Chapter 5
Gallipoli
London – Four Days Later
Robert was stupefied by his first day back in London. Here, not three hundred miles from the sight of so much death and destruction, the world seemed to be unchanged – and still worse – completely unawares. This sense of detachment overwhelming him, he nonetheless made his way to Army Headquarters and entered the appointed office.
Advancing from behind his desk, Lord Sutherland asked with noticeable concern, “Robert, welcome back! How are you bearing up?”
“As well as can be expected, sir,” Robert replied wearily, nonetheless buoyed by the simple act of receiving his father’s embrace.
Seeing his son’s extreme dismay, Lord Sutherland inquired empathetically, “Was it too terribly bad?”
“Beyond description, sir. Conditions are absolutely beastly. Still, it might have been tolerable had we actually accomplished anything at all. But I could see no end in sight, at least from my vantage point, which to be honest, was no vantage point at all.”
“Don’t be so sure, Robert. The pompous High Command here in London seems to have no realistic sense of what is transpiring over there. That’s at least a part of the reason that I affected your transfer back here.”
“Ah, so it was you. I suspected as much. Why ever for, sir?”
“Let’s just say, I could see no further point in continuing to waste your talents within a muddy trench in France.”
“Well, I shall miss my troops, if truth be told, but I would rather have the opportunity to engage the enemy in some more propitious way.”
“That’s the spirit, son. Now, I’ve arranged for you to transfer to the 29th. The Russians are pushing for an invasion of the Dardanelles. They are in desperate need of seaway access to the Black Sea in order to supply the Eastern Front. Mindful of this necessity, Winston Churchill is pressing ahead with plans for an invasion along the straits, at a place called Gallipoli. Accordingly, the 29th has been tasked with the responsibility of joining up with the Australian and New Zealand forces who are currently amassing in Egypt. The combined units will create a quite formidable invasion force, the objective being to overrun the Ottomans and take Constantinople.”
“I say, that sounds intriguing, sir. I had no idea. I suppose I’ve been living in a tiny world of day-to-day survival on the Western Front,” at which he paused for a moment and, scratching his chin in contemplation, he probed, “How do I fit in, sir?”
“Acting on behalf of Army Command, you shall be assigned as a liaison to the ANZACs, that is the name being accorded to the Aussies and Kiwis.”
“What! Why ever for?”
“I succeeded in convincing Headquarters that you have significant experience with the Aussies.”
“What! I don’t know any Aussies!”
“Well, that may be, Robert, but then, neither does anyone else within the Army. In point of fact, I do recall that you mentioned one or two Aussie acquaintances you made during your time in Edinburgh.”
“But that was a young lady, sir!”
“Fair enough, Robert, but look at the bright side. That one acquaintance has succeeded in affecting your transfer away from the Western Front.”
“Yes, sir, I see…” Robert replied thoughtfully, “I see what you mean. Well, I shall endeavor to somehow muddle through, although in truth I know little if anything about either Aussies or Kiwis.”
“As I said, Robert – not to worry. I am confident it will all work out in the end. Now, you must first report to Colonel Blackthorn. He is on the second floor, at the far end of the building. He will take your debriefing statement. Make certain he gets an earful regarding conditions on the Western Front.”
“Debriefing? What sort of debriefing, sir?”
“Listen, not too many foot soldiers who have been in the trenches in France are seen around Headquarters. There seems to be an intelligence vacuum hereabouts, if you get my meaning. So give them an earful. Make sure they have the most intimate details regarding what is going on over there. Then we shall get you a couple of days of leave to recover, and you shall thereafter be off to Egypt to join up with the ANZAC’s. Oh, and Robert, there will be a promotion in it for you – to the rank of Captain.”
Edinburgh – Christmas Eve, 1914
Margaret and Elizabeth said goodbye to Edinburgh as the train pulled out of Waverly Station on a direct run to York. As it did so, Margaret wondered to herself how long it would be before either of them laid eyes on Edinburgh again, if indeed ever.
The train slowly picking up pace, Elizabeth pondered above the growing din, “I was thinking. What else have you found out about the ANZAC Corps?”
“Not a whole lot,” Margaret responded, “But I do know where they are supposed to form up – in Egypt.”
“Egypt! That sounds rather exotic,” Elizabeth replied with sudden interest.
Staring wistfully at Arthur’s Seat off in the distance, Margaret murmured, “I wouldn’t place a bet on some glamorous adventure.”
