From DVD: RND Royal Naval Division. From 1916 63rd (RN) Division. W.W.1. 1914-1919. Antwerp, Gallipoli, Western Front. Magazine Issues 1-24, pages 1 to 2443. Copyright © Leonard Sellers 1998, Produced and designed at 17a Bellhouse Road, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 5NL.

This extract is from Issue Number 5 pages 319 - 335

Royal Marine James Thompson, Plymouth Battalion R.M.L.l.
Register Number Ply. 11837.
A transcript of his diaries kept during World War 1.

This diary account was edited by his son Robert B Thompson in 1995. Robert tells
me that his wife also has R.N.D. connections as her grandfather was killed in
Shrapnel Valley, Gallipoli within a few days of landing with the Portsmouth
Battalion. James Thompson kept two diaries. Unfortunately the second one ends
abruptly, so subsequent ones must have been lost. Robert writes his father did not talk much about his time on Gallipoli, and because of his sense of humour he always seemed to cover up the seriousness of the action. It wasn't untill read his diaries that I realised how terrible it all was.

Saturday 1 August 1914. At Deal.
Standing by to mobilise
12.45 p m. Sounded off.
1. 40 p m. Left Deal for Plymouth, arrived in Plymouth 2 am. 2 August.
Sunday 2 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Confined to Barracks.
Monday 3 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Drew money. Waiting embarkation.
Rumours of Battalion being formed to land in Belgium.
Canteen closed. Library sold out.
Reservists pouring in and being embarked until lam.
Tuesday 4 August 1914. At Plymouth.
England sent ultimatum to Germany asking her to respect Belgiums neutrality. Germany immediately replied that they could not accede to request. England declared war on Germany from 11 p m.
English mine layer sunk by German Navy.
Wednesday 5 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Battalion formed under Colonel Matthews as a raiding party consisting of both Active Service men and Reservists. 450 strong with Marines and field guns.
Thursday 6 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Preparing to leave at a moments notice.
Germany repulsed by Belgians with heavy losses.
HMS Amphion sunk by mine, 130 lost.
Fell in and drew blue jersey and 2 Cholera belts.
Left Devonport about ll p.m. afler splendid send off by people en-route to station.
Friday 7 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Arrived Portsmouth about 6 am and march to drill-field.
Dismissed for breakfast then fell in to pitch tents and told off for duties. (Bert in same section and tent.)
Still waiting for news, rumours of going to Belgium as a Naval Brigade.
Chatham Division Marines arrived.
20,000 Germans killed in the attack on Liege by the Belgiums. Germany asked for 24 hours Armistice to bury dead. Wonderful courage shown by both sides.
Government fixed maximum prices for food.
Many German spies arrested in England.

