In the image box below is a very large image of the Dardanelles as seen from the Dardanos Battery gun emplacesments. It covers the view from Helles to Canakkale. Use your mouse to drag the view from left to right. The tools at the bottom of the image can also be used to zoom in and out to see the full detail of this image.

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I’m now back at work and catching up on the email and tasks. I am also still processing the photos taken on the trip. As I go through the images I am adding notes but also looking for those images that where taken to match those in the collection. Here is the first one. It is a panoramic photo of North Beach. Although these images have been taken at a slightly different angle the details are still clear and the changes to the landscape become obvious.

Stay tuned for more of these “Then and Now” images.

The intrepid Simpson Prize group have now returned to Australia after a very successful tour to Turkey. The final days of the trip were spent in Istanbul visiting the Dolmabache Palace, followed by a shopping frenzy in the Spice Market and the Grand Bazaar. Purchases varied from the predictable (Turkish Delight) to the exotic (belly dancing outfit) and many in the group launched into the spirit of haggling with great enthusiasm. On our last night we shared the farewell dinner with the Memorial’s battlefield tour group, giving us the opportunity to formally thank our fabulous Turkish guide Guzin Sapmaz and bus driver Mehmet
Overall, the trip was a very successful one for the students and teachers. The tour brought together a diverse group of young Australians to share a common experience that I’m sure will stay with them for the rest of their lives. If previous Simpson Prize winners are a guide, this year’s group will continue to participate in commemorative activities and help others understand the enduring impact of the Gallipoli campaign on Australia and Turkey.

Andrew Gray
Simpson Prize Tour Guide
Australian War Memorial

We have now left Turkey and gone on our own different ways. Some are off to the Western Front Battlefield Tour, some are returning home and others (like myself) are continuing with other travelling.

There are more images and information to pass on. For example I have a number of images that I have taken to show how the battlefields have changed with “then and now” collections. There are also more images from ANZAC Day and the last days we had in Istanbul. But these will have to wait until I return to Australia later this week. Until then please send me any comments or photo requests. I will follow up these requests on my return.

The big day. We start at 1:30am from the Kum Hotel by bus and drive to ANZAC Cove. From there we have the short walk to the dawn service area. This is done early so that we miss the crowds and get some seating. While waiting for the service to begin we see some documentaries and information about some of the ANZACs that died in the campaign.

After the service we have a long walk up Artillery Road to Lone Pine. Some who require it are shuttled there by bus. This is the site of the Australian service. The wait from 7:30am, when most of us arrive, until the services start at 10:30am is made to feel shorter by a commentator who keeps the information about what is going to happen light hearted.

At the end of the formal proceedings there is time for the public to lay wreaths and a number of people in the group take the time to do this.

At the end of the Lone Pine service we head back down the Artillery Road where our bus is waiting to take us back to the Hotel. All this is over by about 12:30. The afternoon has a walk with Kenan for those with some energy left over - most have a sleep.

The day before ANZAC day and there is only a half day of activities planned as tommorrow is a 1am start. We use this time to visit some area of interest to the group. Some we have seen before, like Quin’s Post, and other areas like a walk along ANZAC Cove are done by some of the group for the first time. This is basically a catchup day.

In the afternoon a lot us get a bit of extra sleep but there are a group who go on an other walk.

Additonal images from day 11

The morning of our 10^th day on tour has the option of long walk along the ridge above the northern end of Sulva Bay or a shorter walk along the beach of ANZAC cove. For about half of the group (including myself) the long walk ridge walk was the choice. This gave us some great views of Suvla Bay from an area not visited by most visitors to Gallipoli due to its remoteness. The start of this walk also has the only remaining original Turkish Memorial.

The afternoon was a special treat with a ferry tip from the Kabatepe port, which is just south of ANZAC Cove, to the top of Suvla Bay and return. With a flat bottom car ferry is used for this trip the captain was able to bring as in quite close to the shore line giving not only a great view of the coast line and hills but also a view of the wreck of the sunken remains of the Milo.

Additional images from day 10

Turkish villager

Tour group members at a Turkish memorial

More photos from the afternoons walk.

Sunrise - Good morning!

Turkish, ANZAC and British Memorials at Helles

Gun emplacements at Helles

Redoubt cemetery

Turkish Village

Turkish Memorial, Kenan Celik and group photo

Happy birthday Janda!

ANZAC Cove and Beach Cemetery

The remains of a landing boat near Embarkation Peir

Shapnel Valley

Plugge’s Plateau

Lone Pine

4th Battalion Parade Ground

Shell Green