Gallipoli

 

The merchantman cautiiously moved through the waters of the Dardanelles.

Fierce fighting on land and the beaches had reached a crescendo.

The crew was alert to artillery fire.

Bill Dawson a Mercantile Marine Officer stood on deck.

The scene before him was one of unremitting battle.

British soldiers were in retreat.

In the sea they held their rifles aloft with both hands.

A voice cried out ´Bill Dawson, it´s me........

Bill looked below into the muddy coastal waters.

He saw a man he knew from his home town in Cumberland.

´Help me Bill´,came the desparate plea.

Bill immediately recognised the man.

The ship maintained its course. Little could be done.

The enemies guns were trained on all the vessels.

The two men clearly beheld each other.

One helpless and the other in distress.

Within minutes it was over as the ship moved relentlessly on.

An encounter which brought horror and guilt.

Bill stood and wept, for himself and for his compatriot.

For the remainder of his life Bill was haunted.

It became a recurring nightmare.