A Red Letter Day

October 11th was a red letter day for the 5th Battalion at Gallipoli.
In recognition of the sterling work the much depleted Battalion had done in the previous fortnight, the Brigade arranged that "all ranks should be spared all fatigue for twenty four hours in recognition of the satisfactory way the Battalion had carried out is arduous duties while garrisoning Norfolk Trench with such a decreased strength"
Norfolk trench was a continuation of the front line to the right of Hill 60. The hill itself stood as a salient in both the British and turkish lines. In an effort to reduce casualties by inflating fire, a trench was continued by the 5th Norfolks, who gave their name to the new earthworks. After a period on Hill 60, during which over 9000 rounds of ammunition were expended, the Battalion were transferred to continue work on Norfolk trench.
The day was the first day since setting foot in the Dardanelles, when there was a total period of rest for the Battalion. Men chatted, cleaned kit and wrote letters home. An officer produced a camera and took a few photographs to finish his reel of film.
Another photograph on the film showed the officer taken in Dixon's Gully some weeks before. It showed the un-uniformity of dress with officer in serge and khaki drill uniforms. Of some wearing other ranks jackets, maybe out of convenience, or as a precaution against the Turkish sniper picking off identifiable officers wearing a shirt and tie.
It is one of just a handful of images of the Battalion at Gallipoli.

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