Depositions of witnesses and reports, Dardanelles Commission, 1917-1919

References on this page: HAMILTON: 8/2/1-53

HAMILTON: 8/2/1

1917 Jan 19

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Col Cecil John Lyons Allanson given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 11738-11854, mainly relating to the advance of 1 Bn 6 Gurkha Rifles on Sari Bair, 8 Aug 1915. 24pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/2

1917 [Jan 19]

Typescript statement submitted by Lt Col Cecil John Lyons Allanson to the Dardanelles Commission, relating to operations of 1 Bn 6 Gurkha Rifles during the battle of Sari Bair, Gallipoli, 2-9 Aug 1915. 11pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/3

Undated[1917]

Typescript answers [of French Gen Albert d'Amade, former General Officer Commanding French Corps Expéditionnaire d'Orient], to questions [for the Dardanelles Commission] regarding the naval bombardment of the Dardanelles of 18 Mar 1915; the prospect of success of further naval offensives in the Straits; the decision to abandon a naval offensive in favour of land operations on Gallipoli. In French. 3pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/4

[1917 Jan 29]

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Col Cecil Faber Aspinall, former General Staff Officer, General Headquarters, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 13919-14250, mainly relating to the failure of 9 Corps to advance from Suvla Bay on 7-8 Aug 1915. 31pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/5

[1917 Mar 29]

Typed copy of part of evidence of unnamed witness given to the Dardanelles Commission [probably Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith MP, Prime Minister during the Gallipoli Campaign] in reply to questions 25217-25234 relating to a telegram of 3 Nov 1915 dispatched by FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War to Lt Gen Sir William Riddell Birdwood, regarding a proposed landing at the head of the Gulf of Xeros; the gap in meetings of the War Council from 19 Mar-14 May 1914; Hamilton's preference for Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford over Lt Gen Sir John Spencer Ewart as proposed commander of 9 Corps. Two identical copies. 5pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/6

1917 May 3

Typed copy of evidence of Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, former Newspaper Proprietors' Association war correspondent on Gallipoli, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 26576-27018 relating to conduct of operations during the campaign. Three identical copies. 122pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/7

1917 Mar 6

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Gen Sir William Riddell Birdwood, former General Officer Commanding ANZAC, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 21221-21511, mainly relating to the choice of initial landing sites; supply of food and water; the battle of Sari Bair and the decision to evacuate the Gallipoli Peninsula. Three identical copies. 58pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/8

1917 Jan 12

Typed copy of evidence of Surgeon Gen William George Birrell, former Director of Medical Services, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 9036, 9042-9176, 9202-9235, relating to medical arrangements during the Gallipoli Campaign. Three identical copies. 19pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/9

1917 Jul 19

Typescript précis of the scheme for evacuation of wounded from the Gallipoli landings of 25-28 Apr 1915 by Surgeon Gen William George Birrell, former Deputy Director of Medical Services, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, including copies of notes from Birrell's diary and telegrams relating to arrangements of hospital ships and transports, 21-28 Apr 1915 (Submitted by Birrell to the Dardanelles Commission). 9pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/10

1917 Jan 25

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Walter Pipon Braithwaite, former Chief of General Staff, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF), given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 13231-13413, mainly relating to the choice of initial landing sites; loading of transports; cooperation between departments of the MEF General Headquarters; supply of food and water; medical arrangements; inspections of front lines by MEF General Staff. Three identical copies. 27pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/11

1917 Jan 26

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Walter Pipon Braithwaite, former Chief of General Staff, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF), given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 13414-13837, mainly relating to cooperation between departments of the MEF General Headquarters; supply of water; operations at Suvla Bay and Sari Bair, Aug 1915; loading of transports; his dealings with Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, war correspondent. Three identical copies. 72pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/12

1917 Mar 5

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Gen Hon Sir Julian Hedworth George Byng, former General Officer Commanding 9 Corps, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 20849-20953, mainly relating to operations of 9 Corps from 23 Aug 1915; the decision to evacuate Suvla Bay. Three identical copies. 15pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/13

1917 Mar 1

Typed copy of evidence of Capt Edmund Clifton Carver RN, former Beachmaster at A Beach, Suvla Bay, Aug 1915, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 20529-20682, relating to arrangements for the supply of water at Suvla following the landings of 6 Aug 1915. Two identical copies. 30pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/14

1917 Jan 25

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Sir Herbert Vaughan Cox, former General Officer Commanding 29 Indian Bde, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF), given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 13044-13230, mainly relating to operations of his brigade during the battle of Sari Bair, 6-10 Aug 1915; the supply of water at Anzac; inspections of front lines by MEF General Staff. Three identical copies. 24pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/15

