1st Essex at Sulva Bay 1915
Following on
their campaign at Gallipoli the Battalion were depleted when
they made the short trip to Sulva Bay arriving at 2am on 21
August 1915.
On the 29th August 1915 the 1st Essex were the reserve unit
waiting behind the front lines but suffered from several
shrapnel bursts which killed 3 men and wounded 15 others.
Conditions were difficult with movement impossible by day due to
the snipers. Those who moved such as Lieutenant M G Burmester,
often paid with their lives. Although the weather was very hot
there was a shortage of water and sanitation with dysentery soon
causing a reduction in the ranks.
A quieter period ensued with the snipers continuing on
both sides. Major A G N Wood DSO, the Battalion Adjutant,
became the latest sniper victim when he was killed on30th
October 1915.
In November the weather changed from hot to cold with heavy rain
and then a blizzard which made both the war and living
difficult.
On 20 December 1915 all of the army was evacuated from Sulva Bay
with the 1st Essex being the rearguard and last to leave.
The Regiment returned to Impros, Gallipoli where it returned to
the action until it was evacuated form the area to Egypt on 8
January 1916.
Shortly before leaving the last casualty was Captain G P Cox who
was killed by an aerial bomb. Captain Cox was the last remaining
officer who had landed with the 1st Essex in April 1915.
A total of 883 1st Essex men had landed at Gallipoli while 375
left just 9 month later.
