Military History Tours          On Tour - Centenary of Lone Pine 8 August 2015

A leisurely leave for an activity packed day. A ferry ride to Eceabat, then to Gaba Tepe to register our bus for the New Zealand service; we were Bus No 1.

A short bus ride to the western end of Artillery Track set us off on our trek for the day. 500 metres saw us at Shell Green where we found his grave and discussed Private Preston who had survived the Wilmansrust incident in the Boer War only to die in the 25 April Landing. Graham Fleeton had also tasked us with finding and photographing two graves, this we also did. Then up to the track to the ridge where our driver Eduon picked us up and whisked us off to Eceabat and lunch. On the way up the track, John Palmer found some pottery of significance. A sample was taken and the find reported to the Gaba Tepe Museum.

After lunch we headed to the museum to experience the Çanakkale War simulation, something no visitor to the Gallipoli Peninsula should miss; many do. Then it was on to the New Zealand commemoration. A stark contrast to the Australian one, and very moving. The highlight for many of us was meeting His Excellency the Governor General of New Zealand; obviously just as much a man of the people as our General Cosgrove.

Then back to our hotel for a late tea, then an early night as we hit the road early tomorrow for Bursa and Istanbul.