The Gallipoli peninsula is located in the south of Turkey. In 1915, the allied commanders decided to try to attack Germany by attacking her ally, Turkey. Allied soldiers, mainly from Australia and New Zealand, were sent to the Peninsula while British ships tried to force a way through the Dardanelles. The entire mission was a failure. The allies lost more than 50,000 men but gained hardly any land http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/gf.htm
Irish Battalions - Helles Landings Gallipoli April 1915 So much has been written about the landings from the SS River Clyde on April 25, 1915, that I wouldn't be able to do it justice ... suffice to say that after the landings, there were so few of the Dublin Fusiliers and Munster Fusiliers left that they were amalgamated into one unit "The Dubsters". Only one Dubliner officer survived the landing - overall of the 1012 Dubliners who landed, only 11 would survive the entire Gallipoli campaign unscathed. The River Clyde was used as a Trojan horse for the landing at Cape Helles during the Battle of Gallipoli. The ship, carrying 2,000 soldiers, mainly from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, 29th Division, was beached beneath the Sedd el Bahr castle at V Beach, Cape Helles, on the tip of the Gallipoli peninsula - soldiers disembarked onto pontoons down a gangway. Small barges with a capacity of about 40 were also used. However, as the men emerged, they were met by a hail of bullets .... only 21 of the first 200 soldiers made it to the shore - the plan failed and the River Clyde, lying under the guns of the Turkish defenders, became a death trap. http://www.greatwar.ie/mb-hel.html
The War In Dardanelles in 1915 We tend to forget that that the Turks lost a lot of soldiers also .... soldiers who like the Australians and British were fighting for their country too ! There is a Memorial commemorating the loss of thousands of soldiers in Gallipoli. "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well." Mustafa Kemal http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=swfA5rySqo4 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_CvVUqB7ijU&feature=related
Hi Annie, My granduncle Pte Edmund Kiley was killed at Popes Post, Gallipoli on the 7 Aug 1915. He was a member of 'A' squad 1st Australian light Horse Regiment. John
RIP Pte Edmund Kiley I know you've seen this site John ... but I have to say I find this picture very poignant don't you ?? http://www.lighthorse.org.au/military/austwar.htm Graves of two men who were among the last of the 1st Light Horse Regiment killed in the Middle East campaign. Even in death the regiment regarded the soldier and his horse as a team.
Heres a list of all the British Regiments in Gallipoli - I was going to type them out and then found this ! http://www.gallipoli-association.org/contentpage.asp?pageid=5 Some of my Lancashire lads in there ......... and also a very special Priest ... Father Frederick Furlong who came home a different man ! Medal card of Furlong, Rev F Royal Army Medical Corps Attached 42nd Division 4th General Hospital Reverend Chaplain to the Forces Chaplain Date 1914-1920 http://www.rootschat.com/links/02e4/ He was commissioned 5th December 1914 as Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class - according to the 1916 Army List.
Hi John ... theres some pictures here of the Light Horse Regiment ... I'm trying to figure out if they are the 1st or the 3rd ?? http://www.grantsmilitaria.com/militariaphotos/militaria_images.asp?key=41 Annie PS click on next !!
I am seeking info on my Great Grandfather, James Regan from Ireland, who was killed with the 7th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers 09/08/1915 on Turkish soil. Appreciate any help. thanks Paul
Liverpool Annie said: "We tend to forget that that the Turks lost a lot of soldiers also .... soldiers who like the Australians and British were fighting for their country too !" I know this is an old-ish thread, but this statement struck me very forcibly. I'm used to travelling on local buses and trains in very rural areas, and I'm used to people being fascinated by me being English - after a few repeats of "Manchester United", and then "David Beckham", we just sort of grin and laugh at one another, and international harmony prevails. However, I was travelling about Turkey, with two Australian girls, during the run-up to the First Gulf War, and my English-ness was completely ignored in favour of their Australian-ness, it was amazing (and it wasn't even sexual - it was *me* that was roughed up, twice). Anyway, the Turks who followed them about, and offered us hospitality, specifically mentioned Gallipoli, and were very firm that the Australians fought really hard, but the Turks beat them anyway. It was amazing - it seems to be very strongly identified with the struggle for Turkish independence, as well as a traumatic memory for the Australians. We're certainly not the only nation proud of our military history.
came across these in old set of books i bought in jumble 6 vols but only go up to end 1916. i thought odd.this is the first book publishing date that i could find 1916,
The first link is giving a 404 error now, the page must have moved and can now be found here : http://www.gallipoli-association.org/content/men-of-gallipoli/regiments-at-gallipoli
