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

Diary II

Diary Vol. II 
With VII Battn 15th Infty Brigade 5.. Divn A.I.F.
Gallipoli including
Lone Pine and other positions
Mudros. (Lemnos)
Alexandria
Cyprus
Alexandria

The Official War Historian of the Commonwealth
Government (Dr. C. E. W. Bean), after his study of the
collection of private war records preserved in the Australian
War Memorial Library, wrote :-
The private diaries in this collection furnish some of its most
valuable historical records, but, like all private memoirs which were
not compiled with any historical purpose, they should not be
regarded as first hand evidence except where it is certain that they
are so. The diarist is almost always sincere in his desire to record
accurately, but he is subject to no obligation or inducement to
indicate whether he is recording his own observations or incident
told him by friends or heard at third or fourth hand at the mess-table.
Thus, in some of the diaries in this collection, scenes described with
vivid detail, and without any warning that they are told at second
or third hand, have been found to be completely inaccurate in
important details. A certain number also have been written up
or revised long after the events, though doubtless usually from notes
made at the time. In most cases the student must rely on his
experience and on internal evidence to guide him in judging what is
and what is not likely to be historically accurate.
 

Gallipoli
Tuesday 15.6. 1915.
Turks put three or four shells into
the hill immediately above our dug-out
and scared a couple of doves which were
cooing in the bushes away for a while
One of our Hydroplanes was up. The Turks
fired on it, but their shots went very wide
After lunch the Colonel and I climbed a
hill overlooking the Chess Board. Dr and I
went for a swim and after to see Col Sturdee
Of 2d. Field Ambulance_ After, played
Auction Bridge and went down to a Concert
given in 6th Bn lines Had a Doch Doris
with Major Bennett & returned to camp.

Wednesday 16.6. 1915.
Very heavy firing during small hours
of the morning. Expected to be called out.
After breakfast, with the Col. Adjutant
and Sig. Officer for a tour through the
trenches from the centre to the right
flank. Met Cutler Matthews and Hordern
 

Gallipoli
Saw some Turkish Cavalry manoeuvring in
the distance. Returned for lunch. Turks shelled
beach pretty heavily in early afternoon. Played
Patience for a while. Johnny Matthews. Captain
Benfafield and Bigsley came up and had a game
of Bridge. The Turks put in a heavy cross shell-
fire during the whole time the game was in
progress. After tea Dr Gutteridge, Father Hearn
and I went up to see the Fifth -

Thursday 17.6. 1915.
Beautiful morning
Fairly quite a number of our convalescents
came back to duty. Few shells during the
morning. In afternoon finished off Court
=martial and sent on proceedings for confirmation
After tea played Bridge and went over to
in 6th Bn. lines. Had some more Bridge.
Came home -

Friday 18.6. 1915.
Turks shelled trenches in early
morning. C.O., Signalling-Officer & I went
through the Trenches from ....Quinn's Post
to Pope's Hill... appeared to be busy digging
...account we were within 7 yards of our
friends, the Enemy. In this confined space
 

Gallipoli
was a scene of utter destruction and
desolation Between the two lines were
shattered rifles. torn equipments and the
bodies of dead Turks absolutely riddled
with bullets beyond description also the
stench they gave forth. At Pope's Hill I
sniped at some loop-holes and went into
a mine where I had a turn with the
pick. Johnny Mathews is in charge
of the miners. The Turks put a 'Jack
Johnson 8 inch high explosive shell
over our heads, which lobbed on the
road ahead of us making a huge
Column of black Smoke and doing no
damage except to make a large hole
in the road. Further along on an
unprotected portion of the road a shrapnel
burst above us and the pellets flew all
round us. On arrival back at the lines
found Alf Jackson had arrived. After
lunch we played Bridge and went for
a swim, and to see Col Austin -
Came back and had my hair cut.
 

