Warwickshire Yeomanry Gallipoli

In early August 1915 rumours were afloat that the Warwickshire Yeomanry were to be sent as infantry to Gallipoli. Orders to that effect were received on the 8th, only to be cancelled a few hours later; however the order was confirmed the following week and preparations were made within days for Squadrons and Troops to be transformed into Infantry Platoons and Infantry Company's, some 300 Officers and men being ready for immediate departure.

The Warwickshire Yeomanry Gallipoli Contingent left Alexandria on 14 August 1915 and arrived off the coast on the 18th, They transhipped from HMT Ascania to HMS Doris disembarking as infantry in lighters at Suvla Bay under sporadic enemy fire.

On the 20 August they were ordered to move to Lala Baba and proceeded by night without packs, cloaks, or blankets to their destination carrying 200 rounds of ammunition and two days rations each. They bivouacked for the night (see image) and on the following day crossed the Salt Lake (see image) under heavy shrapnel fire, taking part in the advance to Chocolate Hill (Hill 70) and in the attack on Scimitar Hill (Hill 112) on the 21st August.

Approximately one third of the Warwickshire Yeomanry remained at Chatby Camp, Egypt to look after the horses. They formed a composite Cavalry Regiment with those from the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Yeomanry who had remained behind. In November 1915 they are part of a Composite Mounted Brigade consequent upon the formation of the Western Frontier Force.

Philip CAMPION records in the booklet ‘CAMPION’S WAR - Being the Experiences of a Warwickshire Yeoman 1914-18. “Very suddenly one day we were issued with infantry equipment and decked out for Gallipoli, horses were left in charge of shoeing-smiths and others while we donned marching order, and in the boiling sun with the temperature at 110F in the shade, marching to the docks and boarding the Cunard Liner Ascania” on the 14 August 1915. Three days sailing brought them to the harbour at Lemnos and after spending the night on board they transhipped to the warship HMS DORIS.

Enclosed is an extract from CAMPION’S WAR covering the period 18th to 20th August.

On the 20 August they were ordered to move to Lala Baba and proceeded by night without packs, cloaks, or blankets to their destination carrying 200 rounds of ammunition and two days rations each.

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Mishaps at Gallipoli

We have now come to the beginning of August 1915, the Suvla Bay landing had just been made; we were the reinforcements to help push the Turk finally off his perch on the Peninsular. Late that night our ship weighed anchor and started on the forty-mile trip. We were packed like sardines, hardly a nook or cranny where a soldier had not laid himself down to try to sleep. This was our first close contact with the men of the British Navy and we rated them very good fellows. The heat became stifling and they made us gallons of tea. I managed to sleep most of the way I remember and did not wake until early next morning, when on looking round I saw Cape Hellas to starboard, the southernmost point of the Peninsular, where our gallant 29th Division made such a glorious landing. Continuing our course North East and passing Anzac Cove, the landing place of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, as the name implies, we spied farther along the coast, a small bay with warships at anchor. This we were soon to know was the famous Suvla Bay where we were to land and have our first taste of the Turk, in addition to the various missiles he threw about. 

The Peninsular does not look very inviting from the sea. I should describe it has having a certain rough magnificence, in some places flat from the sea for several miles, then rising to those great hills, our unattained objective in many a hard-fought battle, to slope suddenly down to the waters of the Straits on the other side. The Peninsular at its widest part is only about twelve miles across so you will now have an idea, if somewhat vague, of the country we found ourselves in. When it was quite daylight we drew into the Bay and prepared to disembark. Armoured barges came alongside, into which we jumped, and then made for shore. At this time the Turk's front line of trenches was about three or four miles inland, which doesn't count for much in present day warfare and although we were fortunate enough to land without being shelled, we were not ashore many minutes before we received our baptism of fire. This is where one's keenness for battle receives it's deathblow, but where a grim determination sets in to see the thing through come what may.

Of course, if the Turks had any artillery worth speaking of, the various landings on the Peninsular could never have been made; what they had made things sufficiently uncomfortable. Next we were marched on to a slope of a hill nearby, and finding no cover we set to and dug ourselves in. What hard digging it was! But having good cause to get out of sight we stuck at it until some sort of covering was made. We stayed there three or four days, during which we assisted in the making of roads, and joined in the general scramble for precious water.

