Medal & Mortality index
THE LANDING AT GALLIPOLI
To go back a moment, as we were rowing ashore we saw the Lancashires also rowing
under a tremendous fire, one or two boats adrift with nearly all in them killed
or wounded, so I knew that there would not be many of them ashore. At about 7 or
8 a.m. I got signal communication with brigade west of Tekke through H.M.S.
London, and learned that I was in command of brigade (General Hare being
wounded). I could, of course, not get there at present. I also got signal
communication with the King's Own Scottish Borderers from " Y " beach to say
that they and Anson Battalion had landed, but could not join up (they were about
three miles north of us). I also learned by signal later on that the landing on
" V " beach was hung up for the present.
To return, it was more than ever important to capture Tekke now, so we pushed on
and eventually reached the hill, which was strongly entrenched, with some mined
trenches in front of it. The hill was taken about noon under view of the
Implacable, whose crew cheered us on. I was wounded here, but managed to carry
on for a bit and eventually, with the help of Crowther, my servant, managed to
get into a sort of gully with some more wounded, where we were more or less
under cover. Shafto then came to me about 3 p.m. and told me that our centre,
which was necessarily very weak, was falling back. I sent a telephone message to
our beach, where the 87th Brigade were now landing, and some time later we got
reinforcements from the Border Regiment. In the meantime our party were very
nearly cut off and captured ; it was a most unpleasant time. The men made a
splendid stand, and we were reinforced about 4 p.m. I was then obliged to get to
the dressing station. I had had my foot " first-aided," and with Crowther 's
help managed to get to the station, the most unpleasant journey I ever had.
COUNTERATTACK ON MAY 1st—2nd (Gallipoli)
The effect of this onslaught on the already weak Munsters might have been
foreseen. The heavy weight of living bayonets, bursting out of the darkness into
their trenches and up the nullah, overwhelmed the defence. Some of the Turks
penetrated to the reserve trench held by the 1/5 Scots.* But the position was
critical, and the Royal Fusiliers, who were in brigade reserve, were again
called upon. Captain North-Bomford and Lieutenant Jebens took up Z Company. The
line at this moment was pierced. The Turks were massed in the nullah. The
Fusiliers at once charged into it, and though North-Bomford was wounded, the
breach in the line was healed. The nullah was soon choked with dead and dying.
Forty prisoners were sent back, and when Y Company came up the line was restored
on both sides of the nullah. The trenches were held all night (May 2nd), despite
incessant attacks, in which the Turks on more than one occasion fought their way
up to the trench parapets. Lieutenant Anstice.f who had distinguished himself
for his coolness and gallantry in carrying ammunition to the front line, was
killed. Jebens was wounded, and Captain Moore was again hit, and had to hand
over the command to Captain H. M. Hope-Johnstone. It was immediately after
discussing the position with his new CO. that Shafto, one of the most popular of
officers, was shot dead while examining the front line in the early morning. The
battalion had again lost very heavily, but their intervention at a critical
juncture had " saved the situation. "J
" All through the operations the Royal Fusiliers worked with the smoothest
precision ; never for a moment did they lose their high standard of efficiency.
No task was relinquished while it was humanly possible to complete it. With such
men as Moore, Shafto, and Hope-Johnstone in control, all officers inspiring
confidence, and the disciplined conduct of the men showing their friendly trust
in them, there was never a fear that the reserve might fail in stemming the
assault. Captain Moore, in telephonic communication throughout the night with
the firing line and brigade headquarters, gave accurate and constant information
of the progress of the fight, and acted on his own initiative or carried out
orders rapidly to deal with every situation." *
* General Hamilton's despatch attributes to this regiment the saving of the
situation, and does not mention the Royal Fusiliers.
t He was recommended for the Victoria Cross.
I From a letter of the Brigade Major, May 22nd, 1915.
Shafto, Thomas Duncombe, Capt., killed in action, 2/5/15.