Military History

Sydney is listed as being killed in action on May 8th 1915. The 6th Battalion war diary actually starts on 8th May 1915 and the entries for the period 8th to 10th are transcribed below. Click here to read the whole 6th Battalion war diary.

Near Krithia - 8.5.1915: The Battalion, strength 22 officers and 703 other ranks was bivouacked during morning at [left blank].

At 11.30 am, the Brigade moved in Artillery Formation, 6th Battalion leading to 176. W. 1-4 where the Battalion dug [in] and occupied dug outs, acting as support to firing line.

Here there were a few casualties from stray bullets

At 5.20pm an order was received from Brigade HQ to attack enemy trenches with left resting on creek, left of which would be New Zealand Brigade and right about 500 yards east of creek, the line being extended by 7th Battalion.

The Battalion was to be in position ready to advance at 5.30pm. — Objective — Hill in rear of Krithia

A Coy was on left and C Coy on right, with supports – A on left, B on right.

At 5.30pm the advance commenced under very heavy shrapnel, rifle, and Machine Gun fire, was pushed on, under verbal orders of Brigadier, losses were heavy especially among officers.

The original firing line occupied by Fusiliers was passed and a new line occupied about 100 yards from enemy trenches, about 600 yards in advance of original firing line. The advance was not covered by Artillery or rifle fire. Here a trench was dug during the night.

The firing line of the Bde was 1200 yards long and was under control of Major H.D. Bennett, 6th Battalion. The supports were entrenched about 150 yards in rear and were under Lieut. Col. Weiss 5th Battalion.

The New Zealand Brigade were on the left and Naval Division on the right did not come up during the night.

Near Krithia - 9.5.1915: Trenches were improved. A difficulty was experienced in obtaining supplies owing to lack of communications to the rear. The creek on left flank was used for bringing up supplies which were passed down firing line – 1200 yards. Water was obtained by sinking holes in trench

Enemy made no attempt to counter-attack. Sharp shooters were at first a trouble, but these were held down by our sharp shooters.

Near Krithia - 10.5.1915:  Trench further improved wire (loose) entanglement was made up the creek on our left and on our right. Latrines were dug
Dead buried by night.