The FORGOTTEN Gallipoli Story - 6 VCs Earned Before Breakfast

[@rodneycunningham815]

My grandfather was there told me he saw the turk that shot him through his arm he was wounded three times one through the seat of wisdom and he said he wasn't running away he was with the 29.division he also said the barbed wire was a bad obstacle and caused alot of deaths and wounded he died of a broken heart 6.months after my grandmother died in his arms ...he was a gentleman ....

[@perarduaadastra7648]

Gallipoli was such a sad campaign for all involved. For Australia, especially, and New Zealand it represents the birth of our new Independent nationhood and our pride in being still part of the British Empire. It also represents great loss and respect for our young men and something we shall never forget. The Australian War Memorial in Canberra houses Australia’s largest collection of Victoria Crosses including 7 awarded for the Battle of Lone Pine that was part of the August Offensive at Gallipoli and also the very first Victoria Cross that was awarded to an Australian in WW1 (Albert Jacka) at Gallipoli. Thanks for this story it was of great interest to me.🇦🇺

[@juliemercer1458]

My Grandmother's first husband lost his life there. William Humphries Cheshire Regiment R.I.P.

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

I owe him my gratitude. Please take it, with love and honour. God rest his brave soul.

[@subaruadventures]

Ok

[@billy.g3597]

As a boy I can remember watching the "Galipoli day" parades in my local town of Bury, Lancashire. The local TA Regiment was the Royal Lancashire Fusiliers. My father told me that in his day, you could recognise the veteran Fusiliers of the war as they had yellow and white feather "hackles" in their berets. The serving Fusiliers at the parades wear red and white hackles. Back then the parades were a grand event to watch. All the townsfolk were proud of their Fusiliers, past and present.

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

There is no greater accolade in the entire world than that Victoria Cross. Anyone who got awarded one is a true giant of a man.

[@legionarybooks13]

Fantastic video, as always, Chris. Gallipoli is usually mentioned in broad strokes, mostly focused on the ANZACs, with little details of individual actions. There are so many stories like these, waiting to be told.

[@philhitch1924]

My grandfather landed at Gallipoli first wave. Australian. He survived that campaign and went onto Europe and came home badly wounded. Married his nurse and created a family. Every man that ran down the gang planks of the Clyde deserves the vc. British heroes all of them.

[@Dickens76]

Excellent video. Gallipoli has always been of great interest to me ever since my grandfather, who was a WWII veteran told me about it as a small boy.

[@vonsprague7913]

Chris I've loved history since I was a wee boy, I only ever wanted to be a soldier and to hear the enthusiasm in your voice when you announced this was a real joy. Thank you for all the work you do to keep our military history alive for future generations. Shabash!

[@andywest279]

Hi Chris my grandfather landed at suvla bay and lasted 10 mins or so before being shot in the back. He was invalided home to England for recuperation. After his wounds were healed he was rewarded by being sent to the somme 😢. However despite the best efforts of the turks and Germans he survived the war And lived into his 60 s. Excellent dissertation on Gallipoli. Rgds andy

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot mate. Really appreciate your comment. I hope we can remind people of our great military history and keep these stories alive.

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

Wow , the extract you quote between 2.20 minutes and 3.00 minutes are both sobering and depressing not the most cheering start to a story of valour and sacrifice , but what really stunned me was those actual live recordings at 4.50 and again at 8.20 minutes in by a man , John Grimshaw , who actually landed on the beach …..I didn’t know there were actual recordings by survivors ….really moving stuff , as was the whole video. Very much appreciated. 👏👏👍

[@Volcano-Man]

I grew up knowing about the Lancashire Fusiliers and the '6 VC's before breakfast.' I knew several of the boys and men who had landed at Galipolli that terrible day. They rarely talked about it. All gone to their rest now, their duty done. Rest in Peace my Bothers in Arms. Their memory is still honoured in Lancashire.