-Gallipoli-.
After mess we again played Bridge. Dr Honman
& Williams came to see me, also Campbell of 6th
After talking for a while they went home
We were in-lying picquet for the night, so had
to sleep fully dressed -

Saturday 19. 6. 1915.
Beautiful, fine cool morning. Took some
junior Officers for an Exercise? in map reading
and field-sketching. Played bridge. One of our
aeroplanes dropped two bombs on the Turkish
trenches They fired on them back. The shots
were very wide. I went to sleep during afternoon
but was unsuccessful Had afternoon tea with
6th Battalion and after, went down for a Swim
Met Shout, Hamilton and Major Williams-
Came back-During Mess our aeroplane again
hovered over the Turks, and again their fire was
poor. Heavy artillery duel at 7 pm. Played Patience
Went round to Shrapnel Gully to see Johnny
Mathews and returned his hair-clippers
 

Gallipoli
Sunday 20.6. 1915.
Cool, quiet Morning. After breakfast
Bobbie Weddell and I went up to Johnny
Mathews's mine and afterwards to Walker's
Ridge where we had a most gorgeous outlook
had lunch with Mathew and went for a swim
at 3 pm. After mess we called on the
Engineers and spent the Evening
At 10.15. the garrison stood to arms
and a demonstration was made at 10.30 right
along the line The fire was intense for about
half an hour This ruse was successful in as much
as it reduced our friend the Enemy to expend much of
his valuable ammunition of which he has not too plentiful

supply. At 11 o'clock the fire died down We were
allowed to turn in and slept very soundly for the
first time for many nights.

Monday 21.6. 1915.
Warm, still morning. Turks shelled
the trenches fairly heavily during the
morning. Bobbie Weddell and I went
out for another tour round to the left
Met too many pals to do much observation
We returned early as the Mail came in
Sorted the letters. Got one from Home
and many newspapers Bitterly disappointed
 

Gallipol
no letter from Maude. Went for a swim
in afternoon during which the Monitor
and a couple of destroyers severely
battered Kaba Tepe' with high Explosive
Shells. Turks returned the compliment
on our centre but only killed one and
injured another. After mess read my
papers and wrote a couple of letters. Was
warned to hold myself in readiness to take up
Intelligence- duty in the trenches Prisk returned
from Alexandria– Came to see us.

Tuesday 22.6 1915.
Hot day. At nine Weddel & I
set out on another tour on the left flank
On our way they shelled the beach with
high Explosive shells. All burst harmlessly 

in the Water. Saw Majors Connolly
Young and Dare, also Clarke & Graham
. . . . . . . Afterwards we scaled. . . . . . .
. . . . .precipitous cliffs. . . . . . . called
Ideal Point an. . . . .  . . . . .to see
Major Gregory of. . . . . . . who took us
round. . . . . . . . position. Whilst
doing this, the Turks put some shrapnel
 

Gallipoli
uncomfortably close to us. I have now
seen the whole of the position with
the exception of the out-posts.
We returned to bivouac in the heat of
the day Had a yarn with Sturdee
After mess I read the papers and cursed
the flies until 4 pm. When the Colonel.
Doctor, Jackson and I went for our
daily swim- The Monitor Shelled
Kaba Tepe very solidly A hydroplane 

was 'spotting for her and the
Turks gave us an exhibition of 'how
not to hit an aeroplane'. Their
shots were absurdly wide. If we
lost sight of the air-craft the best way
to pick it up was to look at the last
burst of shell and then look as far
away from that as possible and you
were pretty sure to find her. We were
watching this farce from the end of
Watson Pier and decided to go to the
top of the hill where we could better
observe the. . . . . . . . . . . . ships fire
 

Gallipoli
we. . . . . . . left the pier while. . . . . . . . . . .
shell burst fair upon. . . Wounding several
men. . . . Swimming in the water
Afternoon. We played bridge

Wednesday 23. 6.1915.
Hot, still day. After breakfast went up
to trenches in connection with Intelligence
duties. Returned about ten and worked
on various matters connected with Company.
Lunch. . .made alterations in allotment of
men to sections. 4 Pm. had our usual
swimming-party. One man had his arm
shattered near us on the beach by
shrapnel. He was taken to the Clearing
Hospital where they amputated it.
 

