Gallipoli by Peter Hart

Author:Peter Hart
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Published: 2011-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

LIEUTENANT CHARLES LISTER had returned to the trenches and rejoined the Hood Battalion ready once more for the fray. Both his delicate sensitivities and his underlying sense of humour were considerably tickled by the arrival of the 155th and 157th Brigades of the 52nd Division.

Trench life means a good deal of repose but very little sleep. This is not so much due to the enemy as to the torrents of raw levies coming up to do working parties or to relieve pals or to look for their proper places in the line, and so on. I have had my toes trodden on by every officer and man of a Scotch Territorial Division. They come up in driblets, carrying the most weird cooking utensils, and with every sort of impedimentum. They never know how many of them are coming, and if you ask them each man says he is the last. Then after about 10 seconds’ interval fresh men come up, carrying what appear to be portions of bagpipes. They are always getting lost and held up. Last night I had to get them out by dint of jumping on the top of the communication trench parapet and kicking dust on to their heads, and at the time using the most violent language. The humours of trench warfare are really delicious.25

Lieutenant Charles Lister, Hood Battalion, 2nd Naval Brigade, RND

One of the dark jokes beloved of the veterans of the trenches was recalled by the newly arrived Lieutenant John Millar of the 1/5th KOSB.

Sergeant Johnstone stopped and said, ‘Now, Sir, I want to introduce you to our mascot, especially as this is your first tour in the firing line!’ He pulled aside an empty sandbag covering an alcove in the wall of the communication trench. Sticking out from the earth horizontally was the stiff forearm and hand of a dead Turkish soldier. The hand was leathery and wrinkled; the clutching fingers were stark and stiff. ‘Shake!’ said my Sergeant. I hesitated, then grimly took the hand.26

Lieutenant John Millar, 1/5th KOSB, 155th Brigade, 52nd Division

It was these young inexperienced Scots of the 52nd Division that were earmarked for the next offensive.

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