Lest We Forget..Tales from Gallipoli

The story of Anzac and Gallipoli has become part of our folklore. While considered a military failure the treacherous campaign forged our national character with stories of mateship, courage, adversity, larrikinism and leadership.

As Australia and New Zealand commemorate Anzac Day today, I've been reflecting on the work of my great grandfather Alfred Guppy. Pop Guppy, as he was fondly known in our family, was a sniper who rose through the ranks of the military and kept a diary throughout his time on the front lines of Gallipoli and during World War One. His diaries are now considered a national treasure and were donated to the Australian War Memorial by our family. 

Over the years poetry and passages of his diaries have been read by dignitaries at ceremonies, written up in endless books and historical analysis of World War One. The information and depth of detail provided by Pop Guppy are impressive. However, to us as his family, it's the human side which we treasure most about his diaries. They provide an insight into his vulnerability on the front line, his bravery, empathy for others (even the enemy). As a journalist and writer, I've learned a lot by studying his work which 100 years later is still relevant. He was not the first to land at Anzac Cove on April 25. His ship was held back when it became apparent the allies were suffering heavy casualties and he did not land until April 26.

"The morning dawned lovely and clear with the sea as smooth as glass," he wrote of April 25, 1915. "Most of the battleships and transports were gone and we could hear plainly heavy bombardment at the Dandanelles."

He goes on to write: "We were expected to go off in quick time but it was not so. Soon after we anchored the only hospital ship here steamed away, it is said, carrying over 2000 wounded men. A little later barges came alongside our boat and we soon got to work getting the wounded aboard and down into the troop decks."

"From the wounded we learn, how in the breaking dawn the Aussies landed in the face of heavy fire from a strongly entrenched body of Turks with machine guns."

In Pop's words: "This is our first glimpse of what real war really is."

Just two days later on April 27, he lost his company's Captain and we learn about the values of altruism and courage in a leader. There are a few sections of his diaries which stood out as demonstrating great leadership which rallied the spirits of troops in battle, influencing men to put their lives at risk and face genuine danger.

“Captain Hoggarth was killed by machine-gun fire. Of Captain Hoggarth, I would say that no braver man entered this field of operations. He had no thought of himself, only thinking of us. When coming up here, when at times we had to halt under a rain of shrapnel he would walk calmly along one column urging us to take advantage of cover and all the time exposing himself. Again, coming up here on the ridge he said: ‘Come on men, follow me, it’s alright.’ Every man who lives to get out of this, who knew him, will remember him for his thoughtfulness at all times, his courage and the example he set on coming into action.”

Captain Hoggarth left an impression upon Pop. However, in contrast, other high-ranking military officials for the Allies did not command such praise. Indeed, feelings of his wrath were visible in numerous accounts similar to this one:

“The officers of the various battalions seemed in many cases to show a very poor example to the men and to do little to help them forward. There seemed to be none of the dash and spirit that our boys would have shown. Both men and officers seemed very nervy and there was a lot of hanging back instead of the quick, systematic push forward which is everything in a case such as this…The lack of organisation, spirit and individual initiative was enough to break a man’s heart.”

While times have changed in more than 100 years, the ability to put others before yourself is a timeless virtue of any leader. Great leaders don’t ask others to do what they are not prepared to do themselves. 

Pop was in battle alongside Albert Jacka, who earned Australia’s first Victoria Cross, recalling the incident which led to his award.

“Early this morning a strong party of Turks managed to force their way up to a sector of our trench and with the aid of bombs killed and wounded every man in it….Jacka leaped over their bodies and got in among the turks. He quickly shot three and bayoneted four more clearing the sector. Jacka has been recommended for the Victoria Cross,” he wrote in his diary.

Pop was one of the last troops to be evacuated from Gallipoli recounting his sorrow.

“Failure is the cause of our evacuation today. It almost breaks one’s heart to think of the months of toil, hardship and bitter strife and of the gallant comrades who we have left sleeping mid the hills and valleys of Anzac. There are few indeed of us left now of the old battalion we were a short eight months ago so proud of,” he wrote on December 19, 1915.

After leaving Gallipoli Pop took part in the battles of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. He would fight his last battle of the war during the assault on Bullecourt on April 11, 1917 where he was captured as a German prisoner of war. Pop returned to Gallipoli as a guest of the Australian Government to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the landing in 1965.

Words and stories are powerful. They can live on far beyond on our time to inspire, inform and educate. Pop's Poem Farewell to Gallipoli continues to play a significant role in Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies and hopefully will continue to do so for generations to come.

An extract of Farewell to Gallipoli

Sleep sound old friends - the keenest smart

Which more than failure, wounds the heart.

Is thus to leave you - thus to part.

Comrades, Farewell.

About the Author

Nadine McGrath is the founder of Creative Content Co. For almost 20 years Nadine has worked in journalism, public relations and content marketing. As a seasoned journalist, Nadine knows how to write for impact. Nadine has reported on natural disasters, crime, health, politics, sports, education, business and financial markets. She’s interviewed local farmers to business leaders, royalty and prime ministers.

Along with her team, she works with organisations, authors and speakers to create mini-newsrooms, where they produce quality content resonating with their target audience. Passing on her skills by training leaders to tell and share their stories authentically in their own voice for greater influence sits front and centre of her mission.  She is also a sought-after public speaker, MC and panel guest.