Food in Gallipoli

[Guest jolees]

I'm trying to work out the logistics on how the ANZACs actually received their rations. I'm talking down to the nitty gritty here. Did each digger go down and get their own rations? Did somebody distribute to their positions? How was the food divided? Did they get food enough to last them a week at a time? Or a day at at time? Were there no meals cooked for big groups?

Any details would be great. I'm writing a piece from a Maori Contingent point of view around food.

Many thanks

Jo

[apple]

Read an account, recently, of an Australian surgeon with the Field Ambulance in ANZAC cove http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15896

Can' t remember if he got into the logistical side of things i.e. how the food got to the men, very much. But, he described that initially everyone just cooked for themselves. But, later on communal cooking was introducing and the quality of the meals and the men's morale improved

[centurion]

Is there any reason to suppose that supply for ANZAC troops at Gallipoli was different from that used for the British (and French) troops there?

[centurion]

Assuming that the answer to my question is no the following info re British and French troops fighting at Galipolli may help

From the history of The Fifth Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

"The climate, the flies, and the experiences of the preceding fortnight had already begun to tell upon the general health of the Battalion. Diarrhoea and dysentery were prevalent throughout all the troops on the Peninsula, and we suffered with the rest. One factor which contributed to, if indeed it was not—as many of us believed—the primary cause of, the prevalence of these diseases, was the unsuitability of bully-beef and hard biscuits as the basis of our diet under the weather and other conditions in which we were then living. This was quickly recognized by the medical authorities and important modifications were soon introduced in the scale of rations. The toothsome Maconochie, rather rich for the average digestion under a tropical sun, disappeared in the meantime from the menu. Fresh meat—or, to speak more strictly, frozen meat—of excellent quality was substituted for bully, which latter was only issued on the rare occasions when, owing to transport difficulties, no frozen was available. The hard biscuits gave place to good bread; the ration of desiccated vegetables was increased; an issue of rice was instituted; cheese was reduced and preserved milk increased. The only rations which were never quite sufficient to satisfy the men were those of tea and sugar—especially sugar. They liked their tea very strong and very sweet, and quickly tired of rice unless boiled with lots of sugar, which the limited rations of sugar did not run to. Jam was plentiful and popular; marmalade only appealed to a limited circle. Some uncharitably minded fighting men were wont to insinuate that the best beloved brands of jam, such as strawberry and raspberry, never got beyond the Beach, the A.S.C. who handled the supplies being suspected of a nefarious weakness for these varieties. One hesitates to listen to such calumnious suggestions, but it must be admitted that for many long weeks we received an overwhelming proportion of "Apricot Jam" with which, popular as it originally was, the men became so "fed up" that they changed its name to "Parapet Jam," because, they explained, it was so invariably thrown over the parapet instead of being eaten."

"About 6 p.m. we reached our destination, a series of holes in the ground lying between the Pink Farm Road and "X" Beach, and about a mile behind the Farm itself. The Quarter-Master, Lieut. T. Clark, and his satellites had a good meal of hot stew and potatoes ready for us, and lots of tea, after which we stretched our blankets on the ground, lay down and fell asleep."

"Until far into the night every available officer and man left at Battalion Headquarters was kept hard at it bringing ammunition, stores and rations from the Brigade dump at Backhouse Post up to the firing line. The work was exhausting but the men, recognising its vital importance, laboured willingly. When finally we did get settled down for a few hours sleep, it was with the pleasing consciousness that in this, our first big engagement, if the fates had afforded us no opportunity of gaining special distinction, we had at least put in much useful work and contributed indirectly to the success of our comrades' efforts."

From the diary of 8308, Corporal D Moriarty,B Coy 1st RMF,

"24 May 1915

Fairly quiet up to 3 p.m. when we got orders to proceed to the firing line where we arrived about 9 p.m.. Pioneers and myself were in a "Nullagh" about 70 yards in rear in charge of ammunition and rations. The night was fairly quiet except for some snipers. Casualties during the night 2 men wounded."

"27th May 1915

Rations did not arrive till 1 am this morning 27th and I turned in about 2 am and slept till five. Up to the time I went to sleep the rifle fire had not ceased but I was so done up it did not keep me from sleeping. "

The French

Early on the morning of 21 June the French troops had a hot breakfast with extra rations of rum, each commander revising his detailed brief. After heavy preliminary bombardment, the French moved forward steadily and well, taking Haricot Redoubt with little trouble and gaining a foothold on the nearby Quadrilateral redoubt.

Elsewhere there are many references to each man landing with 3 days rations and having to fend for himself on these until supplies could be better organised.

[Jeff Pickerd]

Jo,

The following from a couple of Trooper of the 8th Light Horse Regiment up on Russell's Top. There are numerous other references to preparing meals, but these two are good descriptions.

Tpr Martin O’Donoghue from a letter home: "It is very hilly country here, we have to cart water and food away up a steep hill to get to the trenches. We get splendid food, each does his own cooking, get ham, steak, biscuits, fresh bread, vegetables, fresh water and rum every day, they also give us a half tin of tobacco, two packets of cigarettes and a box of matches once a week."

Tpr A. W. A. Barber No. 343, “C” Sqdn, wrote a letter home to his parents. He had run out of paper and used the white side of a piece of strawboard: “Got your letters dated May 3rd yesterday. We are having an easy time here so far. We were in the trenches last week. But are out for a rest now. We have to do our own cooking, and make up some funny mixtures sometimes. I can make great puddings out of biscuits, jam and cheese, boiled together. I am quite all right again, and feel better than ever. Love, from Watty.”

A break down of the rations issued on Gallipoli is outlined in the history of the 5th Light Horse Regiment

under Appendix “D.” RATION SCALES, GALLIPOLI, 1915.

“The following is the normal scale of rations issued at GALLIPOLI when available.

Fresh Meat, per man. Was issued frequently: Frozen.

(daily) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 lb. Mutton substituted occasionally.

Preserved Meat .. .. .. .. 1 lb. “Fray Bentos” (Bully Beef)

Bread .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 lb. For first six weeks no bread received. Afterwards issued on average

Four days a week, and then not always to scale.

Biscuits .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ¾ lb. Issued when no bread available; also when shortage of bread ration.

(would appear to have been available at all times.)

Bacon .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 oz. Issued regularly.

Potatoes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ½ lb. Rarely available and seldom issued to scale. (occasionally fresh,

normally tinned.)

Preserved Vegetables .. .. 2 oz. After first month troops would not use.

Sugar .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 oz. After two months reduced to 2 oz.

Tea .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . ... ½ oz. Always to scale.

Cheese .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 oz. Always to scale.

Jam .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 oz. Often reduced to 2 oz.

Pepper .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3-8 oz.

Mustard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3-5 oz.

Condensed Milk .. .. .. .. 2 oz. Or eight to the tin; afterwards reduced to1 oz. Sixteen to tin. Milk only

issued last three months.

Rum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1.64 gal. When issued.

Lime Juice .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1-1.20 gal. When issued, always available.

Cigarettes or Tobacco .. 2 oz. Weekly issue. During month of October issue was short.

Dried fruits, i.e., Raisins, figs and Currants issued when Jam was not available.

Flour, at rate of 1 lb for section, was occasionally issued in lieu of Biscuits, also rice, which, with above-

named fruits, made “spotted dog.”

Water, normal issue 1 gallon per man, all purposes. This was reduced to a pint per day during November;

often full issue of water was not available.”

Jeff