Saturday 8 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Fell in at 8 o'clock. Marched out and practised the attack in drenching rain, returned to camp about ll am. Afternoon parade cancelled owing to weather. Paraded at 5.15 p.m. for about an hours drill and lectures. Still no news as to when and where we are going.
French army made an attack on Germans. Reported 30,000 Germans and 15.000 French killed.
Cholera has broken out amongst German and Austrian Armies.
Sunday 9 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Fell in at 9 a.m. Kit inspection. Detailed off for different duties including cleaning up camp. Colonel Matthews informed Battalion that Chatham Division and Eastney had taken all our gear. Consequently we were short and therefore there was a possibility of the Battalion being separated. The orders being that, if it was found impossible to get gear for everyone, only the number of men equal to the amount of gear would be taken.
General McCaurland appointed to Command Battalion.
Fell in at 2 p.m. All hands employed at painting canvas for waterproof sheets, filling chargers with ammunition and cleaning up camp (also gave us a test at signals).
Went for a stroll in Gosport for hour and a half.
Still no news as to when we go or where. Mail arrived.
Monday 10 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Fell in at 8 o'clock. and marched to Browndown for trench digging. Fell in again at 5 pm. for
drill etc, and signal exercise. A signal class detailed to work under a Signal Sergeant instead of with the Battalion
German submarine sunk off English coast in the North Sea.
Canada presented English people with one million bags of flour.
Prince of Wales fund reaches £400,000 in two days.
(News Nil)
German submarine sunk by HMS Birmingham.
Canada presents two submarines to the government.
Prince of Wales fund now £500,000.
Report issued that the Kaiser has taken to the field.
Tuesday 11 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Fell in at 8 o'clock. Employed with Portsmouth signalmen, exercising signals.
Remainder of Battalion route marching, testing rifles etc.
2.30 p.m. Inspection of Battalion by General McCaurland.
Still no news.
Wednesday 12 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Fell in at 8 O'Clock. Weather fine, exercising at signals.
Remainder of troops marching out etc.
England declares War on Austria.
24 English cruisers scouring the Atlantic for 5 German cruisers.
Prince of Wales fund reaches £750,000.
The Turkish government purchased the Goeben and Breslau, two German Cruisers which
had taken refuge from the English fleet.
Thursday 13 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Weather fine. Usual daily routine in camp.
Belgians still repulsing the Germans at Liege, which is giving the French time to bring
their main Army up.
Friday 14 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Usual routine in camp.
Reports state small parties of German soldiers deserting in need of food.
Turkish Ambassador guarantees Turkish neutrality in regards to the purchasing of the two
German ships.
Prince of Wales fund reaches one million pounds.
Marine Battalion measured for khaki suits. Weather fine but very hot.
News Nil.
Saturday 15 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Usual routine.
Sunday 16 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Usual routine.
Church.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. At Portsmouth.
Usual routine.
Friday 21 August 1914. At Portsmouth.
Left Portsmouth at 10 a.m.
Saturday 22 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Arrived Plymouth 6 a.m.
No drill. Detailed off for rooms. Rumours of forming part of a Naval Brigade.
Sunday 23 August 1914. At Plymouth.
No routine or drill.
Monday 24 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Troops marching out.
Tuesday 25 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Troops marching out.


Wednesday 26 August 1914. At Plymouth.
Embarked on board HMS Vengeance at 1.30 p.m. Left Plymouth at 6 p.m. Destination unknown.
Plymouth Battalion 750 strong.
Thursday 27 August 1914. On Board HMS Vengeance.
Taking passage. Served out with 100 Rounds of ammunition.
Friday 28 August 1914. At Ostend.
Landed at 9 a.m. with Battalion from each Headquarters and R. M.A. Plymouth Division
Signallers appointed as Brigade staff.
Great welcome from inhabitants.
Saturday 29 August 1914. At Ostend.
Billeted in Marine Bureau, which was very comfortable. Received various gifts from people. Troops employed in entrenching outpost in vicinity of Ostend. All telephone wires cut.
Sunday 30 August 1914. At Ostend.
Troops employed unpacking stores etc.
Monday 31 August 1914. At Ostend.
Embarked on HMS Ceaser.
Tuesday 1 September 1914. At Ostend.
Took passage on HMS Ceaser, destination unknown.
Wednesday 2 September 1914. At Plymouth.
Disembarked to Barracks.
Rumours of going to Deal.
Thursday 3 September 1914. At Plymouth.
Re-organising Battalion. Orders state Battalion proceed to Deal on 12 September
Friday 4 September 1914. At Plymouth.
Still reorganising Battalion.
Saturday 5 September 1914. At Plymouth.
Route marching.
Sunday 6 September 1914. At Plymouth.
Church.
Monday 7 to Saturday 13 September 1914. At Plymouth.
Saturday 13 to Saturday 20 September 1914. At Deal.

