IWM Gallipoli Evacuation Talk by Nigel Steel

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IWM Gallipoli Evacuation Talk by Nigel Steel

A very interesting lecture concentrating on the Helles evacuation, given by Nigel Steel at the IWM on 30/1/1991, explaining the difficulties encountered. Includes a fascinating excerpt of a Peter Hart interview with Joe Murray. Also some information on the making of " Tell England " a film with a couple of very interesting actors.

Mike

[Guest]

Peter Hart interviews Joseph Murray British NCO served with Hood Bn Royal Naval Division in GB, Gallipoli and on Western Front, 1914-1917; served with Naval Police in GB, 1918. In 45 x ½ Parts

WOW! (22½ hours)

Content description

REEL 1: Recollections of background in Burnopfield, 1896-1914: education; duties as greaser, pony driver and putter in local drift mine, 1908-1914; brother's naval career; drill with dummy rifles whilst at school. Recruitment to Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve aboard HMS Calliope at Newcastle upon Tyne, 10/10/1914: reasons; parents' reaction. Journey by train to Crystal Palace, London, 19/10/1914: reaction to London; story illustrating recruits' problems with basic drill. Initial training at Crystal Palace prior to volunteering to join Royal Naval Division, 10/1914. Recollections of training with C Coy, Hood Bn Royal Naval Div at Devonport Barracks, 1/11/1914-6/12/1914: status as soldier/sailor. REEL 2 Continues: initial problems with small bore rifle shooting and dispute with fellow recruits leading to boxing match; success on shooting full bore rifle course; route marches; contrast between recruits and reservists; pay and recreations; relationship with reservists. Recollections of period at Blandford Camp, 6/12/1914-27/2/19 15: effect of muddy conditions on training; relationship with NCOs and officers; naval uniform issued prior to army uniform; inspection by Churchill and George V, 1/1915; status as regular troops; naval ranks; issue of pith helmets; bayonet training; question of adequacy of training. REEL 3 Continues: night exercises; first news of Constantinople Expeditionary Force, 1/1915. Recollections of journey out to Mudros, Lemnos, Greece, 2/1915-3/1915: leaving via Shillingstone rather than Blandford station; strategic background to Gallipoli operations; reaction to Royal Naval Div's army status and survival of naval traditions; conditions during voyage aboard Grantully Castle including food, seasickness and visit ashore at Malta; view of harbour on arrival at Mudros; landing practises and exercises on Lemnos. Demonstration voyage from Gulf of Saros along coast of Gallipoli Peninsula, 18/3/1915-19/3/1 915. REEL 4 Continues: View of surviving ships following naval action in Dardanelles, 19/3/1915. News of brother's death at Battle of Coronel whilst training at Devonport Barracks, 2/11/1914. Aspects of period at Port Said, Egypt and at Skyros, 27/3/1915-23/4/1915: lack of secrecy as to plans; problems cutting trousers down to shorts; training; second hand story of attack by Turkish destroyer on Manitou; story of taking message from Asquith to Rupert Brooke whilst in Egypt; official announcement by Quilter of Gallipoli landings intended during fancy dress party aboard Grantully Castle; death of Rupert Brooke on Skyros, 23/4/1915; opinions of officers; father's interest in literature. Move to Gulf of Saros, 24/4/1915. Recollections of diversionary operations off Bulair lines, 25/4/1915: 'volunteering' for boat party. REEL 5 Continues: 'volunteering' for diversionary boat party; briefing and kitting out; tow from pinnace prior to rowing into shore; second hand account of Freyberg's swim and lighting flares; lack of positive role for Murray's boat; sea conditions; return to ship; opinion of officers. Situation whilst period cruising along Gallipoli coast, 25/4/1915-29/4/1 915. Recollections of landing at W Beach, Helles, Gallipoli, 30/4/1915: initial moves inland; casualties remaining on beach; personal morale; barbed wire in beach area. REEL 6 Continues: Move to repel Turkish counter attack in Gully Ravine sector, 30/4/1915: situation; opinion of French Senagalese troops; nature of night fighting; digging rough firing line. Recollections of operations in Gully Ravine sector, 1/5/1915-3/5/191 5: Turkish withdrawal, pursuit and digging in; question of casualties; view of advance of 2nd Bn Hampshire Regt as reinforcements; withdrawal, 2/5/1915; role as Asquith's runner, story of earlier exercise on Skyros illustrating his character and his evacuation wounded, 2/5/1915; food, water and ammunition supply; development of trench lines; naval support bombardments; failure of efforts to eradicate snipers. Recollections of operations in Achi Baba Nullah sector, 4/5/1915-6/5/1915: nature of French defensive positions; efforts to light fire to brew tea; roly poly pudding from biscuits. REEL 7 Continues: Recollections of attack in Achi Baba Nullah sector, 6/5/1915-7/5/191 5: confusion