 I hope never again to experience that craving for water which many times was ours in this and the succeeding years of the war, when the lips swell and the tongue clings to the roof of the mouth, when the one object in life seems to be a cup of cold water. When we found time, we went down to the shore for a bathe, and incidentally got mixed up in the barbed wire placed under the water to prevent the landing. We had a few casualties here, then received orders to move two miles further along the coast to a hill called Lala Baba which of course was done at night. This was August 20th and the next day was to be our first experience of action. 

The words Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Henry V before the battle of Agincourt occurred to me:

And now sits expectation in the air,

And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies,

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as honest stillness and humility,

But when the blast of war blows in his ear, etc.

Tomorrow arrived, there was to be another great effort of Sir Ian Hamilton to drive back the Turk and that morning we spent in getting hold of some water rations and each man carried a pick or shovel. Many of these shovels had holes through them at the end of the day. I do not remember the time our front line commenced their advance, but it was our duty to march from the coast to a part in the line in front of Chocolate Hill. To get there the route lay across a dry salt lake, absolutely open country. We were indeed meant to draw the enemy's artillery fire from the front line advance. At 3 o'clock we set off, the whole Warwicks Yeoman Division leading the  way in line of troop columns, a splendid target. Their guns let us get about half a mile across before dropping their range-finding shells. Then the fun began; a terrific barrage of shrapnel was put up, which seemed impossible to get through alive, but Sir Ian Hamilton was good enough to write in his despatch that 'the march was as if on parade'.

Brigadier General Wiggin marched in front with his walking stick, and set a fine example. Our comrades were falling all around us. Two miles of this, then, those who remained gained the first shelter, Chocolate Hill, the roll called and breathing time before the next advance. Guns and musketry was intense; we now pressed on to assist more closely in the real push, but the day had gone badly for England, lack of men and munitions.

The roar of and unprecedented difficulties of the country had told their tale. When we reached

what had been the front line, we were ordered to stay there, as our men had only advanced a few hundred yards, and prepared to meet the Turks' counter attack. This seemed a rather long nightmare with the cries of the wounded.  their ammunition exploding, and we were not allowed to leave the trench to go to their assistance.  They  lay in burning Gorse as help never came. They were as exhausted as our men and waiting most of the night  they never came. We then returned to Lala Baba, and our front line,  men retired to the trenches we left. 

The attack on W Hills collapsed in confusion as a result of heavy Turkish machine gun and artillery fire. The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers captured the summit of Scimitar Hill but the failure of the attack on W Hills left them exposed to fire from the Turks still in control of the hills. As the Irish retreated the undergrowth around them was set ablaze by shell fire, many of the wounded being burned to death. Around 5pm the 2nd Mounted Division advanced across the bed of the dry Salt Lake - the air was full of mist and smoke and they suffered heavily from the shrapnel of the Turkish artillery. Under this intense fire most of the Yeomanry Brigade sheltered in the lea of Green Hill, west of Scimitar Hill.

The plan for the 21st August was to attack Scimitar Hill with 29th Division and the W Hills with the 11th Division, the 2nd Mounted Division were initially held in reserve near Suvla Beach. The British artillery were unable to see their targets which were obscured by mist and smoke, unlike the Turkish artillery who had a clear view of the entire Suvla battlefield and ample opportunity to register their targets.After half an hour’s rest the Yeomanry Brigade charged over Green Hill and captured the Turkish trenches on the summit of Scimitar Hill. By now darkness had set in and the order was given to retire, it being considered impossible to hold the hill during daylight and so the Brigade returned that night to Lala Baba.

In one days fighting the British suffered 5,300 casualties, effectively one third of the soldiers involved. The 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry lost 73 men, mostly wounded. Six were killed on the 21st August.

The Warwickshire Yeomanry Gallipoli Contingent embarked from Alexandria on the 14th August 1915 and landed at “A” Beach, Suvla Bay under sporadic fire on the 18th ; whilst part of the Regiment left in Egypt later fought against the Senussi in the Western Desert.

They moved to Lala Baba on the night of the 20th August, the men carried no packs, cloaks or blankets and had been issued with 200 rounds of ammunition and two days rations.

On the 21st the Yeomanry Division crossed the Salts Flats and advanced to Chocolate Hill over 2.5 miles of open country under heavy shrapnel fire halfway across and took part in an attack on Hill 112. The fighting was severe with many wounded being burnt in brush fires caused by explosions – see Philip CAMPION’S account of this action.

