Nearly killed by shellfire

On 26th we went down to the Rest Camp; had hot bath in the afternoon in half-barrels.  We slept in dug-outs without roofs - water-proof sheet rigged up, but the rain came on and came in between the sheet and the side, and drenched our blankets.

dug outs

Our clothes were disinfected in a steam boiler on 27th.  On 28th I was on fatigue 5.30 to 7.30 pm.  Reveille was at 2.30 am. on 29th.  We left the Rest Camp at 4 am. for the firing-line.  We relieved the Ayrshire Yeomanry in a trench 120 yards from the Turkish trenches.  Enfilading shellfire caused great damage.  We had to get into funk-holes 10 am. to escape shell-fire.

funk holes

At 1 pm. a mine was blown up, and the R.S.F. made an advance.  A shell landed in the traverse where I was standing during the bombardment; five men were killed and four wounded out of eleven.  I was only about one foot from a corner and escaped.  We evacuated the traverse during the day, but returned at night.  On 31st Dec. there was five minutes rapid fire and then a bombardment by our artillery.  During the four days in the firing-line I had to do one hour on and one hour off duty.  I could scarcely sleep for the cold (we had only one blanket).  On 1st Jan.,1916, I had to do fatigues while off duty till 11pm.  On 2nd Jan. we were relieved at 7 am.  We went to the Support Trenches (Parson's Road).  We were on fatigue leveling the roads to the beach, from 1.30 to 6 pm., and were on 3rd from 8.30 to 12 noon. All side roads were barred by finger-posts.  I was on guard over-night on 3rd.

Artillery and mines, wet up to the knees, and Xmas pudding

On 18th Dec. X Coy. went into support lines, Y Coy. replacing them.  I was on guard duty from 3 pm. on 18th till 7 pm on 19th, listening down mine, on hour on, and four off, - in case of counter-mining, as it went under bombing station.  On 19th Dec (Sun), H.L.I. took some trenches on our right. Attack began at 2.15 pm. with our Monitors sending over four shells, then three mines were blown up.

Monitor class warship.  Broad beamed, so stable, but slow

The artillery duel lasted till 5 pm.  I was put into the firing-line at 7 pm. We had to stand-to most of night, getting 1 hour off & 2 on after midnight, the second hour on duty being spent sitting ready on the firing step.  I had taken the place of a man killed by shrapnel on 19th (from No. 8 platoon).




We were relieved at noon on 10th Dec. - went into support till 10 am. on 21st, when we were removed to the Redoubt line, the battn., with the exception of No. 4 platoon to which I was attached (Sgt Cowan Platoon Sgt.), going to the Eski Lines.  There was very heavy rain on afternoon & night of 21st.  The trenches were 2 feet deep in water in some places.  We were removed to a new part of the Redoubt on 22nd, my feet being wet all day on 22nd and 23rd, when I was wet up to the knees.  On Sat.,Xmas Day, we had 1/2 lb. Xmas pudding for dinner.  This was the first day of shelling by the Turks, which continued daily till the evacuation.



Redoubt line https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redoubt 
Eski lines - a deep wide support trench
The evacuation http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/evacuation_dec15.htm

Gallipoli - ill health due to shrapnel and also curried stew

Left Mudros in "Redbreast"

  http://historicalrfa.org/requisitioned-auxiliaries/175-requisitioned-auxiliaries-r/1536-requisitioned-auxiliary-redbreast on Tuesday, 4.20 pm.  Reached French pier on "V" Beach, Gallipoli Peninsula, 8 pm. Landed by being packed in a lighter which took us alongside the stranded "River Clyde", from which we reached the shore.

 http://www.worldwar1.com/sfclyde.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_River_Clyde


Marched inland 12 midnight.  Lay in open at night near Rest Camp. Left for Support Trench 12 noon, on Wed.,1st Dec.  Under shell-fire, Sat. 4 th, when at Bde. Dump on fatigue.Several shells burst behind parapet, throwing over showers of dirt.  Went to Eski Lines in front of Krithia,5th; attatched on 2nd Dec. to No. 1 Platoon,X Coy.  Sgt. Woodrow being platoon sergeant. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Krithia

