1/5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

[nunnj1954]

I have on loan from Suffolk Libraries a book called The History of the 1/5th Battalion The Suffolk Regiment, in the Roll of Honour it lists all the men Killed, and I note that most of those listed as killed on the 21st August 1915 (Gallipoli) in most sources including the CWGC, are listed as killed on 12th August 1915 in the book!!! reading the book I come to the conclusion that the date of the 12th August would make more sense as this was the day of an offensive, on that day the 1/5th Battalion lost 11 officers and 178 NCOs and other ranks, whilst on the 21st August the 1/5th were in the reserve trenches albeit being sniped at, suggestions and comments most welcome.

[T8HANTS]

163 Brigades war diary has the lads of the Brigade involved in an operation to take advantage of any giving up of ground by the Turks on the 21st. The 5th Suffolks M.G.s were to play a role in this operation along the high ground of Keritch Tepe Sirt. However by mid afternoon there was no apparent movement, so the Brigade was stood down and second line troops permitted to remove their equipment.

I cannot find my copy of the book, but as you suggest the attack on Anafarta Sakir was probably where most of the casualties occurred.

Gareth

[SFayers]

Hi John,

I'd brought this very subject up on the Forum some time ago (I'd noticed 50-odd men of the battalion had died, according to the CWGC and SDGW, on 21st August but there was no mention of such losses in the War Diary and conversely, apart from a few (17 - 7 officers and 10 NCOs and men), the large numbers known to have been casualties on the 12th weren't present in either registers). Have a look through the following thread:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...c=63437&hl=

It seems the 21st date coincides with when the first battalion 'roll call' was made after the battle on the 12th, rather than the actual date of death - and maybe those listed as died on the 21st were those who hadn't actually been witnessed as being killed on the 12th and at that point were still offically 'missing'.

cheers

Steve

[SFayers]

I forgot to say, ALL 53 of the 1/5th Suffolk men listed on the CWGC register as having died on 21st August (52 on the Helles Memorial - including your gt uncle), according to the History of the 1/5th Battalion The Suffolk Regiment were actually killed in action on the 12th. I ordered a copy of my gran's cousin's death certificate (Stanley Scarff - see my signature) and this also says his date of death was 21st August, so unfortunately it's unlikely the CWGC will change their details.

cheers

Steve

[nunnj1954]

163 Brigades war diary has the lads of the Brigade involved in an operation to take advantage of any giving up of ground by the Turks on the 21st. The 5th Suffolks M.G.s were to play a role in this operation along the high ground of Keritch Tepe Sirt. However by mid afternoon there was no apparent movement, so the Brigade was stood down and second line troops permitted to remove their equipment.

I cannot find my copy of the book, but as you suggest the attack on Anafarta Sakir was probably where most of the casualties occurred.

Gareth

Thanks for your comments Gareth

Hi John,

I'd brought this very subject up on the Forum some time ago (I'd noticed 50-odd men of the battalion had died, according to the CWGC and SDGW, on 21st August but there was no mention of such losses in the War Diary and conversely, apart from a few (17 - 7 officers and 10 NCOs and men), the large numbers known to have been casualties on the 12th weren't present in either registers). Have a look through the following thread:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...c=63437&hl=

It seems the 21st date coincides with when the first battalion 'roll call' was made after the battle on the 12th, rather than the actual date of death - and maybe those listed as died on the 21st were those who hadn't actually been witnessed as being killed on the 12th and at that point were still offically 'missing'.

cheers

Steve

Thanks to you also Steve for your comments

[seaforth78]

This battalion seems to been a very remarkable TF one.

Any photos of its Colours by chance? I have just ordered The History of the 1/5th Suffolk through abebooks so maybe there is a picture in there. I own Major BE Oliver's sword B Coy's OC (see other thread on 1/4 Norfolk)

Tempaire

QUOTE (T8HANTS @ Feb 18 2008, 11:09 PM) 163 Brigades war diary has the lads of the Brigade involved in an operation to take advantage of any giving up of ground by the Turks on the 21st. The 5th Suffolks M.G.s were to play a role in this operation along the high ground of Keritch Tepe Sirt. However by mid afternoon there was no apparent movement, so the Brigade was stood down and second line troops permitted to remove their equipment.

I cannot find my copy of the book, but as you suggest the attack on Anafarta Sakir was probably where most of the casualties occurred.

Gareth

Thanks for your comments Gareth

QUOTE (SFayers @ Feb 19 2008, 01:06 PM) Hi John,

I'd brought this very subject up on the Forum some time ago (I'd noticed 50-odd men of the battalion had died, according to the CWGC and SDGW, on 21st August but there was no mention of such losses in the War Diary and conversely, apart from a few (17 - 7 officers and 10 NCOs and men), the large numbers known to have been casualties on the 12th weren't present in either registers). Have a look through the following thread:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...c=63437&hl=

It seems the 21st date coincides with when the first battalion 'roll call' was made after the battle on the 12th, rather than the actual date of death - and maybe those listed as died on the 21st were those who hadn't actually been witnessed as being killed on the 12th and at that point were still offically 'missing'.

cheers

Steve

Thanks to you also Steve for your comments