“Are you going to sign up?”
“Absolutely! I’m going straight from York to London. There’s an ANZAC office that’s been set up there. My dad tells me it’ll be a cinch for me to get in, seeing as how I’m already here in Britain. It’s closer to the battlefield and all that, you know.”
“Ah, I see,” Elizabeth replied, “I was thinking, Margaret. I know I must seem self-assured to you, but really, I’m not. I’m sort of lost at the moment. I suppose I was wrapped up in Robert Sutherland. I miss him terribly.”
“Tell me about it,” Margaret responded sarcastically, meaning exactly the opposite. “You were quite taken with him. Everyone could see that.”
“Was I that obvious?”
“Of course. It’s alright, though. I doubt that he could tell, he’s such a sap. Anyway, he was just as wrapped up in you.”
“Was he? I certainly hope you’re right. But it doesn’t matter now, does it? I shall likely never see him again.”
“Right,” Margaret replied, “And your point is?”
“Well, er, I was wondering - could I possibly enlist with you?”
“What? You mean – in the nursing corps of the ANZAC’s?”
Elizabeth peered doubtfully at Margaret, murmuring dejectedly, “Well, yes, but it was just a thought,” she looked away and, glancing back, she mumbled, “I’m sorry, I guess it wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
Contemplating momentarily, Margaret rejoined, “Well…” but then, suddenly warming to the idea, she added, “Er, I’m not quite certain. I suppose it’s possible. I really don’t know that much about it. My first reaction was - you’re not an Aussie. But now that I think about it, that may not have anything at all to do with it. The ANZAC soldiers are all Aussies and Kiwis, but it might just be that the nursing corps is shorthanded, in which case it may be possible for a Brit to join up. I’m certainly willing to look into it for you.”
“Oh, could you, I mean, would you? I’d be ever so grateful!” Elizabeth responded, “It’s just that, the world has turned upside down. My friends have all disappeared. You’re the last, Margaret, not to mention – the best. I’ll be ever so lonely if I’m left behind. And we could perhaps stay together if I can get in the same corps with you.”
“I know, I know,” Margaret replied, “I’m feeling it, too. It’s all coming too dreadfully fast, much too horrifically. I never dreamed it would change my life so dramatically. I’m quite certain I’m just as concerned as are you.”
“Well, you certainly don’t act like it,” Elizabeth responded with obvious admiration.
“Well, perish the thought, Elizabeth. I assure you, I am terrified, too. Enlisting together might be just the thing to get us through this whole disgusting war.”
At this revelation Elizabeth smiled for the first time in days and, her mind suddenly set on this course of action, she suggested, “Perhaps we’ll even have a bit of f
un! At any rate, we’ve got the next two weeks together. And rest assured, my folks shall take to you quite effortlessly. Your Aussie accent is just adorable, you know.”
At this Margaret giggled convivially and the pair embraced, thenceforth settling in for the long train ride with newfound anticipation.
Aboard Ship – Early February, 1915
Margaret and Elizabeth stood together at the ship’s railing, gazing in unison off toward the north. It was just after sunset, the hazy grey of evening settling in, but it was nonetheless possible to make out the distant shore.
Gazing at the massive granite monolith before them, Elizabeth exclaimed in wonder, “So that’s the Rock of Gibraltar. Doesn’t look all that imposing to me, but I for one hope we get to see it again before too long.”
“I agree,” Margaret responded distantly.
“I’m standing on a ship bound for Egypt, heading into a war zone, and for some reason I’m thinking - what was I doing two months ago? And you know what - I’ve no earthly idea what I was doing. This is all just too much for me to comprehend. Whatever made me let you talk me into joining up?”
Margaret stared doubtfully at her for a moment and, attempting to determine whether Elizabeth was indeed joking, she responded matter-of-factly, “As I recall, it was the other way round.”
“Right, whatever,” Elizabeth mumbled, “See, just like I said - what was I doing two months ago? It seems like another time and place, a much simpler one at that. If memory serves, six months ago all I cared about was how to get that gorgeous guy Robert Sutherland for myself. My, it all seems so silly and childish now.”
Quite unfazed at the revelation that Elizabeth had been pondering, Margaret mumbled, “You’re telling me…”
“My God, I just realized…” Elizabeth croaked.
“Realized what?” Margaret put in, now completely focused on the conversation.
“I can’t even remember what he looks like,” Elizabeth spluttered disconsolately.