[@weenedonpetrol]

My grandfather, George Alexander Warren, was 19 and in the Scottish Horse, dismounted and fought at Gallipoli. There was no glory there. Instead there was a series of racist assumptions about the Turkish army, which Britain knew was false because the Turks fought incredibly well in the Crimean War. There was only death, dysentery and a disaster. He spent a year in hospital recovering and had gastrointestinal problems for the whole of the rest of his life. He died in 1998 at the age of 92. 15:20 15:20

[@eugenemurray2708]

Nothing wrong with the racism.

[@anthonyhargis6855]

As a former Airborne Infantryman I must say, the terrain looks horendous for any attacker. Those were brave men.

[@skyscraper38]

Enjoyable video. Thank you for posting. I think more of these viewers poll videos is a good idea. Yes, a few years ago the six ‘VCs’ were brought back together for a small exhibition in Bury, Lancashire, not far from where I lived. It was splendid to see all the medals together. A lovely tribute to some of our heroes of the war.

[@PETER-c4n]

I was very fortunate to visit Gallipoli with friends in June 2009, and many of the battle sites including this one. On a vividly bright, clear day at 48 degrees C, looking down the slope to the open beach and the sea at 'Lancashire Landing' - the very, very small but wide open beach with 'swimming pool' coloured sea, it is a miracle that anyone survived to get ashore, let alone break through the enemy wire under a hail of machine gun crossfire and some artillery fire. The nearby 'Lancashire Landing' cemetery was very sobering, when you see so many fusiliers with the date 25th April 1915. The VC graves are there also, but I couldn't find any in the limited time we had. Everything is so close by modern standards, with the 'vineyard' and Krithia (now Alcetepe) literally just up the dusty, tarmac road. At ANZAC, there are still the very prickly bushes and steep slope that the Aussies had to climb, as well as the all pervading scent of tyme on the breeze across the hills. If you have never been there, take the chance. For me it was an incredible, almost magical place. So different from the rain clouds and muddy fields of France and Belgium. Everyone who served there and died there, were certainly brave. I still am amazed that they could do it. R.I.P.

[@IanRichardson-n2s]

Great video, just the right sort of length to be informative without being too daunting to get into. An uncle of my dad's, (unfortunatly I never met this uncle), was 1Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusliers pre WW1 and served alongside 1Bn LF in places like China and Cyrus and landed at Gallipolli with 29th Div. Then moved to Western Front and on fisrt day of Somme was "lucky" to be in a carrying party when he watched 1Bn LF advance, he said he didn't see any of them return. (I think this is referenced in ANZACS, the brilliant mini series now on You Tube).

[@CarolMcauley-x1k]

Private kinealy was my cousins uncle, I remember as a child seeing his vc on the wall at his brother Cliffords house, in Grimethorpe, Barnsley, such brave men every last one

[@FranciscoPreira]

Great video mate, thanks for sharing, those chaps really deserve that one remembers their sacrifices and show respect. Best regards.

[@Volcano-Man]

The film 'Galipolli,' shows the human side and the sheer bloody horror of the campaign. I saw the film just after it was released. The horrific ending is etched in my mind, but what was most telling is that as the audience stood up and left the only sound was sniffling as people stifled their tears.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Brilliant Chris, what a great episode

[@welshwarrior5263]

My wife's grandfather served as a navy salvage diver in both world wars and a took part at Gallipoli. He was highly decorated. The government gave him an OBE for services to the UK.

[@redcoathistory]

Oh brilliant - a great family connection mate, PS mate Im probably not being as responsive in my comments as I used to be as sadly I realised I was spending too much time replying to people who clearly have no clue or are just being offensive for the sake of it. It feels good to ignore them but the downside is i may miss comments from good people like you. Please don't be offended if I sometimes miss comments.

[@welshwarrior5263]

@redcoathistory Wow, I am surprised you would get comments like that, to be honest, mate. You are my favourite go-to channel on KZbin, and you only educate people and don't offend anyone. It goes to show what small-minded idiots there are. You don't have to apologise for anything as I understand. What I will do, though, is read through any comments, and i will reply to any that i see are being offensive or just idiotic. I can only wish you the best, and thank you for your exemplary work.

