: orders to embark River Clyde
7.30pm: Embarkation complete
Midnight: River Clyde sailed from Lemnos. Operation orders issued.
5am: Naval bombardment commenced. All men ordered below decks.
5.50am: River Clyde was in line with battleships nearest the shore and had to wait twice in order to give the tows containing the Dublin Fusiliers time to come up.
6am: Enemy commenced shelling the River Clyde.
6.25 am: River Clyde was beached at V Beach near Sedd-El-Bahr village. Disembarkation commenced.
6.50am: About 60 men from RMF, Dublins and Hants took up outpost position along the Old Castle and cliffs, under command of Major Jarrett, RMF.
8pm: Remainder of troops disembarked from River Clyde with only a few casualties and formed upon beach.
1 am: Advance by W Coy RMF and 2 coys Hants under Major Beckwith , Hants Reg, for 200 yards. This force had to fall back two hours later. W Coy joining up with the Worcestershire Regiment on left flank.
7am: RMF and 2 coys Hants and I coy Dublin ordered to take and occupy the Old Castle.
8am: Old Castle occupied. Advance through Sedd-El-Bahr village commenced.
11am: Forced village which was strongly held by snipers and took up a position. Begin preparations for storming Hill 141.
2pm: RN commences bombardment of Hill 141.
3pm: Troops ordered to assault Hill 141.
4pm: 1st RMF less W coy, 1 coy Dublins and 2 cos Hants under Major Grimshaw captured Hill 141 and drove enemy from the redoubt at the top. Turks in full retreat for two miles.
5pm: Hill 141: Moved into an outpost position extending from Worcesters on the left at Beach Y to the Dublins on the right at Hill 141. Line held by Division - Hill 114 - Lighthouse 138 - to Hill 141.
6.30am: Sedd-El-Bahr: RMF relieved in outpost trenches by the French, and fell back to Y Beach for reorganisation.
2.30pm: Sedd-El-Bahr: RMF received orders to proceed at once to Hill 114 and entrench for the night.
3.30pm: Hill 138: Arrived at Lighthouse 138 and told to stand fast for the night.
6 am: Hill 138: Heard that the line had been made good during the night. The 86th Bde still in reserve to move at 8am and occupy and improve the trenches held last night by the 87th and 88th Bdes, while the Division advanced on Achi Baba.
8am: RMF moved off lighthouse to trenches mentioned.
11am: RMF arrived at trenches.
12 noon: Received information that the firing line has no ammunition, so pushed on.
1pm: The whole Battalion became disorganised owing to Staff Officers coming back from the firing line and taking away small detachments of coys to reinforce weak spots in the firing line.
4pm: A general retirement ordered owing to the French being unable to support right flank.
6pm: Retirement commenced. Division ordered to occupy and hold at all costs the line of trenches held the previous evening.
8pm: RMF all back at different points of the line, with the exception of Lieut Dorman who with 150 men remained out all night half mile in advance of the line. Capt Williams on extreme right with 140 men with the Worcestershire Regt.
8am: Order issued for all Regts to reorganise.
11am: RMF and Dublins advanced 1000 yards and entrenched themselves in positions ordered. Line held from point 286 due north to the sea.
9pm: An attack by the Turks on right flank division back.
Noon: New organisation adopted. The Battalion to consist of 2 coys Munsters and 2 coys Dublins
Dawn: No attacks whatever on our lines.
7am: Orders issued for Division to hold lines as follows – Right flank French troops from Hill 236 to 169 L6 on map – Centre Hants and Essex in continuation of line to NNW across Krithia Road to stream one and a half miles SE of Krithia. Left 86th and 88th Brigades in continuation to point 176.L.4 on coast.
10.30pm: Attack by the Turks in force. 150 of enemy broke through our line at the nullah on the Krithia stream. Attack lasted continuously till daylight when Turks were seen in full retreat. Several men of Y Coy 1st RMF who were driven back from their trenches were arrested.
7 am: Whole line ordered to advance. After losing very heavily they were then forced to retire again however RMF remained in reserve trenches and remained till attack had failed, when they were ordered up to the same line they had held the previous day.
6pm: RMF and Dublins relieved by Worcesters and Royal Scots , fell back to the reserve trenches one and a half miles in the rear.
Those who were arrested for being behind the firing line were arraigned for General Court Martial, at which Captain Williams appeared as prosecutor and Lieut Nightingale as a witness.
Battalion remained in reserve trenches until the afternoon, when they reoccupied the trenches they held on 1st May.
Court Martial still in progress. No attacks from the Turks.
9 am: Orders received to attack Kritihia.
11.30 am: Lancs Fusiliers and Naval Brigade passed through our lines to attack Krithia.
