19th October 1915

Looking down Poppy Valley to Gaba Tepe at Anzac in October 1915, the new line

being shown on the left and the old line on the right. This valley was enfiladed by

the Turkish guns at Olive Grove. In the foreground is Lieutenant Bert Lowing, of

the 6th Australian Light Horse.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01063]

Tuesday 19th Oct 

It was overcast again to-day and very cool. We were Subjected to a lot of shelling early in the day.

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

19

(Captain Alan Percy Crisp, temporary O/C 7th Battery)

0815 No. 3 Gun in, in retaliation to enemy’s fire fired 27 rounds at parapets on SNIPER’S RIDGE with effect.  

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

19-10-15.

(Major Francis Augustus Hughes, temporary O/C 3rd Field Artillery Brigade)

0835 Enemy Gun from direction of Scrubby Knoll firing on Lone Pine Trenches.

0930 A number of Transports ( stationary ) about 3 deg left of Achi Baba on the forward slope of the hill.

1315 Gun from Olive Grove firing on the beach.

1435 Party of horseman on Kilid Bahr road going north.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade]

18th October 1915

The 4.7 inch gun pit that housed members of the Australian Field Artillery, for five

months on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C01181]

Monday 18^th 

Last night I did not sleep well. It rained towards morning and the Turkish mice also disturbed my dreams. These rodents have made a comfortable home between the sand bags and as I make my bunk up close to the wall they make me form a bridge as they go to & fro you can imagine the feeling as these creatures run across your blanket. It takes a lot to get to sleep once you have felt them about.

Today I am sorry to have to note a Naval gun 4 point 5 which is on a ridge behind our guns & the trenches had a premature burst. The early explosion of the shell wounded four Light Horse men just rear of my store.

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

18

(Captain Alan Percy Crisp, temporary O/C 7th Battery)

1450 Enemy’s artillery opened fire on our position trenches at LONE PINE.  Our N^o 3 gun retaliated by shelling enemy’s trenches on SNIPERS RIDGE + PLATEAU 400 firing four rounds.

1530 Enemy again shelled our trenches + N^o 3 Gun opened fire on enemy’s trenches on PLATEAU 400 firing 3 rounds.

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

18-10-15

(Major Francis Augustus Hughes, temporary O/C 3rd Field Artillery Brigade)

0845. A Mule Convoy moving towards Olive Grove behind Gun Ridge.

0940 Mule Transport Kilid Bahr Road going South.

1135. Party of Horses and Camels on Northern section of Kilid Bahr Road.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade]

17th October 1915

"Mail Day Gallipoli" showing some Australian soldiers clustered round the "Postman"

hoping to receive a letter, others opening their mail.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P001116.047]

Sunday 17^th 

A sprinkling of rain &and very overcast. Last night I received a bundle of Papers from Egypt and have not so far any knowledge of the sender. We heard some days ago that Bombardier McKinnon Gunners Clark and Moore had died through the result of their injuries.

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

17

(Captain Alan Percy Crisp, temporary O/C 7th Battery)

1145 Enemy’s artillery commenced shelling our trenches at LONE PINE.  N^o 3 Gun shelled enemy’s trenches on LONE PINE + PLATEAU 400 firing 27 shrapnel and 8 High Explosive demolishing portions of enemy’s parapets.

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

17.10.15

(Major Francis Augustus Hughes, temporary O/C 3rd Field Artillery Brigade)

0700 Party of men drilling on OLD PARADE GROUND.

1639 Two transports on the right of trees this side of HOSPITAL.

1130 Enemy Gun from SCRUBBY KNOLL opened fire on our LONE PINE TRENCHES.  Our guns retaliated and a general Artillery Engagement ensued up to 1215.  Enemy Guns ceased fired.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade]