25th September 1915

Leane's trench (alongside which the 7th Battery guns were located), as seen from

Sniper's Ridge (on which the 7th Battery fired) - one of a series of photographs taken

on the Gallipoli Peninsula under the direction of Captain C. E. W. Bean of the

Australian Historical Mission, during the months of February and March, 1919.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G02096P]

Saturday 25^th 

A nice day. Just a little cool Zephyr blowing. We have a demonstration against the Turkish positions late in the evening. There was a tremendous fusilade of bullets & shells for about 2 hours etc.

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

Sept. 25
(Lieutenant Sydney Francis Hodgens, temporary O/C 7th Battery)

10.45 Observed that communication trench E. of SNIPERS RIDGE had been improved Sq. 68-B-6.

1320 No. 3 gun fired 6 rds. P.S. at small gun emplacement on SNIPERS RIDGE - Sq. 68-B-8 destroying parapets rebuilt during night of 24/25 Sept. (Range 760^x) and 5 rds. P.S. at crest of PLATEAU 400, N. end of SURPRISE GULLY (Range 950^x) destroying portion of parapets.  Noth series in retaliation for Turkish gun firing on LONESOME PINE.

16.30 Small party of Turks observed working on GUN RIDGE, Sq. 68-O-1.

17.30 Party of about 30 Turks (unarmed) - apparently working party seen moving at 48-N-5.

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

[Author's Note: the 25th of September reigns in the 1 year Anniversary of

the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade's, & 7th Battery's, departure from Brisbane

on board the A22 Rangatira.  In remembrance, the below was written by 1609

Gunner Wilfred Percy Stenner, a 7th Battery original, after a year's deployment

from Australia - as published in the Daily Standard on the 17th November, 1915.]

Following are extracts from a letter received by Mr. G. H. Price, Auchenflower, from his brother-in-law, Percy Stenner, on active service at Gallipoli, as No. 2 gunner, 7th Battery, Field Artillery, A.I.F.: "I have been away from good old Queensland one year, and am pleased to say have never had a day's sickness other than a slight cold, not even sea sickness. Also, I have escaped all the Turkish delight (shells and bullets). On August 27 they nearly got me with a 6in shell, which exploded and buried me in sand bags. When I was dug out I found neither myself nor the gun had been injured, although a piece of shell 6in x 4in was found under the seat of No. 1 gunner. Don't worry about me. I am quite used to shells and bullets now. I have been doing gun laying duty lately and giving the Turks a bit of Australian delight. We have just had a tea of Jappatties and jam. They are like pancakes, flour, and water fried in fat, and are quite a luxury after the continuous menu of biscuit and jam. Don't worry about my parcels. I have received all. Am sorry I cannot use the soap. We only get one bottle of fresh water per man per day, so can't use that for washing. All that work is done in salt water. I have received all letters pretty regular, and every 'Daily Standard' since April. When I finish them they go to my mates, and are passed round till they fall to pieces. I am doing my little bit to force the   Narrows, and hope we will succeed soon."

[Courtesy of National Library of Australia - TROVE]