On the 09/07/1915 the Battalion embarked at Devonport and sailed on "H.M.T. Alaunia" to Alexandria via Gibraltar and Malta arriving on the 20/07/1915. They departed on the 22/07/1915 and arrived two days later at Mudros Bay. On the 06/08/1915 they trans-shipped at Mytilene, boarding "Faunette" and "Sania". On the 07/08/1915 they landed at "C" Beach, Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. They were part of the 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. Divisional HQ embarked at Liverpool on the 9th July, and by the end of the month most units had assembled on Lemnos. On the 6th/7th August 1915 the Division landed at Suvla Bay, less 29th Infantry Brigade which went to ANZAC Cove. The main body made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th / 8th August. Parts of 29th Infantry Brigade took part in actions on Sari Bair on the 6th - 10th of August and at Hill 60 later that month. SEE PHOTOS x 5 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JULY - SEPTEMBER 1915. The War Diary states casualties on the 09/08/1915 were - "1 Officer Killed, 2 Wounded believed Killed, 1 Wounded and Missing, 6 Wounded, 1 Missing. 259 Other Ranks Killed, Wounded, Missing (see Battalion War Diary 3)". Thomas Died of Wounds aboard H.M.H.S. "Soudan" (Hospital Ship) just 2 days after landing at "C" Beach, Suvla Bay. Thomas' name on the Helles Memorial donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here (the name on the Helles Memorial and CWGC is FITZSIMONS). See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his listing in Ireland's Casualties of WW1, his name on the Helles Memorial (he is listed as Fitzsimons on the Helles Memorial, CWGC and Ireland Casualties WW1), his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his CWGC Grave Registration, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Cap Badge, H.M.H.S. "Soudan", H.M.H.S. "Soudan" leaving Malta and H.M.H.S. "Soudan" at Gallipoli. Finally. SEE PHOTOS x 36 FOR THE 10th (IRISH) DIVISION BOOK AUGUST 1915, PHOTOS x 4 FOR THE DIVISIONS OFFICER CASUALTIES, PHOTOS x 2 FOR THE DIVISIONS HONOURS AWARDED and the 10th (Irish) Division Order of Battle x 14 (the Division he was with when he fell). If interested in the 10th (Irish) Division in Gallipoli read the online edition -
HERE