6pm: After advancing roughly 500 yards our troops held up, partly owing to heavy machine gun fire and partly to failure of French troops on the right flank to co-operate. Finally the whole line had to entrench. The Worcesters are about 500 yards in front of RMF and held up by a redoubt between them and Kritiha.
7 am: Heavy firing during the night but our own line held its position. Orders issued that heavy bombardment to take place followed by a general advance.
10.30 am: Bombardment commenced by RN and RA.
3pm: No further advance possible. French still holding right flank. RMF told to hold themselves ready to support Brigade in front.
4.30pm: RMF ordered to advance as far as possible beyond the Worcesters and subtrench.
5pm: RMF advanced 200 yards unsupported on either flank under heavy fire. Lost heavily and dug in.
6.30pm: Got in trench with Border Regt on the left – very thin line. No troops whatever on right flank.
8am: No attack during the night. Told to stand fast.
10am: New Zealanders and Australians come up to our trenches.
7pm: Orders received. RMF and Dublins both relieved by Worcesters in the trenches. To proceed to 87th Bde HQ on left flank.
10pm: Received orders to rest till 1am when RMF and 2 coys KOSBs were to advance under cover of darkness to occupy a bluff 500 yards in advance of KOSB trenches in extreme of left flank with RMF left on sea and their right on KOSB facing Krithia.
1am: RMF 200 strong and 4 officers moved to the attack under a guide.
2.30am: RMF reached position but a heavy fire was immediately opened on them by the Turks.
3am: Battalion entrenched as near as possible to position in the dark.
4.30am: At daylight it was seen that position was untenable, being open to both sides. Turks began to get round flank, so Bte retired back to KOSB lines.
9am: Battalion ordered to reoccupy position after careful reconnaissance.
11 am: Reconnaissance carried out and position selected.
12 noon: Bte commenced to take up position. When Turks, who had snipers watching, brought up machine guns and made the position untenable.
2pm: RMF and RDF retired back to KSOB lines and received orders to proceed to Beach Y and reorganise.
5pm: Bte arrived Beach Y and received rations.
7am: Battalion ordered to stand fast and reorganise by company.
Battalion reorganised into 2 companys. Strength of Battalion RMF: 7 Officers, 372 men.
10.30am: Battalion ordered to parade at 10.30. General Marshall promulgated sentences passed on NCOs and men court martialled for retiring without orders on the night of May 1st-2nd.
12 noon: Received orders to convert space allotted to the Btn on Beach Y into permanent base.
Btn paraded at Roll Call and fatigue under Brigade orders.
5 am: Party of 200 men left camp for Beach W at 5am. Relieved by second party at 1pm.The 2nd party was shelled while preceding to Beach W – 6 casualties, all wounded.
6 am: Roll call. Fatigue parties went off at the same hours as the previous two days. Shelling all day we lost 6 hours belonging to the Btn. Two mules also killed today.
4pm: Sgt Lister, Australian Force, formerly commissioned rank in Kerry militia, applied for commission in RMF, forwarded to CO.
5am: Roll Call.
4pm: Instruction in throwing hand grenades.
Fatigues and Re-organisation.
Sgt McCarthy and draft of 53 NCOs and men joined from the Home Btns.
Fatigues and re-organisation
Lt Dewhurst rejoined from hospital.
From today’s date the 1st Btn RMF and the 1st Btn RDF which were amalgamated on 27th April and known as the Dubsters Btn will be dealt with as separate units and resume their correct titles.
Lt Nightingale to Hospital ship.
W company under Capt Williams employed digging communication trenches for Indian Bgde.
Btn moved to Y Beach for temporary duty with Indian Bgde.
10.30pm: Btn took over left section (N of Gurkha Bluff) from 1/6th Gurkhas. Heavy firing from Turkish trenches all night.
Capt Geddes took over command of the Batt from Major W.A. Hutchinson at 5 am who proceeded to W Beach to take up another appointment.
In the evening a trench mortar and hand grenades were used against an enemy sap about 400 yards in front of our own trench. 12 of the enemy snipers reported killed or wounded during the day. Gen Cox visited the Batt HQ and was shown round the trenches.
Gurkha Bluff: 16 enemy snipers reported killed or wounded.
Gurkha Bluff: 3.25am: Very successful ruse employed to draw enemy’s fire. Owing to vigilance of Batt sharp shooters little annoyance was experienced from enemy snipers.
5pm: Left section of trenches was subjected to heavy fire from enemy’s guns. High explosive being chiefly used. Considerable damage was done to trench parapets.
7.45pm: Batt was relieved by 1/6 Gurkhas and 1st R Inniskillings and marched back to Gully Beach. 12 enemy snipers reported killed or wounded.