As darkness set in on the 21st the 1st and 2nd Mounted Yeomanry Brigades, which had deployed as infantry withdrew to Lala Baba on the 22nd it being considered impossible to hold the hill. Casualties – 6 other ranks killed, 2 officers 65 other ranks wounded. Moved back to Chocolate Hill during night and dug in.

Lieut. Henry Reggie YORKE M.C. Warwickshire Yeomanry wrote to his wife from Mudros M.F.A “ REWA” Hospital Ship on 23 August 1915 to inform her he had been wounded “ I only have a bullet wound which goes in just above the knee and comes out about a foot higher up the thigh and it must be near the surface all the way. I am most awfully lucky to have got off so lightly.” The letter can be viewed in the Museum Archive “I crawled back over half a mile under a horrid fire from snipers after I was hit and had laid out for some hours.”

On 4th September due to casualties and sickness the 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry together with 1/1st Gloucestershire and 1/1st Worcestershire Yeomanry were re-organised as 1st South Midland Regiment. Of the 308 Warwickshire Yeoman who landed in August, just 41 of those remained fit for duty.

For the rest of the campaign the Warwickshire Yeomanry served in the trenches, casualties from shell fire and snipers amounted to:15 other ranks killed; two officers, 92 other ranks wounded whilst at Gallipoli.

The Warwickshire Yeomanry left Gallipoli on 31st October 1915 and then served with great distinction, as cavalry in the Middle East. Together with the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars they took part in the last classic unsupported cavalry charge (arme blanche) at Huj in Palestine on 8th November 1917.

On the night of the 22nd August 1915 the Yeomanry Brigade returned to Chocolate Hill and dug in on the side of Hill 70 and there they remained in the reserve line, honeycombed with dug outs.

The 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry occupied a position in close proximity to a battery of artillery which drew enemy fire. On the 26th the Turks positioned a gun on the left flank, from which they were able to enfilade the dug outs.

Philip CAMPION records “we marched by night, this time to Chocolate Hill, and there dug ourselves in for three weeks before relieving the Dublin and Munster Fusiliers in the front line to the right of Chocolate Hill.” There they remained “for three weeks three to four hundred yards from the Turks line. Nothing very exciting happened, except having a few men shot by snipers who made themselves nests in trees, but with some systematic strafing these were got rid of. But what was most unfortunate, our numbers began to dwindle through sickness, mostly dysentery, owing to the dirty conditions, lack of water, jaundice and enteric fever and absolute exhaustion through digging to improve the trenches. Continuous periods of sentry duty, having very little sleep, this with the killed and wounded brought our Regiment to a mere skeleton of its former self.”

Philip CAMPION was compelled to give in to dysentery and remembers “our Medical Officer directing me to the clearing station on the beach” some two miles away which he finally reached on foot with difficulty. “There I was allowed some tinned milk and then travelled to one of the Hospital Ships which always laid close in. Thus I left Gallipoli after seven weeks of it, a short time before the actual evacuation.”

According to our records 2274 Pte Philip CAMPION 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry was invalided on 18th November 1915 and re-joined the Regiment in Egypt on 13th February 1916. He survived the sinking of ‘The Leasowe Castle’ on 27th May 1918 and subsequently served on the Western Front with the 100th (Warwick and South Notts Hussars) Battalion Machine Gun Corps.

WARWICKSHIRE YEOMANRY.

USED AS A DECOY AGAINST THE TURKS.

According to 3 private letter received from Sergt. Major Tait, of Rugby, the Warwickshire Yeomanry were used as a decoy on their first day of battle in the Dardanelles, and contributed in no small measure to the success of the initial operations.

The attack of the Warwickshire Yeomanry was across three and a half miles of open plain commanded by the enemy's artillery.

At first," says Sergt.-Major Tait, the shells began to burst in singles, then in threes and fours, then in dozens, and we were in the thick of it. Men began to fall on all sides, some wounded, some killed. We kept on, however, and after three-quarters of an hour of marching and doubling, found cover at the foot of Dug-out Hill.'

We threw ourselves on the ground out of sheer exhaustion, for you must remember we had been taken straight from our horses and not on our feet.

I cannot tell you what my feelings were coming across; all I know I saw my comrades falling all around me, and expected to go down any moment, and I remember nothing more until I found myself on Dug-out Hill, and not wounded.

