Anzac Day Gallipoli 2015

It would appear we may have been a little tired on our return from Gallipoli, and have not kept you up to date with our family visit to Turkey and representing you all at Gallipoli on Anzac Day 2015.

We had no sooner arrived in Eceabat and were approached by a reporter from the UK Guardian for an interview. Here is an exerpt.

"As dawn rose over Gallipoli 100 years ago, Cyril Batchelor of the 12th Battalion AIF was on the number two boat in to North Beach, later to be known as Anzac Cove.

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The young Tasmanian made it ashore, but was hit in the left leg by Turkish machine gun fire and collapsed; a junior officer who ran over to him caught a neat row of bullets across the stomach and was among the first of about 620 Australian troops to die that day.

Batchelor did what he could for the young officer, then dug himself in to the sand. Such was the savageness of the fighting that it was three days before a medic could get near him.

“They took him to Lemnos to operate and, back in Hobart, he went on to father 10 children – the youngest of which was me,” said Ben Batchelor. “But when they took those bullets out, you know, he kept them. Kept them all his life. Couldn’t forget.”

Eceabat, a small, slightly scruffy port on the eastern side of the Gallipoli pensinula in modern day Turkey, is full of people like Ben, 79, and his wife June, 77: Australians and New Zealanders who have come to pay their respects to a brave young forebear, and to remember 11,000 fellow countrymen who came here, too, but never went back."

Gina Scott, June and Ben Batchelor and Guardian reporter Jon Hendley

Here is the full story

Ben and June were transported to the Anzac service with Crowded House Tours, who were very kind and easy to work with. If you are going to Turkey to do a tour of Anzac Cove, we would recommend them to you. 

We had ensured the oldies were kitted out correctly for their overnight adventure at Anzac Cove, they assured us on return they were not cold, but I can tell you they were very tired.

June and Ben Batchelor after the dawn service 2015 Gallipoli

We found the security to be excellent with gunmen on top of buildings everywhere, and fighter jets flying across frequently.

June Batchelor, Gina Scott, Ben Batchelor - Eceabat 2015 

In Eceabat there is a waterfront memorial too which is worth a walk around.

Eceabat memorial

And I have to say we were staying in an idealic location just outside a small village, (we found it difficult to actually locate any accommodation, even planning more than 12 months in advance). The locals were very friendly and helpful and many loved to have a chat.

On Gallipoli Peninsula looking toward Greece.

Ben also did an ABC interview with local radio in Launceston, whilst in Rome.

Anzac Centenary Commemorations 2015

Batchelor - Cherry Anzac Centenary 2015

We are very pleased to announce that our family WILL have a representative at the 100th Anzac day service on Gallipoli.

Ben Batchelor, youngest son of Cyril Batchelor and nephew of Percy Cherry and Archie Batchelor; together with his wife June, will represent the whole family at the dawn service on Gallipoli, this year.

Whilst the family did not gain a pass in the initial ballot to attend this important event, he was allocated a double pass during the year when one became availalble. We thank anyone who may have played a part in this process.

Ben and June with Serena, Clinton and Gina 2014

Ben and June will travel to Turkey with daughter Gina, and Tony Scott. It has been quite a challenge to organise a"first big overeses trip" for the older people but all is in order and they are looking forward to being the family representatives at this huge event. They were granted "mobility passes" which means they will be looked after to a degree, but still have to be independant. The bags are packed with all the necessary warm clothing and double because they are now from Queensland. They even have an emergency "survival bag" each to help keep warm whilst being exposed to the elements overnight. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for a warmer, drier than usual, night at Anzac Cove please.

Cyril was one of the first to land on Gallipoli in 1915, he was wounded in the left leg, and managed to be rescued after three days and sent to Lemnos for recovery, until he was shipped back to Tasmania in august 1915. He famously spoke about his recovery tactic - a stout every day on the ship home.

Would you like to tell us what you are doing this year for Anzac day? Just send us an email please.

Ben and June have done an interview with the ABC and we will let you know the link to listen when it s available.