Gully Beach: Batt proceeded to W Beach.
W Beach: Fatigues.
W Beach: Fatigues. Liet Nightingale returned from Hospital Ship.
W Beach: Fatigues. Escorts dispatched to Imbros and Lemnos with Turkish prisoners.
W Beach: Following number of officers reported for duty. From RMF – 4.
W Beach: Batt moved into bivouacs at Turkish redoubt near V Beach. 4 officers from the RMF reported for duty. Draft of 127 NCOs and men joined the battalion from Home.
W Beach: Batt took over all guards at W Beach at 7pm.
V Beach: 3pm: Btn moved to Pink Farm to support Division which was attacking Krithia.
6.30pm: Received orders to remain in readiness where we were for the night.
Btn remained throughout the day in trenches at Pink Farm.
Btn remained in same trenches round and about Pink Farm.
Btn remained in same place.
Btn remained in same place.
Orders received to equip the Btn for trenches. Still in reserve.
Remained in reserve trenches.
2.30 am: Btn moved to Gully Beach. Remained there all day.
3 am: Btn marched to trenches at head of Gully Ravine and took over from 1st Border Rgt. Taking over completed at 4.30 am.
Men spent the day improving trenches. X and W Cos in support of Dublin Fus Y and Z and HQ 100 yards in rear as Brigade supports.
Btn stands to arms daily for one hour from 2.30 am to 3.30 am. Very quiet day.
Btn occupying same trenches all day. Fatigue parties working on sap head of Dublins.
9pm: Fusillade by enemy. No attack followed.
Enemy attacked Dublin Fusiliers during the night and all support went up to reinforce them. Turks bombed us out of one sap head, but it was recaptured shortly afterwards. Lt Pendergast and 4 men being recommended to receive special gallantry for the occasion.
4 am: Btn paraded 4 am handing over trenches to Inniskilling Fusiliers. Marched to Gully Ridge overlooking Gully Beach.
5.30 am: Btn took over bivouacs from Inniskilling Fusiliers.
GOC and Bde saw all officers of the Batt.
8.30am: Btn was ordered to move to Eski Lines. On arrival the KSOB discovered already occupying them.
12 noon: Btn marched back to bivouacs.
Nothing to report.
Btn still occupying bivouac at Gully Ridge.
8am: Received orders that the Btn would proceed the following day to the trenches.
3pm: Officers made a tour of the trenches to be taken over.
3am: Left bivouac for trenches, proceeding up Gully Ravine.
6am: Btn took over trenches E of Gully Ravine. Remainder of day spent by companies in settling down in new lines.
Very quiet night there only being one burst of fire at dawn by the enemy, lasting only a few minutes. Working parties were sapping all day and improving trenches.
Received orders about an advance which is to take place on 28 June. CO attended conference at Bde headquarters.
Remained all day in present trenches, the men doing fatigues, working on saps, cutting steps in trenches for attacking parties to go out easily.
6.30pm: Btn relieved by 4th Btn Royal Scots and proceeded to cross to Eske lines where they spent the night.
Btn left Eske’s lines at 9.15 am and proceeded to Bruce’s Ravine.
11.30am: Btn moves to the assault following R Fusiliers and occupies trenches J12 and J13 which they proceed to consolidate.
2pm: Enemy commenced counter attack by bombing parties. Companies occupying J12 and J13 sent for reinforcements. W Company went up to their assistance.
7pm: X and Z coys of the Btn were ordered to take with the bayonet the lost positions of J12 and J13. This was accomplished by 8pm.
11pm: Dublin Fusiliers proceeded up the ravine to consolidate line from J12 to J13 joining the two trenches together.
1am: Turks made violent counter-attack while Dublin Fusiliers were out working in the open. Working parties forced to retire to J11a.
2am: Attack by enemy seen off.
4am: Turks retired into Gully leaving many dead and about 70 men still holding the trench commenced by the Dublin Fusiliers.
6.15am: All enemy in front of our line killed or forced to surrender.
4pm: Remainder of the Btn relieved by Indian Btn. Men exhausted.
5pm: Relief parties had to be sent up to bring them down.
7pm: Battalion proceeded to Eske line where they spent the night.
Btn remained in Eske lines all morning.
5pm: Btn proceeded to bivouac between X Beach and Gully Ravine to reorganise.
Bn back on Gully Beach for a rest from the trenches. Four officers reported to the Bn headquarters but were sent on to the Royal Fusiliers as we had more officers than the other Bns in the 86th Bde.
11am: Pte Davis sentence promulgated.
5am: Sentence of death passed on Pte Davis, carried out.
7pm: Message received from 29th Division HQ that Turks were bombarding J12 and J13 heavily. The Bn stood to arms ready to move off till 10.30pm when it was dismissed.
