Diary of Geoffrey Gordon McCrae, 1915 (Vol. 1) - Part 3
in Major Foot's dug-out ∧ there
Turks heavily shelled valley ∧ where which
we were. We had a conversation with
General Bridges and heard General
Birdwood had been wounded in the
head. Had tea with Col. Austin and
Col. Marsh. He gave us a new overcoat
each. We had tea. I went for a walk
along beach with Blair and had a long
yarn about old times. Men in good spirits
and singing in their dug-outs. Turned in at
10 pm: The Turks shrapnelled us at ∧ p.m.? —
Saturday 15.5.1905.
Woke up 6.30 to the sound of ∧ scattering shrapnel
∧ a Sailor from the . . . . . . brought us Tinned
Peaches...... and candles. Stayed in ∧ an
∧ empty funk-hole until ten ∧ Fire on beach
very heavy ∧ must try and get some ∧ news at
Divisional H.Q. ∧ Papers were not available —
∧ General Bridges was hit through..........
Went back to lunch ∧ Delicate attention from
enemy's ∧ guns Flockhart and I went for
a walk up Death's. ....... the scene of
Sunday's ∧ great fight and then up to ∧ D.H.Q see Captain
Griffiths. Transport Z.14 arrived. We hope
it ∧ has brought the 2d Brigade back.
Met Boxer-Blair and had a yarn - Day
extremely hot Captain Griffiths came along
and gave me a job of collecting dead mens
Kits. rifles &c with which an exposed portion
of the beach was strewn. I organized
a party with stretchers and set out at
6.30. We had not been working long
when they turned Shrapnel on to us and
we were driven off the beach. I ceased
work until dark - I then continued being
under rifle-fire the whole time —
My heart stopped beating several times.
owing to closeness of bullets. We worked
continuously till 11.30 p.m. when I
returned to my dug-out ∧ and had a
dixie of warm tea ∧ which arrived for me, thanks
to the good offices of .............. Ellis.
Having had ..............
Evening.
Sunday 16.5.1915.
6.30 find 3 new Transports lying
off shore ∧ enemy-guns commenced
to shell one recently drilled with
Shrapnel landing ∧ near our dug-out
several ∧ fell short but near us. Commenced
on task again at 10. Worked till 12
noon ∧ taking the kits &c. collected to Ordnance
∧ Depot. After lunch Enemy put a hot
fire on the beach. Two shells hit a
trawler ∧ badly but she got out of range.
Sir Ian Hamilton paid us a visit.
Heard the 2d Brigade suffered heavily,
casualties having reached 1100.
Went down and had a refreshing Swim
before tea. Continued the work until 9.
pm. Returned and found Major Blaimey
in our dug-out. He informed us. of
the arrival of 2d Brigade and told us
it would be landed the following
morning
Monday. 17.5.1915 - WOUNDED -
Had a swim before breakfast. Went down
to assist in disembarking the brigade
Only those original Seventh-Officers
still whole. Jackson & Weddell ∧ who are looking
for a place ∧ came in to Camp when
got on to me. ∧Everywhere one moved bullets
followed...... have to get very terribly
close so, I ∧ had to get under cover ∧ at once
but... the spot so warm that ∧ I had to quit and
just ∧ in time but a bullet ∧ struck my
upper left arm ∧ even while under better
cover...... brought some of my own
∧ boys who cut my steeve and applied
the first ∧ aid dressing. I then walked
back to the beach hospital to get my
wound dressed - Fortunately the bullet
did not touch the bone but went clean
through the muscles - At 1 pm I was sent
away by a naval pinnace to the Seeang-Choon
and was welcomed on board by
the Officers of 2d Field-Ambulance
with whom I had been for weeks in the
Mashobra
Gaba Tepe
This Ship is very much inferior to that
dear Ship. There are not enough cups
on board, so, we have to take it in
turns to have our coffee.
Did not sleep well owing to discomfort
caused by
my wound.
Tuesday 18.5.1915.
Gun-fire from the ...... 5 am Village of ....... one fort bombarded ......
∧After breakfast posted ∧ letters to go by the A.M.C well trans ∧port
the Clacton. We left ∧ for Lemnos at noon.
Barbour examined my wound and told me
∧ that if it had been half an inch lower it would
∧ have severed my brachial ∧ artery and necessitated ∧ immediate
amputation of the ∧ arm. ∧ He considers it will be
some time in healing and then may be a
permanently stiffened: ∧ it is my left arm –
Left Gaba Tepé and proceeded to Lemnos
in company with the ...... and the Askold
Arrived Mudros Bay 4.p.m. in outer
Lemnos
Harbour. 5 pm proceeded
to inner Anchorage
Wednesday 19.5.1915.
