A tribute to Uncle Rory Arnold, killed in Gallipoli

A tribute to Uncle Rory Arnold, killed in Gallipoli

Had he and I but met

By some old ancient inn

We should have sat us down to wet

Right many a nipperkin

But ranged as infantry

And staring face to face

He shot at me and I at him

And killed him in his place

Thomas Hardy

I have just arrived at the Kohatu Junction. 

In the background you can see the war memorial for fallen soldiers. My father's 3 older brothers went off to WW1, as did my mother's father. Rory was killed and is buried at a tiny graveyard very close to Anzac Cove. My daughters and two sisters have visited.

A letter to his parents from a chum explained they were fighting in trenches about 30 yards across, using periscopic rifles in the daytime. Rory had been on duty for 2 hours and had said he'd have one last look. He popped his head up and was shot in the head and killed instantly. 

He was buried at night and was highly regarded, "The best shot in the 10th MR (Mounted Rifles) and was one of the hardest toilets in quite indefatigable."

A letter from his commanding officer, Lieutenant Chaytor, said he was holding the line at Walker's Ridge. 

He was a fine shot and had been selected to have one of the first telescopic rifles allocated at Gallipoli.

My father was an Autumn leaf and only four when his brother was killed.