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The Birth of James Charles Martin
James Charles Martin is born in Tocumwal, New South Wales. -
The Secret Treaty
The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) sign a secret treaty with the German Empire (Germany) against the Russian Empire (Russia). -
Australian Government Offer Support
The Australian Federal Government decided that in an event of a war, it would offer a military force of 20,000 men to Great Britain. They also decided that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) would be under the control of the British Admiralty. -
Voluntary Recruitment
The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) started voluntary recruitment. -
AIF Units Start Disembarking in Egypt
Units of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) started disembarking Egypt. They were then sent to Mena Camp where training commenced. It had already been decided to hold the New Zealanders and the Australians in Egypt because no proper camps in England were ready to receive them. -
The Anzacs Are Taken Under Command
Major-General Sir William Birdwood took command of the New Zealand and Australian troops in Egypt. These troops were then transferred into an army corps of three divisions. Those three divisions were- 1st Australian Division, the New Zealand and Australian Division and a mounted division. -
Orders to Move to the Front
The Anzac Corps that were in Egypt received orders that it was now time to move to the front. -
Jim Martin Enlists in the AIF
James Charles Martin enlists himself in the Australian Imperial Force. He enlists at the age of 14 years and 3 months. He told the recruiting officers that he was 18, which by looking at his manly appearance, anyone would believe. -
Anzac Troops Arrive At Lemnos
Troops of the Anzac Corps began arriving on Lemnos. Lemnos is an island that is approximately 96 kilometres away from the Gallipoli peninsula. -
Senior Anzacs Taken to View the Coast of Gallipoli
The British battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth took all the senior Anzac Corps officer and the battalion commanders to view the coast of Gallipoli and also to select that sites where they would be landing. -
Ships Assemble At Lemnos
Approximately 200 ships assembled in the harbour at Mudros, Lemnos. This was in preparation for the British and French invasion of Turkey. -
The Battle of Gallipoli Starts
Between 4:30 am and 4:45 am: The 3rd Australian Brigade landed on Gallipoli around Ari Burnu point. The rest of the Anzac corps came ashore as the day went on. By evening, even though, the Turkish soldiers were putting up strong counter-attacks, the Anzacs held a narrow triangle of land roughly 2 kilometres long at it base on the coast. It also extended to just under a kilometre inland at its widest. -
Many Confirmed Deaths
By 3 am on the 26th of April, there were a confirmed 1700 casualties that had been evacuated from the area of the Anzac landing. This was mainly done via the beach to the south of Ari Burnu which is today known as Anzac Cove. -
Turkish Conter-Attacks
Between the 27th and the 29th of April, every Turkish counter-attacks failed to drive the Anzacs into the sea. The small area on the Gallipoli peninsula that they Anzacs were holding is in fact today known as Anzac. On the other hand, the area on the southern tip of the peninsula that was captured by British units on the 25th of April is known as Helles. When, the Anzacs ran out of actual grenades, it is believed that they made the grenades themselves. The type of grenade they made is shown. -
Turkish Counter-Attacks (Continued)
At Anzac, Turkish forces that at that time were being led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mustafa Kemal attacked and held on to the high ground that was located at Baby and Plateau. Due, to this very reason, the Australians along with the New Zealanders were unable to advance. -
First Hospital Ship Leaves
The Gascon was the first hospital ship that evacuated the wounded and death from Anzac. The hospital ship took one and a half days to reach Alexandria in Egypt. 14 soldiers died on the trip to Egypt as well as 548 casualties being taken away.’ -
British Warships Give Artillery Support
British warships gave artillery support at Anzac for a major attack. The purpose of this was to extend the Anzac line to the top of the hill today known as Baby 700. The battleships that helped the Anzacs were called; Canopus, London, Majestic, Prince of Wales, Queen, Triumph, The Cruiser Dartmouth and also the destroyer Bacchante. -
First Casualty List Appears
The first Gallipoli casualty lists appeared in the Hobart Mercury. The list appeared under the heading- Roll of Honour, Killed and Wounded. This was something that was really important to the family members of those fighting and also the general public, as this gave them an opportunity to look at who had been killed or wounded at war. -
Turkish Soldiers Begin Shelling Anzac Cove
The Turkish soldiers began shelling Anzac Cove from a new position that was located behind their lines. The Australians called this ‘Beach Bill’ and it is believed that during the campaign ‘Beachy Bill’ caused more than 1000 casualties at Anzac Cove. -
Second Battle of Krithia Starts
Between the 6th and the 8th of May , the British, with the French, Australian and New Zealand forces, fought the Second Battle of Krithia but the Turkish lines still held on and the village did not fall. -
Troops from the 15th Battalion Creep Out at Night
