251451 Cpl. Henry John Gander British Army 1st Garrison Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment from:Canada This account is taken from notes written by my great grandfather, Henry Gander serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
Left Sheffield Aug 16th 1915 where we were entrained for Devenport.
Arriving at Devenport about 10.45am 17th and went straight on board H M T Ivernia remaining in harbour until 2.30pm 18th.
When we started our journey to Malta on our way down the English Channel we was saluted by the Navy three times by sounding the general salute. We was escorted out of the Channel by H M L Liberty which stayed with us until about 2.30am 19th when we was then escorted by a submarine round the coast of France.
The weather now getting very warm now we are nearing Spain. On Sat 21st we came in sight of the coast of Portugal the weather still being very warm and fine.
At dinner time a sea plane followed us for a considerable distance but its nationality we did not get to know. I might mention here that we have about 2800 on board all males. The food being very fair, but the boat itself is a very smooth running boat speed averages about 15-16 knots.
About 7pm we came in sight of Morocco on the West Coast of Africa running very close to the coast. The country being very hilly and rugged. The water we are now running through being called the Straits of Gibraltar.
At about 11pm we arrived at Gibraltar but never went into port owing to having sufficient troops aboard and having no more room.
On Sunday 22nd we arose to find ourselves right in the Mediteranian Sea the deck all being covered owing to the intense heat. The sea now being as smooth as a village pond not even a ripple on the water.
We had Church Parade at 9.30 and passing the rest of the day lolling and laying about deck. I myself thinking of the dear old home and the loved ones I had left behind.
On Sunday night we came to the North Coast of Africa. On Monday 23rd we arose no land being in sight and rather a rough sea, causing a lot of the troops to be sick. I might mention that during the night we was held up by three Italian Cruisers but course they let us proceed as soon as they found out who we were.
It is said that an Austrian boat is on the alert but we kept changing our course as we are being directed by the Admiralty from land by special code. We have now come in sight of another part of the North Coast of Africa.
At 11am we was inoculated against cholera.
On Tuesday 24th I rose about 4am the sea being still high but a lot of the troops having got over their sickness. We was still running close to the North Coast of Africa until about 9am when we run clear of land into the open sea.
In the afternoon about 3pm when we come in sight of the (Sixilly Island?)the coast being very high but very picturesque the cliffs being composed of very different coloured rock. Inland was very interesting looking as though it was newly settled there being a great number of shacks about which reminded me very much of North Western Canada.
Then we was running in open sea until bedtime but when we arose on Wednesday morning we was in sight of Malta rather a quaint looking place the buildings being flat roofed.
We got into harbour quarter to eight but owing to some error we had to stop on board all day. But myself being in charge of the cookhouse I disembarked about 10pm with the cooks, and went to camp ready to take over the cookhouse the next morning off the City Of London Territorials.
The camp being very hilly and rocky the Island being the Base Hospital for the Dardenels.
I have copied faithfully from the original script so please forgive any mis-spelt words.
Whilst in Malta he wrote the following poem, as you can see by the date peace was still a long way off.
England's Heroes
When the War is over and Peace is proclaimed
And the roar of the Guns is at rest
There'll be cripples galore amongst rich and poor
Don't forget they were England's Best
Some donned the Khaki some donned the Blue
Each swore to stick it and see the thing through
We'll win or we'll die said Jack Tar to Tom
In August fourteen the struggle begun
First France, Belgium and Russia and the cowardly Hun
Old England at once her reserves mobilized
Three quarters of which left children and wives
A weeks preparation each shouldered his gun
And straight out to France to slaughter the Hun
Luck was against us from Mons we retreat
The Marne and the Aisne almost proved our defeat
At last fortune smiled reinforcements arrived
Our Indian Contingent to fight by our side
But the six weeks of battle say French to (Joffre?)
Were the bloodiest fought in English History
We lost fifty thousand in less than three months
Two thirds married men The pick of the bunch
Two Million Young Sons Answered Kitchener's Call
To Avenge Those BRAVE HEROES who early did fall
The times not far off when the guns will be dumb
And The Allies have conquered the Cowardly Hun
My next few verses I trust all will heed
And Respect all those HEROES who KEPT ENGLAND FREED
What will become of our HEROES
When Home they return once again
Who have been fighting for England
On Sea and the Land Battle Stained
Some will be life long Cripples
And their names in history will ring
Give each one a mark of Distinction
That's been fighting for Home and KING
Just play the game for our Heroes
When the awful struggle is o'er
Don't let them enter the Workhouse
As they did in the days of yore.
H.J. Gander, 10th March 1916, Malta
I have committed these words to this site as a mark of respect to my great grandfather, I never knew him, but as well as being a war hero, he was also my Dad's hero.
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