Item 01: H. E. Gissing diary, 13 December 1914-17 December 1915 - Page 79
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[Page 79]
Owing to the crowd on board proper sleep was out of the question. We landed at Cape Helles about 2.30 A.M. & after half an hours walk dropped our kits & turned in on mother earth. On our way we saw the remains of the "Majestic" the Hull sticking up about 6 ft like a huge well. Our landing place was a pier made of barges alongside the "River Clyde" the ship run ashore during the landing & we viewed with interest the signs of the bombardment, trenches etc. There were vast quantities of stores everywhere. I managed to get 4 hours sleep during that night, of a kind.
Monday 28th
Hauled out from our slumbers about 6 A.M. & marched a few hundred yards to the No 11 Clearing Hospital Station. We were given till 11 A.M. to prepare our dugouts during which I worked like a nigger preparing my abode. Then we were told off to stretcher work, unloading motors, wagons etc & conveying wounded to the pier for embarkation on the Hospital ship, particularly hard work. About 9 P.M. orders came for 20 men to go & help the Ghurkas as they were deadbeat & volunteers were called for I chipped in although I don't quite know why as I was dead beat & was preparing