Diary and photograph of John Adams, 1914-1916, Part 13 of 16

November
Everyone ordered to always carry a respirator, as gas
from the enemy is expected at any time.
12th
Showers of rain made the trenches very muddy &
fall in. During the afternoon live battleships & several
of our howitzers at Suvla Bay shelled the Turks positions
beyond Anafarta
13th
Very cold dull & wet day. We have prepared to move
further to the left to take over the 9th Bn positions
14th
10 a.m our Bn moved a few yards to the left
& took over 9th Bn positions. The 9th 10th 11th & 12th
Bns are going to Lemnos Island for a rest. Their
firing line seems to be mostly underground, with
observers possie's opened up. Fatigues morning
till night & digging trenches by night. Bn reserve
Coy. 15th
Several fatigue parties on during morning
2 till 5 p.m The navy & artillery at Cape Helles gave
Achi Baba the severest & most terrible shelling we
have seen or heard. Drenched with rain during
the night. It's very rough
16th
Cpl Peisley & self worked all day improving
our dugout for the winter months. We heard, the
troops at Cape Helles had advanced & captured
Hill 70 from the Turks, which had been prepared 

November
for winter quarters.
17th
After b'fast Cpl Peisley & Self between our other
duties carried on the improvement of our possie & before
night had it finished. It's blowing a gale. All our piers
are washed away, No hope of stores being landed for a
few days. 18th.
The wind abated this morning. With 20
men I was detailed to fetch wood from the A.S.C. at Brighton
Beach for our cook house. It took us all night to make
3 trips. I did some washing in the sea it was freezing
cold. 5p.m a Taube put in an appearance, our artillery
drove it off.
19th
Early, a Taube flew over our lines, 10 a.m our Ptn
took over firing line from No 3 Ptn. The underground possies are
very comfortable in front line. I made several direction boards
for the Coy during the day. From 17th of Nov, made Cpl. 
A very cold day.
20th
From mid-day till 1 p.m. one of our battleships poured
in several broadsides in the direction of Mados, one of our
planes directed fire. During the night, much rifle fire
& bombing could be heard from direction of Quinns
Post. One of our 8th reinforcements fell off firestep & ran
his bayonet through his arm.
21st
10 a.m relieved from firing line by No 2 Ptn & 

went into reserves, we had to dig new possies, it took us
most of night. It had rained all day.
22nd
Peisley, D. Oheeney & Self had a good feed of Chippady
for tea. We had scored some extra flour & fat. Very cold day
23rd
Our Coy made into 2 Ptns. 10 a.m. our Ptn took
over firing line. Heavy firing at Achi Baba & away to
our left during the night.
24th.
We were instructed that the firing line was
to be fully manned to-night. The trench was full of men.
Our orders, no shooting & strict silence to be
maintained.
25th
10 a.m our platoon left firing line & went into
supports, strict silence observed & not a shot fired all-day
At night our Ptn took over several posts in firing line
to keep it fully manned. 10 p.m orders to wear
respirators & gas helmets. everyone seems excited
but no gas came over. If we see a Turk we cannot shoot
26th
The Turks seem mystified by our silence since
the night of the 24th. Even our Artillery has not
fired a shot since. Immediately in front 4
Turks got out of their trench & built up their
parapet & cleaned the earth away from their loopholes
nothing was done. During the night Turk patrols 

November
threw bombs. we were not allowed to retaliate.
Apparently this ruse is to get Jackko to attack.
A party of Turks attacked the Light Horse with bombs,
The L.H. retaliated killing 16 Turks
27th
We went into firing line at 10 am. & could see
the dead Turks lying in No-mans-land, on our right
11 p.m. commenced snowing. strong wind blowing.
very cold. Mid-night ruse finished, we all had a
few rounds at Jackko.
28th
Snowing ceased about midday, snow about 6 inches
deep. Afternoon it began to freeze. Everyone
issued with Cardigans. 8 pairs of Rubber Thigh
Boots & 8 Waterproof Capes issued to each Coy.
to be handed over to each front line relief. By
special order a rum issue at 10. p.m. L/c Duffy
left a fat light burning near my feet, whilst I was
asleep It caught alight to one of the new issue
Waterproof Capes & burnt my boots, this woke me
To prevent the smoke giving us away we blanketed
the entrance of our dugout.
29th
10 a.m relieved from firing line. 9.30 a.m Turks sent
over a few Howitzer Shells, our artillery retaliated, both sides
continuing till 11 a.m. Freezing hard, Afternoon
we heard the Turks had heavily shelled Lone Pine
causing numerous casualties. we heard this bombardment 

