page of war diary transcript

• June 16, 2017 22:02:08 C Weddo

  Copy of the introductory report to Officer Commanding 1st/5th Royal Welsh

  Fusiliers along with the statement of events written by Lieutenant and

  Quartermaster George Claridge.

  Officer Commanding 1/5th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

       The attached statement of events which occurred on the 13th August

  last is forwarded for information and action you may deem necessary.

       The convoy in my opinion was extricated from a position of danger to

  one of safety by your Quartermaster who I consider saved both personnel and

  mules by first of all ordering the convoy under cover in the nullah and

  secondly by bringing them out of it as he did under shell fire from one

  portion to another of the Azmak Nullah.

  (Sg) T. Armstrong. Major

  Quartermaster 1/6 Roy. W. Fusrs.

  Suvla Bay

  8 Oct 1915.

  (Originals sent to Brigade Commander thro. O/C 1/5 RWF on 8. 10. 15. )

  ............................................................................................................................................................................................

  STATEMENT OF EVENT WHICH HAPPENED ON THE 13th AUGUST 1915.

       On the 13th August last I started from the Supply Depot West Beach, at

  3. 15 p.m. with a convoy of supplies, ammunition and picks and shovels

  loaded on 63 mules for the 150th Infantry Brigade. Escort consisted of 30

  N.C.O.s and men and the following:-

  Major and Quartermaster T. Armstrong 1/6 RWF

  Lieut. & ------do------              G. Claridge 1/5 RWF

  do      & ------do------                     Baston 1/7 RWF

  do      & ------do------        Roberts Hereford Regt.

       Two hundred yards from the Azmak Nullah, we came under heavy shell

  fire, mules became restless and some threw their loads. The whole took

  cover under a hedge to the right of the Nullah, except myself and Major

  Armstrong who went into the Nullah, proceeding along which we came across

  our Brigade staff also some of the 53rd Divisional Staff in the same

  nullah. Our Brigadier remarked that the Turks had given us a warm

  reception. We were then informed that it was no use taking the convoy to

  the old dump as the Brigade were coming into the Nullah that night for

  rest, and Captain Davies, Staff Captain 158th Brigade, pointed out a place

  in the Nullah where the stores for the Brigade were to be deposited.

       I was ordered by Major Armstrong to go forward and bring back the

  convoy to the new dumping ground. I found it under cover from view, but not

  from fire and decided to get them all in the Nullah which was done - owing

  to there being a Dressing Station in the Nullah, between the convoy and our

  new dump, it was necessary to take the mules out of the Nullah also to keep

  them away from the dressing station, so as not to draw the enemy's fire on

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