1st Essex at Gallipoli

[robway]

Just started researching a relative who was at Gallipoli with 1st Essex.

I've manged to get their War Diary for June to December 1915 as part of WO/95/4312 from the National Archives but although this has data for other units is the 88th Brigade regiments (i.e. 5th Royal Scots, 4th Worcs) from April 1915 there is nothing for the 1st Essex for March ,April May period. Does anyone know the NA reference to cover this or another source?

[michaeldr]

For 'another source', try Ray Westlake's book 'British Regiments at Gallipoli' [iSBN 0 85052 511 X]

1st Essex

21st March 1915 Avonmouth embarked Caledonia

2nd April 1915 Arrived Alexandria

6th Disembarked and to Mustapha Camp

11th sailed for Lemnos

13th Arrived Mudros Harbour

24th To Cape Helles

25th Landed W Beach during morning. Moved forward and with 4th Worcestershire took part in attack on Hill 138. Major H M Farmer, DSO (86th Brigade Major) recalls – "The Worcestershire and Essex battalions of the 88th Brigade began operations about 2 pm and by 5.20 pm they had the Turkish positions on Hill 138 in their hands. The troops then entrenched themselves." Enemy counter attacks during night repulsed. Casualties since landing – 3 officers killed, 3 wounded; 15 other ranks killed, 87 wounded.

26th Consolidated gains

27th Advanced on Krithia. Entrenched astride Kirte Dere.

28th Continued attack – strong opposition from enemy positions about 1 mile outside Krithia forced withdrawal. Casualties – 123 Killed, 76 wounded, 33 missing. Took up position with left on Krithia Nullah

1st/2nd May 1915 Relieved by 2nd Hampshire and to reserve at Morto Bay. Rushed forward during night and in action on right of 86th brigade where enemy had entered part of line held by 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers and 1st Dublin Fusiliers. X Company under Captain A G L Pepys charged with the bayonet and cleared enemy from lost position. Further gains made. It was noted by one witness that many of the Irishmen had been killed while they slept. The trenches in many places were ankle-deep in blood. Casualties – 14 killed, 31 wounded, 5 missing. The dead included Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel O G Godfrey-Faussett, DSO and Major H J Sammut. Lieutenant H J Dixon was mortally wounded. According to one officer (Lieutenant R S M Hare), the Colonel had been called by name by one of the enemy and shot as he got up from his dug out.

5th To reserve

6th Moved forward to firing line and took part in fighting at Fir Tree Wood.

7th Cleared enemy from Wood and advanced 300-400 yards. Gains held and consolidated

8th Covered advance of New Zealand troops

10th Relieved and to rest area. Casualties – 5 officers wounded, 15 other ranks killed, 137 wounded.

16th Relieved 1/8th Manchester in firing line between Fir Tree Wood and Gully Ravine

18th In action – some 200 yards gained. Casualties – 6 killed, 20 wounded, 3 missing.

31st Z Company in action – 22 casualties. Relieved by 2nd Royal Fusiliers and to rest area half mile beyond Pink Farm

regards

Michael

[owen4256]

If you post his name and number I may have some additional details

Clive

[robway]

Michael - Many thanks for that info

Clive - you were kind enough to supply me with some info on another post - the relative is 6753 Sidney White - Promise I will get you a photo! Interestingly in the 88th Brigade War Diary I obtained as WO/95/4312 document 465 pg 46 , it has him listed under Appendix II which is entitled "Further Mentions 13-5-15" Presumably this means he was "Mentioned in Dispatches"? One of the reasons for trying to get hold of the battalion diary for this time is to see if this gives any more detail than just his name and number listed in the Brigade report.