McGilp, Clyde, 1888-1918 : Gallipoli historical records and war diary, 1st Battery, NZFA

War diary contains a day-by-day account of operations of McGilp's 1st Battery for most of 1915 with brief entries for the beginning of 1916. Diary begins on 9 Apr 1915 with troops leaving Zeitoun Camp for Alexandria. Depart aboard the transport vessel `HMAT Katuna" for Gallipoli. Arrive at Lemnos and continue training and the slinging of horses in preparation for the Gallipoli landing. Infantry disembarks at a beach one and a half miles North of Kaba Tepe on 25 Apr 1915. McGilp stays aboard the transport vessel to disembark further troops and supplies. Entries include details of fighting manoeuvres of soldiers and shelling by the Navy, condition of the horses and the burial of the dead. Transport returns to Alexandria 12 May 1915 so the horses can be exercised. Diary note that McGilp took over command of the 1st Battery on 20 Jul 1915. In August McGilp details the Battery's support for the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade in the battle of Lone Pine ridge. Continues with details of artillery support for the New Zealand infantry and the Wellington Battalion on taking Chunuk Bair on 8 Aug 1915. The remainder of the diary records the bombing of the Turkish Army as they counter-attacked gaining the positions they had lost earlier. Major McGilp records the daily rounds from his guns, casualty lists of his own soldiers, observation and movements of Turkish troops and arms at Lone Pine, Pine Ridge, Chunuk Bair, The Nek, Baby 700, The Apex, The Chessboard, Johnston's Jolly, Quinn's Post, Rhododendron Spur, Legge Valley, Table Top, Sari-Bair, Gun Ridge, Owen's Gully, Scrubby Knoll, Poplar Grove, Hill 971, Walden's Point, Mortar Ridge, Meadow Field and the Maimais. On 14 Nov 1915 Lord Kitchener visits the 1st Battery at their observing station on Walker's Ridge. From 14 Dec 1915 the 1st Battery prepares to evacuate Gallipoli by destroying or burying beneath land mines surplus stores and ammunition. 6.10pm on 19 Dec 1915 the last gun fires its final shell and is dismantled and carried to the beach. By 7.40pm Major McGilp and his gunners have embarked aboard the `HMT Queen Louise' to Lemnos. Diary includes a list of the 22 soldiers who evacuated alongside Major McGilp. Troops then head to Ismailia in Egypt. Diary is complete on 8 Jan 1916. A further note on 6 Apr 1916 indicates that Major McGilp is embarking to France and a new diary commences. Last entry is a newspaper cutting depicting Major McGilp in action in the Somme, France. Diary also contains throughout its pages extracts from the Brigade's official diary, maps, topographical drawings, notes on military projections, force orders and photographs. Also a letter to Mary McGilp from Major Fred Waite returning McGilp's diary to her, Apr 1919. Extracts from McGilp's diary were used in the volume `The New Zealanders in Gallipoli'.

Source of title - Transcribed from item

Major McGilp left New Zealand in 1914 and commanded the 1st Battery of the 1st Brigade, New Zealand Field Artillery during the Galipoli Campaign. He subsequently saw action in Egypt, the Balkans and the Western Front in France. Returned to New Zealand in Jul 1918 to be an artillery instructor at Featherston Military Camp. Died of influenza at Featherston on 14 Nov 1918. Serial Numbers: 7475 and 2/280.

Quantity: 1 volume(s) (76 leaves).

Physical Description: Holograph (26 cm; tied between boards, in phase box)

Illustrated with maps and photographs

Processing information: Part of WW100 digitisation project.

Digitisation details - 86 digitised images

Alternative form available: Photocopy at fMS-Papers-2265