An unusual image from the Gallipoli campaign.
A curious subject for a British postcard, you might think. Tuck’s had been producing postcards (and before that, Christmas cards) since the early 1870s, and Queen Victoria granted the firm a Royal Warrant in 1893. They produced many sets of cards during the Great War, this example being from their ‘War Episodes’ series.
Curious indeed – Singalese attacking Turks at Gallipoli – they appear to be Muslims whom I presume are Sinhalese from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). I suspect there is far more of a story than portrayed on this postcard image.
A 100 years Gallipoli article mentions the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps with three soldiers who had fought at Gallipoli now buried in Colombo. These young men had been injured in battle, were treated in the UK, but then died on the hospital ship taking them home. It goes on to say: The first Sri Lankan contingent to head overseas during the First World War was the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps. This was a volunteer regiment from Kandy made up of tea and rubber planters. As early as the autumn of 1914, eight officers and 221 soldiers sailed to Egypt, and were attached to the 1st Battalion Wellington Regiment as a part of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). The article explains much more but I suspect the Riflemen were of European heritage. See here:
https://blogs.fco.gov.uk/lauradavies/2015/04/28/gallipoli-ceylons-role-remembered/
And https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceylon_Defence_Force
There are other websites – It will be welcome if someone can expand on the background this postcard portrays.
And that really is from Sid, despite my face appearing – don’t even ask. Please let me know if comments for this post fail to appear – preferably by simply using the comments section on another post.
Well first, and possibly last, they are Senegalese, from Senegal, not Sri Lankans. 200,000 Senegalese Tirailleurs fought for France (hence the red & blue uniforms) in the Great War, 135,000 of them in Europe, and 30,000 died. People only tend to think of Algerian Zouaves fighting for France (think first German gas attack), but that’s a fair number of Senegalese, isn’t it?
Thank you MF – this reply is as requested to test the system
Splendid! And great information from both of you. Thank you for that.
Bit concerned that Sid now looks like you though M, I think that’s taking the whole ‘super fan’ thing a step too far
Hehehe
Actually, that’s Sid wearing one of my patented MF masks. Want one?
Yes please!! Now available from the online shop for a very reasonable fee hahaha
Btw some interesting photographs of Brookwood Cemetery turned up today. Thought they might be of interest as I don’t think you’ve covered that one yet (not Brookwood military cemetery). Will drop you a line with a link
Excellent. Please do. I have photographed a few graves in the massive non-military bit, but there was a problem. Remind me and I will tell you the tale. It’s quite funny, in a serious sort of way.
And another heh heh – there is another story to my real face not being there – I’d like it to be but the Gravatar system for doing it frightens me more than an MF mask
Smiley faces don’t seem to be working 🙁
And now they do lol
Roflmfao!!!!!
Being a shy, bashful, innocent and modest boy from the bush, I had to Google ROFLMFAO
Roflmfaoa!
Hi, I just wanted to say that these postcards you are posting are absolutely fantastic and so much appreciated. My grandfather fought at Gallipoli and in Northern France as well as in Belgium and Egypt. I have visited all the sites where he fought except for Egypt and these cards remind us all of what all of these wonderful servicemen and women did in order for us to enjoy the life we have today in our countries.
Thank you so much for posting everything you do. It is all so marvellous and will teach us so much.
Hello Marion. You are too kind. Well, I had to come up with something for my discerning readership (!) during these troublesome times. And I have plans for a trip to Gallipoli, if fate allows, but I have seen some of the area where Lawrence of Arabia fought. Unfortunately too long ago for photographs to survive subsequent floods!!