I started out with 147 N.C.O.'s and men, and 95 answered the roll, and then the full meaning of war came to me, and, I am not ashamed to say it, I cried like a child--and I was not the only one. Some of my best friends had gone, the majority wounded, but a few killed. After this terrible experience we thought we had finished, but we had orders to continue to advance and occupy the supporting trenches. This meant another two miles marching. When we got into the trenches we lay down just as we were, too exhausted to take our kits off.

We were the first troops to go across that open space in the daytime. It was explained to us afterwards that we were used as a decoy to attract the enemy whilst the left flank advanced, and that the movement was a complete success, the left flank gaining over two miles of ground with very few casualties. So we can flatter ourselves that we have proved ourselves useful as well  as ornamental."

On the night of the 22nd August 1915 the Yeomanry Brigade returned to Chocolate Hill and dug in on the side of Hill 70 and there they remained in the reserve line, honeycombed with dug outs. The 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry occupied a position in close proximity to a battery of artillery which drew enemy fire. On the 26th the Turks positioned a gun on the left flank, from which they were able to enfilade the dug outs.

The Brigade remained in the reserve line until 4th September, with little to relieve the monotony of life in the dug outs, suffering from snipers and stray shells which were continually adding to the casualty list; while wastage through sickness became serious. See image of unidentified Warwickshire Yeomen and dug outs on the reverse slope of Hill 70.

On the night of the 4th September the whole Division were ordered up into the firing line to occupy trenches vacated by the Munster Fusiliers. The Turkish Trenches were only 400 yards in front and sniping was incessant. The Regiment remained there for the next three weeks improving their trenches by day and providing guard duties at night; during which no general attack was made by either side.

On 26th September the Yeomanry Brigade were moved back to the reserve trenches vacated by the London Yeomanry, situated about 1,200 yards from the enemy front line on the edge of the Salt Lake, north of the track from Lala Baba to the front line and in full view of the enemy’s observation posts on the height dominating the Suvla Plain. Fortunately the enemy was short of ammunition or casualties would have been heavy.

Enclosed is a Newspaper clipping from the ‘Despatch’ 21st September 1915 – the caption reads ‘A post box made out of a cartridge case in Gallipoli – Official Photograph.’

Unless I am mistaken this is a wooden ammunition box for 303 rounds which has been put to good use.

The First World War mail services to the British Army and later the Royal Air Force (RAF) were provided by the Royal Engineers (Postal Section) (RE (PS)).

The Base Army Post Office (BAPO) was the principal in-theatre sorting office for all postal matter passing between the forces' postal service, HPD and other postal administrations. It also carried out the ancillary postal administrative functions required to maintain the postal service in the field. ‘Y’ BAPO was based at Mudros, Lemnos Island, Greece between April 1915 and February 1916.

No doubt there were a number of post boxes like this one at Anzac, Helles and Suvla but has anyone seen this picture before and can identify its location?

The Brigade remained in the reserve line until 4th September,1915 with little to relieve the monotony of life in the dug outs, suffering from snipers and stray shells which were continually adding to the casualty list; while wastage through sickness became serious.

On the night of the 4th September the whole Division were ordered up into the firing line to occupy trenches vacated by the Munster Fusiliers. The Turkish Trenches were only 400 yards in front and sniping was incessant. The Regiment remained there for the next three weeks improving their trenches by day and providing guard duties at night; during which no general attack was made by either side.

There are five Warwickshire Yeoman with no known grave and whose names are recorded on panel 16 of the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli. As confirmed by the enclosed extract from ADDERLEY’s ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War to which I have added asterisks to denote those with no known grave and also their Regimental Numbers.

Those of you who are familiar with FOWLER’s ‘The County of Warwickshire Roll of Honour 1914-2005’ will be aware that this book provides brief biographical details for Warwickshire Yeoman who were killed in action or subsequently died of wounds during WW1.

2696 Pte D. POWELL (Banbury) landed with the 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry at Suvla Bay on the 18th August 1915 and died of wounds the following day. He has none known grave – he was just 23 years of age, nor do we have a photograph of him.

THE WARWICKSHIRE YEOMANRY IN THE GREAT WAR.

CASUALTIES, APRIL-DECEMBER, 1915.

