Looking back on Gallipoli (From Surrey Comet)

Looking back on Gallipoli

3:50pm Thursday 5th May 2005

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It was the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign's landings on Monday last week. and a Claygate historian has written a book on his military ancestors part in the conflict.

In Where is Gallipoli? Howard Mallinson, 62, tells the story of his great-grandfather, Sergeant Major George Ash and his son, Private George Vivian Ash.

Both men died in 1915, the former after a lifetime of army service and the latter during the Gallipoli Campaign.

Mr Mallinson said he had always been fascinated by a family heirloom, a clock presented to Sgt Ash in 1907.

He said: "A chance remark about it at my local pub, The Foley Arms in Claygate, sparked things off.

"I found out that my friend Len Chandler's father had been wounded during the Gallipoli Campaign which ran from 1915 to 1916 and that the grandfather of my late friend David Hare had commanded a brigade.

"This book is about my discovery of my own soldier ancestors, because my family never discussed it.

"I later realised my grandmother never got over the fact that her brother, Private George Vivian Ash, was killed at Gallipoli."

Colonel Michael Hickey, who wrote the book's forward, said: "The author's enthusiasm and persistence, aided by his friends at The Foley Arms, has been rewarded. This is social history at its most vital."

During the disastrous Gallipoli campaign the allied forces tried to take over the Dardanelles straits separating European Turkey from Asia, with most fighting on the European side The Gallipoli Peninsula. The Turkish-controlled waterway was vital for Russian sea access, then Britain's ally against Turkey.

The allied troops were evacuated in January 1916, after sustaining thousands of casualties.

The book, typseset by Moorhouse Publishing, costs £17.95 and is available from Regency Bookshop, Victoria Road, Surbiton.

ygordon@london.newsquest.co.uk

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