[@keithagn]

Cracking great story, Chris and very well presented! Thank you, and Respect from Canada 🇨🇦!

[@wardungeontv9383]

Very good video, first time I have ever heard anyone refer to old Wolley-Dod. I own one of Brigadier Wolley-Dods dress uniforms! A fascinating chap who fought at omdurman, was wounded and awarded a DSO for spion kop and was of course at gallipoli.

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Great history about real heroes. Keep up the good work. 🇬🇧💂

[@RangingMemoriesHistory]

Great video! It's interesting you mentioned the ottoman troops not having Machine guns, I read that the Dublins Fusiliers, Munsters Fusiliers and Hampshires. that landed on V Beach thought they were under MG fire, however there could have been 120+ Turks pouring accurate rifle fire onto them. And between the noise of the covering machine guns on the River Clyde and the accurate small arms fire, you can't blame them for not making that distinction.

[@jamesfarthing7916]

following this fantastic video. you really should go and see the fusilier museum in bury.

[@stephenhunt3200]

Great video Chris. On the centenary in 2015 all 6 VCs were displayed at the Fusiliers Museum in Bury, Lancashire. I even bought a commemorative mug at the time! The VCs are kept as follows:- Major Bromley, by his family Sgt Stubbs Fusiliers Museum Lance Sgt Keneally ditto Sgt Richards Lord Ashcroft Collection Captain Willis ditto Cpl Grimshaw ditto Thanks to the Research and Archives Section of the Fusiliers Museum for the above.

[@redcoathistory]

Lovely,Thanks for the info!

[@LaHayeSaint]

The Gallipoli campaign was horrific, testing the very best, and saddening in that the best fell. We often, and quite rightly, hear about the heroes, but little about their families. How did the deaths of those who fell affect the lived of families that lived on? How did they survive?

[@chriscookesuffolk]

Super video Chris. These videos will stand the test of time.

[@chasechristophermurraydola9314]

Can you do videos about bagpipers who served valiantly and bagpipers who were awarded the Victoria Cross and I am asking because bagpipers are very overlooked and underrated and like while they didn’t really fight like a normal soldier did they still were important for many reasons and there are 3 great examples of bagpipers who were awarded the Victoria Cross 1. Sergeant George Frederick findlater of the Gordon Highlanders and during the battle of Dargai heights which was part of the Tirah campaign of the Indian frontier war of 1897-1898 the Gordon Highlanders and members of a Gurkha regiment were ordered to storm a position held by Afridi tribesmen and Findlater was one of five bagpipers playing for an advance of troops on one of the defenses of the heights and the 1st Gordon’s were ordered to advance over open ground to storm the heights and during the advance findlater was shot in both of his feet and broke one ankle and he was unable to continue the advance and so he propped himself up on a boulder and continued playing for the advance and for his action on May 14th 1898 he was personally given the award by Queen Victoria. 2. Piper James Richardson of the 72nd Seaforth highlanders of the 16th Canadian Scottish battalion Canadian expeditionary force who was awarded the cross posthumously but out of the 3 one stood above them all. 3. Daniel Logan laidlaw was a bagpiper in the ranks of the kings own Scottish borderers and during the beginning of the battle of loos the Scottish borderers At hill 70 were ordered to assault enemy trenches in support of the campaign. On September 25, 1915, before the assault was to begin, the Borderers in the trenches were heavily shaken by a heavy German bombardment and a poison gas attack. Piper Laidlaw mounted the trenches and played. He marched with the troops through heavy machine gun fire and most of the way to the German lines. Even thought he was wounded he continued to play until the enemy position was captured and he played the regimental tune of the Scottish borderers which was The Blue Bonnets O’ The Border and on November 18th 1915 for his actions he received the Victoria Cross. However these 3 bagpipers are just a few among the many pipers who served in Commonwealth armies valiantly over the years. There are many more stories of heroism from the Commonwealth bagpipers to be told.