Saturday 20 September 1914. At Deal.
Embarked at Dover for Dunkirk in France.
Remained one week.
Saturday 28 September 1914. At Dunkirk.
Left for Cassal, remained one week. No fighting.
Saturday 3 October 1914. At Cassal.
Left by train at 10 am. Destination unknown. In great hurry.
Arrived at Oue God and billeted at night.
Sunday 4 October 1914. At Oue God.
Left for Sier. Relieved Belgian troops in the trenches.
Germans commenced bombarding the town. Remained in trenches under cover. Shrapnel falling all around our trenches. Parts of town on fire.
Monday 5 October 1914. At Sicr.
In trenches. Bombardment continuous. Snipers troubling us during the night. No casualties near here but three from another trench. One of the Marines gun-crew blown up. Only one man has, up to now, returned.
Am afraid poor Bert has gone under. Captain Coode shot in lung.
Right of line heard 9th Battalion engaged with infantry. Major Beves party having a rough time and is ready to retire. Casualties unknown.
Tuesday 6 October 1914. At Sier.
Bombardment worse than ever. Shrapnel dropping into trenches. Just heard big guns have arrived. Hope so or we do not stand much of a chance.
Artillery fire at enemy wonderful.
No news of Bert.
Reinforced by Belgian troops in trenches. ln afternoon We were forced to retire from trenches chased by the German's shrapnel fire all the way back. When out of range we entrenched ourselves again. Naval Brigade arrived.
Wednesday 7 October 1914. At a village 2 miles from Sier.
Entrenched.
Moved from trenches at 4 a.m. and returned to Oue God.
Germans demand surrender of town. We were told off to hide in the Park under cover.
Managed to get a wash. The first since Saturday the 3rd Also able to take boots off.
Our casualties are unknown yet. Have just heard a rumour that poor Bert is in hospital, can get no information.
Our retirement was the most terrible experience in my life. We could see nothing to fire at but were being shelled repeatedly. When we reached safety everyone was thoroughly done up.

Thursday 8 October 1914. Oue God.
We are now waiting for the Germans to begin bombarding the town. We can do nothing as they possess such fine guns and they simply out range everything we have. Wherever we go we are spotted  by aeroplanes which go back and report. Then follows the shrapnel. one has just arrived above.
We are at present in the public park keeping under cover of the trees and have just managed to cook some fresh meat. The first since we were at Dunkirk.
All the people are leaving here pushing perambulators, hand carts or anything with wheels on, full of little things from their homes which will soon be no more. Such are the horrors of war, which the people of England can never realise.
Slept in the streets all night until about 4 a.m. when we moved into the country and whilst there behind a hedge a shrapnel shell burst and killed two poor beggars and wounded two.
We then entrenched ourselves using our bayonets and remained hiding from aeroplanes whilst the enemy bombarded Antwerp.
About 6.30 a.m. we were suddenly given the order to fall in. The Marine Brigade then remained fell in whilst the Naval Brigade marched through on its way to Antwerp. The 11th and 12th Battalions then formed a rear-guard. We then started to retire towards Antwerp by the main road which was still being bombarded, but I do not think the Germans knew we were retiring or the tiring would have been much more.
We reached Antwerp about 9 O'Clock, the sight was wonderful. All the city was ablaze and the streets were smothered with broken glass. On reaching the canal we found a Pontoon erected as the bridge had been blown up. We crossed this in single file as it was not too strong. Reaching the other side we formed up and marched about six miles into a village arriving about 12 p.m. Slept in a field and received the order to move at 8 a.m. on Friday 9 October to St-Niklaas where we entrained reaching Bruges about 8 p.m.
Remained there two hours then on to Blankenberge (remained on train all night) from where we marched to Ostend on Saturday morning.
Saturday 10 October 1914. At Ostend.
Embarked and slept on SS Honorus all night.
Sunday 11 October 1914. At Ostend.
Sailed For a destination unknown. Believed to be England.
Monday 12 October 1914. On board SS Honorus.
Temporarily at anchor off Dunkirk during sailing.
Tuesday 13 October 1914. on board SS Honorus.
Arrived at Dover and entrained for Deal. Given leave to go home.
Wednesday 14 October 1914. At Deal.
Home leave given to 50% of Battalion.


Thursday & Friday 15 & 16 October 1914. At Deal.
Home.
(Second diary in use which is another small Royal Naval hard backed journal.)
To find North with watch. Point hour to the sun and halfway between that and twelve
o'clock will give you due South.