Gallipoli
No shells fell in the Water whilst we
were Swimming
Total Casualties on beach this day
2 killed 9 Wounded -
Returned to the lines for tea.
Wrote some letters and played Bridge.
A shrapnel burst near my dug-out
and cut up the dust and scrub
just outside.

Thursday 24.6. 1915.
Hot day- Heavy Artillery duel before
breakfast. Took a class of Junior Officers
in map-reading. Saw some very fine
artillery practice by the Turkish guns
in Olive Grove which shelled the mine-
-sweeper Clacton, missing her only by
inches. Returned to bivouac
Heavy fire on beach during the
day. Many casualties one of our men
being killed in the act of swimming
We decided to. . . . . . bathe at our. . . .
. . . . . . . hour; So, postponed it to day.
 

Gallipoli
until Evening. I had to go up to the trenches
in Connection with my new appointment as
Intelligence-Officer. 10pm. Came home to bed.
Friday 25.6. 1915
After breakfast went up to the trenches till
a.m. Hooper & Levy of 5th came to see us. After lunch
had a game of bridge. Balloon-ship arrived with
H.M.S. Prince George and shelled Maidos which
was afterwards reported to be in flames. The
Colonel and I went down to the beach to watch the
fun. After, we went in for a swim. We were just
leaving the beach, when they turned shrapnel on to
it. We had to run for cover. Behind Ibenik we met
Major Glasford and Capt. Crespin. Had a talk with
them for some time. Just before Mess, a Taube flew
over and dropped a whole sheaf of pamphlets
which unfortunately fell in the Turkish lines.
Played Bridge. At 9.30. We made a demonstration 

to draw Turkish fire. It was
partially successful. The Turks appear
to be husbanding
their ammunition.
 

Gallipoli
Saturday 26.6. 1915.
Hot, quiet day. Flies unbearable. 

Took my Officers and N.COs
through the trenches made a map of the
position Returned for lunch papers
and two letters from... Read which
before Company-Parade During Afternoon
plenty of Turkish Shrapnel about. At
tea-time Dr Benjafield came up for a
game of Bridge Later in the Evening
came Johnny Matthew
Turned in at 10 pm.
Sunday. 27.6. 1915.
5.20. a.m wakened by heavy Artillery fire
and much musketry and machine gun fire
continued until 6.15. Shells were falling
freely all about us. 10 am went to
Church parade with the Colonel
Afterwards we opened up a Sniper's
post which we had put in over our
bivouac in a position overlooking
the Chess-Board.
Came back, prepared map of
 

Gallipoli
the section of defence which we are
Eventually to occupy
After mess went up to trenches
Had a yarn with Harry Carter
8pm went down for a Swim.

Monday 28.6. 1915.
Very quiet morning– Wrote some letters.
-12 noon. a Taube flew over. At 1 pm.
We made a demonstration drawing
much Turkish fire both rifle and Artillery
Captain Perry was Killed also 30 men
who made a sortie on the right.
Played bridge at 4 pm. After mess
-went up to the trenches. At 8.30 we made
yet another sortie to keep the Turks from Sending
reinforcements South where they are being pressed by our
gallant men Returned to bivouac and with
Dr. Beamish and Johnny Mathew in my dugout played
bridge.
Tuesday 29. 6. 1915
Warm, quiet morning. A heavy bombardment
audible from the direction of Helles. After breakfast
 

Gallipoli
went up to trenches and made a map of
the position. Returned to lunch
In afternoon plotted-in Sketch
After tea played bridge and went for
swim Could see heavy fighting
down about Helles. 10 pm. Turks
opened up heavy rifle-fire which
continued till after midnight
On the left they made an attack but
were beaten off leaving 200 dead
near our trenches.

