Robert Sneddon Berwick

Killed in Action on the 04/06/1915 at the 3rd Battle of Krithia, Gallipoli

The Battalion was part of the 2nd Brigade, Royal Naval Division. The 3rd Battle of Krithia on the 04/06/1915 : The 2nd Brigade of the Royal Naval Division were on the left of the French with Anson, Hood and Howe. The "Collingwood's" were in support. The attack was to be a straightforward trench assault, any hold up would open the unit next in line to catastrophic fire from uncaptured Turkish positions. The "Collingwood" Battalion were in support and "A" Company "Collingwood" went over at 12.15pm in support of Anson. They suffered heavy losses covering the 400yds to the Turkish trenches. They tried to reach a second trench but were forced to retire. "B" Company "Collingwood" went up to the communication trench and into the Hood firing line. At 12.10pm they went over the top. Up to 400 yards of No Man's Land lay ahead. They reached the first trench with heavy loses, but by then they did not know of "A" Company's retirement. Reinforcements were ordered, but before they could get there, the Turks had regained the trench on the right and "B" Company were also ordered to retire. "D" Company were ordered into the firing line to support Howe and as soon as they reached there they went over. They reached a dummy trench after 100yds but with no support when they attempted to advance they too retired, again with losses. By 12.45pm 1060 officers and men of the Royal Naval Division lay dead. The Collingwood Battalion received so many casualties that the remaining men were used as Battle Casualty Replacements and the Battalion never reformed. Robert was reported as missing after action near the Dardanelles on the 04/06/1915. His death was not confirmed until a year later. SEE PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION BOOK MAY 28th - 5th JUNE 1915. Robert's parents received a letter of condolence from the First Lord of the Admiralty (see Newspaper clippings). Early in 1915, Robert and 13 other Coatbridge men, had their photo taken whilst training at the Crystal Palace. An enlargement was sent to Provost Davie who had it framed and put in the Magistrates Room in the Municipal Buildings. Robert is also remembered on the Blairhill United Free Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Robert's name on the Naval Casualties Index, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his name on the Service Register of Death or Injuries, the Collingwood Battalion shoulder title and Robert's Pension Records x 3. Finally, see photos x 3 for Newspaper clippings (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1, Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1), the Royal Naval Division Order of Battle x 16 (the Division he was with when he died) and another Newspaper clipping from The Scotsman 26/06/1915.