Thursday 29 October 1914. At Deal.
Entrained for Plymouth at 9 a.m. Arrived at 6 p.m. and proceeded to Barracks.
Friday 30 October 1914. At Plymouth.
Battalion employed at various duties.
Saturday 31 October 1914. At Plymouth.
(Letter from Win and Harry) Passing Doctor. Thorough inspection. A large number being
declared unfit and discharged to Headquarters from Battalion.
Sunday 1 November 1914. At Plymouth.
Nothing to report.
Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November 1914. At Plymouth.
Reorganising.
Friday 6 November I914. At Plymouth.
Reorganising.
Kitchener's Army reinforcing the Battalion
Saturday 7 November 1914. At Plymouth.
Re-organising.
Sunday 8 November 1914. At Plymouth.
Church.
Monday 9 November 1914. At Plymouth.
Preparing to leave for Tavistock.
Tuesday 10 November 1914. At Plymouth.
Fell in at 8.15 a.m. and marched off at 8.45 a.m. Arrived at Tavistock 2.10 p.m. (dinner at
4 pm.) Drew straw beds and 3 blankets each.
No. 1 Coy. And Staff billeted in the local Drill-hall.
Wednesday 11 November 1914. At Tavistock.
Troops employed drawing stores etc. and preparing range for musketry course.
Thursday 12 November 1914. At Tavistock.
Recruits employed on the rifle range going through a course of musketry.
Signalmen at telephone.
Friday 13 & Saturday 14 November 1914. At Tavistock.
Recruits at musketry.

Sunday 1 February 1915.
Proceeded to Shroton Dorset,
Monday 2 to Friday 5 February 1915. At Shroton.
Nothing to report.
Saturday 6 February . At Shroton.
Left Shroton at 1.0 a.m. Marched to Shillingstone reaching there about 3.30 a.m. Caught
train tor Devonport, arriving about 12 noon.
Embarked on SS Braemar Castle. Sailed from Devonport at 4.55 p.m.
Sunday 7 to Tuesday 9 February 1915.
In Bay of Biscay.
Wednesday 10 February 1915.
Left Bay of Biscay astern at 4 a.m. alter rough passage through.
Passed Gibraltar at 12 midnight.
Thursday 11 February 1915. In Mediterranean.
Weather much better. Sighted African Coast and kept within sight of same.
Friday 12 & Saturday 13 February 1915. In Mediterranean.
Still off coast of Africa. Weather fine & warm.
Sunday 14 February 1915.1n Mediteranean.
Passed through several small islands.
Arrived off Malta at 10.30 a.m. and dropped anchor outside.
Monday 15 February 1915. At Malta.
Proceded to anchorage in Grand Harbour 8.30 a.m.
Tuesday 16 February 1915. On Malta.
Troops landed for exercise which was greatly needed.
The island seems to be a fine looking place. The streets were lined with trees which
resembled Bay trees. Here and there a Mimosa tree. There are a number of churches and
every few yards there is a niche in the wall with the figure of the "Virgin Mary", Jesus
Christ or one of the saints. Woman still wear the Hood.
Wednesday 17 February 1915. On Malta.
Weather very hot.
Thursday 18 February 1915. On Malta.
Expecting to leave at midnight.
I was discharged to Malta Hospital.

19 February 1915. At Malta. Braemar Castle left  at 8.0 a.m.
Saturday 20 February 1915. At Sea.
Destination unknown. Passed Crete at 3.15 p.m.
Sunday 21 February 1915. At Sea.
Turkish coast sighted at 12 noon. Run into rough weather.
I was still in Hospital, thank goodness!
Dropped anchor off Tenedos island about 3.30 p.m. weighing anchor again about 5.30
p.m. to avoid contact with hostile mines etc.
Monday 22 February 1915. At Sea.
Encountered rough weather in the early hours of the morning.
Arrived Tenedos about 7 a.m. Remained all day.
Tuesday 23 February 1915. Off Tenedos.
Strong rumour in ship that peace had been proclaimed.
Severe storm in the evening.
Wednesday 24 February 19l5. Off Tenedos.
Remained until 12 noon then sailed to Lemnos, in Turkish waters, arriving about 4 p.m.
(another rumour, we were returning to England.)
Thursday 25 February 1915. Off Lemnos.
Went closer in to land. Place seemed deserted. Left about 5 p.m. For Grecian waters.
Expected to go to Dardanelles and land tomorrow.
Returned to Lemnos the same evening.
Friday 26 February 1915. Off Lemnos.
Left about 1 a.m. sailing all night reaching mouth of Dardanelles about 7.30 a.m. Had to
turn about on account of mines and then went to Tenedos. Troops saw the ports on fire
after bombardment by Allied fleet. A fine sight.


