Diary of Geoffrey Gordon McCrae, 1915 (Vol. 1) - Part 2

Tuesday 13.4.1915.  MUDROS

Went on board the Galeka to fix up an arrangement

for this morning with the Brass hats to go up to and Have a

look at the results of Operations ^of ? in the Queen Elizabeth.

Wednesday 14.4.1915. 

Went ashore with A.M.C people -

Captain Quick, Ross and myself

walked five miles out to the highest

peak on this side of the Island and

from whence a view of the Blue

Argean may be had.  A long walk through the

corn-fields ^which were red  with poppies. We

passed clumps of forget-me-nots and

occasional patches of _____  The View from the summit of

the peak was exquisite; the country being

laid out like a map. the Harbour held

several odd battle-ships Each looked like

a blue or grey water-fowl in x x x ible

the x x x x the battle-ships x x x ce

also the islands beyond and Mount_______

Thursday 15^th4.1915

Made few arrangements for the stowage of

vehicles between decks. Took a boat & went

alongside of Benares to get ammunition for the 

detailed Beach-parties.

Friday. 16.4.1915.

Stayed on board all morning with men of the 4^th

Naval Branch. Came to the Flag-Ship

Majestic  where a conference of the

leading Transport Officers was held and

we had alln excellent dinner and came

away having duly "conferrated", at 9.30 p.m.

Was told by a Major of Artillery of a

Transport having been stopped by _^a Turkish

Torpedo-boat and given 10 minutes

to quit the ship. The time having

expired she fired 3 torpedos all of which

fortunately missed. In the hurry of getting away

a cutter capsizing, some of the men were

drowned. At last help produced by a British

Torpedo boat which gave chase to

the Turk who fled with his boat and Beached her.

Saturday 17.4.1915

x x x x day. Went over to x x x x x

dinner.

Sunday 18.4.1915. Church Parade 11 a.m.

held on board at 10 a.m. Skipper. Chief

Engineer x x x x x x Ross and I sailed

about visiting aeroplane-bases 

also boarding Ships, en route. Walked through

two villages, took several photos and gathered

Wild flowers for tables. Ross? greatly

interested_^in the Aeroplane-flight_

+ Monday 19.4.1915.

Beautiful, calm day. Slung dxxx

[*+ called the 18^th in Original but evidently a slip.*]

x x case overboard and had it x x x x x

x x ed ashore for burial. Sailed over

to the Minnewaska in the afternoon

to see G.SO. on disembarkation and

Suffolk, Nizam & Atlantean for Engineers

Stores. Had some fun with Purser whose

hair we threatened to cut.

Tuesday 20.4.1915.

Morning on x x x x affairs, the shore boat

came alongside to deliver water 2.30 p.m.

x x x ng Transport & store ship - much

motion. Wind fresh as any I have experienced

turned in for the night.

Wednesday 21.4.1905.

Strong wind indication had not

deceived. Breakfasted with Skipper

and took a boat across to Ship

Minnewaska where made arrangements.

about leave of Soldiers cancelled for various reasons -

Went to Brigade Head Quarters. heard that

C.O. transferred - I spent evening

up at the Chief Engineer's quarters -

Thursday 22.4.1915.

xxxxxtus aground. Tugs

unable to shift her . . . Transferred

Brigade Reserve details to Galeka

Received Australian Mail -

Major Stokes, Water-Expert joined the

Ship - Operation for appendicitis by A.M.C.

Captain Quick & Major Shaw on one of the

Ship's Quarter Masters. late Chief Officer

of the Mashobra, R.N.R-man and now

Navigating Lieutenant attached to

H.M.S. Majestic. x x x x x x x on board

of which. he brought news of which some

been utterly altered a few French x x x

x x x x up from the x x x x his visit was

x x x x x He also gave us a History of the

Operations in the Dardanelles where his Ship has been

at work ever since February. Our sailing

again put off for

24 hours._

Friday 23.4.1915.