Beautiful, still, warm day. Stagnated on the
Ship all day - Bored to extinction.
Thursday 20.5.1915.
Beautiful, still warm day -
Transferred some patients to the
Albania in the morning.
Troop-Ship X2 arrived with
∧ considerable number of ∧ cases on board - In
afternoon ∧ Colonel Austin and myself
∧ went to a place where we saw Turkish ∧ prisoners
working under ∧ Military supervision
wander∧ing into the township - inspected a
∧ local school. The children ∧ sang God
Save the King ∧ in our honor.
Everywhere rushed by a crowd of these
∧ children
One am returned ... we went aboard
Mudros
the Abbassiah Abbassiah and Colonel Bryant got
us all a new ∧ turn-out of clothing -
We returned to the ship at 7.15 pm.
Friday 21.5.1915.
Cool, dark day -
12 noon. taken ashore in a naval
launch to No.1. Stationary Hospital at
Mudros. Received by Colonel Bryant,
given an excellent lunch. After our beds
were made up. in two marquees put together
making a ward of 16 beds each covered
with a white counterpane having a red
cross upon it. Col Austin and I, went
for a walk through the Village, bought
the latest papers and read them under
the shade of a tree outside a Café -
We then walked out to the Australian
and French Cemetery and had a look at
a very Ancient Church and ∧ saw
a windmill in action ∧ close at hand. Returned
Mudros
to an early dinner. The attendance
awfully good, Every ∧ thing done that can be done
for us ∧ and Colonel Bryant is a ∧ fine
old man and as genial ∧ as can be.
Stuart Cowan ∧ and his Staff sergeant here.
∧ In the
Evening there was a ∧ heavy thunder and
rain storm which lasted well into the night.
∧ drenching some of the other wards ∧ which were inundated
∧ altogether and the poor fellows were brought ∧ over to
ours for the night -
Saturday 22.5.1915.
Got up 7.15 a.m. Enjoyed the luxury
of a shave and someone to assist me dress.
A most beautiful, fresh morning after
the rain, with larks soaring in the Sky -
Turkish prisoners are employed in
levelling ground just below the Hospital
10 am went out to the Abbassiah &
Aragon in a native sailing-craft. with
Cols: Lee & Austin. Returned for lunch
at 1 pm. Gave out my washing to some
Greek girls. Was informed of the death
of General Bridges. Went for a walk to the
Turkish ∧ Prisoners Camp and out on ∧ to the beach
Had Tea at ∧ − p.m. meeting some Lieutenants
∧ attached to the Submarines ∧ who took me on board
on the ∧ for the day. Had dinner and
Gramophone-concert in Evening −
Sunday 23.5.1915.
Had my wound dressed. At 10.30 went
on board B.M. Submarine commanded
by Lieut. Doyle V.C. who sunk a Turkish
War-ship. the first boat to penetrate
the Dardanelles. He is an awfully good
fellow and explained everything to
us. Went on board F. 14 Commanded
by Lieut-Commander Holbrook also
a V.C-man who sunk 3 Turkish transports
and 2 Gun-boats being 22
days in the Sea of Marmora. We were
then entertained on board the Adamant
and afterwards came ashore for lunch.
Had my wound dressed and hot foments put
on. Went for a walk. had dinner and went
for a stroll in the hills until 9.30 pm.
Returned and found Electric light laid on
to our tent from the dynamo used
on the X-ray plant -
Monday 24.5.1915.
Had arm dressed. Went for a stroll and was
overjoyed to see the Mashobra steam into port
in afternoon. Colonel and I hired
a boat. ∧ We sailed over ∧ to the Ship where they gave me a
great reception. ∧ They told me just after ∧ I had
left ∧ that the General came ∧ unexpectedly on board asking for
me. The skipper told him that I had gone
ashore. He wanted to know who would
look after the stores &c and if I had been
anxious ∧ to get ashore? The skipper kindly said they were
unable to hold me back on board -
Anders offers to develop my photos: for me
so, I gave him a few to operate upon. We came
ashore for tea although they pressed me to
stay the night. but they are going to
send a boat for me in the morning
to take me on board
for the day.
Tuesday 25.5.1915.
Finished up with fomenting treatment and
dry-dressing applied to my arm. Mashobra
shifted berth. Boat did not come for me. Austin
& Shout returned to Gaba Tepé. Went for a
walk with Dr Le Mesurier to the French Camp –
Returned to Camp. Had tea and went for walk
with Col. Lee, and after had some gramophone
in Dr Verca's tent.
Wednesday 26.5.1915
Beautiful Warm day.
^Skipper of the Mashobra came to see ^me before he went Heard of
the ^torpedoing of the Triumph –
Thursday 27 5.1915.