over role of French prior to attack; soldier's buttock wound; morale; advance out of nullah across swamp to farm buildings; situation; casualties in further advance through vineyard and subsequent isolation in small group; continued advance under fire; further casualties; remaining static to await developments; clash with advancing Scandalise troops prior to recognition as English; further advance to ditch position; confusion throughout as to position of Hood Bn; and consequent attachment to Senegalese. REEL 8 Continues: Recollections of operations, 7/5/1915-9/5/1915: situation and role of Royal Naval Div, French and Anzac troops; advance with Senagalese troops and stabilising of new line; reception on rejoining unit in reserve; casualties; efforts to find food and water. Recollections of period based in reserve camp above W Beach, 9/5/1915-28/5/1915: situation; morale; building rest camp trenches; fire from 'Asiatic Annie'; return of Royal Naval Div from D'Amade to Paris's control; situation. Recollections of period in front line, 29/5/1915-3/6/19 15: repelling Turkish attack, 1/6/1915; repairing trenches, 2/6/1915; brief period of relief, 3/6/1915. Recollections of attack towards Krithia, 4/6/1915: conditions in trenches prior to attack; working party trips to collect ammunition from Backhouse Post. REEL 9 Continues: working party trips to collect ammunition from Backhouse Post; preliminary bombardment; pause in bombardment and false attack demonstrations to confuse Turks; conditions in front line prior to attack; crossing No Man's Land and entering Turkish front line; case of friend's self inflicted hand wound and treatment; advance to Turkish second line; nature of Turkish trenches; explosion of chest ammunition pouches. REEL 10 Continues: explosion of chest ammunition pouches; situation; brief advance to Turkish third line; retirement back to Turkish frontline and discovering it was re-occupied by Turks; taking shelter in shell hole in No Man's Land; retirement at night across No Man's Land; mass of dead bodies in British front line; illustrations of effects of fatigue and confusion whilst standing to overnight; casualties; opinion of Generals tactics in launching such attacks; opinion of Compton Mackenzie. Recollections of conditions of service lifestyle and daily routine particularly in rest camp above W Beach, 5/6/1915-6/7/1915: reorganisation of Royal Naval Div; questioning over circumstances of friends self inflicted wound; morale; state of health. REEL 11 Continues: flies; effects of dysentery; food rations; insect life; story of remaining behind with party of Benbow Bn to guard stores above W Beach whilst remainder of unit went to Imbros, 19/6/1915-28/6/1915: duties carrying stores; visit to French lines to get extra food; letter and parcel contact with GB; unit's state of health on return; problems staying awake on sentry duty; question of self inflicted wounds; lice problem; maggots and corpses. REEL 12 Continues: morale and health of unit on return from Imbros and effect of Hamilton's speech during inspection; story illustrating severe effects of dysentery; personal morale; sea bathing during working parties; visiting Greek canteen; unloading trawlers; importance of condensed milk to diet; and question of morality of looting food rations; building road from W Beach to X Beach and using rocks from terracing cliffs; view of sinking of Carthage, 4/7/1915; over manning of beach parties. Chronologically inexact recollections of engineering and mining operations during attachments to 2nd Field Coy, Royal Naval Div, Royal Engineers based at Engineers Gully, 6/7/1915-21/8/1915 and VIII Army Corps Mining Coy based at Pink Farm, 21/8/1915-8/1/1916: circumstances of attachment to Royal Naval Div engineers; reception and superior rations issued; background to volunteering as ex-miner; digging gun pit and well close to front line; shell fire casualties. REEL 13 Continues: shell fire casualties; method of digging well; method of digging bombing saps from front line; connecting saps to advance front line; shallow underground saps and use of timber propping; story of being temporarily cut off whilst in advanced sap; question of unofficial truce with Turks, 8/1915; stories illustrating close escapes and hand grenades threat at Eastern Birdcage and generally in Gully Ravine sector; method of constructing and using jam tin bombs. REEL 14 Continues: method of constructing and using jam tin bombs; ruse using instantaneous fused bombs; sniping problem; review of arrival of reserve divisions at Gallipoli; preparing jumping off exits tunnelled through parapet for 52nd Div attack, 12/7/1915; account of taking up ammunition to King's Own Scottish Borderers in former Turkish second line and assisting in consolidation of position, 12/7/1915-13/7/1915; uniform worn; sleeping accommodation; story of air attack whilst digging well above X Beach; well digging using drill on rocky ground in Zig Zag sector in Gully Ravine. REEL 15 Continues: carrying water up to front line and informing them of new well; laying marker for infantry wiring parties; opinion of officers; stories illustrating opinion of NCOs in GB and Gallipoli; state of health; supervising construction of Eski line and Western Mule Trench; digging successful well on X Beach; circumstances of attachment to VIII Army Corp Mining Coy, 21/8/1915; reports from wounded of diversionary attacks, 6/8/1915-7/8/1915. REEL 16 Continues: camp concert of Royal Naval Div Engineers; circumstances of attachment to VIII Army Corps Mining Corps, 21/8/1915; digging bombing saps and story of being temporarily cut off whilst in advanced sap; story of digging mine galleries including hearing Turkish digging, it's apparent cessation when officer was present, effects of different textures of ground, method of preparing camouflet mine and effects of explosion; story discovery of Turkish tamping and mine gallery; begins story of gallery being blown up by Turkish mine and being trapped underground, 15/9/1915. REEL 17 Continues: description of mine galleries; use of plumb lines to keep galleries straight; difficulty in disposing of soil from mine; digging methods employed; shift length and degree of progress achieved; candles; demonstration of relative sounds of Turkish digging; method of preparing camouflet mine, nature of crater formed and question of effects of explosion on Turkish mine; theory of gallery system developed; physical and morale effects of mining. REEL 18 Continues: question of period of silence before explosion of camouflet; continues story of No 3 Sap gallery being blown, 15/9/1915, including account of dream whilst knocked unconscious, situation trapped in gallery, successful efforts to dig way out using knife and rescue from crater in No Man's Land. REEL 19 Continues: story of gallery being blown up by Turkish mine, 15/9/1915, including rescue from crater in No Man's Land, physical effects of experience, attempts to thank rescuers and question of Turks capturing remains of galleries; reactions to foot sticking out of ground in Gully Ravine; sea bathe and treatment at first aid post after rescue; initial nervousness about going underground; question of Turks having pre-existing mine galleries; confused state of mind after rescue; review of situation in mine warfare, 16/9/1915; return to original galleries; move to new sap; story of explosion of Turkish mine including previously hearing sound of very close Turkish digging which seemed to stop when officer present and subsequent inability to locate entrance of British gallery. REEL 20 Continues: story of explosion of Turkish mine including subsequent inability to find entrance to gallery and effect on morale; routine when out of line at advanced base at Geoghagans Bluff, Gully Ravine; situation; account of capture of section of Turkish gallery during emergency rescue attempt to dig from gallery through to possible survivors in blown up gallery, digging method, including interruptions due to working parties being required in firing line, nickname of 'Lucky Durham', discovery of Turkish gallery, their use of continuous all round timbering; breaking into Turkish gallery, exploring, arrival of officer, hearing Turkish miner, panicked departure of officer, coming underfire from British infantry working party, raising alarm and constructing barricade. REEL 21 Continues: account of capture of section of Turkish gallery including construction of barricades to block in captured gallery, continuing digging on other side of Turkish mine and view of Turkish miner digging; move to new sap; story of hearing Turkish digging from front line trench, code employed to avoid alarming infantry garrison, informing officer, hearing underground explosion without knowing location and question of Turks having pre-existing mine galleries; procedure on capturing Turkish mine gallery; rota system; story of blowing camouflet in gallery including sound of very close Turkish digging which seemed to stop when officer present. REEL 22 Continues: story of attempting to blow camouflet in gallery including difficulty in preparing camouflet due to lack of room for recess, failure of camouflet to explode, dispute with officer and realisation of Turk's success in stealing ammonal tins; recollections of rest period in Pink Farm sector including digging personal dugout, working party constructing headquarters dugout in First Australian line and its dangerous dome structure and effects of rain storm, 8/10/1915; stealing officer's trousers whilst receiving carbolic bathing treatment of skin rash at base hospital. REEL 23 Continues: recovery from skin rash; stealing officer's trousers; rest period; difficulties in mining in French section; rushed working methods to complete galleries for mine explosion under Turkish trenches in support of 52nd Div attack in Achi Baba Gully sector, 15/11/1915; recollections of squad's commendation in army orders and recreations during consequent three days 