Some troops from the 15th Battalion, crept out at night and captured the Turkish trench in front of Quinn’s Post. The next morning however, they were sent back with many men wounded as they ran for the Australian line. Lieutenant Francis Armstrong was killed as he tried to climb out of his trench to try and save a wounded soldier. -
The Turks Launch a Major Counter-Attack
The Turkish launched a major counter-attack. They lacked ammunition and other supplies that were necessary and they relied heavily on the element of surprise. The Ottoman’s had 13,000 casualties whereas the Anzacs had only 620. -
Temporary Truce
A temporary truce allowed the Turks to bury their dead lying on the battlefield. This was due to the extreme summer heat, that began to rot the bodies and it is believed that the smell was horrible. -
Commencement of a Factory at Anzac Cove & Turkish Soldiers Opening Fire
The commencement of a factory located at Anzac Cove to make periscope rifles. Periscope rifles allowed a soldier to aim and fire at the enemy from his trench without being spotted. This really helpful and important rifle was invented by Lance Corporal WCB Beech, 2nd Battalion of Sydney. Turkish snipers also opened fire down Monash Valley from a new trench near the Nek. A confirmed fifty Australians were hit until finally a field gun knocked out the trench. -
Turkish Soldiers Break into Quinn’s Post
The Turkish soldiers attacked and broke into Quinn’s Post after successfully exploding a mine close to the Australian front line. After heavy fighting, the Turks were finally driven out and the position was restored. During the exchange however, Major Hugh Quinn of Charters Towers and Townsville, Queensland lost his life. The post was ever since been named after him. -
Jim Martin Leaves Egypt
James Charles Martin leaves fEgypt on the troopship HMAT Berrima. When Jim left for Gallipoli, he was on the streamer HMT Southland. This ship however, was torpedoed by a German submarine off Lemnos Island and due to this Martin and the other soldiers spent a total of 4 fours in the water before they were rescued. Jim was part of the 21st Battalion with the service number 1553. -
The Battle of Krithia Starts for the Third Time
At Helles, the British launched the Battle of Krithia for the third time. Even though the British broke through the Turkish lines that were guarding Krithia, this advantage was not followed up and due to this the Turkish line held. It is believed that the British suffered more than 4,500 casualties, the French more than 2,000 and even the Turks admitted to more than 9,000 dead and wounded. -
First Australian Hospital Ship Leaves Egypt
The Kyaraa left Suez, Egypt carrying wounded soldiers back to Australia. It was the first Australian Hospital Ship to do so. -
British Forces Advance at Helles
Between June and the 13th of July, British forces advanced only 500 yards at Helles at a cost of more than 17,000 casualties. On the other hand, Turkish casualties in the same amount of time resulted into more than 40,000. -
A Special Pier is completed
A special pier is completed at Anzac Cove for landing stores and equipment. The pier was built by 2nd Australian Field Company and Royal Australian Engineers. It was called Watson’s Pier and was named after Major S H Watson himself. He was the person who supervised the construction. -
French Forces Launch an Attack on the Turks
At Helles, French forces launched an attack on the Turks at Kereves Dere and Haricot Redoubt. The French suffered more than 2,500 casualties whereas the Turks lost a confirmed 6,000 to death or injury. It is also believed that there was not much ground gained. -
British Positions at Gully Ravine get attacked by the Turks
Between 28th June and 5th of July, Turkish forces that were at Helles attacked the British positions at Gully Ravine. In a total of eight day, the Turks suffered a total of 16,000 casualties of which 10,000 had been killed. The British also refused a truce in. -
Prisoners-of War
Six Australians of the 9th Battalion (Queensland) were also made prisoner-of-war by the Turks. This was due to a failed diversionary attack in the southern sector of Anzac from Holly Ridge. It is believed that three of these men survived captivity. -
Extra Soldiers are Brought Ashore at Anzac
During the nights of 3-5 August, an extra 20,000 soldiers of the British 13th Division were brought ashore at Anzac. They were secretly brought for the proposed August attack. -
British & Anzacs Advance (Continued)
The Australian, New Zealand, British units and the 29th Indian Brigade made their from North Beach at Anzac into the Sari Bair range and up towards high peaks like the Chunuk Bair. 6:00 PM: The Turkish front line at Lone Pine fell to the Australians and due to this very reason fierce Turkish counter-attacks began. -
New Zealand Successful Push
8:30 PM: Regiments of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles attacked up the valleys leading to the heights of the Sari Bair Range, Hill 971 and Chunuk Bair. After these extremely successful attack, three columns of infantry including: the New Zealand Infantry Brigade, the 29th Infantry Brigade of Sikhs and Gurkhas and the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade started making their way up the valleys to attack the heights. 9:30 PM: The British units begin to land at Suvla Bay. -
British & Anzacs Advance
