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Attached to 7th Battalion and spent one of the most trying times of my life.
Turks started shelling position and we took refuge under a gun (a stupid thing to do). Got buried twice through falling earth caused by shells. Two shells came under the gun and failed to explode (a lucky escape) and another killed the man on duty with me. An Indian near me went out and repaired a telephone wire under a perfect hail of shrapnel. He must have had a charmed life and well deserved the V.C. I got off with a few scratches from flying splinters. J. A. Graham
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They dropped pamphlets from aeroplanes. A pamphlet dropped on 25th May read thus: - “To the Australians – greetings. We know you do not hate us. Greedy England has forced you to serve in her armies and now she has left you to our mercy. Her fleet has gone away never to return. So surrender boys and we’ll give you a good time in Constantinople.” This was when the Triumph and Majestic were sunk. (Entry backdated from 21 July 1915). J. A. Graham  The last moments of British battleship HMS Majestic, torpedoed by the U-21 off Cape Helles, Dardanelles, on 27 May 1915. Photo from The War Illustrated, 26 June 1915. Caption reads: “The last moments of H.M.S. Majestic, showing the huge battleship three minutes after she had been torpedoed by a German submarine, about to turn completely over and sink. The Majestic was torpedoed off the Gallipoli Peninsula early in the morning of May 27th. In this impressive photograph the doomed vessel is seen, after receiving her death-blow, with her torpedo-nets out, and her crew scrambling down her hull. Small craft are rushing to the rescue, and near her are larger vessels, powerless to help. On the British ship from which this photograph was taken, men are watching the tragic spectacle.” (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_Majestic_sinking_27_May_1915.jpg) Queens Birthday Armistice to bury the dead (mostly Turks). A good opportunity for a look around. Had a talk to a few Turks and exchanged fags and souvenirs. Hostilities re-commenced at 1700. J. A. Graham
Arriving at Anzac Cove (20. 5. 15) (Gallipoli). Anzac is the initial letters of Aust N Zealand Army Corps. Just as we landed and were getting some tea, the Turks delivered a furious attack in which the famous Ottoman Guard took a prominent part of us it seemed as if Hell suddenly broke loose and we were rushed off into the trenches. The noise of the rifle and gunfire together with the singing and whistling bullets and the bursting of shrapnel and high explosives were deafening but it was an awe inspiring sight. The night was as bright as day caused by the flashes of bursting shells, rockets and searchlights. The attack lasted all night and failed. The enemy lost thousands of men. That was our Baptism of Fire. J. A. Graham
On board the Lutzow bound for Gallipoli the QM’s had a large quantity of tobacco in 1/4 lb tins believed to have been “issue” tobacco. In fact it must have been, as the 6th and 7th got it as an issue, but we had to buy it at 2/- per tin. J. A. Graham Left Cairo for the Dardenellos and arrived at Alexandria same day and embarking on HMT Lutzow (a German). J. A. Graham  Photograph of ANZAC troops aboard the captured transport ship SS LUTZOW, near Seddul Bahr. No 3272. From a collection of official photographs of the Dardanelles Expedition, 1915. Sourced from: http://www.kingscollections.org/servingsoldier/collection/gallipoli-examined#Gallery[gallery1]/41/ With regard to the fighting, there were some awful blunders made. The 9th Battalion patrol reported the discovery of a deserted enemy trench, so Lieut Jack Hanly (one of the very best) and 13 men were told off to go out and if the above trench was not occupied, they were to go on until they found the Turks. Just fancy, sending 14 men out against the enemy’s first line trenches. It was murder pure and simple. Lt Hanly said he would never return and neither he did. They found the Turks in the supposed deserted trench and it’s a wonder any got back alive. J. A. Graham  AT SEA. 1914-12-10. GROUP PORTRAIT OF OFFICERS OF THE 5TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT (5ALH) ABOARD SS PERSIC EN ROUTE TO EGYPT. LEFT TO RIGHT: BACK ROWS: CAPTAIN (CAPT) EDWARD STEWART JAMES, CAPT HENRY KING IRVING, CHAPLAIN FRANCIS DE MOAG TUBMANN, CAPT RICHARD STEWART BILLINGTON, CAPT JOSEPH ESPIE DODS, MAJOR (MAJ) WILLIAM CHATHAM, CAPT THOMAS JOSEPH BRUNDRIT (KIA ANZAC 1915-10), LIEUTENANT COLONEL (LT COL) DONALD CHARLES CAMERON, MAJ WILLIAM LECKEY FERGUSON WRIGHT, CAPT GEORGE PETER DONOVAN, LIEUTENANT (LT) THOMAS BESWICK FARGHER, CAPT HERBERT FRANCIS MCLAUGHLIN, CAPT AUGUSTUS MAXWELL RYAN, LT JOHN MATTHEW HANLY (KIA ANZAC 1915-06), CAPT MALCOLM STUART KENNEDY; SECOND ROW: CAPT PAUL DEGGE ROBINSON, LT COL LACHLAN CHISHOLM WILSON, LT COL HUBERT JENNINGS IMRIE HARRIS, MAJ EDMUND EDWARD RIGHETTI, CAPT EUSTACE ROYSTON BAUM PIKE; FRONT ROW: CAPT JOHN GEORGE DONALD MCNEILL, MAJ ROBERT HAROLD NIMMO. (ORIGINAL PRINT IN AWM ARCHIVE STORE) (DONOR JOHN OXLEY LIBRARY) Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P01541.001/ FOOTNOTE:
On 10 December 2013, Lt John Matthew Hanly was honoured when his story was read out as part of the Last Post Ceremony, which is presented in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Troy Clayton, the story for 10 December 2013 was of Lieutenant John Matthew Hanly, 5th Light Horse Regiment, First World War. The Address is read by Commander Joseph Kempton. Click below to read the transcript or view the movie. Became acquainted with an Egyptian named Solomon Bey (a well to do fellow and a great linguist) and later fast friends. Had dinner at his house (a fine structure) several times and met his daughter Senedi. The most beautiful girl I ever saw. Its impossible to describe her beauty. Her eyes were simply wonderful (big brown ones with long sweeping lashes) perfectly shaped ears, nose and mouth and a beautiful skin (blonde). She speaks good English and I spent many happy days with her. She wears the national costume with the white veil. J.A.Graham |
AuthorJack Graham, ANZAC soldier, kept a diary from 1914-1918. Here it is, blogged 100 years later to the day.... Archives
February 1958
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