2nd LH Sig Trp, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop

Embarkation Roll, 14th Reinforcement

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF, 14th Reinforcement, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A54 Runic on 20 January 1916.

The HMAT A54 Runic weighed 12,490 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 27 November 1917.

The ensuing individual soldier's embarkation information contains the following details:

Rank on embarkation;

Full name of the soldier

Declared age of the soldier;

The last occupation held;

The last address as a civilian;

Enlistment Date; and,

Fate.

Finding more about a service person.

See: Navigating the National Archives Service File 

Embarkation Roll

 

5831 Sapper Edwin Lewis BALFOUR, a 19 year old Engineer from Canterbury, New South Wales. He enlisted on 23 August 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 24 September 1919.

5832 Sapper Arthur Claude BENNELL, a 24 year old Miner from Camperdown, New South Wales. He enlisted on 28 September 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 2 March 1919.

 

5833 Sapper John Richmond CRAIGIE, a 26 year old Electrical Engineer from Arncliffe, New South Wales. He enlisted on 30 April 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 31 January 1918.

 

5834 Sapper James John DWYER, a 21 year old Labourer from Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 20 December 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 July 1919.

 

5836 Sapper Edward Arthur KANE, a 30 year old Clerk from Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 15 September 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 13 February 1917.

 

5835 Sapper George Alfred LEWIS, a 41 year old Quarryman from Woonona, New South Wales. He enlisted on 14 December 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 23 May 1917.

 

5839 Sapper George Henry PENTECOST, a 34 year old Seaman from Balmain, New South Wales. He enlisted on 10 January 1916; and subsequently was Discharged in Britain, 24 April 1919.

5838 Sapper Frederick George POWYS, a 19 year old Survey Draughtsman from Blackheath, New South Wales. He enlisted on 13 October 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 12 May 1919.

 

Previous:  13th Reinforcement

Next: 15th Reinforcement

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.

Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.

Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.

Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.

Further Reading:

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signals Troop, Roll of Honour

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 15 March 2010 12:43 PM EADT

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The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 5

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Divisional Orders

From Artillery Headquarters on 29th and 30th April 1915

To complete our force, 3 Infantry Battalions, the machine guns and artillery now in Venichernak must joint it on receiving this reinforcement, and with the help of God, we shall give the enemy a decisive and final blow, now in order to reap the fruits of the great and heroic deeds which you have performed during the last 5 days and nights, I strongly recommend you to further strengthen tonight the positions you are holding, to see that your detachments are in touch with each other and in good order, that greater attention be paid to their order and command, that your reinforcements and reserves be so posted as to be readily available if needed. Finally you will see that your men get as much rest as possible, and you should personally inspect, any sleepy parts of them. To insure the carrying out of these points, you should not forget that it can only be done by the OC's giving the greatest personal attention tonight to their detachments. I especially ask the artillery to be very careful in directing their fire, so as not to hurt our Infantry. The Cavalry Squadron of the Army Corps must carefully watch every movement of the right wing of the enemy to the north east of Kabe Tepe. The other most important duty of the squadron is to send patrols all around in the valleys between the position of the Artillery and village Kojadere which runs from west to south with a view to giving no chance what ever.

Five days of continuous combat has taken its toll on the men under the command of this officer. They are urged to rest in anticipation of a final push to remove the Allies from Gallipoli. The battle did take place but as with all battles that characterised the Gallipoli Campaign on both sides, attacks were made with never enough troops and artillery. Every time one side was able to strengthen the number of assets at their disposal, the other side did the same, keeping matters into a stalemate. Since the Allies were the most vulnerable, they were the force that needed to break off the engagement as their lines of communication were always under intense pressure. The Turks did not face these problems as they were fighting on home territory.

One curious mention in this note was that of the Corps Cavalry and its role. It seems to anticipate the role of the Light Horse some three weeks later as dismounted infantry.

Previous: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 4

Next: The situation at Anzac, 1 May 1915

Further Reading:

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

1/33rd IR Roll of Honour, April 1915  

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, Turkish Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 6 April 2010 2:47 PM EADT

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The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 4

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Note: That the strength of the following squads of the Battalion, No's. 1, 2 and 3 of 33rd Regiment is composed of 20, 3 and 50 men respectively, is known to OC 2nd Battalion of the 128th Regiment. They have remained without flood for the last four days, but sufficient bread was sent last night. Please let it be known that the bread and other allowances of the remaining battalions are to be found in the zone of the 125th Regiment. This squad is commanded by Sergt Kalil of the 3rd Battalion.

