28 May 1915 - transferred for convalescence to Glymenopoulo

A.G. Adams was transferred from the No. 17 General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, to the Glymenopoulo convalescent facility on 28 May 1915 (AWM service records, third from last entry).

An interesting article in the New Zealand newspaper called "Press", sets out some background information on the WW1 hospital facilities in Egypt during 1915 and gives a brief description of the convalescent facilities in Alexandria.

"Alexandria is a noted health resort and is the seat of Government during the Egyptian summer (Cairo being too hot in the middle of the year).....Alexandria convalescent cases will find many residents ready to offer the hospitality of their homes until their names are removed from the sick list. All the suburban portion of this city stands on its north-east side, upon a ridge of soft limestone rock...the north side the sea provides one long succession of delightful bathing beaches....Glymenopoulo, one of these suburban districts, lies quite near Alexandria, and is characterised by the number of great houses which are divided into residential flats."

The Care of our Gallant Wounded, by H T Ferrar

NZ newspaper ‘Press’

30 July 1915, p.8

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=CHP19150730.2.76

A.G. Adams remained in a Glymenopoulo convalescent facility until 14 June when he again returned to Gallipoli.

8 May 1915 - Injured in the Battle of Krithia - casualty form

From the Australian National Archives service records  'Casualty Form' (image below) we know Lieut A.G. Adams was wounded (second occasion) on 8 May 1915 (the fifth item on the pink sheet below).

On the next line the Army notes that he was embarked on the Guildford Castle hospital ship with (GSW) gunshot wounds to his right thigh and right forearm. He was wounded probably between 5:30pm and 6:30pm on 8 May (see 8 May blog post). During that hour the 2nd Brigade suffered 1,000 casualties (about a third of its strength). Athol was in transit for about 2 days, as a stretcher case being carried from the front line, say,  6:30pm on 8 May to the hospital ship where he was embarked on the afternoon of 10 May. One of the many problems encountered on the Peninsular was getting the injured men to adequate medical help quickly.

He was on board the Guildford Castle from 10-15 May 1915 (see records below).

On the following line Athol is listed as being admitted to hospital at Alexandria, Egypt, on 16 May. They took the bullet out whilst Athol was in Alexandria (about a week after he was shot). He was later transferred to Glymenpoule, Alexandria, on 28 May, for convalescence.

Service records held at Australian National Archives.

In Athol's letter home written on 27 May 1915 he gives a brief account of these injuries. I continue the transcript from the last blog post.

"....On Saturday  evening (8 May) we got orders to form a new firing line and while we were going up I got hit again. This time in the right thigh, a clean hit right through. I couldn't walk and while I was being taken back I got another in the right lower arm. The bullet hit a man who was helping me and broke his arm and went into me and stayed in my wrist. I was taken on board the 'Guildford Castle' a fine hospital ship where we had A1 treatment on Monday afternoon (10 May) and came down on her (to Alexandria, Egypt). They took the bullet out under gas. I'll send it out and I think you had better give it to Bill (nickname of his eldest brother, Arthur Parker Adams) to go on his watch chain with that bit of his knee. 

"I previously sent my wrist watch (damaged during the landing at ANZAC Cover on 25 April) and a Turkish bullet which was in my haversack (acquired also on 25 April). I hope you get them alright. All the wounds have healed up wonderfully and I'll be as good as ever in a few days when the stiffness gets out of my leg. 

"Norm Marshall has won his commission as have about 8 others. It is a nice climate up there. Pretty warm with cold nights though I suppose it will get hotter soon. 

"There has been a mix up with our letters and I haven't had any since about April 20th. We're not allowed to say anything about operations or movements so there is no news.  

"My love to all,
"Yours lovingly, Athol"

25 April 1915 - wounded - service record notes

Athol's service records were updated in early May but referred to 25 April 1915.

You can see the third item - Athol's injury is noted and the date 25 April 1915. However, it only records one injury and in fact he was injured twice on that day.

The promotion to 1st Lieut. is recorded on the line above.

National Archives of Australia service records for A.G. Adams p.11.

Letter - 27 May 1915 - Athol describes landing on Anzac Cove 1915

This post is written 100 years after the landings on Gallipoli.

 At 12:40pm Sydney time we have already been to our dawn services but in Turkey the dawn service is just starting at Anzac Cove.

The letter below was written on 27 May to Athol's mother in Melbourne. I transcribe only the first few lines as that section describes how Athol took part in the landing and was shot twice shortly after arriving. More of the letter will appear in May as it refers to the events of 5-8 May and later.

On 24th April, Athol's unit was aboard the troopship 'Novian' in the Greek harbour of Mudros. The fleet moved off on 25th April just after midnight. At about 2am the troops prepared their kit (about 40kg including some food and water) and were given a hot meal - bully beef with a few potatoes made into a stew. They were mustered on deck. They were to receive no more rations for 3 days.

The 9th and 10th Battalions of the 3rd Brigade made up the first wave of troops to be towed ashore. This was at about 4:30am, pre-dawn.

With the sun rising, at about 5:30am, on 25 April 1915, the second wave of troops started towards the shore. Athol was in this second wave. He was part of 'D' company, 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade. 'D' company left the ship at about 8am. They were clearly visible from the rocky cliffs above. It was a fine day - blue sky and a warm sun. Sniper fire, musketry, shells and shrapnel were hailing from above. Athol was probably injured at this early stage of the battle.

The towing craft had missed the beach at Gaba Tepe and instead the troops were put ashore a mile further north at Ari Burnu. The sea was glass smooth and the current not too strong so the mistake was probably poor navigation. For the troops going ashore the topography encountered did not match the plans which were distributed. They expected a sandy bank above the beach and then low hills. They found very steep inclines, deep ravines and thick low scrub. It was difficult to see ahead. They were disoriented from the start.

Those men of 'D' company who were not killed or wounded on the wooden boats or on the beach halted under the crest of the hill where the commanding officer had established Battalion Headquarters until the position became clear. The position did not become clear. The men pushed on often in small groups.

As the morning progressed enemy fire upon the ANZAC troops intensified.

One of the Battalion's most capable officers, Major Feathers, in charge of 'A' company was shot through the neck and died that morning. Soon, many of the 5th Battalion were mixed with other units, particularly the 6th Battalion. Major Bennet of the 6th steadied a group of these 5th Battalion men and repelled a group of Turks trying to break through.

Private S. Ricketson of 'D' company found himself with a group of men without a leader and took it upon himself to lead them over a plateau which was later to be called Lone Pine. Isolated groups of the 5th Battalion fought their way through the thick scrub and, in many cases, never returned.

Communication, and the transmission of orders to these isolated groups of men was impossible on that first day. Men lost contact with each other and the various units became separated, mixed and the situation confused.

Turkish resistance intensified during the day and continued through Sunday evening. The ANZAC troops consolidated a rough line along the rugged terrain and started to dig in around dusk.

No.17 General Hospital

Ramleh

Alexandria

27.5.15 

Dear Mater, 

Many thanks for your cable which I got on the 18th (May) about 9pm. I've been here since the 16th (May) and am quite all right. I'm going into a convalescent home tomorrow. That means boarding out at a private house. 

I got hit on April 25th (Sunday) the first day we landed, soon after getting ashore. I got one through the upper arm and about 1/2 an hour afterwards got another on the wrist watch which smashed the watch and put my left hand out of action temporarily. I then left the line and went down to the beach where I was sent aboard the 'Clan Macgillvray'. I came down here in her and reached here on Thursday night (29th April). Six of us then went on board the Lutzon and returned to Gallipoli leaving on Sunday evening (2 May).....