yesterday, a few shells landing on our left
30th
I'm very sick with D. The Turks were expected to
attack after the bombardment. 5 a.m. had to go to the
beach for a bath & wash my clothes. It was freezing hard,
Whilst in the water near Gaba Tepe, the Turks opened fire on
me with M.G. I had a rough spin for 10 minutes trying
to reach my clothes on the beach. Some Field Ambulance
boys close by gave me a cheer as I got out of the water.
not aware of this unusual occurance. Afternoon I
went up to Lone Pine to see the damage done by the
Turks bombardment. The trenches & a Tunnell was
badly knocked about. The boys were busy digging out
the dead. They looked shaky & very fatigued.
On half rations to-day & quarter water ration. 10 p.m.
Rum issue. Starting from the 29th this issue has to continue
1st December
½ dry ration & ¼ water.  10 a.m relieved from firing
line. Afternoon we heard the Tommies in Messopatamia
had advanced along a front of two miles, to a depth of
300 yds, inflicting heavy losses on the Turks. Rumours
that the Tommies had 2,000 casualties
2nd
½ dry & ¼ water rations. Frost not so severe. Previous
2 days bitter cold. nearly every morning we hear of a few Turks
coming into our lines, saying they are badly clothed & fed.
By the looks of a few that I saw. I am inclined to disbelieve
them. Towards evening the Turks dropped a few howitzer shells 

December
on our right killing & wounding several.
3rd
½ dry & ¼ water rations. 10 am relived from firing line
Capt Herrod gave me permission to gather as many water
bottles as 3 men could carry to go in search of water, we were
famishing for water. Having found enough water to fill
half the bottles we returned at 2 p.m. During the afternoon
we received a full issue of water. Very dull day. Rum 10p.m
4th
Very dull. 2 p.m terrific bombardment commenced
on the Agean Side of Achi Baba. 2 Cruisers & several
Monitors took part. Achi Baba was made obscure by
smoke & earth. firing ceased at 4 p.m. Expect to
hear of an attack at Cape Helles. ½ issue dry rations. Rum 10 p.m.
5th
10a.m took over firing line, ½ rations. It is not so cold.
6th
Dull & misty. Very little artillery fire from either side. ½ rations
Rum 9p.m  7th
10 a.m relieved from firing line. 2 till
2.45 p.m a cruiser lying off Gaba Tepe, 2 monitors, our
howitzers & field guns, gave the Olive Grove a terrible
shelling. Lice very troublesome. Rum issue cease, till colder.
8th
Not very cold, 2 cruisers & 2 large battleships at
Suvla Bay, shelled the Turks on the extreme left. Capt Herrod
sick left for Alexandria. All day heavy bombardment at
Cape Helles 

9th
With Lt Lecky in charge we took over the firing
line, he is a good Officer too. Heavy shelling at Cape Helles.
not cold to-day. Very quiet. An issue of hot OXO to
each relief at 10. 11. & midnight, as they came off duty.
½ rations. 10th
The battleship Bucchante, 2 third class cruisers
& 2 large monitors, heavily shelled the Olive Grove from
10.30 am till 12.45 p.m. It could not be seen for smoke
& flying earth. ¾ rations to-day, OXO issues 10. 11 &
midnight reliefs. Night & day heavy shelling at Cape Helles
11th
10 a.m relieved from firing line, went into supports
The 5th 6th Bns & 7th Light Horse, also a battery of artillery
left Anzac, under sealed orders. General opinion is
that they are going to make another landing on the
Olive Grove. Cape Helles bombardment continues.
9 p.m One of my section killed by sniper
12th
Last night the 7th Brigade & large number of other
troops embarked. 12.30 a.m till 3 a.m heavy
bombardment at Cape Helles, expect to hear of an attack.
13th
10 a.m took over firing line. Heavy shelling all day,
on the Dardanelles side of Peninsula. I am very suspicious
of us leaving the Peninsula. By the number of troops leaving
& no news of a fresh landing.
14th 