1917 Mar 7

Typed copy of evidence of Rt Hon Henry Charles Keith Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Landsdowne, member of the Dardanelles Committee in 1915, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 21512-21869, mainly relating to deliberations of the Dardanelles Committee over the reinforcement and evacuation of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Three identical copies. 32pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/16

1917 Jul 10

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Col Rt Hon Bernard Arthur William Patrick Hastings Forbes, 8th Earl of Granard, formerly commanding 5 Bn The Royal Irish Regt, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 26718-27658, mainly relating to Granard's letter to Hamilton of 15 Aug 1915, stating that he disagreed with the conduct of the Gallipoli Campaign, and had made his views known to George V, King of Great Britain and Ireland and fellow Privy Counsellors. Three identical copies. 8pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/17

1917 Jan 12

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Col Douglas Evans Forman, formerly commanding B Battery, 15 Bde Royal Horse Artillery, 29 Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 9362-9464, mainly relating to the supply of ammunition for artillery on Gallipoli. Three identical copies. 13pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/18

1917 Feb 1

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Gen Sir Alexander John Godley, former General Officer Commanding New Zealand and Australian Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 15463-15746, mainly relating to operations of his division during the battle of Sari Bair, 6-10 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 44pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/19

1917 Jan 24

Typed copy of evidence of Brig Gen Henry Haggard, former General Officer Commanding 32 Bde, 11 (Northern) Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 12508-12626, mainly relating to operations of his brigade with 34 Bde at Suvla Bay, 7 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 13pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/20

Undated[1916 Oct]

Typed copy of Hamilton's opening statement to the Dardanelles Commission, drawing the attention of the Commission to his willingness to have any document relating to the Gallipoli Campaign published; his requests to the War Office for reinforcements, munitions, and supplies; the selection of officers by the War Office for high command on Gallipoli; the circulation of reports by Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford on operations at Suvla Bay, and by Keith Arthur Murdoch on the conduct of the Gallipoli Campaign, without the opportunity for Hamilton to state his views. 2pp Two identical copies

HAMILTON: 8/2/21

1917 Jan 8

Typed extract from Hamilton's evidence to the Dardanelles Commission, comprising questions 7481-7483 relating to Hamilton's conference with Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford on 8 Aug 1915, regarding the stalled advance of 9 Corps at Suvla Bay. With manuscript annotation by by R Adm Roger John Brownlow Keyes regarding Hamilton's interview with Maj Gen Frederick Hammersley to urge the advance of 11 (Northern) Div. 2pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/22

1917 Jan 9

Typescript statement by Hamilton to the Dardanelles Commission, justifying his selection of Imbros as a base for General Headquarters, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF); describing the arrival of Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford in the Dardanelles and his introduction of Stopford to future operations of the MEF; Hamilton's denial that he had failed to maintain contact with soldiers of the MEF. With appendix listing officers visited and troops inspected by Hamilton, 29 Apr 1915-13 Oct 1915. 21pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/23

1917 Jun 5

Typed copy of statement and commentary by Hamilton upon the evidence given to the Dardanelles Commission by R Adm Roger John Brownlow Keyes, former Naval Chief of Staff during the Gallipoli Campaign, mainly relating to the lack of artillery and signallers landed with 9 Corps at Suvla Bay; casualties suffered by 9 Corps, 7-10 Aug 1915; arrangements for the supply of water at Suvla. 24pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/24

1917

Typed copy of statement and commentary by Hamilton upon the evidence given to the Dardanelles Commission by Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, war correspondent on Gallipoli, regarding the conduct of operations during the campaign. With copies of correspondence relating to the refusal of Lt Gen Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon, General Officer Commanding 10 (Irish) Div, to serve under Maj Gen Henry de Beauvoir de Lisle, General Officer Commanding 9 Corps, 9 Jun 1915-8 Sep 1915. Two identical copies. 78pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/25

1917

Typed copy of statement and commentary by Hamilton upon the evidence given to the Dardanelles Commission by Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, war correspondent on Gallipoli, regarding the conduct of operations during the campaign. Excludes associated correspondence relating to the refusal of Lt Gen Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon to serve under Maj Gen Henry de Beauvoir de Lisle. Three identical copies. 43pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/26

1917

Typed copy of statement and commentary by Hamilton upon the evidence given to the Dardanelles Commission by Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir John Grenfell Maxwell; Maj Gen Charles Roderick Robert McGrigor; Lt Col Harold Franz Passawer Percival; Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton Von Donop; Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford; Maj Gen Frederick Hammersley; Lt Gen Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon; Lt Col Charles Merton Stephen; Brig Gen Alain Chartier de Lotbinière Joly de Lotbinière; Brig Gen Alexander William Roper; Maj Gen Edward Mabbott Woodward; Col Gilbert Sutherland McDowell Elliot; Maj Gen Sir Herbert Vaughan Cox; Maj Gen Walter Pipon Braithwaite; Keith Arthur Murdoch; Lt Gen Sir Aylmer Gould Hunter-Weston; Maj Arthur William Mayo-Robson; Lt Col Leslie Orme Wilson MP; Lt Gen Sir Henry Crichton Sclater; Surgeon Gen Sir James Porter; Capt William Maxwell; Lt Gen Sir William Riddell Birdwood. Two copies (one with manuscript annotations by by R Adm Roger John Brownlow Keyes). 115pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/27