Somehow knowing full well what the reply would be, Margaret inquired, “What who looks like?”
“Robert, you fool!”
“Oh, right…Robert - Robert Sutherland - that egotistical English prig. What a pompous arse he was,” Margaret replied, attempting to conceal her interest.
“Had,” Elizabeth corrected.
“What?” Margaret responded blankly.
“Had! What a pompous arse he had. And boy, was it gorgeous, too!” Elizabeth replied, her mind clearly having ventured somewhere that Margaret had not yet been.
“What? Are you telling me you got to see his bum, girl?”
“No, no, nothing at all like that, Margaret. I just thought he had a cute bottom. We did have a bit of fun that night in St. Andrews, though.”
“Fun? What sort of fun? You said nothing happened between the two of you!”
“Oh, it was nothing much. Frankly, I wish we’d done more, but who knew a war would intervene so soon thereafter,” Elizabeth said thoughtfully, “How about you, Margaret, did you get in some fun with Alastair that night?”
“No!” Margaret responded flatly.
“Why ever not?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Margaret responded evasively, “I have to admit, though, Alastair was quite a cute boy, and he had the most adorable Scottish accent. I guess I just wasn’t ready for that sort of thing.”
“Right. I’ll bet you’re ready now!”
“Ça ne fait rien,” Margaret replied.
“What?”
“It makes no difference, Elizabeth. We are now headed into war, and fraternizing with the troops is a serious offense. So, take my advice – for the time being at least, put all of your deep dark and salacious thoughts aside.”
“Right, right you are. Still, in the unlikely event that I ever get that Robert alone, I’m going to give him a memory he shan’t forget any time soon,” Elizabeth responded self-consciously. But, intent on pursuing Margaret’s advice, she queried, “So, exactly what is this campaign about, Margaret? Do you have the slightest idea?”
“Not really,” Margaret replied and, gratified that Elizabeth had changed the subject, she posited, “Something about the strategic value of the Dardanelles.”
“I know, but I still don’t get it.”
“Okay, it’s like this. The Russians are on our side, and they’re attacking the Germans on the Eastern Front. Unfortunately, their ports are all on the north side of the continent, too far away to be of strategic value. To make matters worse, during winter, the seas that far north all freeze over. The Russians need access to their country by sea, so that they can move military goods to the front. And there you have it!”
“Have what?” Elizabeth inquired vacuously.
“Dear Elizabeth, I fear you will never make the rank of general in this army.”
Smiling slyly at this, Elizabeth replied, “I wasn’t planning to make a general, I’d rather make some good looking captain.”
“Hee hee,” Margaret giggled in derisive response, “I knew you couldn’t get your mind off of prurient subjects for long! Just leave the military strategy to me, and I shall in turn promise to leave the more important matters to you.”
“Deal! Now, you were saying – the Dardanelles?”
“Oh, right. So if the Allies can capture the Straits of the Dardanelles and Constantinople, the Russians can get supplies to the Eastern Front by ship, thereby reducing pressure on the Western Front. And from what we’ve all been hearing, the Western Front could use some relief.”
Yet again lost within the complexities of military strategy, Elizabeth responded, “What’s happening there?”
“Well, they seem to be settled in now, but a few months ago it looked for a bit like the Germans were going to roll up the left flank of the Allied lines and march headlong into Paris!”
Understating the obvious, Elizabeth answered, “That doesn’t sound good.”
“Right, well, our boys managed to halt the Germans, but only just. And a whole lot of soldiers were killed or maimed…several hundred thousand, I’m afraid. I mean, this war has already resulted in the deaths of more British soldiers than those who perished in all of the Napoleonic Wars.”
“Oh, my goodness! Isn’t Robert Sutherland on the Western Front?”
“The last I heard he was,” Margaret replied. “I hope he’s well enough, for your sake.”
“For my sake?”
“Oh, come now, Elizabeth. You’re wound up tighter than a drum. I expect the next time you see that young man, you shall spontaneously combust from your own body heat. You are simply out of control with your longings, girl!”
“What if I am,” Elizabeth replied defensively, “So far I’ve managed to keep them in check.”
“Well, I say, ‘Watch out!’ to the next guy in the line of your fire!”
“Hee hee, point well taken,” Elizabeth responded with a snicker, “But don’t act so high and mighty, Miss Margaret the Aussie prude. You don’t fool me - you’re struggling just as much as I!”