WKY Number  Rank and Name.         Date and Nature of Casualty. Birthplace ( )

Major B. Granville             WIA

Lieut. H. R. Yorke               21.8.15 Gallipoli 

2133.  Burton, E.   KIA (Snitterfield)

2127   Coe, B. C. K.* (Shipston)

2649   Hartley, W. ( Blackpool)

2287   Lidzy, R. (Stratford)

2589   Lugger, P. G.* (Leamington)

1185   Swift, E. W.  (Coventry)

2696   Powell, D. E.            19.8.15* DOW (Banbury)

2244   Turner, H. G.            30.8.15 (Edgbaston) 

2161   Beech, W.                  31.8.15 KIA (Warwick) 

1879   Cotterill, H. O.         10.9.15 (B'ham)

2222   Wainwright, R. H.  17.9.15 (Wolverton)

1835   Albright, A.               28.8.15 (Leamington)

1801   Clarke, V.                   23.9.15 (B'ham)

1468   Cox. E. J.                   10.8.15 DOD Alexandria (Knowle) 

1446   Hurrell, N. M.           23.8.15 * DOW  H.S. Nevassa (B'ham)

1772   Whittall, W. J.         28.8.15 *H.S. Alaunia (Erdington)

 856    Caldicott, C.            19.9.15. DOD

Alexandria (Ch. Camden)

1359  Gowling, J.                30.11.15 (Leamington)

2495  Copping, R. C.         28.10.15 (Eye)

* Commemorated on Panel 16 of the Helles

Memorial, Turkey.

WIA  - Wouded in Action

KIA - Killed in Action

DOW -  Died of Wounds

DOD  - Died of Disease

2127 Pte B.C.K. COE *(Shipston) was killed in action crossing the open plan between Lala Baba and Chocolate Hill on the 21st August. “Kingie” COE was 20 years of age with a happy disposition – his story can be found in the Booklet ‘Shipston Remembers – The Men on Shipston’s Three War War Memorials’ by Mike WELLS published in 2009. The enclosed picture of COE was published in the Evesham Journal.

 2589Pte G.P. LUGGER * (Leamington Spa) was killed in action on the 21st August. Age 25.

Gerald LUGGER is mentioned in a letter written by Corp Jack FORTNUM who was wounded in the charge at Hill 60 which was published in the Rugby Advertiser. “As soon as we come in sight across the open country, on the right of Salt Lake, the enemy opened a deadly shell fire, with shrapnel and explosive shells. One could see nothing but shells bursting around them. We lost many of our boys wounded with shrapnel, and it was quite marvellous to find any alive, as the shells set fire to the small bushes and dry grass where they had fallen, but our stretcher-bearers did fine work there. Onward we pressed, steadily, but firm, as if on parade, taking cover behind Chocolate Hill, where we rested a while and called the roll. Up till now, I had lost half my section of ten – L/Cpl COLEMAN, L/Cpl DAULMAN and L/Cpl WORMALL, Tpr LUGGAR and Tpr HAYWARD. One shell falling against me knocked over six of the troop, but I was lucky enough in only losing the heel of my boot.”

None of this information on Gerald losing his life at Chocolate Hill reached his wife Gertrude until the following year, all that she was aware of was that he was wounded and missing, the following story appeared in the Leamington Spa Courier on 28th January 1916.

The mystery as to the fate of Pte. G. P. LUGGAR, of the Warwickshire Yeomanry, becomes deeper as time goes time on. It will be remembered that Pte. LUGGAR (who was Finance Clerk to the Warwickshire Insurance Committee before joining the Yeomanry) was officially reported as having been wounded at the Dardanelles in August, but for a long time nothing further was heard by his relatives in Leamington Mrs. Luggar however, has now received a letter from the British Red Cross and Order of St. John (Enquiry Department for Wounded and Missing) informing her that a trooper in the High Street Military Hospital. Manchester, states that Pte. LUGGAR r was landed August apparently at Mudros, with a shrapnel wound, which was believed to be the way to recovery. There was no information of a later date than August 24th. Despite the information that Gerald was on the way to recovery it did appear that this was false hope as there appears to be no record of him arriving for treatment at Mudros.

On 19th May 1916 it was reported in Leamington Spa Courier that ‘Official intimation was received this week that Pte. G. P. LUGGAR, of the Warwickshire Yeomanry, was killed in action the Dardanelles Aug. 21st last…..’