Weather in early morning

reading my papers. in the sun on x x x x

x x x deck. In afternoon we visited

several ships for various articles. While

going alongside Benares at 5 p.m. she

x x x x x seeming got under weigh

with Dawkins on board he ran and made

a flying leap on to the deck of the ____ We set off for

the Ship Lake Michigan and got som.

which took back in our boat -

Dawkins was taken off by a Naval picquet

at x x x Several other Transports and

Battle-Ships also put to Sea.

I counted 60 mercantile Ships and 35

Naval - In evening a Concert was held

on deck with much success

Several hydroplane-flights during

Afternoon -

Saturday 24.4.1915.

At last after lying at anchor 15 days,-

lifted our 'mudhook' at a.m. - Cleared

Harbour at x x x x am, and sailed in company with

Galloway Galeka and x x x x reached Purnea

x x x x x x the land at 10.30. x x x x

at 11. pm. sailed for x x x x x with all lights out-

Sunday 25.4.1915.

We? moved moored? off Kaba Tepe-

Heavy fire on the hills. First position
taken at 7. a.m. H.M.S. Foxhound ran?

ashore between 7.30 pm. Could not make

her understand our signal to leave a life boat which

was unloading whilst other boats

loaded; at last after further? signalling

he brought it over and left it there.

for us: heavy shells began to fall

amongst Transports _ Mashobra had a

very narrow escape. I was on the bridge

with Skipper and felt wind of one which

dropped in water 100 yards the other side

of us. We steamed out of range and

handed over other boat over to _^a destroyer

to tow ashore. Chemicals for Water-Supply.

were placed on board a 'tow' of H.M.S.

Scourge. 2 p.m. we steamed over to the

East of Imbros.

[*Day of the Landing 25.4.1915*]

Monday 26.4.1915.

Hill occupied by Enemy a perfect

Inferno raged during most of the day. Shelled

Mal Def x x x x x many casualties -

Lutrow went across as Hospital Sergeant -

Intermittent firing during day Filled Water-

casks preparatory of to? landing -

Tuesday 27.4.1915.

Beautiful quiet day. It was hard

to realize that Orgy of Death which

had taken place a few miles away.

Heavy Shrapnel-fire on beach. Moving over 971

Hilles much anxiety felt - felt some x x x x forts Transports

came in escorted by cruisers during morning

Eliza doing Wonders. heavy firing . . .

shell and very heavy on Hill 971. all the

day. and early evening - Much anxiety

felt but we could not obtain any information

as to what was happening.

Spent evening on 'bridge' with Anders -

4^th Officer watching shell-bursts over

Hill.

Wednesday 28.4.1915.

Beautiful, still morning ADAMANY

signalled "Transports will leave for Mudros at once the

Abbassieh to weigh at 7. a.m. followed by the Pera, Lake Michigan

and Minnewaska. Galika, and Suffolk

for Gaba Tepe. Reached the point anchored

inside Harbour at 12.30 pm. after which

we proceeded to our anchorage in the inner

Harbour. 8 pm received orders to leave Gaba Tepe

and return immediately. Before this Dr Quick took

some sick cases to the Hospital and met the

Lieut from the Abbassieh who told us that the Australians 
had established themselves upon the

Peninsula, the losses of the Forces (British?) were from

8-10.000 Whilst that of the latter were 

comparatively light.

Thursday 29.4.1915.

Windy morning but abated

before noon. Trawler came alongside

for Stretchers Supply portion which

were not in the Ship I signalled

HMS Queen to that effect. Fleet Surgeon

came on board and informed me we

were being converted into a Hospital

Ship. We immediately made preparations 

for the change x x x x x which

on the x x x brought me the news that x x x

& Lieut Lane had been killed? Col. Elliott,

Major x x x x Lieuts Spargo, Young

x x x Davey, Prisk. were wounded.

Skipper Ordered a cradle to sling stretchers on

board and Escort parties to land and hand 

them to the examining Officers. General

Carruthers came on board to get some

information from me re what was in

the Ship. I asked leave to go on

shore, but ^he said he would relieve me only on

my return from the Base. I was busy

well into the night. I superintended

the getting of the wounded on board at once.