(I missed this being on my way from Malta to rejoin Braemar Castle)
Left Tenedos 5 p.m. for Isle of Lembros. Arriving about 8 p.m.
Saturday 27 February 1915. Off Imbros, Greece.
Very rough weather. Troops watching the shelling of the Dardanelles. Expecting to land
tomorrow. ln the evening the Chaplain held special service on board.
Sunday 28 February 1915. Off Lembros.
Bad weather continues which prevents landing.
Monday 1 March 1915. Off Lembros.
Bad weather. Snow storm in early hours of morning. The heights covered with snow
which looked very pretty.  joined us with Chatham  Battalion on board.
Watched the bombardment of ports. Weather now calm and fine. Expecting to land to-
morrow. Left Lembros for Tenedos.
Tuesday 2 March I915. Off Tenedos.
The Torpedo Destroyer HMS Grasshopper and Balish came alongside to take troops ashore.
Weather being bad this was cancelled.
Wednesday 3 March 1915. Off Tenedos.
Weather rough, Left Tenedos for Lembros at 10.30 a.m. Anchored about 4. 30 p.m. Heard
the Dasiu was captured by the French.
Thursday 4 March . Off Lembros.
No.3 and 4 Companies effected a landing and proceeded into action leaving ship about
8.20a.m.
Left Lembros about 8. 30 a.m. sailing into the mouth of Dardanelles.
Continued to circle round all day watching bombardment. In the evening ship was shelled
by Turkish forts. Shells coming close but doing no damage.
No. 3 Coy. Did not come onboard but No. 4 Coy came onboard about 5 p.m. bringing
three dead Marines including "Sergeant Minns" and one dead Turk.
Friday 5 March 1915. Off Dardanelles.
Some of No.3 Coy were arriving all the forenoon, more dead bodies also arrived. Muster
roll by Colonel Matthews resulted in 19 killed, 23 wounded and 4 missing.
At 7.30 p.m. dead were buried at Sea. All troops were paraded on deck for Burial service
Saturday 6 March 1015. on Tendros
Left in the evening for Lembros, anchored outside harbour all night. One of the missing
returned onboard.
I arrived at Lemnos in the supply ship Swanley.
Sunday 7 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Went into Tenedos. l rejoined Braemar Castle at l 1 a.m. .


Monday 8 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Troops landed for exercise.
Tuesday 9 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Nothing to report.
Wednesday 10 March 1915. At Lemnos.
No landing. Weather too rough.
Thursday 11 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Troops landed. Rained very hard.
Friday 12 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Troops landed.
Saturday 13 to Monday 15 March 1915.
Still lying at Lemnos.
Tuesday 16 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Report reached us of the landing party off HMS Ocean (marines).
Three returned out of eighty (this fortunately was not true)
Rumours of going to Egypt which turned out to be true.
Wednesday 17 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Nothing to report.
Thursday 18 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Left at 5 p.m. and joined Royal Naval Division.
Friday 19 March 1915. At Sen.
Wireless report Ocean and Irresistible sinking through mines in Dardanelles
We return to Lemnos
Saturday 20 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Weather very rough. Small boats braking adrit all day.
Sunday 21 March I915. At Lemnos.
Weather the same.
Monday 21 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Heard HMS Zexihle had been beached at Tenedos.
Tuesday 23 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Expected to sail but did not.


Wednesday 24 March 1915. At Lemnos.
Left at 4.30 p.m. It was rumoured For Alexandria.
Thursday 25 March 1915.At Sea.
Nothing to report.
Friday 26 March 1915. At Sea.
Steaming slowly. Passed Alexandria at 9 p.m.
Saturday 27 March 1915. At Sea.
Arrived Port Said 11.30 a.m.
Sunday 28 & Monday 29March  1915. 0ff Port Said.
Nothing doing.
Tuesday 30 March 1915. At Port Said.
Went ashore and pitched tents and had our first night under canvas.
Wednesday 31 March 1915. At Port Said.
Brigadier Generals Parade. Plymouth, Portsmouth and Chatham Battalions attending.

