LETTERS FROM GALLIPOLI.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15338, 23 July 1915, Page 8

LETTERS FROM GALLIPOLI.

A SIGHT ONE CAN NEVER FORGET.

ANOTHER MAGNIFICENT CHARGE.

REGULARS CHEER AUSTRALASIANS.

CORPORAL LIVINGSTONES GRAPHIC ACCOUNT.

"It was a sight that one can nover forget—the steady, irret?ktiMe progress of the Hue, despite continuous losses, and the wonderful dnsh that inspired all, raised the Reirnlars to intense enthusiasm, and nt great risk they rose and chocrod our men lustily. ' Graphic details of the fighting on the Gallipoli Peninsula, particularly that in the southern part, when the j Now Zoalanders nnd Australians wero ! sent to Cape Holies to reinforce the British and French, are given in a letter sent tc his paronts by Corporal it. H. Livingstone, of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. Corporal Livingstone was wounded in these latter operations, having a, miraculous escape from death. "I am thbstiDg to get back and try another dip in the lucky baa," he remarks, apropos of his being declared convalescent in respect of his wound. "I wonder what it holds this time — gas or shrapnel? Never mmd —it was a great performance to have come through three weeks of it, especially the first three days. I shall never forget April 25th, the day of the landing, when wo leapt out of the lighters and waded ashore waist deep in water —it gave one a cold chill down the spine. Sunday, May 2nd, was the day that Lionel Parson and party were lost; hie body has since been recovered. A HELL ON EARTH. "If ever there was a hell on earth, Saturday, May Bth, saw it. The ground was honestly dusty with bullets, and we had to double forward 500 yards .with machine-guns and rifle-fire sweeping the lino continuously. Three bullets wiped the toes of my boots and passed on. The Ist Canterbury lost 64 out of ite 160 that went into action— rather heavy casualties for two hours' work. The strain throughout was severe.'' A BIG ATTACK. Later. Corporal Livingstone saye the brigade was Reorganised and absorbed the reinforcements that had been rushed across from Egypt, every available man being brought up to help fill the gaps. "At midnight ~on Wednesday," he continues, "we ran. down to Cape Helles in destroyers to reinforce the British, and assist in the big attack that wus to commence on May 7th. We arrived at 4 a.m., disembarked, and marched forth, mile after mile, until we came upon the British and French reserve lines, where we, halted and breakfasted. At 10 a.m. the big attack commenced, and we had an opportunity of eeeing the British 60-pounders and two batteries of French-75's inaction. It waa a magnificent sight—the rapidity with which they fired and the deafening roar—and was all yery wonderful to us. At 3 p.m. the brigade moved forward under shrapnel fire to the position of supports—Australians on right, and New Zealanders on left. We entrenched over nightfall, and at daybreak moved to our station and awaited orders to attack. A DARE-DEVIL CHARGE. "The British and French made desperate efforts to push forward and take ' tho village, but after some hours severe fighting were compelled to halt, and the Australasians were ordered up to see what they could accomplish. Wo doubled over open country absolutely dusty with bullets. It is impossible to describe tho fusillado of machine-gun and rifle fir© the Turks directed on to tho line OR it doubled forward with fixed bayonets. 'Twas a magnificent eight. The men pushed on as fast as possible with a keen determination to win through. We were the last company to advance, and had an opportunity of watching the others go forward. It was a sisrht that one can never forgot—the steady, irresistible progress of the lino, despite continuous losses, and the wonderful dash that inspired all, •roused the Regulars to intense enthusiasm, and at great risk they rose and cheered our men lustily. THE COMPENSATION. "Snch occasions provide great compensation, were any needed, for the risk of service. . "Tho Ist Canterbury which went mtd action 165 strong, came out with a bare hundred—Sergeant J. W. T. Ross. K. 5 Jameson, Dc s Cogan, % Jack Langridge's brother. Lieutenant Maunce (Canterbury College), Deacon (Christ s College) and lads too numerous to menflon wore taken from us in a few hours. But fine work had been accomplished. a good advance made, and the colonial troops had added another laurel to their collection." Corporal Livingstone statfs that Lieutenant Hugh Stewart, his platoon commander, wns promoted to the rank- of captain, and that the 4th Reinforcements passed through to the front without being delayed in Egypt.