3.30pm: Captain CR Williams and W Coy proceeded up to trenches held by Royal Scots.
9.30pm: Remainder of Bn followed W Coy.
2am: Taking over of trenches H12 completed.
6pm: Enemy shelled our trenches till dark. No attack followed. Casualties 14.
2.30am: 1 coy hLI (TF) reinforced us and were distributed among coys for instruction.
3.30am: Bn standing to arms till 5am. Enemy made general attack along whole line commencing with the French on our right. Very feeble attack against our trenches, easily repulsed by machine gun fire.
6am: Turkish attack spent. Heavy firing still going on on our right where enemy gained one trench temporarily. Finally driven out by the French who, in addition gained two lines of Turkish trenches. All plainly visible from our trenches after daybreak. Our casualties about 30. Very quiet all day. 200 HLI in our trenches.
Very quiet day. Men working all day on trenches. Working party of HLI arrived to dig support trench behind firing line.
Very quiet day. Several officers of the new army arrived up in the trenches for instruction.
Very quiet day and night. Flag of truce came in on our left, but message was unanswered till 5.30pm.
Enemy shelled our trenches without doing any damage. Men working on usual parapets and trenches.
Preparations being made for advance tomorrow. Our artillery was registering on enemy’s trenches in front of us.
4.30am: Half an hours bombardment (HE) of H12 and H12a by our artillery.
5am: Dublin Fusiliers on our left send out a bombing party covered by our rifle and machine gun fire as a demonstration. Heavy firing by the enemy. Bombardment commenced by French on our right flank.
10.30am: Assault by French on our right flank resulted in capture of several lines of trenches. RND also advanced.
3pm: The whole line on the right had come up about 400 yards and things became more quiet. In front of our line there was very little firing.
We had orders to be relieved last night but these were cancelled at the last moment. After a very quiet night there was a good deal of sniping this morning. No casualties however.
3pm: Another bombardment and a further advance on our right flank. Very little firing opposite our lines.
Throughout the morning the Bn was relieved by the 6th S Lancs Regt. Bn HQs and the last of the Bn left the trenches at 3.45pm. The Bn marched into the support trenches at the top of the path leading up the cliff from Gully Ravine – known as the zig zag path. The Bn remained there through the night.
Bn left trenches occupied during the night and marched down to Gully Beach where it remained throughout the day.
Bn marched to V Beach arriving at 9pm.
1.10am: embarked on HMS Savage for Mudros.
6.30am: Bn began disembarking in towns and marched to camp 1 mile inland under guidance of Staff-Sergeant, 87th Bde. Remainder of day spent in settling boundaries, arranging water etc.
Only parades other than guard mounting, were under coy arrangements for bathing.
No parades today. Bn was paid out by companies, money having being attained from the field cashier here.
Drill parade by Coys. Last two drafts under instruction of the Regimental Segt Major.
W coy went away for the day for a route march and field practices in drill. Received orders to hold ourselves in readiness to embark for Cape Helles.
9.30am: Received orders from Bde to be ready to embark at 11am.
3pm: Bn embarked on HMS Basilisk for Cape Helles and left harbour at 6.30pm.
10pm: Arrived off Cape Helles.
4.30am: Bn disembarked at V Beach off the River Clyde.
6am: Bn marched to Gully Beach where it bivouacked with the remainder of the Bde. Remained all day without receiving any orders except to the effect that all troops were to stand to arms daily at 4am ready to proceed to the firing line should the enemy attack in force.
4am: Bn stood to arms until 5am when they fell out on receiving instructions from Bde HQ.
10am: Lecture by officer from War Office on Gas helmets and their proper use. Attended by all officers not on duty. Held in R Fusiliers lines. Remainder of the day very quiet.
Bn stood to arms till 5am when they broke off. Otherwise all quiet. Medical officers inoculated men and officers present in the Bn against cholera.
Bn stood to arms at normal hours. Inoculation of Bn complete. Received orders to take over some trenches in the next few days.
Bn stood to arms, but as usual there was no attack.
Bn stood to arms as before until 5.45am. Received orders to take over trenches known as H11 from 8th Cheshire Regt tomorrow. Coy commanders under Cpt Williams went up to look at trenches this afternoon.
Spent the morning preparing for move up to trenches.
5pm: Bn fell in ready to move off by Coys.
7.15pm: Taking over of trenches complete.
Morning spent in settling down in trenches which require a lot of work to make them secure. We now occupy the same line of trenches as the Bn held from July 3rd to July 14th. Very quiet day and practically no firing.
Nothing to report. Men working continuously on improvement of trenches. Gen de Lisle, commanding 29th Div, visited trenches in the course of the morning.
