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Australian soldier prior to Dardanelles
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Australian soldier prior to Dardanelles

Australian soldier prior to Dardanelles campaign. This postcard is in my late father's collection (Wm Tulloch, New Orties, Burness, Sanday). As you will see from the text the soldier is boasting that he will show the Germans what an Australian soldier can do. How ironic. The photographer was based in Kirkwall.
Picture added on 15 April 2015 at 22:04
Comments:
Although the photograph is faded it is possible that the cap badge worn is of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery who fought at Gallipoli.
2738,Pte James Dick from Roadside, Sanday, a member of the Australian Imperial Forces, died 5th December, 1915,at Gallipoli. Could this be a postcard from him?
Added by Nicol Manson on 05 May 2015
Thanks Nicol for your informed reply.
I am the contributor of the photo & have to apologise for being less informed. I have re-examined the original & it actually gives the place of the photographer as 'Fremantle', not Kirkwall as I originally stated, many apologies. It is difficult to determine the name of the photographer, but I think it is 'Nixson'. There is a few places in Sanday called 'Roadside' including one now better known as 'Lady Village', 1 of the 2 villages. The text of the card reads:-
"Dear Friend Just a PC (postcard) of myself I suppose you will be surprised to hear from me after such a longe duration but you know time flys on and we have been busy all the time I am leaving soon for the front some where in france I expect or the Dardanells some where to show the Germans what the Australians is made off give all the girls and boys my Kind regards and tell the boys that I hope they have learned to shoot straight wishing you every success from your old Friend"
I am surprised that they got off with giving such info in a letter to a loved one. It is also unclear if he was being sent to France or Turkey (as I had originally assumed). BWT


Anonymous comment added on 16 May 2015
Brian, I was very interested in the postcard from your family collection with reference to a brave Sanday casualty of the Gallipoli Campaign, especially now this year, on the 100th anniversary of that disastrous conflict.
Although born in Grangemouth, James Dick, 10 years old, appears in the 1901 census, living with his uncle and family at Cowroad, Sanday. In 1911 the property was named Roadside where James was "Assistant on Croft".His mother Mary Muir was from Sanday, born 5.7.1856, daughter of Richard Muir and Mary Wallace. She married James Dick, 10.6. 1884, who was from Polmont, Stirlingshire. They are buried at Lady, Sanday, Plot: E/3.
On his enlistment on 10th August 1915 into the 9th Reinforcement Unit of the Australian Imperial Force, his father is residing at Roadside, Sanday.
He proceeded to join Middle East Forces at Zeiton, 31.10.15 and embarked on the "Minnewaska" for Alexandria, 4.11.15. He joined the 15th Battalion Infantry of the Australian Imperial Forces at the Gallipoli Peninsula, 13.11.15. 2738, Pte. James Dick was Killed In Action on 5.11.15. He is buried in 7th Field Ambulance Cemetary, Sp. Mem. A. 59.

His brother Richard was also born in Grangemouth, he "Answered The Call", and enlisted in Sanday with the 8th Batallion Seaforth Highlanders and entered The Theatre of War in France 9.7.15. 8th Seaforth had their first major battle on an attack at Loos on the 25th September, 1915, which was preceded by the first British gas attack of the war. On this day, S/6429, Pte. Richard Dick was Killed In Action. When 8th Seaforth were relieved that night, the Battalion had lost 718 out of 776 who had started the day.
We cannot repay what we owe to these brave men. At least, 100 years on, we should commemorate Their Sacrifice come 11th November.
Added by Nicol Manson on 31 May 2015
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