Current Information:

Age-39

4, Deptford Ferry Road, Millwall

Gallipoli 1915

On 25 April, British, Australian and New Zealand forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsular. The plan was that these forces would soon defeat a demoralised Turkish army, knock Turkey out of the war, open up the Mediterranean to the Russian navy and threaten Austro-Hungary from the south. None of these things were achieved despite nine months of hard fighting in terrible conditions. It was a heroic failure.

As early as November 1914, the Royal Navy launched the first attack on the Dardanelles when British and French battleships tested the fortifications of the Gallipoli peninsular and although successful inasmuch as Turkish gun emplacements were destroyed by naval gunfire at Sedd el Bahr, it also served as a warning to the Turks who proceeded to strengthen their defences. Further attacks were made on the 19th and 25th February 1915 and on the second of these occasions Royal Marines were landed but met little opposition before being withdrawn.

By now, the Turks had laid mines across the Dardanelles and attempts to clear them made little progress so once again, on 4th March 1915, marines landed on the peninsular but this time they met much stronger opposition and 23 Royal Marines and 3 sailors from HMS Lord Nelson and HMS Ocean were killed. One of those who died was William Newland, serving aboard HMS Lord Nelson. 

By now, the Turks had laid mines across the Dardanelles and attempts to clear them made little progress so once again, on 4^th March 1915, marines landed on the peninsular but this time they met much stronger opposition and 23 Royal Marines and 3 sailors from HMS Lord Nelson and HMS Ocean were killed.