A draft of two officers and 120 NCOs and men reported their arrival at Bn HQs at 7am this morning. During the afternoon they were distributed among the coys to equalise their strength.
A very quiet day and night. Spent the morning fitting out the last draft as they arrived with very little. Our artillery registering all day.
Another draft reported its arrival at 8am consisting of 6 officers and 190 men. Bn now 740 strong. No room for the men, no equipment or organisation among them.
The Royal Fusiliers moved up to their left flank and we took over half this portion in addition to our own. As all units in the Brigade received drafts, one Bn has been withdrawn from the firing line. Very quiet all day as usual.
Nothing to report. No activity on behalf of the enemy except that they are strengthening their line daily. Our artillery still registering on enemy’s trenches opposite.
Received orders to cut steps in our parapets for the assaulting troops to get over the parapet tomorrow when there is going to be an advance.
5am: The Worcestershire Rgt took over our portion of the firing line trenches.
8am: Bn all back in reserve trenches, rear 86th Bde HQs.
2pm: Artillery bombardment commenced.
3.30pm: Infantry advance commenced.
4.20pm: Received orders to take over old firing line from Royal Inniskillings who were going forward to support Worcestershire Rgt.
5.10pm: Ordered to stay where we were at Pine Tree Copse.
6.20pm: Bn ordered to move up to Hill 11 and reinforce, from there, H12 and 13a, where Worcesters were hard pressed.
8pm: Bn reached H11. Very slow progress owing to trenches being blocked by wounded.
9pm: Bn ordered to remain where it was as a night attack was to be attempted.
10.15pm: Night attack put off until 11pm.
11pm: Night attack put of till 12.30am.
Midnight: Orders received, no attack will take place , as H12 and H12a no longer held by our troops. Hold onto present line.
2.15am: Orders received to take over H11 from Worcestershire Rgt.
5am: Took over H11 from Worcestershire Rgt. Royal Inniskillings also moved to their left flank. Heavy shelling by enemy all night and much rifle firing. Royal Dublin Fusiliers now holding trenches on our left. Spent the day evacuating wounded out of our firing line, collecting equipment and clearing up the trenches.
11am: Received wire from HQs that under cover of our demonstration 2 new landings had been successfully made at Anzac Cove. During the morning there was a heavy bombardment of Turkish trenches on our right followed by an infantry advance.
9pm: A tremendous fusillade commenced opposite our trenches but no attack followed. All through the night troops were standing to arms expecting an attack from the enemy. However nothing happened.
Received wire informing us that the new landing force making good progress and a Turkish battleship sunk in the Straits.
Very heavy firing on the right last night from an area known as the Vineyard where we captured some ground. Work being carried out by us consists chiefly of repairing parapets and damage done to trenches.
Very quiet day as far as fighting on our front. Very busy day as regards working in the trenches and collecting the equipment of the dead and wounded. Heavy firing heard all day in the direction of ANZAC and further north.
9pm: Bn made a very fine demonstration by firing rapid for 15 minutes at a time. Very little answer from the enemy after the first burst.
Very quiet again on our front. Bombing and firing going on continually round the Vineyard. Our Bn machine guns enfiladed several Turkish trenches opposite our portion of the Vineyard.
Received orders that we were to hand over our present trenches to the Royal Fusiliers. This however was cancelled alter as a Turkish attack was expected.
6pm: Enemy, after half an hours heavy bombardment of the Vineyard, attacked it en masse. We were able to bring some enfilade fire to bear on the attacking Turks. Heavy firing continued throughout the night in that area, though opposite our lines it was quiet.
Officers of the composite Bn of the 86th Bde, to which it has been reduced, arrived up to take over our trenches. During the afternoon the Coys filed out of the trenches as they were relieved in turn.
7pm: Bn formed up on Gully Beach and then went into bivouac there.
Bn reorganised as far as possible. Nothing to report.
MO inoculated Bn with second dose against cholera, and remainder of Bn who had not previously been done, against enteric.
Whole morning taken up with court martial of two men of Bn.
Enemy howister dropped 5 shells within 50 yards of our own Bn HQs but did no harm. Enemy shelled the whole of Gully Beach and especially a pier that is being built by the REs.
Received orders to embark tonight for Sulva.
7pm: Bn marched to V Beach arriving 10.30pm.
2am: Embarked on SS Araminsh for Sulva.
4am: Arrived off Sulva Bay.
9am: Bn commenced disembarking. Going ashore in tows. Cpt Williams went on in advance and took over camp in which Bn was to remain during the day. Shelled a bit coming ashore, no damage.
7.30pm: Bn marched off to Chocolate Hill under guidance of the Bde General.
11pm: Bn arrived at Chocolate Hill.
