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The letters of commander R. Langton-Jones R.N. ( ret. ) claiming to be the last man to leave Gallipoli and the further letter of Lieut. Col. ( ret ) W.N.S. Alexander, according that honour to the late General Sir Stanley Maude have raised interesting questions, which I think will never be answered satisfactorily. I therefore, venture to put a further question, “Who was the last man to leave the firing line on Gallipoli”? I’m modestly claim that honour and perhaps the following narrative may be of interest to your readers as, although I have studied most of the accounts of the Gallipoli campaigns, no details of the arrangements of the final evacuation appear to have been published. This is my sole excuse for addressing you. I was the chief petty officer of the Dumezyle Group of Heavy Bombers. This arm of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force consisted of three officers and about 180 petty officers, non-commissioned officers, and men from the various battalions, forming the R.N.D. There were also a few details from one of the London Regiments. The Commanding Officer was Lieut. Alan Campbell. The “group” as it was called was formed for the purpose of carrying on the heavy bombing which the French had hitherto performed. We took over the materiel, mortars and bombs, and they instructed us in their use. I think all this took place about September, and we carried on until the towards the end of 1915 when orders were received to return about 150 petty officers and men to their battalions, Before returning, however, volunteers were called for a special duty, and I am pleased to say that we had no difficulty in obtaining about 30 very good men. ( I had no option). At the same time it became plain to everyone that some important event was about to take place. Special ordinance plans with various sites marked along the firing line communication trenches, and other strategic points had been prepared, and with which the men left in the “Group” had to become familiar. Later bombs were prepared and laid in the various sites as detailed. Wires, bursting charges and detonators were fixed ready to be connected up. Certain areas were also sewn with ‘Mills’ Hand Grenades and a risky job this was, as the lease disturbance once it had been put down would have caused an explosion. The men who carried out this duty were known as “Grenadiers”. All the foregoing work was completed by the 7th January 1916. The men worked in “Groups” of 3, each group under the charge of a P.O. or L.S. and on “the day” the troops began to move out, the groups took up their positions. After officers, specially detailed for the duty had reported that all troops had left the trench, the bomber, connected up the mines and reported to me at the last point where they got their final orders. This routine was carried out right through the front line and all groups except one in charge of a lance-corporal had reported to me by 12:30 a.m. The last station was at the head of the main communication trench, and had been fitted with the field telephone. I reported to G.H.Q. on the beach that all parties except one had passed through and asked permission to go back and find out what had happened to the missing men. I also reported that the Turks were very quiet and only firing a rifle now and again. Page 55 of 72 Last Man To leave Gallipoli WJ Mason Lieut RNVR
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