Wednesday 30.6. 1915
Hot day. After breakfast went
up to the trenches to verify map and
made some additions to it. Returned to
Lunch. Made a tracing of sketch 3 pm
went down to 6th Bn for Afternoon-tea
and bridge Returned 6 pm. 8pm went for
a swim. At 10 pm. heavy rain-storm broke over
us. Had a busy time trying to keep dry which we
partially succeeded in doing. Doctor had a bad dream
and woke me up, trying to throttle me thinking I was a
Turk. Had a very disturbed Night.
 

Gallipoli
Thursday 1st July 1915.
. . . . . . . at 6 a.m after breakfast
. . . . Company Parade and after. . . . . . . .
to the Trenches. I was observing through
a periscope in a trench which runs right
out to a few yards of the Turkish position
or Johnstone’s Jolly. A sniper shattered
it with a bullet covering my face & eyes
with splintering glass and dust. Went down
to dressing-Station and had the glass removed
from my face & eyes. Colonel Monach came
to see us. After lunch the Colonel and I
walked out to the out-posts held by the New
Zealanders on the extreme left. Saw one of
our poor fellows dying from a bullet-wound
through the throat and spine. On returning
we got a splendid view of the ground in front of
Walker’s Ridge where the fighting took place
on Tuesday night. It was thickly covered with
Turkish dead. Returned to the beach and
had a swim. Came back to the bivouac
for tea. Turned in 8 pm.
 

Gallipoli
Friday 2d July 1915.
Notified we were to relieve at 8. a.m. in
Trenches. Went up and made sketch of
position. 1 pm C.O. and 1 Officer per
Company went round position and
allotted positions to Companies. Returned
to bivouac 3.30 pm. Did some writing.
After Mess Doctor and I went down to
beach and watched Artillery duel in vicinity 

of Achi Baba and afterwards. . .
returned to Lines.
Saturday 3. 7. 1915
Wet morning– made usual preparations
for going out into the Trenches.
After lunch went up to the
trenches and took over job of Intelligence-
Officer of our Subdivision. On duty until
11.30. Heavy bombardment during the
night down in vicinity of Achi Baba -

Sunday 4. 7. 1915.
Out at 3. a.m until 4. a.m. went
back to bed until 6 a.m, had breakfast
and went down to Engineers Hd. Qrs.
 

Gallipoli
Saw huge explosion towards Cape Helles.
Had a talk with Major Jess on different
matters regarding our front. Quiet
during the afternoon. At 8. a.m. I was
that mine was to fired under German
Officers trench. Went down to Brigade.
Hd: Qrs: with Major McColl of the Engineers
10.21. The mine went up making a
terrific concussion. The Engineers think
they must have exploded one of the Turkish
mines also. The earth & debris went into
the air hundreds of feet. Dust was showering 

down for minutes after. 11.30 pm
I was called to listen to some digging
which could be heard to our left front
After listening for an hour, able to get
its line. Rang up New Zealanders and
warned them and instructed our men
Should they see any movement
Monday 5. 7. 1915.
. . . .Called at 2 a.m. to do some
more. . . . . . . Returned. .  Got up at 3. a.m. Until 4 am
turning in to try and get some steep, when
 

Gallipoli
the Turks opened up one of the most
furious bombardments I have experienced
It lasted until 745 shells used were
mostly high explosive which were pumped
into us in 5 series consisting of Eighty-odd
Shells which did a tremendous amount
of damage to our trenches, killing four
and wounding six It was a very trying
period. Whilst at breakfast one of the
Fortress sent three huge shells over us
into the sea. I was deadly tired
having had only three hours steep in
forty eight, So I turned in at Eight and
Slept until I went on duty at 3. a.m.

Tuesday 6. 7. 1915
Quiet Morning. About 10 am. Major
Jess came for me to go to Pope's Hill to continue 

making a sketch of German Officers
trench which we had commenced at Quinn's
Post the day before. Called on Colonel Rooull
and had lunch with Ernie Williams & Wally
Farr. Came back at 2 pm. and worked