Sunday 25th April 1915

Achaia arrived Anzac Noon.

Bn. Hqrs. minus machine guns Taranaki & Ruahine Corp. disembarked and landed on the beach a[t] Gaba Tepe the disembarkation was completed at 6 p.m. from transport to T.B. [Torpedo Boat] Destroyer & lighter & from those in life boats to the shore. Enemy shelling beach heavily while landing in progress. (cas. 1 off[icer]adj.[utant] & 4 men slightly wounded) night 25/26 spent in a gully.

At 7 pm 9 & 10 platoons Taranaki Coy under Major Brunt moved to right flank and took up a position with Australian troops 16 Aust. Btn under Col Pope and had to dig in with entrenching tools & remained there the night of 26th. They were subjected to enfilading fire & shelling. These platoons arrived in position at midnight (on 25th/26th) and were relieved at 2.30 am. [on] the 27th  by Otago Btn and returned to the beach & rested for a day and were then occupied in road making at the bottom of Walkers Ridge until 28th. During the action Nos 9 & 10 platoons the following casualties occurred. Killed 7. Wounded 26. All ranks worked with determination and coolness.

Special mention. No 10/273 Pt H E Hayden went out under heavy fire & removed boxes of ammunition that had become ignited by enemy fire & covered them up with earth. In this action he was killed. 

No 10/747 L Corp. Looney  left his position under heavy fire to attend and bandage a comrade. He was killed while doing so.

No 10/1116 C.S.M. A J. M. Bonar  showed great bravery all through by going out & bringing wounded to a place of safety. He undoubtedly saved the lives of a lot of men.

One & a half companys entrenched themselves on McLagans Ridge on the night of the 25th  returned to Howitzer Gully at 9 am 27th. Bn Hqrs remained in Gully N.E. of Corps Hqrs for the day. Remainder of Taranaki Coy. returned to beach during the night.

Remarks on facing page: At 2 am on 26th 11 & 12 platoons landed under Capt Cox & proceeded to relieve some troops in trenches on ridge covering landing. These were in turn relieved next morning & rejoined the Battalion. Took part in Walkers Ridge.

Casualties. 6 killed 10 wounded

Helles   1[?] killed 38 wounded 2 missing

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