WJ Mason Last Man To Leave Gallipoli

SU N DAY, 14 DECEMBER 2025

“Souvenirs", this I collected. We then went to a small magazine containing about one hundred bombs, and lighted a time fuse. This appears to have been faulty and failed to explode. A destroyer was detailed to shell the place which was marked with flags but I understand they failed to locate it. On arrival at the beach about 1.15 I reported to Major Burge, Royal Marines and Lieut. Campbell (both afterwards killed in France). I was taken by Major Burge to G.H.Q and reported to several Senior Officers what had been done. I was questioned and my replies appeared to give satisfaction. I then received orders to return with a party of men to the communication trench, which we obstructed with barbed wire, derelict vehicles and other suitable material. This work occupied about an hour and we returned to the beach and reported. We then got orders to go down to the "River Clyde. On arrival there we embarked on a destroyer (either "Jedd" or "Kennet") which left about 3 a.m. The enemy were still quiet only an occasional shell passing over, but the weather was threatening. The ship proceeded to Mudros and the weather got worse. As she was packed with men the Commander decided to return to Tenedos. This was done, and we were put aboard H.M.S. "Mars" which took us on to Mudros. In conclusion, I do not think the Turks could have got through without giving us ample warning, and in confirmation of this General Von Saunders stated in his book "that the mines were very well laid." The secret map previously mentioned is now in the War Museum, London.

W.J. Mason, Lieut. R.N.V.R.

16, Rock Park,

Rock Ferry,

Cheshire.

Five Years in Turkey is a detailed memoir o ff ering unique insights into the military events and complexities surrounding the Ottoman Empire during World War I, particularly the crucial Gallipoli campaign. Five Years in Turkey is a 1927 war memoir written by German General Otto Liman von Sanders, detailing his experiences as head of the German Military Mission to the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

NormaOlive Brown . nom de guerre

Maggie Marriott

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