1446 Corp N.M. HURRALL * (Birmingham) died of wounds on the Hospital Ship NEVASSA on the 23 August. Age 23.

There is a fairly grainy image of Norman HURRALL by way of a Birmingham newspaper clipping in a Scrap Album in the Museum Archive notifying his death. The wounded would have been conveyed in lighters and pinnaces to the Hospital Ships which were fairly close in but out of range of the Turkish Artillery at Suvla Bay.

1772 Corp W.J. WHITTALL * (Erdington) died of wounds on the Hospital Ship ALANNIA on the 28th August. Age 23.

For brief biographical details of those Warwickshire Yeoman who were killed in action or died of wounds at Gallipoli, then see pages 477 to 479 of ‘The County of Warwickshire Roll of Honour 1914-2005 – Volume 1 South Warwickshire’ ‘by Kenneth FOWLER.

Images of grave markers taken in Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli by Warren SMITH, who is one of our Museum Volunteers.

Thank you Warren.

2287 L/Cpl Robert LIDZY fell in ‘a magnificent charge’ probably a euphemism for a suicidal infantry assault on machine guns) during an attack on Hill 112 – he can be found on page 28 of the book ‘Stratford a Town at War 1914-45’ by Nicholas FOGG published in 2008.

1879 Pte COTTERILL while on a listening patrol was hit in the thigh on the 12th September and died seven days later.

ADDERLEY records that in late September 1915 ‘there was an ever increasing amount of sickness amongst the men at this time, and the strength was considerably reduced by the large proportion in hospital. Only 41 fit men remained in the Regiment of the original total of 308 men which landed in August.’

On the 26th September Major MILLS arrived with a draft from Alexandria – the total effective strength of the Regiment at Gallipoli was 140 Officers and men.

The Regiment landed as infantry at ‘A’ Beach Suvla Bay on the 18th August 1915.

“The reception we got on landing was rather warm, and not altogether according to our liking” wrote 1482 S.Q.M.S Jack FINCHER and 2152 Pte Arthur FINCHER to their parents at Shottery. According to our records the FINCHER brothers were invalided in October 1915 and Arthur re-joined the Regiment in Egypt on 13 February 1916. 

There are five Warwickshire Yeoman with no known graves whose names are recorded on panel 16 of the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli: Shown thus*

2696 Pte D POWELL *(Banbury) had the misfortune to die of wounds within one day of arriving at Gallipoli. Age 23.

Above Chocolate Hill (centre Green Hill) in the middle distance taken by Warren SMITH on the 5th September 2020 - very peaceful and quiet compared to below the 21st August 1915 with the Yeomanry Brigade advancing under shrapnel fire.

The enclosed cartoon was drawn by 2702 Pte James Gordon COWELL, 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry, who arrived at Alexandria on the 20 April 1915.

James had spent over three years working on the Arica to Le Pass Railway from 1911 to 1914 but, at the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, had travelled from Peru to Rio de Janeiro and shipped from there back to the UK on the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company steamship "Amazon". His occupation was given as Civil Engineer. Name given as James Gordon, age 26. He arrived in Liverpool on 30th November 1914 and enlisted in the Warwickshire Yeomanry on 2nd December 1914.

2702 Pte James Gordon COWELL is not listed as part of the original Warwickshire Yeomanry Contingent which left Alexandria on the 14th August 1915 arriving at Suvla Bay on the 18th August, landing from lighters under sporadic fire.

Part of the Regiment was left behind at Chatby Camp, Alexandria to look after the horses and by September 1915 they had provided at least one draft which may well have included 2702, who clearly had a sense of humour who found himself giving up his horse and acquiring all the impedimenta of an infantry soldier.

Those Warwickshire Yeoman who had survived the rigours of Gallipoli were evacuated on the 13th October and reached Mudros on the 24th October 1915.

The Regiment then experienced three weeks of discomfort in tents, suffering considerably from cold weather and short rations; during which time 2702 Pte James Gordon COWELL was according to our handwritten nominal records invalided on the 16 November 1915.

Eight days later the Warwickshire Yeomanry left Mudros on HMT ”Thermistocles” for Alexandria arriving safely on the 28th.

James Gordon COWELL was discharged from the Army on 30 May 1917 as no longer fit for active service. Together with his two brothers Sydney and Jack he attended his mother’s funeral at Kings Norton in late October 1916. After the Great War it is believed all three brothers emigrated to Australia.

