The premier of through the hole in the wall: Life in Milner Square 1935-1975 was held at the Screen on the Green, Islington Green on Tuesday 8th September.
It was a full house attended by all those who had contributed to the film including the interviewees and their families and current residents who allowed the film to be shot in their flats. Guests from Age UK Islington, Islington Pensioners’ Forum and Veterans’ Association were also invited to attend.
After the screening an afternoon tea supplied by Marks and Spencer was held for the attendees at the Islington Town Hall.(photos Tony Oudot)
Date: 08.09.15
About 1am. Advanced post retired and reported enemy advancing. Whole line roused and stood to arms but no attack made. At 3am advanced post sent out again and reported all quiet. In early morning white flag brought in. Remainder of day quiet and without incident.
Date: 09.09.15
Uneventful day. Warning received that enemy positions in front of our left would be bombarded at dusk, but nothing done.
Date: 10.09.15
Orders received that battalion would be relieved following morning by 1/5th Bedfords also that rifle and machine gun co-operation was to be given to bombardment postponed from previous day. About six pm, about a dozen shells dropped near enemy redoubt on Hill 100 but little damage done, shelling then ceased. One corporal killed and two men wounded by rifle fire.
Date: 11.09.15
Battn. relieved by 1/5th Bedfords. ‘A’ Coy took over 2nd line trenches held by 1/5 Beds but relieved shortly after by 161st Brigade. Day spent in cleaning up bivouacs. At dusk two fatigue parties of 50 and 150 men sent out. Lieut Ford and 50 men proceed to N.Z Inf. Brigade for temporary attachment.
Date: 12.09.15
Battn. paraded for Divine Service at 11am. Remainder of day resting. At dusk two digging parties of 125 men each placed at disposal of O.C 1/5 Bedfords. Lieut Akerman and two men wounded during digging. Permanent fatigue party for N.C.O and 12 men provided for Divisional water depot. Nominal effective strength of batt.reduced to under 500 men. Much sickness still prevalent.
Date: 13.09.15
Close order and arm drill by companies. All available men after dusk employed on various digging and road making fatigues. Routine work as usual. Much sickness.
Date: 14.09.15
One man killed and one wounded during morning digging. At night fatigues as previous day but under 200 men available. Sick parade of over one hundred, mostly diarrhoea and dysentery. Batt drill during morning; day otherwise as normal. Bathing during day.
Date: 01.09.15
Very uneventful day. Second line positions inspected by C.O. Experimental bathing parade returned without incident. Digging continued at dusk but interrupted about midnight by heavy firing all along the front line.
Date: 02.09.15
Quiet day. Numerous bathing parades return without casualties. Digging continued at night in force. Much sickness in camp.
Date: 03.09.15
Orders received to take over first line trenches from 1/5 Bedfords at dusk tomorrow. Positions inspected and four Coy [Company] Commanders proceed to trenches in afternoon to remain until arrival of the battalion. Digging continued at night as before. ‘C’ Coy withdrawn from their second line trenches.
Date: 04.09.15
A quiet day but a few men wounded by stray bullets; still a good deal of sickness about. Battn paraded at 4.30pm and proceeded to take over first line trenches held by 1/5th Beds relief completed by six pm. Uneventful night.
Date: 05.09.15
Ordinary routine work in trenches. One man wounded. Uneventful night.
Date: 06.09.15
Quiet day. Advanced post and listening patrol both report no movement in front of lines. Digging party of 1/5th Beds engaged during night on trenches linking left and centre subsections.
Date: 07.09.15
Quiet day. White flag noticed in front of right of line. All attempts to communicate therewith unsuccessful. At night attempt made to fetch in flag but failed. At 6pm trenches in right half of centre subsection taken over by 1/5th Norfolks who had taken place of 1/4th Northants in Brigade. A certain amount of digging by enemy about 1000 yards in front of our line noticed and reported.