On fatigue digging trenches 6th to 8th 8.30 am. to 12 noon, & 5 pm. to 8.30 pm.,and on 7th 8.30 am.to 12 noon.  Garrison duty  on 9th; removed to Rest Camp on 10th in afternoon.  Went into old dugouts for night: - holes dug in ground,8'x 6'x 3', no roof six in one row, connected by passage, earth thrown up in front.  Went into comfortable winter dugouts next day.  These held 7 men - 5 sleeping on floor, two in hammocks from roof.  They are 3 feet below the level of the ground, & are 10' x 6', and 7' high at back, the roof being of corrugated iron.The dugouts were in a row, and connected by a passage one foot wide, with a"street",or drain, 4 feet wide on same level as floor, of dugouts, and running the length of the row of dugouts.  On Mon.,13th, I received two letters from home, posted on 26th Nov. (A letter from Maggie Harvey, while in Eski Lines on 8th Dec., addressed to Peebles, and re-addressed).

Left Rest Camp 7 am. on 14th for firing-line with bombers and advance party, to take over periscopes from 6th H.L.I. & Argylls.  The battalion, coming later, was shelled, and Harold Robertson (of 1st draft), was killed, and S.M. Fairman wounded.  Bombs were thrown into firing-line while we were changing over.  One landed 2 yards in front of me and exploded before I could get away.  I was hit on left cheek, near eye, six places on right hand, and 3 on legs;all wounds were merely skin-deep.  When No.1 PLatoon came up I was placed with it, 3 traversxxx away, No.2 Platoon occupying trench which was only 20 yds. from Turkish trench.

I was on duty on firing-step on Tuesday night,14th, one hour on, two off, from 6 pm. to 6 am.  Whole battalion had to stand-to from 5 - 6 pm., and 6-7 am.  I was put on light duty on 15th, and slept in duplicate firing-line.  On duty again on 16th & 17th, although still attending doctor every morning, and getting wounds dressed.  Officers and men very considerate in asking how my wounds were.  Col. Peebles, 7th R.S. C.O.,& Acting C.O. of 4th R.S., told me to get round corner next time a bomb came over.  Bomb was little bigger than a hen egg, wrapped in linen cloth (white), tied at neck, from which fuse protruded.  On night of 17th I was very sick, and had pains in stomach, also diarrhoea - blamed it on dinner of curried stew.

Plymouth to Lemnos on H.M.Transport Caledonia

Went on board H.M.Transport "Caledonia" at Plymouth. Sailed at 7 pm.  Were in messes of 18.Got hammocks to sleep above tables.  I was sick on 16th and could take no food.  Lay on floor at night with clothes on, and lay about deck during day and following day.  All right by 18th.  4th Royal Scots were on fatigue duty during voyage cleaning wash-houses and latrines; escaped parades thereby.  Had fine weather on voyage out, although wind rose on 21st.

We sailed well outside of the Bay of Biscay; reached Gibraltar 8 pm. on 19th, after standing off & on all afternoon.  Left mails and sailed an hour later.  Lovely view of Gibraltar in moonlight.

Reached Malta 23rd Nov., after being again sick for two days as sea was rough.  Left 30 hours later, 4 pm. on Wed., having taken in water and coal.  Weather here more liek summer at home.

Reached Mudros Harbour, Lemnos, on Sat.,Nov., at 8 am.  Lay on board till Tuesday.  Weather very cold - snow.

 http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/mudros.htm

On board ship I knew Lt. Smith, L/Cpl. Robertson, Ptes. W.G.Wills, J.Middleton, W.Nicol, J.Kitson, M.Owens, A.Thomson, J.Wight F.Carro, C.Jack, A.Miller, 4th R.S.; M.King Galston, 4th R.S.F. (2nd time out) John Annall, No. 8816, 4th R.S.F Little Seven Acres, Kilwinning (3rd time out); F.P.Meckin, 6th H.L.I., Glasgow, (2nd).

The sea was remarkably blue during voyage.  I saw several porpoises diving clear out of the water.Little birds sometimes flew round us.  The water often glowed at night.  After first two nights I slept on deck.