The Duke of Anzac

[Guest]

Just wondering if the personal diaries of Charles Augustus Littler, "The Duke of Anzac", have been digitised.  If so, can someone point me to them?  Google does not yield any clues.  

I'm researching the activities of the Beach Parties at Anzac during the period Sep-Oct 1915, and the Duke is mentioned frequently in personal letters, Army Corps memos etc.   I've even found snippets of his diary in a newspaper article (retrieved from Trove), so it would be great to peruse his earlier entries.

Advocate (Burnie, Tas), Thursday 8 May 1930, page 6

Gallipoli.

Last Man to Leave.

EXTRACTS FROM AN OFFICER'S DIARY.

Captain C. A. Littler, D.S.O., who enlisted at Devonport, was the last man of the Allied forces to leave Gallipoli on the occasion of the memorable evacuation of that territory. This gallant officer was later killed in action in France. Others have claimed to have been the last to leave the historic battleground, but Captain Bean, the war historian, accords that distinction to Capt. Littler, who held the position of Commandant of North Beach Depot, and a diary which he kept, and which has been shown to an "Advocate" representative by his son (Mr. G. A. Littler) of Devonport, bears out the statement.

The Evacuation.

Capt. Littler held a highly responsible position as officer in charge of the transport of stores from the beach to the various encampments. The following are extracts from his diary:

"Friday, 10/12/15. Work started as usual. All stopped except drains and waterworks, with A.C. orders to assist evacuation of ammunition. Water stocks to be kept up. Filled 3000 gallons into canvas tanks at North Beach." Other particulars of the day's work are given, and the entries conclude with the words "some shelling."

Entries in the diary on the following day include the following: "Guns, ammunition and some personnel evacuated. Kicking water stock up to 100,000 gallons. Filled all divisional canvas tanks. Stationary hospitals sending off gear. Mules started to be shipped, also more guns and some troops at night. Smooth sea, some shelling."

The Weakly and Sick.

"Sunday, 12/12/15. Embarkation proceeding. Field ambulance clearing stationary hospital. All weakly and sick away, also 26th, 27th and 28th Battalion mules, guns and ammunition.

"Monday, 13/12/15. Medical and other stores, including ammunition, being shipped. Weather taken a rough turn. Three thousand New Zealanders leaving tonight. Gurkhas off. Considerable shelling.

"Tuesday, 14/12/15. Evacuating material and labor personnel.

"Friday, 17,12/15. Sent away all of Beach party, excepting eight men, to Mudros. With Lieut. Warren, loaded last barge with general material. Evacuation of Hospitals.

"Saturday, 18/12/15. Last fill up of water from naval boat. Arranged plans for evacuation of hospitals. Sent off last of beach party at 6 p.m., having filled up all water tanks. Turned over 14,000 gallons to hospitals. Not much shelling. Shipped 10,000 men away between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. Visit From General Birdwood.

"Sunday, 19/12/15. Very quiet all day. General Birdwood came ashore 10.30 a.m. Had talk with him, and was thanked for services during occupation, particularly in the first landing. During day sent several lots of staff away. Destroyed pumping station. Sent off 13th British Casualty Clearing Hospital at 2 a.m. on 20th. Put aboard special cargo, half of first Australian Clearing Hospital, and followed up by last 2000 troops. At 3 a.m. put aboard lot of Clearing Hospital, less one M.O. and six men to take chance with last 68 of force."

[frev]

22 hours ago, jay26thBn said:

Just wondering if the personal diaries of Charles Augustus Littler, "The Duke of Anzac", have been digitised.  If so, can someone point me to them?  Google does not yield any clues.  

 

 

Hi Jay

Doesn’t appear so.

In 1927 the AWM sent a request to his wife for the donation of his private records.  As a result they hold two private records, neither of them digitized – one a folder containing letters and newspaper cutting – the other a 1915 Book (though not described as a diary!) – it’s description:

MESSAGES RELATING TO PUNISHMENT OF MEN ON GALLIPOLI. WATER REPORTS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VARIOUS MEMBERS. NOTES RE FULFILMENT OF ORDERS

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C89552

Whether this is the diary or not – you’d have to find out from the AWM (if / when not in lockdown!)

His grandson, Jock, does hold a copy of the diary – and apparently a biography etc is in the works:

https://www.geni.com/people/Capt-Charles-Littler-DSO-DCM/6000000014764009955

Cheers, Frev