Shrapnel Valley - Gallipoli

Peter Evans

Shrapnel Valley - Gallipoli

Shrapnel Valley (also known as Shrapnel Gully) was often a safer way to the front lines during the Gallipoli Campaign although nearly always under heavy Turkish Army bombardment; hence the name.

The Cemetery was laid out near the exit to the beach from the valley, south of Anzac Cove in early May 1915. After Lone Pine it is the largest battlefield cemetery in the old Anzac sector. Despite being some 1,000 yards (914 metres) from the Turkish lines the cemetery was constantly exposed to enemy sniper fire. On 9 May 1915, Chaplain Ernest Merrington wrote of his visit there:

“The bullets often fell thickly around our little parties of workers on this site which has become forever sacred to Australians and New Zealanders … I was down there by myself at dawn, and found the fallen men laid side by side ready for internment. For hours I worked, laying the bodies in the graves, with no assistance except for a few men of a fatigue party making a track near by. I placed the identity discs and personal effects at the head of each grave. I counted 42 Australians and 10 Turks. The sun arose over the eastern hill revealing the awesome scene around me, of death, nobility, valour and sacrifice.”

[AWM 1DRL/496 Chaplain Ernest Northcote Merrington, 1st Light Horse Regiment.]

Reverend Walter Dexter organised working parties to build a low rock wall around part of the cemetery to protect it from flooding winter rains and obtained paint and other materials to ensure the neat appearance of the graves.

Today Shrapnel Valley with its distinctive Judas tree is considered to be amongst the most beautiful on the peninsula. Largely completed during the Gallipoli campaign, a small number of graves were incorporated into the cemetery after the war. Of the 683 burials in the cemetery, 527 are Australians, 56 New Zealanders, 28 British and 72 unknowns. Special Memorials commemorate 23 men believed to be buried here.

Gallipoli Campaign Turkey World War 1

Olympus E300

Shrapnel Valley - Gallipoli belongs to the following groups:

1. The Mysterious Balkans , All About Your Best Work, Amateur Photographers' Association, Art of the Middle East, Australian Landmarks and Icons, History, Landscape Photography, Live, Love, Dream: May you have a Blessed Christmas Season , Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, National Parks of the World & Great Parks Of The World, NEPG: Northern Exposure Photographers Group, Stillness Speaks **Max 2 uploads per day** {{No NUDES, ABSTRACT, CANDIDS or ACTION IMAGES}}, Trees - 2 images per day with trees as the focal point and War Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Shrapnel Valley - Gallipoli by Peter Evans
Shrapnel Valley - Gallipoli by Peter Evans
  • Linda Syms

    Linda Syms

    Fabulous scene.

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks Linda and for the fav :-)

  • ~ Ademac

    ~ Ademac

    Great image……………love the treatment, framing and that location has an almost mythical feel for any Australian.

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks mate.
    Yes you are very right, walking in about 0100hr on the morning of ANZAC Day was an emotional experience that I will NEVER forget.

  • Di Jenkins

    Di Jenkins

    amazing shot Peter – must have been so moving to be there.

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thank you. It is a VERY moving experience Di that is very hard to explain.

    The Turks are great people as well, you should go :-)

  • Peter Evans replied

    PS: I hope things are getting back to normal in your area.

  • Svetlana Sewell

    Svetlana Sewell

    Fabulous!

  • Peter Evans replied

    Much appreciated Svet, love your gallery :-)

  • Graham Jones

    Graham Jones

    Yeah well thanks for the invite Peter :-) Great image and very nicely enhanced. I think this would have to be on the agenda for the next trip to Europe.

  • Peter Evans replied

    You really have to do it mate. You won’t regret it.
    I’m going to France/UK in a couple of months any hints?

  • Denis Molodkin

    Denis Molodkin

    Outstanding capture!

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks mate, much appreciated.

  • Jane Keats

    Jane Keats

    Wow great shot!!

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks a lot Jane.
    Good win against the Hawks the other day :-(

  • Jane Keats

    Jane Keats

    Yes it was eh ;o)

  • satwant

    satwant

    Simply Great and congrats for this beautiful picture. Very well exposed Peter.

