An excellent Gallipoli 1914-1915 Star trio and Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal group awarded to Serjeant T.E. Parkinson, 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers along with a handwritten diary covering the period from 15th March until 12th July 1915 covering his service prior to and during the fighting in the Dardanelles. This covering the first day of the landings and there is a notable entry the following day – ‘‘Am still alive to jot a few remarks down, and hope that I may be spared to continue doing so. Yesterday (Sunday 25/4/15) (Queen’s birthday I believe) shall I ever forget it – even as I write the tears are dropping from me eyes. I cannot the describe the scenes – my feelings on the subject wouldn’t allow me, for to describe the pitiful sights and suffering of yesterday makes me (or better men than me) weep, awful, cruel and so sad is all I can write. The bombarding – sight of sights, please god if Ilve I’ll tell you all about it, awful, glorious, sight to witness, and I daresay its equal has or ever will be seen. Started as anticipated about 5am and continued all day, and they are at it now I’m weigint this at the seaside (beach under the cliff) and the navy cannons are banging away overhead.I prayed during the night that I may be spared to tell you the story and that those who had gone to meet their maker may be resting in peace. I also hope and pray that should you read in the paper of yesterdays result that you will not conclude in amongst those of the Royals who are gone but not forgotten – I can picture your anxiety.’ Parkinson would be taken sick in June and return to Alexandria for recuperation, he would later see service with the Royal Engineers and would survive the war, being discharged with a Silver War Badge.
Group of 4: 1914-1915 Star; (7130 SJT. T.E. PARKINSON. R. FUS.) British War Medal and Victory Medal; (7130 A.W.O.CL.2. T.E. PARKINSON. R. FUS.) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, GVR, (L-7130 SJT. T.E. PARKINSON. R. FUS.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Together with an excellent handwritten diary covering the period from 15th March 1915 until 12th July 1915 covering his service prior and during the fighting in the Dardanelles. Thomas E. Parkinson saw service as a Sergeant (No. 7130) with the Royal Fusiliers and later with the Royal Engineers (No. WR/300285), first landing in Mesopotamia on 29th March 1915 before he would re-embark with his unit and land at Gallipoli on the first day of the Gallipoli landings on 25th April 1915.
His diary entry for 4.30am on 25th April states: ‘Expect the sea warriors to start their cannons in half an hour. Its just getting daybreak. This ought to be a very important day in the history of the Royals – hope we’ll all make a name for ourselves + live to enjoy the result.’ The entry for the following day was much more sombre: ‘Am still alive to jot a few remarks down, and hope that I may be spared to continue doing so. Yesterday (Sunday 25/4/15) (Queen’s birthday I believe) shall I ever forget it – even as I write the tears are dropping from me eyes. I cannot the describe the scenes – my feelings on the subject wouldn’t allow me, for to describe the pitiful sights and suffering of yesterday makes me (or better men than me) weep, awful, cruel and so sad is all I can write. The bombarding – sight of sights, please god if Ilve I’ll tell you all about it, awful, glorious, sight to witness, and I daresay its equal has or ever will be seen. Started as anticipated about 5am and continued all day, and they are at it now I’m weigint this at the seaside (beach under the cliff) and the navy cannons are banging away overhead. I prayed during the night that I may be spared to tell you the story and that those who had gone to meet their maker may be resting in peace. I also hope and pray that should you read in the paper of yesterdays result that you will not conclude in amongst those of the Royals who are gone but not forgotten – I can picture your anxiety.’
A few days later on the 30th he states: ‘Wednesday and Thursday not so bad being a bit quiet. The sight of dead and wounded coming in yesterday was sickening – it makes my fresh creep to think of them and would do more than that to try and describe them on paper. The troops have only, I believe, so far progressed slowly in move of advance – presumably waiting reinforcements. Not much shelling going at present only occasionally bursts of cannon from the battleships (apparently trying to locate the enemy’s artillery who have dropped some shells uncomfortably close to boats a short distance away from the beach. Later on 6th June Parkinson writes: ‘Am on the beach with the bhoys (sic) (or what’s left of them – 260) Cooper the only officer. After the grand progress of our Boys in driving back the Turks – same night certain Reg upset good result by either cowardice or mistake resulting in awful consequences.’
By 22nd June he appears to have been evacuated due to illness and was back on a ship heading towards Alexandria for recuperation.
It appears that he recovered and would later serve with the Royal Engineers before being subsequently discharged with a Silver War Badge, his Great War medals being sent to an address in Putney, South West London.