[@Dickens76]

Brilliant.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot - this is a good idea and Ill see what is possible. Appreciated.

[@deryckhampshire1608]

My grandfather was at Suvla Bay. He was in FF cable section Royal Engineers, attached to 2nd Mounted Division. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and mentioned in Dispatches. He died having never told anybody about what happened. I found out from searches. For constant Gallantry repairing telephone wires while under fire.

[@ronti2492]

Another top video Chris, many thanks. Also excellent to concentrate on the British landings at Helles. The 'problem' ( its not really a problem; I can't think of the right term just now) with Gallipoli is that the publicity has largely been hijacked by Australia, and to a lesser extent New Zealand, as part of national identity -and myth- making. Note I speak as both an Australian and as a current serving member. Very few Aussies know that the British contributionin 1915 far outweighed the Australian contribution. In addition, the French contribution in terms of troop numbers and killed and wounded also far outweights that of the ANZAC's. The French ossuary at Morto Bay is enormous and the names on the French graves reflect overwhelmingly colonial troops from N Africa or West Africa, The southern part of the battlefield (being the French frontline for most of the campaign) along Keveres Dere is one of the least visited and most well preserved parts of the battlefield. However, no matter what the numbers- may they all of rest in peace.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate. I think it is definately important for us to remember all the troops who fought and died at Gallipoli. You are spot on about the French also - I literally know nothing about their contributiion to the battle. Could be a future video for sure.

[@martinjf467]

Well said Sir. Thank you.

[@BillsWargameWorld]

Super awesome !

[@joshmcfc95]

My great grandad served in Gallipoli in the 1/5th east lancs never forget 🇬🇧

[@davidwhelan1545]

For some reason Galipoli, was one of the first stories that my Polish Great Uncle Franek, 303 SQN, talked to me about, when I was very young. By the way he told it he was in absolute awe, of the bravery of these men?

[@MarkBridger-u9b]

Great Documentary....learned a lot...Well Done.

[@zaynevanday142]

Not won Earned 🔥

[@popechucky]

A decoration, of that ‘magnitude’ is not earned, or won like a prize… it is earned, then awarded!!! As an American I used to research military decorations extensively. I finally came to the realization that your VC is probably the most prestigious combat medal in the world… So much respect for your Armed forces

[@Volcano-Man]

@@zaynevanday142 True, but not earned either; the recipient was advised he had been put forward gor the VC, and then he had been awarded his VC. To this day if a soldier is awarded the VC, all other ranks - including officers, salute the recipient first.

[@scottsevers6194]

My Great Grandfather Albert Fawcett was in the 14th battalion of the Australian Empire Forces. He landed at 1300hrs on the 25/04/1915 and was there until medically evacuated to lemnos in October that year.

[@andyandsuzy]

Truly loved your video, no drawn out clap trap, just honest reality with out drama

[@martinjf467]

Hey Christian! Not sure if you saw this during your research into the LFs... it's very interesting. I had so many memories flood back when I saw the march past the church on the doorstep of the TA "Castle" barracks behind The Two Tubs pub - I stood there and waited for my dad to march past with the recce troop. And in a later scene you can clearly see the upper walkway in the building where I was permitted to stand as a 10 year old. I shed a tear too remembering the amalgamation in '67 - dad left because he couldn't bare the thought of taking off his yellow hackle for a red and white one. Many years later I had the pleasure of going to the drill hall again totally unexpectedly because after yet another round of disint... oops, amalgamations the Bury Territorial RRFs came into my regiment as Fusilier Coy 4th. Queens Lancashire Regiment. Enjoy... kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGq4e5duiJyiaLs

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot for sharing your story. I hadn't seen the video - will watch.

[@sabresix7933]

Yourself and Rob from British muzzleloaders should do a collaboration. It would be brilliant. Seriously good.

[@LoganTellsHistoryZW]

Interesting and great video!