More Information
The presence of illness and disease, especially dysentery, was widespread at Gallipoli. Brought on – and exacerbated by – the unhygienic living conditions, rotting corpses and huge numbers of flies, few soldiers escaped untouched. It sapped men of their strength and resulted in thousands of soldiers being evacuated off the peninsula.
Using data from census records, war graves and war memorials we can begin to discover the names of those Finsbury Rifles from the historic boroughs of Finsbury and Islington who died at Gallipoli.
The attacks on the Finsbury Rifles in August 1915 seem to have been particularly devastating for our local soldiers. We remember the deaths of:
Finsbury Rifles
15/08/1915
Sergeant William Richard Millichamp, 390 Essex Rd.
Aged c.27
Married to Ada, two children
Artificial flower painter in the 1911 Census
16/08/1915 Rifleman Ernest Lester
17/08/1915 Rifleman Alfred Daniel A.
Rifleman Ernest Howard Hancock, 35 Gainford St., Barnsbury
Aged 19
Unmarried, 9 siblings
Page boy at doctor’s in the 1911 Census
Rifleman James Harman, 34 Hanover St. (1911 Census)
Aged 21
Unmarried, 4 siblings
French polisher in the 1911 Census
18/08/1915
Rifleman John Barrier
Rifleman Frederick Brown
Sergeant Frederick Charles Chatterley, 114 Bethune Rd., Stoke Newington
48 Plimsoll Rd., Finsbury Park (1911 Census)
Aged 32
Married to Emily, 1 child
Insurance Agent in the 1911 Census
Sergeant Frederick William Efford, boarding with the Holmans at 311, Goswell Rd. (1911 Census)
Aged 22
Packer, tobacco factory in the 1911 Census
Rifleman John Henry Forey, 8 Church Street, Upper Street
Aged 18
Unmarried, 5 siblings
Printer’s machine hand in the 1911 Census
Rifleman Alfred Harlow, South Cottage, South Street, New North Rd.
Aged 19
Unmarried, 2 siblings
Box cutter in the 1911 Census
Lance Corporal Henry John Hewson, 10 Prospect Place, Barnsbury
Aged 21
Unmarried, 6 siblings
Pipe mounter in the 1911 Census
Rifleman James Henry Hollister, 21 Baron St., Clerkenwell
Aged 19
Unmarried, 5 siblings
Costermonger in the 1911 Census
Rifleman Walter Eric Jones, 106 Wynford Rd., Barnsbury
Aged 17
Unmarried, 1 sibling
Scholar in the 1911 Census
Rifleman Frank Ernest Merry, 147 Holmeleigh Rd., Stamford Hill
Aged 32
Unmarried, 4 siblings
Camera fitter in the 1911 Census
Rifleman William David Simmonds
Aged 39
Married to Rosina, 2 children
Colour etcher fitter in the 1911 Census
Lance Corporal Alfred Charles Wootton, 38 Warren St., Islington
Aged 20
Van guard, Railway Company in the 1911 Census
RiflemanHugh Fraser Hamilton, 29, Thornhill, Barnsbury
Aged 20
Son of Albert and Ellen
21/08/1915
Lieutenant J Maxwell
31/08/1915
Sergeant George Albert Barber
Rifleman Albert Edward Thomas Crocker
Rifleman J R Smith
Lance Corporal Ammon Willis Whitehead, 4 Ella Rd, Crouch Hill
Aged 29
Son of Amos P and Mary Willis. Married to Emily
Other Regiment’s
06/08/1915
Private Alfred Baker
Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Private Herbert Binks, 4 Charlotte Terrace, Barnsbury
Essex Regiment, 1st Battalion
Private George Thomas Byran, 15 Windsor Terrace, City Rd
Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Sergeant Percy Harold John Davey, 96 Grantham Rd, Manor Park
Essex Regiment, 1st Battalion
Private William Alfred Dineen, 18 Hyde Rd, Hoxton
Hampshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
07/08/1915
Private John Henry Coles
Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers), 5th Battalion
Private Joseph Patrick Donovan,
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1st Battalion
08/08/1915
Private William Bishop
Gloucestershire Regiment, 7th Service Battalion
Lance Corporal Albert Richard Cowell
Gloucestershire Regiment, 7th Service Battalion
09/08/1915
Lance Corporal A S Card
Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), 9th Battalion
Private Joseph Michael Coster, 55 Rahere Street, Goswell Rd
South Staffordshire Regiment, “D” Company, 7th Service Battalion
Private John Henry Cripps
Royal Munster Fusiliers, 6th Battalion
