LANCASHIRE LANDING GALLIPOLI 1915
“On the 25th of April 1915 one of the most gallant actions in the history of the British Army took place at ‘W’ Beach at Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsular. 1000 men of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers stormed the beach under withering fire from the Turkish defenders. During the course of this action 6 Victoria Crosses were won by the Regiment. The Fusiliers took the beach but at horrendous cost. Of the first 200 men who landed only 21 survived. 600 men of the Battalion were killed or wounded. The beach was later re-named “Lancashire Landing” in honour of the Fusiliers. This action was later referred to as “6 VC’s before breakfast”.
The Fusiliers are still with us today and are now the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. They have an in house charity called the “Fusiliers Aid Society” which helps Fusiliers their widows and dependents financially when they have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. This is particularly relevant in the current climate with our forces deployed on operations overseas.”
To commemorate this action and support the Fusiliers, NORTHERN AVIATORS in conjunction with THE BAY FLYING CLUB, organise a Fly In which takes place every year at Knott End Sands, Morcambe Bay, Lancashire.
The Fusiliers are still with us today and are now the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. They have an in house charity called the “Fusiliers Aid Society” which helps Fusiliers their widows and dependents financially when they have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. This is particularly relevant in the current climate with our forces deployed on operations overseas.”
To commemorate this action and support the Fusiliers, NORTHERN AVIATORS in conjunction with THE BAY FLYING CLUB, organise a Fly In which takes place every year at Knott End Sands, Morcambe Bay, Lancashire.
FALLEN FUSILIERS
Pilots and members of the public are asked to make a donation of their choice on arrival at the Control Point. There is no landing fee for Pilots
THE FUSILIER AID SOCIETY raises money to look after Fusiliers who have been wounded, and their dependants and the families of those killed serving in the Regiment.
The Fusiliers are not only a Regiment, but a family, who look after each other through the generations. Once a Fusilier always a Fusilier! Unlike many other charities, the funds raised go directly to individuals according to their needs.
Further Links are as follows
NORTHERN AVIATORS FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/groups/251045895339128/?ref=bookmarks
BAY FLYING CLUB http://www.thebayflyingclub.co.uk/
THE FUSILIER AID SOCIETY raises money to look after Fusiliers who have been wounded, and their dependants and the families of those killed serving in the Regiment.
The Fusiliers are not only a Regiment, but a family, who look after each other through the generations. Once a Fusilier always a Fusilier! Unlike many other charities, the funds raised go directly to individuals according to their needs.
Further Links are as follows
NORTHERN AVIATORS FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/groups/251045895339128/?ref=bookmarks
BAY FLYING CLUB http://www.thebayflyingclub.co.uk/
THE LANDING AT 'W' BEACH
W Beach, on the other side of Cape Helles from V Beach, is about 350 yards (320 m) long and varies between 15 and 40 yards (37 m) wide. While it lacked the strong defensive structures provided by the fort and castle at V Beach, it was mined , and had extensive barbed wire entanglements including one extending for the length of the shoreline and another entanglement just under the surface of the water offshore. Trenches in high ground overlooking the beach provided good defensive positions, and the only exit was via a gully that could be easily defended.
The beach was protected by a single company of Ottoman troops, from the 3rd Battalion of the 26th Regiment; around 240 men, defending against a force of around four times their number who were taking part in the initial landing. British accounts say there was at least one machine gun, Ottoman accounts say there were none.
The 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers were embarked in the cruiser HMS Eurylus and the battleship HMS Implacable which took up positions off the beach. The troops transferred to 32 cutters at around 4 am. Euryalus closed in on the beach at around 5 am whilst Implacable moved off to land troops and provide covering fire at X beach, and opened fire on the defences.The cutters were towed towards the shore in groups of four by steam pinnaces, and at around 6:15 am when they were about 50 yards (46 m) from the shore the cutters were cast off to be rowed to the shore.
