1 Aug Mitylene
2 Aug Mitylene Troops inspected in harbour by Gen Sir Ian Hamilton, who visited each vessel.
3 Aug Mitylene
4 Aug Mitylene
5 Aug Mitylene Orders received by Brigade that all troops were to be transhipped and ready to sail by 17.30 the next day. Brigade also nots laconically the " no military information, no instructions of any kind received - no orders"
6 Aug Mitylene 3.30pm 7th Service Battalion of Royal Dublin Fusiliers transhipped on HMT Fauvette (sweeper) en route for Dardenelles. In addition to arms, ammunition and equipment, each man carried 2 days iron rations and "landing rations". Vessels move off in succession at 17.30
7 Aug Suvla Bay Arrived Salt Lake Bay at 4am. It was only at this stage that Brigade (Brig Gen Hill) saw Gen Stopford and received orders for the landing. Gen Stopford was said to be surprised to hear that Brig Gen Hill had not received any operational orders. A and C Coys and 1 Platoon of B Coy under Major M P E Lonsdale disembarked on motor lighter at 7am landing on C Beach. During trip came under accurate shrapnel fire. One officer (2nd Lt C D Harvey) severely wounded, 1 man killed, 14 wounded. The remainer of the Battalion, less two platoons on bagage fatigue, under Lt Col G Downing, landed at 8.30am. Both half battalions came under heavy shrapnel fire, on landing. The half under Major Lonsdale having advanced to the south east corner of Valli Babah. At this point both half battalions stacked their packs and advanced eastwards across the spit under a heavy fire from enemy shrapnel. A and C Coys still under Major Lonsdale, continued eastwards for about 1.5 miles where they wheeled to the right and formed the firing line of the attack on Hill 53. Their advance being entirely by rushes.
In the meantime, the remainder of the battalion under Lt Col G Downing, had also advanced and entered the attack by cuting in the rear of A & C Coys. This at about 2pm. C Coy however having moved well to the left, D Coy joined in with A Coy near a well some 2000 yards from the position
From this the battalion was subjected to heavy shrapnel, maxim and rifle fire, through where it steadily and quickly advanced from one piece of cover to the next, owing to the rapidity and frequencies of the advances the casualties were greatly reduced, but C Coy were unlucky in losing their company commander, Major G H Tippet (killed) and Lt E L Julian (badly wounded). The hill was captured about 2pm by parts of A and D Coys and details of other regiments, the whole led by Major R S M Harrison. Casualties, 3 officers, 109 other ranks.
8 Aug Suvla Bay
9 Aug Suvla Bay
10 Aug Suvla Bay
11 Aug Suvla Bay
12 Aug Suvla Bayv The Battalion held Hill 53 (which was found to have been well entrenched by the Turks). Casualties 5, caused by shrapnel and snipers. During the night of 12/13 the battalion was relieved by 9th W Yorks and marched round Salt Lake to north end of Bay arriving 4am.
13 Aug Suvla Bay On the afternoon of 13th came into General Reserve on the Hill, having rejoined 30th Infantry Brigade (Kiretch Tipe Sirt). 31st also on ridge, the whole under General Hill.
14 Aug Suvla Bay
15 Aug Suvla Bay 1pm a general atttack was made along the ridge against the Turks position. The object being to clear the enemy from the knol NE of KTS. The Battalion coming in General Reserve . This attack was successful and the southern slope of the knoll was cleared. At nightfall the battalion was rushed out to occupy it in relief of 6 RDF. Owing to the darkness it was impossible to advance over the crest, so position was taken up along it and extending to the left and running back at angles along the east crest of the ridge. Details of other units of Division were also assisting . Unfortunately before Battalion occupied, Col Downing was shot in the foot by a sniper. Major Lonsdale assuming command
16 Aug Suvla Bay 3.30am the Turks commenced a furious counter attack which was continued without cessation until 9am. Our casualties were very heavy, owing to the huge numbers of bombs which they seem to have brought up during the night. Unfortunately we had none, and had to depend entirely on rifle and machine gun fire, which owing to the steepness of the reverse slope was prevented from being as accurate as otherwise might have been. Turks making use of dead ground to throw their bombs
The battalion made two counter-attacks but success was only temporary - the Turks being in great force. During the fight the following officers fell. Major R S M Harrison, Capt P H Hickman, Catp L P Leschallas, Capt R P Tobin, Lt A J Russell, Lt M J Fitzgibbon, 2nd Lt E T Weatherill, 2nd Lt A G Crighton, the latter beleived to be killed though nobody actually saw him fall in the battalion, as he had gone over to left flank to rally the details of another unit who had lost their officers. 2nd Lt C B Girvin and 2nd Lt H L Clover were wounded. It was only due to the gallantry and heroism of the officers and the splendid fighting spirit of the NCOs and men of the Battalion that enabled the crest to be held during that terrible period. Reinforcements were sent up from time to time. But it was found utterly impossible to do more than just maintain our foting on the knoll. At 9am orders were received for the battalion to withdraw to Brigade HQ, having been relieved by another unit. This was carried out by 10am.
The battalion had gone into action with 21 officers and 532 Other Ranks. It came out of the action with 10 officers and 375 other ranks. At 12 noon the battalion's First Reinforcements reported their arrival and were absorbed. Strength 2 officers and 150 men under Capt J A Lucie-Smith and 2nd Lt G Hicks. At 9pm the battalion was again moved up, this time to occupy the east side extending from Brigade HQ to the left.
17 Aug Suvla Bay The battalion remained in the trenches until just after 11pm, when they were relieved by part of the 7th and 11th Essex (territorials). casualties by snipers, 1 killed, 4 wounded. Battalion moved to beach, arriving at 2am, where they remained for the rest of the night.
18 Aug Suvla Bay At 10am the battalion removed up to Division rest bivouac on western slope of point 145. Major M P E Lonsdale who has commanded the battalion during the whole operations from 16th to 18th with great coolness was stricken down with sickness and left the battalion. Capt C B Hoey taking over command. From this date till 20th inclusive battalion was employed in general fatigues, making mule paths, etc. It was also reorganised as far as possible.
HQs. Capt C B Hoey, commanding battalion. Lt R G Kelly, acting Adjutant and Signalling Officer. Lt R G Douglas, Machine Gun Officer.
A Coy. Capt L S N Palmer. 2nd Lt T G Hicks.
B Coy. Capt J A Lucie-Smith. Lt G N Wilkinson. 2nd Lt F H Doran.
C Coy. Capt A W MacDermott
D Coy. 2nd Lt E J Hamilton.
19 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion was employed in general fatigues, making mule paths, etc.
20 Aug Suvla Bay 7.30pm the Battalion left rest bivouac with 30 Brigade, crossed the beach to Lala Baba where we spent the rest of that night and the next day. Battalion lost 3 more officers sick: Capt L S N Palmer, 2nd Lt F H Doran, 2nd Lt E J Hamilton.
21 Aug Suvla Bay 12 noon orders were received that the Battalion would move as General Reserve to Brigade, which was acting in turn as reserve to 11th Division in an attack by the 11th and 29th Divisions against the Turkish line - the objective being the line Hetman Chair to Kazlar Chair. At 2.30pm the fleet commenced a strong bombardment on their position which continued without cessation until 4pm. 4.45pm the Battalion advanced echeloned 800 yards in reear of 7th Munsters. We came under a hail of shrapnel and high explosive in this advance during which we had the misfortune to lose two more officers wounded - Capt A W MacDermott and 2nd Lt G Hicks and 36 rank and file. The allocated line was taken up at 11pm. Prior to that the companies occupied the support trenches to the line, 2 miles from Lala Baba.
22 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches Strength 5 officers and 424 other ranks.
23 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
24 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
25 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
26 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
27 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
28 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
29 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
30 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches
31 Aug Suvla Bay Battalion now remained in the trenches. Brigade gives losses of officers in the 7th RDF in August as 9 killed,8 wounded, 1 missing, 6 sick, 3 in post