Dear Diary,
Yesterday proved a challenge for me. This battle at Lone Pine has been hell; indeed from the 25th of April this whole journey they call the Gallipoli campaign has been godforsaken. Australian and New Zealander soldiers dead before they even reached the sand; the water dyed red like poppies. I think itâs the nights that are the hardest. War favours darkness â itâs when weâre most vulnerable to attack. Luckily, weâve had some help from an unexpected source, the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade.
The Brigade have shown themselves to be of the highest class. Arriving at our own Anzac Cove just 5 days ago, they have constantly been engaged in combat. I donât think they know when (or if) theyâll be given a night of rest. From what Iâve seen while working with them, there is a strong work ethic â their immediate response to the call of duty is something I have seldom seen before. Just yesterday this was proven to me more than ever. Under intense rifle and machine gun fire, myself and several other soldiers were ordered to halt the enemy advance. This meant going out onto the parapet and advising those in the trenches where to throw their bombs. All this was done whilst under constant sniper fire. Some say that my actions will bring me a Victoria Cross, however I wish to commend the service of the Indian soldiers during this situation in my own personal diary.
It was with the assistance of their specific mission, to take over a part of the left assaulting column, that we were able to subdue the enemy. Their actions allowed us to work together to achieve the same overall goal. We werenât separate forces by then â we were one unit.
One man in particular I wish to write about is Gunner Karam Singh. He continued to relay fire orders from his own OP officer long after he had been hit in the face by shrapnel. It was an injury that would leave him permanently blinded in one eye. I have no doubt that he was by far the most courageous gunner on Hill 60. It takes a special man from a special type of military to have that much faith in his officers, and I one day hope to see such trust in our own Australian ranks.
On this day, I know not when this campaign will end. Iâm simply here to fight for my country and what it stands for. That means doing whatever it takes to win this war. However, these past few days have shown me something I did not expect to see. They have allowed me to see a military structure developed off a deep trust and strong moral code. The Johnnies in Gallipoli will no doubt be remembered with great affection and high regard. Itâs been a true honour to have them work with us.
Private John Patrick Hamilton
Read More: Forgive me: A short story by Thevakie Karunagaran
