The Twelve Tree Copse cemetery

The cemetery was named after a group of pines which were somewhat south of the present cemetery and the area was named by the 86^th and 87^th Brigades who reached it on 28^th April. The original trees were destroyed by shellfire, their stumps used to reinforce trenches, but twelve pine trees have been planted in the cemetery to represent them.

"Gallipoli Battlefield Guide", (Barnsley 2000), Tonie & Valmai Holt, p. 73

While helping Moonie to dig his dug-out Gunner Richardson was unfortunately to stop a bullet in the side, he died within half an hour, just as the doctor arrived ... We have got used to this now and apart from being sorry that another of our mates has had to leave us, these scenes affect us but little. His wound is bound, his disc taken off, his uniform placed over him after all papers etc. have been taken out, he is then wrapped up in his blanket and

For most conspicuous bravery. He (*) was in the act of throwing a grenade when it slipped from his hand and fell to the bottom of the trench, close to several of our officers and men. He immediately shouted out a warning, and himself jumped clear and into safety, but seeing that the officers and men were unable to get into cover, and knowing well that the grenade was due to

In this unfortunate case, both medical and legal considerations are shown to be inadequate and illegal, particularly when the desperate soldier sought medical help, only to have the doctor turn prosecution witness. Then the Judge-Advocate General's department failed to quash the irregular proceedings. Sentence of death was promulgated on Sergeant Robins on New Year's day 1916, and at 8 am the following morning the execution took place on the beach at Cape Helles. (*)

"Shot at Dawn", (Barnsley 1996), J. Putkowski & J. Sykes, p. 61-62

(*) Sergeant Robins was executed, not at Cape Helles but 400 yards north of the Gully Ravine mouth

The victim, Sergeant John Robins, was a regular soldier who landed at Gallipoli as a corporal at the end of June 1915. In the early hours of 10 August his battalion - 5 Wiltshires - suffered a disaster when, without warning, they were overrun by the Turks while the men were sleeping in their bivouacs. In the ensuing panic, those men who managed to flee left without their equipment, a situation that

For the rest of his days he had to use a stick, but this did not deter him from an active life and he was proud to command the brigade in which two territorial battalions of his own regiment, the Scottish Riffles, were serving. He now knew where his duty lay. Summoning up the reserve battalion, he and its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel John Boyd Wilson, led it in two successive waves unflinchingly over the parapet just after 1 pm, top certain death. Neither of these two officers had advanced more than a few yards before they were killed, and the battalion, still facing the enemy lines, disintegrated around their bodies.

"Gallipoli", (London 2000), Michael Hickey, p. 221

compounded heir predicament when they found themselves trapped in a gully with no means of defense. Nearly four months later, and after his promotion to sergeant, Robins found himself on trial for his life.
The fatal incident had occurred when the NCO had been ordered to accompany an officer on a patrol. Robins maintained that he was unwell and had refused to go. In consequence the sergeant had been ordered to report to the medical officer. After examining the soldier, the doctor prescribed some medicine and returned him to duty. However Sergeant Robins maintained that he was still unwell, and he refused to accompany the officer on the patrol. On 8 December Sergeant Robins was tried on a charge of 'Willfully disobeyingan order given by a superior officer in the execution of his duty'. The NCO still maintained however that he had been unfit for duty, and he related to the court that since serving in India he had suffered from fits which were aggravated by wet weather. Whatever the cause of the sergeant's debility, his battalion's diary showed that during the month of December, 25% of the battalion's strength. was on the sick list adding weight to the likelihood that Robins was also unwell. At the court martial hearing the doctor who had examined Robins did not give evidence, instead he submitted a written statement. The outcome of this fiasco was, that notwithstanding that the witness could not be cross-examined, this written deposition was improperly admitted as evidence.

Extracts from the Kings' Own Scottish Borderers in the great war indicates the gallant spirit and bravery of some of those who took part :

Lieutenant Cheatle stood with bleeding head cheering on the men untill he was killed.

Captain Antrobus shook hands with his comrades,

and led them in the final recapture of the line, to fall when he reached it.

Captain Marrow, Adjudant -shot in the head whilst speaking to Major MCAlester, the Commanding Officer. His head was shattered and he fell dead over the commanding officer.

"Helles Landing-Gallipoli", (Barnsley-2003), Huw & Jill Rodge, p.142.