“Perhaps. But I on the other hand realize that nothing can be done about it, at least for the time being. Patience, lass, patience. God be with us, it shall all come to rights in the end. But if you push it too hard, it could all crumble about you in a heap.”
“Right, well, we shall just see about that,” Elizabeth said perfunctorily, “Now, I’m for bed. We shall be in Egypt before we know it. And there will be thousands of ANZAC troops there impatiently anticipating our arrival.”
Alexandria, Egypt – Three Days Later
Robert could see five military ships in the harbor from his vantage point onboard ship, two each from England and Australia, and one from New Zealand. All were busily unloading supplies and troops, yet another massive display of military power. He continued inspecting the process and, suddenly spotting several nurses disembarking from the ship directly opposite the quay, he noticed something familiar about one of them. Abruptly, he re
alized that it was either Elizabeth Turnberry or, failing that, someone that looked exactly like her. “Elizabeth!” he called, cupping his hands to his mouth in an attempt to defeat the din caused by the offloading equipment. “Elizabeth!” he repeated.
Halfway down the gangplank, she turned and, glancing toward him in the bright morning sun, she squinted, her hand placed over her brow. Suddenly recognizing the face on the bridge of the adjacent ship, she turned and waved furiously. Jumping up and down with glee, she screamed at the top of her lungs, “Robert! Robert Sutherland!”
Robert waved in return, stunned to find her here in this far-flung place, somehow immersed within the selfsame conflict as he. He held up his index finger as a signal and cried, “Wait!” And at this he raced down four flights of stairs, bounded onto the deck, and rushed down the gangway. He ran full force into her just as she arrived at his ship’s gangplank.
Grasping him in desperation, she exclaimed, “Robert! It’s quite lovely to see you! No wait, what are you doing here?”
Still clutching her affectionately, he responded, “I say, I might ask the same question of you!”
Stating the obvious, she rejoined, “I’m a nurse!”
“Yes, I can see that, but in the ANZAC corps! Why ever for, Elizabeth?”
“Oh, Margaret joined up, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her going off without me, so I begged her to let me join up with her. And here we are!”
“We?” he blurted, “Is Margaret here, too?”
“Of course, Robert. She’s right over there on the dock. Look over there,” and, so saying she pointed towards the group of nurses, whereupon he saw her, standing there waving furiously at him.
“My goodness,” he mumbled to himself in utter amazement and, turning back to Elizabeth, he suggested joyfully, “I say! This is certainly a spot of good fortune. We must say hello, we three!”
The pair bounded forthwith toward the group of nurses and, Robert subsequently grabbing Margaret in a delighted embrace, he exclaimed with evident joy, “I say, what a surprise! What are the odds of the three of us ending up in Egypt in the middle of a world at war?” Having babbled this last he drew back, eyed the two of them momentarily, and subsequently swept the pair into yet a second tumultuous embrace.
Obviously perplexed by his unexpected appearance, Margaret asked, “What are you doing here, Robert?”
“I’ve been assigned as a liaison from the British Army to the ANZAC’s.”
“Goodness! How did you pull that one off, mate?” she queried.
“My father did it. He said I was quite familiar with Aussies and Kiwis.”
“What! You know about as much about Australians as I do about Gloucestershire, Captain Sutherland!”
“Yes, well, that may be true, Margaret, but my father pulled it off, all based on the knowledge that I had met some young lady from Australia during my time in Edinburgh.”
Overhearing this Elizabeth interjected ludicrously, “I wonder who that might have been!”
At this, the three hooted uncontrollably, but momentarily realizing where they were, they managed to curb their collective mirth. Robert then volunteered, “I don’t remember the last time I laughed like that.” Then, suddenly recalling a distant memory, he exclaimed, “Come to think of it, I do in fact remember. I was in Edinburgh, with the pair of you.”
He halted abruptly and, staring with obvious delight at the sight of his two friends, he exclaimed, “I say, I know we are all busy, what with orders and all, but we three must get together. Perhaps something can be arranged. I will look into it and get word to you just as soon as we are settled in here. We simply cannot travel halfway round the world, meet up like this for scarcely five minutes, and fail to follow up. Ladies, you shall be hearing from me. I promise. In the meantime, I wish you both well.”
At this the three embraced yet again. Thenceforth making his way back onboard the ship, Robert waved one last time to the departing pair, all the while whistling incongruously to himself in the midst of a massive military landing.