Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

An account of Albert J Griggs landing at Anzac Cove from the Bendigonian Newspaper August 5 1915 - 

PRIVATE A. J. GRIGG,
'Private A. J. Grigg, of the 15th Battalion Queenslanders, who is a son of Mr. A. Grigg, of Robsnaw street, Bendigo, returned to Victoria on the s.s. Kyarra, and is at present on a visit to his father's
on a final four days' leave prior to his departure for the font again. Private Grigg considers that he is very lucky to be able to return to Australia for even a brief period, as many of his comrades were kept in hospital until they were fit to go again to the front. A great cheer went up from the men on the Kyarra when they sighted Australian shores, and they were all pleased at the thought of seeing their relatives again.
Private Grigg was with his battalion in the memorable landing and charge of the 25th April, and was in the firing line for the four days following. Whilst returning from the trenches he endeavored to dodge a shrapnel shell which came screeching through the air, and in racing up the cliff he trod on a loose stone, fell,
and rolled down the steep side a distance of 30 or 40 feet, injuring his thigh and leg. He became unconscious and did not regain his senses until he found himself on board one of the hospital boats. Whilst in their dug-outs his best pal, Jack Robin went out to get some water for his mates and returned with it safely to the trench. He had just arrived, and called out, "Well mates, here's a drop of water, we'll have a drink now," when a bullet struck him in the forehead and he dropped dead, the water falling with him.

The Turks used to charge close to the trenches
and hurl their grenades amongst the Australians. Some Turks actually reached some trenches and bayoneted a few Australians, but this was of rare occurrence as they were usually beaten back, and
had very little heart for bayonet charges.
It was a wonderful thing to note the effects of the shells from the Queen Elizabeth. When the 15in. shells hit their mark a great mass of earth and debris would be flung skywards. The emotions of those comprising the first battalions were varied and interesting. Huddled on the deck of a destroyer without a chance to return a shot, the men fell like so many sheep going to the butcher. They became cold and chilled at the feeling of in activity or inability to do anything. When the moment came for them to jump into the water and wade ashore, their blood began to race and they warmed up to the work in hand, forgetting all else in their desire to get to the enemy. Their pent up feelings were given vent to in cheers, oaths and taunts to the enemy, many men using in the moment of stress expressions they had never used before.
Private Grigg witnessed many pathetic scenes, but he does not care to dwell upon them. A hidden battery caused much damage to the Australians, and up to the
time he left it had not been located.
Whilst at Lemnos prior to embarking for the landing at Gabo Tepe, Private Grigg met many Bendigonians, including Lance Corporal Truesdale, Kingsley, P. Hindley, W. Joy, and others, and was able to supply
them with tobacco and cigarettes. He,
however, never came across any wounded
Bendigonians in Egypt on his return.'