Much as yesterday - Col. McLachlan came to
see us. McKillop and Hamilton returned to
Gaba Tepé Mr Woodgett and Munn came to
visit me from the Mashobra and we went
for stroll Went down to the pier with them
and met Col. Ford at the R.A.M.C. Had a
long conversation with him: he had been
stationed for four years in Mauritius,
After tea had long conversation
with French Soldier.
Friday 28.5.1915.
Warm, still day
Five more Officers brought into our Ward
Went for a walk with Le Mesurier in Evening
Saturday 29.5.1915.
Hot, still day –
Henry of 14th came ashore in afternoon
Skipper & Chief Engineer of Mashobra came
to see me. I went down to the R.A.M.C.
Camp with them and partook of liquid ^refreshment
with Col: Ford and his Officers –
MUDROS
Sunday 30.5.1915.
Went to Holy Communion which
was celebrated by ^the Dean of Sydney Col Har.
In afternoon Col Lee Hordern ^& I went on
board the Mauretania Col Elliott came to see me
while I was away. In evening went to a Service
conducted by the Dean.
Monday 31.5.1915.
Beautiful still day. After breakfast
a Taubé dropped two bombs a few
hundred yards from us. nearly blowing up
the Turkish Prisoners Camp. Col. McLachlan
came to see us. In afternoon Col. Lee Hordern
& I went on board the Australind to see
Col Elliott. Stayed on beard to dinner
and returned at Eight ō clock
Tuesday 1st June 1915.
Hot, still day.
Hordern & Smith returned to the front.
MUDROS
Went out with Col. Lee after tea
Spent the Evening with Col Bryant -
Wednesday 2.6.1915.
Hot dusty day - Stuart Cowan left for
Australia to complete his medical course.
I went out on the Aragon to give them
some letters to post and to see if there
were any mails for us. Col. Lee
and I went ^on board the H.M.S. Canopus for Luncheon.
and had a ripping time ^they gave me all their
Experiences of the War. ^How they commenced
They ^told me all ^about their cruising in the Pacific and
Falkland Islands. those and then came
............ Commander Stait made ^me
^Welcome and gave me ^Champagne with my dinner.
As we were leaving the ship, he presented me
with 100 Virginian Cigarettes and a
Pound of Cadbury's Mexican Chocolate -
We left the ship at 11.30 pm. The night
was pitch-dark and we were challenged
by every ship we passed Got back to
Camp at 12.45 having had to brave
sentries nearly every hundred yards -
MUDROS
Thursday 3.6.1915.
Very hot day. Had a very enjoyable
morning reading the papers and working
out a war-puzzle given us by the Canopus-people.
Col. Bryant lent me "The Veil" by
E.S. Stevens - which I read right through.
Spent the evening with
le Mesurier.
Friday 4.6.1915.
Hot day - Tooks things easy during
morning. In Afternoon Capt Alcorn and I
walked across the Island to where a torpedo-boat
was wrecked. Returned home tired
and thirsty having ^tramped 16 miles over very
heavy ^rough country. Had tea and went for a
walk with Capt D. late of the "Argus" Staff
Had coffee at the Avenue Quay at the pier.
Returned to roost very fatigued.
MUDROS
Saturday 5. 6.1915.
Slept very badly. Hot, dusty day. Lay down all
morning/ Col. Lee left for Alexandria. Major
Turnbull and I went out to Minnewaska and
Aragon in the afternoon. Had a hot bath and
went to bed early. -
Sunday 6. 6.1915.
Strapping taken off my arm
Father McAuliffe the RC Chaplain and
Capt Alcorn came in with the news of my
[*x*] promotion to Major. Received the congratulations
of the other people in the Ward
Spent the evening in Colonel Bryant's tent.
During night heard heavy gunfire
to North
[*+*] Monday 7.6.1915.
Very hot, still day.
In afternoon went on board Aragon
and saw Divisional Orders My promotion +
dates from 26/4/1915. Came back and
went for a swim with Major Jermyn, had
tea and went for a walk with Captain Alcom
afterwards spent ^evening with Le Mesurier
^who is in bed unwell -
X to Major
MUDROS
Tuesday 8.6.1915.
Hot, dusty day went ^for a swim em at
7.a.m. and again at 5 a.m
Skipper of Mashobra and Chief Engineer
came to see me in the Evening Played }
Bridge with Major }
Powell & others - }
Wednesday 9.6.1915.
Hot, boisterous day -
Went for a swim at 6.30 a.m.
Helped the padres censor the Mail.
11 more Officers admitted mostly for
rest, Sent hamper up to Captain Quick
Felt very seedy. Spent evening in
Le Messurier's tent
Thursday 10.6.1915.