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks alot mate :-)

  • bamagirl38

    bamagirl38

    Beautiful !!!!!

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks Boni appreciated :-)

  • LudaNayvelt

    LudaNayvelt

    outstanding

  • Peter Evans replied

    Much appreciated Luda :-)

  • Nerida13

    Nerida13

    Beautiful image! That tree is just spectacular, and the light is great too.

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks very much Nerida and I have no idea what type it is, though I think its an Australian native?

  • Wendi Donaldson

    Wendi Donaldson

    Very striking shot, Peter – the treatment really makes it pop.

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks Wendi very much appreciated, love your work :-)

  • Louise Cooke

    Louise Cooke

    this has that kind of sombre dark mood you would associate with Gallipoli, yet the colours are beautiful – just lovely Peter :)

  • Peter Evans replied

    Hi gorgeous. Thanks very much it is a very sombre place but I wanted it light and bright on the soldiers that remain there.

  • TextureoftheSin

    TextureoftheSin

    Love your treatment – a very moving scene

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks so much ToS greatly appreciated :-)

  • flipteez

    flipteez

    How Spiritual Can One Get
    You’re such a talented Soul XXXX

  • Peter Evans

    Peter Evans

    Much appreciated Flip thanks babe your too kind xx

  • Mel Brackstone

    Mel Brackstone

    Awesome!

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks very much Mel :-)

  • BAD-HARVEST

    BAD-HARVEST

    such a beautiful picture of a place tinged with such horror…

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks gorgeous :-)

  • madvlad

    madvlad

    wonderful photo soo dam movingly sad and yet powerfull i once was at a ozzie.nz and british grave yard in crete suda bay there was nothing there but a small village yet the graves were kept well- and all around were ships sunk and air planes bodies all over the hills above the inlet bay-and the fact no one was there b ut a few of us made it all the more emotional to me the hms york or some ship was sunk to its water line – i,ll always remember how i felt- seeing the flowers not a lot but flowers anyways- on thier graves-your photo brought that memory back to me this day

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks mate I hope it was an enjoyable memory.

  • michael byerley

    michael byerley

    congrats on your feature !!!!! this is fantastic

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks Michael, you’ve just made me aware of it :-)

  • Philip Golan

    Philip Golan

    Beautiful shot and commentary Peter.

    They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
    Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
    At the going down of the sun and in the morning
    We will remember them.

  • Peter Evans replied

    Lest We Forget, thanks Mate :-)

  • Scott d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    true art

  • Peter Evans replied

    Much appreciated thanks Scott :-)

  • Lois Bryan

    Lois Bryan

    An absolutely stunning, stunning image … I have goosebumps from reading your text … thank you for including it. Just … magnificent!!!! You are a genius!!!!

  • Peter Evans replied

    Wooow thank you Goddess, very much appreciated.

  • Daidalos

    Daidalos

    stunning work

  • Peter Evans replied

    Thanks very much Alex :-)

  • billfox256

    billfox256

    “Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, little souls who thirst for fight, the unexplained glory flies above them. Great is the battle-god, great, and his Kingdom—-a field where a thousand corpses lie.” Stephen Crane.

    A tremendous photograph. Bill

  • Peter Evans replied

    Lest We Forget Bill, thank you mate :-)

  • dmarie

    dmarie

    looks like a painting…wonderful job :-)

  • Peter Evans replied

    Much appreciated thank you :-)

  • Magee

    Magee

    Oh Peter! You’re back! How wonderful to see you posting again, and starting with such an emotive image. Beautiful photography here my friend, and how gorgeous does it look surrounded by the black matte and frame. Excellent work, and a very informative read too. Great work!!

  • Magee

    Magee

    Sorry Peter!! I just realized this may well have been an older one i misses, but it’s still so good to have you back.

  • Peter Evans replied

    No problem and thank you very much.
    Sorry about the delay in response I’ve been away :-)

  • Trudi's Images

    Trudi's Images

    Stunning colours Peter,such a beautiful tree to brighten such a sad place, well composed shot :-))

  • Peter Evans

    Peter Evans

    Greatly appreciated Trudi thank you :-)

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