Undated[1917]

Typescript memorandum by Hamilton, comprising commentary and copy telegram correspondence, on his dealings with the War Office and FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, in regard to appointments to senior commands within the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, namely Brig Gen Walter Robert Butler Doran, as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 88 Bde; Maj Gen Granville George Algernon Egerton as GOC 52 (Lowland) Div; Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford as GOC 9 Corps; Surgeon Gen Sir James Porter as Hospital Transport Officer; Brig Gen Hamilton Lyster Reed as Chief of General Staff of 9 Corps, and Hamilton's attempts to appoint Gen Sir Bruce Meade Hamilton as GOC 8 Corps following Lt Gen Aylmer Gould Hunter-Weston being invalided due to sickness. 15pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/28

1917

Typed extract from proceedings of the Dardanelles Commission, collated by Hamilton with supplemental notes, to illustrate alleged leading questions asked by FM William Gustavus Nicholson, 1st Baron Nicholson of Roundhay, military member of the Commission. Two identical copies. 12pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/29

1917 Jul 12

Typescript memorandum by Hamilton recording a conversation between two anonymous parties, regarding tentative findings by the Dardanelles Commission, and the attempts of FM William Gustavus Nicholson, 1st Baron Nicholson of Roundhay, military member of the Commission, to censure Hamilton. 1p

HAMILTON: 8/2/30

Undated[1918]

Rough manuscript notes by Hamilton for a speech and letters relating to the Dardanelles Commission, including his reply to findings of the Commission regarding the accuracy of his reports to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, during the Gallipoli Campaign, and Hamilton's disapproval of the appointment of FM William Gustavus Nicholson, 1st Baron Nicholson of Roundhay, as military member of the Commission. 9pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/31

1917 Jan 16

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Frederick Hammersley, former General Officer Commanding 11 (Northern) Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 10218-10499, mainly relating to operations of his division at Suvla Bay, 6-23 Aug 1915; his supersession of Brig Gen William Henry Sitwell as General Officer Commanding 34 Bde for failures associated with the attack on Yilghin Burnu (Chocolate Hill), Suvla on 7 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 41pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/32

1917 Jul 10

Typed copy of evidence of Surgeon Gen Sir Neville Reginald Howse, former Assistant Director of Medical Services, 1 Australian Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 27659-27874, mainly relating to medical arrangements at Anzac following the landing of 25 Apr 1915. Three identical copies. 38pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/33

1917 May 15

Typed copy of evidence of R Adm Roger John Brownlow Keyes, former Naval Chief of Staff during the Gallipoli Campaign, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 27019-27312, mainly relating to arrangements for the supply of water at Suvla following the landings of 6 Aug 1915; possibilities for forcing the Dardanelles by Naval operations in Mar and May 1915. Three identical copies. 81pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/34

1917 May 16

Typed copy of evidence of R Adm Roger John Brownlow Keyes, former Naval Chief of Staff during the Gallipoli Campaign, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 27313-27515, mainly relating to his proposals of Aug 1915 urging resumption of naval operations to force the Dardanelles; deliberations with the Admiralty over evacuation of the peninsula; inadequacies of medical arrangements; memoranda by Keyes on naval transport and water supplies. Three identical copies. 95pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/35

1917

Typed copy of supplementary notes by R Adm Roger John Brownlow Keyes, former Naval Chief of Staff during the Gallipoli Campaign, further to his evidence given to the Dardanelles Commission, mainly relating to naval bombardment of Turkish positions and mine sweeping operations in the Dardanelles Straits, Mar 1915. With manuscript annotations by Keyes. 14pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/36

1917 Jan 12

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Hon Herbert Alexander Lawrence, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 9465-9575, mainly relating to the management of logistics at Mudros while Deputy Inspector General of Lines of Communication in Jul 1915; operations while General Officer Commanding 53 (Welsh) Div during the battle of Scimitar Hill, 21 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 15pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/37

1917 Feb 2

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Henry de Beauvoir de Lisle, former General Officer Commanding 29 Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 16132-16280, mainly relating to operations of 9 Corps under his command during the battle for Scimitar Hill, 21 Aug 1915; the poor divisional staff work of 9 Corps. Three identical copies. 23pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/38

