Burdon, Walter (Oral history)

British seaman served with Nelson Bn, Royal Naval Division in GB, 10/1914-2/1915; served with 5th (Nelson) Bn, 2nd (Royal Naval Bde), Royal Naval Division in Egypt and Gallipoli, Turkey, Ottoman Empire, 3/1915-6/1915

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB, 1895-1914: work as apprentice pattern maker making engine parts, 1909-1914; activites with Boys Life Brigade. Aspects of enlistment and training as seaman with Royal Naval Division in GB, 8/1914-10/1914: enlistment at HMS Calliope, Gateshead, 8/1914; reasons for failure to enlist in Brtiish Army; move on draft to Royal Naval Division Depot Crystal Palace, London. Recollections of training with Nelson Bn, Royal Naval Division at Royal Naval Division Depot Crystal Palace, Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth and Blandford Camp, GB, 10/1914-4/1915: conditions of service; seaman uniform issue; training; conflict between English and Scottish recruits; relations with NCOs and officers; attending rifle course at Royal Naval Barracks, Portmsouth, 11/1914: hammocks; daily routine; rifle training; question of volunteering for sea service; observance of naval traditions. REEL 2 Continues: move to Blandford Camp, 11/1915-4/1915; road building duties; hutted accommodation; problems with mud; training as signaller; issue of khaki drill and pith helmets; signalling equipment carried; relations with officers. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Franconia from GB to Port Said, Egypt via Skyros Island, Greece, 2/1915-3/1915: hospitalisation in sick bay due to problem resulting from vaccination; rowing during practise landings at Skyros Island, Greece, 3/1915; cold conditions in camp at Port Said, Egypt, 3/1915-4/1915; heliograph training; dangers of visiting Arab quarter; question of effects of delay on Gallipoli operations. Recollections of operations as seaman with 5th (Nelson) Bn, 2nd (Royal Naval) Bde, Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli, Turkey, Ottoman Empire, 27/4/1915-5/6/1915: voyage aboard HMT Minnetanka from Egypt to Gallipoli; view of fighting; situation on landing at Anzac Cove, 27/4/1915; use of shorter Australian flags; move inland to occupy makeshift trenches; situation. REEL 3 Continues: rations; sniping problem and story of narrow escape whilst being relieved at post; meeting brother serving with 4th (Collingwood) Bn prior to attack, 4/6/1915; move to Cape Helles, 5/1915; situation; incident of moving forward at night and straying into No Mans Land and retreat under fire to front line; prior recollection of dragonflies at Port Said, Egypt; dispute with French over use of wells; story of wounding in head and left side whilst digging advance trench; difficulty in getting back to main trench; evacuation to beach. Recollections of hospitalisation and medical discharge in GB, 6/1915- 2/1916: medical evacuation via Alexandria, Egypt and aboard HMHS Nevasa to GB, 6/1915-7/1915; hospitalisation in Royal Hospital Haslar, 7/1915-8/1915 including discipline enforced and medical treatment; duties in orderly room at Blandford Camp, 9/1915-2/1916; medical and shell shock symptoms resulting in discharge with disability pension, 2/1916; later medical inspection and dispute over skills necessary to work as pattern maker prior to removal of pension, 1919' post-war work as pattern maker and eventual resumption of disability pension; question of 'Blighty' wounds.