Thursday 1 April 1915. At Port Said.
(Made Lotly Tom Fool)
Friday 2 April 1915. At Port Said.
Good Friday.
Thought about where I was a year before. Brigade Church service in the p.m.
Saturday 3 April 1915. At Port Said.
in camp. Royal Naval Division paraded for Review by General Sir Ian Hamilton who
specially recommended Plymouth Battalion. No 2 Comp:-my unit also specially
recommended by our own officers.
Sunday 4 April 1915. At Port Said.
Easter Sunday. Church Service in the open.
Monday 5 April 1915. At Port Said.
Easter Monday. Route March. Severe Sand Storm. Troops almost blinded with sand
Tuesday 6 April 1915. At Port Said.
Sand Storm still raging.
Wednesday 7 April 1915. At Port Said.
Struck camp and re-embarked on Braemar Castle in the forenoon.


Thursday 8 April 1915. Off Port Said.
Left Port Said at 12 noon presumably for the Dardanelles.
Friday 9 April 1915. At Sea.
Battalion preparing to land.
Saturday 10 April 1915. At Sea.
Battalion employed re-adjusting equipment to carry three days rations.
Sunday 11 April 1915. At Sea.
Arrived Lemnos about 5.30 a.m.
Monday 12 April 1915. Off Lemnos.
Preparing to land.
Tuesday 13 April 1915. Off Lemnos.
Landed for exercise at 8.45 a.m. got caught in the rain. Company got very wet and
muddy. Re-embarked at 2.0 p.m.
Had dinner. Still hungry - "un-eatable".
Cawdor Castle came alongside with Chatham Battalion.
Wednesday 14 April 1915. Off Lemnos.
Battalion signallers took the signal duties for the ship. Troops carrying on daily routine.
All sorts of yarns about the war, but no definite news.
Caterer of messes complained about food. Result, great improvement.
Went aboard Implacable and was treated to tobacco etc. and found her clean as a new pin through using oil only and no coal.
All officers have been up to the Dardanelles to view country etc.
The Harbour now is full of transports. 50 in number, with Colonial, Regulars and Indians on board. Rumour on board! that the Goeben is out of harbour.
We are expecting to leave, every day, for Dardanelles.
Sunday 18 April 1915. off Lemnos.
Horizontal Joe in possession of tobacco and cigarettes ("matches also") and is going to do a Chatham for it.
Troops exercise landing in trawlers. Weather grand, sea like glass. Went for a pull at
1.30 p.m. visiting Queen Elizabeth, London and Cornwallis.
Saw Frank Stewart's young brother who wished to be remembered to Win.
I was offered money by a young marine in HMS London who had heard we were short.
He gave me two good books.
The Colonel and officers have been to the Dardanelles in HMS Dublin, returned 7.45 p.m.


