A Marine at Gallipoli on the Western Front: First In, Last Out: The Diary of Harry Askin

by Harry Askin, Jean Baker (Editor), Gaynor Newlyn (Editor)

Harry Askin was 22 when he enlisted at Nottingham in September 1914 and was sent to train with the Royal Marines at Portsmouth.He set sail with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in late February 1915. On 25 April he was towed ashore to Gallipoli. So began a nine month ordeal of constant fighting and shelling on that bare and desperate Peninsula.In this diary he captures the atmosphere of danger and death, blazing heat in summer and rain and cold at other times. The smell of dead bodies was everywhere and while the fortitude of the troops was astonishing, at times confusion and panic prevailed. Harry was wounded twice in one day but the surgeon removed the bullet and he returned to the firing line.Harry was among the last to withdraw and his reward was to be sent to the Western Front. Again he was wounded. This is a stirring memoir which paints a vivid picture of the horrors of war.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2015

Reviews

[Bill38silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a worthy addition to the huge literature on the 1st World War. Published as recently as 2015 the book is based on the diaries of Harry Askin, a 22 year old who enlisted in September 2014, and after months of training, sailed to Gallipoli where his 9 month ordeal there is graphically covered up to the "best" bit of the campaign, the excellently organised evacuation. Harry was one of the last to leave the bloody peninsular. A minor point but, despite Gallipoli being emphasised in the book title with the largest font size, Harry's involvement ends at page 97 of 248 pages.

Harry's account then moves primarily to his days fighting on the Western front up to mid-1917. Whilst his account is repetitive but never dull that was what it was like at the front line or in support. In often appalling weather and shockingly bad conditions underfoot ( and sometimes up to the neck in cloying mud), suffering constant shelling by giant guns and various objects of death or maiming, being machine gunned, gassed and dealing with unimaginable horrors on a daily basis, his account is gritty and honest, pulling few punches when it comes to "dizzy" seniors, lousy(literally) fellow soldiers, and the dodges by slackers for example.

This book conveys the physical and mental trauma, fatigue and exhaustion that must have affected most combatants. Whilst the book was obviously written some time after the events, it is based on scribbled notes made at the time.

It is difficult to be critical, and it is not the fault of this hero, I felt the published book could have included a few pages of Harry's life before enlisting and a few about his life after World War 1. Similarly, a few notes for the general reader would have been useful regarding what happened with a wider war perspective (for example, noting the number of total casualties in the Gallipoli campaign, or a few paragraphs on the specific conflict where Harry was located). The book finishes rather abruptly with Harry being commissioned and travelling back to England just avoiding being involved in the horrendous battle of Passchendaele in 1917. So, unlike the sub-title- he was not "Last Out".

This book, a harrowing read at times, is one of the best personal accounts of a combatant in World War 1.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional description of trench warfare in WWI.

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read hardback edition. Great diary of a Royal Marine who fought both in Gallipoli and France. He started out as a private and ended as a lieutenant. He was a soldier who simply did his duty. He did receive commendations, but his diary is not about his personal heroism, rather it is about day to day life in the trenches. He was wounded three times.
His account gives one a good view of what life in the trenches was like.
His dry British humor throws in some entertainment through it all.
The sad part with this war as it is with many wars is that there is little mention of God and faith. It is mentioned occasionally but most men during their free time drank heavily. He does speak quite favorably of a Catholic chaplain who does care for and pray over the wounded and dying in the midst of combat.
The horrors of trench warfare and combat are what this book is all about including the poison gas, the shelling, the snipers, the sometimes chest deep mud, lack of food and water, and the lines going back and forth.
Very good account.