[@evilstorm5954]

Brave men, everyone that landed on the beach, these men led them👍

[@TedBerry-j7c]

a great way to cover up a complete disaster im not taking anything away from the bravery of our boys ! my 2 great uncles were at Gallipoli, one came home , the other one is on the Helles memorial, the 13th Lancashires were all but wiped out on this day, but the talk back home was about the VCs won that day, just like Rorkes Dift, IE if we throw enough medals at this disaster, people will not question the disaster , my grandad won a DCM later in the war , apart from my gt uncle bill who was with the LFs all the rest were with the Manchesters, god bless all our brave boys, ps - there is a beautiful quote in a book called hells foundations about Gallipoli, it ends with YOUR SONS ARE NOW OUR SONS it was from a Turkish quote

[@brokenbridge6316]

To earn a medal would've been great before breakfast. But to get the VC before breakfast is even better.

[@bobyouel7674]

REspect

[@anthonyeaton5153]

With respect, should it The Dardanelles, it was the Australians changed it to Gallipoli. I’m old enough to remember when it was always The Dardanelles. Later there were several pubs named after that campaign and all were named The Dardanelles , not the Gallipoli.

[@martinjf467]

At risk of touching a raw nerve or three didn't you know the "strylians won at Gally Poly but the bloody poms let 'em down? All irony apart You'd think they were the only soldiers there sometimes. They conveniently "forget" there were more British DEAD than the entirety of the ANZAC force that went through Gallipoli, dead, alive AND New Zealanders. It makes me rather bitter at times but hey! I'm just a grumpy old man... ;-)

[@gerardhogan3]

​@@martinjf467Greetings from Australia Martin. Well said and thanks for the clarification. Yes sadly there are many ill informed Aussies with a very poor understanding of the real facts. Its often somewhat rather embarrassing.

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@2323guts]

14th AIF red coats😢

[@Battlefield_Sleuth]

I had to stop watching - sorry. Acquired experience of 1st July 1916 is enough. My Grandad (Somme), his cousins (Gallipoli & 2nd Yprs) and his father's cousin (Old Contemtible) may not have been impressed. I take it on the chin that they were all stronger than me and that's what the cousins enabled Grandad to allow me to avoid graphical portrayal, I know the cousins stories, as died in 1915, 1917 & 18 respectively. I love your work. Sorry too vivid now. Not sure what else to say. Raw nerve...

[@paulwalton3391]

Not much to know bud it was an ill conceived unthought out horror show much like the meat grinder 'battles' of ww1 reminds me of that scene in 'Waterloo' when the blonde redcoat breaks square shouting "WHY why do we do this to ourselves"??

[@brianford8493]

How not to prosecute any amphibious affair.....great stuff as per chap👍

[@martinjf467]

Great to see this story related as it's not common to see anything much about "gally poly", not unless it's "sytrylian in origin! 🙂 The last time I was at Fulwood in Preston (Fulwood was my HQ from 1990-98) the VCs were on display in the Sergeants Mess. Although I can't remember how many of them I seem to recall it was the lot. If you are trekking across then your best place to enquire would be the Regimental Museum at Fulwood (which is actually the museum for the current Lancashire Battalion post the latest amalgamation, the old East Lancs, South Lancs, Loyal North Lancs, QLR (my old outfit) battalions, and latterly the Fusilier Coy from Bury (formerly the LFs Territorials who my dad served with) who for some reason were taken back out of the RRF and amalgamated into QLR. You might also contact the LF's museum which I think is still located on the Bury-Bolton road about a mile out of Bury. The phone numbers for either museum are easy to find. The museum at Fulwood is superb with a very good floor full of artefacts and shed loads of info going back a long, long way. It includes all manner of interesting objects including stuff from the Zulu war and of course a lot of stuff from WW1. Incidentally, although not an LF my great uncle fought at Gallipoli with the SWBs but was invalided out with life threatening dysentery, only to fall in the first ten minutes of the Battle of The Somme. Keep the articles coming!

[@redcoathistory]

@@martinjf467 Brilliant thanks for the feedback.