31st August 1915

An 18-pounder field gun occupies a gun position which is well protected by sandbags

on The Pimple near Brown's Dip, 31st August 1915.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P02321.027]

Tuesday 31st August

There is a tinge of Winter in the air & it is lovely after the hot days. Our chaps are commencing to cover themselves up a little more. There is not that absence of clothing on their backs that I spoke of some time ago.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

31^st
(Captain William Charles Waite, temporary O/C 7th Battery)

0935 [N^o] 4 [Gun fired] 2 [rounds] Working Party South E Lone Pine

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]

30th August 1915

One of the Ordinance Depots at Anzac, with piles of clothing, rifles and equipment collected

from sick and wounded soldiers after the battles in August 1915 - Will Sparkes' mission for

boots, bags & tunics may well have taken him via this depot (below).

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A02336]

Monday 30th August 

It is nice & cool early this morning. I got a few more letters & Papers which had been amongst the bags on the sunken barge. Went to Ordnance to get Bags Boots & Tunics etc. Saw Olly Gunderson.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

30

(Captain William Charles Waite, temporary O/C 7th Battery)

1630 [N^o] 4 [Gun fired] 15 [rounds] overhead cover + Earthworks South E Lone Pine.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]

29th August 1915

Captains Richardson & Bird (latter with periscope), 7th Light Horse Regiment, in the

front line at Anzac in August 1915 - located just behind the 7th Battery's position, the

7th Light Horse were joined by members of the 12th on the 29th August (below).

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - J06251]

Sunday 29th August 

It was deliciously cool this morning. One of our transports got in a bit close and went aground for some hours. The Turkish Artillery opened fire over her but luckily did not hit her before she got off. We often get a good view of the trawlers & other boats moving in to the landing stage under fire. A shell goes over them one behind – perhaps one in front and so on. It’s very interesting to look on while this drama is being enacted. The 12th Light Horse came up to our lines this afternoon & I understand merged into the 7th L Horse flanks. They had only arrived from Egypt in the morning early.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

28th August 1915

A map showing the Australian front line as at the 31st August - the 7th Battery were

located in the vicinity of Lone Pine (bottom centre), whilst the gain mentioned by

Will Sparkes below occurred along the left flank from the Battery, in the vicinity of

Hill 60 (centre).

[Courtesy of Winkleigh Heroes]

Saturday 28th August

Not much doing. A good deal of rifle fire took place yesterday & we have heard that our left flank moved forward & took a number of trenches. Our Major went over to Headquarters to take the place of Col. Rosenthal who had gone away ill.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

28

(Captain William Charles Waite, temporary O/C 7th Battery)

1130 N^o 3 Gun fired 2 rounds Working Party in Communicating trench

1540 N^o 4 [Gun fired] 2 [rounds Working Party] South East Sniper Ridge
 

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]