1917 Jan 23

Typed copy of evidence of Brig Gen Alain Chartier de Lotbinière Joly de Lotbinière, former Chief Engineer, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 11867-12051, mainly relating to the arrangements for the supply of water at Anzac and Suvla Bay. Three identical copies. 30pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/39

1917 Feb 19

Photocopy of typescript letter by Capt William Maxwell, Military Intelligence 5 (MI5), War Office, to (Edward) Grimwood Mears, Secretary to the Dardanelles Commission, informing him of the alleged inexperience of British intelligence officers and interference in Maxwell's censorship of press correspondents during the Dardanelles Campaign. 2pp (Original in the Public Record Office)

HAMILTON: 8/2/40

1917 Mar 8

Typed copy of evidence of Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe, former Lord President of the Council, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 21690-21781, mainly relating to deliberations of the Dardanelles Committee over the reinforcement and evacuation of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Three identical copies. 26pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/41

1917 Feb 5

Typed copy of evidence of Keith Arthur Murdoch, war correspondent in Gallipoli, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 16335-16546, mainly relating to the letter written by Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, war correspondent, to Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith MP, Prime Minister, on the conduct of the Dardanelles Campaign which Murdoch carried from Gallipoli, and a similar letter written by Murdoch of 23 Sep 1915, to Rt Hon Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of Australia. Three identical copies. 28pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/42

1917 Feb 27

Typed copy of evidence of Brig Gen Hamilton Lyster Reed, former Brigadier General, General Staff of 9 Corps, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 20098-20393, mainly relating to the landings at Suvla Bay, 6-7 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 50pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/43

1917 Jan 23

Typed copy of evidence of Brig Gen Alexander William Roper, former Brigadier General, Royal Engineers, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 12110-12265, mainly relating to the arrangement of water supplies during the Gallipoli Campaign. Three identical copies. 20pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/44

1917 Jan 30

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Col the Hon Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, former General Staff Officer, General Headquarters, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 14456-14643, mainly relating to operations at Suvla Bay and Sari Bair, 6-20 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 25pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/45

1917 Jan 17

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Sir Frederick Charles Shaw, former General Officer Commanding 13 (Western) Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 10765-10937, mainly relating to operations of 13 Div during the battle of Sari Bair, Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 23pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/46

1917 Jan 18

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Sir Frederick Charles Shaw, former General Officer Commanding 13 (Western) Div, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 10938-10976, mainly relating to Turkish defences on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles; operations of 13 Div during the battle of Sari Bair, Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 6pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/47

1917 Jan 18

Typed copy of evidence of Brig Gen William Henry Sitwell, former General Officer Commanding 34 Bde, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 10977-11307, mainly relating to the attack of 31 Bde, 32 Bde, 33 Bde and 34 Bde on Yilghin Burnu (Chocolate Hill), Suvla, on 7 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 42pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/48

1917 Jan 15

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford, former General Officer Commanding 9 Corps, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 9576-10045, mainly relating to operations of 9 Corps at Suvla Bay, 7-8 Aug 1915. Two identical copies. 78pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/49

1917 Jan 16

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Gen the Hon Sir Frederick William Stopford, former General Officer Commanding 9 Corps, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 10046-10217, mainly relating to operations of 9 Corps at Suvla Bay, 7-8 Aug 1915. Three identical copies. 28pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/50

1917 Feb 12

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Gen Sir Aylmer Gould Hunter-Weston, former General Officer Commanding 29 Div and 8 Corps, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 17776-18019, mainly relating to arrangements for the landings of 25 Apr 1915 at Helles; supply of reinforcements and ammunition; choice of landing zones; effects of naval gunnery. Three identical copies. 44pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/51

1917 Feb 15

Typed copy of evidence of Lt Col Leslie Orme Wilson MP, formerly commanding Hawke Bn, Royal Naval Division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF), given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 18299-18398, mainly relating to the merits of frontal assaults during the Gallipoli Campaign; inspections of front lines by MEF General Staff. Three identical copies. 12pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/52

1917 Jan 24

Typed copy of evidence of Maj Gen Edward Mabbott Woodward, former Deputy Adjutant General, General Headquarters, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF), given to the Dardanelles Commission in reply to questions 12266-12507, mainly relating to requests for drafts and reinforcements; medical arrangements; cooperation between departments of the MEF General Headquarters. Two identical copies. 35pp

HAMILTON: 8/2/53

1917 Dec 4

The final report of the Dardanelles Commission (Part II-conduct of operations etc., with appendix of documents and maps) (HMSO, London, 1919) Including Hamilton's despatches of 20 May 1915, 26 Aug 1915 and 11 Dec 1915. Maps and appendices to despatch of 11 Dec are missing. 186pp