13th September 1915

"Bathers coming ashore in barges at Anzac Cove, to seek shelter from 'Beachy Bill'" - on

the 13th of September 1915, 'Beachy Bill' was particularly active from the Olive Grove,

despite having been mostly absent in previous weeks.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C03459]

Monday 13^th 

Our men did not leave as anticipated but came back early in the evening very disappointed. I had a lot of trouble to fix up extra rations for them as they were off our strength. “Beachy Bill" our old friend sent a lot of shells over towards the beach to-day.

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

Sept. 13

10.15 Party of Turks observed working at Sq 55-K-5.  Appeared to be commencing a new line of trenches.  Reported to 9^th Battery and engaged them.

11.05 No. 3 gun fired 1 rd P.S. at range of 935^x at overhead cover on slope of PLATEAU 400, N. end of SURPRISE GULLY (Sq 68-B-6) in retaliation for gun firing on LONESOME PINE destroying a number of baked mud bricks erected during night of 12/13 Sept.

14.00 Major F.A. Hughes left Battery to assume temporary command of 3^rd F.A. Brigade + Lieut. S.F. Hodgens assumed temporary command of Battery.

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

[Authors' note: Unfortunately, a large gap exists in the 3rd Field Artillery
Brigade's official diary, covering almost the entire month of September
1915 - as such, Major Hughes' documented command of the 3rd Field
Artillery Brigade does not properly take effect until the 1st October 1915]