As at V Beach, the defenders held their fire until the boats were almost to the shore. When they opened fire they caused horrific casualties amongst the troops tightly packed into the boats. As the troops landed many leapt into deep water and sank under the weight of their equipment; others got caught on the barbed wire. However, unlike V Beach, the Lancashires were able to get ashore and, although suffering horrendous losses managed to break through the wire entanglements and reach the cliffs on either side of the beach where the companies were reformed before storming the defending trenches. The battalion suffered 533 casualties, over half its strength.
In his account, Corporal John Grimsaw reported that, "In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards (270 m) from the shore when the Ottomans opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the biggest part of our men dead and wounded."
Reinforcements started landing at 9:30 and by 10 am, the lines of trenches had been captured and the beach was secured. By 12:30 the troops had linked up with the 2 Battalion of the who had landed at X beach to the left with the capture of the defensive position called Hill 114. However it was not until 4 pm that the more heavily defended position to the right, Hill 138, was captured following heavy naval bombardment and an assault by the Worcester Regiment.
With V Beach still closed, the main force began to come ashore at W. The British commander in chief of the expedition, General Sir Ian Hamilton later ordered that the beach be renamed Lancashire Landing. In his first despatch to the Secretary of State for War he wrote "So strong, in fact, were the defences of 'W' Beach that the Ottomans may well have considered them impregnable, and it is my firm conviction that no finer feat of arms has ever been achieved by the British Soldier - or any other soldier - than the storming of these beaches from open boats on the morning of 25th April."
W Beach became the main British base at Helles for the rest of the campaign, until the evacuation on 9th January 1916. The cliffs were terraced and bunkers dug into them and the beach area itself was converted into a small port with piers built out into the sea to receive lighters from ships anchored offshore to bring in supplies and reinforcements, and to evacuate wounded troops. Lancashire Landing Cemetary is located a few hundred metres away.
'Six VCs before Breakfast'
Six Victoria Crosses were eventually awarded to troops who took part in the landing on W Beach, three in August 1915 and three more two years later in 1917, an event hailed in the Allied press as the winning of "six VCs before Breakfast". The men awarded with the medal were:
Captain Cuthbert Bromley
Corporal John Grimshaw
Private William Keneally
Sergeant Alfred Richards
Sergeant Frank Stubbs
Captain Richard Willis
The six men were originally nominated by Major Bishop, the Battalion's Commanding Officer, after consulting 'the officers who happened to be with him at the time and who did not include either of the officers awarded the Cross', and the recommendation endorsed by Hunter-Weston and Hamilton but was not carried forward by the War Office. In August, three medals were awarded after a second recommendation by Hunter-Weston; under the original 1856 warrant establishing the award up to four VCs could be awarded as a result of balloting the units involved. Hunter-Weston stated that a vote had been held and Willis was selected by the officers, Richards by the NCOs and Keneally by the private soldiers. The awards of the medal were published in the London Gazette on 24 August 1915.
However, Brigadier Owen Wolley-Dod, who was a member of Hunter-Weston's general staff and a Lancashire Fusilier himself, and who had landed on the beach shortly after noon continued pressing for more awards to be made. He eventually succeeded in having the other three men awarded the medal. The awards were published in the London Gazette on 13 March 1917, with an identical citation to the original three men. By this time Bromley had died when his troopship had been sunk and Grimshaw had already been awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the landing. Stubbs had died in the assault on Hill 114 on the day of the landing. Grimshaw had his DCM cancelled and replaced with a Victoria Cross.
The citation for the awards of the 6 VC's reads
On the 25th April, 1915, headquarters and three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by very deadly fire from hidden machine guns, which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Bromley,Sergeant Stubbs, Corporal Grimshaw, Private Keneally,Sergeant Richards and Captain Willis have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty.
The beach was protected by a single company of Ottoman troops, from the 3rd Battalion of the 26th Regiment; around 240 men, defending against a force of around four times their number who were taking part in the initial landing. British accounts say there was at least one machine gun, Ottoman accounts say there were none.
The 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers were embarked in the cruiser HMS Eurylus and the battleship HMS Implacable which took up positions off the beach. The troops transferred to 32 cutters at around 4 am. Euryalus closed in on the beach at around 5 am whilst Implacable moved off to land troops and provide covering fire at X beach, and opened fire on the defences.The cutters were towed towards the shore in groups of four by steam pinnaces, and at around 6:15 am when they were about 50 yards (46 m) from the shore the cutters were cast off to be rowed to the shore.
As at V Beach, the defenders held their fire until the boats were almost to the shore. When they opened fire they caused horrific casualties amongst the troops tightly packed into the boats. As the troops landed many leapt into deep water and sank under the weight of their equipment; others got caught on the barbed wire. However, unlike V Beach, the Lancashires were able to get ashore and, although suffering horrendous losses managed to break through the wire entanglements and reach the cliffs on either side of the beach where the companies were reformed before storming the defending trenches. The battalion suffered 533 casualties, over half its strength.
In his account, Corporal John Grimsaw reported that, "In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards (270 m) from the shore when the Ottomans opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the biggest part of our men dead and wounded."
Reinforcements started landing at 9:30 and by 10 am, the lines of trenches had been captured and the beach was secured. By 12:30 the troops had linked up with the 2 Battalion of the who had landed at X beach to the left with the capture of the defensive position called Hill 114. However it was not until 4 pm that the more heavily defended position to the right, Hill 138, was captured following heavy naval bombardment and an assault by the Worcester Regiment.
With V Beach still closed, the main force began to come ashore at W. The British commander in chief of the expedition, General Sir Ian Hamilton later ordered that the beach be renamed Lancashire Landing. In his first despatch to the Secretary of State for War he wrote "So strong, in fact, were the defences of 'W' Beach that the Ottomans may well have considered them impregnable, and it is my firm conviction that no finer feat of arms has ever been achieved by the British Soldier - or any other soldier - than the storming of these beaches from open boats on the morning of 25th April."
W Beach became the main British base at Helles for the rest of the campaign, until the evacuation on 9th January 1916. The cliffs were terraced and bunkers dug into them and the beach area itself was converted into a small port with piers built out into the sea to receive lighters from ships anchored offshore to bring in supplies and reinforcements, and to evacuate wounded troops. Lancashire Landing Cemetary is located a few hundred metres away.
'Six VCs before Breakfast'
Six Victoria Crosses were eventually awarded to troops who took part in the landing on W Beach, three in August 1915 and three more two years later in 1917, an event hailed in the Allied press as the winning of "six VCs before Breakfast". The men awarded with the medal were:
Captain Cuthbert Bromley
Corporal John Grimshaw
Private William Keneally
Sergeant Alfred Richards
Sergeant Frank Stubbs
Captain Richard Willis
The six men were originally nominated by Major Bishop, the Battalion's Commanding Officer, after consulting 'the officers who happened to be with him at the time and who did not include either of the officers awarded the Cross', and the recommendation endorsed by Hunter-Weston and Hamilton but was not carried forward by the War Office. In August, three medals were awarded after a second recommendation by Hunter-Weston; under the original 1856 warrant establishing the award up to four VCs could be awarded as a result of balloting the units involved. Hunter-Weston stated that a vote had been held and Willis was selected by the officers, Richards by the NCOs and Keneally by the private soldiers. The awards of the medal were published in the London Gazette on 24 August 1915.
However, Brigadier Owen Wolley-Dod, who was a member of Hunter-Weston's general staff and a Lancashire Fusilier himself, and who had landed on the beach shortly after noon continued pressing for more awards to be made. He eventually succeeded in having the other three men awarded the medal. The awards were published in the London Gazette on 13 March 1917, with an identical citation to the original three men. By this time Bromley had died when his troopship had been sunk and Grimshaw had already been awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the landing. Stubbs had died in the assault on Hill 114 on the day of the landing. Grimshaw had his DCM cancelled and replaced with a Victoria Cross.
The citation for the awards of the 6 VC's reads
On the 25th April, 1915, headquarters and three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in effecting a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula to the West of Cape Helles, were met by very deadly fire from hidden machine guns, which caused a great number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed up to and cut the wire entanglements, notwithstanding the terrific fire from the enemy, and after overcoming supreme difficulties, the cliffs were gained and the position maintained. Amongst the many very gallant officers and men engaged in this most hazardous undertaking, Captain Bromley,Sergeant Stubbs, Corporal Grimshaw, Private Keneally,Sergeant Richards and Captain Willis have been selected by their comrades as having performed the most signal acts of bravery and devotion to duty.
CAPTAIN CUTHBERT BROMLEY VC
Bromley was wounded during the W Beach landing, and sustained a bullet injury to the knee on April 28. He was wounded again during the Battle of Gully Ravine on June 28, and was evacuated to Egypt to recover. On 13 August 1915, returning to the Gallipoli peninsula aboard the troopship Royal Edward, he was killed when the ship was torpedoed in the Meditteranean between Alexandria and Gallipoli, by the UB 14. Bromley is remembered in his home town of Seaford on the War Memorial, and on a brass memorial in St. Leonard's Church. A road in the town is also named after him.
Bromley was wounded during the W Beach landing, and sustained a bullet injury to the knee on April 28. He was wounded again during the Battle of Gully Ravine on June 28, and was evacuated to Egypt to recover. On 13 August 1915, returning to the Gallipoli peninsula aboard the troopship Royal Edward, he was killed when the ship was torpedoed in the Meditteranean between Alexandria and Gallipoli, by the UB 14. Bromley is remembered in his home town of Seaford on the War Memorial, and on a brass memorial in St. Leonard's Church. A road in the town is also named after him.
CAPTAIN RICHARD WILLIS VC
Born in 1876 Willis was from Woking Surrey, and was educated at Harrow and the Royal Military College Sandhurst. He was commissioned in 1897, joined the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in India, then was posted with them to the Sudan for the Mahdist War. He was 38 years old when he landed at W Beach. Willis later achieved the rank of Major. He died in 1966. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Fusilier Museum in Bury Lancashire.
Born in 1876 Willis was from Woking Surrey, and was educated at Harrow and the Royal Military College Sandhurst. He was commissioned in 1897, joined the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in India, then was posted with them to the Sudan for the Mahdist War. He was 38 years old when he landed at W Beach. Willis later achieved the rank of Major. He died in 1966. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Fusilier Museum in Bury Lancashire.
SERGEANT ALFRED JOSEPH RICHARDS VC
Alfred Richards was born in Plymouth in 1879. He was 35 years old when he was awarded the VC. As a result of a wound sustained in the action at Lancashire Landing he had to have his leg amputated and was discharged from the army as unfit for further service. Despite this he served in the Home Guard during World War II as a provost sergeant. He died in London in 1953 at the age of 73.
Alfred Richards was born in Plymouth in 1879. He was 35 years old when he was awarded the VC. As a result of a wound sustained in the action at Lancashire Landing he had to have his leg amputated and was discharged from the army as unfit for further service. Despite this he served in the Home Guard during World War II as a provost sergeant. He died in London in 1953 at the age of 73.
PRIVATE WILLIAM STEPHEN KENEALLY VC
Born in Wexford, his father John was a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Irish Regiment. When his father retired from the army, the family moved to the district of Ashton in Makefield, Lancashire where his father worked as a check-weigher at Bryn Hall Colliery. Keneally became a coal miner at age 13. Ten years later, he enlisted into the army, signing up for 7 years. Having survived the landing at Helles shortly afterrwards he was promoted to Corporal and then Lance Sergeant. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Gully Ravine on 28 June 1915 and died the next day.
Born in Wexford, his father John was a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Irish Regiment. When his father retired from the army, the family moved to the district of Ashton in Makefield, Lancashire where his father worked as a check-weigher at Bryn Hall Colliery. Keneally became a coal miner at age 13. Ten years later, he enlisted into the army, signing up for 7 years. Having survived the landing at Helles shortly afterrwards he was promoted to Corporal and then Lance Sergeant. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Gully Ravine on 28 June 1915 and died the next day.
SERGEANT FRANK EDWARD STUBBS VC
Born in Walworth London in 1888 Stubbs enlisted in the Army at a very young age and served in India prior to the war. After showing great bravery during the landing was he was killed later in the day making the assault on his company’s the final objective; his body was never recovered. Stubbs’s V.C. medal is on display at the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum.
Born in Walworth London in 1888 Stubbs enlisted in the Army at a very young age and served in India prior to the war. After showing great bravery during the landing was he was killed later in the day making the assault on his company’s the final objective; his body was never recovered. Stubbs’s V.C. medal is on display at the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum.
CORPORAL JOHN ELISHA GRIMSHAW VC
Born in Abram, Lancashire, he worked as a coal miner before enlisting in the Lancashire Fusiliers in August 1912. He served with his battalion in India before the outbreak of the First World War.
He was 22 years old, and a Lance Corporal signaller in C Company of the 1st Battalion, when he took part in the landing on W beach on 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles. His job was to maintain communications between the units which had landed and the headquarters for the landing on HMS Eurylus. During the landing, the three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were met by a very heavy and effective fire from the company of Ottoman Empire troops defending the beach. This caused 533 casualties out of the 950 men who attempted to land.
Grimshaw's own account said that, "In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards from the shore when the Turks opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the
biggest part of our men dead and wounded." Grimshaw was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the landing but later this was upgraded to a VC.
Meanwhile Grimshaw had been evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from frostbite and, in 1916, posted to Hull as a rifle instructor. Whilst at Hull, he married Margaret Stout, with whom he later had two children. He was subsequently sent with his battalion to France where, as a Sergeant, he was commissioned in 1917. In 1918 he
was posted to the First Battalion of the 75th Carnatic Infantry in India, and promoted to Lieutenant, before rejoining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1920 and retiring in 1921. In 1934 he was appointed the Army's Chief Recruiting Officer in the Northumbrian Area and promoted to Leiutenant Colonel; he later held the same
appointment in East Anglia. He died 20 July 1980 at Isleworth, London and was cremated at the South West London Crematorium in Hamwell, Middlesex.
Born in Abram, Lancashire, he worked as a coal miner before enlisting in the Lancashire Fusiliers in August 1912. He served with his battalion in India before the outbreak of the First World War.
He was 22 years old, and a Lance Corporal signaller in C Company of the 1st Battalion, when he took part in the landing on W beach on 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles. His job was to maintain communications between the units which had landed and the headquarters for the landing on HMS Eurylus. During the landing, the three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were met by a very heavy and effective fire from the company of Ottoman Empire troops defending the beach. This caused 533 casualties out of the 950 men who attempted to land.
Grimshaw's own account said that, "In boats we got within 200 or 300 yards from the shore when the Turks opened a terrible fire. Sailors were shot dead at their oars. With rifles held over our heads we struggled through the barbed wire in the water to the beach and fought a way to the foot of the cliffs leaving the
biggest part of our men dead and wounded." Grimshaw was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during the landing but later this was upgraded to a VC.
Meanwhile Grimshaw had been evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from frostbite and, in 1916, posted to Hull as a rifle instructor. Whilst at Hull, he married Margaret Stout, with whom he later had two children. He was subsequently sent with his battalion to France where, as a Sergeant, he was commissioned in 1917. In 1918 he
was posted to the First Battalion of the 75th Carnatic Infantry in India, and promoted to Lieutenant, before rejoining the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1920 and retiring in 1921. In 1934 he was appointed the Army's Chief Recruiting Officer in the Northumbrian Area and promoted to Leiutenant Colonel; he later held the same
appointment in East Anglia. He died 20 July 1980 at Isleworth, London and was cremated at the South West London Crematorium in Hamwell, Middlesex.
THE SURVIVORS OF LANCASHIRE LANDING
1965 REUNION DINNER
For further and more detailed information on The Lancashire Fusiliers at Gallipoli you can visit their website on the link below. (Special thanks to Captain Joe Eastwood BEM CQSW for his assistance with the above information).