4am: Bn led to hollow in open between two hills. 14 casualties from rifle bullets on the way up.
8am: Received orders for the attack. R Bn to be the assaulting unit, supported by Lancs Fusiliers , with R Fusiliers in reserve. Objective Hill 120-150 yards in advance of firing line.
3pm: 2nd phase, in which we took part, commenced. Our first two coys went forward under Capt Egan and 2nd Watts.
3.30pm: Remainder of Bn had all gone forward. Leading comp now 800 yards in front.
3.40pm: Whole countryside in flames from shells setting fire to gorse.
3.50pm: Received message from Y coy to say that all officers had either been killed or wounded and majority of men. Whole attack disorganised and split up by fires which were spreading in every direction, burning many of our wounded alive.
4.20pm: Lancs Fusiliers ordered to reinforce survivors of the Bn and take them onto Hill 12. Received message Hill 70 captured on our left flank by Royal Inniskillking Fus.
5pm: Lancs Fusiliers unable to advance owing to heavy machine fire. Message received from Captain Wilson that he had a few survivors with him but that the men were all split up into little groups taking cover where they could from the fire and burning gorse.
5.15pm: After repeated message to the Bde stating that 11th Div that was supposed to be supporting us on the right, had not appeared. Were informed that they were doing magnificently and has stated that they were in possession of Hill 12.
6.05pm: Some units of the 11th Division suddenly appeared over the crest line of Chocolate Hill behind us and had to be told not to open fire on our backs.
6.20pm: Messages received from (…) that he and 20 men had succeeded in getting back to our firing line and were in the trenches held by us.
6.50pm: Message received from Capt Murray that he had about 40 men with him in a trench 50 yards in front of firing line. They were ordered back to our HQ by the Bde.
8pm: Survivors of the Bn, numbers 140 formed up in hollow behind Hill 53. Bn strength before the action 717. Throughout the night men continued to come in and by the morning there were nearly 300. Nine officers were casualties.
Orders received that the Dublin Fusiliers and the Royal Fusiliers were to hold the firing line while the Lancs Fusiliers and ourselves remained in reserve. Remained in same position all day.
6pm: Bn began to move out of its position in the hollow and rendezvous at Chocolate Hill.
8.30pm: Bn joined remainder of Bde and moved off to trenches two and a half miles north of Chocolate Hill arriving at 11.30pm.
1 am: Bn remained in nullah through the night.
6am: Bn moved to another nullah 300 yards in front of Bde HQs and bivouacs there. Royal Fusiliers and Dublin Fusiliers in firing line.
10am: Bn spent the day preparing the bivouac as support position.
During the day the Bn had to remain in their dug outs. At 8pm 200 men were required to dig in a communication trench up to the firing line. They worked in reliefs of 100 till 4am when they returned to bivouac. Very little shelling here.
Remained in bivouac all day. Water very difficult to attain. Can only be drawn at night as our wells are shelled by day. Some fatigues at night.
Draft of 18 wounded men under 2nd Lt MacCarthy-O’Leary reported at the Bde HQ.
Very quiet day, no shelling at all. Still working on the communication trench. Nothing to report.
Same sort of day with usual fatigues.
Very quiet all day.
Nothing to report. A COs conference at 5pm. We relieve the Dublin Fusiliers tomorrow.
Coy Commanders went over trenches during the morning.
7.45pm: The Bn moved up and took over firing line. Completed by 11.30pm.
Btn stood to arms till 5.30 am. Nothing to report. During the day the Btn has settled down into trenches taken over last night. The whole Btn is in the firing line but a new line is being made in front. The enemy is an average of 200 yards away. The field of fire is good across comm fields.
The Btn stood to arms until 5.15 am. Working parties were out all night strengthening a block house held by us. Night patrols went out and reported enemy putting out barbed wire entanglements. Very quiet all day.
Very quiet all last night. Working parties busy on new firing line and block house. Received information that Turkish trenches appear to be strongly held as if enemy were massing for an attack. Nothing unusual however happened.
Very quiet day and night. Nothing to report as far as enemy concerned. Work continued as usual on block house and new firing line, which is nearly completed as a fire trench. No shelling at all from the enemy since we have occupied these trenches.
During the night of the 4th and 5th, a small bombing party of Turks approached our block house and threw some bombs. These however were all short and did no damage and the party was easily dispersed by a few volleys. In the afternoon some gorse was burnt about 150 yards in front of our lines. Some snipers who had been worrying us were seen to run out and all but one were picked off by our men before they got back into the cover of their own trenches.
Very quiet as usual. Patrols out front found watch dogs apparently kept by the Turks to give warning of an attack of bomb throwers. Gen De Lisle was round the trenches all the morning. Five officers reported their arrival at midday.