Cool, but very windy & dusty -
Went for a swim at 7. a.m. During the morning
bought supplies to take back to trenches
After lunch went round saying good bye
to the many friends I had made in the
Hospital-Staff. 3.30 went down to the Pier
and boarded the Phoebus, a crank old tug
which could not go-astern; on the way over
to the Aragon a French Destroyer came suddenly
at 15 Knots from behind another Ship.
MUDROS
We stopped but unable to go astern
We crashed into her starboard ^quarter?? were nearly
thrown over on our beam ends. Water
began to make its way in one ^compartment
^a man jumped overboard. We made our
way to the nearest ship at anchor but
our steering-gear jammed and we
swerved away from her. We eventually
got alongside a French Ship and put off
half our men. However, the wind blew
us away from her side and we painfully
struggled to the Aragon's side
just reaching her as her ^our steam gave
out, the water having extinguished
our fires. No one came to our aid or
answered our signals. The destroyer
went straight ahead and took no
notice of us. We had a most exciting
half hour. A boat was despatched
to bring the rest of the men over
from the French Ship. The bow of
the Phoebus, was torn out of place
and her 'plates ^buckled". Had a beautiful
dinner on the Aragon and Embarked
on H.M.S. Hythe for Gaba Tepe [*MUDROS*]
The Mauretania left Mudros Harbour
just ahead of us. We were followed
by the French War-ship Jean Bart -
The Officers gave me a gramophone-concert
Sun Maru being the record.
The Chief Engineer ^gave me his
room to sleep in.
GABE TEPE (ANZAC)
[*#*] Friday 11.6.1915.
Arrived off Anzac 2.a.m. 3.am. came
ashore in a pinnace left on beach ^untill 5.a.m
Major Griffiths came down and gave me a cup
of tea. At 6. a.m. I went up to Brigade
Head Quarters and reported then on to the
Battalion where I was accorded a great }
reception. }
GABA TEPÉ
also the Stores ^which I brought. I was appointed
[*+*] 2d in Command of the Battalion.
In afternoon we changed the position of
our bivouac.
Went round and visited the Officers of
5th & 6th Bns: Had a conversation with
General Walker. After Mess I went over
to Bobbie Weddell's dug-out for Supper
Turkish Artillery burst shells all down }
the valley }
Saturday 12.6..1915.
Awake at 6. a.m. Beautiful day -
After breakfast Col & I went up to the trenches
Shrapnel from Enemy's guns came thick &
fast - While talking to Captain Coltman of
4th two men were killed & four others
wounded quite close to us - We did some
observing through periscopes and noticed
the Turks at Work on some new saps - We
came back through the New Zealanders Camp
and met there Crespin on 1st Brigade Road
While speaking with him General Birdwood
came along and we conversed with him
for some time - The mail arrived after
lunch - Everyone was much elated and I
spent the ^afternoon reading and answering
my ^letters After mess the Col and I went down to
see Col. McCay and afterwards for a swim
I sent a cablegram Had a few words with Cols:
Johnson & Hughes. Returned to Bivouac.
Sunday 13.6.1915.
Heavy gun fire from two of
our battle-ships which arrived during the
night. Fire ceased for a while at breakfast
time. It is said that they found .... battalions
of enemy-reinforcements. coming through
the hills. Captain Miles came up to see us
and we went down to the 6th Battalion for
Church Parade. Major Bennett came to lunch
with us. Had dug-out improved and wrote some
letters. 4 p.m. Col. Elliott, Weddell, Gutteridge
and I went down to the beach to see the
news and have a swim. We were not annoyed
by shell-fire for a wonder Coming back
Gutteridge went up to Brigade Hd: Qrs: to see
if there were any more letters. Said Col: McCay
& Col Jess & Derham Returned for mess
During this meal a British aeroplane flew over us
and although fired upon with shrapnel &
rifle fire from the Turks glided serenely on
and turned and sailed parallel with the
Turkish trenches and dropped 3 bombs upon
them. We could distinctly follow the bombs course
as they fell with a ^tremendous crash sending up large
^clouds of black smoke. In evening I wrote letters -
Heavy rifle fire was opened late in the evening -
Monday 14.6.1915.
Turks opened up an extremely
unpleasant cross-fire on us with their field
guns at 5.a.m. This was continued off
and on throughout the day. 10 a.m. was
appointed President of a Field General
Court Martial which was duly assembled
at 2.30 pm. One case was adjourned
owing to Chief Witness for prosecution
having been sent to Hospital. I invited
Capt Daly to Mess. Shells came rather uncomfortably
close during the meal. After
which we sat in my dug-out and played
Auction-Bridge–Permézel and Grills came to
pay me a visit. Turned in at 9.p.m.
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