.m.--I spent sometime on a ridge overlooking the sea and watched
the Turks shelling the ships close by. Their firing from Kum Kale was
wild, but there was one ship they were determined to have, shell after
shell falling near and throwing up splashes mast high. At last she was
hit and a loud report was followed by dense smoke from her fore part.
Flames quickly followed, and several minesweepers and destroyers soon
came to her aid, and unloaded part of her cargo. She was finally
anchored close inshore to await events. By 2 o'clock the flames seemed
to be pretty well under control.

While watching this a young officer came up and spoke to me. He had
arrived with us on the "River Clyde" and since then has had very
trying experiences. He said his birthday was to-morrow, and I should
say it might be his twenty-first. He is in the Anson Battalion, and
had come through the Antwerp retreat. His battalion left England 1000
strong with thirty-three officers. They are now 198 men, while he is
the only officer remaining. He thinks we must beat a retreat from
Gallipoli one of these days, to take it would mean too great a
withdrawal of troops from France, but, as he says, a retreat means a
greater loss of honour than Britain can bear. He told me about the
Collingwood Battalion which left England on May 9, and went into the
fight fresh and at full strength. They lost twenty-three officers and
nearly six hundred men. In spite of all opinions and rumours we must
bring this campaign to a victorious end, be the cost what it may.

_June 8th._--A day of wind, one big cloud of dust, and swarms of
flies. These last have become a terrible curse lately, and as time
goes on they will get no less.

About a week ago Col. Yarr proposed that I should join him at
Head-quarters, and this morning I was ordered to present myself at
Corps H.Q. at 3 p.m. I had given the necessary undertaking to divulge
no secrets, and as the hour approached I rigged myself out in my best
boots and tunic, and had chosen a smart orderly to look after
me--Melrose, from Kincardine O'Neil. Then the A.D.M.S. appeared, to
say that their staff was broken up, most of them having gone to Gully
Beach, and as there were only twelve all told remaining there was no
excuse for my joining just yet. They have interesting personalities at
H.Q. and I feel disappointed. Sir Ian Hamilton, for example, dined
there last night.

_June 9th._--We had a visit from Pirie, M.O. to the Lancs. H