Heavy Shell-fire during the day -

5 Shells fell into the water near the

Ship - Shell-fire all over our position

at midnight -
[*4 days
after the
Landing*]

Friday 30.4.1915.

Matters fairly quiet ashore

We took on 596 wounded men - I was

busy all day and hoisting them out of

the boats. Many terrible sights came

before my eyes but I became quite

hardened. We were fortunate to have

two excellent Surgeons on board x x x, and

Captain Quick. They were attended by Col Ryan

and a Medical Missionary while the Chief

Engineer helped in administering

anaesthetics. Among the wounded were

many of our friends from Denn xxxx

amounting to about 9% of the wounds

caused by shrapnel to our men but ashore

x x x which was made x x x x direction

which was x x x x. During the afternoon

destroyer went to Suvla and bombarded

with Lyddite. The following were killed

x x x x Lieut. Scanlan, x x x and Major

Jackson. Among the wounded Liddlelow and x x x x x

who were brought on board hit by the snipers

with whom the hill-side is alive - More

sheltered during the late evening.

I heard on board H.M.S. Queen

that they were full of wounded

came off in the boats to the

Devanxxxx.

Saturday 1.5.1915.

Heavy fire from the fleet towards

enemy position. Our people must have

suffered heavily from shrapnel-fire

which rained upon our lines.

General Carruthers came on board

with sailing instructions for us x x x x

x x x ted by Charlie M x x x x x x x x x

Weighed anchor and sailed for Alexandria.

3 pm buried 10 soldiers who had

died of wounds and burial service

conducted. Went down to Engineer's

room x x x x The native firemen were called up by

Chief Engineer who had volunteers

from our men in order to push on as quickly as 

possible. To them he replied in their own

language that they had been _^on quite long enough

and that now the soldiers were going on -

Discovered Captain x x x Hutton & Lidd

below on leave also Young Mc.Bean who

made anxious inquiries about his

Cousin Gerald Burston of whom he had

heard that he had been killed x x x x

Spent the evening with

Chief Engineer. 

Alexandria

Sunday 2.5.1915.

Beautiful calm day -

Cleared the Archipelago at 11 a.m.

Berthed at No. 6. at 2. p.m. Hospital

Train and Motor-ambulance came to the

Alexandria

Quay at 4 pm. and disembarkation of

wounded was commenced

Several of us went to the Bellevue

Casino in the Evening.

Monday 3.5.1915.

Found disembarkation Office and commenced
laying in fresh supplies. Saw a batch

of Turkish prisoners marching under Escort

x x sent cable to home. Saw to embarkation

of McLennans Motor and went for a run

round Alexandria. Met many Wounded

Officers about the Streets Returned to disembarkation 
Office for instructions. In

Evening went to Moulin Rouge and had

tea at Kursaal.

Tuesday 4.5.1915.

6 a.m. left No 6. Berth and proceeded

to No 81. Zember Wharf. Went to Embarkation

Office for instructions which were not

forthcoming. Got Ship ready for disembarkation

and went ashore with Anders

and McQuie.

Wednesday 5.5.1915.

Went again to see embarkation

people and receive my orders.

Commenced disembarking Vehicles at

1.30. Finished by 6 p.m.

Packed vehicles on Wharf and put on a

guard. Went ashore with McQuie &

2^d Officer-

Thursday 6.5.1915.

7 a.m. commenced to disembark horses

and 5 Motor-waggons and vehicles to Camp

Had horses led ashore by 4 pm. Capt x x x x,

2^d Officer and I went ashore about, sailing 

Instructions and voyage. Our Ship cleared out

but Orders ^received to sail at 5 a.m. next morning -

Embarkation Officer is Anderson - and then

returned to Embk'n Office for Orders and

then to x x x x with instructions &c. I at once

Woke him and confided them to him. (He was

not at all grateful.) Sailing-post passed - 

Friday 7.5.1915.

