Robert Taylor Ormerod

Private 18859
6th Bn, East Lancashire Regiment

Robert was the son of Margaret A. Ormerod, of Laurel Mount, Nethertown, Whalley, Blackburn.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Robert was living at Nethertown, Whalley, with his parents and siblings. The details of the family are recorded as follows.

Robert died on 9 August 1915, during the Gallipoli campaign, and his brother, Frank, died four days later during the same campaign.

6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment formed part of 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division, and on 9 August 1915 were involved in an attack on Chunuk Bair.

Robert has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial (Panel 116). The Helles Memorial stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula, and takes the form of an obelisk over 30 metres high that can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles.

In British Regiments at Gallipoli Ray Westlake describes the movements and activities of 6th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, from June 1915 until the end of the Gallipoli campaign.

The entries from June 1915 until the date of Robert's death are shown below.

"JUNE

Blackdown, Hampshire. Part of 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. "C" and "D" Companies entrained at Frimley for Avonmouth (13th) and there embarked Nile. Headquarters with "A" and "B" Companies left early (14th) and embarked with 38th Brigade Headquarters Ausonia. Officers - Colonel A R. Cole-Hamilton (Commanding); Majors F.H. Trent (2nd in Command), H.B. McCormick, D.S.O.; Captains C.G. Lutyens, A.E. Gayer (Adjutant), G.E. Chadwick, H.S. Bull, G.R. Treadwell, C.L. Purves, A.C. Trimmer, H.E. Wood; Lieutenants H.J.C. Mackarriess, E.H. Trimmer, C.G. Wood, T.P. Watson, E.F. Smith, H. Debenham, J.G. Gilbert, F.C. Cocks, J.K. Varvill, C. Davidson (Quartermaster); 2nd Lieutenants W.R. Marshall, R.N.O. Bartlett, O.A. Watt, C.N.B. Hurt, W.A. Harris, P.L. Bathurst, J.H. Watson, R.G. Grant, R.N. Galloway. Both sailed (16th June). Nile arrived Alexandria 6 a.m. (26th) then to Lemnos (27th). "C" and "D" Companies disembarked and marched to bivouacs about one mile from Mudros Harbour. Battalion records note that there were no tents and the men had to camp on hard rough ground. No transport was available and all stores and baggage had to be man-handled.

Ausonia arrived (2nd). Crossed to Gallipoli (6th) and landed "V" Beach dawn (7th). Marched to dug-outs in cliff side above "W" Beach. Lance Corporal J. Howarth drowned while bathing (8th). Relieved 6th King’s Own in reserve line (Eski Line) during evening. Relieved 6th Loyal North Lancashire in support and front line trenches (9th) - positions in 88th Brigade, 29th Division sector extreme left of British Line. Battalion records note "Turkish shell-fire appeared to do little harm." Flies, however, were a problem - "It was always a fight as to whether you, or they, got your food first and it wasn’t always you who won." Relieved (15th) and to Eski Line. To rest area on Gully Beach (16th). Sir Ian Hamilton met the Battalion (17th) and mentions in his book Gallipoli Diary how impressed he was by the men’s "physique and class." Moved forward to Achi Baba Nullah sector (18th) and attached to Royal Naval Division. Positions (captured from Turks) noted as not being as good as those previously held. Much work carried out strengthening line. Large numbers of unburied dead from action fought a. few days before. Enemy bombardment recorded as "severe" - Company’s trenches badly hit (21st). Withdrew to bivouacs. Moved forward to front line positions - western branch, Achi Baba Nullah (22nd). Relieved (29th) and to dug-outs in Krithia Nullah, Position noted as being in full view of the enemy on Achi Baba - "any activity here drew shell-fire." Ordered to withdraw 10 p.m. (31st). Moved to "V" Beach, boarded mine-sweepers and crossed to Mudros. Casualties for period on Helles - 12.

Embarked Osmanieh (4th). Landed Watson’s Pier, Anzac Cove early morning (5th) and marched along beach to Victoria Gully. Heavy shelling 7 - 11 a.m. (6th) Lieutenant H.J.C. Mackarness wounded. Regimental history records how Captain Gayer had a narrow escape - a shell-case hitting the ground between his legs without touching him. Further casualties during bombardment 5.30 - 6 p.m. Moved along beach to Reserve Gully below The Sphinx (7th) and later in afternoon to bivouacs near No. 3 Post. Now in reserve to New Zealand troops. Position noted as "uncomfortable" - bullets dropping among the men throughout the night. Moved forward early (8th) to Chailak Dere then at dusk to Bauchop’s Hill - Turkish positions captured by New Zealanders on 6th August. Attack on Chunuk Bair (9th). Moved forward early morning - original rought [sic] over Cheshire Ridge into Aghyl Dere found to be crowded with returning wounded and difficult. Turned around and after reconnaissance by Captain G.E. Chadwick crossed into Aghyl Dere and moved forward. Regimental history records … "at daybreak they were still strung out along the ravine. All could hear the British bombardment, but at 5.15 a.m., the hour of assault, General Baldwin’s column (Commander, 38th Brigade) had not arrived in its place of deployrnent." Leading companies reached start position by 6 a.m. - under heavy fire from enemy position on crest immediately north of Chunuk Bair and machine guns in a cornfield on eastern side of The Farm advanced across open land. First casualties included Captain A.E. Gayer (wounded) and Captain C.G. Lutyens while leading "C" Company. Regimental history records that this officer apologized to his commanding officer for having been wounded. He died latter [sic] at a dressing station. Colonel Cole-Hatrilton received mortal wounds while leading his battalion, Major Trent (2nd in Command) severely wounded. "A", "B" and "C" Companies checked by fire from hidden ravine between them and objective. "D" Company under Captain H.S. Bull on right made some advance but forced to halt upon reaching an almost sheer cliff. Relieved by party of 10th Hampshire at dusk and fell back to edge of Farm Plateau. Later assembled in Aghyl Dere. Enemy attacked 4.45 a.m. (10th) - General Baldwin’s line forced back to Aghyl Dere - survivors of Battalion covering withdrawal. Artillery fire checked Turkish advance and forced retreat across the Farm Plateau, Captain A.C. Trimmer is noted as putting his machine guns to good use and Captain Bull for his "skill and courage." Strength now just about 100 men. Officer casualties - Colonel A.R. Cole-Hamilton, Captain C.G. Lutyens; Lieutenants C.G. Wood, H. Debenham, E.H. Trimmer, killed or mortally wounded. Majors F.H. Trent, H.B. McCormick; Captains A.E. Gayer, A.C. Trimmer; Lieutenants R.N.O. Bartlett, E.F. Smith, J.K. Varvill; 2nd Lieutenants J.H. Watson, C.N.B. Hurt, R.N. Galloway wounded. Position entrenched. Drafts arrived from Mudros (15th). Carried out two tours of duty in front line then relieved by 1/5th Bedfordshire (29th). Marched along beach to Suvla (31st) and to bivouacked on shoreward side of Lala Baba."

The Farm, where Robert's Battalion was fighting at the time of his death, was a stone hut on a small sloping field, known to the Turks as 'Aghyl' (sheepfold). Below it were two rises known as The Apex and The Pinnacle. The Farm was on the route of the forces attacking Chunuk Bair up Rhododendron Ridge in early August 1915, in an attempt diversion from the Suvla Landings known as the Battle of Sari Bair.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database confirms that Robert was killed in action at Gallipoli on 9 August 1915. The Database also records that Robert was born and lived in Whalley, and that he enlisted in the Army in Clitheroe.