2:30 PM: At Helles, parts of the British 29th Division attacked towards a place known as the Vineyard. The main purpose of this attack was to hold down Turkish reinforcements from the main thrust of the August attack. However, little progress was made in the Vineyard attack and the British 88th Brigade lost more than 2,000 men. 5:30 PM: Units of the 1st Australian Division attacked the Turkish trenches that were located at Lone Pine. -
Attack on the Peak of Chunuk Bair
10:15 & 11 AM: The Indian and New Zealand units attacked towards Chunuk Bair but fail to capture the absolute peak. The 4th Australian Brigade became lost on their objective of trying to capture Hill 971. British Units also failed to make any progress at Suvla Bay. -
Chunuk Bair is captured
The New Zealanders along with the British Units captured Chunuk Bair. Even continuous fierce Turkish counter-attacks failed to drive them off. On the other hand, British forces made little progress at Suvla. A small unit of Gurkhas shortly captures another summit that is north of Chunuk Bair that is known as ‘Q’ but were then sent back by the Turks. The 4th Australian Brigade also failed to make any progress towards Hill 971. -
Powerful Counter-Attack on British Troops
Lieutenant-Colonel Mustafa Kemal led the Turks in a powerful counter-attack against British troops on the peak of Chunuk Bair. The Turkish soldiers drove the British soldiers out of their positions and then charged over the rim of the mountain towards the sea. Here they were then cut down in great numbers by machine-gun fire and also naval bombardments. The British still lost the heights and the August attack was a failure. -
Prince Edwards get destroyed
The transport Prince Edward was sunk by a German submarine which resulted in a loss of 861 British soldiers. -
British Units advance at Suvla & 45% of the 10th Battalion leave Gallipoli after suffering from acute diarrhoea
By this date, the 10th Battalion from South Australia estimated that 45 % of its soldiers had been evacuated from Gallipoli after suffering from acute diarrhoea. British troops advanced at Suvla against the Turks on Kiretch Tepe Ridge. They suffered more than 2,000 casualties and not much progress was made either. -
Lord Kitchener is informed that the August attack has failed
Sir Ian Hamilton informed Lord Kitchener that the August attack had failed and he requested a further 45,000 reinforcement to bring soldiers already on Gallipoli up to strength. He also wanted another 50,000 to make future attacks possible. -
New Unit from New South Wales Arrive
The first unit of the Australian 2nd Division, the 17th and 18th Battalions arrived at Anzac. They were both from New South Wales -
Some Ground is gained on Hill 60
A mixed force of Australian, New Zealand and British units attacked the flank of Hill 60 and also gained some ground. The British forces advanced at Suvla against the Turkish positions at Scimitar Hill and was also known as ‘W’ Hills. The attack was an extreme failure and there were more than a total of 5,000 British casualties. -
Failure to Break into Turkish Positions
The recently arrived 18th Battalion failed to break into the Turkish positions and also lost half of its men who were either killed or injured. -
Renewed Attack on Hill 60
There was a renewed attack to take Hill 60. Between the 27th and 29th of August, a mixed force of Australian, New Zealand and British troops again attacked Hill 60. They gained some ground but failed to take and hold the main Turkish position. -
Jim Martin lands in Gallipoli
Private Jim Martin lands in Gallipoli with his Battalion. They were positioned in the trench lines near Courtney’s Post on the ridge above Monash Valley. -
Severe Autumn Storm Hits Gallipoli
The first severe autumn storm hit the Gallipoli peninsula from the south-west. A huge amount of damage was done at Anzac Cove, especially to the water supply. -
Lord Kitchener advises that Gallipoli should be evacuated
Lord Kitchener said that Gallipoli should be evacuated. This process would involve taking off more than 93,000 soldiers, 200 guns and more than 5,000 animals. -
The Transfer & Death of Jim Martin
On the 25th of October, Jim gets evacuated to the hospital ship Glenart Castle suffering from typhoid. He finally died of heart failure that same evening and was buried at sea. His name is recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli. -
More Thunderstorms & Heavy Rain Hit Gallipoli
From the 27th to the 28th of November, heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, which then turned into blizzards hit Gallipoli. More than 280 men died and there were more than 16,000 cases of exposure and frostbite. -
Evacuation of Helles Starts
The British Government ordered the evacuation of Helles. -
French Forces are evacuated from Helles
From the 2nd and the 3rd of January, French forces are evacuated from Helles. -
Turkish Forces Launch a Major Attack on Remaining British Soldiers
Turkish forces at Helles launched a major attack on the remaining British soldiers. There were 19,000 remaining soldiers and the attack was backed up by a furious artillery bombardment but after many Turkish soldiers realised that the British were leaving refused to leave their trenches. Due to this very reason, the attack failed. -
25th of April is named as Anzac Day
On this date, acting Prime Minister, George Pearce officially named the 25th of April as Anzac Day. The event was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia and New Zealand. This included a commemorative march though London involving over 2,000 New Zealand and Australian soldiers marching through the streets.
