THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1939, Page 9

THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

WHO WAS LAST TO LEAVE? The question asked some weeks ago as to who was the last to leave Gallipoli continues to intrigue and arouse interest, says a writer in the Christchurch "Star." The latest addition to the controversy is from 2/47, Sister Ethel Pritchard, of Matawai. Sister Pritchard forwards a cutting from a New Zealand newspaper, of a group of the "Die-Hards,” 12th Squadron, 0.M.R., who, it is stated, held the front line on the last night on the Peninsula. Unfortunately, the picture is not suitable for reproduction, but someone else may have an original photograph (the group was taken in Egypt). Sister Pritchard writes:—You ask who was the last in the evacuation of Gallipoli. Why. who else but the "Diehards"? Most of these men were mach-ine-gunners of the 12th Otago Mounted Rifles and included Lieutenant E. R. Black. Sergeants Jack Martyn and Ewen Cameron. Corporal Bayly, Troopers Pritchard, Gordon Steele, Bill, Langley, Clarrie Carlaw, Bill Biggar and Fife. Bill Langley was a Masterton recruit. It was on one of the best moonlight nights ever seen on Gallipoli. The machine gunners left the front line trenches at 2 a.m. and Lieutenant Black and his troopers left at 2.20 a.m., and these ten were the last to leave and board the last tug. Just before they walked on board three or four mines went up and the Turks opened up with heavy rifle fire. The ten troopers are all Poverty Bay men. Lieutenant E. R. Black now lives at Pakowai station, Muriwai, Gisborne.