Monday 19 April 1915. Off Lemnos.
A Turkish torpedo boat stopped the British transport Manizou and gave them three minutes to man boats then fired three torpedoes, but all missed. She was then chased by the Minerva and a destroyer which destroyed her and took the crew prisoner.
Cheshire Regiment on transport lost 60 men through Davit breaking.
Germans dropping bombs on Switzerland who protests.
Sergeant Meatyard rejoins ship from hospital.
Tuesday 20 April 1915. Off Lemnos.
Ostend taken by Allies.
Wednesday 21 April 1915. off Lemnos.
Nothing doing. Awaiting orders to move.
Thursday 22  April 1915.
Nothing of importance.
Friday 23"‘ April 1915. off Lemnos.
A great number of transports left harbour. Two seaplanes exercising over the harbour.
We are to work in conjunction with the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) when we land.
Saturday 24 April 1915.off Lemnos.
Weighed anchor and lay outside the harbour.
Signalers  paraded before Adjutant Captain Lough. We were told by him to be very
careful of water as our water bottles had to last three days.
We were served out with two 1 lb. tins of beef and two bags of biscuits which has to last
us five days.
Left Lemnos at 6.30 p.m.
Sunday 25 April 1915. At Sea and Y Beach.
Arrived Dardanelles at l a.m. and left Braemar Castle at 4 a.m. Landed at 7.30 a.m. No opposition, under protection of battleships. Are now awaiting the result of scouts reconnaissance.
This is a beautiful morning. We have reached the top of the slope I mentioned and are in extended order with the KOSB entrenching themselves just in front. The Battleships are still tearing the country to pieces and aeroplanes are flying overhead. A lot of rifle fire is going on off to our right rear. I am off the left flank of the firing line with my group of signallers looking out for orders from HQs. l have been rather bad in my stomach for four days but feel a little better just at this minute. Wonder what the weather is like in Deal. I am wondering whenever l shall get a letter or be able to send one.
We have been under rifle fire for about an hour. Just now a party left here to try and deliver a flank attack, Do not know how they are getting on. As l write this a continual "swish" "swish" is going on. I have a little trench about 40 yards in rear of the firing line expect we shall get it hot to-night.
Water lasting out well, also food. I brought a good supply ashore thanks to the generosity of the two ships Quartermasters on the Braemar Castle. Our landing place is called Cape Tekeh. N W Gallipoli Peninsula.
We remained in our small trench until about 7 p.m. with continual fire going on from our trenches in front. At the above time Captain Tetley came running to gather any troops as they were about to repel an attack on the cliffs to our left. I fixed my bayonet, left my pack and signal gear in the trench and ran forward and down the cliffs, being joined by about thirty men under a Lieutenant who was wounded just as l lay down alongside him. The Turks made an attack on us at once with hand grenades, so we were ordered to retire in consequence. We all got mixed up and were shouting "who are you" to anyone that came running along. If they failed to answer in English, we fired! We continued to retire and I eventually found myself on the sea shore with three wounded men and one chap who was all right. l shall never forget our experience that night.
All three of the Wounded were able to walk so we tried to hail a boat but were immediately fired on from above so ran along the beach with the devils above chasing us along the top. Luckily nobody was hit, and at last we reached a sort of split in the rocks so took shelter and waited all night with our rifles ready. To make things worse it came on to rain and we didn't have a waterproof sheet. or coat between us.
In the early hours of the morning I suddenly saw something creeping along the beach. so thinking it was a Turk I challenged him and found him to be a wounded soldier who had tried to swim out to the ships but had returned exhausted. This poor devil turned out to be the man whom we had heard calling for help the night before but could not help as we couldn't see him and he seemed a long way out. The Turks were also firing down at him from the top of the cliffs. His cries were pitiful and we thought, when he had ceased calling for help, that it was all up with him.
He hadn't a stitch to his back, but was happy as could be to see l was English. He made our party up to six, but only two of us had rifles. (The night being cold l gave him my coat and consequently lost my diary for the space of nearly two months, when a young chap handed it to me in the trenches.He having been in hospital with the soldier. I just mention this as I have to tell it in the best way I can) We remained in our hiding place until daylight when along the sea shore came the most motley crowd I have ever seen. About thirty five in number. These were Marines, KOSB, SWB and wounded of all sorts. One poor beggar had his tongue shot out of his mouth. Our position was dangerous, as they had practically no ammunition and with Turks on each side of the cliffs above, and all my signal gear was gone. One chap volunteered to swim out to the ships and ask for boats.
In the meantime I tied my red handkerchief on a stick and a white handkerchief on another piece, stood on a rock semaphoring. To our joy alter twenty minutes HMS Blenheim answered with her searchlight so when told how we were situated she sent boats for us and took us all aboard.
The ship's company gave us plenty to eat and hot tea to drink. We remained there until evening when we were all transferred to the Auscniu where we re-organised and mustered our losses. They were found to be 197 total. 43 being killed in one Company. KOSB losses being 270.
Note - James Thompson. The first dairy taken from a small Royal Naval hard backed journal ~ T.S. 66 (late S 693b)
Entry - If anyone should find this book would they please do me the kindness of returning it to my Wife if possible. Mrs J Thompson. The Hope lnn. St Margarets, Nr Dover.

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