Took over position of O.C. troops. Spent the

morning at the telephone striving to get

definite Orders. Just before sailing, Price brought

instructions per motor-boat. Sailed at

noon and took lighter in tow. Cleared

Harbour at 1 pm. Only five of us left

in the Mess. Quinn & the A.M.C. Waggons.

Long swell running in-shore

Played Bridge - The Egyptian _^mosquitos had taken

a sudden _^fancy for me. I got my towel and I found _^it was just what was

wanted, so by _^going for them in a series of brisk 

counter-attacks I succeeded in dislodging the majority.

Saturday 8.5.1915.

Rather cold and bright day. Inspected

Ship with Skipper at 10.30. a.m.

Played Bridge in Evening.

Sunday 9.5.1915. 

Bright, warm day. Colonel Sturdee conducted

church-parade in the morning In afternoon

Anderson and Sachs did my photos: for me.

Barge in tow shipped some seas. Ship had to

slow-down. Passed dummy-battleship. Had

some music with Anderson. Spent Evening with

Chief Engineer.

Monday 10.5.1915.

Abeam of Kluos. Smooth sea,

no wind; usual inspection of ship -

Passed another dummy-battle-ship and

several empty transports. Did some more photos:

with Ander[*son*] gave him some letters to 

forward -

Tuesday 11.5.1915. 

Gaba Tepe. boisterous day

x x x Things quiet x x x except for occasional firing

on the hill. Trawler came-out^alongside from shore

with message for A.M.C. I heard of

[*Boxer Blair?*] 

Bo x x x x x x death. Heavy bombardment

in direction of Cape Helles. Devanally &

Munn arrived. Heavy rifle and machine-gun

fire on our hill from 10. pm. onwards -

Mashobra

Wednesday 12.5.1915.

General [[Coutrees?]] came on board and

ordered 2d AMC to transfer to the

Osmanieh and for men to go ashore -

Trawler called alongside at 3pm and

commenced loading her with gear.

Had afternoon tea and goodbye

to all on the Mashobra and left a little

after 4. p.m. Mashobra left for

Lemnos. Osmanieh would not take

Ambulance on board. Col. Newmarch

directed them to the Seeang-Choon

but they refused to take them in.

A Naval pinnace came alongside

trawler. I asked the Middie if he

would take me ashore. He said yes,

so I got my men all on board

and landed almost immediately -

Reported to Head Quarters and

went to the beach party to remain

until such time as I could hear from the Station which

was away down at Cape Helles.

[*A fortnight & three days

after the Landing*]

On my return I shared Col x x x's dug-out

for the night during which time there

was a tremendous rifle and gun-fire.

[*# REJOINS THE BATTALION

having been kept on Transport work for 17 days after the "Landing"

GGMc*]

Thursday 13.5.1915.

Beautiful, warm still day -

Air full of flying lead and splintery shrapnel -

as I write one shell has just missed a man

and fallen into the trench and he is Wading

in after it. Enemy shell coming pretty

close now. Had lunch and went up into

the trenches. Nearly got caught by a

percussion-shell near Observation-station.

Came down and watched New Zealand

battery in action and then again up

to our dug-out, undressed and went

for a swim with Boxer=Blair and Permezel-

Had tea. Permezel went up into trenches

for the night. Just before turning in

a man shot himself close to me. x

The strain must have been to much,

for him -

Slept excellently -

Friday 14.5.1915.

Went down to meet x x x who had

just arrived and invited him to share

my dug-out. All ships left to get in

behind the land and prevent the escape of the two

Germans which are reported to be there.

Went along to Divisional Head Quarters

and then back to lunch. The Turks

commenced a very heavy fire on barges

lying off the Pier. After twenty-odd 
very close shots they managed to

send some sand-bags flying into the

air. They got disgusted and are now flinging

us shrapnel to show their hate.

Flockhart and I held an inquiry into

the case of the man Hxxxx who had

+ wounded himself. We then went up to

Divisional Head Quarters and saw

numerous people up there and slept

[* +probably failed to kill himself the night before -

GGMc*]