Draft of 110 men reported their arrival at 10pm.Very quiet night and day. New fire trench now completed and held. Old firing line now used as a support line.
Officers of the 88th Bde were up in the lines the whole morning taking over the trenches. They relieve us tonight. Very quiet day. Hampshire Regiment taking over from us. Supposed to arrive up at 8.15pm but did not appear until 11pm. Coy filed out as they were relieved and made their way to the beach where the Btn was to embark for Imbros. Only one coy of 120 men and the Regimental Stores were in time to catch the boat. The remainder had to camp down on hillside, till daybreak.
Btn drew rations and water and were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to embark. Embarkation of men continued in stages throughout the day.
Bde spent the morning tidying up the lines and preparing for an inspection by the GOC in Chief. General Sir Ian Hamilton inspected. Remainder of day spent in camp on fatigues.
Church parade in the morning.
Gen De Lisle inspected the camp. Orders received camp to be moved at once.
Dublin Fusiliers and Royal Irish marched over to new camp which is one mile inland and away from sand and sheltered among hills. Bde received pay.
Bn baggage went off at 10am. Bn followed half an hour later. Pitched new camp. All settled down by midday.
Parades under coy arrangements from 6.30am to 8am. A taube appeared and dropped bombs on GHQ. Machine guns ready as the taube reappeared at 9.30am.
Bn out on Cos parade. Practices on assault on enemy trenches with officers watches synchronised to test accuracy of orders.
Bn parades all under COs.
Received orders that the Bn would embark tomorrow for the peninsula.
Bn luggage was all packed up ready to move at 9.30am but owing to gale blowing no troops were able to embark today. Transport was cancelled and Bn stood fast awaiting orders. Enemy’s aircraft dropped two bombs at 8am.
Bn baggage began to go down to the beach at 10am. Bn paraded at 12.30am and marched down to K Beach arriving 1.30pm. Bn told to wait as transport not ready. Arrived Sulva 9pm. Marched to nullah and bivouacked for the night.
General de Lisle came round. Coy commanders went to see trenches we take over from 87th Bde tonight. 7.30pm Bde paraded and proceeded to trenches.
General de Lisle came round our lines. Very quiet day and night. Some artillery firing by the enemy in the evening but none directed at our trenches.
Very quiet all day. A good deal of sniping at night. We sent out patrols who made some sangans out in front.
1 Coy London Regt were attached for instructions to Bn Capt Russell’s company. Built 5 sangans out front of our own firing line.
One enemy aircraft went over at 6am. There was a lot of artillery firing all day. During the night advanced posts in front were completed and occupied.
Very quiet all day. At 8pm heavy firing, both artillery and rifle broke out and continued for two hours. It gradually spread along the line to the left but there was no firing opposite our trenches. The gorse caught fire in many places.
Work continued on posts in front of our line. There are 9 now built and 5 have been joined up.
Very quiet day. Bn was on fatigues filling sand bags all day for putting out at night. Received orders that the Bn would be moving shortly.
Coy commanders under the CO went over to the 40th Bde near Sulajik and saw the trenches the Bde is to occupy.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. Nothing to report.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30 am. Reconnaissance made a ditch at a bearing of 45 degrees from sap 2. General de Lisle visited the lines and discussed matters. Enemy quiet this night.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. Work continues throughout 24 hours on sap 2. Quite heavily shelled through the day. Sgt Bulgar claimed his first sniper with his new telescopic sights.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. Heavy firing from all arms in the vicinity of Chocolate Hill. Work continues on barricading sap 2. Our patrols in contact with the Turks.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. Nothing to report. A fine day and work continues.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. Listening post in front of sap 1 completed. Patrol of W Coy bombed Turks trenches and caused panic. Turks fired a few trench mortar bombs without doing any damage.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. Nothing to report. Bn working on drainage schemes. Barricades completed. Intentional bombing by Turkish trench mortars in a larger degree than yesterday. No damage done. Quiet night.
Bn stood to arms until 5.30am. Sgt Bulgar reports bagging one sniper. Nothing to report. Bn working on drainage slits through day and night.
Bn stood to arms until 5.30am. Turks sent a gas bomb. Felt the effects – a stinging of the eyes – like ammonia – no harm done.
Btn stood to arms until 5.30am. At 6.30am Bulgar claimed a sniper. Bn working parties continuing on drainage, sapping etc. Fairly quiet day.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. Bn working parties all day. Quiet on our front.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30am. General de Lisle in the lines and discussed question of ditch from sap 2 to Dublin Castle. Experimented successfully with parachute rocket.
Bn stood to arms till 5.30 am. Bulgar claims a victim with his telescopic rifle. Reconnaissance on ditch up to Dublin Castle. Sniper post occupied.