'leave' period touring Helles, 11/1915; opinion of non-combatant troops in beach areas; story of meeting Ashmead Bartlet, 30/4/1915; opinion of role of Army Service Corps and Royal Army Medical Corps. REEL 24 Continues: feinting attacks prior to explosion of mines under Turkish trenches; limited view point as ordinary soldier/sapper; situation in French sector; tactics of localised attacks; severe winter weather and effect of flooding in Gully Ravine, 26/11/1915-30/11/191 5; story of acting as guide to newly arrived officer; story of lice on shirt surviving being frozen in ice; question of number of storm casualties; debris dams and flooding in Gully Ravine. REEL 25 Continues: story of capture of Turkish mine gallery including nature of bombing fighting in attempts to consolidate captured positions following attacks, reports of Turkish mine in communication trench from newly captured Turkish front line to their new line, mining through to capture it, barricade, exploring Turkish galleries and strange box obstruction discovered; rest period at Pink Farm; work in Beri's Sap in Fusilier's Bluff sector including situation, state of existing galleries, remature holing into side of Gully Ravine and location of mines under Turkish lines and wire ready for detonation; ignorance of evacuation of Suvla, 19/12/1915; account of explosion of mines and attack by 52nd Div, in Gully Ravine, 19/12/1915, including infantry attack from gallery into ravine, sandbag barrier erected around exit from gallery, efforts to consolidate of position in Gully Ravine close to Turkish redoubt. REEL 26 Continues: consolidation of position between lines and mining towards Turkish redoubt in Gully Ravine, 19/12/1915-24/132/1915, including measures against Turkish bombing, progress, awareness of new type of shell used during Turkish attack, 24/12/1915, temporary isolation on withdrawal of infantry working party, 25/12/1915; question of Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1915; institution of periods of silence, 26/12/1915; view of bayonet fight in No Man's Land during Turkish attack, 28/12/1915; explosion of mine under Turkish redoubt in Gully Ravine, 29/12/1915; role of mining in defending Fusilier Bluff and absence of effective Turkish counter mining. REEL 27 Continues: end of most mining activity, 29/12/1915. Recollections of preparations and evacuation of Helles, 8/1/1916: noticing absence of troops between beaches and front line whilst carrying up ammonol tins from Pink Farm dump, 1/1/1916-4/1/1916; shooting at Turkish aircraft; silence periods; faking sound of digging in mine; ruses employed to disguise evacuation; reaction to evacuation; importance of naval bombardment in breaking up attack by Turks on Fusilier Bluff, 7/1/1916; evacuation of French and revised disposition of British divisions at Helles; account of march back and evacuation from V Beach, 8/1/1915, effect of evacuation on personal morale, route, fatigue, check on numbers, local arrangement to shoot wounded unable to walk; Asiatic Annie shell fire on V Beach; waiting lighters. REEL 28 Continues: Asiatic Annie shell fire on V Beach and bugle call warning system; opinion Turks were unaware of evacuation; boarding lighter through River Clyde; crowded conditions aboard lighter; moving off 2400 hours; transfer to ship; arrival at Mudros, 9/1/1915; personal morale; reactions to separation from rest of miners and return to Hood Bn. Various aspects of service at Gallipoli, 4/1915-1/1916: question of continuation of contacts with Hood Bn whilst with VIII Corps Mining Coy at Gallipoli; opinion of officers of VIII Corps Mining Coy; opinion of Quilter, Parsons and other original officers from Hood Bn; question of absence of women; prevalence of frogs in gullies; arrival of reinforcements and swift deterioration in health; opinion of Hunter Weston illustrated by story told by Paris during memorial visit to Gallipoli, 1934; second hand reports of landings at Helles, 25/4/1915. REEL 29 Continues: second hand reports of evacuation of Y Beach, 26/4/1915; opinion of tactic of daytime frontal attacks employed at Helles; review of naval operations off Gallipoli, effect of submarine threat and sinking of Majestic, 27/5/1915; opinion of Turkish troops; minimal contact with Australian and Indian troops; question of value of front line experience and reactions to shell fire; shortages of howitzers, shells and bombs; danger of troops gathered together presenting an artillery target; question of songs sung and variations in lyrics. REEL 30 Continues: absence of dental provision; personal health; personal morale and question of importance of religion; attachment of 2nd Naval Bde to French and parade in front of d'Amade, 14/5/1915; opinion of high command in contrast to junior officers; account of visit to Gallipoli disrupted by Turkish invasion of Cyprus, 1974; question of songs and sings 'Boys of the RND'. Recollections of period on Lemnos, 1/1916-5/1916: initial confusion on rejoining C Coy, Hood