Three Australian officers at Gallipoli, identified from left to right: Lieutenant Roy Kernot of the 1st Division Engineers; Lieutenant Edward Stanley Whitehead of the 3rd Field Company Engineers and Lieutenant Louis Willyama Avery (later MM) of the 1st Division Engineers. The three friends were all associated with the Silverton Tramway Company in Broken Hill and survived the war. image courtesy Australian War Memorial P00244.001
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Avery, Louis Willyama – April 1915
April 2nd.
Disturbance in Cairo in which Australians were involved. Known as the Battle of the Wazar.
April 3rd.
Left Mina at 11 p.m. for Cairo. Whole Division moving out.
April 4th.
Left Cairo for Alexandria at 5 a.m. Embarked on troopship “City of Benares.”
April 5th
Sailed from Alexandria under sealed orders, course set North.
April 7th
Arrived at Mudros harbour not far from Dardanelles. Harbour full of troopships & warships of every description. Over 100 ships. The harbour is at Lemnos Island.
April 23rd.
Weighed anchor & moved into position outside harbour.
April 25th
Weighed anchor at 1 a.m. At 5 a.m. heard a great bombardment from the fleet. At 8 a.m. heard the news that the 3rd Brigade (ours) was ashore & pushing up the slopes of Gallipoli. 9. a.m. Transferred to Destroyer Scourge 2 miles off shore. Turk Shells falling everywhere. We proceeded towards the shore & when close in transferred to life boats. A pinnace. towed 6 boats each & near the beach cast off. We then rowed like hell until we ran against the beach. Shrapnel was raining down & no time was wasted in getting ashore & to cover, after wading waist deep through the water. No sleep & little to eat that day. Making roads.
April 26th
Making gun emplacements. Turks attacking strongly & our infantry holding on with difficulty. Have orders to hold on at all costs & no retreat. Position very critical.
April 27th
Position improving but both sides tiring.
April 29th
Reinforcements landed & relieved front line troops.
