Quinns Post

[Andrew P]

In the 10th Light Horse history there is an interesting story regarding an attack on Quinns Post on Gallipoli in June 1915.

The 10th were ordered to send a small party to attack the Turkish trenches, and a party of Lighthorsemen under Lt Kidd captured one small part of trench in which there were two Turkish soldiers. One was killed and the other taken prisoner.

For a couple of hours this small party held out the constant counter attacks. During this time they had treated their prisoner well, giving him food and drink and the prisoner was watching the constant attacks with 'great interest'.

During one of the last Turkish attacks, Lt Kidd was about to be on the receiving end of a Turkish bayonet when the Turkish prisoner picked up a rifle and shot Lt Kidd's attacker thereby saving this officer's life.

When the Light Horse party withdrew from the post, they beckoned the Turkish prisoner to come with them, but he shook his head and stayed where he was, apparently waiting to receive whatever retribution would come his way from his own countrymen.

I just found this to be quite an amazing story, the likes of which I would think would be quite rare in war.

Regards

Andrew