December
14th
6 of our areoplanes reconnoitered the Olive Grove
during the afternoon. & one cruiser shelled the position.
Tons of stores have been shifted & tons remain for everyone
to help themselves, everyone living in luxury, with more
than we could eat in 3 months. Everything points to us
leaving.  
15th
10 am relieved from firing line, & handed in
one of our blankets to be packed in bundles of ten. During
the day all the roads & several of our trenches were
mined. 5 a.m Sgt Peisley, Cpl Neal Duffy & Self
reported to Bn Hqs for instructions. Each were given a
pair of Gum Thigh Boots to wear. 5 p.m all
ranks had to muffle their boots with sand bags.
absolute quietness to be maintained, in every part of our
lines. All rum on the beach destroyed.
16th
5 a.m. 4 N.C.O.s from each Coy assembled at a
rendezvous, then marched with full marching order to
a spot near Anzac beach. we were timed, it took ½ hour
During the day all waterproofs & blankets not in use were
burnt, also any other spare gear that were of use to the enemy
Several horses & mules were shot. Afternoon 4 of our planes
drove a Taube towards Embros, looked as though it was
forced down. All boots are muffled with sandbags.
Midnight a few Turks opened fire on our right for 1 minute
17th
5 a.m Sgt Mjr Bowling, Self & 10 men fully equipped 

marched to the beach, to get the party used to the track to
Anzac Cove. 10 a.m took over firing line. During the
morning spare bombs & rifle ammunition removed from
firing line. Detailed as one of the last party to leave, when
we retire. 18th
Turks very quiet. Jam & Machonachi rations
by the ton, for everyone at Brigade Stores. Most of us are
sick, owing to being on short rations, so long. 5 p.m our
last blanket & waterproof sheet collected. 5.30p.m The
Turks put in a few heavy howitzer shells along our sector
Things point to us leaving to-night. 8 p.m 28 of our Coy
under Lt Downing (a good level headed fellow) & Sgt
Peisley left the firing line to embark
19th
During the morning the Turks put over a few shells along
Lone Pine sector. There were little consideration shown for those
remaining, by the boys that left last night. Boots, Sandbags
Equipments & Packs were strewn along the track, we had
to remove them for fear of enemy planes spotting our move
9.30 a.m detailed to leave firing line & take over 20 men in
the support line, composing 8 B Class & 12 C Class men
During the day men were detailed to walk along tracks
that came under the Turks observation, the same men
walked to & fro smoking cigarettes, some carried empty
boxes & dumped them out of sight. Mules were equipped
carrying empty boxes etc. Orders were read to observe
strict discipline during the evacuation, disobedience
would be severely dealt with. Our areoplanes up all-day

December
I am now detailed for Lt Youdens party. 2 p.m intense
bombardment on the Gurkas Bluff at Achi Baba.
Cruisers Monitors & artillery took part. Afternoon we
got access to a Light Horse Dump. To our surprise we
found Butter, Strawberry jam & other delicasies
things we never saw before on the Peninsula. We had the
feed of our life & most of us became sick after such
luxuries. Later the dump was burnt. It was awful
to see these stores being destroyed & us being on ½ rations
for so long. Most of us have packed our Kit with delicacies
as we leave to-night, unless Johnny hops over, then it
would be abandoned. When leaving, each to carry 3 bombs
200 rds S.A.A.  5 p.m B Class men filed into firing
line & relieved A Class men. A Class men then filed out
of firing line & marched to the beach. B Class
men relieved by C Class men at 9.30 p.m. Lt Youden
in charge of B Class men, numbering eight, I was with
this party, we filed down to the beach & boarded a
lighter, then towed out to sea & embarked on the
Elkahwa. On board I found one of the party, F
Horsefall had dropped his extra pack, along Brighton
Beach it belonged to Hamilton. Everyone of B party
was carry a C Class mans pack so they could get away
quickly in the event of an attack. I managed to
get aboard a lighter, that was going ashore, it landed
me at Anzac Cove. To Brighton Beach I went in search of
the pack & fortunately found it where I imagined I saw
something drop. By a stroke of luck I got back aboard