10/08/1915
Lance Corporal George Fred Burkett, 9 Charles Square, Hoxton
Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment), “C” Company, 5th Battalion
Driver William Dlght,
Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
15/08/1915
Private George Annett Atkin Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 5th Battalion
Private Albert Charles Curtis
London Regiment, 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
Private Ernest Daynes, 21 Kemp Street, Old Street, Finsbury
London Regiment,10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
16/08/1915
Private Albert Dunford, 49 Alsen Rd, Finsbury Park
Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers), 6th Battalion
21/08/1915
Private Arthur Frank Barrett, 15 Effingham Rd, Hornsey
London Regiment, 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
Private Thomas Caffrey Alias Herbert Slap Aldhous, 2 Robinson’s Retreat, Retreat Place, Hackney
Border Regiment, “A” Company, 1st Battalion
Lance Sergeant Ernest Stanley Carroll, Ardrossan 22 Grovelands Rd Palmer’s Green
Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps), Hertfordshire Yeomanry
Private Leslie George Dulieu
Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps), 1st (County of London Yeomanry Middlesex Duke of Cambridge’s Hussars
26/08/1915
Private Francis Beard
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 6th Battalion
29/08/1915
Private George William Clarke
Border Regiment, 1st Battalion
Reading the Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune helps us to understand how the war was reported at home in Finsbury and Islington. It makes harrowing reading as we discover how little of the Finsbury Rifles’ suffering in Gallipoli is reported at home.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 5th August 1915
Parcels for soldiers
‘It should be noted that parcels for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force should, in view of their transhipments and exposure to heat, be very carefully packed, as round as possible, and the outer covering should consist of strong linen, calico, or canvas, securely sewn up. Small parcels arrive in better condition than larger ones…’
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 12th August 1915
The WAR: The position in the Dardanelles
‘Depression, dissension, and anti-war feeling are prevalent in Turkey…’
Note: this is not accurate. There is no mention of the Finsbury Rifles landing at Suvla Bay. See the war diary entries for the 10th August 1915.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 19th August 1915
‘At Suvla the troops on the left flank made a short advance on the afternoon of the 15th with a view to straightening out the line.
They moved forward under considerable gun and rifle fire and gained about 500 yards, capturing a Turkish trench and taking two officers and 20 other prisoners.’
Note: There is a strictly censored version of this disastrous campaign, which led to the sacking of Frederick Stopford as Divisional Commander. The attacks by the Rifles, among other regiments, were initially successful but what is not mentioned is the regiment’s inability to hold onto the gained ground, due to a lack of support, and their heavy losses in the retreat. See the war diary entries for August 15th 2015.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 20th August 1915
News of the World-War in Brief
‘Another dispatch with regard to the operations in Gallipoli has been received. It is of an encouraging character….
The recent operations on the Gallipoli Peninsula (says an official bulletin) consisted of attacks on the enemy’s position along the southern and Anzac lines, and included a fresh landing in strong force at Suvla Bay.
There is evidence from prisoner’s statements that the Turks had been considerably reinforced with a view to heavy attacks, and that the Allies forestalled the enemy by about 24 hours.
Consequently the fighting was very severe, and on the both sides the casualties were very heavy.
The landing at Suvla Bay was well planned and carried out by the Navy, but in spite of the fact that the Turks developed their greatest strength in the ‘Anzac’ region, Allied troops from Suvla could not make very satisfactory progress before the enemy was able to move up considerable forces from his reserves and to bring further advance at this point to a standstill.
Within the past week the positions won have been consolidated at all points. The spirit of the troops is excellent.’
Note: This is the first extensive report of the landing at Suvla Bay. It seems written to keep up spirits at home, rather that report the realities of the campaign. I’m not convinced spirits would have been as excellent among the Rifles as was reported.
There is no specific mention of the huge casualties suffered by the Rifles on the 15th – 18th August 1015. It seems that the first families waiting at home would know about these losses would be the telegrams arriving from the War Office.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 25th August 1915
‘Give us 500 men’: Remarkable Address by Islington Rector
Borough battalion ought to be at full strength
The paper publishes a speech by the Right Rev. Monseigner Groach calling for 500 more men to sign up to the Islington Battalion.
‘If there is any delay the recruitable men of Islington will be open to reproach. We are the premier borough of London; we have an enormous population; we refuse to be though less patriotic or less plucky than the men of other places in any part of the Kingdom, or indeed in any part of the Empire… Every man joining the Army brings victory nearer. ‘Just look at the mistakes that have been made; so-and-so should not have done such and such.’ If mistakes have been made, it is because mistakes must be made in all human things. The man who never made a mistake never made anything. Come and help others to remedy the mistakes. Criticism is cheap, and like most cheap things is often worthless. The biggest mistakes any man can make is to think he can neglect his duty with impunity.’
Note: The Rifles among other battalions would certainly need more recruits after their heavy losses at Gallipoli. Note the plea to patriotism, freedom and justice. Conscientious Objectors are dismissed and criticised, their objection considered invalid.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 27th August 1915
The WAR: The Position in the Dardanelles
News of the World-War in Brief ‘The position in the Dardanelles is not quite so rosy as rumour would paint it, but nethertheless substantial progress is being made. The British move in the Dardanelles, which, had it completely succeeded, would have carried us at a stroke long way towards the realisation of our project, has been temporarily checked.’
Note: A small acknowledgement to the reality of the stalemate in Gallipoli.
Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune
31st August 1915
Recruiting for Finsbury Rifles
Meeting at Islington Empire ‘A most successful meeting was held outside the Islington Empire on behalf of the recruiting of the Finsbury Rifles. The first battalion has won a glorious name in Gallipoli, but at the expense of heavy casualties. The 3/11th has to supply a number of men to take the place of the fallen heroes of Finsbury and Islington. They are now urgently in need of men to fill the ranks. The speakers included Corporal Burgess, Lance-Corporal Goddard, both of the Finsbury Rifles, and Sergeant Cash, D.S.M., of the Royal Fusiliers, who came home from France deaf, dumb and blind, but regained his faculties by accident. He also brought with him the famous six year old mascot of the 4/4th Royal Fusiliers, ‘Morny Cash,’ who delivered an excellent speech. This young lad has secured 95 recruits, and is the youngest sworn-in soldier in the British Army.’
Note: An acknowledgement of the huge casualties among the Rifles at Gallipoli but painted as a necessary sacrifice.
Date: 29.8.15
Several men wounded by machine gun in early morning. Day otherwise uneventual and spent in fatigues and improving bivouac. Digging parties provided during night to link up right and left sections of fire-trenches occupied by 1/5th Bedfordshire to whom the battalion is being held in reserve.
Date: 30.8.15
Bulk of missing transport now recovered. Much sickness reported amongst troops and numerous cases of dysentery sent to hospital. Big fatigue [party] provided to move Divisional Headquarters. At dusk, two lines of 2nd line trenches taken over by ‘B & C’ companies, ground having previously reconnoitred by Adjutant and 2nd in command (Capt. Windsor) and O.C Cos [officers commanding the two companies]. Later in evening orders received to occupy two posts held by Worcester Regt in neighbourhood of ”C” Co lines. Posts occupied by 50 men from A&C Cos respectively. Owing to shortage of men, digging started previous night discontinued.
Date: 31.8.15
No 9 Platoon of ‘C’ company suffers heavy loss from enemy shrapnel through undue exposure. Three killed and about twelve wounded including Captain Clark. New Brig Gen Mudge holds lengthy conference with battn. commanders and adjutants and explains policy.
Further cases of dysentery etc. sent to hospital. At dusk ‘C’ Coy lines altered and consolidated and parties of ‘A’ and ‘D’ consequently enabled to be withdrawn. Digging started on 29th continued.
Month’s diary signed off by Lt. L.Newton & Adjutant XI London, 03.09.15
More Information
Aghyl Dere was a long dry watercourse in which the Finsbury Rifles and the Bedfordshires dug in trenches to gain some sort of security from shells and snipers.
Click to see an image of D Company Headquarters. Part of Finsbury Vale. Over the Ridge to the right was the Main Aghyll Dere, in which were the front line trenches. The small mound in the left centre of the picture was a sniper’s post.
Lewthwaite A. T. Collection IWM (Q 48992)
Also see machine gun sergeant, Joe Guthrie’s interview for more information.
Date: 22 August 15
Orders received that battalion would be relieved during day by part of 29th Division. In the meanwhile to be still prepared to take part in any general advance. A quiet day. Battalion not called upon to move. Just before midnight relieved by 5th Royal Scots and returned to Base Camp.
Date: 23 August 15
Left Base Camp after breakfast for Rest Camp. Day spent in forming camp & in bathing.
Date: 24 August 15
Battalion paraded for inspection of arms and equipment, also bathing parades. Lt. & QM Tutin wounded by shrapnel and one man killed and three wounded. Day otherwise uneventful.
Date: 25 August 15
Battalion warned to be prepared to take over trenches of 1/4th Norfolks previous day. A number of shells fall near lines but no damage done. Warning cancelled midday and battalion ordered to proceed to Lala Baba at midnight next day under orders of 11th Division.
Date: 26 August 15
A quiet restful day in camp. At midnight battalion falls in and proceeds to Lala Baba.
Location: Lala Baba
Date: 27 August 15
Arrived at bivouac about 3am. Four officers proceed to reserve trenches about 11/2 miles inland, which battalion is ordered to occupy at 8pm. Order cancelled later but bivouac moved about 500 yards north of old one. Heavy fighting in neighbourhood and at 7.30pm C.O. inspects other trenches which battalion may have to occupy in case of emergency.
Date: 28 August 15
Alarm at 3am and battalion ordered to be in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. In the end not called upon. Orders received to be prepared in evening to move to neighbourhood of Anzac. At 8.30pm battalion moved with Bgde Hgrs and 1/5 Beds to Aghyl Dere arriving there about midnight. Lines of 6th Loyal North Lancs taken over. Lt Col Byrne resumes command of Battalion. Brigade transport temporarily lost and much inconvenience caused thereby.
More Information
This photo was taken by Lt. Col. Byrne, presumably once he was back as Battalion Commander at Aghyl Dere. Major Malcolm was the Finsbury Rifles’ Medical Officer. He died of dysentry in Malta, October 1915.
Date: 17 August 15
Quiet day in trenches. Reinforcing draft under Capt Collins arrived. Effort made to get companies reorganised and men of the battalion withdrawn as far as possible from other battalion trenches.
Date: 18 August 15
Quiet day in trenches. Shelling and sniping at intervals and a few casualties. Battalion now practically accounted for.
Date: 19 August 15
Quiet day in trenches. Three men sniped. Battn relieved at 8pm by 1/4th NORTHANTS.
Date: 20 August 15
Battn resting until 8pm. Whole battalion other than base details and sick and including. Captain Collins’ draft paraded during the morning and nominal roll completed. Casualty roll also completed to date.
Date: 20 August 15 Hour: 8pm
Trenches of 1/5th Bedfordshire taken over. Uneventful night. Reconnoitring patrol reported small numbers of Turks in immediate vicinity of trenches.
Date: 21 August 15
Heavy firing on right of line during early morning. Companies in reserve warned to be prepared to stand to arms.
Lieut Maxwell badly wounded in front line trenches. Battalion warned to be prepared to take part in possible advance during afternoon.
Date: 21 August 15 Hour: 3pm
Batt Hqrs and companies in reserve moved up to immediate vicinity of front line trenches. Very heavy artillery bombardment of Turkish positions on extreme right of the line and advance by the 53rd Division (29th & 11th)
162nd Brigade not called upon and after a quiet afternoon, half battalion withdrawn into next trenches.
Night uneventful on our front.
More Information
The Finsbury Rifles were very lucky not to be called upon on the 21 August, as that attack was as catastrophic as the one on the 15 August. Had the Battalion been involved it might well have been more or less wiped out.
Party returned to camp 4.30am. Position held by Lieutenant Fox and 80 men. Battalion moved out of camp 12.30pm and deployed on a position 1 ½ miles E by NE of camp. Thence advanced under distant rifle fire on the position previously entrenched. From here in connection with the remainder of the Brigade, attacks were delivered on various Turkish positions under heavy rifle, machine gun and shell fire.
The attacks were generally successful but owing to the necessary support not being forthcoming, the captured positions had to be given up at night and very heavy losses were sustained during the retirements, as well as during the previous actions.
The Brigade spent the night on the position round about Lone Tree Gully, the various units being by then inextricably mixed. Early in the action Brig. Gen de Winton was wounded and the command of the Brigade devolved on Lt Col Byrne, Major Davis assuming command of the Battalion.
During the night Major Davis was reported wounded and missing and Captain Lewer assumed command. The Adjutant (Capt Crosbie) was also wounded early in the day.
On the evening of August 15th Sir Frederick Stopford was sacked as Divisional Commander and replaced by Major General de Lisle. Several other commanders were also replaced over the next few days.
Location: SUVLA (Lone Tree Gully)
Date: 16 August 15
Trenches under heavy fire all day. Casualties again heavy. Captain Lewer badly wounded and Captain Windsor took over command. During night position consolidated and trenches partially reconstructed as far as possible.
Casualties during 15th & 16th 9 officers and about 350 rank and file.
More Information
Sir Frederick Stopford was in charge of the landings. An elderly general, his earlier wartime service had consisted of a ceremonial posting at the Tower of London. He possessed no battle experience, a fact which proved crucial during this disastrous operation.
Date: 10 August 1915 Hour: 1pm
Started for Suvla Bay arriving 3pm, disembarked 5pm, proceeded at 9pm with 163rd Brigade two miles due north. Then placed in reserve.
Date: 11 August 1915
Moved one mile east and remained in reserve. Slight shelling by the Turks, shells falling half mile in front of the battalion, which was in cover in a long ditch.
Date: 12 August 1915
Fatigues in camp.
Date: 13 August 1915
Camp shelled by enemy.
Battalion ordered out to entrench position 800 yards north of 10th division trenches. Work commenced. Our casualties 5 wounded including Sgt Gardener.
Date: 14 August 1915
Continued entrenching position. Again shelled and sniped. Our casualties 4 wounded including Lieutenant Kilby. Work discontinued until dark, then carried on until daybreak. One man wounded.
More Information
The Finsbury Rifles were some of the reinforcements sent by British war minister Lord Kitchener to break the stalemate in the Gallipoli campaign. Suvla Bay was chosen as the ideal spot for landing a sizeable number of additional troops with the aim of securing the Anafarta Hills.
Friends of Islington Museum 