“Thursday 16th September 1915: Where we are now where there is a certain amount of cultivation and the ruins of small cottages and farms. The scattered trees are figs and oaks and the little fields were I suppose, divided up by hedges but it is all ruinous and overgrown and cut up with trenches it is difficult to make out the original lie of the land. Back towards the sea is a stretch of very poor rough land. There are lots of tortoises in the scrub there. The only other animal I have heard is one hare. Of birds there are swallows, rooks, partridges, magpies (or something like them) and some very pretty small birds. No vultures or carrion crows I wish there were, for there are many poor fellows its is impossible to bury who would be best disposed of that way. It sounds horrible but it is not a question of sentiment but of sanitation. We would all do anything in the world we could to show them reverence and respect but to attempt to go and bury them would simply be to add to the number of corpses. It threatened rain in the morning and we were all prepared for a wet night but fortunately it kept off.” (Temp Chaplain Arthur PARHAM, Attd Headquarters 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade). **

The above quote comes from ‘GALLIPOLI – The Dardanelles Disaster in Soldiers Words and Photographs’ by Richard Van EMDEN and Stephen CHAMBERS, published in 2015 which is an exceptionally good book and well worth reading.

** The 2nd S.M.M.B. was a Territorial Force Yeomanry Brigade commanded by the Brigadier-General The Earl of Longford. Originally comprising Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars, Berkshire Yeomanry and Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars, Berkshire Battery, Royal Horse Artillery and ancillary troops, it concentrated in Berkshire on the outbreak of war in August 1914 and was briefly employed in coastal defence duties, losing the Oxfordshire Hussars for the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry prior to embarkation for Egypt and dismounted service on the Gallipoli peninsula. On 21 August 1915 the Brigade, as part of the 2nd Mounted Division, was committed to the largest single-day attack ever mounted by the Allies at Gallipoli. Involving three division in total, the offensive was designed to relieve pressure on the exposed British position at Suvla and to link up with ANZAC forces to the south.

After an anxious day of waiting in reserve, the Yeomanry was ordered to assault Scimitar Hill at 5pm, their attack timed so that the setting sun might shine in the eyes of the Turkish machine gunners. Unfortunately the day was overcast, and the scrub covering the hill was on fire, set alight by shellfire, and threatening to consume the dead and dying British infantry already strewn across the slopes. Advancing in columns by regiment and, marching in extended order, the 5,000 Yeomen were easy targets for the shrapnel. Most of them halted in the cover of Green Hill, west of Scimitar Hill but Brigadier-General Lord Longford led his 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade in a charge over Green Hill and up to the summit of Scimitar Hill. Continuing on, Lord Longford was cut off and killed – see his grave marker. The Yeomanry too were driven from the summit. The attack at Scimitar Hill on 21 August was the last attempt by the British to advance at Suvla. The front line remained between Green Hill and Scimitar Hill for the remainder of the campaign until the evacuation on 20 December.

‘British Regiments at Gallipoli’ by WESTLAKE published in 1996 provides a useful monthly summary for each Regiment. Here is a precis for the month of September 1915:

Due to casualties and sickness the 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry, together with the 1/1st Gloucestershire and 1/1st Worcestershire Yeomanry"s formed the 1st South Midland Regiment, 1st Composite Mounted Brigade (4th Sept). Deployed in the forward area – Caters House sector, carrying out tours of duty in the firing and support lines exchanging with the 1/1st Gloucestershire Yeomanry. ADDERLEY records a heavy reduction on strength due to sickness. Of the 308 Warwick Yeoman men who landed in August only 41 remained fit for duty – relieved and to reserve at Salt Lake Line (25th Sept).

ADDERLEY records that ‘on the 26th September 1915 the Brigade were moved back into the reserve trenches vacated by the London Yeomanry, situated about 1200 yards from the Turks front line, on the edge of the Salt Lake. The trenches occupied were just north of the main track from Lala Baba to the front line, and in full view of the enemy’s observations posts on the heights, which dominated the Suvla plain. Luckily the Turks was short of ammunition or casualties would have been heavy.’

Major J.D. MILLS arrived from Alexandria on the 26th September and took over the Regiment from Captain STOCKER. The strength of the two Warwickshire Yeomanry Squadrons is recorded as 140 Officers and men. The Squadron Leaders were ‘B’ Squadron Captain NAPIER, with Lieut. SMITH-RYLAND and 2nd Lieut. ALAN-WILLIAMS. ’C’ Squadron Captain GILLIESPIE, with Lieut. SHIRLEY and 2nd Lieuts. JACKSON and SPRINGFIELD. The Machine Gun Section under Lieut. H.B.TATE * was brigaded with the Worcesters and Gloucesters. Captain STOCKER was appointed Brigade Major to the 2nd Brigade.

