Saturday, 25 April
We'll have to find poppies to take with us, I said to Gary.
We're spending ANZAC Day - the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings - either in the air on loitering around Heathrow.
We land at Heathrow at 11.30am on the flight from LA and don't leave until 7pm on the flight for Bucharest. Better have a good book or two on hand.
And poppies.
______________________________
My great uncle Ralph Doughty fought at Gallipoli and I transcribed his diaries which can be found on cousin Pete Kivell's website.
 |
| Ralph Doughty |
Woke up at 5.30 by the roar of guns. Twelve battleships shelling Old Nick out of the forts and batteries of our friends. Range about 5 miles. Gunfire ripping, execution ditto. It's now 11.45 and they're still at it only a mile away from us. Had to up anchor and get out at about 10.30. The Turks had the hide to range on us sent over 11 6 inch shells altogether. One shell lobbed 100yds from the next boat to us (about 200yds away) and threw an immense column of water over her bows. A destroyer about 600yds away nearly stopped one. Thought she was hit, for she keeled over. But she's still going strong. Bombardment lasted until dark. Extra heavy between 5 and 6.30 pm. The Majestic was particularly warming things up. One fort was completely demolished. Haven't had a shot from there since 2 pm. All day long our infantry have been storming the sea front entrenchments.______________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment