Description
The Famous, Lancashire Fusiliers, Gallipoli Landings VC Action Casualty who Landed on “W Beach -Lancashire Landing” on the 25th of April 1915 and who was Killed 8 Days Later after a “Heavy Bombardment on our Front Line” on the 2nd of May 1915 awarded to Private Harry Wildman, 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers comprising 1914-1920 British War Medal (2616 Pte. H. Wildman. Lanc. Fus.), toned very fine
War Diary Extract British Regiments at Gallipoli – by Ray Westlake Page 52
25th of April 1915 Strength of Battalion 26 Officers 932 Other Ranks
Transhipped from Caledonia to Euryalus and Implacable (“D” Company) and to Gallipoli. Transferred to boats (six per Company) and moved off towards “W” Beach, Helles. Came under fire and all but two boats had to be abandoned. Captain H.R. Clayton (Killed 28th June 1915 recalled the landing in a letter – They let us off a lot, thank God, as they did not fire until the boats began to ground, and the rifles and machine guns poured into us as we got out of the boats and made for the sandy shore. There was tremendously strong barbed wire where my boat landed”.
Landed – rifles out of action from water and sand – impossible to return fire. Captain Clayton attempted to cut the wire, which he noted was “by now a thick mass of men, the majority of whom would never move again”. Moved forward through enemy wire – “C” Company advancing to Hill 114. “D” Company landed below Hill 114 and soon cleared enemy form the top. “A” and “B” Companies attacked and captured trenches and redoubt on Hill 138. The gallantry of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers during its storming of “W” Beach was recognised by General Sir Ian Hamilton in his official despatch of the 20th of May 1915 ……. “The landing at W had been entrusted to the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and it was to the complete lack of the senses of danger or of fear of this daring Battalion that we owed our astonishing success …. The Fusiliers literally hurled themselves ashore and, fired at form right, left and centre, commenced hacking their way through the wire. A long line of men was at once mown down as by the scythe, but the remainder were not to be denied.” The Following were awarded the Victoria Cross Captain Bromley, Captain Willis, Sergeant Richards, Sergeant Stubbs (Killed), Corporal Grimshaw, Private Keneally. “W” Beach officially named “Lancashire Landing” After roll call the strength return showed 11 Officers 399 other Ranks.
Private Harry Wildman survived the Landing only to be killed by shell=-fire on the 2nd of May, 8 days later, he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Sold with Commonwealth War Graves details, Copy Medal Index Card confirming a 1914-15 Trio, and c. 60 pages of copied War Diary.
