19th December 1915

The 9th Battery of the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, loading their No. 1 gun - being their last

day on the Gallipoli peninsula, they were using all their ammunition at timed intervals so that

it was expended by the end of the day.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P00046.041]

Sunday 19th December

It looked overcast to-day and I am dreading any rain. The evacuation still continues and batches of men are arriving from Anzac & Suvla here every day.

I do not know where our Guns have gone but assume they have gone on to Egypt. We are now living well – cooking good & plenty of extras we can purchase.

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

Informal portrait of the crew of the remaining gun of the 9th Battery, 3rd Field

Artillery Brigade, on the day they were evacuated.  They are standing beside their

18 pounder field gun (No. 1) dressed in assorted pieces of uniform.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P00046.032]

19 Decr

(Captain Richard Stewart Gee, O/C 9^th Battery)

0915

TARGETS ENGAGED OBSERVING STNS. GABA TEPE

GUN FIRING No. 1

RANGE 2650

ROUNDS FIRED H.E. 12 SHRAP 38

Hostile guns firing on beach + Rt. Flank.  This Enemys fire became inaccurate + finally ceased.

1600

TARGETS ENGAGED 6" HOWITZER AZMAK

GUN FIRING No. 1

RANGE 4250

ROUNDS FIRED H.E. 3 SHRAP 12

Enemy fired 3 rounds, then ceased.

1605

TARGETS ENGAGED OLIVE GROVE RT. SECT.

GUN FIRING No. 1

RANGE 4500

ROUNDS FIRED H.E. 3 SHRAP 20

One enemy gun firing occasional rounds - ceased when engaged.

1620

TARGETS ENGAGED STABLE CLUMP

GUN FIRING No. 1

RANGE 5650

ROUNDS FIRED H.E. - SHRAP 12

Parties of men visible fire appeared effective.

1640

TARGETS ENGAGED Enemy Trenches in Front of OLIVE GROVE

GUN FIRING No. 1

RANGE 4250

ROUNDS FIRED H.E. - SHRAP 9

Groups of men standing on parapet.  These may have been detachments from OLIVE GROVE guns.  Our first 3 rounds appeared effective + party dispersed.

This morning heavy shells from long range came from about due E. + fell on LONE PINE + BROWNS DIP.  From fragments found they appeared to be 12" armour piercing shells.  Casing was of hard steel + head sharp pointed.  The explosion of these shells was very powerful + stones + fragments were thrown from BROWNS DIP into the sea..... In accordance with instructions received our last gun (No. 1) was stripped of breach block + sights + disabled at 2215.  A charge of 4lbs. of gun cotton was placed in breach + 2 lbs. in hollow hail.  Fuzes were lighted + gun was destroyed successfully at 0305 on 20^th inst.  The remaining 2 Officers + 10 Other Ranks safely embarked for Mudros.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 9th Battery]