Shrapnel burst in some of our Battalion with the following result:

Company	Killed	Wounded
No. 1	2	5
No. 2	5	5
No. 3	5	5

 

Very Pressing

To OC Artillery, 30 May 1915, 6.15 am.

Our fleet is heavily is heavily bombarding our advanced zone, please for immediate remedy.

(Sgd) Major, OC 1st Battalion.

To OC 1st and 3rd Battalions 30 April 1915 and CO.

Send at once by mounted man to 3rd division. Do you not see that it is convenient to change your position, to strengthen the trenches with the weal lines of snipers, and to send here under cover other available men, and that it is hoped all means will be taken to protect the snipers.

(Sgd) Acting Officer Commanding 33rd Regiment.

While things may not have been goood for the troops at Anzac, the above document indicates things were even worse for the Turks trying their best to mount a defence and offence. This document speaks of trooops starving and problems with friendly fire which is just as devastating as hostile fire.

Previous: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 3 

Next: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 5 

Further Reading:

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

1/33rd IR Roll of Honour, April 1915  

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, Turkish Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The Battle of Anzac Cove, Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 4

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 6 April 2010 2:37 PM EADT

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The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Map of Anzac, 27 April 1915

[Click on map to enlarge.]

After the Turks determined that the attack at Kumkale was a feint, the 33rd Infantry Regiment was transported across the straits to the Gallipoli peninsular with the express purpose of attacking the Australian and New Zealand formations in the hills by Anzac. The map below details the progress of the attack from the view of the 19th Infantry Division. The course of the 33rd Infantry Regiment can be seen in the centre of the map.

It would appear that the 33rd Infantry Regiment was detached from the 11th Infantry Division and attached to the 19th Infantry Division specifically for this attack.

Previous: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 3 

Next: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 4 

Further Reading:

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

1/33rd IR Roll of Honour, April 1915  

The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, Turkish Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 5 April 2010 4:19 PM EADT

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2nd LH Sig Trp, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop

Embarkation Roll, 15th Reinforcement

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF, 15th Reinforcement, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A67 Orsova 11 March 1916.

The HMAT A67 Orsova weighed 12,036 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Orient SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 28 February 1917.

The ensuing individual soldier's embarkation information contains the following details:

Rank on embarkation;

Full name of the soldier

Declared age of the soldier;

The last occupation held;

The last address as a civilian;

Enlistment Date; and,

Fate.

Finding more about a service person.

See: Navigating the National Archives Service File 

Embarkation Roll

 

6936 Sapper Albert Victor BAILEY, an 18 year old Telephone mechanic from Woollahra, New South Wales. He enlisted on 1 February 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 1 August 1919.

 

6937 Sapper George Henry FATZEUS, an 18 year old Printer from Waverley, New South Wales. He enlisted on 1 February 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 2 June 1919.

6938 Sapper Thomas Alfred FINDING, a 22 year old Telegraphist from Manly, New South Wales. He enlisted on 3 January 1916; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 13 March 1918.

 

6939 Sapper Lloyd Linsley GELL, a 19 year old Postal worker from Gosford, New South Wales. He enlisted on 12 September 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 25 September 1919.

 

6941 Sapper Archibald MacKELLAR, a 19 year old Lithographist from Waverley, New South Wales. He enlisted on 17 January 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 12 May 1919.

 

6942 Sapper Norman Winifred SCORSE, an 18 year old Electrician from Waverley, New South Wales. He enlisted on 13 January 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 15 May 1919.

 

6943 Sapper William James TRICKETT, an 18 year old Clerk from Paddington, New South Wales. He enlisted on 2 February 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 25 July 1919.

 

6944 Sapper Frederick William Atkins VENESS, a 21 year old Telegraphist from Lithgow, New South Wales. He enlisted on 19 August 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 May 1919.

 

Previous:  14th Reinforcement

Next: 16th Reinforcement

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.

Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.

Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.

Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.

Further Reading:

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signals Troop, Roll of Honour

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 15 March 2010 12:38 PM EADT

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