Back in 1972 I purchased my copy of ADDERLEY’s ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War’ which had previously been owned by Henry Burton TATE* - see book plate. TATE was commissioned into the Warwickshire Yeomanry as a 2nd Lieut. (15.2.13) and Lieut. (11.12.14). According to his medal index card he applied for his 1914-15 trio of medals in February 1919 by which time he was a Captain.

‘British Regiments at Gallipoli’ by WESTLAKE published in 1996 provides a useful monthly summary for each Regiment. Here is a precis for the 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry for the month of October 1915:

‘To front line – “A” Section (10th). Positions running from south from Green Hill – Munster Sap and Dorset Alley. ADDERLEY notes trenches as being full of mud and filth. There were many dead from the August fighting still unburied. Relieved for Mudros (31st). Total casualties for Gallipoli 15 other ranks killed, 2 Officers, 92 other ranks wounded.’

The enclosed trench map for the Suvla Area (5th Sept 1915) reveals a complex system of trenches.

ADDERLEY records that the Brigade left the Peninsula on the night of the 31st October 1915 and ‘after a tedious and protracted crossing of 48 miles, in 14 hours, landed at Mudros and marched for 4 miles to the 9th Corps Rest Camp which was reached in total darkness.’

The small remnant of the Regiment arriving at Mudros on the 1st November (numbering 81 officers and men.) were joined by the drafts waiting for them from England and Alexandria - the total strength of the Regiment being just over 300.

They then spent the next three weeks of discomfort in tents suffering considerably from cold weather and short rations.

31st October – 29th November 1915

ADDERLEY records that the Brigade left the Peninsula on the night of the 31st October 1915 and ‘after a tedious and protracted crossing of 48 miles, in 14 hours, landed at Mudros and marched for 4 miles to the 9th Corps Rest Camp which was reached in total darkness.’

The small remnant of the Regiment arriving at Mudros on the 1st November (numbering 81 officers and men.) were joined by the drafts waiting for them from England and Alexandria - the total strength of the Regiment being just over 300.

They then spent the next three weeks of discomfort in tents suffering considerably from cold weather and short rations.

The following is an extract from the Warwickshire Yeomanry War Diary for Gallipoli:

MUDROS. 21.11.15 The Regiment received orders to embark at 2pm, and proceeded to Ordnance Pier, where they waited two hours, being unable to embark they returned to camp. Lieut B.C. JOHNSON and servant Pte THORNE* proceeded to SUVLA attached to the RE’s.

MUDROS. 22.11.15 The Regiment again received orders to embark (less Machine Gun Section of 18 men under Lord GLENTWORTH, who were under orders for SUVLA) and proceeded to South Pier at 12 noon. Strength 13 Officers, 283 Other Ranks. They embarked on T.S.S. THEMISTOCLES about 5pm.

ADDERLEY records they left MUDROS on the 24th November H.M.T. THEMISTOCLES for Alexandria arriving safely on the 28th. The next day they proceeded to Camp at Mena, nine miles from Cairo for a period of intensive training as a mounted Yeomanry Regiment.

2750 Pte Charles THORNE,* 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry records in his diary:

21.11.15 Packed up and left camp to go to the pier to embark for Gallipoli with Lt. JOHNSON. When we got to the pier they would not take us on board because the sea was too rough so we returned to camp.

23.11. 15 Again cleared out of camp and the sea was much smoother so we were taken aboard sailing that night about 5pm. Arriving Suvla Bay about 10pm after a very rough passage. Slept that night on board.

24.11.15 Disembarked at 6am and landed at A Beach, had breakfast and dinner, then got into a small boat and went across the harbour to C Beach arriving there at 4pm.

He proceeded to Lala Baba and occupied a dug out, remaining there in adverse weather conditions until 11 December 1915 under orders to go to LEMNOS.

 2750 Pte Charles THORNE remained with Lt B.C. JOHNSON until January 1916.

*THORNE is mentioned in T.E.LAWRENCE’s ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ for he accompanied Captain Sir George LLOYD, G.C.I.E, DSO, ( Later Lord LLOYD), 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry on clandestine missions in Palestine in 1917 with T. E. Lawrence and others.