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However, I got orders to connect up at once and get down to the “River Clyde”. I smashed the telephone with two men (post office workers from one of the London regiments) joined the remaining wires up and left for the beach. When I left the front line everything was quite calm, and occasional rifle shot was all to be heard. I had stowed away in a shelter trench a golf bag containing some “souvenirs”, this I collected. We went to a small magazine containing about 100 bombs, and light at 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 embark on destroyer (either “Jed” or “Kennett”) which left about 3 a.m. The enemy was 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 HMS 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 Lieutenant R.N.V.R.
16, Rock Park, Rockferry, Cheshire.
Last Man To leave Gallipoli
Page 56 of 72
WJ Mason Lieut RNVR
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