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17 January 2013
Update
"I've found out something about Sergeant Allport - he had distinguished service at Gallipoli and he survived the War. He ran a 'Kinema' in Lincolnshire until his death in about 1970."
Noelle
[According the London Gazette "2nd Lieutenant C C Allport was promoted to Lieutenant on 25th July 1918. And served as a Temproary Captain with the Special Reserve, whilst employed as Commandant for the School of Education, from 2nd September 1919 until 10th September 1920. Ed.]
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Carleton Cole Allport, Sergeant, 6th Lincolns. March 1916.
'Twas summertime and midnight
When we left Great Britain's shore,
For an unknown destination
And adventures too, galore.
Through the stormy Bay of Biscay
To the old transport's rolling motion,
Sailing down the Spanish coast
And o'er the Atlantic Ocean.
Past the fortress of Gibraltar,
O'er the Mediterranean blue,
Eastwards to the Isle of Malta,
Eqypt, and Imbros Island, too.
There we lingering waited
'Till the fateful day should dawn,
When we should prove our metal
By making history newborn.
'Twas on the 6th of August,
With the Navy's help, so brisk,
We left to make the landing,
By destroyer "Basilisk".
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When we first marched on Turkish soil
In the early hours of morning,
We received the enemy's greeting
Just as the day was dawning.
Then bullets and shells came thick and fast,
Bringing pain and death amidst our ranks.
While we waited for the order
Advance, and stop the enemy's pranks.
Then line after line as on parade,
Across the plain of the Dry Salt Lake,
To Chocolate Hill which we captured
And the enemy failed to retake.
But on the ninth we fiercely fought,
And lost six hundred brave, true men,
And alas, when the roll was called
Left 'twas scarce one hundred men.
Then days and weeks went slowly by,
Our numbers ever growing less,
With terrible dreary trench warfare
And the deadly toll of sickness.
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The sky was clear, the heat was great,
When we on that memorable date
Left Suvla Bay by hospital ship,
And westwards sailed on a happy trip,
To the shores of dear old England.
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