Bollinger, George Wallace, 1890-1917 : Diary

Diary covers service in Egypt and the Gallipoli campaign, while serving with the Hawkes Bay Company of the Wellington Infantry Regiment. Diary begins on 11 Aug 1915. Bollinger is returning to the front in Gallipoli after a month away from action, recuperating in the New Zealand General Hospital No 2 with a case of Gastritis. First part of diary recounts sailing from Alexandria to Turkey and activities aboard ship. He notes the sinking of the passenger liner `Royal Edward' in six minutes, with 2500 to 3000 British troops on board after being torpedoed by the German submarine UB-14. Bollinger has drawn a rough sketch of the vessel sinking (approximately 935 soldiers were drown). Comments on the transfer at the island of Lemnos and the trip to ANZAC Cove. On arrival comments on how badly beaten up the Wellington Brigade are, and the deaths of Lieutenant-Colonel William Malone and his friend Lieutenant Grace. Describes his ill health, the frightful smell of dead soldiers, body lice, living conditions, mail from home, and actions against the Turks, as well as personal comments on the nature of war. On 1 Sep the remnants of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade are ordered to man Garrison Apex. 14 September the Australian and New Zealand Brigades are withdrawn from Gallipoli to Lemnos for rest and reorganisation. Bollinger notes that most of the soldiers are sick with stomach pains and that Lemnos has become one big hospital. Bollinger himself ends up in the Hospital at Mudros. Comments on daily parades, church services and his military duties on Lemnos. 8 Nov returned to Gallipoli and the Apex on Chunuk Bair. 14 Nov comments on the rumour Lord Kitchener is visiting Gallipoli and details the heavy shelling from the Turkish Army and the huge weather storm encompassing the Peninsula. 24 Nov Bollinger takes snapshots with his camera of the Apex, Guthrie's donkeys and the Turkish position from the beach. Late Nov a snow storm with sleet, rain and ice. 2 Dec another Hawkes Bay Company soldier shot and Bollinger notes the Company is down to 84 men. 5 Dec Bollinger sails across to the island of Imbos to get canteen supplies for the Company, passes by Cape Helles. From 11 Dec he notes consistent rumours of an evacuation from Gallipoli and on 14 Dec that "Today we got our handicaps for the Gallipoli Runaway Stakes". Hawkes Bay Company evacuates on 18 Dec to Mudros on Lemnos. 26 Dec sailed on the P&0 liner `Simila' to Suez and onto the village of Ismali. Leave into Cairo for a week in early January 1916 and Bollinger notes the relief and joy at the freedom of the soldiers. Returns to Moascar army camp awaiting redeployment. 11 Jan Bollinger's appointment as Regimental Sergeant is confirmed and his notice to return to New Zealand is given 2 Feb. He is one of only six men from the whole force that are to return to New Zealand. Leaves Cairo to head to Suez on the 10 Feb. Last entry on 11 Feb 1916 for diary journal. The end pages of the volume contain payment lists, names and addresses.

Source of title - Supplied

Relationship complexity - An earlier diary by Bollinger, together with letters and photographs (all photocopies) are held at MS-Papers-2350

Sergeant Bollinger fought with the Hawkes Bay Company, Wellington Infantry Regiment in the Turkish Campaign at Gallipoli in 1915. Returned to New Zealand in Feb 1916 to train as an officer. Serial number: 10/1024.

Quantity: 1 folder(s) (one volume, 134 pages). 0.01 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Holograph (13.5 cm, black leather)

Processing information: Part of WW100 digitisation project.

Digitisation details - 107 digitised images