Nothing to report. Very cold day. Bn fatigues on drainage schemefor main drain.
Two rounds from Asiatic side, one exploding in dug out of OC, KOSB and killing Major Stoney. Walls of drainage trench to be heightened to lessen chance of enfilade from Asiatic side. Cold wind.
Officers (two daily) to trenches of Border Regt for instructional purposes. Fatigues as usual.
Major RC Pierece commanding granted temporary rank of Lieut Colonel.
Guard of 1 officer and 32 men to W Beach as guard for 8th Corps command. Farewell address by General Sir Ian Hamilton handing over command to General CC Munro. Fatigues as usual. Rifles inspected.
Routine fatigues as usual.
Routine fatigues as usual. Working parties on Border Regt lines to dig communication trench.
Routine fatigues as usual. Working parties on Border Regt lines to dig communication trench.
Routine fatigues as usual. Working parties on Border Regt lines to dig communication trench. Rain all day. The trenches in bad state of mud.
Batt stood to arms till 6am. A number of shells fell at the end of our lines near Roy Fus dressing station. There was no damage and no casualties.
Batt stood to arms till 6am. Capt Keogh Cullen rejoined. Batt engaged on 40 Bde ditch. Some shells fell fairly close but no damage.
Batt stood to arms till 6am. Batt engaged on 40 Bde ditch in making machine gun emplacements and fire positions.
Batt stood to arms to 6am. Batt engaged on 40 Bde ditch and in preparing dug out in trenches. Took over some more trenches between our right and left of Lancs Fus. Capt Moran rejoined after being away sick bring 100 WOs and NCOs and men including the Regt Sergeant Major, 16 draft and the remainder sick or wounded men returning. 47 were old soldiers who landed on April 25th.
X Company moved to new trenches and Capt Moran took command. Draft split up among various companies. New RC Priest joined, Rev Fr McMerrimen.
Very heavy artillery fire on the trenches on right of 29 Div. Batt ceased work and stood to arms for 20 minutes when the firing ceased.
About 25 shells and HEs fell near our lines and the firing line. No damage done to our lines and no casualties. 7pm: Water cart arrived and was placed at well 61 for chlorinating water. Introduced system of sterilised sand for cleaning knives, forks and mess tins. Forward observing officer for B Battery came to live at Batt HQ.
Batt engaged on C communication trench and 40 Bde ditch. Very quiet day with nothing to report.
Large trench mortar fell near well 61. Very large explosion but no damage done. A number of HE shells fell in vicinity of our lines, but the great majority failed to explode.
Batt engaged in C Communication trench and 40 Bde ditch. A very quiet day and nothing to report.
Batt in bivouacs at RE Dump. Party sent up to trenches to old Batt HQ. Found and buried Lt Glen and 7 ORs. Weather fine but freezing.
Search parties sent out to old trenches. 4 bodies found and buried.
Search party in old trenches found rifles, ammunition and equipment. 25 ORs report for duty.
Batt HQ moved to RE Dump. Parties out clearing old trenches all night.
Capt Tomlinson and 97 ORs report for duty.
Batt moved to reserve nullah. Lt Brown and 26 ORs rejoined.
Arrived Alexandria.
Various parties out working on 2nd line trenches.
Working on 2nd line trenches. Hill 10 heavy shelling.
1 Batt paraded. Strength – Off 10, ORs 164. Marched to West Beach and embarked at 11pm on HMS Hazel.
HMS Hazel sailed from Sulva. Arrived in harbour and anchored. Sailed from Lemnos toward Gallipoli. Very rough. 11pm – arrived at V beach and disembarked through River Clyde. Marched to dug outs near Olive Grove.
Olive Grove shelled – several casualties.
Batts stores and baggage arrive at V Beach.
Batt moved to new lines at X beach and took over dug outs from R Marine.
18 NCOs and men reported for duty from Mudros.
Bgde Gen Williams took command of 86Bde.
Batt moved to dug outs on terraces under cliffs at X Beach.
Capt Munro reported for duty.
Working parties returning along the mule track were shelled.
1 officer and 54 ORs proceeded to W Beach to be evacuated.
W X and Z Coys under Captain Tomlinson moved to W Beach to provide working parties for evacuating stores.
00.30 – Batt HQ, 6 Officers and 35 ORs marched to V Beach and embarked via the River Clyde on lighters by 04.30. At 06.00 disembarked and returned to dugouts above W Beach.
At 18.15 Batt HQ proceeded to V Beach and embarked via the River Clyde on trawler Princess Alberta.
Princess Alberta sailed from Helles. 09.00 Mudros Harbour. 12.00 all troops transferred to HT Caledonia.
HT Caledonia sails from Mudros.