Unit diary - 9 September 1915 - pack up and depart Gallipoli

Since early August the 5th Battalion had been on a roster to maintain the captured Turkish trenches at Lone Pine.

The 5th Battalion had been on the Gallipoli since the landing on 25th April. By September, they had endured the Battle of Krithia, the August offensive and the many assaults and counter-attacks in between. Their ranks were depleted not only due to the deaths in battle and the wounded being evacuated, but they were also succumbing to disease and exhaustion. It was decided that the 5th would be evacuated when replacements became available.

In early September, the 23rd Battalion had arrived on the Gallipoli peninsular. They were a new infantry battalion raised in Victoria and their arrival enabled the worn out 5th Battalion to withdraw from the trenches and rest and reorganize on Lemnos Island.

A note in the Battalion diary dated 9 September 1915, at Anzac, says that the 5th Battalion "companies, B, C and D will embark some time after 1930hrs".  The companies were ordered to prepare to depart with specific instructions for the sick and wounded. They were to send a runner to Battalion Headquarters to report no later than 1900 and await instructions. The men planned to rendezvous at the corner of Bridges Road and Monash Gully and then proceed down to Anzac Cove 'in absolute silence'.

The voyage involved boarding barges from the Pier at Anzac Cove. The barges were towed out to the waiting ships. After a 5-hour (approx) voyage the ships arrived in Lemnos harbour and the men were again transferred to a paddleboat and put ashore via a pier. This trip took up most of the evening so the men arrived on the Island in the morning of 10th September. The troops then marched about three miles to their camp-site.

From 11 September the Unit Diary for the 5th Battalion is written at Lemnos.

The weather was not good. It rained on 12th and 15th making the ground around the camp-site muddy.

Interestingly, the Battalion commanders then went about trying to re-establish a more formal type of Army discipline and routine. A lot of the diary is taken up with orders concerning: saluting (to be insisted upon), the use of correct forms of address, prompt attention at parades, punctuality, correct wearing of clothing, care of arms, keeping tents squared up, 'not hanging rifles and clothing off the tent lines', 'discipline tightened up generally'. It gives the impression that the men were used to a different culture entirely at Gallipoli.

A good deal of concern was placed on cleanliness and sanitation as many of the men were suffering from gastrointestinal problems as a result of the unsanitary conditions at Gallipoli. Regular bathing in the sea was encouraged.

According to some accounts there was an opportunity to get some rest and recreation on Lemnos. There were the usual church services on Sundays, as well as lots of cricket (weather permitting) and a camp-fire concert, there was a small library on the Island organised by the men attending to the mail, Football matches were also held.

AWM C02034: The flooded 1st Battalion camp on 

Aegean island of Lemnos

September 1915

Athol mentions the rain on Lemnos in September. This image was taken not long after the 5th Battalion arrived at Lemnos.