Bn; reaction to evacuation of Gallipoli; temporary dispersal of Royal Naval Div; recreational excursions; reaction to renewed discipline and training. REEL 31 Continues: inspection parade by Paris of Royal Naval Div, 5/1916. Voyage on Ivernia to Marseilles, France, 5/1916: disembarkation; reception from French civilians; train journey. Recollections of period in Abbeville sector, 5/1916-6/1916: billets; ignorance of renumbering of Royal Naval Div as 63rd Div; basic training and gas mask training; reasons for transfer to Western Front; period of trench training with 47th Div. Recollections of period in support line in Arras area, 7/1916: situation in Lorette Heights sector; patrols to occupy temporary positions in no mans land in Souchez valley; working parties and nature of support role; opinions of high command and developing role of machine guns; comparison of Western Front and Gallipoli including number of machine guns, distance between lines and manning levels; artillery fire on rear areas; story illustrating artillery disruption of working party on Vimy Ridge. REEL 32 Continues: story illustrating artillery disruption of working party on Vimy Ridge; reaction to increased levels of shellfire on Western Front; advantage of rest periods out of shellfire range. Aspects of period in Arras and Somme areas, 7/1916-9/1917: flying column role of Royal Naval Div; situation and opinion of reports of tactics employed during attack, 1/7/1916; situation on move to Ancre sector; first view of tanks. Recollections of leave in GB, 18/9/1916-27/9/1916: journey back to Burnopfield; friendly reception from civilians in London; story of encounter with concientious objector; visiting relatives in Gateshead; sending warning telegram home; emotional reunion with mother; necessity of bath to delouse before entering house; makeshift civilian clothes. REEL 33 Continues: arrival of warning telegram; visiting friends and reactions of relatives of casualties during Somme offensive; civilian ignorance of conditions on Western Front; reaction to conscientious objectors and South Wales miners' strike; question of station send off at Newcastle; insensitivity of military police to soldiers on leave whilst in London; opinion of rear area personnel; story illustrating superstition of increased casualties amongst soldiers immediately returned from leave. Recollections of period in Somme and Arras area, 7/1916-9/1916: question of unwillingness to reveal comrades names in recordings; story of refusing post as sergeant instructor at Lewis gun school at Paris Plage. REEL 34 Continues: assignment by Freyberg to Lewis gun training role within Hood Bn and example of instructional patter; question of promotion; question of further attachment to mining company; flying column of Royal Naval Div; story illustrating superstition of increased casualties amongst soldiers immediately returned from leave; opinion of new officers. Recollections of conditions of service and daily routine during course at Lewis gun school at Paris Plage; journey; teaching methods and examples of instructional patter; revision sessions with friend using Lewis gun manual; nearby shell shock hospital; firing range; account of interview at end of course. REEL 35 Continues: interview at end of course including comparison of Gallipoli and Western Front, examination of ablity to assemble Lewis gun and offer of post as sergeant instructor; journey back to unit and opinion of transport arrangements; subsequent interview with Freyberg including question of promotion as sergeant instructor and assignment to Lewis gun training role within Hood Bn. Recollections of period in Somme area, 10/1916-11/1916: second hand reports of events during attack in Beaumont Hamel sector, 1/7/1916; movements; wet conditions; speech by Major General Schute including review of situation and incitement not to take prisoners; position on Hamel sector by River Ancre; billets at Mesnil; sings 'Comrades in Arms'. REEL 36 Continues: sings 'Old Galipolean'; lachrymatory gas shell attack on Mesnil and story of soldier caught stealing from victims; lectures given by officers; problem with trench feet; railway embankment dugouts. Preparations for attack on Ancre, 13/11/1916: moving up to jumping off trenches in front of Hamil, 12/11/1916; prior issue of phospherous bombs, Mills bombs and extra rations; kit carried forward; plan of attack for Royal Naval Div; overnight wait in jumping off trenches, 12/11/1916; state of morale. REEL 37 Continues: visit from Freyberg whilst waiting in jumping off trenches; fixing bayonets; tactic of previous bombardments to confuse Germans as to imminance of attack; opening of preparatory bombardment at 05.45 on 13/11/1916; question of reactions to shells dropping short; manning levels in trenches and defensive tactics employed; attack objectives and time schedule to be followed. Account of attack in Beaucourt sector, 13/11/1917: disruption to attack plan caused by German resistance in Whaleback