This lead to an operation designed to cut off the Turkish Army from its supplies.

One of the key objectives of this plan was to take Sulva Bay as a strategic winter base.

The landing at Sulva Bay on 6th August 1915 was a success although the push to secure strategically important points nearby were not as successful.

The Essex Battalions all landed at Sulva Bay on 12 August 1915 with the 5th,6th and 7th Essex all moving to the reserve line at the centre of the front line.

The next day they took over the front line and were soon involved in hot fighting.

For the next two weeks the Battalions switched between front line duties and reserve lines on a daily basis.

At the end of August the Battalions were all moved to nearby Anzac where fighting had reached a stalemate and the objective had changed from assault to containing the line

The battalion was engaged in this role until then end of the campaign in December 1915 when they moved on to another conflict at Gaza.

The only offence during this period was for Hill 60 of which the Battalion was closely involved.

By the end of the campaign the enemy had killed 2 Officers and33 other ranks. They had wounded 8 Officers and killed 103 other ranks whereas illness had caused 45 Officers and 1,659 other ranks to be hospitalised.

The Battalion was very young with an average age well under 20 years including a few 16 year olds.

A sudden move from the beach area meant that the men's packs were left at the beach and it took nearly 2 weeks for them to be recovered . This meant 2 weeks in one set of clothing with no blanket etc.

After a few days in reserved albeit under sniper fire the Battalion was moved forward to the reserve trenches.

Rev Pierpoint Edwards led a party of volunteers to recover wounded following an attack and received the personal thanks of the Brigadier.

On 14th August the Battalion advanced over a mile after a reconnoiter by Lieut Colvin and an action by a patrol led by Lieut MacKenzie Taylor clearing snipers from an overlooking hilltop. The action resulted in the loss of fourteen other ranks including Private Joslin.

That night 2nd Lieut Ronald Turned and Sergeant Rice were killed whilst on patrol.

Snipers were a constant threat killing Captain Arthur Denton and other men.

On 17 August the Battalion took up positions on a hilltop called Jepson's Post which the Further most position in the line.

There was little cover and the Turks engaged on a regular basis. Lieutenant Carlton Hughes and Lance Corporal Scruby looked so disreputable after days at the frontline that they were mistaken for Turks and nearly shot!

On 22 August 1915 the Turks mounted an attack during which 2nd Lieut Archibald Edward Sheldon was mortally injured.

The number of snipers meant that periscopes were the only safe way to view forward but the dugouts provided security from bombing and shell bursts.

The strength of the Battalion on arrival was 12 officers and 281 other ranks.

Company was led by Captain Mackenzie Taylor, B Company by Captain J F Finn, C Company by Captain Colvin and D Company by Captain Mayor. The Commander was Lieut-Colonel Rimmington Taylor, Quartermaster was Lieut Nobbs and the Adjutant Captain Cooper.

From then on the campaign was marked by trench warfare with occasional losses from high explosive and snipers and the constant drain of illness.

Periods in the front line were alternated with periods in reserve which was spent close to the line but in an area believed to be secure from selling or snipers.

Occasional dips in the nearby sea were enjoyed but could be dangerous as was the case of Sergeant R W Miller who was fataly wounded while bathing in the sea whilst in the reserve area.

By the end of October 1915 the strength of the Battalion was 21 officers and 191 other ranks despite the arrival of some reinforcements.