Redoubt on left; casulties; clearing German dugouts and German POWs taken in Beaucourt railway station sector; situation on capture of German lines; minor shrapnel wound in lower stomach and evacuation to Mesnil; effect of artillery on barbed wire defences; question of taking POWs. REEL 38 Continues: evacuation in stages to Le Havre. Period at 2nd General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps at Le Havre, 11/1916-12/1916: treatment; story of falling over due to wounds whilst walking in town and arrest under suspicsion of drunkenness. Rejoining unit for rest period in Rue area, 11/1916-1/1917: train journey and difficulty in locating unit; recreations; light training; winter conditions during march up to Somme area. Period in Beaucourt sector, 1/1916-2/1916. Account of attack on Puisieux Trench and Baillescourt Farm in Beaucourt sector, 3/2/1917-6/2/1917: introduction of prior comprehensive briefing using aerial photographs; beginning of attack at 23.00 on 3/2/1917. REEL 39 Continues: confused situation and siting Lewis gun; efforts to advance Lewis guns to position on Beaucourt road; German counter attacks; temporary capture by Germans and rescue by Drake Bn; consolidation; successful use of Lewis gun against German counter attacks; German serrated bayonet; patrol to identify opposing German units from battlefield corpses; organisation of Lewis gun and artillery fire on German unit caught in formation, 6/2/1915; situation. REEL 40 Continues: story of NCO opening fire on surrendering British troops; confused situation during initial attack; difficult withdrawal on being relieved, 6/2/1917. Recollections of period in Somme area, 2/1916-3/1916: situation following German withdrawal to Hindenberg Line; evacuation and treatment for frost bitten toes, 2/1917-3/1017; rejoining unit; move to Arras area, 3/1917. Aspects of operations on Western Front, 1916-1917: organisation of divisional move. REEL 41 Continues: organisation of divisional move and marching routine employed; personal morale; reaction to working parties during rest periods; inadequate rations following attacks; reactions to minenwerfer and artillery fire; value of experience in hand to hand fighting; importance of keeping close to creeping barrage; question of value of experience as 'old soldier'; fatalistic attitude; advice from Freyberg on promotion to leading seaman; nickname of 'Lucky Durham'. Account of attack at Gavrelle, 23/3/1917: background to Asquith taking command of unit; prior checking of Lewis gun posts; officer's premonition of death. REEL 42 Continues: advance prior to lifting of barrage at Asquith's instigation; terrain; confused nature of street fighting in Gavrelle; wound in wrist; taking shelter in cellar; medical treatment and assistance from German POW in returning to British lines; defending German POW from assault; reception at casualty clearing station. REEL 43 Continues: securing promise of safety for German POW. Medical treatment prior to evacuation to GB, 3/1917: vaccination; examination prior to embarkation. Period at Beaufort War Hospital at Fishponds, Bristol, 1917:treatment; visit from brother; relationship with civilians. Period of convalescence at Longleat House, 1917: reception; lifestyle; operation on wrist. Period of sick leave at Burnopfield, 8/1917. Story of soldier's violent reaction to receiving letter whilst serving on Western Front alleging impropriety of his wife, 2/1917. Aspects of periods at Blandford Camp, Pelham Downs and Talavera Barracks, Aldershot, 8/1917-10/1917: low grade medical classification due to continued problems with wrist; duties acting as conducting NCO escorting soldiers to Channel Ports. REEL 44 Continues: duties acting as conducting NCO escorting soldiers to Channel Ports; problems over low grade medical status; avoiding duties on fake working parties. Period at Devonport, 10/1917-1/1918: return to naval status and loss of leading seaman rating; duties in paymaster office; status as veteran; deliberate accident to illustrate continued weakness of wrist after operations. Recollections of period with Naval Police at Milford Haven, 1/1918-10/1918: fishing trips; conditions of service; story of discovering thefts from trawlers fish catch; escort duty; early demobilisation as miner and holiday before re-starting work, 5/10/1918; guard duties; visiting ships. Post-war career: effects of war. REEL 45 Continues: effects of war; disatisfaction with mining and background to walking from Burnopfield to London to seek alternative employment; various jobs; process of writing up and publication of personal Gallipoli diary as 'Gallipoli As I Saw It'; continuing problems with wrist and in difficulty in securing invalidity pension; operation on wrist and subsequent treatment, 1917; attending Royal Naval Div Association reunions; opinions of Gallipoli Association; cinematic nature of Murray's recollections. Contrast in conditions of service at Gallipoli, 1915 and Western Front, 1916-1917.


Mike